š® Giving an old kitchen a makeover without major renovations ā that was the challenge Alice and Leo set for themselves.
š„š This couple proves that with a little determination, a few tools, and some clever ideas, itās entirely possible to bring character back to a dated room without replacing everything. Follow their leadā¦
ā”ļø See the stunning before/after photos in the first comment. The transformation is striking! šššš
When they moved into their 65 mĀ² apartment in the heart of Brussels, Alice and Leo quickly decided to tackle the aging kitchen, sadly neglected by the previous occupants.
In just four days, they managed to modernize and refresh the space, blending a retro atmosphere with contemporary touches for a striking result.
Preserving the Existing to Highlight Its Potential
Why choose to keep the original furniture and fittings? Because despite its worn appearance, the kitchen had a practical layout and a certain hidden charm.
Rather than throwing everything away, Alice and Leo opted for a clever, affordable makeover that enhanced the existing elements. After a thorough cleaning and a few well-chosen coats of paint, the kitchen regained its brightness and personality.
A Clever Makeover, Step by Step
Deep Cleaning Before Painting
First things first ā a complete clean was essential. In a kitchen where grease and moisture build up, starting with a perfectly clean surface is a must before painting. Alice and Leo scrubbed every corner, from the cabinets to the floor, to ensure the paint would stick properly.
Choosing the Right, Durable Paints
To modernize the cabinet fronts, the couple picked a soft, elegant pastel blue-grey. But it wasnāt just about color ā they needed paints that could withstand humidity and daily splashes. So they selected special kitchen and bathroom paints, both for the furniture and for the outdated floral wall tiles.
Their chosen products:
ā¢ Walls: Sencys classic matte white
ā¢ Woodwork: Sikkens Rubbol solvent-based satin white
ā¢ Radiator: Sencys special radiator paint
ā¢ Cabinets: Dulux Valentine kitchen and bathroom paint, āLaurierā color
ā¢ Wall tiles: Levis special kitchen and bathroom paint, white
Being Patient and Adaptable
Renovation often brings surprises. When they removed the old linoleum, Alice and Leo discovered a hidden parquet floorā¦ sadly damaged. After long hours of scraping, stripping, and sanding, they brought this old floor back to life ā and it became one of the roomās standout features.
Their parquet products:
ā¢ V33 super wood paint stripper
ā¢ Rubio Monocoat Natural oil
Adding Decorative Touches to Personalize
Once the kitchen was revamped, the couple didnāt add major new features. Instead, they incorporated vintage dĆ©cor pieces to reinforce the character of the space: metal pendant lights, antique boxes, thrifted objectsā¦ A carefully balanced retro style that gives the room real personality.
An Affordable and Inspiring Project
With a small budget and very little time, Alice and Leo transformed their kitchen and gave their apartment fresh charm. Even better, they kept going and renovated the living room, bedroom, and dining room in just three months. Itās a great example that with a bit of patience, resourcefulness, and good ideas, you can breathe new life into your home without costly renovations.
