I transformed my grubby, mismatched kitchen for just £21 – I saved hundreds on new cupboards using £1 hack
A MUM on a budget has shared her incredible kitchen makeover, which cost her just £21.
Savvy Steph Wilkinson posted her incredible handiwork to the 2.2 million members of Facebook group DIY On A Budget Official.
She broke down the process of her transformation using before and after pictures, showing off her jaw-dropping overhaul for a fraction of the price.
Alongside her first picture, showing the state of the kitchen before her makeover, Steph wrote: “We just put up a small bit of worktop for the washer and dryer- free from the mother in law.”
In the picture, Steph has used a smart piece of granite-style worktop to cover her kitchen appliances, and gave her kitchen units a more cohesive style.
She then posted a second picture showing her first attempt at painting the cabinets.
Initially choosing a slick grey colour, Steph said the outcome wasn’t quite what she had in mind.
“Decided to paint cupboards with grey paint from my shed, it wouldn’t cover and I hated it.”
But determined Steph didn’t give up there, posting a third pic of a new paint job – and she’d managed to grab some clearance paint for just £1 a can.
“Bought some paint on clearance for £1, and new black handles from amazon for £20.”
Steph had nabbed a right steal with her Rust-oleum paint in shade Thyme and it covered her cabinets fabulously.
She told Facebook users: “Lovely green shade and I love it now.”
Hunting on Amazon, Steph spent £20 on some modern black door handles.
Which brought Steph’s total costs to just £21 – an amazing cost for a complete kitchen refresh.
Users in the comment section couldn’t believe their eyes – it looked like Steph had paid for a whole new kitchen.
One person, keen to replicate her makeover themselves, asked: “Did you just paint it straight on with a roller? Looks good.”
Steph replied: “I used a paintbrush, not sure if it would’ve worked with a roller as it’s really thick paint.”
Other people just wanted to praise her for her incredible job.
“Totally different colour combination to the norm, unique & gorgeous.”
“This looks amazing.”
“Looks like brand new kitchen. Love that green.”
“You’re a genius. You’ve managed to transform a whole kitchen for £21. I really admire you. It looks stunning”
“Lovely colour, I love it with the black. Looks great, job well done.”
What are the biggest kitchen trends of 2025?
The kitchen is the heart of every home and this year it’s taking centre stage, Tracy Coleman, Product Director at High Street TV told Fabulous.
Hardworking appliances
Space-saving essentials are needed in every room of the house, and the kitchen is no exception, meaning appliances are often doing double (or triple) the job.
Expect to see air fryer ovens that roast, bake, and fry or blenders with attachments for everything from chopping to grinding.
Health and wellness
With people becoming more mindful of what they eat and how it impacts their well-being, kitchen appliances are stepping up to
meet the demand for healthier, more balanced lifestyles.
Air fryers remain hugely popular, along with blenders and juicers that retain nutrients.
Energy-bill conscious
Finally, with rising energy bills and an increased focus on sustainability, people are turning to appliances that help reduce power consumption and keep costs down.
More people are finding joy in cooking at home as a cost-effective
way to enjoy delicious, nutritious meals. Cooking at home doesn’t just save money—it’s also a fun way to bring the family together or experiment with new recipes.
With the right tools, such as multi-functional appliances and smart kitchen gadgets, creating meals at home becomes easier, faster, and more satisfying.