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CONSCIOUS
Makeover
Kitchen
Learn how to redo your space to suit your taste — and your budget
by Jenny Stanley
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHIL LEISENHEIMER AND TRACY WALSH
ILLUSTRATIONS BY JENNIFER SCHULTZ AND STEPHEN HUTCHINGS
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BEFORE
FEW PROJECTS IN LIFE ARE AS REWARDING
as turning a house into your home, especially when you put in the time
and effort to do it yourself. But big jobs, such as a kitchen makeover, can
seem more daunting than exciting when you first dive in — just ask
HANDY’s assistant art director, Tracy Walsh, a first-time homeowner who
surrendered her outdated kitchen to us for the greater HANDY good. Her
story shows that with some planning and a little creativity, you can give
your ho-hum kitchen a timeless and affordable transformation.
Get a game plan
Before you rip out old flooring or choose new
tiles, you must first identify attainable goals
based on your budget. Figure out how much
you want to spend; then research improvements
that will fit within those parameters.
Next, make a list of the functional
upgrades and cosmetic enhancements you’d
like to implement, in order of importance.
This way, even if you can’t complete everything
at once, you can keep working toward
your overall goal. Keep in mind, though, that
it’s logical to group some projects together. For example, if you’re planning
to replace the countertop, sink and faucet, it would make sense to
do them at the same time, as they all involve work in the same area.
Also consider focal points. If you cut costs in areas that are less visible,
you’ll have more money to splurge on eye-catching items such as
cabinet doors, accent tiles or decorative hardware.
“Luckily, we didn’t need to replace the flooring or any large appliances,
so we decided to focus our makeover budget on updating the
cabinetry and countertop,” Tracy says. She and her husband also saved
a bundle by tackling most of the demo and installation tasks — with
the help of fellow HANDY staffers, of course.
Cabinetry
Although Tracy allotted a large portion of her kitchen-makeover budget
to cabinetry, there wasn’t enough for all-new cabinets. So rather than
dip into her life savings, she sorted though options that would cost less
yet still provide a dramatic change.
“It was a little overwhelming at first,” Tracy says. “There were so
many choices, and we wanted to make the right decision.” But she
quickly narrowed the field by choosing to keep the existing cabinets
and replace the doors. This would allow for a fresh look without the
expense or disruption of tearing out and installing new cabinets.
Her next challenge was to find a new door style that would hide
HandymanClub.com f e b r u a r y / M a r c h 2 0 1 0 19

“We were pleasantly surprised that simply replacing
the cabinet doors created such a dramatic change.”
Tracy Walsh, HANDY staffer and homeowner
REPLACE DOORS
Because she kept the existing
cabinets, Tracy was able to splurge
on high-quality wood for the doors.
ADD NEW HINGES
Hidden hinges are easy to install
and allow for larger doors.
CUSTOMIZE A PENINSULA
Instead of eliminating the peninsula,
this new design opens up the space
while preserving the work surface.
enough of the face frames so that she
wouldn’t need to paint or refinish
them. She consulted a local cabinetmaker,
who helped her design classic
shaker-style doors using solid and
veneer rift-sawn red oak. (Unlike the
large grain patterns in plain- and
rotary-cut oak, which can create a
visual distraction, the tight grain pattern
of rift- and quarter-sawn oak is
understated and complements an
updated design.) The doors were
made large enough to cover the face
frames except for 1/8-in. gaps
required for clearance. Hidden
European hinges and a finish that
closely matches the existing face
frames helped to pull off the seamless
transformation (photo, top left).
For Tracy, hiring a cabinetmaker
and opting for high-quality wood was
worth the splurge, but there are lessexpensive
cabinet-makeover options.
For example, if you have woodworking
tools and skills, you can make
your own cabinet doors. (Learn how
to build your own frame-and-panel
doors on p. 24.) Other cost-effective
options include painting or refinishing,
adding glass panels or open
shelving or simply replacing knobs
and pulls.
Countertop
Another area that Tracy chose to
emphasize during her kitchen
makeover was the countertop. To
open up the space yet preserve the
existing layout and work surface, she
removed a short wall under the peninsula
and built a new furniture-style
support (photo, left). She completed
this project before moving
forward with the countertop, as
the new peninsula changed the
countertop dimensions.
Learn how to get plans for this
project on p. 3.
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Next, Tracy and her husband
combed through scads of countertop
options. “We wanted something that
was durable, looked natural and didn’t
cost an arm and a leg,” she says. She
found all of those qualities and more
in Wilsonart’s HD High Definition
Laminate countertop (photo, right).
According to the manufacturer,
Wilsonart HD countertops feature
three times more scuff- and wearresistance
than industry-standard
high-pressure laminates. And the use
of both matte and gloss finishes combined
with natural patterns give the
countertop a unique look and texture.
Wilsonart recently introduced a
first-of-its-kind under-mount sink
option for its HD laminate countertops,
a feature that was once only
available with expensive solid-surface
and stone products. The thermalformed
acrylic HD sinks seamlessly
integrate into the countertop, providing
a luxurious look that is both
durable and affordable (photo, above).
Though Tracy’s countertop
required professional installation, she
saved some dollars by removing the
old countertop herself. If you’re up to
the challenge of DIY demo, remember
to remove all traces of glue along the
cabinets, as it can interfere with
smooth installation of the new surface.
Other inexpensive countertop
options include ceramic tile, DIY concrete
and even wood. (See instructions
for crafting a concrete vanity top on
p. 30.) Consider the style of your
kitchen when choosing countertop
materials, as it can help to narrow
down your many choices.
Flooring
The floor in Tracy’s kitchen was in
good shape, so there was no need to
replace it. However, as she implemented
the new peninsula design, she
discovered that the floor would need
UPGRADE PLUMBING
Wilsonart’s HD laminate countertops
(a 2010 HANDY Innovation Award nominee)
now feature an innovative under-mount sink
option. This Eco-Performance faucet from Moen
is the perfect complement.
to be patched after the partial wall was
removed. Luckily, the previous homeowners
left behind a few flooring
planks from the original installation.
They were cut to staggered lengths
and blended in with the existing floor.
If replacing the floor is part of your
kitchen-makeover to-do list, start by
pulling up a corner of the old floor.
You might find a hidden treasure that
simply needs a few repairs. But if
you’re not that lucky, there are plenty
of practical options that will refresh
your space and your feet.
Even if you don’t have enough in
your budget to splurge on naturalstone
tile or exotic hardwood, you can
achieve a similar look with lessexpensive
materials such as laminate,
ceramic tile, vinyl and linoleum. All
are well-suited for the kitchen and
easy to install yourself.
A couple of things to consider are
durability and cleanability, as a
kitchen is usually a heavy-traffic area
prone to spills. Also, when you’re laying
out your flooring budget, remember
to factor in the necessary substrate
and underlayment required for the
product you choose.
Walls
It’s no secret to a DIYer that a fresh
coat of paint is an inexpensive way to
change a room. For the kitchen, it’s
important to use high-quality paint
that will hold up to heat, humidity
and stains. Eggshell and satin finishes
are common choices, as they are
durable and easy to clean. Satin features
slightly more gloss, making it
ideal for frequently scrubbed surfaces
near stoves and sinks. Also, remember
to thoroughly wash walls with
trisodium phosphate (TSP) before
painting to eliminate any oil residue.
Another simple way to update
kitchen walls is to add or replace a
backsplash. This is a popular place for
homeowners to splurge, as it’s a small
area to cover and can become a dramatic
focal point.
Even if you don’t spring for
soapstone or natural slate tiles, lessexpensive
ceramic tiles can still add
color and character. And though some
large or intricately detailed ceramic tiles
can be expensive, you can create a
unique design that incorporates only a
few of those tiles as accents. (Learn
about the ins and outs of tiling on p. 58.)
Sink and faucet
Deciding on a new sink was easy for
Tracy, as it was integrated into her new
countertop. But when you’re only
replacing a sink or when your countertop
and sink are separate projects,
there are more details to consider. If
you’re not reconfiguring your countertop,
you can simply rely on your
existing sink’s shape and size to find a
new one that fits the space. Changing
the countertop, however, frees you to
explore different sink options.
You’ll need to determine the number
of bowls and bowl sizes as well as
the shape you prefer. There’s also a
wide variety of materials and styles to
choose from. A couple of affordable
HandymanClub.com f e b r u a r y / M a r c h 2 0 1 0 21

IMPROVE LIGHTING
This track fixture adds more light and a
fresh look to the sink area.
To see a more extensive photo gallery of this kitchen makeover or read
more articles regarding cabinetry, countertops and other facets of a kitchen
makeover, go to www.HandymanClub.com and click on WEB EXTRAS.
options include stainless steel and
acrylic. Both are durable and feature
high heat-resistance.
There are three main sinkmounting
choices, which greatly
depend on the countertop. Topmount
sinks work for most flat
surfaces, flush-mount sinks are appropriate
for tile, and under-mount sinks
are usually only available for solidsurface
or stone countertops.
When it comes to kitchen faucets,
there seems to be a style and finish
MAKE MORE STORAGE
This simple panel-and-cabinet
project disguises the refrigerator
while adding storage.
for every taste imaginable.
For Tracy, efficiency
was paramount. She
selected the Dorsey Eco-
Performance kitchen
faucet from Moen,
(photo, p. 21) which features
three spray options,
two of which are low-flow and can
add up to about 32 percent water savings.
“It was nice to find a faucet that
not only looks beautiful but also
saves money,” Tracy says. When
selecting a faucet, consider the other
fixtures, appliances and hardware in
your kitchen to maintain consistency
in style and finishes.
Installing a new faucet is an easy
project. It requires only a handful of
common tools and materials and
minimal skills. Many faucet manufacturers
are also making more DIYfriendly
products that feature twist- or
click-together fittings, which simplify
the process.
Lighting
Sometimes all it takes to lighten up a
kitchen is, well, light. And though
Tracy’s space didn’t require any additional
lighting that would require new
wiring (and in her case, hiring an electrician),
she did opt to replace a couple
of outdated fixtures.
“We found a pendant that we liked
at a home store, but when we installed
it above the sink, it didn’t look right,”
Tracy says. The couple returned it and
found a track fixture that better suits
the space and features four adjustable
lamps for optimum lighting in the
surrounding area (photo,
top left).
Tracy’s undercabinet
lighting
was already hardwired
to a wall
switch, which she
Learn how to get plans
for this project on p. 3.
liked, but it put off excess heat and
wasted energy. Her solution was to
simply replace the bulbs with lowvoltage
xenons that produce bright
white light but remain cool and last
longer than traditional halogens.
Other energy-efficient options include
fluorescent bulbs, puck lights and
LEDs. These options differ in heat output
and light color, so if possible, test
them in the store before buying.
Appliances
Although all of the appliances in
Tracy’s kitchen matched, the placement
of the refrigerator created an
eyesore. To disguise the bulky appliance
and employ the unused space
above it, Tracy added a floor-to-ceiling
wood panel and a deep cabinet
(photo, bottom left). The two parts
were built separately but installed as
one piece to create a built-in look that
matches the new cabinet doors and
adds an impressive amount of storage.
Other suggestions for hiding unattractive
kitchen gadgets include appliance
garages and pullout cabinet
accessories. If you plan to replace any
appliances, be sure to keep energyefficiency
in mind. Plenty of options
offer significant savings compared
with older models. For lists of products,
visit the Energy Star Web site (see
SOURCES ONLINE).
Completing a kitchen makeover
takes time and money, but when you
nail down your budget and understand
your options, you can achieve a
transformation that’s as easy on your
wallet as it is on your eyes. u
SOURCES ONLINE
For online information, go to
www.HandymanClub.com
and click on WEB EXTRAS.
Energy Star, www.energystar.gov
Lee Valley Tools (Modern Oval Handles),
800-871-8158
Moen (Dorsey Eco-Performance kitchen
faucet), 800-289-6636
Wilsonart (HD laminate countertop with
under-mount sink), 800-433-3222
Woodworker’s Hardware, 800-383-0130
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