$200 DIY Makeover Turns a Gray Kitchen into a Functional Space

A $200 DIY Makeover Transforms can completely transform a dull, gray kitchen into a stylish and highly functional space—without breaking the bank! With smart budget-friendly upgrades like fresh paint, creative storage solutions, and affordable decor, you can breathe new life into your kitchen.

Home Type: Loft
Project Type: Kitchen
Cost: $850
Style: Eclectic, Modern
Skill Level: DIY
Rental Friendly: Yes

Loft apartments are known for their spacious windows, concrete floors, high ceilings, and industrial charm. However, these features can also present unique design challenges, especially when it comes to tall ceilings and exposed ductwork.

“I loved the concrete floors, 13-foot ceilings, clean lines in the cabinetry, and the neutral backdrop,” says designer Cindi Yang of her loft’s kitchen. “But I wasn’t a fan of all the gray tones and stark white walls, so I decided to infuse color and personality through the decor.”

Cindi’s kitchen refresh features clever accessorizing, efficient use of space, and a stunning DIY dining table—all completed for just $850. “I had many of these pieces from my previous home, and I reimagined them in this new space,” she explains.

The artwork above the cabinets makes the most of the vertical space.
One of the biggest hurdles was deciding what to do with the area above the cabinets. “I’m only 5’1” and, being a renter, I didn’t have a ladder tall enough for the 13-foot ceilings,” Cindi shares. “My parents and friends helped me place the larger pieces up high!”

She adds that the artwork “injects some much-needed personality into an otherwise neutral space,” and she even DIYed some plaster art, which she loves for how they complement the plants’ green hues.

The dining table was originally an office conference table.
Cindi’s crowning achievement, however, is her DIY round dining table. “I created a concrete dining table for about $200, rather than spending over $1,000 on a new one,” she says. She transformed a chocolate brown office conference table by sanding it down and applying cement in a crisscross pattern with a putty knife.

“The dining table added so much functionality to the space,” she says. “I work, eat, read, and cook at it.”

Ready to transform your home on a budget? Discover more A $200 DIY Makeover Transforms or DIY makeover ideas, budget-friendly décor tips, and expert styling advice at My Home Decor World and My Home Care World. Start your home transformation today!.