I transformed my dark and gloomy kitchen for just £150 using B&Q bargains with NO experience
Natalie Stainthorpe, a dental nurse from Middlesbrough, estimated that it would cost her £3,000 to rip out her
4
Natalie wanted to transform her dark and gloomy kitchen without spending thousands
Credit: Jam Press/@everythingnatalie_
4
The dental nurse decided to do it herself with the help of TikTok tutorials
Credit: Jam Press/@everythingnatalie_
4
she spent less than the £250 budget she set herself
Credit: Jam Press/@everythingnatalie_
After moving into her new home, the 34-year-old was desperate to add some light to the dark and gloomy kitchen without it costing a fortune.
The kitchen had barely any natural light as an extension had been built and the dark wood furnishings didn't help either.
Armed with TikTok tutorials and a dream, she set out to
'I just couldn't stand how dark and gloomy it felt – I wanted a fresh, light space where I'd actually enjoy cooking and spending time with my family,' she told What's The Jam.
READ MORE HOME TRANSFORMATIONS
'The kitchen before was in good condition, but needed a little bit of TLC and I had a vision for the room.
'We did a rough estimate of how much it would cost to completely replace the kitchen from a family friend and we were looking at quite a lot of money - around £2,000 to £3,000 - which was money we didn't have.
'I decided that I was going to do a budget-friendly makeover instead.'
She decided not to get new units and opted for a few tins of paint and rolls of vinyl.
Most read in Fabulous
Natalie roped in her partner and sister to help freshen up the cupboards, wrap the worktops and breathe new life into the handles.
She bagged cupboard paint for under £15 a tin, snapped up bargain vinyl from B&Q and picked up all her decorating bits from B&M to keep costs down.
Tradesmen quoted me £2.5K to wrap my kitchen cupboards so I did it myself for £62 instead and it looks so good
The makeover took around a month, squeezed in between shifts and weekends, but the results speak for themselves – the once gloomy kitchen now bright, airy and looking brand new.
Natalie said: 'Our original budget was £250 – I didn't want to spend more than that, so to come so far under budget was amazing.
'It was quite a dark room – dark floors, worktops and cupboards and I really wanted to lighten the space up as because of the extension on the back we don't get that much natural light.
'We found the vinyl easy on the straight parts of the worktops, around the sink was a bit fiddly, we watched a few tutorials on YouTube on how to do it around the sink to try and minimise any mistakes.
'My partner Chris actually did most of the sink area as I ran out of patience with it. We repurposed the handles that were already on the units as to replace 14 handles in matte black was quite expensive.
'We gave them a light sand and then we sprayed them with Rust-Oleum black matte spray paint and then sealed with a matte sealant spray.
'We got all our painting supplies from B&M to keep the costs down and budget-friendly – they sell such an amazing range of painting and decorating tools to help with projects like this.
4
Natalie shared her tips for other DIY novices
Credit: Jam Press/@everythingnatalie_
'I spent some time researching how to vinyl worktops watching videos on YouTube and TikTok.
'I also got lots of tips from my friend who has done lots of vinyling to change up her rental home.'
Natalie, who documented her journey on TikTok, says the whole project took around three to four weeks to complete as she picked it up on days off and weekends.
She said: 'It definitely wasn't a quick transformation but that was fine with us, we loved seeing it slowly come together.
'The hardest part for me was probably the vinyling, simply because it took more brain
power
than the rest, and a lot of patience - something I'm known to not have a lot of.
'We didn't encounter any mistakes, we just took our time with the project - apart from when I spilt paint on my hob.
'If I was to start this project again, I wouldn't change anything – I love how we took our time and worked together to get our final look in here.
Rome
wasn't built in a day and sometimes time and money restrict a quick transformation.
'I'm all for realistic budget makeovers and those take time.
'The difference it's made is amazing, it's now light and airy, it's really brightened up the room, I'm still obsessed with it now two months down the line.'
'We've had such an amazing reaction to our makeover, my friends and family said it looks like a brand new kitchen and it's had such a good response both on my Instagram and TikTok.
Eight Easy DIY Tips & Tricks
The ultimate guide for homeowners and renters:
DIY expert's
Save time and money with this easy DIY tiling hack to transform a room in under an hour
Avoid these five mistakes in your next DIY project
Transform your kitchen with this
Noisy neighbours? Here's
DIY expert shared her favourite strategy for painting around glass without tape
If you want to give your kitchen a fresh look, here's
Five tricks to
'My advice would be to take your time, it's okay if you don't get a transformation like this done in a day like you can sometimes see on social media.
'My second piece of advice to make sure the longevity of your makeover is prep, prep, prep.
'Spend time prepping your units and surfaces for painting, you'll thank yourself later.
'It just goes to show, you don't always need a big budget – sometimes a bit of patience and a few clever tricks can completely change your home.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Parents being pressured into upgrading to faster broadband by kids as young as FIVE, survey reveals
ONE in 10 parents have changed their broadband provider - due to demands of their children. A study, of 2,000 parents with children still at home, found 48 per cent feel pressured by their offspring to make decisions around the house. Advertisement 1 32 per cent of parents believe their children are 'addicted' to the services that come from the internet Credit: Alamy Kids, aged between five and eight, were found to be most demanding when it comes to the internet, and spend on average two hours a day using it - from streaming to gaming. And almost a third of parents (31 per cent) said their children use it for more than four hours-a-day - adding up to around two continuous months of usage a year. The same amount (31 per cent) admitted to threatening to turn off Wi-Fi as punishment, which led to arguments in 53 per cent of cases. After recent Ofcom reports of YouTube becoming the first place younger viewers go after they switch on their TV sets, the need for powerful home streaming is more important than ever. Advertisement Stephen Warburton, MD of Zen Internet's consumer division, which commissioned the survey, said: 'With summer holidays upon us, the demand for fast, reliable internet at home is only going to rise. 'With so many connected devices - from games consoles to smart TVs - competing for bandwidth, it's crucial to have a connection that can handle it all. 'Otherwise buffering could be a permanent feature when you are streaming, gaming, and taking video calls. 'The news this week of YouTube being more popular than ever among younger viewers highlights this need for a robust connection.' Advertisement Most read in Tech Latest Exclusive The study also found 32 per cent of parents believe their children are 'addicted' to the services that come from the internet. With children being off school, 54 per cent of parents expect their internet usage to go up over the summer holidays. Almost two thirds of children use the internet most for gaming (61 per cent), followed by watching YouTube or streaming platforms (60 per cent) and TV or films (57 per cent) reflecting the findings in Ofcom's report. To combat over-use, more than half (55 per cent) of parents have implemented limits on how long their children can use the internet for. Advertisement Of those parents surveyed that also work from home, a third (33 per cent) admitted their child is a distraction when they're off school during the work day. Highlighting the difficulties with broadband - 24 per cent of home workers admitted slow internet speed was their greatest challenge, according to the figures. And to overcome it 34 per cent have taken to sitting by the router to get the best possible connection - and 35 per cent have told others to disconnect so they got priority access. The spokesperson for Zen Internet added: 'When you are working from home a slow broadband connection can be a roadblock for productivity. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun 'By doing a simple internet speed test you can develop a great understanding of whether you are getting what you should be. 'A download speed of around 100Mbps is recommended to seamlessly game and take video calls concurrently, although if there is considerable usage you may consider going for a higher speeds.' TOP 10 DECISIONS PARENTS FEEL PRESSURED ABOUT BY KIDS 1. Snacks 2. TV programs/films 3. Activities 4. Internet 5. Home-cooked meals 6. Takeaways 7. Streaming subscriptions 8. Pets 9. Music 10. Décor
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kind pedestrians and cyclists given 'I'm sound' badges by Dublin City Council
A bunch of kind pedestrians and cyclists were awarded badges by Dublin City Council's 'soundness detectors' on Wednesday. As part of its public awareness campaign 'Be Sound This Summer', the council renewed its appeal for all road and path users to be more respectful of others. And pedestrians, cyclists and drivers that looked out for others and prioritised safety in the city centre on Wednesday were awarded with an 'I'm Sound' badge. Through social media videos, the council is encouraging people to stop hogging lanes, breaking lights or dangerously dashing. Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, said: "As a city, we're working to make travel safer, cleaner and more connected — not just through infrastructure, but through how we treat one another. ''Be Sound This Summer' is about recognising and celebrating those small, everyday actions that make our streets safer and more respectful for everyone. By adding a bit of fun and positivity to the message, we're encouraging all road users to look out for each other. Whatever way you travel, being sound goes a long way.' Active travel, such as walking and cycling, plays a central role in how Dubliners get around the city. On average, people split their weekly transport time almost evenly between walking or wheeling (41 per cent) and driving (40 per cent), with a further 19 per cent spent cycling, according to the Your Dublin Your Voice survey. In Dublin, 71 per cent of adults walk five or more days a week, while 47 per cent use a car five or more days a week. One in four adults say they cycle at least once a week. According to the Walking and Cycling Index, 530,000 cars are taken off the road every day in the Dublin Metropolitan Area because of those who decide to walk and cycle. If these cars were all in a traffic jam, it would tail back 2,500 kilometres, equivalent to over nine times the distance from Dublin City to Cork City. Over half a million fewer cars on the road generates an annual benefit of €2.39 billion for individuals and the wider city. It also prevents 3,655 serious long-term health conditions each year and saves the health service approximately €64.5 million - equivalent to over 1.17 million GP appointments. Those walking and cycling instead of driving also save greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1.69 million flights from Dublin Airport to London Heathrow Airport. A bicycle traffic light in Dublin There has been a large increase in older residents engaging in active travel in recent years. Some 74 per cent of Dublin residents aged over 66 now walk or wheel at least five days a week, up from 54 per cent in 2021, and 12 per cent of residents aged over 66 cycle at least once a week, up from 10 per cent in 2021. Dublin City Council said it will continue to roll out dedicated infrastructure across the city to keep this momentum up and encourage people to walk and cycle. Within the next four weeks, three active travel schemes will be completed across the city, including the Ranelagh Village interim scheme, Beatty's Avenue to Herbert Park (part of the Dodder Greenway) scheme and the Royal Canal Phase 3 scheme. Director of Dublin City Council's active travel programme office, Christopher K Manzira, said: 'With more people choosing to travel actively across the city, we all have a shared responsibility to look out for one another. 'Be Sound' is a reminder that safety and respect are essential on our streets. "Whether you're walking to the shop, wheeling to work, or driving through town, a little soundness can make a big difference. The data shows that active travel benefits us all, from reducing emissions to easing congestion as well as the additional health benefits. We want everyone to feel confident and safe doing so.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Bernard O'Shea: Five things I've learned about doing end‑of‑day reviews
1. It's like confession, minus the Hail Marys My first attempt at an end of day review felt like walking into confession after a festival weekend. What was I supposed to write? 'Bless me, notebook, for I have sinned' I had spent the day arguing with a kettle that wouldn't boil fast enough. Was that worth writing down? Still, I took a deep breath and started scribbling. The mundane (emptied the dishwasher), the ridiculous (burnt my hand on said kettle), the existential (wondered if anyone else listens to their dryer and thinks 'I wonder if that's a one-euro coin?'). As I wrote, it dawned on me that this was less about listing achievements and more about acknowledging that the day happened. There's actual science behind this, by the way. Psychologists have found that reflecting on daily wins and challenges can improve mood and sleep. The practice gives your brain closure for the day, which is why so many people keep gratitude journals. I've learned to keep it simple. Ask yourself three questions: What went right? What went wrong? What surprised you? Write like you'd talk to a friend. Don't aim for poetry; aim for honesty. Don't spend 20 minutes apologising to the page for wasting paper. The page doesn't care; the whole point is that you do. 2. Old school ledger vs. smartphone Growing up, my mother kept a ledger. It was a blue copybook with a tear in the cover and every receipt squished inside. Fast forward to me trying to do an end of day review on my Smartphone. 'There's an app for that,' a friend told me. I downloaded something with a fancy name and four-and-a-half stars. It pinged me at nine o'clock. 'Time to reflect!' it chirped, as if I had a personal secretary. I opened it and… realised I couldn't type on the tiny keyboard without autocorrect turning 'dinner' into 'sinner'. Then an Instagram alert. By the time I closed the popups, I had forgotten what I was reflecting on. The physical act of writing is half the point. Studies have shown that handwriting activates areas of the brain associated with memory and comprehension. When you write by hand, you process information more deeply. I decided to split the difference. I kept the app for reminders — it pings me at nine — and I bought a small notebook from the €2 shop. The result? I actually remember what I wrote. Plus, I'm not tempted to scroll because there's nothing to scroll. The only distraction is the cat, who insists on sitting on the page. 3. The science (and superstition) of scribbling As Irish people, we've always had a special relationship with storytelling. Long before Netflix or YouTube, our ancestors gathered around the fire to recount the day's events. That oral tradition, woven with myth and song, was a form of collective journalling. The pub is still a modern version of that — your mate rants about his boss, the woman beside you tells you her child ate a slug, and by the end of the night, everyone has 'processed' their day. My nightly review is just the solo version, minus the split Guinness. It turns out there's neuroscience behind the magic. Journalling before bed can improve memory consolidation and reduce stress. When you externalise your thoughts, you offload mental clutter, allowing your brain to rest. That's why the 111 Method—writing one win, one point of tension and one gratitude each night—works so well. It provides closure. 4. Avoid turning it into a to-do list of guilt I made the mistake of letting my inner strict headmaster take over. My daily review became a list of everything I hadn't done: I hadn't exercised, hadn't called the plumber, and hadn't finished reading that classic novel everyone pretends to love. I felt like I'd failed at life. I even wrote 'stop making lists' on my list. To keep your review from becoming a guiltfest, set boundaries. Limit the number of points you write. I now stick to three observations: something I did well, something I'd like to do differently, and something that made me laugh. If there's a nagging task (like calling the dentist or fixing the leaking tap), I write it somewhere else. That way, my review is about reflection, not planning. Ultimately, endofday reviews should make you feel like the main character of your own story, not a penitent schoolchild. There's humour in your failures, so laugh at them, learn something, and move on. 5 You're not Marcus Aurelius, and you don't Need to be There was a time when I thought my endofday review had to read like the 'Meditations' of Marcus Aurelius. I imagined myself as a stoic emperor, sitting by candlelight, recording profound insights worthy of a marble inscription. In reality, I was a grumpy comedian sitting in my boxer shorts. In a world that constantly urges us to move faster, taking five minutes to look back can be a quietly radical act. And if nothing else, you'll have something to read and laugh at in a few decades (after the knee replacement, of course).
