DIY Kitchen Makeover: How to Renovate Your Own Kitchen

Renovating an entire kitchen can be a complex task but very achievable for those with patience, a good selection of tools, a keen eye for accuracy and a few handy skills. You might be here because you want to know if it is possible to fit your own kitchen. The simple answer is yes; I managed it myself with a little help from YouTube, a small investment in some new tools and a lot of research. In this article, I want to show you my kitchen renovation project and talk you through some of the key learning points. I’ll describe how to tackle each section of the kitchen yourself and when to call in the professionals.

Planning and Designing Your New Kitchen

My kitchen renovation didn’t involve any major reshaping or construction works. It was a simple refresh of the cabinets, adding in some additional worktops, replacing some old appliances, sinks and taps, whilst also updating the tiles and lighting under the wall cabinets.

The sink, boiler, oven and hob all remained in the same location, so there was no need for professional intervention to move gas pipes or complete any major plumbing works. Likewise, the need for an electrician was not required as all the sockets and switches would remain in the same place. This saved us a fortune. Hiring professional plumbers and electricians can be costly but essential when dealing with gas and electricity. So consider these costs when moving or replacing any appliances like boilers, gas ovens and hobs. In addition, incorporating a recessed access doors design for cabinet doors can create a sleek and timeless look, enhancing the overall aesthetic without extensive renovation. For detailed information on when you do need permits for kitchen changes – especially those involving plumbing, electrical, or structural work, check out this helpful guide on kitchen remodeling permit requirements. It offers practical advice to help you plan your renovation with confidence.

Designing Your Kitchen

The first job of any kitchen renovation project is to measure your existing kitchen and draw a plan. You can do this on a piece of paper or utilise 3D rendering software. Either way is fine but I’d still always start with a piece of paper to write down dimensions of the room. Mark out where doors, windows and current appliances and sinks are located. Be precise with your measurements.

When considering your new sink, you might think beyond the standard options. A beautiful copper farmhouse sink can become a stunning focal point. Companies like CopperSmith specialise in handcrafted pieces that can add unique character to your kitchen design.

You can now start designing your kitchen. Have a think about how to make your new kitchen more functional. Have a look on some kitchen websites to get an idea of the types of cabinets and drawers available. Think about what works in your current kitchen and what doesn’t work. We liked the idea of having more drawers than cupboards so we designed this into our new kitchen. Deep drawers are more functional and easier to access than cupboards but are a little more expensive.

The design you select for your DIY kitchen renovation determines whether it will be practical and functional, ensuring you get value for your money. If you have a complex kitchen renovation design that involves major construction work or requires specialised skills, ensure you have qualified builders on board to avoid compromising the structural integrity of your home. As highlighted by Clara Annesley, Proficiency a building company who has many design ideas you can consider for a bespoke kitchen extension or renovation. From a wide selection of colour schemes to types of flooring and storage solutions, you get tons of inspiration for your kitchen.

Ordering Your New Kitchen Units

With our room measured and a plan created it’s was time to place an order. We decided to buy our kitchen through online retailer DIY Kitchens. Their planning software made things easy to configure the kitchen and their pricing was competitive. Lead times were about 4 weeks which fit nicely with our schedule and all the units are delivered pre-built, meaning there was no additional time required once delivered.

Some manufactures offer a pre-built or flat pack service. You can save more money with a flat pack service but it can be very time consuming having to build each unit once delivered.

Consider storage space for when the new kitchen arrives. We had to clear out our dining room to keep all the units safe whilst I started the build process.

How Long Does it Take to Fit a Kitchen

It took me roughly 7 full days to completely renovate our kitchen from start to finish. This included replacing all the cabinets, fitting the white goods, tiling, extending the worktop and fitting shelving.

When taking on a kitchen renovation project, be prepared to be without a functioning kitchen for a certain period of time. When we completed our renovation I always tried to ensure we had access to essentials. We setup a temporary fridge/freezer in another room, I kept the sink and tap functional at all times, except when I replaced them and I ensured the oven and hobs were accessible for evening meals.

How Much Did This DIY Kitchen Renovation Cost?

Here’s a quick breakdown of our costs for this kitchen renovation project.

• Kitchen Cabinets & Drawers – £3000
• White Goods (Dishwasher, Fridge & two freezers) – £1300
• Sink and Tap – £300
• Extractor Hood – £200
• Worktop Extension – £250
• Tiling – £250
• Shelving – £120
• Paint and Misc – £60

TOTAL – £5680

Because I fitted everything myself we saved in the region of £3500.

Removing the Old Kitchen

The first task was to remove the old units. As we decided to keep the existing worktops, I had to work out whether I wanted to remove the worktops and reinstall them or simply fit the cabinets with the worktops in place.

Because I had recently re-tiled the kitchen, I decided the best course was to leave the worktops in place and install the new cabinets under the worktop. To do this I had to ensure there was suitable support whilst I swapped them out. I simply did this one by one. Remove one or two units at a time and install the new ones in their place.

There was a fair bit of plumbing work involved in this project also. The kitchen sink and taps were to be replaced and I had to install a new dishwasher. It’s important to switch off the mains water when completing any work of this nature.

Fitting the New Kitchen

When completing a kitchen renovation like this, it’s essential to ensure each of the cabinets is perfectly aligned. Each one has to be millimeter perfect.

Our pre-built units simply needed the feet fitting and pushing into place under the worktops. The feet simply push on and can then be adjusted by twisting. Starting on the lowest setting I could slide the unit under the worktop and screw it up onto the worktop. It’s important to ensure all the legs are extended to the same hight, ensure the unit was level and straight. Measure the distance between the front of the unit and the front of the worktop. There should be roughly a 20mm overhang. This overhang should be consistent all the way around the kitchen.

I didn’t fix any unit to the worktop until everything had been aligned. It was a time consuming process but very important. To complete the under counter cabinets, I ensured everything was in place and fine adjusted some units to ensure everything was aligned perfectly. To secure everything in place I used the joining pins that were provided in the accessories set and secure the units to the worktop with the provided brackets.

Replacing Kitchen Wall Units

For the wall unit, it was a simple swap. As the tiling had already been completed, I had to ensure the new cupboards fit exactly where the old ones were. The key difference with our new units was the height. We purchased 900mm tall unit, whereas the old unit were only 600mm. We did this to increase storage space and remove the unsightly gap at the top of the cabinets.

I also decide to upgrade the wall mounting by adding some more support braces. We were worried the additional weight of the larger units would be too much for the standard fixings. It was important to think about how to protect kitchen countertops during the installation process to avoid any damage from heavy equipment or sharp tools.

Fitting the Sink and Cabinet

The most difficult part of the cabinet replacements was the sink unit and the unit next to the dishwasher which had plumbing inside. I didn’t want to remove all the pipework so the units can to be cut around the pipes and slid in around them. The off-cuts were then placed back into the unit to ensure a solid floor.

Plumbing for the new sink and tap was very straight forward. I purchased a kitchen waste pipe kit from Screwfix and adjusted each section as required. This required a little sawing and some fine tuning for the perfect fit.

The sink was lowered into place and sealed around all edges. Retaining clips attached and the waste traps and pipework fitted. The final job here was to fit the taps which were and easy replacement using the provided flexi pipes.

Fine Adjusting Doors and Drawers

It’s supper easy to fine adjust the doors and drawers on these kitchen units. With a simple screw driver you can adjust the doors in 2 dimensions to align each cabinet front perfectly. This way you can ensure all spacing is set evenly, which makes for the perfect finish.

Here’s an example of the instructions provided by DIY Kitchens

Fitting Appliance Doors

Probably one of my least favourite jobs was fitting these appliance doors. You just need to be so careful and accurate when completing this job. Any mistakes can lead to a replacement door. Most appliances like this will come with a template that can be laid on the door and marks out the drill hole locations.

Ensure you take your time and measure 2 or 3 times before committing to a drill hole. You will need the top of the door to align perfectly with the top of the doors either side. Each appliance has a slightly different door installation method so it’s important to check each one carefully.

Fitting the Kitchen Plinth

The plinth boards are simple and easy to install. In most cases, you can simply cut each piece to the correct length, install the retaining clips and push them into place. If the height of the worktops and unit as set correctly this should be the case. In some instances, the plinth boards may need to be ripped down to the correct height. Measure and check to ensure the correct height is set.

Cutting a plinth to the correct height can be achieved with a circular saw or table saw.

Corners and Fillers

Finishing corners is an important part of a kitchen installation. In many cases you might need to make custom corner fillers. Sometimes you may be able to fit a standard size corner filler. These fillers can be secured to timbers located behind, or on the side of the corner units.

Boiler Cabinets

The boiler unit was the most difficult piece to install due to the need to remove the back panel which provides the structural integrity of the cupboard. I’ve has to remove the back panel and special timber mounts had to be created to ensure the cabinet was secured around the boiler whilst still allowing access to the front and bottom panels.

Roundup

Renovating a kitchen yourself is definitely an ambitious project but achievable with the right planning, tools, and attention to detail. This project required patience and time, but the satisfaction of seeing everything come together was worth the effort. Key takeaways include making sure you have a clear design plan, measuring precisely, and knowing when professional help is necessary, especially for gas and electrical work. Pre-built cabinets can save you time, while flat-pack options can help save money. Don’t rush any part of the process, especially the alignment of units, appliance doors, and plumbing work. It’s the fine adjustments that really make the difference between a DIY project and a professional-looking finish.

Conclusion

Kitchen renovations are time-consuming but incredibly rewarding. With careful planning, a clear understanding of your kitchen’s layout, and the right tools, you can transform your space on your own. And as a bonus, by taking on the work yourself, you can save a significant amount of money, as seen in my project. Whether you’re considering a full renovation or just replacing cabinets, taking it step by step and paying attention to details will help you achieve a stunning result that you can proudly call your own.