I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw THIS once I came back home! 🫣😲 My husband changed our miserable 5️⃣-square-meter kitchen beyond recognition while I was away! 👨🔧🧱 We both were sick and tired of our ugly and old kitchen, so he took the risks and gave it a fresher look! 🤩💪The before-after photos went viral which you too can see in this article! 👇
While I was away visiting my mother-in-law, my husband surprised me with a complete renovation of our small 5-square-meter kitchen. When I returned home, I couldn’t believe my eyes—the transformation was incredible!
The kitchen was in such poor condition before the renovation that my husband decided to document the entire process from start to finish.
The first step was to strip the kitchen of everything unnecessary, though the sink and gas stove were kept functional for meals during the renovation. Fortunately, a plastic window had already been installed before he started.
Since my husband works as a plumber, he seized the opportunity to upgrade the heating pipes and radiators throughout the apartment. This meant we wouldn’t have to deal with dismantling them later. By using his professional tools, he only had to pay for materials, which saved us a lot of money.
One challenge was the placement of the ventilation. The original opening was too low, so my husband created a new outlet near the ceiling. After installing stretch ceilings, he spent quite some time ensuring the hood’s ventilation outlet was flush with the surface for a clean finish.
The gas meter was cleverly hidden behind the refrigerator but left easily accessible. Where there had once been a door to the bathroom, a plasterboard wall was installed to level the surface, making tiling much easier and cost-effective.
Since I love green, my husband chose this vibrant color scheme for the kitchen. When sunlight streams through the window, the space feels bright and inviting. Blinds replaced traditional curtains, keeping the windowsill free for extra storage or decor.
To ensure safety, he insulated the gas pipe with a leftover piece of heat-resistant material, typically used for hot water pipes. Although not strictly necessary, it’s an extra precaution to protect the pipe in case the refrigerator shifts or gets too warm.
He also added valves to the radiator, allowing it to be quickly shut off in case of an emergency.
The microwave, initially placed on the windowsill, was moved to a wall-mounted bracket for better safety and accessibility. The height was carefully considered to avoid bumping into it when seated at the table.
The kitchen set itself cost around $750, including free measurements and assembly. Despite the compact size, every inch was maximized. The narrowest gap between the sink and stove is only 5 cm, yet it doesn’t feel cramped.
My husband installed custom LED lighting for the backsplash, using a roll of LED tape and a diffuser. He secured it with double-sided tape, connected the wires, and added a switch discreetly placed between the hood and the gas meter. This homemade lighting solution adds a warm glow and was surprisingly affordable.
The stretch ceiling neatly conceals pipes running along the perimeter, which were relocated higher to allow for a seamless installation. Future plans include a hanging rail with hooks and shelves for utensils.
By the time my husband was finished, our once-cluttered and outdated kitchen had been transformed into a bright, functional, and stylish space. His hard work and resourcefulness turned a tiny kitchen into a comfortable and modern cooking area that feels much bigger than it actually is.