When we moved into our home last summer, I knew I wanted to do some sort of mini makeover. Although I know a full kitchen remodel is in our future, we wanted to save it for last so we had more time to plan and save up for a true dream kitchen. I learned (via my DMs) that it’s a HOT debate whether a phase one makeover is totally worth it or a big waste of money. I’ll explain why I am on team-totally-worth-it below.
First, here’s how our kitchen looked when we moved in:
As you can see, it’s a nice kitchen. It’s an upgrade in SO many ways—most of all, space. There’s so much cabinet and counter space. The downside, however, is that it wasn’t/isn’t our style and it didn’t have much personality … unless the personality is “mid-’90s rich people kitchen.” In that case, she’s right on target.
At first, I was very hung up on the granite counter on the island and wanted to change it. But, after putting in a lot of thought, we decided to leave the bones of the kitchen (including my foe, the granite island) alone.
Instead, we opted for an easy fix that gave us one “cute” view for the kitchen. I used some removable vinyl tile from Etsy to cover up the mirrored backsplash. Since I picked a colorful and trendy pattern, it immediately brought some FUN to our kitchen. I spent a little over $200 on this upgrade. I understand how it could be viewed as “a waste” to some, but HEAR ME OUT. I have some thoughts on why this expense was completely worth it! Keep reading …
Here’s a link to the material. It is the same thickness as stick-on wallpaper. It is NOT tile. However, once you install it, it looks just like real tile! I like how thin it is because it’s very easy to install. We did paint the mirror before installing, mainly in case it showed through the cracks. I recommend this if you have a dark surface because it will make your tile appear more bright (again, this is a thin material) and it’s a piece of vinyl.
Why a phase one makeover is TOTALLY worth it:
1. I love my kitchen NOW.
Loving your space matters. Even if it’s just for a year, it matters. I am highly affected by my surroundings and a year and a half (which is the soonest we will remodel this space) is a long time. In my opinion, if you can do a mini makeover that takes a day or a weekend and it’s affordable to you, GO FOR IT. You don’t have to hate your space while waiting to remodel. Sometimes something as simple as a coat of paint can make it more cozy and comfortable for you.
2. I get to try a new style with less commitment.
I will be honest, before this pink stick-on tile, I would have chosen a solid tile for our future backsplash. I just know there’s no chance I would have considered something this bold. But after having lived with it for a month or so, I am LOVING the vibe and I would definitely consider a more bold look for our remodel. This is amazing. I got to try something I would have been too scared to do and it changed my feelings—I’m now way less scared of patterned tile! I’m surprised (but really happy about) how much this changed my plans.
Use your mini makeover as a chance to experiment!
3. The mini makeover makes me feel less anxious or in a rush to renovate.
I have always been really bad about rushing, which can be good in some situations, but renovating is definitely NOT one of them. The mini makeover helps me feel more satisfied and content with our current setup, which makes me less likely to rush into a renovation I haven’t full planned. I love that it takes the edge off. I tend to get very frustrated early in renovations when it feels like it’s not going fast enough, so these mini makeovers can be a satisfying creative outlet if you’re feeling that way.
Thanks so much for following along. If you have strong feelings about mini makeovers, I’d love to hear them in the comments! xx- Elsie
Credits//Author: Elsie Larson. Photography: Amber Kelly. Project Assistant: Collin DuPree. Photos edited with A Color Story Desktop
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