I made my council kitchen go from drab to fab with paint – it cost me £75 & people say I've done ‘a 180'

The Sun

25-04-2025

A MONEY-SMART woman has left people open-mouthed after sharing her epic kitchen makeover on a budget.
With the cost-of-living crisis soaring, millions of cash-strapped Brits are on the lookout for ways to spruce up their homes on the cheap.
2
2
And now one woman, Nicola Beaumont-Clark, has taken to Facebook to prove there's no need to fork out thousands to give your kitchen a brand new look.
The DIY fan was able to transform her kitchen from drab to fab, all thanks to a lick of paint.
Thrilled with her purse-friendly overhaul, Nicola posted it on DIY On A Budget - a group with 2.2million members - to share a before and after look at her jaw-dropping project.
Although the council kitchen ''was sturdy and functional enough'', Nicole wasn't too keen on the vibe, saying it was ''not attractive''.
Before the epic glow-up, the room had a pretty basic feel to it, featuring white cupboards, light grey walls, as well as dark grey and white tiles in the middle section.
But rather than spending an astronomical sum to do up her kitchen, Nicola took matters into her own hands - and the "after" snaps would make you think it was a professional job.
What's more, not only did the project come at a mere £75, she also used just three tins of paint, which you can find at B&Q on the cheap.
To zhuzh up the dull cupboards, Nicole used V33 All Purpose Paint in Khaki that shoppers can snap up for as little as £5.50 for a 50ml taster pot.
Meanwhile, to transform the tiles she used V33 Tile paint in Cotton White, which will set you back £5.50 for a 75ml pot - or £27 for a larger 750ml tin.
The now-updated cupboards looked chic and trendy and went perfect with the lighter walls - that she did up with Dulux Eqyptian Cotton Kitchen Paint.
Council Lounge Makeover with B&Q buy
Thrifty B&Q customers can purchase a huge 2.5l tin of the gorgeous paint for just £28 - and it's already racked up an impressive five-star rating online from dozens of shoppers.
Chuffed with the revamp, Nicola wrote in her post: ''The difference some paint makes!!!
''I can not stress enough how good V33 paint is for doing over tiles or cupboards.
10 DIY hacks for under £1 each
These simple and affordable DIY hacks can help you get creative while saving money
Homemade Air Freshener:
Mix baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Place it in a small jar with a perforated lid to keep your home smelling fresh.
Upcycled Tin Can Planters:
Clean and paint empty tin cans to use as stylish planters for herbs or small plants.
Custom Phone Stand:
Use a sturdy piece of cardboard or an old plastic credit card to create a custom phone stand. Decorate it with washi tape or paint.
DIY Lip Scrub:
Combine sugar and a bit of honey or coconut oil to make a natural lip scrub. Store in a small container.
Personalised Bookmarks:
Use old greeting cards or decorative paper to create unique bookmarks. Punch a hole at the top and add a ribbon for a finishing touch.
Decorative Mason Jars:
Paint or decoupage old mason jars to use as decorative vases, storage containers, or candle holders.
Easy Cable Organiser:
Use empty toilet paper rolls to organize cables and cords. Decorate the rolls with colorful paper or tape.
Magnetic Spice Jars:
Attach small magnets to the lids of small jars and stick them to a metal board or fridge for easy-access spice storage.
Handmade Coasters:
Cut out squares from old corkboard or felt and decorate them with paint or fabric to create custom coasters.
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner:
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent. Use it to clean surfaces around your home.
''Cost me £75 to totally transform our kitchen,'' she said, before revealing the next step of the transformation.
''Now for the more costly part, blinds and flooring.''
The gorgeous renovation project has clearly impressed many, as the post has racked up close to 100 likes and 37 comments.
'You've done a 180 on that kitchen'
One person keen to give their kitchen a glow-up said: ''Thanks for the tip - we can't afford to retile our horrendous pink tiles in the bathroom, so will give this paint a try instead.''
Someone else wrote: ''Looks like a new kitchen. Great job.''
''You've done a 180 on that kitchen. Looks stunning!'' another chimed in.
''I have exactly the same kitchen. Well done, it looks great!'' a fourth added.