GETTING any kind of work done on your house can be draining on the wallet.
That’s why one homeowner decided to take matters into her own hands when doing up her kitchen.
Tired of how her kitchen looked, TikTok user Ellie Grace O’Connor decided to give it a bit of a revamp.
She explained to her followers in a viral video that she was originally quoted £6,000 by professionals to get the work done.
“We can’t afford a new kitchen at the minute so I’ll just spruce it up for now with a bit of DIY,” Ellie said.
The TikToker went on to share a before and after shot of her kitchen, showing off the dramatic transformation.
And while the space looked entirely new, she confirmed it was “the exact same kitchen but with a face lift”.
DIY project
Ellie carried out a variety of DIY jobs to elevate the space, including wrapping the worktops, adding trim to the cupboard doors, as well as new handles and a new tap.
She also gave the space “a lick of paint” and laid down “some good old lino flooring”.
The TikToker also regrouted the tiles on the backsplash and added cute decor buys from Marquis & Dawe, Temu, H&M, and Dunelm.
In the before shot, Ellie’s kitchen looked modern but dull, consisting mainly of black, white, and grey shades.
After she was finished, the space looked significantly brighter, with sage green cupboards detailed with gold handles.
The TikToker also added an extra design element with the patterned tile linoleum flooring.
Impressed reactions
Her followers shared their thoughts on the transformation in the comments section.
“Such an incredible transformation!! I love DIY, you absolutely smashed it,” wrote one viewer.
“Looks so much better,” agreed another impressed TikTok user.
“I was thinking of doing the same thing to my cupboards! It looks stunning! You should be proud, saving this for future use,” commented one inspired follower.
What are the biggest kitchen trends of 2025?
The kitchen is the heart of every home and this year it’s taking centre stage, Tracy Coleman, Product Director at High Street TV told Fabulous.
Hardworking appliances
Space-saving essentials are needed in every room of the house, and the kitchen is no exception, meaning appliances are often doing double (or triple) the job.
Expect to see air fryer ovens that roast, bake, and fry or blenders with attachments for everything from chopping to grinding.
Health and wellness
With people becoming more mindful of what they eat and how it impacts their well-being, kitchen appliances are stepping up to
meet the demand for healthier, more balanced lifestyles.
Air fryers remain hugely popular, along with blenders and juicers that retain nutrients.
Energy-bill conscious
Finally, with rising energy bills and an increased focus on sustainability, people are turning to appliances that help reduce power consumption and keep costs down.
More people are finding joy in cooking at home as a cost-effective
way to enjoy delicious, nutritious meals. Cooking at home doesn’t just save money—it’s also a fun way to bring the family together or experiment with new recipes.
With the right tools, such as multi-functional appliances and smart kitchen gadgets, creating meals at home becomes easier, faster, and more satisfying.
More on home transformations
Another household saved £6,000 on a kitchen cabinet quote after finding a clever way to make Ikea units look expensive.
After receiving a £2,500 quote to wrap my kitchen cupboards, one woman decided to do it herself for just £62.
Another woman was quoted £15,000 to get her kitchen redone so she decided to do it herself, saving £13,500.
Plus, another household took matters into their own hands after being quoted £10,000 to redo their kitchen.
One homeowner got quoted over £2,500 to wrap her clinical white kitchen, so she did it herself for under £100.
