An Outdated Yellow Kitchen Gets a Budget-Conscious Makeover

Do you dream of designing a regret-free kitchen? When Velinda Hellen, a Los Angeles-based interior designer and Emily Henderson Design alum, first saw her clients' kitchen, it was full of regrets. In fact, it was like a Coldplay song come to life: The walls, trim, and cabinets were all yellow. Hellen sought to modernize the dated space, sneak in more storage, and even incorporate some of the top kitchen design trends. Find out how she checked all the boxes (while still keeping the budget in check), and then shop the look for yourself.

The Before

When Hellen first met her clients, Jeff and Claire, they were new parents and new homeowners. "Jeff is a composer and Claire a book editor for LACMA [Los Angles County Museum of Art], so they both had a creative flair and a willingness to be bold. They wanted a user-friendly, easy-to-clean space that was, 'Modern meets vintage/'60s-inspired,'" she explains. Jeff and Claire also requested a coffee zone and a space to display their favorite cookbooks since they are avid cooks and coffee drinkers.

The Reveal

The updated kitchen feels clean and bright, thanks to light Caesarstone countertops, a white tile backsplash, and a fresh coat of white paint. The tambour effect on the island and the terrazzo-style floor reflect modern trends and a nod to retro style.

The results look like no expense was spared, but Hellen made some strategic decisions to keep the project on budget. "The number one design decision we made for the sake of budget was keeping everything that worked or worked well enough," says Hellen. "Since the placement and functionality of the sink, range, fridge, and pantry/island worked, we left that alone."

By sticking with the existing layout and plumbing setup, she avoided a costly reconfiguring of the space. "We also kept the existing parquet flooring throughout the house, which worked so much better with the final Cal-coastal meets mid-century-clean design." Finally, IKEA cabinets fitted with Reform doors and a budget tile backsplash helped lower the cost of materials.

Get the Look

For a kitchen refresh that's both on-budget and on-trend, borrow some of these clever design ideas spotted throughout the space.