Improving a Boring Building Grade Kitchen by Refacing Cabinets and Adding Modern Touches

Licensed contractor James Young helps a young family add personality and function to a builder-grade kitchen with cheap finishes and a boring design. Brian and Shemeka bought their house because they love the neighborhood for their two elementary-school age children. And while they've been able to add a hip touch to most of the house, they haven't done anything to the kitchen because the upgrades seem too daunting for their $27,000 budget. Once James is onboard, the couple tear down a wall and make the kitchen an open concept space that works with their lifestyle. James saves money by re-facing the base cabinets, and adds new horizontal upper cabinets for a modern vibe the couple loves. A funky curved island with quartz countertops will anchor the new room. Brian helps build an inexpensive DIY table from old records and epoxy, and Shemeka helps create a floating bench. Even though James keeps some of the couple's existing kitchen cabinets, the room has a completely different look with a dramatic modern flair the couple had been hoping for.