DIY Kitchen Before and After: Bright Farmhouse Kitchen Transformation
- Mar 5
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Every home project starts with a vision.
Sometimes that vision is big and detailed, and sometimes it simply begins with the feeling that a space could be brighter, more welcoming, and a better reflection of the people living in it.
Our kitchen needed that kind of refresh.
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Nothing about the space was terrible, but it felt a little dark, a little dated, and like it wasn’t reaching its full potential.
So little by little, project by project, we started transforming the space.
And the results speak for themselves.
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The Kitchen Before
Before we began, the kitchen had a few things working against it.
Short yellow burlap curtains covered the windows and blocked some of the natural light. The lighting itself wasn’t bright enough to fully illuminate the kitchen, and the space felt a little dim and unfinished.
The layout worked, but the room needed brightness, character, and a few thoughtful upgrades to really shine.
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The Changes We Made
This transformation didn’t happen overnight. It came together through several DIY projects and updates that gradually reshaped the entire kitchen.
Here are some of the major changes that made the biggest difference.
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Removing the Curtains
One of the simplest updates was removing the short burlap curtains.
Taking them down immediately allowed more natural light into the room and helped open up the space.
Sometimes the easiest changes can make the biggest impact.
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Adding Shiplap Walls
We installed shiplap to add texture and character to the walls.
The clean horizontal lines give the kitchen a classic farmhouse feel while still keeping everything bright and simple.
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Updating the Lighting
Lighting completely changed the feel of the kitchen.
We installed bright recessed ceiling lights that helped fully illuminate the space.
The difference was immediate — the kitchen suddenly felt brighter, cleaner, and more inviting.
(You can read more about that project in the Kitchen Lighting Upgrade post.)
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Installing a DIY Backsplash
Adding a backsplash was one of the most satisfying parts of the entire makeover.
It gave the kitchen an instant upgrade and helped tie the cabinets and countertops together beautifully.
(You can read the full backsplash tutorial here.)
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Under Cabinet Lighting
To add both function and atmosphere, we installed rechargeable under-cabinet lighting.
This small addition helps illuminate the countertops for cooking while also creating a warm glow in the evenings.
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Mounting the TV Above the Fireplace
The large screen television found its home mounted above the fireplace in the kitchen.
This created a natural focal point for the room and helped the space feel more intentional and complete.
Plus, making us more Game day Ready!
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The Kitchen After
The difference between the before and after is incredible.
What once felt a little dark and unfinished now feels bright, welcoming, and full of character.
The kitchen truly feels like the heart of the home.
And the best part?
Most of the transformation came from simple DIY projects and thoughtful updates rather than a full renovation.
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Final RGJ Thoughts : From the Kitchen to the Tool Shed
At Rumble Gumption Junction, projects don’t stay in just one place.
Some days start in the kitchen with cooking and baking, and other days move straight into hands-on DIY projects that require tools, sawdust, and a little determination.
Whether it’s creating something good to eat or building something with your own two hands, it’s all part of the same idea — using creativity, resourcefulness, and a little gumption to make a house feel more like home.
That’s what Rumble Gumption Junction is all about.
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Related Projects
If you’d like to see the individual projects that helped transform this kitchen, check them out here:
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