Kitchen — Refresh, Don’t Replace
Kept the existing layout and cabinetry, giving them a fresh lease of life by sanding, repainting, and varnishing the MDF-and-timber doors.
Replaced the worn oak worktop with composite quartz, also used as a splashback and waterfall island feature.
Added a luxe touch with a £200 brass tap.
Cost: £4,100 (potentially as low as £2,500 with thinner quartz) — a huge saving compared to a £30,000 full kitchen quote.
- Bathrooms — Invest in Quality & Creativity
Maintained current layout and tiles to avoid costly structural changes.
Upgraded to durable, quality fixtures — eliminating recurring repair costs.
Created a hidden-cistern toilet and repurposed part of the old kitchen worktop as a basin countertop for a personalized touch.
Designed a playful “Narnia ensuite” in the loft by modifying wardrobe doors for a secret entrance, adding sink and back-lit mirror to highlight exposed brickwork.
- Flooring — Elegant & DIY-Friendly
Opted for Karndean luxury vinyl plank (LVT), offering the look of wood with superior durability and low maintenance.
Used a 6.5 mm click-fit (glueless) overlay, saving on labor by self-installing parts.
Material cost: £3,400.
- Colour — Bold, Affordable Upgrades
Moved beyond all-white minimalism by incorporating vibrant contrasting colours, especially in transitional spaces like the landing (even painting ceilings pink!).
Achieved a textured, unfinished plaster look with lime-wash paint, avoiding the expense of replastering.
Final Outcome & Insight
Barker didn’t quite stick under £15,000, but the cost was still significantly lower than the original £100,000 quote for a deep refurb.
The renovation reignited his and his wife’s love for their home—“just a much better version” of the original.
Smart Renovation Lessons to Steal
Strategy Benefit
Prioritize where to spend vs. save Focus budget on impactful upgrades, like materials that elevate the feel.
Re-evaluate before remodeling Sometimes just refreshing (e.g., repainting, new surfaces) brings huge transformation.
DIY to cut labor costs Overlay flooring and repainting cabinetry can be done yourself to save big.
Choose durable fixtures Splurge where durability matters — faulty taps can cost much more later.
Get creative with materials Repurpose elements (e.g., worktop to basin) for unique, budget-conscious flair.
Use color strategically Lime-wash, bold accents, and ceiling color shifts cost little but deliver high visual impact.
