This kitchen upgrade happened in a small apartment kitchen in Atlanta, Georgia, and it wasn’t part of a full renovation plan at first. The space worked fine, but it felt dark and outdated, especially around the cabinets and counters.
Before: Closed-Off Peninsula👇
The original plan was just to replace cabinet handles and improve lighting. Halfway through, I realized one of the cabinet doors was slightly warped, which made alignment harder than expected. I had to loosen everything and start over, which cost me an extra hour.
New handles, under-cabinet LED lighting, and a quick repaint completely changed how the kitchen feels. I also underestimated how long the paint would take to dry, so the kitchen was basically off-limits for the night.
After: Colorful Kitchen Refresh👇
The final result isn’t entirely perfect. One cabinet handle sits a few millimeters lower than the others, but you really only notice if you’re looking for it. Overall, the kitchen feels brighter, cleaner, and much more functional than before.
If you’re in Atlanta and thinking about upgrading your kitchen, even small changes like lighting and hardware can make a big difference without a full heavy remodel.