When my son turned three, I wanted to surprise him with a kids play kitchen. Winters in Idaho keep us indoors a lot, so I thought it would be perfect for keeping the kids entertained. Since he’s my oldest, I knew it would get plenty of use over the years.

farmhouse style custom play kitchen remodel

I had two goals: cute and cheap. Spoiler- it didn’t end up much cheaper than buying one, but I love a good DIY project. It was so much fun, and the result makes me smile every time I see it in our playroom.

(This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I personally use unless otherwise stated.)

Sidenote: these white, metal chairs are the BEST! They don't tip easily, they're so durable, and they're adorable. They've shown almost no wear over the last two years and I love them. They don’t sell anything like it on Amazon anymore, but if they ever pop up again I’ll link them.

Gathering materials and tools

First I needed to find a play kitchen that needed to be refinished. To my disbelief, I found one for $5 on Facebook marketplace.

I seriously thought it was a scam, because why not just throw it away if you're only getting $5 for it? But it was a real listing and we really got it that cheap! It was disgusting. Covered in stickers and moon sand, and very outdated. So it was the perfect candidate for a makeover! I then collected the rest of my materials:

1. Paint white and green - get a sample size!

2. Sealer

3. Brushes

4. Spray paint

5. Drill

6. Magnets for the doors

7. Peel and stick tile - got ours from the dollar tree

8. Peel and stick contact paper - got ours from the dollar tree

9. Motion lights

10. Push lights - Also got these from the dollar tree

9. Thrifted pieces

The process

I started by thoroughly cleaning the entire thing. I removed all hardware, it was very easy. Then I washed them with soap in the bathtub. I even removed the clear plastic inside the oven and microwave.

Cleaning up all the parts of the play kitchen to prepare to remodel it

Then I used goo-gone to get off all the stickers from the wood and hardware. Because I'm lazy, I didn't sand it. I hoped the sealer would help it hold up over time, and it has worked so far - two years later. The only thing that has come off is the vinyl because my one year old niece likes to try and peel it off. But being only $1, I don't mind. After everything was cleaned I painted the wood and spray painted the hardware. After the paint had dried for a day or so I sealed it with the sealant. Next I added the peel and stick tile and contact paper. Those have to go on before the hardware because the hardware will go over the countertop paper.

I also added motion lights to the insides of the "appliances" and replaces the magnets that hold the cabinets shut because some were broken.

Finally, I got to decorate it with almost 100% thrifted things. Here are some of the adorable pieces I've found in thrift stores.

Removing Hardware

A note about removing hardware: everything should be able to come off with just a screwdriver and maybe a wrench. Nothing on my kitchen was glued except the wood itself. If you are refinishing a plastic kitchen it probably doesn't come apart like this so I would be extra careful not to break it. The plastic may be brittle if it's an older one.

Choosing the Right Finish

Glossy will be easier to clean. Matte is my preference but it is hard to clean so I would recommend going with satin. It's a happy medium between the ease of cleaning and the appearance of matte.

Things to keep in mind

Be sure to research your paints and sealants to make sure they are safe for your kids. Also make sure to use anything with fumes in a well ventilated area away from children.

Wear and tear over time

As I already mentioned, the updates have held up incredibly well! It hasn't scratched easily at all, the only thing breaking is the peel and stick counters, but that was from a toddler picking at it and quite literally ripping it off. For $1, I'm okay with that. I actually have enough to redo it still. This kitchen is played on, and by that I really mean climbed in, almost daily and it has been a trooper.

I would definitely do this again to get the style I want and have a custom kitchen. Total I probably spent around $60 on supplies, so again, not much cheaper than a standard play kitchen, but better than a custom one.

If you want to see more…

This little kitchen has become such a fun part of our home, and it fits right in with the rest of our play space. If you want to see more of where my kids spend their days, come take a peek at our Montessori play area. It’s simple, cozy, and full of things that keep my toddler busy and happy.

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