Leena bought used kitchen cabinets second-hand: “When your wallet is thin, your imagination has to be rich”

My renovation philosophy is that when your wallet is thin, your imagination has to be rich. I bought a dull white home four years ago and changed everything. The two-story 1960s home was exactly the kind of place I’d dreamed of, but inside it was nothing like my style. I’m expressive and love adding depth and dimension with color, which is why my kitchen is dotted with vibrant paintings. Plain white and clinical spaces just remind me of a hospital. Because I wanted an affordable kitchen cabinet renovation, I decided to explore budget-friendly used kitchen cabinets early on in the process.

I knew right away I wanted to tear out the old bar-style kitchen because it felt like a maze. I wanted an open space where the kitchen flows into the living room and you can move freely between them. Now it’s great that I can see the living-room TV while I eat in the kitchen.

This is what the kitchen looked like before the renovation:

Leena had been searching for a home in a specific area for a long time. She finally found the right terraced house in 2021, but it needed a major renovation.

The kitchen had last been renovated in the 1980s. Right at the start of the project I began hunting for a used kitchen because I knew I didn’t want to spend a fortune on a new one. I wanted lots of storage and drawers. Buying used kitchen cabinets online turned out to be a straightforward process, and I soon found a suitable option. The previous owners had also bought it second-hand but quickly realized it was too big for them. I paid a thousand euros for it, and my friend and I drove a large van to pick it up. Aside from a few dents—which I later touched up—the kitchen was in great shape.

Once the kitchen was secured, we remodeled around the cabinet measurements. Everything found a place—only a few upper cabinets were left over, and they ended up in the garage. I didn’t like the stainless-steel sink that came with the set, so I sold it and bought a black one instead. I also picked up a second-hand fridge and dishwasher through Facebook Marketplace.

As a renovator and decorator, Leena follows her own vision and doesn’t ask for others’ opinions. “I think carefully about what I like because I’m creating this home for myself.”

Leena started scrolling through the Tori online marketplace as soon as she bought the flat. “The cabinets dictated what the rest of the kitchen would become,” she says.

For the kitchen walls I chose an inexpensive OSB board. It’s often used for storage room walls, but I love its texture. The lively surface remains visible even though I painted it blue. We covered the vinyl floor with laminate in the same shade that’s used in the rest of the home.

I bought new tiles for the countertop and backsplash at a home improvement store. It was just easier—I could get exactly the right size and amount. I still snagged them at a good price because I compared stores and waited for deals.

I painted the walls of the living room that connects to the kitchen black, as well as the window frames. I was a bit nervous that the space would feel too gloomy, but the windows are huge—more than two meters high—so plenty of light pours in.

I tackled the whole remodel with a skilled friend. She knew what she was doing, and I just bumbled along. It was great to have someone to confirm how things should be done. I did, of course, need an electrician and a plumber as well.

I learned a lot through this renovation. I believe it’s better to experiment and then tear it out if it doesn’t work. When the materials are affordable, the stakes aren’t as high. And it’s amazing to see the results of your own handiwork. I wouldn’t replace anything in the kitchen because I’m really pleased with it.

When I bought my used kitchen four years ago, I didn’t have to compete for it. Now I’ve noticed second-hand sets generate much more interest, and many are sold on Facebook marketplaces via bidding wars. There are still plenty available, though, and you can pick up a good-condition kitchen for a reasonable price.

I’m moving to a new home soon, and I already have a vision of a green kitchen. Time will tell how that turns out. I’m excited to explore new second-hand kitchen cabinet ideas that can keep costs low.

Leena injected color and humor into the formerly clinical white kitchen. The old cupboard has followed her through many moves.

The paintings are by visual artist Isto Jakola. The large portrait of a woman is from Sotka furniture store.