Details of a DIY Play Kitchen

I recently shared the DIY play kitchen I just finished for our little man. I showed exactly how I transformed an old entertainment center into a fun play kitchen for only $50, but I wanted to share more detailed instructions on how to use inexpensive details to really make your play kitchen amazing.

Update: My little play kitchen was actually featured in the pages of Better Home and Gardens magazine!  Seriously!  If you want to see what it’s actually like to be a in a photo shoot for a huge magazine, I have lots of behind the scenes details right here.  (I also used some of the photos taken at that photo shoot in this post.  All photos not taken by me are noted.)

photo by lincolnbarbour.com

The very best parts of the kitchen – the ‘tile’ backsplash, ‘stone’ countertops, and ‘stainless steel’ appliances  – were all created using simple paint techniques.  Even in person, they look amazingly real; my own husband thought I had installed a real piece of countertop.  (In fact, I’m pretty sure I would be quite happy having that backsplash and counter in my grown up kitchen until I can afford the real thing!)  Creating all of the finishes using paint was one of the biggest factors in keeping the cost of this project so low and I’m sharing detailed instructions so that you can recreate the same look for yourself.

(You can find a full source list and budget breakdown for the kitchen along with the rest of the tutorial right here.)

This post contains affiliate links – you get to buy stuff you want and support Lovely Etc. at the same time.  See my full disclosure here.

Painted tile backsplash

The backsplash is painted right onto the backing of the entertainment center.  In my case, I had to replace the original backing with a piece of hardboard from the home improvement store but it would work the same way on any type of backing.

I knew I wanted the look of subway tile.  I considered using peel and stick tiles, but I knew it would be cheaper to use paint.  Plus, that way I would have complete control over the color and size of my ’tiles’.

After considering several ways to get that look including using painter’s tape, I decided the easiest thing would be to make a stencil.  I cut a stencil out of a piece of thin plastic – vinyl or even cardboard would also work.  I decided to make each ‘tile’ 2.5 x 5 inches with a quarter inch grout line.  I used a cutting mat and a ruler to draw straight lines with a marker and then cut the lines with a craft knife.  (If you want to save yourself some trouble, you can also buy a subway tile style stencil from Etsy.)

Then I simply used a small foam roller to roll the paint on with the stencil.  That gorgeous color is Laurentien from Fusion Mineral Paints.

Painted granite countertop

The beautiful countertop is also painted.  After priming the entertainment center shelf, I painted it with black craft paint.  Next I did three layers of sponge paint.  I used a synthetic sea sponge which is much rougher than a kitchen sponge – you can find them with the painting supplies at most craft stores.  I sponged on two layers of gray craft paint and a layer of metallic silver craft paint, letting the counter dry between each coat.

Then I finished off the whole thing with several coats of spray polycrylic to keep everything nice and protected.  These countertops seriously look way prettier than my real countertops.

Painted stainless steel appliances

I wanted the appliances to have the look of stainless steel.  The refrigerator/freezer and over doors I primed with spray primer and then painted with Krylon Chrome spray paint. I tried a regular silvery spray paint at first, but it did not look anything like stainless steel.  So I painted over it using the chrome spray paint which is much shinier and more reflective.

After taping off the stove top with painter’s tape I painted it with several coats of the same chrome spray paint.  The stove burners are just CDs that I spray painted with oil rubbed bronze spray paint.

photo by lincolnbarbour.com

And how about an action shot, because I just can’t resist.

photo by lincolnbarbour.com

All of the appliances were finished off with a few coats of spray polycrylic as well.

And that’s the kitchen!  Be sure to check out the original post for all of the other details and sources.  And if you have any questions I didn’t answer just let me know.

More Projects I Think You Might Love:

Painted Plank Wall

Watercolor Pillows

How to Paint Plastic Like Vintage Metal