For this flip, we really wanted to work with some local brands for the things we were hiring out. The original 1966 kitchen was the perfect blank slate to do just that. We love the Midwest and all the incredible brands and companies that call our region home. Partnering with CKF, a Midwest-based company, felt like the perfect fit for affordable kitchen cabinets and countertops in this project.
Let’s take a look at the kitchen when we bought this flip.
Yep. O-R-I-G-I-N-A-L! It hasn’t been touched since it was built in 1966.
Why We Chose CKF for Our Flip House Kitchen
CKF stood out for so many reasons. I first recognized them when their cell phone charger built into the countertops caught my attention (more about that later). Then, after chatting with them about what we were looking for and the budget we were working with, I was blown away by their options for this kitchen. They offer everything you need to create a kitchen that looks custom without the custom price tag, which was exactly what we needed for this flip.
Another thing that I loved was their personalized design service. We worked closely with Cassidy, our local designer, who helped us navigate options and stay within our budget while elevating the space. There were so many things that this kitchen lacked, and I shared that with Cassidy. She was able to take everything I shared with her and design the new kitchen to fill those voids within budget.
Let me share a few examples and how this kitchen is going to function so much better than before.
There is so much wasted storage space above the fridge area. I wanted to add a cabinet there. We are also adding a dishwasher to the right of the sink. That will extend the countertop and the upper cabinets in the new design. I also told Cassidy that there isn’t any storage in this kitchen for a broom, so she left some space to the right of the fridge for that.
You can see in the pictures at the beginning of this post, before we removed the stove, there was so much wasted space on the left side of the stove. I mean, enough space to fit a small cabinet and countertop. I shared that with Cassidy, and she was able to fit a cabinet and countertop area there!!! That would be so great for cooking and extra storage for things like cookie sheets.
The original countertops and cabinets had served their purpose since 1966. They had seen better days.
Some of the plastic drawer boxes were glued together. It was time for them to go.
Our Design Process with Cassidy
Let me talk about how the process went. I started by sending Cassidy photos, rough measurements, and details about what we wanted and what the space required to function better. Cassidy and I discussed cabinetry styles, countertop materials, and hardware options, tweaking choices until everything felt just right and was within budget.
Once we had things narrowed down, I told Cassidy I would like to come into the showroom to see the options in person. This was one of my favorite parts of the process!
Matt and I were blown away. The quality, textures, and styles we were going with exceeded our expectations. Browsing around the rest of the showroom made me want to redo our own kitchen. Everything was so beautiful!
And now back to the innovative charging station built right into the countertops! This feature is GENIUS! No more messy cords cluttering the kitchen!
Affordable Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops Without Compromise
Before we started, I wasn’t sure if working with a designer and a kitchen company like CKF could fit within our tight budget. But thanks to Cassidy’s expertise and the smaller size of our kitchen, we kept costs manageable without sacrificing style or function.
I knew from the start this project wasn’t going to call for high-end finishes, and that’s totally okay. Not every flip needs them. One of the most important keys to flipping successfully is understanding the local market. Overspending on luxury finishes in a home that doesn’t support that level risks cutting into your profit, and that just doesn’t make sense.
When I shared our budget and goals with Cassidy, she created a beautiful design that perfectly fit the project. She never made us feel like we were settling because we weren’t choosing the most expensive options. Instead, she treated our design as equally important and valuable as any high-end kitchen she might create.
The result feels fresh, modern, and completely transformed.
Our Finish Choices For The Affordable Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops
For this project, we picked finishes that struck the perfect balance between style, durability, and budget.
We went with the ARIA Shaker cabinets in Snowdrift. They have a clean, timeless look that fits any kitchen. They’re sturdy and well-made, plus they have the soft-close feature, which is exactly what you want for a flip where quality matters but costs need to stay in check.
For hardware, we chose the Walker Pull in matte black that adds just the right touch of modern elegance without being too flashy. We decided to go with all pulls in this kitchen. At first, I wasn’t sure about that choice, but Cassidy showed me different options in the showroom and then presented her design on paper. Since I’m such a visual person, seeing the design printed out and getting to walk around the showroom really helped me feel confident about the final look. Cassidy understood that and made sure I could see everything in person before deciding.
Our countertop choice is the Wilsonart Borghini Marble, which is durable, pretty, and really elevates the kitchen. They’re easy to clean, resist wear, and have a great pattern. Laminate countertops have seriously come a long way!
Together, these finishes create a cohesive look that feels fresh, modern, and inviting while still staying within our budget goals.
Our flip house kitchen makeover with CKF has been a fantastic experience from start to finish. Affordable kitchen cabinets and countertops, a talented local designer, and the chance to support Midwest businesses made this project extra special.
CFK has locations in Des Moines, Iowa, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Kansas City, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Omaha, Nebraska.
To see more of this kitchen makeover in video form, head over to my YouTube channel HERE. Make sure to SUBSCRIBE when you are there. I am launching new videos every week! I don’t want you to miss any of them!
PIN THIS POST!
If you liked this Affordable Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops post, you will also love these:
Best Hunter Fan Co. Ceiling Fans and Lighting for Any Home
Flip House Before Tour: Our 8th Fixer Upper Project Begins
Budget-Friendly Bathtub Refinishing
1 Comment