Woman’s $150 Bunnings hutch transformation

A QLD woman who refused to throw out her 20-year-old dining hutch gave it “stunning” new look, saving herself hundreds of dollars.

A woman has managed to turn a dining hutch into two “expensive-looking” pieces after giving the old piece a “stunning” makeover.

Kimberly Rowell, from Townsville, Queensland, had her 25-year-old dining hutch stored away for more than seven years.

However, instead of tossing it out, she decided to completely transform it using roughly $150 worth of Bunnings items.

“I moved into a new house and nothing fit — but I actually love the piece and didn’t want to get rid of it,” Kimberly told news.com.au.

“So I thought I’d try make something of it.

“I also do a lot of work with energy so that was also the idea, to lighten the room so it goes with the new house.”

Kimberly Rowell, from Queensland, transformed a 20-year-old dining hutch that had been collecting dust in storage, into a ‘stunning’ two-piece hallway and lounge set. Facebook/BunningsMumsAustralia

The 53-year-old split the black-painted hutch into two pieces before giving it a shiny white paint job.

“The top piece just sat in like a jigsaw puzzle, so I just lifted it off and flipped it upside down,” Kimberly explained.

“I then unscrewed the four doors and puttied it up to fix the holes on it.

“Because it had Japan black paint that was quite glossy, I couldn’t just sand it.”

Instead, Kimberly covered it in a flat white in order for it to grab.

“I used two coats over the white paint and then put some semi-gloss over the top of that.”

She spent roughly $55 on a piece of wood from Bunnings and used a lime wash ($35) over it, which sat on top of the hutch.

She was to split the hutch in two into two pieces. Facebook/BunningsMumsAustralia

“The wood balanced it out because it wasn’t quite levelled. I just nail-glued it to the bottom piece.

“I then added some Cabbot's flooring varnish on the top of that to complete the look.”

She decorated it with items she already had at home and four Bunnings baskets that are currently on special for $11.

Given it had Japan black paint on it, she covered it with a flat white paint before sanding it back. Facebook/BunningsMumsAustralia

The process for the bottom piece of the hutch was similar, with Kimberly giving both pieces a white finish using Taubmans white semi gloss water based enamel (from $48).

“It has changed the look of everything — I've got one piece in the entry and the other sitting in the loungeroom.”

She then applied a varnish over the top, while also adding a wooden slab on top, to complete the look. Picture: Facebook/BunningsMumsAustralia

Kimberly shared her upcycle to Bunnings Mums Australia Facebook page where it garnered plenty of attention from DIY enthusiasts also keen to transform their old furniture.

“What a great idea!! Have a hutch the same which I love but love your idea too,” one woman wrote.

“Never thought to do that!!!!!! Awesome!” said another.

“I love it! What a brilliant transformation,” a third wrote, while a fourth simply added: “Wow stunning!!”

Kimberly spent about $150 on her upcycle using paint and wood from Bunnings. Facebook/BunningsMumsAustralia

Others were impressed by her clever use of the hutch.

“Love how you made use of both pieces, what a great idea. Thank you for the inspiration,” one group member wrote.

Kimberly said she was shocked by the positive feedback, adding it helps that it is a budget friendly makeover.

“Similar counter top pieces can retail for about $600. When people have an old piece of furniture they think they have to get rid of it, but with this they realise ‘Oh I don’t have to do that’ and pay $1,000 for something else,” Kimberly explained.

“You can make something pretty by spending just a little.”