Step inside and take a look at the kitchen remodel before, during, and after at our latest rental property in Fair Haven, NJ. Over the next few weeks I’ll share the results of this whole-house renovation room by room. Below you’ll find sources and insights from this fun, budget-conscious kitchen project. Find more of our home renovation and interior design posts in the interior design category on our site, and follow along on Instagram to watch the next project unfold in real time.
Renovation project background
For the past two decades we’ve been acquiring and managing residential properties, slowly building a small portfolio one unit at a time. In the beginning we often kept the homes we lived in instead of selling them, which led to an organic real estate strategy that grew over many years. As of early 2020 we own ten properties across Hoboken, Red Bank, and Fair Haven, NJ, and have been accelerating acquisitions recently. Sometimes we hold properties as-is, and sometimes we renovate them — like we did with this house.
Location, location, location
Fair Haven, where we live, has changed a lot in recent years. Rising prices have reduced the town’s economic diversity; smaller homes are often bought, torn down, and replaced with much larger houses that fill the lots. According to public listings the median home price in town has climbed substantially, and that shift can make it harder for younger families or people on modest incomes to establish roots here. That’s part of why we buy and renovate thoughtfully.
Our mission
While creating a profitable business is important, another goal is preserving some of the neighborhood’s more attainable character. We aim to offer quality, well-designed homes that remain accessible to young families, older residents, single people, and others who might otherwise be priced out. Thoughtful renovations can extend the life and livability of older homes while keeping them appealing and functional for a broad range of renters.
Hendrickson before
This house is a charming 1,676-square-foot bi-level built in 1975 on a pleasant corner lot with great neighbors. We bought it from a friendly family, and the transaction reminded me that the real value of a home is the people living in it. A well-done renovation adds financial value and calm, but the warmth of a home comes from the community and the people inside.
The kitchen renovation process
Our approach to remodels is to balance improving what’s necessary with preserving what already works. Every house is different, and beyond structural concerns it’s often more art than science. In older homes the first task is frequently taming accumulated DIY and cosmetic chaos. Hendrickson was relatively modern and most issues were purely cosmetic, so we focused on clean, functional upgrades rather than structural changes.
We treated the existing footprint like a puzzle, avoiding expensive additions. Working within constraints keeps costs down and encourages creative solutions. Once the planning is settled, we source durable, attractive finishes — from paint and millwork to cabinets, tile, and countertops — at reasonable prices. Thoughtful choices and a little research usually yield beautiful results without excessive cost.
Kitchen remodel step 1: Removing unnecessary chaos and creating calm
Removing chaos
For Hendrickson we hired a contractor we’ve worked with before. Clear communication is crucial, and while some things could have been smoother (for example, we misaligned the range hood and top shelves due to timing), the overall collaboration was strong. We discovered the soffits above the cabinets didn’t hide ductwork or critical wiring, so removing them freed up vertical space and added storage and visual breathing room.
We replaced the tile floor with the same hardwood that runs throughout the top level and refinished it in a darker stain for cohesion and a softer surface underfoot. We removed dated cabinets, appliances, and countertops but kept the original layout to avoid moving plumbing and gas lines, which is costly and often unnecessary when the existing arrangement functions well.
Creating calm
After stripping away the old finishes, we chose a simple, classic palette: Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray on the walls and Minwax Dark Walnut on the floors. Our contractor, a skilled woodworker, added tasteful moldings throughout the house that introduced character and polish without changing the footprint. Those finishing touches made a big impact on an otherwise straightforward renovation.
Kitchen remodel step 2: Buying appliances
We closed on the house late in the year and took advantage of year-end appliance sales to save money. Buying seasonally can lead to significant discounts as retailers clear inventory. We purchased from a trusted local supplier who held the appliances while construction progressed and handled a delayed range hood professionally when timing issues arose. Good service matters and makes future projects easier.
We chose stainless appliances and a counter-depth refrigerator to avoid blocking the kitchen entrance. For the dishwasher and other major appliances we balanced prior experience, recommendations, performance, and price to select reliable, cost-effective options.
Project source list
- Counter-depth fridge
- Dishwasher
- Range
- Range hood
- Sink
- Faucet
- Cabinets
- Cabinet pulls
- Backsplash tile
- Countertop (engineered quartz)
- Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray paint
- Minwax Dark Walnut floor stain
- Open shelving custom-made by our contractor
Kitchen remodel step 3: IKEA cabinets with Semihandmade fronts
IKEA cabinet boxes paired with custom fronts are a great value, especially for rentals. The boxes and interior hardware are durable, configurable, and affordable, and modern soft-close drawers and doors add a quality feel. I’ve assembled IKEA cabinet boxes myself in past projects to understand installation details and save on labor.
We used Semihandmade Grey Supermatte Shaker doors and drawer fronts for this project. Their finish is versatile, calming, and durable, and our experience with their customer service and turnaround time was excellent. This combination gave us the look of custom cabinetry at a fraction of the cost of fully custom millwork.
Using IKEA boxes with high-quality fronts balances affordability with a refined appearance, making it a smart choice for rental properties where longevity and cost-effectiveness are both priorities.
Kitchen renovation step 4: Countertops, backsplash, cabinet pulls, and open shelving
For a rental property we kept permanent finishes neutral so tenants can make the space their own. After the grey cabinets and stainless appliances, the kitchen leans largely white for a clean, versatile backdrop. We used an arabesque porcelain tile for the backsplash that feels both understated and slightly elegant, and we chose engineered quartz countertops for durability and low maintenance.
The cabinet pulls are gold, adding a subtle warm accent and a modern touch without overwhelming the neutral palette. Our contractor crafted open shelving that wraps the corner, which provides display space while preserving some upper cabinetry: over-fridge storage plus two tall uppers flanking the sink keep the balance between storage and openness appropriate for the kitchen’s size.
Protip
You don’t need massive purchasing volume to qualify for professional accounts at suppliers like Wayfair or lighting and fixture vendors. If you run a small renovation business or have a popular website, registering for trade accounts can unlock meaningful savings on fixtures, lighting, and other materials.
Source list
- Counter-depth fridge
- Dishwasher
- Range
- Range hood
- Sink
- Faucet
- Semihandmade Grey Supermatte Shaker cabinets
- Cabinet pulls (gold)
- Arabesque porcelain backsplash tile
- Engineered quartz countertop
- Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray paint
- Minwax Dark Walnut floor stain
- Custom open shelving by contractor
Stay tuned
That’s the kitchen recap. If you have questions, ask away — and stay tuned for upcoming posts showing how other rooms turned out, including the bathroom renovation from a half bath to a full bath.
- Bathroom: Half Bath to Full Bath Renovation