Searching through hundreds of listings each week of old houses under $50k, I see tons of kitchens. I love it when a house has retained its original kitchen, but that is becoming rare. Mostly, I see dark, cheap or just plain gross kitchens in these under $50K old houses. Here are a few before and after kitchen ideas for do-it-yourselfers.

Out with the newer, and in with the old. The top cheap cabinets were replaced with salvaged cupboards, the bottom with new, but with vintage-style hardware. Hardwood floors and a vintage stove really make this kitchen appealing.

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So many kitchens were remodeled in the 1950s with plain, pine cabinets. In most cases, I strongly disagree with painting natural wood, but I find these cabinets dark and dreary. This kitchen was given a coat of white paint to cheer things up. Among other things, I also would have replaced the hardware with something more to my liking.

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Another case where paint brightened things up.

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These homeowners went all out opening up a wall, installing new flooring, subway tile, cabinets and countertops.

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Complete gut job. Closing up a wall created more space.

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What do you think?

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To me, this is almost kitchen perfection for an old house. A thorough cleaning and hardwood floors, and I’m set.