He Kept His Oak Kitchen Cabinets but Paid a Pro to Spray Them Gray: The Whole Kitchen Looks Custom-Built
Honey-colored cabinets lined both sides of a narrow galley kitchen, paired with dark granite countertops, beige backsplash tiles, and a white tiled floor. The cabinets had raised-panel doors, silver knobs, and matching wood frames, while a raised breakfast bar extended into the adjoining living area. The kitchen looked complete, but cracks across the floor and the dated finishes gave the owners reasons to renovate.
Imgur creator SewerRanger documented the project through demolition, electrical work, floor installation, countertop replacement, and backsplash tiling. The existing cabinets stayed in place, while the surrounding surfaces received new materials. For the cabinet finish, he made one exception to the DIY work and hired a professional spray painter.
The finished kitchen has gray cabinetry, white countertops, dark floor tiles, and a pale subway tile backsplash. The original cabinet doors remain, but the change goes beyond paint. What happened to the cracked floor and raised breakfast bar explains how the renovation altered the room without replacing its cabinet system.
Honey-Oak Cabinets Filled Both Sides of the Original Kitchen
The original kitchen had matching wood cabinets along two opposing walls, with the sink and dishwasher on the left and the stove beneath a window on the right. Dark granite countertops covered both runs, while beige tiles formed the backsplash behind the sink.
A raised breakfast bar extended from the left counter into the adjoining room, supported by a black metal rack beneath its overhang. White square floor tiles ran toward a doorway at the far end, making the narrow walkway visible between the cabinet rows.
Cracks Across the White Floor Tiles Required More Than Cleaning
Several floor tiles had long cracks crossing their surfaces, with chipped areas exposing the darker material beneath the white finish. The damage extended across individual tiles rather than remaining confined to the grout joints.
Replacing the floor became part of the renovation, giving the owners an opportunity to change the light tile surface that had covered the galley walkway.
Removing the Beige Backsplash Exposed the Wall Beneath
The old backsplash was removed from behind the sink and along the adjoining counter. Broken tile fragments covered the granite surface, while patches of adhesive and damaged wall material remained where the tiles had been attached.
The cabinets above and below stayed fitted during this work. Removing the backsplash without dismantling the cabinet runs allowed the owners to change the wall finish while preserving the original storage arrangement.
The Damaged Wall Needed Repairs Before New Tile
Close views show torn wall surfaces beside the cabinet frames, with sections of the underlying material exposed after demolition. Some damage reached the edges of the fitted cabinets and surrounding trim.
The new backsplash required a suitable surface beneath it, so the renovation included wall repairs rather than placing fresh tile over the damaged adhesive and plaster.
The Raised Breakfast Bar Was Taken Apart
The raised bar was dismantled, exposing the black metal support structure that had held its counter. Decorative scrollwork remained visible on the rack beneath, while the surrounding oak base cabinets stayed in position.
Removing the elevated section allowed the replacement counter to extend toward the living room at one height, eliminating the stepped arrangement that separated the old bar from the kitchen work surface.
Electrical Work Was Added Near the Counter
Sections of the wall were opened to access wiring near the countertop. The photographs show electrical boxes, cables, and exposed framing behind the cabinet area, with tools positioned on the existing granite.
This work took place before the replacement backsplash was installed, leaving the electrical fittings accessible while the wall surface remained unfinished.
The Old Floor Was Removed Before the New Tile Went Down
The original white floor tiles were removed, exposing the surface beneath. An orange electric floor-heating mat appears during preparation, followed by the first row of large dark rectangular tiles positioned along the center of the galley.
The replacement tiles use a different format from the original square flooring, with longer pieces arranged in a staggered pattern. Their dark gray surface introduces contrast beneath the warm wood cabinets that remained during installation.
Large Dark Tiles Replaced the Cracked White Floor
The completed tile layout extends from the kitchen entrance toward the rear doorway, with rectangular pieces running between the cabinet rows. The dark surface replaces the cracked white squares visible in the original room.
The cabinet bases remain along both walls, showing that the flooring renovation did not require a new kitchen layout. The floor change also establishes the darker base that would later contrast with the white countertops and gray cabinet finish.
White Countertops Replaced the Dark Granite
The dark granite was replaced with white stone-look countertops featuring faint gray veining. A black undermount sink occupies the left counter, paired with a tall metal faucet, while the original oak cabinets remain beneath the new surface.
The counter extends toward the former breakfast bar, creating a wider preparation area without the raised ledge. The lighter surface also changes the contrast with the cabinets before their final paint finish is applied.
Gray Subway Tiles Were Selected for the Backsplash
The backsplash materials included rectangular gray tiles with a soft variation in tone and surface finish. Samples were positioned against the wall beside the sink to compare the tile arrangement with the white countertop.
The selected tiles introduced a muted gray surface between the cabinet runs, replacing the larger beige tiles removed during demolition.
The New Backsplash Followed the Existing Cabinet Layout
The rectangular tiles were installed in a staggered pattern, with spacers maintaining the joints between each row. The backsplash continues behind the sink and along the countertop beneath the upper cabinets.
The tile work follows the existing cabinet positions rather than introducing new wall storage. Its gray tones connect with the dark floor and the cabinet color selected for the final stage.
A Floor Thermostat Was Installed Alongside the New Tiles
A SunTouch thermostat appears mounted on the finished tiled wall, with its display showing a floor temperature of 71°F and a setpoint of 82°F. The control corresponds with the electric heating mat visible beneath the new flooring during installation.
The heating system added a functional upgrade beneath the dark tile surface, separate from the cabinet and countertop changes.
The Original Oak Cabinets Received a Professional Gray Spray Finish
The final cabinet finish covers the original honey-colored wood with a muted gray paint. The raised-panel door profiles remain, including the arched upper edges and framed lower cabinet fronts.
The homeowner hired a professional to spray the cabinets, explaining that he considered this a job where a specialist could produce a better result. Black handles and knobs replace the original silver hardware, while the white countertops and gray backsplash remain visible between the cabinet rows.
The Stove Wall Kept Its Original Cabinet Arrangement
The stainless-steel stove remains beneath the window, with gray upper cabinets on either side and the refrigerator standing to the left. The cabinet doors retain their original curved upper panels, but the wood grain is concealed beneath the paint.
White countertops occupy both sides of the range, while the pale backsplash continues beneath the window. The dark flooring connects the cooking wall with the opposite counter run.
The Finished Galley Kitchen Has a Flat Peninsula and Gray Cabinets
The completed kitchen retains its two opposing cabinet runs, with gray painted doors, white countertops, and dark rectangular floor tiles. The former raised breakfast bar has become a flat peninsula with seating along the living-room side.
The sink and dishwasher remain on the left, while the stove and refrigerator occupy the opposite wall. The new surfaces change the room’s color balance without moving the main appliances or replacing the cabinet system.
The renovation combined DIY demolition, electrical work, flooring, countertops, and backsplash installation with a professional cabinet spray finish. The original oak cabinets now form the basis of a kitchen with a different appearance, while their door profiles and storage arrangement remain recognizable.
All project photographs and renovation details are credited to Imgur creator SewerRanger.