My kids have been begging for a cooking set since my 3 year old niece got an awesome one for Christmas. Upon seeing it, Woobie said aloud, "Um... I think Santa brought this to the wrong house. I think this is supposed to be for me." He did get a food set, but it just wasn't the same without a play kitchen to cook it in. Well, mommy finally delivered, kiddos!
I started with a basic TV/ Entertainment Stand.
You can find these in every thrift store ever. Pretty much everyone has had one of these bad boys at some point or another! Someone you know may have one that they are thinking about replacing so you can probably score one for free! I got mine at Savers for $14.99!
I made it a point to use what I had on hand to keep the cost really low. Things could get out of hand very quickly if you aren't careful, so use what you have. Everyone has tons of paint laying around. Mix up several colors to create a new color for your play kitchen. For the fixtures, check out thrift stores or home salvage stores. You are more than likely to find what you need. There's always something that I wind up splurging on because I have something very specific in mind, but for the most part I scrounge up what I need from my basement, thrift stores or friends.
Here's a breakdown of materials and cost:
Muralo Waterborne Primer tinted dark grey used all over- $0.00 (had it on hand from other projects) I liked that the grey tint covered the wood in one coat, but any old primer will do!
Black Chalkboard Paint used for the fridge doors, the range top and the inside of the oven- $0.00 (again I had this on hand) I knew I wanted the fridge doors to be chalkboard paint so the kids could draw on the doors, but I used it for the oven and range as well because I didn't feel like changing brushes!
Martha Stewart paint in Oolong Tea for the main color of the kitchen set- $0.00 (This was left over from painting my craft studio.) I was reluctant to use that color, but I'm glad I did! Use what you have!!!
Door Handles from IKEA - $7.99 for a 2pk - I bought two, so $15.98
Faucet - FREE on Craigslist! MacGyver just scooped this (along with the sink and vanity that it came with) up for me today, allowing me to finish my masterpiece! Swoon... HERO!
Fabric for underneath the sink - $0.00 They were just scraps if you can believe it!
Oven Rack - $0.00 This was a full shelf in MacGyver's closet that he took out months ago because he didn't need it. He cut it down to fit the inside of the oven and I spray painted it silver.
Spray Paint for oven rack - $0.00 (had on hand)
Hahaha! I have to say I used to hate watching home improvement shows where they'd be like "Make this home movie theater with stadium seating for 15 people for only $4!" and they just say how they had everything on hand, but really I had all this crap laying around!
Plexiglass Sheet for the oven door - $13.98 at Home Depot
Mixing Bowl for the sink - $3.50 at Ocean State Job Lot
Mini Frying Pan and Mini Sauce Pan - $4.00 each at Ocean State Job Lot = $8 (They come in red, yellow, blue, or green.)
Total Spent : $56.45!!!
Everything else was just stuff that we had. I do plan on finding a classy set of dishes or going to Claychick to make a set with the kids. How cute would that be?
I also plan on whipping up some more play food for them. I've made a few things out of felt, but the requests keep rolling in. Woobie wants to have enough cupcakes to fill his cupcake tray and Sassy wants a "big cake that's pink."
I'm so pumped at how it came out. I'm still looking for knobs for the cooktop and a few other finishing touches, but I'm satisfied with how it's coming along :)