How It Held Up: Play Kitchen Makeover
A while back, I shared a full tutorial on how to give a basic play kitchen a complete makeover. Since then, one of the most common questions I get is whether the project has held up and if I’d recommend doing it. After a lot of daily play and plenty of pretend meals, I can confidently say: yes, it’s held up beautifully.
What’s Holding Up Well
The overall structure is still solid, and most of the painted surfaces, and hardware look just as good as the day the project was finished. Even after heavy use, the play kitchen is still a standout piece and continues to be one of the most-used toys in our home.
Where I See Wear and Tear
That said, there are a few areas that show their age:
Cabinet shelves – The inside shelves have scratches and scuffs from toys being dragged in and out.
Painted stovetop edges – This is the one part I wouldn’t do again. Painting the edges looked great at first, but the paint chipped quickly. Next time, I’d leave the stovetop edges their original gray.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
Skip painting the stovetop edges – it just doesn’t hold up.
Add an extra coat of polycrylic – I sealed everything, but a second coat would give extra protection in high-wear spots.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this DIY project has held up incredibly well. With a little extra attention to the stovetop and protective finishes, it could look even fresher for longer. If you’ve been considering this makeover, I’d absolutely recommend it. This is a relatively simple project that makes a huge difference in both looks and play value.
