Is your kitchen looking drab and dated? Have you been dying to make some improvements but are worried about where you’ll find the money?
Whether you’ve just bought a fixer-upper, or thinking of sprucing up your home (rented or owned), or looking to sell or flip your house then adding a brand new quartz countertop or completely replacing your cabinets might not necessarily be the best or most affordable route to take, especially if you are on a tight budget.
Believe it or not; some of the most effective ways to increase the value of your home are small, modest, simple and affordable upgrades, which is great for homeowners or renters who want to renovate on a budget. As the saying goes, “less is more” and by implementing simple and effective changes, you can achieve excellent results for a whole lot less than a complete overhaul.
Here are 7 easy and affordable ways to amp up your current kitchen without breaking the bank.
Table of Contents
1. Open Shelving
One of the quickest and most inexpensive ways to inject a more modern updated look to your kitchen in 2022 is to remove a few of the doors from your existing cabinets and open up the shelving to display your stylish dishware collection or decorative pieces. If you have free, unused, odd or non-standard spaces in your kitchen, then save your cupboard doors and install new shelving in these areas.
There are numerous benefits to open shelving. They:
- give your kitchen a cozy and welcoming look and feel.
- are visually appealing and create an eye-catching focal point. This is a fantastic way of getting aesthetic use out of your colourful decorative pieces, cutlery or dishware collection that would ordinarily be locked away.
- create an open, spacious, airy feel, especially for smaller kitchens.
- provide convenient access to your everyday kitchenware. You will be able to see everything at a quick glance.
- discourage you from filling your kitchen with unwanted clutter.
- are much more budget-friendly and economical than traditional kitchen cabinets.
Aside from displaying your dishware collection, open shelves are great for showcasing your favourite spices, vases, cookware, vintage canisters, colourful water glasses, cookbooks, patterned bowls, artwork and greenery or herbs from your garden. Why hide them in your pantry or behind closed cupboard doors when you can show off your most prized kitchen possessions? After all, you only live once (YOLO)! Right?
2. Remove those old light fixtures and replace with new
Tired of staring at those old-fashioned light fixtures in your kitchen? Time for an upgrade! You would be amazed at how adding the right lighting to your kitchen can massively transform the look and feel of your whole space and make it a much more enjoyable space to work and entertain in.
You can create a whole new ambiance by adding pendant lighting, countertop lighting or replacing those ancient looking ceiling mounts with more modern-looking ones.
Think of pendant lighting as accent jewelry; they are the finishing touch that can accentuate and add a touch of spark to your kitchen. You will want to select them carefully, as they tend to be highly visible and can have the biggest lighting impact on your kitchen.
When selecting lighting upgrades for your kitchen, make sure to use effective task lighting, which is the light you will need to carry out specific actions such as cooking, reading or eating.
There are many affordable online resources for lighting such as Amazon, IKEA and Home Depot. If online shopping isn’t your thing, then go get them in person during the blow out sales such as Black Friday.
3. Install a New Faucet
Swapping your dated faucet for a stylish new model is most definitely one of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to refresh your kitchen and the good thing is that it takes less than an hour to install.
Your kitchen faucet is probably one of the most used fixtures in your home and it also happens to be highly noticeable. It is often described as the pinnacle of kitchen design. Therefore, when selecting a faucet replacement, be sure to give it some careful thought. Some of the things you will want to bear in mind are:
- Style and Finish Options – There are many different styles and finishes to choose from so you will want to make sure you select a faucet that will integrate well with the overall style, décor, colours and aesthetics of your kitchen. For instance, it’s best to pick a chrome faucet if all your cabinet pulls have a chrome finish.
- Aesthetics – If you currently have a very standard looking faucet, then you might want to select a new one with a more interesting design and with additional functionalities and accessories (e.g. a spray hose).
- Handle Type – if you regularly use your kitchen to prepare meals, wash dishes or you are always on the move etc., then you will appreciate the ease and convenience of a single handle faucet. You can quickly adjust the flow and temperature with just one hand or finger. On the flipside, a faucet with two handles can bring a certain timeless elegance to your kitchen.
- Faucet Holes and Spacing – you will want to ensure that the faucet you select works with your current plumbing. For instance, check the number of openings in your sink or countertop before you go shopping, so you can be sure to purchase a new one that’s an easy fit. You don’t want to create extra work and cost for yourself by buying the wrong type of fixture.
- Faucet Size – It’s very important to get the height right. Don’t pick a faucet simply because you love the look of it. Think about the practicalities, for example: if the faucet is too small, you might not be able to wash large pots underneath. If it’s too big, it will splash water everywhere.
4. Paint the Cabinets
Instead of replacing your cabinets, why not paint them at a fraction of the cost? This is an excellent option and can give your aged kitchen that well-needed lift.
There are many colours from which you can choose and they don’t have to be the traditional white or brown but you will need to select a colour that you can live with for a long while. Think about which colour/s will fit in well with the rest of the kitchen (walls, tiles, backsplash, appliances etc.).
According to HGTV, green and blue kitchens are popular trends but unconventional colour schemes such as yellow, pink and orange are also on the rise. If you have an eclectic taste, you may even consider introducing bold patterns and textures.
5. Add some New Cabinet Doors
If your cabinets are way too old and can’t be rescued from a fresh coat or application of paint, try replacing the doors with newer ones. You will want to first check if the box structure or framework is still sturdy and in good condition. If yes, then all you need to do is some simple measuring of the existing doors, hinges and cabinets.
Here are some of the benefits to adding new cabinet doors:
- It’s quick and easy and takes up way less time than gutting the entire cabinets and installing new ones.
- It’s cost effective and is only a fraction of the cost compared to a complete replacement.
- An eco-friendly option, as you are repurposing your existing box structure instead of throwing them out. If your current box structure is made out of solid wood, then you are definitely reducing your carbon footprint by keeping them.
- They introduce a new colour scheme or door style to your cabinets.
- You can do it yourself if you feel up to the task.
Stores such as IKEA sell individual cabinet doors and hardware accessories at affordable prices and they have a wide range of door styles from which to select. Take a look at IKEA’s Guide to upgrading existing cabinets.
6. Add or Replace Backsplash
One of the easiest and affordable ways to spruce up your kitchen is to add or replace the backsplash. Fortunately, in this DIY age, there many budget-friendly options available such as:
- Adding beadboard sheets over your existing backsplash.
- Installing wallpapers for an instant pop of colour.
- An adhesive vinyl with textures and patterns that will integrate well with your existing kitchen décor. You can easily stick these on old tiles or walls and they come off quite easily without residue in case you wish to change them down the road.
- Adding a splash of paint over your existing tile backsplash.
- Laminate wood flooring instead of real wood.
- Plywood painted in your favourite colour can make an industrial-chic backsplash.
7. Change the Cabinet Pulls
As simple as it may sound, replacing your old cabinet handles and knobs with more modern pulls, can significantly rejuvenate your kitchen cabinets and transform your kitchen from traditional to modern. The good news is that you can do this yourself at minimal cost, once you feel up to the task. Here a few tips to consider:
- Style and Finish Options – Just like faucets, there are numerous styles and finishes from which to select. It’s best to choose pulls that will complement the overall style, décor, colours and aesthetics of your kitchen. For instance, copper pulls would be a good pick if your faucet or other kitchen accessories have a copper finish.
- Handle Type – if you have a high-traffic kitchen especially with kids around, you might want to go for more durable handles that are easy to clean.
- Pull Size – It’s very important to get the size right. If a knob is too large or small, it will look completely out of place. According to Meridian Homes: “a good rule of thumb for traditional or transitional style pulls is that they should be about one-third of the length of the cabinet drawer. Drawers larger than eighteen inches wide may require more than one pull or knob. More contemporary designs call for long pulls that are at least two-thirds of the length of the drawer or cabinet door.”
- The Positioning of the Handles – Always think about how you want the pulls to be positioned on the cabinet doors and drawers before you install them. Meridian Homes offer some great tips on how they should be positioned, for example handles are typically positioned horizontally on drawers and vertically on doors.
How did you find these 7 easy and affordable tips for improving your kitchen? Drop me a comment below and be sure to check out more related articles listed below.
Author
Monique Abbott
Hi, I ’m Monique, founder and editor-in-chief of Yes2Yolo, travel addict, lover of home makeover projects among many other passions, including creative and inspirational writing to embolden us to live our best lives. At my core, I am a creative artistic being and I believe that creativity knows no end.
…
I’ve explored over 60 countries with my husband Nick. Together we’ve partnered on some truly exciting projects such as creating and running a successful Airbnb business, chairing condo boards, purchasing fixer-uppers and renovating them from scratch on our own while balancing all of this with full-time jobs and family.
…
While my personal passions are travel and home décor, I am, by profession, a lawyer with over 17 years experience.
Great tips Monique!
Thank you so much Elizabeth!
Your blog is so first class. Love it!
Thank you so much Heneka! Really appreciate this!
Wow!…simple yet impactful tips. Well thought out. Very inspiring Monique. You’re gifted.
Thank you so much Michelle! Really appreciate you dropping me some positive feedback!