One of the most costly home improvement projects is, without a doubt, a kitchen remodel. But what if your plans for the room that gets the most use at home don’t line up with your budget? There’s no need for you to put up with your outmoded kitchen. Instead, give your existing kitchen a facelift without breaking the bank by following these simple suggestions.
Update your kitchen in a low cost way by rearranging the colors, painting the cabinets, and replacing the old worktops. To give your room a new vibe, keep surfaces clean and clear of clutter. To give your kitchen a more contemporary look in a budget friendly way, you can update the lighting, plumbing fixtures, and hardware, among other things.
You shouldn’t automatically assume that you have to settle for an old kitchen. Simple, low-cost adjustments can have a significant effect, even when money is tight. The most important thing is to focus your energy on making the correct modifications.
10 Budget-Friendly Methods To Update a Tired Kitchen
You’re sick of your old, ugly kitchen, but there’s no way you can afford to remodel it right now. When you say money is tight, you really mean it. So, suggestions to replace kitchen cabinets, countertops, and flooring won’t help.
On the other hand, you should not put off a smaller refurbishment until you have saved enough for a bigger one. The average cost of a kitchen remodel, no matter how small, is $24,000. Keeping it around $2,000 is your preference. Slightly different, but manageable.
Between your tired kitchen and your future ideal room, you could use some advice. Good news – that’s what you’ll find here. These suggestions are simple adjustments and tweaks that you can make in a weekend or less with very little expense.
1. Swap Out Light Fixtures
Invest in some new, more contemporary lighting to replace that hideous boob lamp or that antiquated lacquered brass chandelier over the island. Additionally, it’s important to have ambient, job, and accent lighting in the room.
Having pendant lights above the island, a light over the sink, and LED strips under the cabinets are just a few examples. Having well-designed lighting in a room is important because it sets the mood for the entire area. However, its functionality is of utmost importance, particularly in a place such as the kitchen.
When you’re measuring ingredients or slicing vegetables, you definitely want ample light. Recessed lighting could be required to illuminate gloomy corners in a bigger kitchen. Putting a lamp on a kitchen island, counter, or other comparable surface is another hot idea right now.
2. Evaluate Your Color Palette
Subdued tones have mostly overtaken the use of highly saturated, vivid colors in kitchens. You can still pull off an all-white kitchen with the proper decor, but even that trend is losing momentum.
But these days, it’s all about wood and natural tones when it comes to cabinetry. When it comes to major purchases like new cabinets and countertops, it’s best to stick to classic color schemes. Remodeling your kitchen can be rather costly, and the last thing you want is for it to seem dated only a few years down the road.
3. Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets
If your kitchen appears old-fashioned after reviewing your color scheme, it’s probably time to make some adjustments. You won’t be replacing your cabinets, though, because this is about inexpensive kitchen updates. They would be better served by painting or, for the more daring, by stripping and staining.
You can also reface your cabinets and drawer fronts with veneer sheets, but this will depend on your budget and the quantity of cabinets you have. These sheets are available in a wide range of colors and styles, allowing you to get a modern look without breaking the bank. Use samples to try out your top looks before committing to a final choice, whether it’s painting, staining, or refacing your cabinets.
4. Refresh Existing Countertops
Depending on the materials used, the price per square foot to replace kitchen countertops can range from $20 to $180. In addition, there are supplementary expenses associated with tasks such as removing the old countertop and treating the edges and corners. This can easily cost several thousand dollars, as you might expect.
Use an all-in-one countertop restoration kit to give your old countertops a new look instead of buying new ones. For a surprisingly small investment, it’s a fantastic method to revitalize your worn-out kitchen.
A wide variety of styles and colors are available in kits sold by different companies. You can get a kit for around $140 and they don’t usually demand much DIY talent from you. The amount of counter space you have will determine how many kits you’ll need to finish the job.
5. Get Rid Of All The Excess
Step back and look around your kitchen. Is it a mishmash of gadgets, plates, and other random things scattered around the counter that draws your eye? The kitchen is the backbone of the home and the place where many other things end up.
It doesn’t matter how well-designed the rest of the kitchen is if the kitchen is messy. Eliminating clutter and reorganizing kitchen storage will have a dramatic impact right away. Identify your needs and wants honestly first.
Dispose of everything that is duplicated or hasn’t seen use in at least a year. Think realistically about the number of plates, glasses, and silverware your family actually uses.
Then, think about the little appliances you own. They don’t belong on your counter unless you use them daily. They would be better off in the pantry or a lower cabinet. These heavier things are considerably easier to reach when they have a pull-out drawer or shelf.
Put things in a different place if you only use them a few of times a year. Basements, laundry rooms, and hall closets are a few possible locations.
By the end of the day, you should have cleared off at least three quarters of your kitchen counters. The same goes for the surfaces of other appliances and tables in the kitchen, such as the refrigerator, microwave, island, etc.
6. Deep Clean Your Kitchen
The best way to make your kitchen shine is to clean it thoroughly once you have removed all the clutter. A spotless kitchen is more aesthetically pleasing than a cluttered one. If you want a pristine kitchen, perform this deep cleaning checklist.
Dust light fixtures, clean the insides of appliances, and tackle drawers and cupboards. Clean the fronts of the cabinets and drawers, scrub the sink, and deodorize the garbage disposal. Just by clearing all the clutter and giving the kitchen a good scrub, you’ll make a world of difference.
7. Take Down The Words
The farmhouse style saw an explosion in the use of word signs. Signs reading “EAT” and “Happy Kitchen, Happy Home” were a common sight across many kitchens. Additionally, neon signage became fashionable at the opposite extreme of the spectrum.
In the long run, though, these on-trend accents will make your kitchen seem dated and unappealing. Also, word signs have a way of diverting your attention; before you know it, you’re reading words and processing letters unconsciously.
Hence, remove the text for a more contemporary and clean appearance (and a less-cluttered area).
8. Update The Kitchen Faucet
A simple and inexpensive approach to modernize your kitchen is to replace the faucet. Hardware adorns your room like a piece of jewelry. Find contemporary objects that you adore and that have an enduring style. The finishes you pick should go well with the ones already there.
A timeless, traditional room would look lovely with unlacquered brass. If you want surfaces with a highly reflective sheen, chrome is a great choice. Though it may lack the classic good looks of some of its contemporaries, matte black has been a popular choice as of late. Consider not only the finish, but also modern styles and functional features (such as a pull-out sprayer or hands-free operation) that will work best in your kitchen.
9. Freshen Up The Island
To update the look of your kitchen island, consider painting it or installing new hardware. It may be time to get a new one if your portable island is really old and out of style. A countertop kit is another option for refinishing the island’s surface.
Coordination with other countertops can provide the illusion of more space in a compact kitchen. You could look into getting a different countertop if your kitchen is more spacious. To have an even more modern appearance, you might even choose to replace the countertop if your kitchen island has a smaller surface area.
10. Change Cabinet Hardware
A simple way to update is to replace old hardware with new knobs and pulls. Get the right sizes so that you can make a smooth swap with little work. If you’re planning on replacing the lighting and plumbing fixtures as well, coordinate your choices carefully.
Take the hardware off, fix the holes, and paint it if you don’t want it anymore. (If you’re wanting to paint or refinish cabinets, this is the way to go; otherwise, you’re just adding more headaches for yourself.)
Final Thoughts On 10 Low Cost Ways To Revamp An Old Kitchen
Renovating your kitchen to make it appear brand new doesn’t have to break the bank. Do not feel trapped in an outdated kitchen just because a full redesign is out of your price range. Pick out some classic colors, update the lighting, and change out the hardware. Thoroughly clean the kitchen and remove any unnecessary items or dated, garish décor.
Think about giving your kitchen cabinets and countertops a new coat of paint if you’re in the mood for a more extensive renovation. Changing the color of your cabinets is another easy approach to update the look of your room. The most important thing is that your kitchen serves your needs, regardless of your style choices.
Don’t make alterations just because they’re trendy or because someone on TikTok suggested them. Make the changes that give you delight. Get rid of what you don’t like. Because you’re the one who’ll be spending the most time there, you should have the last say on its design and functionality.