10 Ways to Update Your Kitchen on a Budget
Kitchen remodels can be a very expensive project to take on. Sometimes though, all a kitchen needs is a simple, inexpensive change and it can become your favorite area in your home. In this post I have listed 10 ways where you can give your kitchen an updated feel without spending a ton of money. I also have included ideas and products that can help you along the way with your kitchen makeover.
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1. Paint the Cabinets
The idea of having a bright, white kitchen sounds like a dream to me. I currently have dark brown cabinets in my kitchen that I LOVE but I sometimes find myself being envious when I walk into a kitchen with all white cabinets. There is something about it that just feels so clean. This is something I have been wanting to do for a while and I found the perfect paint that gives cabinets the freshening up they need. This paint comes in a ton of colors so if white isn’t for you there are a lot more options.
Total Cost:
Grand total to freshen up cabinets: $99.91
2. Get New Handles and Pulls for Cabinets
While we are on the subject of cabinets, lets talk about the old and outdated hardware that is usually on them. This is another really inexpensive way to update the look of the cabinet. My current favorite cabinet handle gives kitchen cabinets a sleek and expensive look. Check out this 10-pack of handles for $12.25.
Total Cost:
2- 10 packs of handles: $24.50
3. Change out the Light Fixture
Light fixtures can really make or break the look of a kitchen. Every time I have moved in my adult life, I have ended up changing out the existing light fixtures with new ones within the first month of living there. Even a simple change over the kitchen table can add a lot of dynamics to the room. The beauty of light fixtures is, they come in all different shapes, sizes and prices. I have been able to find cute fixtures in the $40 range as well as the $80 range.
Total Cost (Depending on which fixture you choose):
4. Add a Little Backsplash
Backsplash is all the rage in home improvement and is such an inexpensive way to add a touch of flavor to your kitchen. You can go as simple and clean as subway tile or add in some of your personality with something colorful and fun. The beauty about a lot of the backsplash you can find online is they can peel and stick. As a homeowner, I would most likely get real tile but if you live in an apartment, the peel and stick options are perfect for a temporary set up.
Total Cost:
As low as $20 depending on the size of the area you want to add backsplash to and what you choose.
5. Update the Countertops
There are so many options for countertops that can really give a kitchen the uplift it needs. This is an area that might be a little pricier than others but if you are going to spend money on any area of the kitchen….the countertops are where its at. There is a company around me (Kansas City) called Premier Surfaces Kansas Missouri who does great work on countertops. They have showrooms across 10 states in The United States and will service any home east of the Rocky Mountains. I think my favorite part is the amount of options that can be chosen to make sure this is an affordable process. You can choose from natural stone, quartz, marble, granite, and other types of specialty services. If you want some real inspiration check out their gallery to see some of the beautiful designs they can do.
Total Cost:
This is very dependent on what type of countertop you want and how much area needs to be covered. They are very helpful with getting cost estimates and reaching a price that could work with your budget.
6. Matching containers for kitchen spoons and such
Now if home improvement projects aren’t for you, this area might be a little easier to spruce up your kitchen without a ton of work or money. Adding in matching containers for utensils can add a sense of flow to the kitchen. I prefer the stainless containers because they go well with my appliances but you are are looking for a pop of color check out these colorful containers.
Total Cost:
- Stainless Container: $10.79/container
- Colorful Container: $23.84/container
7. Add a Decorative Rug
Another way to get an inexpensive boost to your kitchen is to add a cute rug. I found the BEST RUG that I have been in love with lately. It added a little color to my kitchen and is comfortable on my feet. It comes in several colors and would be long enough to cover the length of most kitchens.
Total Cost:
Modern Floral Circles Rug: $27.80
8. Switch Out the Faucet
It was so surprising to me how inexpensive changing the sink faucet can be. I always thought that would be a couple hundred dollar change, so I was pleasantly surprised to find out I could do it for under $100. I really like the modern looking faucets where you can manually pull down the attached nozzle. Is that what its called? A nozzle? It sounds right so I’ll go with it. This faucet is one of my current favorites and I love the high arch and stainless steel to give it that modern and sophisticated look.
Total Cost:
Modern High Arch Stainless Steel Faucet: $94.99
9. Under Cabinet Lighting
I love the look of under cabinet lighting. It really brightens up (literately) any kitchen with a few simple light additions. What I like about this type of lighting is how inexpensive it can be. You could go as inexpensive as a set of puck lights to getting a full LED lighting set while still spending less that $60.
Total Cost:
- Puck Lights Set of 6: $16.99
- LED Dimmable Light Set: $59.99
10. Add Organization Tools
Clutter around the kitchen is one way to have a kitchen that always feels dirty and unkept. My husband and I used to always have mail all over the kitchen counters and table. Whats an easy fix for that? A mail holder.
Sometimes too, I would notice we would always keep the mop just leaning against a wall because there wasn’t really a specific space for it. We got this mop and broom holder and it has made a world of a difference.
Another area where we had issues with was with the bulk items we would purchase. We buy a lot of our rice, beans, and seeds from the bulk section at the store. This left us with a lot of bags open and a lot of the food spilled all over in the pantry. An easy fix for this was to buy this 4-Piece Canister Set. No more spillage and it was nice because this came with a spoon set as well so it was easy to measure out how much we needed.
There are tons of organizational tools out there. I could go on forever with how to fix organizational problems in the kitchen. If you have a problem you can’t seem to fix please feel free to comment below and we can work through and try to find a solution to your organizational problems.
Total Cost:
Mail holder: $14.99
Mop and broom holder: $12.99
4-Piece Canister Set: $17.76
…and there you have it! 10 ways that you can update your kitchen without spending a ton of money. Hopefully you were able to get some ideas and can stat sprucing up your kitchen this week!
Oh I love these tips! Under cabinet lighting is wear it’s at too. Gives such a nice ambiance to a kitchen. I was thinking of doing like, glass cabinet doors, but could that run on the expensive side?
I can’t wait until we are able to make our kitchen exactly how we want it to be. I’m so glad there are options for a budget!
I love these budget options that are truly budget friendly! We painted our cabinets white at our last house and I LOVED it! Can’t wait to move from our current rental and into our own house again so we can do great updates like these!
oh my goodness, such great ideas! the handles really do make such a huge difference if you change them, same with some counter lighting!
These are some great little things that you can do to give your kitchen a little update. I am definitely on a budget but mine could use a lift.
This is what we are in the process of doing to our kitchen. It’s been bit by bit. I think door handles will be next. It is fun!