Your kitchen is the heart of your home, where you cook meals for your family and entertain friends. Over time, it can start to look dated and worn. Replacing cabinets or doing a full remodel can cost thousands of pounds. However, there are ways to give your kitchen a fresh new look without breaking the bank. Here are some budget-friendly ideas for updating your kitchen.
Replace the Cabinet Doors
Simply replacing the cabinet doors can make a huge visual impact on your kitchen. If the cabinet boxes themselves are still sturdy and functional, then new doors can go a long way in providing a facelift. Shaker-style doors, like these from Cut My Plastic, are a popular and timeless choice that looks great in both modern and traditional kitchens. If your current doors are slab style, just adding some panel detailing to new doors can add character.
There are several budget-friendly ways to get new cabinet doors. Ordering unfinished doors and finishing them yourself with paint or stain can keep costs down. You can also check home improvement stores for affordable stock door styles. Another option is refacing services that can replace your existing doors with new doors made to fit. This avoids the cost of fully replacing the cabinets themselves.
Add Modern Hardware
Sometimes just switching out the cabinet hardware makes a big difference in updating your kitchen’s style. Swapping out dated brass or decorative handles and knobs for modern brushed nickel or matte black hardware gives a more contemporary look. Stainless steel hardware also looks sleek and pairs nicely with any colour cabinetry.
The great thing about changing hardware is it’s a quick, easy and affordable kitchen upgrade. For just a few pounds per handle or knob, you can install new hardware yourself over a weekend. If your existing holes don’t align with the new hardware, you can fill them with wood filler before installation.
Paint the Cabinets
Painting tired wood or laminate cabinets can give them new life. White, grey and navy are popular cabinet colours for a clean and classic look. You can paint the cabinets all one colour or do the upper and lower cabinets in different tones. Just remember that lighter cabinet colours show more wear and require more frequent touch-ups.
For best results, remove the doors and drawers to paint separately. Use a high-quality primer and cabinet paint for a smooth and durable finish. The painting does take some time and labour, but the cost of paint is affordable. Updating dingy cabinets with a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to transform your kitchen.
Update the Fixtures
Replacing dated lighting and hardware like faucets, handles and sinks can also give your kitchen a new look. Swapping out an old light with recessed lighting makes a big difference, while new cabinet hardware can give cabinets a fresh feel.
Faucets and sink fixtures come in a range of styles and finishes, with inexpensive yet stylish sets for under £100. A stainless steel apron front sink or porcelain farmhouse sink upgrade can also add country cottage charm. The plumbing connections involve some work, but again it’s very budget-friendly.
Install a Kitchen Splashback
Adding a sheet of decorative material to the wall behind the kitchen counters serves both form and function. A kitchen splashback protects the wall from cooking splatters and moisture while adding visual interest. Glass, stainless steel, tiles or laminate panels are commonly used.
This can be an easy DIY project, where you simply need to cut the splashback material to size, clean the wall and use silicone adhesive to attach it to the wall. You can also add trim moulding along the edges for a finished look. A splashback typically costs between £100-300 depending on the size and material.
Freshen up the Walls
Sometimes just giving your kitchen walls a fresh coat of paint is enough to brighten up the entire room. Neutral shades like beige or grey work well and provide a clean backdrop. Add interest by painting one wall in a darker accent colour or use paint to create a fun patterned focal wall.
In addition to paint, wallpaper and removable wallpaper or contact paper let you get creative with patterns to spice up your kitchen. Removable options are budget-friendly because you can easily peel them off later. They allow you to add lively prints or faux finishes without a permanent commitment.
Update Lighting Fixtures
Lighting has a significant impact on the overall look and feel of a kitchen. Swapping out old fluorescent box lights for updated fixtures can make the space seem brighter and more modern. Pendant lights, recessed cans and under-cabinet lighting provide task lighting. Decorative accent lighting also adds ambience.
Mixing fixture styles and finishes look more custom than uniform lighting. You can find inexpensive lighting at home improvement stores or online. Install them yourself by following the manufacturer’s instructions. If needed, hire an electrician for the initial wiring. The electrician cost may be your biggest expense, but it’s a worthwhile investment.
Refreshing your kitchen doesn’t have to require a complete remodel or cost a fortune. With some creativity and elbow grease, these budget updates can give your kitchen a whole new look that you’ll love.