How To Update Your Kitchen On A Budget
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The kitchen can be one of the most expensive rooms in the house to redo – with entire new kitchens running into the tens of thousands. However, there are plenty of things you can do to give your kitchen an update without breaking the bank.
How To Update Your Kitchen On A Budget
Repaint Your Cupboards
Repainting your cupboards is one of the quickest fixes you can do in your kitchen. It does take some time and effort to do properly, as usually, doors will need removing, cleaning (washing up liquid can be used to remove any tough grease stains) and sanding before painting. That said, it will definitely be worth it for the overall impact it will have on your kitchen space.
Old fashioned glass cupboard doors can be frosted to make them look more modern or if you want to hide the contents. You could also add new kitchen door handles to give an updated feel.
Re-cover or Replace Work Tops
Worktops are another area that can have a big impact on how the kitchen looks overall. There are a few options you can choose from here.
First, you could choose to repaint worktops although whether you can do this will depend on what they are made from.
The next option would be to recover them, using something like a vinyl wrap. This is a super budget option but can be a very effective way to keep costs low.
Finally, you could choose to replace your countertops completely. While this is more costly than the above options, it is much less expensive than replacing the whole kitchen – so you get something that feels new to go along with all the DIY.
There are various options when it comes to kitchen worktops and you’ll need to work out which is best for you and your budget.
Granite worktops give a more luxurious feel, while wood worktops will suit a country feel kitchen and ceramic provides a nice halfway point between the two.
Change The Flooring
Old, tired-looking flooring can really date a kitchen, so updating this could make a difference, especially if you want a lighter and brighter look.
Flooring365 have a range of options suitable for all budgets. Vinyl flooring can be a great option for those working on a tight budget and is something that has improved hugely in quality since it first became popular. It also has the added bonus of being durable and easy to clean which is exactly what is needed in a kitchen!
Respray Fridges, Freezer, and Radiators
One quick fix to give your kitchen a refresh is to repaint radiators and white goods. You can buy paint especially for this job and it can make a huge difference to the overall look of your kitchen.
Find Some Budget Kitchenware
Another way to update your kitchen is to replace some of your kitchenware, especially the bits and pieces that are on display like tea, sugar and coffee containers, utensils and the fruit bowl. My favourite places for budget homeware are Wilkos, Poundland and Ikea.
Storage Solutions
Decluttering can also have a massive effect on how your kitchen looks. If you’ve redecorated it’s worth thinking about how much ‘stuff’ you want out on the worksurfaces.
For example, my Mum has quite a small kitchen so the toaster is kept in the cupboard on a tray and only gotten out when needed. While this may not work if you use your toaster a lot, it’s easy for workspaces to get cluttered with kettles, coffee makers, mug trees, slow cookers and so on.
To help keep your kitchen clutter-free, there are some amazing storage solutions out there, below I’ve listed a few of my favourites.
- Use your walls for storage – magnetic knife storage will free up drawer space and tea towels can be hung from a row of hooks.
- In my own cupboards, I use plate stackers which essentially double the number of plates I can fit in one space without the need for more shelving.
- Make the most of the cupboard doors by adding hooks or bulldog clips to the inside.
- Glass jars can be repurposed and used to store pasta and other grains on shelving if you have limited cupboard space.
