Kitchen renovations can be expensive…VERY expensive. Here are a few ways to make a complete transformation while on a limited budget!
1. Paint Your Cabinets
An easy way to totally change the look and feel of your kitchen is to paint the cabinets. They sell kits to do this, but I am sure your local hardware store paint department could direct you to some paint that would work well on cabinetry. I picked up some Dutch Boy cabinet paint from Menards for mine. The best way to apply is with a sprayer, but if that’s out of your budget, rolling it on has given me good results.
2. Install Unfinished Cabinets
In some cases, the cabinets simply need to be replaced. This was my case; the base cabinet for the sink was estimated to be about 70 years old. So it was just time for something new. I measured and did some research on the unfinished oak cabinets I could get through Menards.
I bought a new countertop as well. I love the look of butcher block but was a little unsure of the durability and longevity, so I went with a butcher block-looking laminate. Laminate countertops have come a long way in recent times, and there are so many options out there– you can even buy laminate that looks like granite, marble or quartz (my parents did this when the remodeled their kitchen). I was skeptical at first too, but honestly, I now that I see it, I think it looks great.
3. New Cabinet Hardware
I always used to wonder why my old apartment kitchen felt so naked. There were no pulls on the cabinets! It’s interesting how such a small detail can make such an impression.
Cabinet pulls are easy to change out, or install if none were ever put in. I used this type of tool to make sure that the holes for the hardware were properly spaced. It’s quite simple, just measure, drill holes, insert the hardware, and tighten with a screwdriver. One super affordable place to find hardware is Habitat Restore. They’re only 50 cents a piece! If you are looking for something on the more unique end of things, Hobby Lobby always has an array to choose from (just make sure you buy when they are running a 50% off sale).
4. Install Open Shelving
One of the looks that is really in right now (and I hope stays for a while) is open shelving. If you have any bulky or overbearing cabinetry that makes your kitchen feel small, you can pull it out and replace the space with some cute open shelves. It gives the kitchen a more spacious and airy feel. I’ve seen some cool, affordable brackets at Ikea. I used some inexpensive ones from Menards (less than a dollar or two each) for the kitchen in my rental unit.
This is a pretty easy project. I made the shelves myself from some wooden planks. I stained them and then applied a few coats of polyurethane to protect them. Then I installed the brackets with my cordless drill and then screwed the brackets to the shelves. Make sure to measure and check that they are level when you install them.
5. Inexpensive Flooring
There are a couple of inexpensive ways to jazz up the flooring if needed:
Peel and Stick Flooring
This can be very affordable and incredibly easy to install. You’ll want a utility knife to cut the edges, but otherwise, it’s a pretty quick job. You can get it to look like marble or wood; you can also grout it if you want it to look like tiling. The nice part about this stuff is that if a tile gets damaged, you only have to replace the squares as needed.
Luxury Vinyl Plank
This type of flooring can be a little more expensive than the peel and stick, but it feels sturdier and can last longer. It’s also easy to install, with a utility knife and mallet (if you get the floating kind like I did). I did the living and dining room all in one day!
You can also get glue down options for LVP and vinyl tiling.
Paint
There are also options for painting your floor. I’ve painted wood and concrete with some flooring paint, but I’ve never done vinyl or tile. So I can’t speak about its durability. But it might be worth looking into, depending on your budget and current flooring situation.
6. Countertop Revitalization
I haven’t done either of these options myself, but in my renovation research, I’ve seen two options where you don’t need to replace the entire countertop:
Paint It
You can buy kits (like this one from Rustoleum) to make your countertop look like granite. To me, this looks like a really fun painting project! The directions give you the information for how to do it, but there are a lot of videos out there demonstrating it as well if you’re not confident in the creative painting department.
Wrap It
You can also purchase this stick-on marble look-alike material to easily transform your countertops. It looks pretty easy to apply, you just need to make sure to push out all of the bubbles as you slowly put it down.
I ended up getting a new laminate countertop. Laminate is not that expensive; it was less then $100 for a five foot section with the sink hole cutout. Laminate has come a long way, and I would consider buying another laminate countertop again someday. My parents have a laminate countertop that imitates stone– sure, it doesn’t feel like stone, but it looks a lot like it!
7. Upgrade the Faucet
Faucets come in a wide variety and price range, and they can change the look of your sink area. Make sure you pick one out that matches the type of sink you have (i.e. the number of holes in it). There are some nice, affordable upgrades at the home improvement stores.
No, you don’t need a plumber to do this. All you have to do is make sure to shut the water off, remove the old faucet with a couple of tools (you’ll need a wrench), then install the new one. You might need to maneuver yourself into an awkward position to access it under the sink, but it is well-worth it. The faucets come with directions for how to install it; just follow them and you’ve got it! They also typically have a list of tools or other materials required if necessary, so check that out before you leave the home improvement store. If I can do it, anyone can!
8. Reglaze the Kitchen Sink
This is something you can only do if your sink is porcelain; most places I’ve lived have metal sinks, so it’s never something I’ve thought about looking into for myself. You can buy a kit to reglaze your tub and it can work just as well for your kitchen sink. I don’t have any experience with this, and I’m not sure how long-lasting it will be, but if your porcelain sink is in rough shape, it might be worth a try.
9. Floating Island
I’ve seen a ton of cool ideas for DIY kitchen islands, and if my kitchen was a foot or two bigger, I’d totally add one.
One option I’ve seen is to take a basic Ikea kitchen cart and jazz it up. Add some paint and/or stain to match your style. I did have enough room for this little Ikea cart (check out how I did it in my post here).
Another option is to take an old dresser and upcyle it. I’ve seen some pretty cool, easy ideas on Pinterest. Some of them add a slab of butcher block on top so that it hangs over one side and you can add a couple of bar stools for seating. Love this idea!
10. Paint the Walls
It’s incredible how big of a difference the color of the walls can make. The kitchen of my rental unit was yellow. Not so much a bright and cherry yellow, but more of a more of a muted, dreary yellow. I opted to change it out for a clean, classic white.
11. Low Cost Back Splash
Black splashes are a beautiful addition to a kitchen, but they can be costly. One way to make the back splash more affordable is by installing paneling, like beadboard or faux brick, between the countertop and upper cabinets.
All you need to do is cut it to size, get a tube of construction adhesive, and maybe some caulking or drywall filler to make the seams look natural. I liked the faux brick look so much, I made it a feature wall in my kitchen…which brings me to my next point!
12. Feature Wall
A feature wall can add some interest in any room. Even painting one wall a contrasting color can change the feel of a space.
I’ve seen (and debated doing myself) several different types of feature walls. Like I said, I used faux brick paneling in my kitchen. Of course, I wasn’t too crazy about the red brick look so I painted it white for a more classic option. It’s one of the things I love the most about my house.
You can also do the same with other paneling options available at the home improvement store. I used beadboard paneling halfway up the kitchen walls in my upstairs rental unit. You can also buy or cheaply make a shiplap wall with MDF.
Another cool thing I’ve seen is board and batten. It gives a more formal feel. It looks easy enough to do- you just need to cut the pieces to fit the wall. I’d ask a miter saw-owning friend for a little help if you don’t have one yourself.
Another idea is to paint part of a wall with chalk paint. You can put your weekly menu, grocery list, or monthly calendar on it. It might make a good feature for an organization station in your kitchen.
I’ve also seen some really cool pallet walls. You can stain or whitewash the wood to whatever your preference is. I kind of like the multi-tone stains, kind of like I did with my herringbone shim artwork. Actually, you could probably make a feature wall using shims, too!
13. New Light Fixtures
When I first started renovating my house, electrical scared me. I didn’t want to get electrocuted trying to fix something! Fortunately, it’s pretty hard for that to happen as long as you turn the power off.
You can easily change out light fixtures with a few basic tools. I used a couple of Youtube videos to help gain some confidence, too, but every fixture I’ve purchase has directions that come with it for how to set it up. I’ve replaced a handful in my house without difficulty.
14. New Window Treatments
It might be my personal preference, but I absolutely hate mini-blinds. I think they’ve been in every rental I’ve ever lived in. Now that I’m a property owner, I’ve taken out all the dastardly blinds and replaced them with some more modern curtain rods (and in my unit, curtains). I made some of the curtains myself, it is quite easy to do with basic sewing skills!
Just pick out some fabric, hem the edges, and make an extra big hem on one end to fit the curtain rod through.
Budget-Friendly Kitchen Improvements
I hope this list of affordable kitchen improvements helps you in transforming your home! Let me know what you are planning to do for your kitchen in the comments!