KITCHEN MAKEOVERS: 11 WAYS TO UPGRADE ON A BUDGET

By Danielle Nieman

Looking to pull off a KITCHEN MAKEOVER without major reconstruction? Here are 11 INSANELY GOOD ways to upgrade your kitchen while staying within a budget.

This post is all about 11 ways to perform a KITCHEN MAKEOVER on a budget.

When you think of performing a kitchen makeover, you might have assumed it involves a major renovation that costs tens of thousands of dollars and leaves your home in shambles for months. While this certainly can be the case, other surprising DIY and budget-friendly alternatives can have your outdated kitchen looking refreshed in no time.

With any home project, the first and most important thing to do is establish a budget. At this time, it’s also imperative to decide what you want to spend the majority of your money on. For example, if you know upgrading your kitchen cabinets is a #1 priority, be sure to have those costs at the top of your budget list.

If you need to upgrade kitchen appliances, begin price checking and work out a budget around those high-priority items. BTW, appliances will be covered later on in this post. Also, be sure to research BEFORE AND AFTER kitchen renovation pictures to get fresh ideas that suit your style and liking.

Keep in mind that sometimes the smallest change can end up making the biggest difference, and this article will show you what’s possible for any kind of budget, BIG or SMALL. So, let’s dive in!

KITCHEN MAKEOVERS: 11 WAYS TO UPGRADE YOUR KITCHEN ON A BUDGET

IDEA #1: THE MINIMALIST KITCHEN MAKEOVER APPROACH

Before a kitchen renovation, look at where you can REDUCE CLUTTER, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Since extra storage can be hard to come by, it’s easy for kitchen counters and tops of refrigerators to get filled with cooking equipment and unnecessary supplies or knick-knacks. And to be blunt, this can junk up the look of a kitchen fast.

Interior Designer, Robert Brown says, “Everything should be functional and add value to the space.”

First, begin cleaning out drawers, pantries, and cabinets to make room for the extra stuff sitting out. Most of us have kitchen appliances that are highly functional but might bring down the value of the space because they’re rocking colors and stains from another decade. Get honest about what must stay and what can GO. Deep Clean and Declutter as much as you can.

Remember, sometimes the smallest changes can instantly upgrade the look of a kitchen, especially an outdated one. Small budget or not, this minimalistic approach will help you get clear about the kitchen design you’re heart truly desires. Sometimes when there is immense clutter, it can be hard to see the possibilities.

If you have a kitchen that needs a big upgrade but you’re trying to keep costs low, add modern splashes of neutral decor to offset the outdated design. Also, floating shelves can update the look while giving extra shelf space. Shop various ideas below.

Purchase Five-Tier Kitchen Shelves on AMAZON.

Purchase Four-Tier Wall Mounted Floating Shelves on AMAZON.

Purchase Wood Floating Shelves (set of two) on AMAZON.

Purchase Neutral Farmhouse Decor Vase Set on AMAZON.

IDEA #2: WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO UPGRADE A KITCHEN?

Paint the walls, duh.

Fresh wall paint can automatically give a budget-friendly kitchen makeover! Check out the current paint trends for this year to get an idea of what could work for your kitchen’s style.

If your budget does not allow for cabinet and countertop upgrades, try sticking with neutral paint colors for the walls, such as Behr’s Almond Wisp, Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, or Valspar’s Granite Dust. Adding colorful wall paint can work against you if the design of the kitchen is outdated. Instead, let fresh plants or flowers add an organic pop of color.

The goal of adding new wall paint is to give the kitchen a fresh and open feel. In addition, neutral tones will divert attention away from outmoded styles.

IDEA #3: KITCHEN CABINET MAKEOVERS

YES, this DIY paint approach will refresh old kitchen cabinets in no time! But, take note, this makeover project will take approximately three days, and expect out-of-pocket costs to run $200-$300.

Why go through the hassle of painting the kitchen cabinets when I could replace them all together?

True, brand new cabinets would be wonderful, but know this could run you $5,000 and up. If that’s not in your budget, painting the cabinets is a cost-effective alternative.

But be sure to take a close look at your cabinets to see if they’re a candidate for fresh paint. If they are severely worn down, the paint option will not work. If that’s the case, Home Depot gives free kitchen cabinet consultation estimates.

Click here for an easy step-by-step tutorial by HGTV on painting kitchen cabinets. If you’re unsure of what paint color to choose, here’s a list of 19 kitchen cabinet colors expected to have lasting appeal. Again, if you have outdated appliances and countertops, stick with a neutral paint color.

Purchase a Cabinet and Countertop Paint Kit from AMAZON.

IDEA #4: CHANGE CABINET HARDWARE

Replacing cabinet knobs, pulls, and hinges are a great way to update old existing kitchen cabinets.

First, decide if you want knobs, pulls, or a mixture of both. Kitchen cabinets with knobs take up less space, while pulls can make a more dramatic appearance because they take up more space. Be sure to measure the hardware to the existing cabinets to make sure the two are a match.

Consider the style and finish of your kitchen cabinets when you’re shopping. Knobs and pulls are offered in a broad range of styles and shapes. Once you’ve picked the shape and style, the next step is to pick the finish of the hardware. Finishes are usually available in gold, brass, copper, stainless steel, black, and some colors.

Here’s a buying guide from Lowe’s that will answer any existing questions you may have when choosing knobs, pulls, and hinges. Shop BEST-SELLING knobs, pulls and hinges below.

Purchase BEST-SELLING knobs from AMAZON.

Purchase BEST-SELLING pulls from AMAZON.

Purchase BEST-SELLING hinges from AMAZON.

IDEA #5: ADD A BACKSPLASH

Kitchen DIY makeovers on a budget can include a new backsplash, but it might be different than what you’ve seen on an episode of Property Brothers. Instead of spending a ton on materials and hiring a professional for installation, you can shop do-it-yourself peel-and-stick backsplashes.

These backsplashes are thin sheet tiles you can install over tile or a smooth surface. And you don’t need to hassle with grout or glue because you literally peel it off and stick it on.

Not only are they budget-friendly and easy to apply, but they look like the REAL DEAL. Another bonus, they’re easy to wipe down and keep clean. Shop BEST-SELLING peel-and-stick backsplashes below.

Purchase White Subway Tile Panels from AMAZON.

Purchase Stone Metal Panels from AMAZON.

Purchase black and white Avignon Panels from AMAZON.

IDEA #6: KITCHEN FAUCETS

A new faucet can add a bold statement to any kitchen design, and there are several brands and styles to choose from, depending on your budget. Before you start faucet shopping, set a price range that feels comfortable with your kitchen makeover fund.

Also, there are many finish options, such as matte black, brass, copper, nickel, and gold. The best and most trusted kitchen faucet brands are Delta, Kohler, Moen, and Kraus.

If you need help with installation, check out Home Depot’s step-by-step tutorial on installing a kitchen faucet. Shop BEST-SELLING kitchen faucets below.

Purchase the BEST pull-down faucet by Delta on AMAZON.

Purchase the BEST commercial-grade faucet by Kraus on AMAZON.

Purchase the BEST touch control faucet by Delta on AMAZON.

IDEA #7: ADD KITCHEN LIGHTING

Elevate your kitchen’s style and mood with new lighting! The nice bonus here is that there are plenty of options and styles to choose from, depending on your budget.

If you’re shopping for new light fixtures, be sure to stick with big and bold statement pieces. Also, brass and metal finishes are leading the way, so keep that in mind.

If you’re on a tight budget and want to copycat the lighting above, attach stick-on lights beneath the cabinets to illuminate countertops or use portable light fixtures. You could also install LED rope lighting above or underneath cabinetry.

Here’s a DIY guide to installing light fixtures by the man himself, Bob Vila. Shop best-selling lighting options below.

Shop BEST-SELLING Light Fixtures on AMAZON.

Purchase Stick-on Lights on AMAZON.

Purchase Portable Lights on AMAZON.

Purchase LED Rope Lighting on AMAZON.

IDEA #8: NEW BARSTOOLS OR CHAIRS

Buy new kitchen bar stools or chairs for an instant refresh! This is an easy kitchen makeover idea that requires no extensive renovation and surprisingly can revamp any kitchen design style, new or old.

FYI, It’s important to take note of the height of bar stools and chairs when shopping. Below are general “kitchen” standard height rules published by Wayfair.

• Table height kitchen chairs should be approximately 18 to 23 inches from floor to seat.

• Counter height kitchen stools/chairs (usually placed around a kitchen island) should be approximately 24 to 27 inches from floor to seat.

• Standard bar height kitchen stools should be approximately 28 to 33 inches from floor to seat.

Shop BEST-SELLING Kitchen Bar Stools and Chairs on AMAZON.

IDEA #9: KITCHEN MAKEOVERS AND NEW COUNTERTOPS

Some would say a kitchen makeover isn’t complete without new countertops, but it all comes down to BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET at the end of the day. So, if you’ve decided your kitchen renovation must include new countertops, below are seven options depending on your budget.

• Painted Countertops, you can purchase a DIY kitchen countertop paint kit (more than 4,500 4.5 star reviews) from AMAZON.

• Recycled Glass Countertops, shop styles, and get estimates at LOWES.

• Butcher-Block Countertops, shop styles and get estimates at LOWES.

• Laminate Countertops, shop styles and get estimates at LOWES.

• Solid-Surface Countertops, a low-maintenance material that resembles the look of granite, marble, and quartz. Shop and get estimates at LOWES.

• Granite Countertops, shop styles and get estimates at HOME DEPOT.

• Quartz Countertops (generally costs more than granite, but it’s easier to maintain than granite, and it’s nearly indestructible), shop, and get estimates at HOME DEPOT.

IDEA #10: THE RUG EFFECT

Rugs are a great way to add fresh life to a kitchen floor. And if new flooring isn’t included in your kitchen makeover budget, this is a cost-effective way to cover up dirty grout, stains, or outdated flooring.

Please take note, flat-weave rugs are preferred over a higher pile rug because they’re easier to clean and maintain. Shop BEST-SELLING kitchen rugs below.

Purchase this BEST-SELLING Boho Rug on AMAZON.

Purchase this BEST-SELLING Vintage Trellis Rug on AMAZON.

Purchase this BEST-SELLING Moroccan Rug on AMAZON.

IDEA #11: KITCHEN MAKEOVERS ~ LET’S TALK APPLIANCES

Replacing kitchen appliances can be overwhelming for several reasons. And unfortunately, it’s an inevitable purchase we have to face at some point no matter how well we’ve taken care of our kitchen equipment.

First, get a ballpark figure on how much you want to spend on new appliances. Next, begin researching brands and reviews. Consumer Reports is a reliable and trusted source for gathering information on refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, ranges, wall ovens, and more. See Consumer Reports buying guides below.

• View Consumer Reports REFRIGERATOR buying guide here.

• View Consumer Reports MICROWAVE buying guide here.

• View Consumer Reports DISHWASHER buying guide here.

• View Consumer Reports kitchen RANGES buying guide here.

• View Consumer Reports WALL OVEN buying guide here.

KITCHEN MAKEOVERS ~ FACTS AND QUESTIONS

HOW MUCH DOES A KITCHEN MAKEOVER COST?

Giving your kitchen a makeover can cost $200 and up depending on how complete a makeover you’re trying to accomplish. The cost is NOT set in stone and will vary from kitchen to kitchen.

CAN YOU REMODEL A KITCHEN FOR $5,000?

Yes and no. If $5,000 is your budget, then you can absolutely give your kitchen a makeover remodel, but not from top to bottom. New kitchen cabinets, countertops, appliances, wall paint, chairs, lighting, and other kitchen decors can quickly add up to well over $5,000.

First, pick and choose what cost-effective methods you would like to incorporate into your budget. For example, if new countertops are a priority, see if it’s possible to salvage the kitchen cabinets with fresh paint.

WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO UPDATE A KITCHEN?

First, deep clean and declutter the kitchen as much as possible. Try to salvage kitchen cabinets with fresh paint and new knobs or pulls. Next, consider a laminate or butcher-block countertop and makeover the walls with fresh paint.

Finally, install cost-effective lighting, add a new kitchen rug, and new chairs or barstools if your budget allows. Also, floating shelves can modernize a kitchen while adding convenient storage.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON KITCHEN MAKEOVERS: 11 WAYS TO UPGRADE YOUR KITCHEN ON A BUDGET

It seems there’s a DIY approach to almost everything these days, even KITCHEN MAKEOVERS. While not all 11 ideas are completely DIY, they are all beneficial options for a kitchen budget of any kind, small or large.

I hope this article gave you an understanding of the many ways you can makeover a kitchen. Sometimes we don’t even approach a subject because we don’t think (financially) it’s possible. Hopefully, you feel inspired to start the kitchen makeover of your dreams!

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