If you want to upgrade your home but have a limited budget and want to make sustainable choices, what would be the one area you’d revamp?
If it’s the kitchen, then it makes the most sense in the world. It’s the heart of the home. The room most frequented and where loved ones come together. Where you can be inspired to cook hearty and healthy meals. And where functional design can make a big difference in your quality of day-to-day life- and the value of your home.
But giving your kitchen a makeover doesn’t have to break the bank. There’s so much you can do with a little imagination. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to practical and stylish hacks, which means you don’t have to worry much about finances.
If money is tight, you can always add a few upgrades to give your kitchen a new lease of life. But if you’re out and about to install a completely new kitchen, there are still ways to save money by working with the existing layout without stressing about rerouting plumbing and wiring. Read on to see how you can achieve a high-end look for a lot less.
Kitchen Updates: Swap Out Light Fixtures
Just like a healthy balanced breakfast, your kitchen needs the right balance of lighting to help you accomplish a day’s tasks.
From list-making to homework to actual meal-prep and cooking, the kitchen is a veritable pillar in the home. And the right lightning mix-recessed downlighting, under-cabinet LEDs, island-highland pendants – will make sure it’s fit for all of those uses.
If you’re sick and tired of your old lighting (especially horrid fluorescent tubes) in your kitchen, consider installing lighting fixtures for a budget-friendly project that can make a huge difference. Plus, today’s hanging fixtures come in a wide range of shapes, styles and sizes, making them an ideal option for adding personality to the heart of your home.
Kitchen Updates: Replace Hardware
Check all the knobs and handles in your kitchen. If they’re showing their age, consider purchasing a new set and installing them. You’ll be surprised how much difference new hardware can make in your kitchen. An old cabinet can look new again with a clean, sleek handle. Shop for handles and knobs without sharp edges that can seriously hurt if they’re run into. Basic metallics are the most functional and are guaranteed to work wonders for your kitchen aesthetics.
Kitchen Upgrades: Paint Cabinets in the Latest Colors
Nowadays, the best paint for kitchen cabinets delivers a premium look on a shoestring budget as long as you don’t mind spending a bit of time using a paintbrush.
Cream colours act as a black canvas, meaning you can easily give your space a fresh feel by updating your cabinets in the latest colours. If you’re looking for affordable kitchen upgrades, then this project might fit both your budget and needs.
Unfinished, painted, and stained wood all work well for this little project. In fact, any material that can scuff up with sandpaper so that paint sticks to it is viable. Prior to your small project, begin by removing all items from the cabinets and then clean thoroughly, making sure all grease and dirt are gone. Remove handles knobs and check hinges. Pull out all the drawers and label them, so you know where each belongs.
Diligently tape off paint-free parts, such as countertops, hinges, and appliances. Apply a wood filler to repair imperfections and holes, and then sand the cabinets.
Kitchen Updates: Install New Worktops
Instantly change the look of your kitchen with stylish kitchen worktop ideas. Swapping out your worktops is a simple yet efficient way to give your kitchen a fresh feel. Laminate is the most affordable option. If you have spare cash, consider extras, like heat rods, that can be fitted into the surface for a built-in draining board or a permanent pan stand.
Kitchen Upgrades: Replace Doors
If new coats of paint don’t satisfy your need for change, you can replace drawers’ fronts and doors. Rather than purchase a whole new fitted kitchen at a price that could mean remortgaging the house, we’re talking about spending away a smaller amount to make a great impact still.
Take out the cupboards and replace them with new doors to give the whole room a new look on a budget. Believe it or not, this finish can instantly change the feel of the whole space, from wood to acrylic to matte to high gloss- a new front is a sure-fire way to make a new style statement.
Kitchen Updates: Spruce Up a Fridge Using Wallpaper
If you can’t afford the latest tech but are desperate to give your dull-looking appliance a splash of colour, why not get crafty with a can of spray paint. If this option doesn’t satisfy your aesthetic needs, you can cover the front of your household appliance with a stylish wallpaper model.
Kitchen Updates: Improve Your Kitchen Storage
It’s surprising how much stuff we accumulate over the years. Try setting aside a weekend morning to sort out your kitchen cupboards, then organize them so you can easily access the things you use on a daily basis.
Emptying your worktops can also dramatically improve your kitchen, and it won’t cost you anything at all. Also, try reconsidering your storage solutions. Add extra hanging trails and kitchen shelving to make use of every available space.
Kitchen Upgrades: Exercise Your Green Thumb
If you love greenery inside, have access to fresh flowers from your garden, or you have several artificial plants in your home, bring them into the kitchen and display them on your open shelves or kitchen shelves. Nobody needs to know that they’re fake, as long as you’re feeling great about the little green you have in your kitchen.
