12 Creative and Budget-Friendly Ways to Upgrade Your Kitchen

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Check out these budget-friendly ways to upgrade your kitchen! 

Are you dreaming of a kitchen similar to Martha Stewart’s, but your budget isn’t exactly flourishing, so your only chance is to keep dreaming? Let me tell you something: these budget-friendly ways to make your kitchen look luxurious will make you happy. However, to discover these tips, you need to continue reading, as I don’t want to reveal them in the article’s opening lines.

Your kitchen, from countertops to appliances, must be both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Although it can be difficult, there are ways to renovate a kitchen on a budget. Having a beautiful space doesn’t have to cost the earth. Here are seven low-cost ways that designers suggest you use to make your kitchen look upscale.

ways to upgrade your kitchen
Photo by erika8213 from Envato Elements

Repaint your cabinets (doors/ drawers)

One of the easiest ways to upgrade your kitchen is by repainting your cabinet doors and drawers. And for that, you don’t even need expensive paint! Although replacing outdated cabinetry can be costly, it instantly gives the room a dated appearance. However, repainting can rejuvenate the entire kitchen at a significantly lower cost.

Tip: Before repainting, make sure to take the cabinet doors off their hinges, sand, and prime them! You gotta work on a smooth surface, otherwise it will look bad. 

Change the handles of your cabinets

When the finances are tight, but you want to upgrade the look of your kitchen, change the handles. They are among the simplest ways to create a modern appearance without spending a ton. After you’ve painted the cabinets in whatever color you prefer, invest in high-quality cabinet handles. They will always be seen, because they are at eye level, and you touch them frequently.

Choose more reasonably priced laminate kitchen countertops over expensive quartz worktops. IKEA offers a wide selection.

Layer different textures

When it comes to ways to upgrade your kitchen, layering different textures and playing around with the layout is one of the simplest. Any kitchen with a white or light color scheme benefits from the warmth and timeless appeal of wood, which also adds a subtle touch of personality.

Metal accents can add a bit of glitz to cabinet framing and decorative hoods. Additionally, wood and metal go hand in hand!

Add a coffee bar

If you’re a coffee lover, then you’re going to adore this idea! You can add a coffee bar to your kitchen to give it a more contemporary feel. A coffee bar will be a wonderful addition to your kitchen if you enjoy entertaining guests or simply enjoying a cup of coffee at the start of a hectic day. Repurpose existing furniture, such as a dresser or cabinet, to keep all your coffee supplies in one handy place.

Include glass cabinets

The most popular feature for giving the kitchen a little glitz is glass cabinets. Additionally, there are a ton of different types of glass available. My favorite type of glass is fluted, which conceals any disorganized items in the cabinet while adding a very opulent feel.

…psst! Are you looking for additional design ideas? Get the most recent design advice, decor ideas, and more by subscribing to our free daily newsletter!

Get a cool tap

Invest in a nice tap if your sink is nice, or you recently purchased one and you don’t want to change it anytime soon. Depending on your kitchen’s overall color scheme, you can choose a metallic or mint green tap to perfectly match the teal in the adjacent dining room and the color of the kitchen units. Although it may seem like a minor adjustment, it has had a significant impact!

ways to upgrade your kitchen
Photo by josecarloscerdeno from Shutterstock

Set up a mobile kitchen island

The DIY project of upgrading your kitchen was never easier than now because you don’t have to be a skilled carpenter to make the look of your kitchen pop. It is possible to have a kitchen island that looks exactly like the ones you see in movies without having to remodel your kitchen.

Without becoming permanent fixtures in your kitchen, these islands provide extra seating and counter space. To make meal preparation easier for your family, you can choose a mobile island with a butcher’s block countertop and use the island as a giant cutting board.

…And a cool light for it

One of the ways to upgrade your kitchen without spending a ton on it is to add a little bit more light to the focal point, which in this case is the mobile kitchen island. There’s a reason why classic design techniques are so effective. In addition to drawing the eye upward and giving the impression that the ceilings are higher, statement lighting over the kitchen island, for instance, can feel like pure art.

The kitchen can be made much more elegant and interesting by using either traditional classic chandeliers or minimalist modern forms. If you don’t want to mess up the electricity, but you still want to add a bit more light to your kitchen, try looking for a battery lighting fixture. I’ll go for the rechargeable ones because they’re cheaper too. You can use them under the cabinets, on a wall, or even stick them to a metal surface.

Choose a new color scheme

If you’re on a roll with the DIY, what do you think about changing the color of your kitchen walls? Your kitchen can be completely transformed with a new coat of paint. Your kitchen’s walls, cabinets, and even the ceiling can all be updated with paint.

To add some personality to your kitchen, think about installing an accent wall for a more understated change. Painting your kitchen cabinets a different color can have a significant impact. This will completely change the appearance of your kitchen without requiring a complete renovation.

Opt for bright-colored walls like light green, sky blue, yellow, or even light orange. These hues can pop the look of your dated kitchen in the blink of an eye. Literally!

Update the backsplash

Although replacing a backsplash can be expensive, it’s a simple way to significantly improve the appearance of your kitchen without having to replace your countertops or cabinets. Peel-and-stick tile is another low-cost and renter-friendly option.

If you already have tile, you can change the color without removing any existing tile by using a tile refinishing kit or tile-specific paint.

Work around with the style of your countertops

Countertop redesign can have a bigger impact than you might think. Your kitchen can feel stylish, purposeful, and new by clearing out counters, treating yourself to a large cutting board, a potted plant, or a collection of attractive new pantry jars.

Emphasize both practicality and beauty—my favorite combination. Sometimes, rather than having a complete remodel that will cost you a ton of money, the kitchen just needs some editing, styling, and a thorough cleaning when it feels crowded and dull.

Add a little bit of shade too

Does your kitchen feel a little bit too bright? Or do you want to add a little bit of intimacy to it? You can add softness and warmth with Roman shades, woven wood shades, or even a plain linen café curtain. Semi-custom window treatments or ready-made options can create custom looks on a budget. It will entirely change the appearance of your kitchen, I promise!

I hope you find these tips useful. When you’re ready to start a DIY project for your kitchen, I encourage you to return to this article. Until next time!

Related article: 6 Everyday Kitchen Items You Need to Replace ASAP.Â