14 Cool (and Not Too Costly) Kitchen Updates
Do up your kitchen just the way you want it, without breaking the bank, with these personality-filled ideas
Cheryl F
21 February 2017
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
New kitchens can be expensive, but don’t despair. If your cook space desperately needs an update and cash is tight, there are ways to save. Here are 14 ideas to help you do your kitchen up on a budget.
Play with pegboard
With its utility chic credentials, pegboard (perforated hardboard) has become an interiors sleeper hit. This budget option isn’t just ideal in garages and craft rooms for hanging up equipment, it can work as a simple kitchen splashback too.
You can buy pegboard from hardware stores or online. To add some colour and keep it practical, use a roller to add a couple of layers of moisture-resistant paint.
Pegboards that work their socks off
With its utility chic credentials, pegboard (perforated hardboard) has become an interiors sleeper hit. This budget option isn’t just ideal in garages and craft rooms for hanging up equipment, it can work as a simple kitchen splashback too.
You can buy pegboard from hardware stores or online. To add some colour and keep it practical, use a roller to add a couple of layers of moisture-resistant paint.
Pegboards that work their socks off
Lose the splashback
There’s no law saying you have to have benchtop-to-ceiling tiles. Instead, go ‘commando’ with a bare wall. In this kitchen, the elegant grey areas stand out, partly thanks to the absence of any splashback.
Once again, look for an appropriately hard-wearing and moisture-resistant paint.
There’s no law saying you have to have benchtop-to-ceiling tiles. Instead, go ‘commando’ with a bare wall. In this kitchen, the elegant grey areas stand out, partly thanks to the absence of any splashback.
Once again, look for an appropriately hard-wearing and moisture-resistant paint.
Fashion your own taps
It might sound daunting, but when you consider that a tap is really just the end of a piece of piping, you can see why a trend for simple DIY copper versions is gaining ground.
Far from looking cheap, plumbers’ copper piping adds warmth and interest to kitchens. It’s the kind of industrial chic that can look amazing in period homes. Who needs designer spouts?
It might sound daunting, but when you consider that a tap is really just the end of a piece of piping, you can see why a trend for simple DIY copper versions is gaining ground.
Far from looking cheap, plumbers’ copper piping adds warmth and interest to kitchens. It’s the kind of industrial chic that can look amazing in period homes. Who needs designer spouts?
Upcycle and recycle
Think outside the kitchen showroom box. If you’re a fan of the shabby-chic look, then work it to your advantage and upcycle what’s already to hand, items that have been given away or pre-loved materials going cheap.
The cabinet fronts here are old cupboard doors that have been chopped up and sanded, and add the kind of beautifully weathered style you can’t generally buy off the shelf.
This eclectic kitchen features other money-saving recycling ideas too. Scaffold planks have been used as a benchtop, and salvaged corrugated iron has been fitted to the walls instead of conventional tiles.
Think outside the kitchen showroom box. If you’re a fan of the shabby-chic look, then work it to your advantage and upcycle what’s already to hand, items that have been given away or pre-loved materials going cheap.
The cabinet fronts here are old cupboard doors that have been chopped up and sanded, and add the kind of beautifully weathered style you can’t generally buy off the shelf.
This eclectic kitchen features other money-saving recycling ideas too. Scaffold planks have been used as a benchtop, and salvaged corrugated iron has been fitted to the walls instead of conventional tiles.
Fit track lighting
We’ve become so used to seeing integrated spots, cool pendants and clever cabinet downlights in kitchens that we’ve started to think of them as a necessity.
In fact, simple track lighting can be a lot cheaper, easier to install and perfectly stylish. Choose a long track with adjustable spots to help you create atmospheric – and practical – directed pools of light.
We’ve become so used to seeing integrated spots, cool pendants and clever cabinet downlights in kitchens that we’ve started to think of them as a necessity.
In fact, simple track lighting can be a lot cheaper, easier to install and perfectly stylish. Choose a long track with adjustable spots to help you create atmospheric – and practical – directed pools of light.
Repurpose vintage buys
If you don’t mind a mix-and-match kitchen style, a vintage cabinet can look brilliant as a wall unit and add character and warmth. Look for bargains in secondhand shops or on eBay.
Another way to make a kitchen look more expensive is to splash out on interesting handles for cheaper units. In this kitchen, the horn handles add an unusual, luxe touch.
If you don’t mind a mix-and-match kitchen style, a vintage cabinet can look brilliant as a wall unit and add character and warmth. Look for bargains in secondhand shops or on eBay.
Another way to make a kitchen look more expensive is to splash out on interesting handles for cheaper units. In this kitchen, the horn handles add an unusual, luxe touch.
Dispense with wall cabinets
Don’t feel you have to fill every centimetre of the walls with cupboards. Do you actually need stacks of storage, or would a few floating shelves and a couple of base units do you just fine?
If you don’t have tonnes of crockery and gadgets, then simply reducing the number of cabinets is an easy way to save money when planning your kitchen. A few well-positioned shelves can also give a feeling of space, and provide a place to create a cute display.
Move over upper kitchen cabinets
Don’t feel you have to fill every centimetre of the walls with cupboards. Do you actually need stacks of storage, or would a few floating shelves and a couple of base units do you just fine?
If you don’t have tonnes of crockery and gadgets, then simply reducing the number of cabinets is an easy way to save money when planning your kitchen. A few well-positioned shelves can also give a feeling of space, and provide a place to create a cute display.
Move over upper kitchen cabinets
Try box shelves
Another way to save cash on wall cabinets is by using box-style shelves, like the ones in this kitchen. They mimic the shape of a cabinet, but without the expense of doors.
The homeowners have lined these ones with decorative tiles for a pretty touch.
Another way to save cash on wall cabinets is by using box-style shelves, like the ones in this kitchen. They mimic the shape of a cabinet, but without the expense of doors.
The homeowners have lined these ones with decorative tiles for a pretty touch.
Add on wooden fronts
If you’d like solid wood cabinets but don’t have the budget, one option is to buy cheaper carcasses from a standard DIY store, then ask a joiner to make bespoke door fronts for you. You can also get ones made online.
The result will be a more expensive look, but without such a big price tag.
If you’d like solid wood cabinets but don’t have the budget, one option is to buy cheaper carcasses from a standard DIY store, then ask a joiner to make bespoke door fronts for you. You can also get ones made online.
The result will be a more expensive look, but without such a big price tag.
Switch your doors
Similarly, consider whether your existing kitchen carcasses are in a good enough state to be reused. If so, swap in new doors. It’s a simple way to keep costs down in an updated kitchen.
Replace fronts with store-bought doors that match your dimensions. For a cheaper option than bespoke solid wooden versions, have simple MDF doors made up and spray-painted in your choice of colour.
By choosing a deep shade, such as this rich, matt blue, you’ll instantly make your kitchen look more expensive.
Similarly, consider whether your existing kitchen carcasses are in a good enough state to be reused. If so, swap in new doors. It’s a simple way to keep costs down in an updated kitchen.
Replace fronts with store-bought doors that match your dimensions. For a cheaper option than bespoke solid wooden versions, have simple MDF doors made up and spray-painted in your choice of colour.
By choosing a deep shade, such as this rich, matt blue, you’ll instantly make your kitchen look more expensive.
Love laminate
Laminate benchtops sometimes get a bad rap, but actually, in simple colours such as white, they can look great, and they’re much more affordable than many benchtop alternatives.
The quality of laminate (basically, a chipboard, ply or MDF core coated in plastic) has also come on a lot in recent years, with convincing versions of wood, granite and so on – great for creating a smart look on a budget.
See more laminate in kitchens
Laminate benchtops sometimes get a bad rap, but actually, in simple colours such as white, they can look great, and they’re much more affordable than many benchtop alternatives.
The quality of laminate (basically, a chipboard, ply or MDF core coated in plastic) has also come on a lot in recent years, with convincing versions of wood, granite and so on – great for creating a smart look on a budget.
See more laminate in kitchens
Hang up fabric
If you’re on a real shoestring, consider dispensing with cabinet fronts altogether and hang a homemade curtain as a makeshift ‘door’ instead. It can add a sweet, cottage-y feel, as seen here.
Look for offcuts in haberdashery departments, then simply hem and insert elastic. Choose something pretty and light to lift your space. The same trick can also be achieved by hanging up tea towels – there are tonnes of stylish ones around.
If you’re on a real shoestring, consider dispensing with cabinet fronts altogether and hang a homemade curtain as a makeshift ‘door’ instead. It can add a sweet, cottage-y feel, as seen here.
Look for offcuts in haberdashery departments, then simply hem and insert elastic. Choose something pretty and light to lift your space. The same trick can also be achieved by hanging up tea towels – there are tonnes of stylish ones around.
Make your floor the star
If money is tight, consider choosing one standout feature that draws the eye. A patterned floor, for example, can create a focus and make everything else look more pulled together.
As an alternative to expensive tiles, you could try ultra-practical lino or vinyl, which are cheaper to lay. In this simple kitchen, the vinyl floor is the star of the show.
If money is tight, consider choosing one standout feature that draws the eye. A patterned floor, for example, can create a focus and make everything else look more pulled together.
As an alternative to expensive tiles, you could try ultra-practical lino or vinyl, which are cheaper to lay. In this simple kitchen, the vinyl floor is the star of the show.
Don’t feel everything has to match
A mix-and-match kitchen can have real personality. This room features three different types of cabinets, but still works visually, as they’re all at the same end of the colour spectrum.
Look for end-of-line bargains, cabinets that are being thrown out and freestanding pieces that could be adapted. The result will be a thrifty room that’s also chic.
Tell us
How have you saved money in your kitchen? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
More
Browse more inspiring kitchens
A mix-and-match kitchen can have real personality. This room features three different types of cabinets, but still works visually, as they’re all at the same end of the colour spectrum.
Look for end-of-line bargains, cabinets that are being thrown out and freestanding pieces that could be adapted. The result will be a thrifty room that’s also chic.
Tell us
How have you saved money in your kitchen? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
More
Browse more inspiring kitchens
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In Australia there is a law about splashbacks, just a heads up, for wet areas (in fact it's serviceability requirements has been increased in recent years) and I believe also for stovetops.