10 Simple-Yet-Stylish Budget Kitchen Ideas
It’s possible to spend tens of thousands on a new kitchen, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create the perfect look for much less
A beautiful kitchen is top of the priority list for most homeowners. Luckily a functional, well-designed and appealing scheme doesn’t have to break the bank. There are many alternatives to the solid wood, bespoke designs out there, which can be just as stylish and practical. Even the most simple designs from retailers, when combined with attractive details such as smart handles and clever shelving, can look wonderful, work hard and come in on budget. Check out these inspiring kitchens – all utterly achievable and wonderfully wallet-friendly, too.
2. Explore all corners
To get the most out of your kitchen, no matter how small its footprint, get clever with every square centimetre. Make a benchtop multi-task as a breakfast bar by extending it beyond the last unit and tucking stools underneath. And instead of regular paint, use blackboard paint so a wall can become a handy message board – and piece of artwork!
Fit inexpensive shelves and install them right to the upper limits of the wall. The top one may be hard to reach, but it can still provide useful storage for your kitchen items that are only occasionally used.
To get the most out of your kitchen, no matter how small its footprint, get clever with every square centimetre. Make a benchtop multi-task as a breakfast bar by extending it beyond the last unit and tucking stools underneath. And instead of regular paint, use blackboard paint so a wall can become a handy message board – and piece of artwork!
Fit inexpensive shelves and install them right to the upper limits of the wall. The top one may be hard to reach, but it can still provide useful storage for your kitchen items that are only occasionally used.
3. Reuse and recycle
When creating a kitchen on a tight budget, consider the design possibilities of using recycled materials. If funds are limited, it’s tempting to imagine that the only option is to choose a flat-pack kitchen from one of the large retailers. But using reclaimed timber, brick and metal can also keep costs down while delivering a unique look.
Browse more ways to use patterned tiles in your kitchen
When creating a kitchen on a tight budget, consider the design possibilities of using recycled materials. If funds are limited, it’s tempting to imagine that the only option is to choose a flat-pack kitchen from one of the large retailers. But using reclaimed timber, brick and metal can also keep costs down while delivering a unique look.
Browse more ways to use patterned tiles in your kitchen
4. Keep it classic
A beautifully timeless kitchen need not cost a fortune. Often it’s the details that lift it from simple to super stylish. Choose an on-trend shade for the cabinets and pick subway tiles for the splashback. They’re classic, inexpensive and, with the addition of grey or black grout, look striking. Wooden shelves can do the work of expensive wall cabinets, while smart handles add a dash of metallic gleam.
A beautifully timeless kitchen need not cost a fortune. Often it’s the details that lift it from simple to super stylish. Choose an on-trend shade for the cabinets and pick subway tiles for the splashback. They’re classic, inexpensive and, with the addition of grey or black grout, look striking. Wooden shelves can do the work of expensive wall cabinets, while smart handles add a dash of metallic gleam.
5. Bring in a little luxury
The compact dimensions of a small kitchen mean materials that would cost too much if used throughout a large space are more affordable in a smaller one. So, since you won’t need much of it, why not go for all-out luxury with a marble splashback and simply team it with inexpensive units? Or why not look at marble-look porcelain tiles?
Don’t imagine that matching cupboards are the only option for a small space either. Choosing different materials for the doors on the base and wall cabinets will create variety and interest without spoiling the streamlined look.
The compact dimensions of a small kitchen mean materials that would cost too much if used throughout a large space are more affordable in a smaller one. So, since you won’t need much of it, why not go for all-out luxury with a marble splashback and simply team it with inexpensive units? Or why not look at marble-look porcelain tiles?
Don’t imagine that matching cupboards are the only option for a small space either. Choosing different materials for the doors on the base and wall cabinets will create variety and interest without spoiling the streamlined look.
6. Try freestanding
This kitchen is made up of three chunky freestanding units from Ikea and some shelving. So simple! The units here are fairly unobtrusive, in fact, and it’s the distressed timber splashback, battered floorboards, vintage chairs and huge range cooker that bring in all the character.
Get ideas for cranking up the style in your first kitchen
This kitchen is made up of three chunky freestanding units from Ikea and some shelving. So simple! The units here are fairly unobtrusive, in fact, and it’s the distressed timber splashback, battered floorboards, vintage chairs and huge range cooker that bring in all the character.
Get ideas for cranking up the style in your first kitchen
7. Make it personal
Any kitchen can look and feel welcoming when decorated with personal pieces, vintage finds, family snaps and splashes of colour, and this lovely room is a fine example. Enamelware and signs picked up at antiques markets add plenty of character to the space. And choosing an appliance in a riotous shade rather than predictable white is another great way to add personality.
Any kitchen can look and feel welcoming when decorated with personal pieces, vintage finds, family snaps and splashes of colour, and this lovely room is a fine example. Enamelware and signs picked up at antiques markets add plenty of character to the space. And choosing an appliance in a riotous shade rather than predictable white is another great way to add personality.
8. Pep up the ordinary
The kitchen cabinets in this beautiful space were sourced from a standard retailer. So far, so budget. They were then hand-painted in a gorgeous shade of grey and treated to expensive handles to enhance their look. By adding a few open shelves and a vintage glass-fronted cabinet, the kitchen looks even more rich and appealing, with a unique un-fitted look.
The kitchen cabinets in this beautiful space were sourced from a standard retailer. So far, so budget. They were then hand-painted in a gorgeous shade of grey and treated to expensive handles to enhance their look. By adding a few open shelves and a vintage glass-fronted cabinet, the kitchen looks even more rich and appealing, with a unique un-fitted look.
9. Times two
Choosing matching cabinets in two different finishes is an inspired way to make an inexpensive kitchen look more designer. This chic scheme is kitted out with Ikea units in both white and dark finishes. The latter zone the main cooking area while the white units mark out the central peninsula and breakfast bar.
Choosing matching cabinets in two different finishes is an inspired way to make an inexpensive kitchen look more designer. This chic scheme is kitted out with Ikea units in both white and dark finishes. The latter zone the main cooking area while the white units mark out the central peninsula and breakfast bar.
10. Shelve it
Stick to an inexpensive and perfectly plain white kitchen, then let your accessories bring in character by storing them on open shelves. Several long runs of shelving will provide abundant storage and it’s amazing how even humble glasses and mugs can look gorgeous when thoughtfully arranged. And since you own this stuff already, it allows you to create an attractive space at no extra cost.
TELL US
We would love to hear your tips and tricks for creating a beautiful but affordable kitchen. Please add them to the Comments below.
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Stick to an inexpensive and perfectly plain white kitchen, then let your accessories bring in character by storing them on open shelves. Several long runs of shelving will provide abundant storage and it’s amazing how even humble glasses and mugs can look gorgeous when thoughtfully arranged. And since you own this stuff already, it allows you to create an attractive space at no extra cost.
TELL US
We would love to hear your tips and tricks for creating a beautiful but affordable kitchen. Please add them to the Comments below.
MORE
20 Budget-Friendly Updates for Your Kitchen
Style Your First-Home Bathroom on a Budget
Where to Spend vs Where to Save on Your Kitchen Reno
Using this treatment has huge advantages in the kitchen, helping it to feel light and streamlined, and giving any space – big or small – a crisp, clean, Scandi feel.
Source inexpensive and perfectly plain units in fresh white, then layer up the look with white tiles and shelving. A contrasting timber worktop will give the eye somewhere to settle and neatly punctuate the pale scheme.
Make your tiles stand out with coloured grout