20 Budget-Friendly Updates for Your Kitchen
Give your kitchen a new lease of life with a cost-effective facelift
Kitchens get so much use that, before long, they can start to look a little too worn in for our liking. This room of the house is not only the place where we spend much of our time, it is also the one that dates the fastest. Give your kitchen a little pick-me-up with these ideas – they’re easy to do and easy on your wallet.
2. Bring a smile to your kitchen
Whether used on the fridge or a stretch of wall, chalkboard paint can be a fun addition to family homes and child-free dwellings alike. Bring a little laughter to your kitchen – life’s too short for anything but.
Whether used on the fridge or a stretch of wall, chalkboard paint can be a fun addition to family homes and child-free dwellings alike. Bring a little laughter to your kitchen – life’s too short for anything but.
3. Add a splash of colour
How fabulous is this kitchen? The aqua-and-white chevron splashback makes this kitchen a cheerful place to be and is an instant style update that brings it into the now. Tying in the splashback with some matching kitchen chairs is also a winning move.
How fabulous is this kitchen? The aqua-and-white chevron splashback makes this kitchen a cheerful place to be and is an instant style update that brings it into the now. Tying in the splashback with some matching kitchen chairs is also a winning move.
4. Give your kitchen an industrial edge
Nothing says cutting-edge style like an industrial kitchen, and all it takes is a few key changes to transform yours. Painting the island cabinets black and contrasting them against white drawers and cabinets in the rest of the kitchen is a good place to start. Stark contrasts will work well throughout. Stick with black handles on white cabinet doors and stainless-steel handles on black, and if you’re willing to spend on a new splashback, go for white subway tiles – bench to ceiling is ideal. Temper the black and white with some natural timber where you can to add warmth. Even a big, old wooden chopping board permanently on display will do the trick.
Nothing says cutting-edge style like an industrial kitchen, and all it takes is a few key changes to transform yours. Painting the island cabinets black and contrasting them against white drawers and cabinets in the rest of the kitchen is a good place to start. Stark contrasts will work well throughout. Stick with black handles on white cabinet doors and stainless-steel handles on black, and if you’re willing to spend on a new splashback, go for white subway tiles – bench to ceiling is ideal. Temper the black and white with some natural timber where you can to add warmth. Even a big, old wooden chopping board permanently on display will do the trick.
5. Upgrade your tapware
If your budget’s tight, and overhauling the kitchen is out of the question for now, choose one item on which to splurge in the meantime. Tapware can make the biggest impact. European lever taps and an elegant spout can bring a luxe look to your kitchen without having to touch another thing.
If your budget’s tight, and overhauling the kitchen is out of the question for now, choose one item on which to splurge in the meantime. Tapware can make the biggest impact. European lever taps and an elegant spout can bring a luxe look to your kitchen without having to touch another thing.
6. Update your dining table
If you sit down to eat next to your kitchen, don’t underestimate the impact your dining setting can have. A beautiful table and stylish chairs can take the attention off the kitchen and have a transformative effect on the whole area.
If you sit down to eat next to your kitchen, don’t underestimate the impact your dining setting can have. A beautiful table and stylish chairs can take the attention off the kitchen and have a transformative effect on the whole area.
7. Add an island on wheels
Whether it’s more benchspace you need, or just a place for friends and family to hang, an inexpensive and flexible option is a moveable island. Position a couple of kitchen stools beside it when you want company, wheel it out of the way when you need more room to move.
Whether it’s more benchspace you need, or just a place for friends and family to hang, an inexpensive and flexible option is a moveable island. Position a couple of kitchen stools beside it when you want company, wheel it out of the way when you need more room to move.
8. Go with your heart
The colours we choose can radically change the way we feel about our kitchen. The shades in this splashback are a reminder of the ocean, for many a feelgood place laden with positive memories. Likewise, colour can evoke recollections of a time, place or feeling. Keep an eye out for what makes your heart sing and think about incorporating it into your kitchen. Everyone deserves a little spark of happiness in their daily lives, and colour can be a simple way to get it. Oh, and it can make your kitchen look downright fabulous, too. Use it in lighting, cabinets, accessories or window treatments. Even a casserole pot in a hue that makes you happy is worth striving for.
The colours we choose can radically change the way we feel about our kitchen. The shades in this splashback are a reminder of the ocean, for many a feelgood place laden with positive memories. Likewise, colour can evoke recollections of a time, place or feeling. Keep an eye out for what makes your heart sing and think about incorporating it into your kitchen. Everyone deserves a little spark of happiness in their daily lives, and colour can be a simple way to get it. Oh, and it can make your kitchen look downright fabulous, too. Use it in lighting, cabinets, accessories or window treatments. Even a casserole pot in a hue that makes you happy is worth striving for.
9. Hide away the fridge
Just like kitchens generally, wear and tear on fridges can accumulate in the form of dings and scratches. If your fridge is stainless steel, you might just be tired of trying to wipe off those ever-present smudges and streaks. The answer? Hide it away behind doors that match the rest of your kitchen. You’ll streamline the look and give your kitchen an upmarket edge; it may cost a lot less than you think.
Just like kitchens generally, wear and tear on fridges can accumulate in the form of dings and scratches. If your fridge is stainless steel, you might just be tired of trying to wipe off those ever-present smudges and streaks. The answer? Hide it away behind doors that match the rest of your kitchen. You’ll streamline the look and give your kitchen an upmarket edge; it may cost a lot less than you think.
10. Use every available space
In a less than ideal kitchen, one of the most frustrating things when you’re making a cake or preparing a meal is wasting time searching for the tools you need. An easy update that puts everything within reach can be life changing. A spice rack by the stove, paper towels on a holder on the bench, easy-to-access wooden spoons and knives – this kitchen has it sorted. My favourite feature in this kitchen, though, are the pot hooks installed above the stove. Wrestling for the frying pan or pot I need is one of the aspects of cooking I like the least, so hanging them in an otherwise dead space in the place you need them most is just brilliant.
In a less than ideal kitchen, one of the most frustrating things when you’re making a cake or preparing a meal is wasting time searching for the tools you need. An easy update that puts everything within reach can be life changing. A spice rack by the stove, paper towels on a holder on the bench, easy-to-access wooden spoons and knives – this kitchen has it sorted. My favourite feature in this kitchen, though, are the pot hooks installed above the stove. Wrestling for the frying pan or pot I need is one of the aspects of cooking I like the least, so hanging them in an otherwise dead space in the place you need them most is just brilliant.
11. Use lighting to give your kitchen a lift
Although it’s a popular trend right now, beautiful lighting need not be reserved for hanging over the island bench. Why not make lighting a feature elsewhere in your kitchen, too? The brighter the better when it comes to illuminating the kitchen – trying to prepare food in the dark is never fun.
Although it’s a popular trend right now, beautiful lighting need not be reserved for hanging over the island bench. Why not make lighting a feature elsewhere in your kitchen, too? The brighter the better when it comes to illuminating the kitchen – trying to prepare food in the dark is never fun.
12. Make use of shelving
Even the smallest of kitchens can make better use of space with some strategically placed shelving. Open shelving is on trend and inexpensive, and can not only provide added storage, but also gives you the chance to inject some colour and personality into your kitchen with what you put on display. Just take care you don’t put shelves over the sink if it means you’re going to have to duck and weave every time you wash the dishes.
Even the smallest of kitchens can make better use of space with some strategically placed shelving. Open shelving is on trend and inexpensive, and can not only provide added storage, but also gives you the chance to inject some colour and personality into your kitchen with what you put on display. Just take care you don’t put shelves over the sink if it means you’re going to have to duck and weave every time you wash the dishes.
13. Go for new benchtops
One of the reasons this classic kitchen is so loveable is its tasteful benchtops. Replacing the benchtops in your kitchen could change its look entirely. There’s no need to opt for marble if the budget won’t allow for it; there are plenty of cheaper options that look just as magnificent. Explore laminates, bamboo and composites before making your final decision.
See the professional’s guide for preparing your benchtop installation
One of the reasons this classic kitchen is so loveable is its tasteful benchtops. Replacing the benchtops in your kitchen could change its look entirely. There’s no need to opt for marble if the budget won’t allow for it; there are plenty of cheaper options that look just as magnificent. Explore laminates, bamboo and composites before making your final decision.
See the professional’s guide for preparing your benchtop installation
14. Highlight your kitchen with a standout appliance
An eye-popping oven like this one is enough to turn your kitchen into a showstopper. Whether it’s the fridge, oven or a series of appliances or accessories displayed on the benchtop, creating a highlight gives any kitchen a worthwhile update.
An eye-popping oven like this one is enough to turn your kitchen into a showstopper. Whether it’s the fridge, oven or a series of appliances or accessories displayed on the benchtop, creating a highlight gives any kitchen a worthwhile update.
15. Fill a blank space with wallpaper
An eclectic kitchen can be both charming and cheerful. One of the easiest ways to funk it up is with some wallpaper that makes people look twice. How many visitors to this kitchen would do a double-take before exclaiming: “I love your wallpaper!” Choose a style you love for a wall in your kitchen – big or small – and you’ll marvel at the transformation. Bright, new mats on the floor are another easy and inexpensive way to update this important room of the house.
An eclectic kitchen can be both charming and cheerful. One of the easiest ways to funk it up is with some wallpaper that makes people look twice. How many visitors to this kitchen would do a double-take before exclaiming: “I love your wallpaper!” Choose a style you love for a wall in your kitchen – big or small – and you’ll marvel at the transformation. Bright, new mats on the floor are another easy and inexpensive way to update this important room of the house.
16. Get your children to help
There are only so many paintings a fridge can hold so why not spread the love and display your children’s artwork throughout the kitchen? It will become a joyful, more colourful place to be, and your kids will feel proud as punch in the process.
There are only so many paintings a fridge can hold so why not spread the love and display your children’s artwork throughout the kitchen? It will become a joyful, more colourful place to be, and your kids will feel proud as punch in the process.
17. Put your personality on display
Forget the modern, streamlined look for a minute. Think about busying up your kitchen rather than decluttering it, and you just might have the recipe for an adorable kitchen. Empty packets of sugar, flour, legumes and rice into decorative glass jars; put colourful jugs, mixing bowls and teapots on display; gather trinkets and framed pictures in your travels. Display all your favourites on some open shelving and the space is sure to feel fantastic.
Forget the modern, streamlined look for a minute. Think about busying up your kitchen rather than decluttering it, and you just might have the recipe for an adorable kitchen. Empty packets of sugar, flour, legumes and rice into decorative glass jars; put colourful jugs, mixing bowls and teapots on display; gather trinkets and framed pictures in your travels. Display all your favourites on some open shelving and the space is sure to feel fantastic.
18. Mix and match for maximum appeal
The bar stools and quirky splashback are the secret ingredients in this kitchen. It just goes to show how changing a few small details can have a huge impact. What could you change in your kitchen to give it a new lease on life? A rule of thumb: if you like this look, the more mismatched and colourful the better.
Here are some more ways to master the art of mismatched chairs
The bar stools and quirky splashback are the secret ingredients in this kitchen. It just goes to show how changing a few small details can have a huge impact. What could you change in your kitchen to give it a new lease on life? A rule of thumb: if you like this look, the more mismatched and colourful the better.
Here are some more ways to master the art of mismatched chairs
19. Paint your kitchen cupboards
Many people live with kitchen cupboards they actively dislike for years in the hope there will come a day when the extra cash for a kitchen renovation magically appears. Don’t go another day putting up with something you don’t like. A splash of paint can turn a dowdy kitchen into one hopping with happiness, especially if you choose a bright and cheery shade. White will lighten and brighten any kitchen if you’re hesitant to go for a radical colour change, but be sure to add interest with colourful accessories and appliances to brighten your day.
Many people live with kitchen cupboards they actively dislike for years in the hope there will come a day when the extra cash for a kitchen renovation magically appears. Don’t go another day putting up with something you don’t like. A splash of paint can turn a dowdy kitchen into one hopping with happiness, especially if you choose a bright and cheery shade. White will lighten and brighten any kitchen if you’re hesitant to go for a radical colour change, but be sure to add interest with colourful accessories and appliances to brighten your day.
20. Display a standout poster or painting
There’s no need to relegate artwork to the other rooms of the house – a bright or interesting piece of art can become a focal point in the kitchen that brings it to life.
WE’D LOVE TO KNOW…
Have any of these ideas inspired you to spruce up your kitchen? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
MORE
Budget Decorator: 15 Decorating Updates That Won’t Cost a Cent
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There’s no need to relegate artwork to the other rooms of the house – a bright or interesting piece of art can become a focal point in the kitchen that brings it to life.
WE’D LOVE TO KNOW…
Have any of these ideas inspired you to spruce up your kitchen? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
MORE
Budget Decorator: 15 Decorating Updates That Won’t Cost a Cent
How Much Does a Kitchen Reno Cost?
Revamp Your Kitchen – No Sledgehammer Required
7 Kitchen Flooring Materials That’ll Treat Your Feet
Natural light is one of the best attributes a kitchen can have – we all feel better when the sun is shining in of a morning. A dirty, faded or cheap-looking blind or curtain can go unnoticed over the years, so take a look at the window in your kitchen with fresh eyes – you might be surprised at what you see. A simple fabric blind like this one can become a lovely feature that brings your kitchen back to life. Polish the windows regularly – the more light a kitchen has, the more welcoming it feels.
More handy tips on how to let the sun shine in on your kitchen