It’s no secret that kitchens are the heart of the home. They’re where we get together to eat, drink, and be merry. Whether you have a small kitchen or a large one, chances are you could use some help making it look—and function—better. If you’re looking for ways to refresh your kitchen without spending much money, you’ve come to the right place! Here are five of my favourite ways to makeover your kitchen on a budget.
Plan it out
The first step in any remodel is planning, and this isn’t just for the sake of organization. Before you do anything else, you should be able to clearly define the problem that needs solving or goal that needs achieving. For example, if your kitchen is small and cluttered, the problem may be that there’s no room for everything you want to keep in it. Your goal would then be to create an efficient storage space suited to your family’s needs by repurposing some existing cabinets or adding new ones.
If this sounds like more work than just buying new appliances and cabinets from the store, that’s because it is—but there are plenty of reasons why doing it yourself will save money:
- You can customize every aspect of your kitchen design so it fits perfectly into your home (and budget) without sacrificing form or function
- You’ll save money on labour costs by doing much of the work yourself (although if necessary hire a contractor who specializes in kitchens)
Mix and match
Mixing and matching can be a great way to save money on your kitchen makeover. By mixing and matching different pieces of furniture, you don’t need to buy everything new. This will also match your style better, as opposed to buying everything in one style at once. Here are some tips for finding pieces that complement each other:
- Look for appliances and cabinets that have similar styles but different finishes (for example, stainless steel vs black).
- Choose two contrasting colours—but don’t go overboard! You want to keep the majority of your kitchen neutral so it won’t clash with all of the colours going on around it.
- Look at second-hand stores; they often have amazing deals!
Use what you have
- Use what you have.
- Replace cabinet handles and drawer pulls.
- Update the lighting.
- Replace the sink and faucet.
- Add new flooring!
Replace appliances with energy-efficient ones
- Replace appliances with energy-efficient ones. Installing new appliances will not only give your kitchen a fresh look, but it will also help keep your utility bill low. Before buying new appliances, make sure you’re getting a good deal on them by shopping around for the best pricing and financing options.
- Consider using a gas stovetop instead of an electric. Many people avoid using gas stoves because they feel like they’re unsafe or don’t know how to work them properly, but this can be dangerous! Gas stoves are safer than electric stoves in that they don’t create as much heat inside the home; this means there’s less chance of an electrical fire breaking out if something spills (which happens all too often). Additionally, most modern ovens have built-in igniters so users don’t have to worry about lighting matches or lighters anymore—instead simply turn on their burners! If none of these options sounds appealing though then consider purchasing “smart” cooking devices such as microwaves or convection ovens instead that automatically sense when food is done cooking so users can focus more time elsewhere during meal prep sessions (like spending quality time with friends).
Makeover instead of replacing
- Paint kitchen cabinets.
- Use contact paper to cover countertops.
- Change cabinet hardware.
- Paint backsplash.
- Change the lighting, if needed (like adding under-cabinet lights).
If you’re not sure which direction your makeover should take, start with a fresh coat of paint and see what happens from there!
A kitchen makeover can be inexpensive if you plan ahead.
If you’re looking to renovate your kitchen, the first step is to plan. Be sure to consider all of the costs associated with a kitchen renovation, including new appliances and fixtures.
Start by determining what kind of look you want the renovated kitchen to have. This will determine whether or not certain appliances are necessary or even possible in your space—and help you determine how much money you’ll need for those items that do make sense.
For example, if you want a classic white and grey theme with stainless steel countertops and subway tile backsplashes, it won’t be as feasible (or as pretty) if all your cabinets are already stained oak wood with brass hardware from the 1970s!
Next up: consider energy efficiency. Your new dishwasher might cost $300 more than an old one, but if it’s 50 percent more efficient than its predecessor—meaning it uses 50 percent less energy—it could end up saving money over time by reducing monthly utility bills. And since most Americans don’t know about ENERGY STAR-rated products or how they compare against non-rated ones (or even what “energy star” means), we’ve put together this helpful infographic comparing different types of refrigerators across all price points so that everyone can make informed decisions when buying their next appliance!
Conclusion
I’m so glad we were able to provide you with some tips and tricks for improving your kitchen and making it more functional. In the end, the most important thing is to keep in mind what’s going to work best for your particular lifestyle. If possible, make changes that can improve functionality while also meeting the visual aspects of your kitchen. Hopefully, this will help you create a space where you feel comfortable, relaxed and ready to cook up your favourite dishes!
Last Update: May 23, 2022