Kitchen Makeovers on a Budget

If you ask any homeowner which room in their house they would love to improve, the vast majority would pick the kitchen. Let’s be honest, kitchens can become old and tired over time as styles and technology change.

But they can also be extremely expensive to rip out and replace from scratch. Fortunately, there is a cost-effective option that provides a lot of the same results at only a fraction of the price… clever kitchen makeovers on a budget.

Here are our top 11 tips for saving money and still getting that ‘wow’ factor in the most popular room in the house:

1 - Replace the fixtures and fittings to start your kitchen makeover

If money really is too tight to mention, then head down to your local DIY store or kitchen restoration specialists and grab a handful of kitchen cabinet handles. Simply by replacing tired, out-of-date fixtures and fittings with new, shiny and modern versions, you can give your kitchen a little boost and help it get its glamour back.

Remember to pick handles and fittings that work with the style of kitchen though – so if you have a traditional kitchen don’t go for minimalist chrome-plated pulls; choose something a little more ornate and in keeping with the style. By keeping those existing cabinets and using some DIY renovation magic, you can give a cheap kitchen some new life.

2 – Apply a fresh coat of paint where needed

A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to update your kitchen space. Kitchen walls, especially if you don’t have splashback tiles, tend to get dirty quickly – adding a few coats of quality paint can breathe a new life into tired surfaces and can change the feel of the place very quickly. 

For a small space, light colours can open up the room and complement your desired style. To achieve a more dynamic look, you could create a feature wall, and avoid a sterile look. You could also get a tile paint for sink areas or splashbacks – it’s much cheaper than replacing the whole fit. 

3 - Replace the worktops and laminate countertops

Worktops put up with a lot of punishment, and eventually start to show their age. So when it comes to a kitchen makeover, replacement kitchen worktops should always be one of the first targets. Damaged worktops can also be unhygienic, with bacteria and germs finding a home in the cracks, nicks and splits that no amount of disinfectant surface cleaner will shift.

This is a more budget friendly way of creating the impression of a complete kitchen makeover. If your budget is a little bigger, then perhaps it’s time to revive those chipped Formica worktops with something a little more up to date.

You can replace the entire work surface, or purchase granite ‘shells’ that are specially made to fit right over the top of your existing surfaces, making them incredibly quick and easy to install, and giving an instant ‘wow’ effect within a few hours. It really does make a big difference.

4 - Replace the drawer fronts and doors

One of the largest surface areas in your kitchen is the space covered by kitchen cabinets, cupboard doors and drawer fronts. They’re also the most noticeable when things start to get a little bit tatty.

They’re prone to kicks, knocks, bumps and scratches, especially if you have kids or pets! By simply replacing them with bespoke, updated doors and drawer fronts you can transform the look of your kitchen in a matter of a few days.

And because the changes are cosmetic rather than structural, you’ll keep fuss and building time down to a minimum, as well as keeping the budget under control too. Painted cabinets can also add a splash of colour to your life.

See our beautiful range of kitchen cupboard doors and drawers, including kitchen cabinets, upper cabinets, lower cabinets, painted cabinets, and more storage space solutions.

5 – Install vinyl cabinet doors

The biggest problem with vinyl is that people still associate it with the cheap and sticky flooring from 50 years ago. That flooring we all remember seeing in our grandparent’s house when we were growing up.

Fast forward to modern day and vinyl quality has come on leaps and bounds. You can even get realistic wood effects to provide a more budget friendly flooring option for your kitchen makeover.

6 – A consistent aesthetic can add some wow to your kitchen makeover

Having a running aesthetic through the kitchen can also be a nice visual touch, matching the flooring to the curtains, and the appliances to the countertops, the kitchen cabinets to the kettle. Upper cabinets and bottom cabinets could be contrasting colours, or mismatched chairs, for example.

Colourful utensils and appliances can pop against white paint or whatever wall colour you have. Stainless steel appliances also provide a nice consistency. Whatever you think looks great. Just a few subtle changes can give your old kitchen a whole new look.

Most kitchen makeover ideas are just about what you think makes your kitchen space stand out with a cohesive look, even if that comes in the form of a shabby chic style. Make your old-fashioned kitchen a fashionable kitchen with just a few cost effective and great ideas.

7 – Upgrade your lighting fixtures

Replacing outdated light fixtures is a simple yet essential upgrade that can completely improve the ambience of your kitchen. New pendant lights over the kitchen island or dining table add style and improve functionality. 

Led lighting on open shelving or a floor lamp on a dark corner can make your kitchen feel a lot more welcoming without costing a fortune. 

8 – Refresh flooring with vinyl

If your kitchen floor looks a bit worse for wear, consider vinyl flooring as a budget-friendly alternative to costly tiles or wood. Vinyl is durable, easy to clean, and available in many patterns and colours to match your interior design. It’s an ideal option for homeowners seeking a big difference on an average price, without the disruption of a full floor replacement.

9 – Incorporate open shelving or open shelves

Open shelving is a smart way to create a more open feel and improve your storage space while staying within an affordable price range. You can display your favourite crockery (why hide them inside cabinets anyway?) and add personality – creating a stylish, functional space for everyday use. 

This approach works especially well in a small kitchen where every inch counts. 

10 – Add a kitchen island or breakfast bar

This is on the costlier end, but if your space allows it, a kitchen island or breakfast bar is an excellent way to boost both your storage and seating without a complete kitchen remodel. Affordable modular islands or portable units can add much-needed countertop space and serve as a casual dining spot or prep area. 

11 – Add a few little extras to round off your kitchen makeover

When it comes to kitchen makeovers on a budget, it’s the little things that matter and can make all the difference. So, finally, let’s add a few little extras that reflect your personality. Look at the style of kitchen you have and choose appropriately.

If it’s a family-friendly kitchen, then a pin-board for the kid’s pictures will quickly become a favourite for the whole family. Bright, fun transfers will revive boring tiles, while a few well-placed horse brasses and copper pans will give a traditional, country-style kitchen that authentic rural look, while bunches of drying herbs add a gloriously earthy, fresh scent as well as looking truly ‘rustic’!

Remember, if you have any extra kitchen makeover ideas, the best way to see whether they work is to test them out! When on a limited budget the little things that make you smile are the best way to cut costs.