Hate the idea of having to overhaul your kitchen? Don’t worry. You don’t have to break the bank or spend a ton of time making it look like you did. Here are some affordable, easy ways to update your kitchen and make it modern in no time!
1. Declutter Everywhere
First, pull everything out. We know it sounds extreme, but the only way to organize is to start fresh. When you take everything out of your cupboards and drawers, you can see what you have and decide what you need and what needs to be thrown away.
2. Deep Clean Everything
Now that you’ve gotten everything out of your cabinets and drawers, it’s time for a deep clean.
It is the perfect opportunity to wipe down all those spots you don’t usually get to. For example, you can easily reach all the corners and empty the bottom of your cabinets.
You’ll be amazed at how this step makes your cabinets look new again, and you’ll be thrilled when you start putting everything back in place.
Then put things back- but in a way that makes sense for you. When your kitchen is organised, it will look better, feel less cluttered, and be easier to cook in!
3. Get Matching Containers
Have you ever looked at the shelves in a magazine or on TV and wondered how they got them to look so amazing? Well, we’re letting you in on the secret! The trick is matching containers and canisters! It might sound crazy, but if you look closely, you’ll notice that all of the containers featured in these beautiful photos are either the same or paired up nicely. Here’s the good news: you don’t need to go out and buy anything new! You probably have plenty of jars lying around your house collecting dust. Get creative! Wash them off, fill them up with spices, and stack them. You’ll be surprised by what a difference it makes for your kitchen.
4. Multipurpose Furniture
Have you ever considered getting a kitchen island? It’s a wonderful piece of furniture that can be used in many different ways. Many people choose to have one for the kids because it’s an ideal place for them to eat, but it can also help if you need a little more storage or extra seats.
The open-shelf trend is here to stay. And it’s a good thing, too- because if you want your kitchen to look and feel bigger, it’s the way to go!
5. Ditch the Cabinets for Open Shelving
Putting up open shelves is a whole lot cheaper than replacing cabinets, and it’ll give your kitchen a bigger, more open feel. Plus, you can add decor like bowls, vases, and candles that will give the space style and interest. It’s easy and affordable, and whether you choose handmade wooden shelves, or floating oak shelves they’ll be sure to look great.
6. Introduce Paint
Even if you’ve recently painted your kitchen walls, cleaned, and reorganised everything, it can be difficult to get that fresh feel in your kitchen. If that’s your situation, we have a secret for you: The problem might just be the paint colour.
If you’re not afraid of picking up a brush, try painting the walls a different colour! It’s fun and easy, and it’s a great way to make a big difference in how your kitchen feels. Plus, paint is affordable- so even if you don’t love the new colour, you can change it again easily!
When choosing a new paint colour, it’s important to think about how the colour will work with the rest of your kitchen. Are there cabinets or other fixed pieces that will clash with your new colour? You should also pay attention to how much light enters your kitchen. Darker colours might be perfect for a bright space- but in a dim room, they can create an unwelcoming atmosphere.
7. Decorate The Fridge
If you want a new fridge, but you don’t have the budget, this is the perfect solution for you.
The first step is to clean off the clutter. A fridge is often a catch-all for every random piece of paper you don’t want to lose. Find a better place to keep those loose odds and ends, so you’re starting with a clean slate.
Next, cover up that outdated fridge with your favourite wallpaper or paint it! Many are peel-and-stick or contact paper, and painting is easy! Remember, as it is in your home and the whole point is that you enjoy it, you can go as crazy as you wish.
8. Install New Lights
Lighting is a powerful tool for transforming a space. With lighting, you can make even the smallest room look big and beautiful, and your kitchen is no exception.
The first step to creating good lighting in the kitchen is assessing what activities will happen there most frequently. This will help you determine where to place different types of lights. Let’s say you do a lot of work at your kitchen counters—in this case, placing under-cabinet lights could be a great move.
When it comes to bulbs, it’s all about finding the right balance of task and atmosphere lighting. If you want a warm atmosphere in your kitchen, try some incandescent bulbs! They’re also great for task lighting. If you want something brighter, check out halogen bulbs instead!
9. Add accessories
When it comes to updating your kitchen and getting that fit-for-a-magazine look you’ve always wanted, the accessories can go a long way.
You can pick out a theme for your kitchen and build accessories around that theme. A couple of ideas we like are:
- Matching canisters add some polish. Try finding some that match your kitchen color scheme for an extra-uniform look.
- A cafe rod or pot rack adds storage. These hanging rods are great for hanging anything from S hooks—just make sure not to overload them with too much weight!
- Framed recipes make for cozy decor. They look great on countertops or walls and give your space that lived-in feeling.
- Baskets, trays, cutting boards, etc. add a touch of country charm to any space.
10. Cabinet and Kitchen Furniture Makeover
It’s easy to think that the only option for a worn-out kitchen table is to get new furniture. But now that quality furniture is harder and harder to come by without paying a high price, there are ways to modernise and update your home without breaking the bank!
There are a lot of affordable paint options that can help you spruce up your kitchen cabinets, tables, chairs, stools, shelves, etc. There’s even an all-in-one chalk paint – it’s primer, paint, and sealer in one. You can use it on just about anything: kitchen cabinets, upcycled wooden tables, and chairs. You can even use it on upholstery.
11. Modernise your Tiles
Changing the tiles in your kitchen can be both time-consuming and expensive. Fortunately, there is an easier way to bring new life to your kitchen without having to replace the tiles.
You can use paint and sealant to modernise your dated kitchen tiles in no time at all. The easiest approach is to paint the tiles entirely with one fresh colour, but you can also experiment with different finishes or try some fun stencils for a more intricate look. If you’re looking for something a little more unique, you can even apply an epoxy flooring solution!
If you tire of this look after some time, simply repaint them- it’s as simple as that!
If you want to update a backsplash, there are some amazing peel-and-stick tile backsplashes available that will go over what you already have with ease!
12. Display Your Gadgets
If you want to make your kitchen a warm and welcoming place, you’ve got to show off what you’re working with. You can display all your gadgets by putting them on hanging shelves or countertops if you have enough space. As long as it’s not a cluttered, messy look, display those gadgets proudly!
13. Change Your Cabinet Hardware
If you’re looking for a quick, inexpensive way to update your kitchen, look no further than your cabinet hardware.
Changing the handles on your cabinets is an easy, budget-friendly way to give your kitchen a whole new look. A fresh coat of paint on the walls is nice, but it doesn’t do much for the cabinets. Instead of spending thousands on new cabinets (or even more on new countertops), simply upgrade the knobs and pulls!
There are so many styles in different metals – from contemporary to traditional, from brass to silver, from modernist to vintage – it really can give the impression that the cabinets are new, too.
This is a super-easy switch and the options are endless!
So if you’re interested in giving your kitchen a facelift but want to avoid the expense of a full renovation, definitely try some of these easy and affordable tips first.
