Improving the kitchen is a top priority for many homeowners. Unfortunately, they don’t always have enough money to go through with the large-scale changes that they want to make. The result is that their kitchens end up staying the same for years, much to the annoyance of the homeowner.
If this sounds like you, there’s a way out. Below are some suggestions for affordable changes you can make that will improve the kitchen. Each of these is manageable for most homeowners, and while the change may be small, it will make a big difference in your kitchen. These are some tips to organize your kitchen.
Paint Something
To start off, consider painting something a new colour. For example, you could paint all the walls to give the entire room a fresh, new look. This will only cost you the price of a few gallons of paint plus a few brushes, along with your time. If the entire room is too much of a project for you, then consider painting just one accent wall. Or, if you have an island in your kitchen, you could paint the bottom portion of it a new colour. There are plenty of options, so look around your kitchen and see if there are any areas that could use a fresh coat of paint.
Add a Backsplash
Similar to painting is adding a backsplash. Homeowners can use a backsplash to cover the area along your walls between the top of your counter and underneath your cabinets. Many homeowners choose to cover this area with tile, but this can be rather expensive. A more affordable option is to get something you can peel and place on the wall. These are essentially large stickers that make that area look great, all for a fraction of the cost. To learn more about these peel-and-stick backsplashes, you can check out this guide.
Change Up the Décor
Your next option is to change up some of the décors around your kitchen. One thing you can do to improving the kitchen is hang up some art pieces, or replace the ones you already have. If there’s a big blank spot on one of your walls, find a piece that goes well with the colour scheme of your kitchen. You can also use this space to hang up a clock, a photograph, or something else that you enjoy.
Another option is to add a rug to your kitchen. Many people don’t think to add a rug in the kitchen, as it is prone to get things spilt on it. But a rug is a cheaper way to improve your floors, not to mention it gives your feet something softer to stand on while you cook. Consider looking for a rug that is easy to clean up in case there is an accident.
Your third option for changing up the décor is the lighting. If you have recessed lights in your kitchen, look for attachments that will allow them to transform into hanging lights. Another idea is to add some lights underneath your cabinets so that you can keep things a little dimmer later on in the day. Finally, if you want to give your kitchen an entirely different feel, add some coloured light bulbs to your kitchen and change them up depending on your mood.
Swap Out Some Furniture
Your furniture plays a big role in how your kitchen looks. And as time goes by, your furniture pieces can begin to wear down in small ways. An affordable way to improving the kitchen is by simply switching out some of your older pieces. For example, if you have an island or bar in your kitchen, you can swap out the stools for something newer. This one little change goes a long way and it won’t break your budget.
Take a moment to really look at the furniture in your kitchen. You may notice faded fabric or scratched up wood, things you normally don’t see because you’re so used to them. If it looks like a few of your pieces have seen better days, start to look for some affordable alternatives.
Reface the Cabinets
A common goal for homeowners is wanting to replace their kitchen cabinets. This is because cabinets can wear down over time, or because they don’t match the other changes you have made to your kitchen. But replacing the entire cabinet is a big, and expensive, job. And in most cases, the cabinet structure is sound, it just needs some cosmetic changes. So instead of replacing your cabinets, look instead to cabinet refacing.
According to Boyars Cabinets, a San Diego kitchen cabinet refacing company, refacing a cabinet is “In most cases, it is half the cost of new, custom (not pre-fab) cabinets.” You can save a lot of money, and still get some great looking cabinets if you go with this option instead.
Upgrade the Technology
Finally, consider bringing your kitchen up to the times with some technical improvements. For example, you can add in some smart lights, that can change colours or dim based on the time of day. Another simple option is adding in a voice assistant, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. With these, you can listen to music while you do the dishes or have them read out your favourite recipes while you cook. These gadgets are all relatively affordable but can help to make your kitchen feel more modern.
Kitchen Upgrades Don’t Have to Cost A Lot
As you can see, you don’t have to spend a lot on improving the kitchen. It’s just a matter of making a few key changes in specific areas. The above guide will hopefully give you some ideas to get started, but as you go along you will likely find other small things you can do that will make a big difference. Good luck!