6 Ways To Give Your Kitchen A Makeover On A Budget

Taking a sip from your morning coffee, you pull out your phone and start searching for kitchen makeovers on a budget. Your kitchen is in desperate need of an upgrade, but you know that renovations can be expensive. However, with just a few small, carefully considered changes, you can transform it into the space you’ve always dreamed of without spending more than you can afford.

From replacing your door handles to installing new kitchen hardware, discover 6 ways to give your kitchen a makeover on a budget.

6 budget kitchen makeover ideas

1. Repaint your kitchen cabinets

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to give your kitchen a new lease of life is to repaint your cabinets. Changing this small detail can completely transform the look and feel of your kitchen – if your kitchen feels small and dark, choose a light colour to make it feel more spacious and inviting.

The key to painting your kitchen cabinets yourself is to take your time. Use good quality paint and primer and go slowly for a flawless finish.

Image courtesy of @roundhouse_design

2. Install new hardware

The smallest details can have the biggest impact when it comes to interior design, so think about changing your kitchen hardware to give the space a completely new look with minimal effort.

One of the easiest things to upgrade is your kitchen cabinet handles and drawer knobs. These are available in a wide range of sleek and contemporary styles that are perfect for modernising outdated interiors. You could also consider upgrading your light switches and sockets, choosing a colour and finish that complements the rest of your décor to really tie the space together.

A slightly more advanced but still affordable option is to update your kitchen tap. Choose a classic black or gold colour to make your kitchen feel more luxurious, or opt for a pop of colour to turn this previously unremarkable area of your kitchen into an eye-catching focal point.

Image courtesy of @diysos

3. Add some foliage

Indoor plants are great for budget kitchen makeovers, adding a splash of colour to the space and helping to purify the air. They also have a wide range of physical and mental health benefits, so including them is a no-brainer if you spend a lot of time in your kitchen.

Simply add a few potted plants to the windowsill or kitchen island to make the space feel more relaxing and inviting. If you don’t want the responsibility of taking care of a plant but still want to add a touch of greenery to your kitchen, you could opt for some faux plants instead.

4. Upgrade your lighting

‘Just by changing the light fittings, you can significantly impact the look of your kitchen’, says Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, lighting expert and co-founder of Dowsing & Reynolds. ‘Replace dreary ceiling lights with a stylish bubble chandelier to create a focal point and make the space feel instantly more inviting.’

When choosing kitchen lighting, you should also think carefully about where to place each light source in order to enhance the functionality of the space. Positioning pendant lights over your kitchen island will give you the ideal amount of task lighting for eating or preparing food in this area, for example.

Design tip: For comfortable, practical, and well-lit interiors, always create a layered lighting scheme. This involves using a combination of ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting throughout the space to make sure you have the right type of lighting for every time of day.

5. Swap old cabinets for open shelving

A great way to make a small kitchen feel more spacious and inviting is to replace your old cabinets with open shelving. Open shelving will provide you with ample storage space without getting in the way like bulky cabinets often do, plus they’re much more affordable than traditional cabinets.

There are plenty of budget-friendly open shelving options available, but you could even make your own open shelves from scratch by repurposing offcuts or reclaimed pieces of wood.

6. Replace your worktops

Your worktops are one of the main focal points in your kitchen, so it’s no surprise that replacing them can massively transform the room’s appearance.

Cheap materials like laminate might be the first that spring to mind when considering budget-friendly options, but it’s worth considering more luxurious wood options like oak or beech even if you don’t want to spend much. A high-quality wooden worktop is likely to last longer than a worktop made of cheaper materials, which makes it a worthwhile investment.

Show us your kitchen makeovers

We’d love to see how you’ve used these budget kitchen makeover ideas to transform your home. Tag us on Instagram @dowsingandreynolds – we can’t wait to see what you come up with!