Here’s How to Do a Kitchen Reno on a Budget

If the heart of your home looks a little tired or isn’t as functional as you’d like, it’s time for a change. A complete kitchen renovation requires a lot of time and money. However, a quick kitchen refresh can update the look and feel of your space minus the heavy price tag and headache of an invasive kitchen remodel. New colours, new finishings, and some easy updates to lighting and cabinetry can all have a big impact. Here’s what you can do.

Go with All White

An all-white kitchen is fresh, timeless and anything but boring. White paint allows bright or dark dramatic accents to draw the eye, and also let you express your personal style. All-white kitchens also tend to boost resale value because potential new homeowners have a blank palette to envision changes.

Bold Bright Colours

Sunny yellow and cherry red are classics for a reason. Yellow paint can lift your mood while red paint is known to spark appetites. When used on the walls, a light yellow colour can make small spaces feel bigger, while red can make a large kitchen feel cozier.

Moody Blues

The right shade of blue paint can work beautifully on walls and cabinetry. Pale blues create a fresh, clean and restful space, while deep blue kitchen cabinets can add drama to both traditional and modern aesthetics.

Shades of Grey

Grey paint has become an extremely popular choice for kitchens. Lighter shades create a cool, expansive feel, while dark grey kitchen cabinets can be a great complement to natural wood finishing.

Go for a Green Kitchen

Green paint can add a natural organic feel to your kitchen. A fresh leafy green is calm and inviting. Olive walls can be a surprising neutral, adding warmth and an old world feel, while deep green cabinets can bring depth to a neutral kitchen

Install a New Kitchen Faucet

Updating your kitchen faucet is DIY-friendly and affordable. A vintage-inspired brass faucet can complement a farmhouse-style kitchen, while a sleek matte black faucet suits a more modern space. A two-handle faucet adds colour and texture to your sink area, while a touchless kitchen faucet gives you hands-free elegance. A pull-down sprayer kitchen faucet brings a bold arch to your kitchen décor.

Install a New Kitchen Sink

If you’re installing a new kitchen faucet you might want to go the extra step and upgrade your kitchen sink as well. A stainless steel sink is timeless and easy to maintain, while porcelain can help create a farmhouse kitchen feel. Granite sinks and copper sinks cost a little more, but you’ll have a fantastic focal point for the room. There’s also the mount to consider. Undermount sinks are ideal for marble, quartz or granite counters, while drop-in sinks are a versatile option for all other countertop styles.

Add a Peel & Stick Backsplash

Easy to install, affordable and removable, a peel and stick backsplash mimics the look of real tile without the expense. It comes in adhesive-backed squares in a variety of materials from vinyl to metal, glass, and stone. Make sure your walls are properly prepped and you have the right tools to cut and trim during installation.

Replace Your Kitchen Lighting

Updating your kitchen lighting is another small change that offers big results:

• For rustic kitchens, look for chandeliers with wood detailing to bring the space together

• If you prefer a more modern look, consider pendant lighting with sleek chrome finishes

• Wall sconces can enhance mood and feel

• Undercabinet lighting offers a tasteful, task-oriented touch

Swap Out Your Old Kitchen Cabinet Doors

If your cabinet boxes are in good condition you can easily change the look of your kitchen by swapping out the old cabinet doors yourself. From traditional shaker to sleek Danish slabs, there are several styles and materials to choose from. Here’s a few pointers: 

• Solid wood cabinet doors can be easily cut to size 

• Thermofoil and MDF doors are more cost-effective and come fully finished 

• Measure twice and then measure again before purchasing 

• Leave a few cabinet boxes doorless for on-trend open shelving look

Choose New Cabinet Hardware

Swapping in new cabinet hardware is another easy upgrade. There are many different knobs, drawer pulls, hinges, latches and catches to suit your kitchen design: 

• Wooden knobs are budget-friendly, paintable and look great in a vintage kitchen 

• Metal door pulls in brass or cast-iron add a luxe feel to even the humblest cook space 

• Decorative cabinet hinges can give the illusion of custom cabinetry

Add Ceiling Panels

If your kitchen has a nine-foot ceiling or higher, you may want to consider a panel ceiling or coffered ceiling. This involves adding sunken panels or “coffers” that are either left plain or covered with decorative ceiling tiles, and framed by a grid of faux beams. It’s a classic architectural detail that adds interest and makes the space appear bigger.

Install New Kitchen Flooring

Vinyl flooring comes in sheets, planks and tiles and it’s probably the easiest to install. It’s also easy to clean, handles moisture well, and comes in a broad selection of styles. Laminate flooring is another popular option. It too is easy to install with the added bonus that it can convincingly mimic higher end flooring like hardwood or natural stone.

Add a Kitchen Island

A kitchen island creates a natural gathering space for family and friends. It can also make a large kitchen cozier, or a smaller space roomier thanks to additional counterspace. From stand-alone islands to rolling carts and rustic butcher blocks, there are many options to choose from that will complement your kitchen décor.