Your kitchen is the heart of your home and is where your family spends quality time together and often hosts friends and relatives. To make sure this popular space is at its best – upgrade your kitchen on a budget.
I may earn a small commission for affiliate links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read my privacy policy and privacy page for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Table of Contents
- 1. Change the Lighting
- 2. Install a New Faucet
- 3. Install New Appliances
- 4. Repaint the Cabinets
- 5. Add Good-Looking Flooring
- 6. Paint the Color of the Walls
- 7. Upgrade Kitchen Mats
- 8. Change the Backsplash
If you are planning to sell or rent out your house soon, or just want to upgrade the space, a new kitchen can help increase the resale value or rental potential.
However, a new kitchen is often expensive and requires not just the replacement of appliances but also the installation of new cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, and plumbing.
Fortunately, there are many ways to upgrade your kitchen on a budget without breaking the bank.
So, let’s get into it!
1. Change the Lighting
New kitchen lighting gives the space a new look and feel.
If the existing light fixtures are old and dated, change them with new pendants, wall sconces, or chandeliers.
For inspiration for your kitchen, check out some exciting lighting choices on Pinterest or other DIY websites.
If you are on a budget check out puck lights, which are inexpensive and easy to mount on the wall.
If you have upper cabinets install under-cabinet lights.
I love my inexpensive under-the-cabinet lights (see picture) since they are customizable and have different brightness settings and color choices.
2. Install a New Faucet
A new faucet can update and modernize your kitchen’s look. If your faucet works perfectly, you can easily change the look of your kitchen with new fixtures.
Pull your kitchen style together and match the faucet to the rest of the room.
For example, if you have bronze cabinet pulls, then upgrade the faucet to a bronze finish.
However, if your faucet is loose, you may need to replace it.
In this case, still, upgrade the faucet to match the rest of the kitchen.
3. Install New Appliances
If your kitchen appliances are old and outdated, replacing them will give your kitchen a new look.
When we purchased our home, the appliances were the first thing that changed before we moved.
The appliances were not in good working condition and would not suit our needs.
When we purchased our home, we decided new appliances not only improve the function and the aesthetics of our kitchen but also helped increase the resale value.
However, if you are on a budget and a full appliance upgrade isn’t possible, replace the appliances in most need of change.
You could also consider trying out new appliances that are Energy Star rated, are high quality, and are priced reasonably.
Moreover, these appliances typically qualify for tax credits.
One thing to keep in mind, if you are planning to sell your home, you can upgrade your appliances to boost the resale value.
New appliances can increase the initial listing and sale price of a home, which can help you get a higher price for your property.
4. Repaint the Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are a focal point and are a well-used item. However, replacing cabinets can be quite costly.
If your cabinets are old and dated, but still in good condition, you can repaint them.
For a budget-friendly kitchen upgrade, my husband and I repainted our cabinets. We are thrilled with the project.
However, if you can’t DIY the kitchen cabinet painting yourself, you can hire professionals to repaint the cabinets at a higher cost.
5. Add Good-Looking Flooring
An upgraded kitchen floor can add value and increase your home’s resale or rental potential.
In addition, it also makes a much more attractive space for the homeowner.
Consider adding a new floor that looks great in your kitchen such as hardwood.
If you can’t afford to buy hardwood, you can try cheaper alternatives, such as vinyl flooring.
If you want to add a natural look to your kitchen, you can install cork flooring, which is durable and comes in many colors and styles.
Cork flooring is eco-friendly, easy to install, and affordable.
Cork tiles are available in tiles, squares, or sheets in many colors and patterns.
Another budget-friendly kitchen flooring option is peel-and-stick tiles that go overtop your existing floor.
6. Paint the Color of the Walls
Your kitchen walls, as well as cabinets, can use a new coat of paint.
If your kitchen is small, you can add color to it by painting the walls a nice, light hue.
If your kitchen is large, you can paint the lower half of the walls to create a contrast with the upper half.
Choose any color you like, but make sure it complements your cabinets and appliances.
Don’t forget to consider the colors of your dinnerware and other kitchen accessories.
7. Upgrade Kitchen Mats
A new kitchen mat can not only protect your floor but also add value to your kitchen. Kitchen mats help protect your floors against dirt and stains.
You can also choose decorative mats that look good in your kitchen.
Be careful while choosing a mat for your kitchen because you will be using it often.
A kitchen mat should be durable and easy to clean. You can choose from different materials, such as cork, rubber, or vinyl.
If you have a small kitchen, you can choose a mat that fits the space. Alternatively, you can opt for a larger mat and place it under a small table.
I love my anti-fatigue kitchen mats as it takes the stress out of standing.
8. Change the Backsplash
If your backsplash is old and dated, replacing it can give your kitchen a new look.
You can choose from different materials, including tiles, subway tiles, or cement panels.
If your budget allows, you can select a decorative backsplash.
If you are on a budget, you can choose a cheaper alternative, such as vinyl tiles like the ones in my kitchen (see picture.)
You can find many ideas for a kitchen backsplash on Pinterest or other DIY websites.
Final Thoughts
Your kitchen is the heart of your home – make sure it looks and feels fresh and modern.
You can upgrade it by changing the lighting, installing a new faucet, installing new appliances, repainting the cabinets, and adding good-looking flooring.
You can also change the color of the walls or upgrade your kitchen mats. If you are on a budget, you can try out these ways to upgrade your kitchen.
Want more everything home tips and DIY ideas? Be sure to follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for the latest posts, tips, and ideas.
Your turn!
What upgrades are you thinking of making to your kitchen? Let me know in the comments!
Great ideas! Crazy what a coat of paint can do for the feel of a room. Painting the cabinets is a good tip.
Hi Deanna!
Thank you! It truly amazes me how my kitchen upgrade came out even on a tight budget!
Thank you for reading!
These are great suggestions. Thank you.
Hi Eva!
I’m excited you enjoyed the suggestions to upgrade your kitchen on a budget.
Thank you for reading!
What a transformation! I’ve been thinking of painting our 20 year-old cabinets – but been a bit afraid. I think you have convinced me!
Hi Stepanie!
I really hope you paint your kitchen cabinets – it’s an easy and fun way to update the kitchen on a budget.
Thank you for reading!
I always love having the lighting underneath the cabinets It helps out a lot when you are preparing dinner.
These are awesome ideas on how to update your kitchen on a budget! We’d love to go all out and change the countertops and cabinets, but we decided to just start with updating our backsplash and getting under cabinet lighting.
I never actually thought about Kitchen Mat. The floor is always cold. I need those mats as soon as possible. Thank you for this.
I absolutely cannot wait for my children to be grown and out of the house, so I can redecorate the entire thing. I understand now why parents wait until the kids move out!
I like the lighting suggestion, it does give the kitchen a more different more updated look! Will keep these tips in mind for my kitchen.
I love under-the-cabinet lighting! It creates such a lovely and dramatic look to the kitchen.
Honestly so many great tips! I feel like you can upgrade on a budget for sure
This is timely since we are actually planning to fix/ renovate the kitchen. We are planning to repaint the cabinets and just like you mentioned the faucet.
We haven’t thought about the lightning but I think that’s a great idea. Thank you for sharing these tips. Bookmarking this post for future reference.
You have so many ideas and tips for the kitchen. I’m sure this will be helpful when wanting to work on the kitchen.
It’s amazing how much of a difference some small changes like the faucet or the mats can make. What a great list! Thanks for sharing!