When I first moved into my fixer-upper house, the kitchen was in a state. However, we didn’t have the budget available to be able to completely renovate the room so I had to get creative with some easy (and frugal!) fixes.
It made the kitchen livable for a few years while we saved up for some new cabinets, so I thought I would share some kitchen upgrade ideas with you, from easy updgrades to some very thrifty upcycles. Let’s get stuck in…
1. Revamp the worktop
Among these smaller (not small per se, but not as big as a full reno) changes would be replacing tired worktops with natural wood worktops, as they are resistant, they can be re-sanded or re-oiled to renew them if they get older or a bit damaged, and they bring a warmth and classic style to the room.
You may be interested to know that a walnut kitchen worktop will cost considerably less than other countertop options, such as marble, granite or even composite surfaces. Yet it still delivers the same level of luxury finish that’ll elevate the units (even low-cost DIY options) to look like a custom-made cabinetry-standard kitchen.
2. Change the doors
If you already have a gorgeous wooden worktop that can be easily refinished and brought back to its best, you can reuse this and simply relace the doors on the units. Keeping as much of the existing kitchen as possible, such as the cabinet carcasses, worktop, sink and appliances cuts the cost of a kitchen upgrade considerably.
And, if you’re not spending your kitchen budget on those elements, that gives you a bigger budget to spend on elevated doors and hardware. You could choose a new colour, which will completely change the look of the room, or you could go classic for a traditional farmhouse kitchen look that’ll work perfectly with the existing wooden worktop.
Alternatively, you can repaint the cupboard doors you already have using suitable paint. I previously shared a quick DIY video guide on revamping a melamine kitchen with spray paint so be sure to check that out too. I loved the bright blue colour and it lasted for years, which meant we had much longer to save up for a new kitchen in the meantime.
3. Flip the flooring
The flooring in a kitchen is often the thing that wears out first. This room is usually a high-traffic area, with lots of the family using the space at once for multiple tasks, so damage is likely to occur. Vinyl tiles begin peeling off with water damage, lino can get scuffed after years of use, and stone can become stained by spilled drinks or dropped food.
It’s possible that the tatty flooring is what’s bringing down the whole look of your kitchen. So, why not try refreshing or replacing the flooring before you start tackling the cupboards? Laying down a washable or indoor-outdoor rug might be enough to cover up the floor and freshen up the room.
Or installing water-resistant wood-effect flooring over the top of your existing tiles – perhaps in a stain colour to match the new worktops – can completey revamp the space without you needing to touch the cupboards at all.
4. Revamp the walls
An even more frugal option for upgrading your kitchen without renovating might be to simply repaint the walls. If you have neutral cabinets in white or wood, these are the ideal backdrop for a bold colour choice on the walls. You’ll be amazed at what a difference a colourful wall will make to completely transform the space – all for the cost of a tin of paint.
If you’ve already got coloured cabinetry, such as black units or a bright colour, why not pick out this shade in a patterned wallpaper? You could go geometric, painterly, traditional or floral. You don’t even need to paper all the walls – just one feature wall opposite the run of cabinets can help to tie the whole room together for a cohesive look.
Plus, you can add personality to your kitchen using lighting, accessories and artwork, like I have. I personally love a dash of colour against the simple cream cabinets, it really helps to elevate the look of the flat-pack kitchen – and my neon lights are my favourite touch.
5. Update the hardware
Possibly the thriftiest update of all is to simply unscrew the handles on the kitchen cabinets and replace them with fresh new hardware. You can upgrade basic units by choosing luxe finishes such as brass, copper or wood, like I have. Just make sure the fixings are in the same place as the old handles so you don’t need to drill new holes in the doors.
Or, let’s go one step cheaper and repaint the doorknobs you already have. For the cost of a tin of chalk paint or a can of direct-to-plastic spray paint, you can upcycle the existing handles to create a completely different look. Slick black looks great against wood or white for a sleek minimalist kitchen or you could choose a vibrant or pastel colour to create a fun kitchen that’s uniquely yours.
I hope these five ideas have helped you to uncover new ways to upgrade your kitchen without having to splash the cash on a full renovation. Let me know in the comments below what home hacks you’ve already used in your kitchen and what other tips you have for a kitchen update, I’d love to hear your ideas! 🙂
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