Upgrade Your Kitchen on a Budget
Renovating your kitchen can be a pricey project. A good rule of thumb is not to spend more than 15% of the total value of your home. Else, you may lose out when it’s time to sell. Here are some simple solutions to give your kitchen a new look without breaking the bank.
Upgrade your Kitchen Storage
Open shelves and floating box cabinets are easy kitchen upgrades. They provide good storage and a great display venue. This renovation idea also helps a small kitchen feel larger.
Pull out storage is another way to maximize space. Shelves that extend from a cabinet and pull-out pantries let you utilize every inch available. Remove cabinet doors and use stylish wicker baskets as another alternative.
Update your Kitchen Architecture
Accent your kitchen with beaded-board or tile. A very cost effective upgrade is adding a tile back splash. This is a great DIY project that will introduce color and protect your walls. Install beaded-board around your island (or just opposite sides). This easy upgrade will give your island a whole new feel.
Add a window to the adjoining room. Make sure nothing important (electrical, pluming, gas, etc.) is running through the wall and cut out a window. Frame it with molding for a polished look. This will help open up your kitchen and bring in light from the other room.
Update your Kitchen Style
A fresh coat of paint will go a long way. You can liven up a dark kitchen by painting the walls a bright color. Or renovate your cabinets with a new color and polyurethane finish. Lightly sand your cabinets, prime, paint and finish. If you like your cabinets, just paint the doors. Don’t have doors? Paint the interior for a striking backdrop. Incorporate stencils to add extra character. Distress wood with sandpaper or by adding small dents.
Upgrade your Kitchen Hardware
Purchasing new appliances can be costly. I highly recommend searching sites like Craig’s List for these items. We (Fred and I) have both picked up brand new refrigerators at unbelievable prices. But there’s other kitchen hardware that is much cheaper to upgrade. Change out your faucet. Make sure it looks good AND functions well. You’ll be using it everyday. Pick up new handles and knobs. Update that light fixture. Your local DIY center will have plenty of choices.
Re-purposed Dresser for a Kitchen Island
Most modern kitchens have an island. And you can too. Find a dresser or another appropriately sized piece of furniture. Select a countertop material. And anchor it to the floor. Add beaded-board around the outside to complete the disguise.
What do you think? What tips can you share?
Images courtesy of Macinate and OK-59 respectively.
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6 Responses to Upgrade Your Kitchen on a Budget
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July 17th, 2008 9:34 am
How a about a tile mural backsplash- low cost focal point- any image can be transferred on marble or ceramic — and then coordinate your plain tiles around that– even adding a frame
http://ww.AliciaTappDesigns.com
has an extensive collection of images
July 17th, 2008 4:04 pm
I wish we had room for an island! Well, we do… but then we would have no kitchen table.
And with no dining room, we kind of need that.
July 17th, 2008 10:47 pm
Pull out shelves in kitchen and pantry cabinets are a great way to utilize and access all of your cabinets. There are a lot of styles available at http://www.slideoutshelvesllc.com
You can get slide out shelves direct from the manufacturer at wholesale pricing
July 17th, 2008 10:50 pm
I love how kitchen posts generate all kinds of comment spam… We’re going to have to get that comment policy up before you know it.
July 17th, 2008 11:26 pm
On the contrary Fred I have found some very reputable businesses from comment links on sites like this. Also, if you will notice Fred, there are sponsored sites all over this page which the owner of the site makes a little money if someone clicks on the links. Welcome to the internet Fred
July 18th, 2008 9:36 am
@Dawna, Fred and I are well aware of the sponsored links on this site. I think he would just prefer the comments to be more engaging (questions, more information, different perspective, etc.) than a company plugging its own product.
Thinking back, I wish I had a pull out side cabinet in my master bathroom. The bathroom isn’t very big and a pull out would really help optimize space.