Budget Decorator: 15 Ways to Update Your Kitchen on a Dime

Budget Decorator: 15 Ways to Update Your Kitchen on a Dime

Whether you’re planning to invest your sweat equity at a full kitchen remodel or simply hope to make a few quick changes throughout the weekend, if every penny counts it’s important to choose projects that will produce a big impact for the lowest price possible. Stay focused on the results you are after (wear blinders if you walk beyond those $1,000 lighting fixtures) and also be willing to get your hands a bit paint splattered, and you can certainly achieve amazing results on any budget.

From hardware and paint to DIY projects and resources for budget substances, these 15 ideas can allow you to organize your kitchen upgrade.

Boor Bridges Architecture

1. Swap out lighting. Stylish fresh pendant lighting can quickly become the new focal point of the space. The hand-blown glass pendants displayed here are some beautiful, versatile option, and at less than $200, they won’t break your bank.

Restoration Hardware

Antique Brass Aubrey Pull – $10

2. Add new hardware. Vintage hardware is a worthwhile update, subtly improving the appearance and feel of the whole space. Just keep your eye on the price per slice when shopping, because it adds up quickly — particularly if you have a large kitchen with lots of cabinets.

Count the number of pulls and knobs in your kitchen so that you can quickly determine if the hardware you have your eye will fit your budget with lots of amazing pieces available for $10 and under (like the brass pulls displayed here) there is no need to blow the budget.

Jennifer Grey Color Specialist & Interiors Design

3. Update accessories. With limited chances for decoration, it’s important to make the most of the little matters. Corral frequently used things on a woven tray, prop up a few wooden planks on your counter and exhibit pantry things with pretty packaging.

Maple & Gray

4. Repaint cabinets. If your kitchen cabinets have a obsolete end or you want a more personal touch than standard-issue white cabinets, think about adding color. Try out pale sage green, as shown, duck egg blue or warm putty — all flexible options that go with many distinct materials and finishes.

From the Pros: How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd..

5. Paint half the cabinets to get a high-contrast appearance. A palette of white and black with wood and metallic accents looks slick and modern in the kitchen. Take a peek by painting only the bottom cabinets along with the bottom of the kitchen island black, leaving the top cabinets white.

Justine Hand

6. Add sconces. Swing-arm sconces above open shelving supply lovely ambient lighting and provide more personality than standard recessed or track lighting. Ideally a electrician would install them with the cords hidden, even though it might be possible to use plug-in versions with cord covers concealing the dangling cords.

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd..

7. Function in elements. Farmhouse accents immediately add warmth and character to a bland kitchen. Replace the pantry or kitchen door using a sliding barn door, hang aluminum pots from a ceiling rack or bring in a timeworn antique wooden stool.

Jennifer Ashton, Allied ASID

8. Add storage with simple shelves. Lacking top cabinets? Rustic wood shelves on metal mounts are readily (and cheaply) installed, and supply functional display space for casual dishes.

Titan & Co..

9. Use Roman shades for a appearance. Roman shades add an elegant note to any room and look particularly at home in the kitchen, in which any headboard is most welcome. Have matching shades made at the area for a appearance.

Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

10. Paint the ground. If your wood floors aren’t in the best shape and you want to steer clear of expert refinishing, consider painting them instead. White is chic but will show every lost crumb; pale blue and gray are also classic options. If you want to find creative, consider stenciling a design on the painted flooring.

Cre8tive Interior Designs

11. Search Craigslist for budget-friendly building substances. If you’ve been utilizing Craigslist only to hunt for furniture, then you’re missing out. San Diego designer Stephanie Norris and her daughter exploited their local Craigslist to source materials (like the tile backsplash and travertine floors shown here) with this particular budget kitchen remodel.

Watch more of the kitchen

The Decor Fix

12. Remove upper cupboard doors. If glass door fronts are out of this budget but you want to open up a little bit of space, then try simply removing the doors into your upper kitchen cabinets. It’s a simple change to make (just unscrew the doors and print and fill the holes) which can add a sense of spaciousness into a small kitchen.

The Decor Fix

13. Treat yourself to fresh dishes. Open shelving and counters are a great opportunity to practice the art of display. You can not go wrong with classic white dishes and clear glass, but fun mismatched flea market finds would work equally well if that’s your style.

Lauren Liess Interiors

14. Spice up an outdated refrigerator with chalkboard paint. No money to trade in that beige refrigerator? Try covering it in chalkboard paint instead to get an enjoyable, creative appearance. The chalkboard surface will keep children occupied while you cook, or use it in order to keep a running grocery list, menu ideas or inspiring quotes and doodles.

Jennifer Grey Color Specialist & Interiors Design

15. Make your own beadboard fridge cover. Homeowner Jennifer Grey has undertaken a few amazing DIY projects while transforming her fixer-upper cottage, which was vacant for seven weeks and has been desperately in need of some TLC. 1 project that turned out particularly well was that the DIY refrigerator cover she made from beadboard paneling, barn hinges and hot glue — you can read the entire DIY on Grey’s blog, The Old Painted Cottage.

Tell us What’s your next kitchen project? Any budget-friendly methods to share?

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