Kitchen Update Ideas: Low Cost, Big Impact Upgrades

The kitchen is the heart of your home: it’s where you cook, throw dinner parties, roast the Thanksgiving turkey, and where your kids gather for after school snacks. Since it’s such an important part of the house, the right kitchen update ideas can really make a big impact on your enjoyment of the space. We are talking about mostly DIY kitchen remodel ideas that can be accomplished without a complete makeover. These inexpensive small kitchen remodel ideas are the perfect way to get a refreshed kithen look that you can afford.

According to Nerd Wallet, “A small kitchen remodel project can be a great investment for your home. Resurfacing kitchen cabinets, changing their hardware and making other minor improvements can boost your home’s value enough that they come close to paying for themselves.”

The problem is often that the kitchen is full of items that are very expensive to upgrade. If you’re craving a much needed kitchen update, there are actually a ton of ways you can do it without spending too much money. Need to upgrade a kitchen before selling your house? Even better. There are several kitchen decor makeovers on a tight budget that will transform any old space. Here are 7 kitchen update ideas that have a low cost but a big impact on how your kitchen looks and feels.

10 Low Cost Kitchen Update Ideas

1. Replace Old or Damaged Kitchen Flooring

If you have dated old linoleum, dirty or cracking tile, or (hopefully not) carpet in the kitchen, then you should seriously consider redoing the kitchen floor. Putting hardwood, high end laminate, or engineered flooring in a house is a type of remodeling that increases home value, so you can’t really go wrong here unless you pick the wrong shade.

It will cost you around $2,800 to put in new laminate floors in a 500 square foot space, according to Home Advisor. We recommend going with a warm, mid-tone oak if you’re selling the house, and whatever finish satisfies your personal style if you’re not! Durable and easy to clean, hard wood laminate flooring can be both practical and stylish. This is one of the more expensive of the kitchen update ideas but it has a huge impact if you are working with an old floor.

2. Switch Out Knobs and Drawer Pulls

This trick is DIY-able, quick, affordable, and will seriously transform your space. You can buy chic silver cabinet knobs and pulls at any hardware store for around $2.00 each so this is one of the least expensive kitchen update ideas.

You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference new hardware can make–the kitchen will feel new, fresh, and clean. Here is a tutorial for how to install cabinet hardware.

3. Add Backsplash Tiles

Replacing an outdated backsplash can modernize your kitchen’s look and feel, making it more in line with current design trends. A new tile backsplash can help tie together other kitchen updates, creating a cohesive and polished look. Some backsplash materials, like peel-and-stick tiles, are easy to install and can be a great project for DIY enthusiasts, offering a cost-effective way to update your kitchen. Kitchens with modern, attractive backsplashes are often more appealing to buyers and can make your home stand out in the real estate market.

• Subway Tile: Classic and versatile, it works with many styles.
• Mosaic Tiles: Add a pop of color or pattern for a more eclectic look.
• Peel-and-Stick Tiles: A budget-friendly option that’s easy to install.

A backsplash protects the walls behind your countertops from splashes, spills, and stains that occur during cooking and food preparation. A new backsplash can dramatically change the look of your kitchen, providing an instant visual update.

4. Update the Kitchen Faucet

Kitchen faucets can cost anywhere between $80 and $500, and you can definitely find a low-cost option that is beautiful and functional. A cracked, grimey, or old faucet can really date the space, so it’s best to replace this fundamental kitchen fixture if needed.

This is another kitchen upgrade that’s easy to do yourself and shouldn’t take too long to complete.

5. Reface the Kitchen Cabinets

This may be one of the most impactful kitchen update ideas. Changing the look of your kitchen cabinets will have the biggest overall impact on the space, and you don’t have to completely rip out the old ones to do it. You’ll save thousands if you do the job yourself, and the kitchen will look just as fabulous.

The best part is that you’ll only have to pay for supplies. You’ll need cleaning supplies, sandpaper, tools to remove the hardware, painter’s tape to label the doors, paint brushes, and then stain or primer and paint.

To paint your kitchen cabinets yourself, take all of the cabinets off their hinges and number them so that you know exactly where they go. Then, do a deep clean of the doors and cabinet interiors. Now it’s time to sand down the cabinet doors. After you’ve sanded them, you’ll prime the cabinets and let that fully dry. Then you can paint!

6. New Appliances

If you have old, outdated appliances that detract from the look of the kitchen, an upgrade will not only improve appearances but may also save in operating costs. Old appliances are often huge energy and/or water wasters. New Energy-Efficient Appliances can save big on energy costs and update the look of your kitchen. Add convenience with smart features. Stainless steel appliances tend to never go out of style.

7.  Brighten The Palette

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for any room is simply paint it.  When it comes to your kitchen, though, don’t be afraid to take a risk.  Move away from the creams and tans and browns and step outside your comfort zone.  Look for bolder tones that still reflect something of your personality, as well as this centralized zone in your home.  Accent colors in blazing oranges or deep blues can be just the thing your kitchen needs to freshen its look.  Paint is a great inexpensive way to update the kitchen look without any major time investment. A new color can dramatically change the look and feel of your kitchen.

8.  Throw Some Light On The Subject:

Having good lighting in the kitchen is as necessary as having good lighting in a bathroom.  You want to be able to appropriately see and work with the food you’re preparing.  In addition, when you consider that the kitchen is often paired with the dining room – particularly in homes with an open concept-style layout – sufficient lighting for both rooms is a must.  Not only could you brighten the wattage of the bulbs you’re using, you could also upgrade the fixtures themselves.  Both of these options are relatively inexpensive and doesn’t require much in the way of effort, either.

• Under-Cabinet Lighting: Illuminates workspaces and adds ambiance.
• Pendant Lights: Stylish and functional, they work well over islands or dining areas.
• Recessed Lighting: Provides overall illumination without taking up space.

You have to decide what overall purpose your lighting upgrade is going to serve.  For instance, if you’re going for a softer ambient lighting, but still require enough lighting for overhead tasks, you need to look at getting fixtures which perform several of these sorts of functions at once.  Where pendant lighting might be ideal for softer, ambient lighting for when you have guests, you might require brighter lighting for when you’re working on a variety of tasks.

9. Upgrade Countertops

Upgrading your kitchen countertops can have several benefits, both practical and aesthetic. ew countertops can significantly update the look of your kitchen, making it appear more modern and stylish. Kitchen upgrades, including new countertops, can increase your home’s resale value. Potential buyers often look for updated kitchens. A warm, wooden butcher block countertop can add a rustic or farmhouse feel. High-quality countertops like granite, quartz, or marble are attractive features that can make your home more appealing on the market.

10. Kitchen Island and/or Breakfast Bar

Adding islands and breakfast bars to your kitchen can offer a variety of benefits that enhance both functionality and aesthetics. It is a great way to improve kitchen design and can be a beautiful focal point.

Additional Prep Area: Islands provide extra counter space for food preparation, which is especially useful in busy kitchens or during large meal preparations.

Extra Cabinets and Drawers: Many kitchen islands come with built-in storage options, including cabinets, drawers, and shelves, helping you keep your kitchen essentials organized and easily accessible.

Casual Dining: Breakfast bars provide a convenient spot for casual dining, making it easy to grab a quick meal or snack without setting the table.

A well-designed island can help improve the flow of traffic in your kitchen, making it easier to move between cooking, prep, and cleaning areas. In larger kitchens, an island can help fill empty space, making the kitchen feel more balanced and cohesive. In smaller kitchens, they can increase your work and storage space.

Which Of These Kitchen Update Ideas Is Your Favorite?

If you’re updating to create your dream modern family kitchen, then these small changes should go a long way to make the space feel perfect.

If you’re updating the kitchen because you’re selling or are having trouble selling the house, it could be just what you need to turn around the sale. A dated kitchen may be the reason why your home isn’t selling, so you’ve come to the right place.

In reality, there are many ways of updating a kitchen without spending a lot of money.  You could decide you’re going to paint, upgrade your fixtures, set up some storage boxes in order to make your kitchen more efficient, or work with accent pieces throughout your kitchen in order to brighten things up.  Whatever you decide to do, there is certainly a wealth of possibilities you could dream up to make your kitchen the modern, unifying place in your household for a small sum of money.

These simple kitchen update ideas will make a huge difference in transforming your kitchen, and we can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with! What are some of the things that you use for inspiration when designing your dream home? Tag us in your kitchen updates @familyfocusblog.

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