How to update your kitchen on a small budget

Maggie Roth - January 13, Updating Your Kitchen with a Small Budget If you are handy, you can make impactful updates to your kitchen yourself on a small budget. Updating Your Kitchen with an Open Budget If you're lucky enough to spend as much money as you want on updating your kitchen, you can create the kitchen of your dreams.

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A Beautiful Mess. Decorate your kitchen floor with a custom rug. The fabric will provide you a soft spot to stand on when you do the dishes. You'll need a sewing machine for this project.

Sugar And Cloth. Take your pizza out of the box or the oven and serve it on a decorative stand that will keep it within easy reach at the center of your kitchen table. Metal spray paint is the key material. Sarah Hearts. For Taco Tuesday, impress your family by serving ready-made tacos arranged in a beautiful display.

Place it in the center of your table, making them easy to grab from this smart DIY taco stand. A Kailo Chic Life. From serving juice to cocktails, these fun DIY brushstroke glasses are a great addition to your kitchen. Hint: This is not done with paint. Organize your pantry with labeled glass jars, so you can easily see when you are running low of essential pantry items, such as cocoa, chia seeds , or rice. Use paint pens in all different colors to jazz up your shelves.

This weekend craft yourself a new gorgeous set of wood salt and pepper shakers. If you love working with wood, you'll have fun using wood dowels for this project. Idle Hands Awake. Do you lack enough storage space in your kitchen? One easy solution is to build a kitchen storage cart for small appliances and dishes, so you can keep your extra kitchen items hidden until you need them. Craft yourself a lovely hickory cutting board, perfect for cutting up fresh fruit or vegetables.

One end is painted with special food-safe paint. Squirrelly Minds. Keep your paper towels within easy reach by hanging it on a copper pipe towel holder that you can install under your kitchen cabinets without taking up any additional counter space. Instead of running to the grocery store every time you need fresh herbs, grow all your favorites in a vertical herb garden that you can DIY.

Keep your clothes clean while you bake with this adorable DIY donut apron that is easy to make. Hang it up on a big, bold hook in your kitchen to show everyone who's the boss.

Serve up snacks for your next dinner party on a colorful acrylic serving board that everyone will be surprised to hear you made yourself. Any shape of your choice will do. Make And Tell. Update regular spoons with a little bit of paint to give them a chic gold handle.

These spoons are dip dyed in gold glass paint. Protect your kitchen counters or table with these quick-to-make cork placemats. This Ikea hack uses a stencil and white paint on the store's inexpensive placemats. Help your homemade cake look even more spectacular by raising it onto a pedestal with this modern DIY cake stand.

This base is made from a pencil holder, but you can be creative when recycling an item for a base. Lolly Jane. Decorate your kitchen with fun but affordable art by crafting a zinc "EAT" sign to hang on one of the walls in your kitchen. Painting wood letters achieves this otherwise costly look. Delia Creates. Subway tiles look perfect as a kitchen backsplash no matter your decorating style.

This weekend, update your kitchen by adding a subway tile backsplash with this superb DIY project. Say Yes. Brighten your bland wooden spoons by painting the handles in any colors you prefer. This super simple project makes a pretty house gift, as well. A New Bloom. Instead of the standard metal cabinet pulls you find in most retail stores, make your own set of wood cabinet pulls for a unique handmade touch in your kitchen.

Almost Makes Perfect. Serve snacks or appetizers on a high-end looking marble and wood serving platter that you can DIY. You can either cover the entire wall, or create a feature wall for a cheaper but equally stunning look. Make sure you choose wallpaper that is specially designed for the kitchen so it is heat and steam resistant. If the basic structure of your kitchen is in good condition, you can change the look of the room by simply replacing the handles. Right now, leather and brass are hot finishes.

Accessories will brighten your kitchen in an instant and you can choose a theme to bring the look together. Display selected items on open shelving and think about reorganising your worktop so you only have your favourites on show. If you have a dresser, this is the perfect place to show off neat stacks of crockery, cups and glassware. Even a change of tea towels can make an impact. The row of pendant lights in this U-shaped kitchen provide a welcome pop of colour and light up the breakfast bar area.

Ideally, you should have task lights, such as spotlights, over the worktops; halogen bulbs on the extractor; and overhead lighting with ambient light in a dining area. New appliances can refresh your kitchen without changing any of the furniture. There are plenty of kitchen appliance layout ideas that offer smart ways to smoothly incorporate appliances into your space. Freestanding appliances can be replaced more easily — and can make a real impact if you go for something brightly coloured, like this Smeg fridge.

There are a range of wall panelling ideas available to try out in your home. This on-trend design is a great way to give a kitchen a fresh, country look without breaking the bank — and, best of all, you can do it in a weekend.

Taps add distinctive character to a kitchen and you can change the feel of yours in a jiffy by adding a copper tap or one with white ceramic handles for a country look. A stainless steel design will create a contemporary feel or a distinctive black one will make a real statement. Integrating appliances can be a costly business but leaving them exposed sometimes means they can spoil the look of your kitchen. This softens the scheme by making sure unattractive machines or spaces without unit doors are disguised.

Scour charity shops, car boot sales, reclamation yards and even skips ask the homeowner first before you take anything. Old stools teamed with a row of stylish pendant lights can be used to create an edgy breakfast bar. Choose the best paint for furniture and find the right shade for the job. Vintage cookware adds charm to classic and country kitchens — antique shops, charity shops and eBay are great sources of a whole host of shabby chic decorating ideas.

Affordable pieces, such as a vintage dresser with glass doors or repurposed furniture, can be used to store and show off your favourite china, achieving a simple yet effective kitchen makeover.

Add playful personality to a scheme and introduce a retro vibe with eye-catching kitchen wall decor. For maximum effect, display against a cool white backdrop and bring in blasts of bold colour with pop art and signage in a palette of primary shades that can be picked out in your accessories. Vary the way artwork is displayed by hanging some on the wall and propping other pieces casually against it for an informal feel.

Soften the look by decorating with dried flowers and rustic baskets. Shed new light on a budget kitchen scheme by incorporating dramatic ceiling lights. If your heart is set on a material, then splurge. But to keep costs in line, choose the material in a way that will make a big impact for less. Take marble, for example. Use it on a small island instead of all counter surfaces. Or shop for a marble tile to use as a backsplash.

Flat-pack or ready-to-assemble cabinets reward homeowners who are willing to invest a little elbow grease with deep discounts. The cabinets come flat and unassembled.

Each box needs to be built before it can be hung. Surround a freestanding refrigerator with wood walls and a deep upper cabinet. Check fridge ventilation needs first. Consider replacing sinks, faucets, lighting, and appliances as part of a total makeover. If these elements are more than 10 years old, they're probably showing signs of wear and may not have some of the convenience, style, and operating features that today's products offer.

By acting as your own general contractor, you can save roughly 10 to 20 percent overall. If you are unskilled and have to choose between expensive materials and labor, choose the labor. A good craftsman can make even mundane materials look great.

If the budget is tight and you can do with less, install lower cabinets only for a significant cost savings. In place of upper cabinets, you can display art, hang a shelf or two, or create a focal wall. Talk to a professional designer about your dreams and budget. It just might be that hiring an architect, kitchen designer, or general contractor will help you get more kitchen for your money.