If you’re looking to refresh or renovate your kitchen, you might find yourself a bit overwhelmed by budget concerns. Countertops, cupboards, and appliances can all be incredibly expensive to update or replace, and those big purchases are some of the first things that come to mind when you’re looking to renovate your kitchen. Improving your kitchen doesn’t have to break the bank, however; in fact, you’ll be surprised at how much of a difference just a few simple, inexpensive changes can make. Here are the top 5 inexpensive kitchen improvements you should look into if you’re hoping to refresh the heart of your home.
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1: Updated Lighting
Lighting has a huge effect on both the style and practicality of your kitchen. Updating your existing lighting fixtures or adding new ones can update your kitchen in one fell swoop, make your kitchen look less dirty, and be surprisingly inexpensive as well. There are a massive number of modern light fixtures that are budget or mid-range and therefore won’t break the bank. A few ideas for updating your lighting includes adding lighting over your kitchen island, adding lighting under your cabinets, and replacing old ceiling lights with more modern pendant lighting that will also give off more light due to superior positioning.
2: Add a Backsplash
If you don’t want to commit to the expense or time involved in painting your entire kitchen, adding a backsplash to one wall can add a visual center to your kitchen and refresh it with a modern touch. Backsplashes can be made out of tile, paint, or wood panels, and they add a modern twist to even the most outdated kitchen. TIle backsplashes can even make the area around your stove easier to clean. If you have a small amount of space but want to make a big impact, patterned tiles or bright, unconventional paint colors are a great way to make your kitchen attractive and unique.
3: Update Your Windows
Another simple update that makes a big impact is updating the style of your window blinds and curtains in your kitchen. The blinds in your kitchen are especially prone to becoming discolored due to the smoke and grease that comes with the territory of cooking, and replacing discolored blinds is one way to instantly refresh your entire kitchen, making it look cleaner and newer even if you don’t make any other modifications. Heavy or dark-colored curtains can make your kitchen look dark and cramped, so replace old, heavy curtains with light, airy ones that will make your space look larger and brighter.
4: Update Kitchen Hardware
Cabinet handles, knobs, and faucets are all prone to becoming outdated, and they can sometimes be used to pinpoint exactly when your kitchen was last updated. They are also some of the easiest and least expensive items in your kitchen to replace and update, not to mention that cabinet hardware in particular is a simple DIY project for even the least experienced person. Whether you go for a chrome look that matches your appliances or for something more quirky, updating your kitchen hardware is a great way to make a subtle but impactful change in your kitchen.
5: Use Decor Decorously
Sometimes the biggest change to your kitchen doesn’t require paint, tile, or hardware at all. If you’re looking for simple changes with big impacts, look no further than changing around your kitchen’s decor. Obviously this is an option that can work for all budgets, with thrifting and Buy Nothing groups having the potential to make this an incredibly inexpensive option for updating your kitchen. A new piece of art, rack, intriguingly designed plate, or copper or cast iron pan on display can make a big impact in a relatively small area such as most kitchens. Look for pieces that speak to you, and you’ll be on your way to improving your cooking space without breaking the bank.
