5 Affordable Kitchen Improvement Ideas

The kitchen is a lot more than just a place to make food. It is considered the heart of every home because it is a center of activity for your family and also a place of essential conversations and social gatherings. As the purpose of the kitchen broadened, so did its way of design and decor. According to research that studied home renovations in the U.S. happening in 2018 and 2019, kitchens have now turned into the most popular and the most expensive room to renovate. It makes sense because when you think of updating your home, the kitchen is usually the first thing that pops into mind. Not only does a remodeled kitchen change the look of your interior, but it also boosts the value of your house. Let’s not forget an essential thing it does, gives you peace of mind! But does it have to be that expensive?

Experts say that, on average, kitchen renovations would cost around $20,000-$50,000 depending on how much you’re updating. Don’t let your heart sink as you read the statistics, because we are going to give you hope. With a little guidance and a splash of creativity, you can renovate your kitchen for a few thousand bucks. Updating appliances are usually pricey, but not everything needs to be replaced. Knowing exactly what to prioritize can help you save some dollars and give your kitchen that new, refreshing look. Get affordable kitchen equipment in Dubai through UAE Ekuep.

Here are five things you need to focus on to upgrade your kitchen on a budget.

1. Paint The Cabinets

Getting new cabinets is, hands down, the most expensive renovation in the kitchen. Years of cooking can accumulate grease, grime, and dust on your cabinets and make them look dull and dirty. If you’re on a budget and your cabinets are in generally good shape, consider giving them a new look rather than replacing altogether. Just a fresh coat of paint will not only make the kitchen look new, but will also let you change the color scheme of the entire kitchen. Just head to your local home improvement store and get a few gallons of paint and some brushes.

Getting your cabinets painted professionally is like giving your kitchen a facelift without having to invest in carpentry. Get a local painter if you can. Otherwise, you can do it yourself too. All you need is some youtube tutorials, a few gallons of paint, brushes, and a tiny bit of elbow grease.

Experts say that refacing laminate cabinets, on average, cost around $1,000 to $3,000 while refacing wood cabinets can cost up to $7,000 to $9,000. In contrast, the approximate range to paint cabinets is only about $382 to $1,064. Expenses may increase if your cabinets have hard stains.

Many interior designers recommend doing bright white on cabinets because it makes the kitchen look more brilliant. Whatever color you go for, remember to follow these steps:

• Thoroughly wash, clean, and remove stains from each surface.
• Fill in with wood putty where there are nicks or holes.
• Sand the putty-applied surfaces well before you paint.
• Let the paint dry completely.

2. Brighten Up By Adding Lights

Adding more light to your kitchen doesn’t only make it brighter but also gives the psychological effect of it being more luxurious, cheerful, open, and welcoming to work. There was a time when big chandeliers were in, but now homeowners are resorting to more additional lights in their kitchen.

An excellent decorative light can upgrade your kitchen’s look and cost you around $30 to $90. Make sure you add extra lights to areas where you cook. You can include a statement floor lamp too.

For a cozier, romantic look consider installing under-cabinet lights, they’re really in! It can be done in almost any kind of cabinets. Not only will this make your countertops look brighter and shinier, but it also illuminates the working areas. Under-cabinet lighting is usually hardwired behind the wall, but you can buy a model that can be plugged-in in the nearest receptacle outlet. Just be careful while installing fixtures, or get a handyman to do it for you. 

3. Work On The Backsplash

Backsplashes are getting popular with every year passing by. Instead of changing the color of your whole kitchen, updating with a backsplash will not only cut costs but also give a luxurious look. The functional value of a backsplash is protection from splashes, cooking stains, and grease. Backsplashes can extend from the counter to the underside of the cabinets. A luxury kitchen might have it continued around the sink window and on other walls too. If you have a rather dull theme going on in your kitchen, a pop of color from the backsplash will not only add some excitement but also take away attention from old and worn-out appliances.

While there are expensive options in backsplashes too, cheaper alternatives like porcelain, pegboards, ceramic, glass, vinyl, or wood also look pretty good. You can go for either tile, stick-on, or chalkboard paint. Experts say the total cost of installing a backsplash can go on to something between $592 for 20 sq ft. of ceramic tile to $1,240 for 40 sq ft. of stone. You can further cut costs by installing it yourself. According to Consumer Reports, a tile backsplash if installed DIY can cost around $3 to $5 per sq ft. It’s not very challenging to do on your own if you’re installing over a previously uncovered wall, or replacing a backsplash that was established over drywall. But if you have to remove the old backsplash from a plaster wall, it’s better if you ask a professional to do it for you.

Here are some expert tips that can be useful for DIY backsplash installation:

• Use small tiles mounted on a 12″ X 12″ mesh. It will make the installation process less complicated.
• Make sure you revamp the height and width to adapt to switches and other power outlets.
• All the tiles you use should be of the same thickness.
• Avoid getting rough-surfaced backsplashes, because they can be tough to clean, especially behind the stove.

4. Replace Hardware

Little things like cabinet handles and drawer pulls can have a significant impact on your kitchen’s look. While it may seem insignificant, replacing hardware adds a lot of personality to your kitchen, all the while giving the illusion of new cabinets.

Getting new knobs can cost you around $2 to $20 apiece, and if you have about 40 knobs and drawer pulls, it is expected to cost you up to $80 and $800. Find a big box store to get affordable pricing. Don’t go for the cheapest option as this is bound to need replacement in a year or two. Look for more substantial opportunities, because a lighter knob is usually hollow in the middle or might have been made with a cheap metal inside.

For easy installation, get knobs or pulls with bigger screws than your last ones as the existing screw hole will have worn and become more extensive, which is why you’ll need bigger screws to get a good grip on the wood.

5. Decor

Once you’re done with everything else, now’s the time to add some personal touches and reflect your personality and style in the kitchen. Get rid of worn-out rugs, dull curtains, and any old stuff that doesn’t go with your new kitchen anymore. Get inspirations from magazines, and decorate with artistically arranged glasses, plates, and stools. Put in some new flowers, houseplants, and other decorative items. You can change the outlook of your kitchen without having to spend a lot just by adding some decor here and there.