Give the cabinets a fresh coat of paint

Probably  the  first  thing  we  notice  in  every  kitchen is the cabinets.  If  you’ve  had  yours for ages but cannot afford to get new ones, you can always opt for some DIY and breathe new  life  into  them.  You  don’t  need  a  lot  for this project, especially  if  you  only plan on updating the fronts. First, you need to find a colour  and purchase the paint. If you plan on keeping  the rest of  the  kitchen  the  same, then make sure the   paint   color   will   go   well   with  your  current  kitchen aesthetic. 

Repaint your appliances

Just  like  you  can give your cabinets a fresh coat of paint, you can do the same for the appliances in your kitchen. Appliance paint  is  a  great  method  to  have  your  appliances match each other and the overall look of the kitchen. You should lightly sand  the  surface  and  protect  the areas you will not be painting with painter’s tape. Three to four coats of paint should do the trick and don’t forget to apply specialty appliance epoxy to have a smooth finish.

Be creative with the backsplash

If  you need a new backsplash, you have plenty of options at your disposal. Probably the priciest option here is tiles. But with such  a  wide  variety  of  tiles, you can create the backsplash of your dreams. Plus, the backsplash area is not that big so you will  not  be  spending a lot of money. On the other hand, you can mimic the look of tiles by painting a backsplash. Then, you can also go for stick-on metal, stainless-steel, or chalkboard paint to add visual appeal to your kitchen without much trouble.

Get new hardware

In  case  you  choose  to  revamp  the  cabinets and drawers with  a  new  shade,  you  should also consider changing the handles   and   pulls.   Some   colours   simply  don’t  go  well together  and  you  want  to show off your decorating ability. So,  look  online or at a local hardware shop and get a set of hardware  that  matches  the  kitchen’s  design.  Other  than pulls  and  handles,  you  can  also  change  the  faucets and other  hardware  around the kitchen so that it all goes nicely together.

Update the sink

Speaking of the faucet, you can do more for the sink than simply change the hardware. Just by sanding it down and getting a spray  can  of metal paint, you can refresh your sink for a small fraction of the price of a completely new one. However, if the existing  sink  is damaged, you should replace it to avoid further damage. The good news is that you don’t need a brand new one  either. You can find previously used ones online, in vintage shops, or flea markets, and install the replacement yourself.

Opt for new countertops

Kitchen  counters  are  used  every  day  and  they  see  a  lot  of  wear and tear. If the ones you currently have are stained or damaged,  you  might  be looking to up the visual appeal of the kitchen by upgrading them. Marble and some similar options might  take  a  big bite out of your wallet so try to be creative. For example, you can make a concrete or wood countertop for a  much  smaller  price. Just remember to seal them so that they don’t stain. You can find plenty of inspiration online and get countertops that make your kitchen seem brand new.

Make an island on your own

Replace the lightbulbs

A  small  but  useful  change in the kitchen is replacing all bulbs with LED ones. These come in a variety of colours so you can opt  for  bulbs  with  a  warm  or cool glow, or experiment a bit until you find those that suit you. What is more, LEDs use less power and will save you money in the long run.

Hang new light fixtures

While  you  are  replacing  the bulbs, you can see whether the light fixtures also need to be swapped out. If the current lights are  a  bit  outdated, a trendy update might be the way to go. You can look for affordable and previously used ceiling fixtures in  vintage  shops  or  at  garage  sales.  For  instance,  a  chandelier  or  a  few  pendant lights above the kitchen island could really  transform  the  space.  Then,  you  can  also  find  online deals that will make task lights a bargain and equip your work areas.

Swap out the outlets

If  you  don’t  have  enough  outlets  in the kitchen for all the appliances,  you  can  get an electrician to see what the least expensive  way  to  add  some more would be. On the other hand,  you  can  simply  change  the outlet covers. There are many   colourful   and   decorative  options  out  there  so  it should  be easy to give your kitchen a simple upgrade. From purchasing  chrome  and  bronze  ones   to   decorating  the existing  ones  with paint or decoupage, let your imagination run wild.

Create more storage

One  thing  that  probably every kitchen can benefit from is more storage. While expanding the cabinets and having them go all  the  way  up  to  the  ceiling is probably the best option, not everyone can afford that big of an upgrade. If that is the case with  you  as  well,  you  will have to get a bit creative. For example, you can transform an empty wall by installing some open shelving.  By  adding  only  a  few single shelves, you can get a lot of new space where you can put away the kitchenware you use  on  a  regular  basis.  You  can  also  get  some  trays  with wheels that you can move whenever and wherever you need.

Add a floor mat

Kitchens  are  often moist and slippery, which is why you should think about ways how you can prevent falls. One approach you can take  is  adding  a  nice  rug  to  the  space that will make it a bit more personal and cozy. A runner rug that fits in between elements will do just fine. Pick a colour that matches the overall style or a shade that will stand out a bit. On the other hand, you can also look into  kitchen floor mats  that  will prevent slips and fatigue during those days when you have to do meal prep. The great thing about mats is that they’re easily hosed down and cleaned.

Declutter

Finally,  sometimes,  decluttering  is  all that a room needs. If you  feel  overwhelmed every time you step into the kitchen, consider  getting  rid of some things that you don’t need. Go through  every drawer and every cabinet. Toss out the items that   are   damaged,   broken,  or  not  useful  and  organize everything  that is left so that it is easily accessed. Of course, all food that has expired needs to go as well.