Skip to Content

7 Inexpensive Ways to Update Your Kitchen Without Remodeling

If you are looking for simple and inexpensive ways to update your kitchen without remodeling, then you are in the right place.

Your kitchen is normally the hub of activity in your home. It is also one of two rooms in your home that can add to or detract from your home’s overall value. So refreshing and updating the look of your kitchen every few years is almost a necessity.

However, remodeling a kitchen is extremely expensive and normally costs thousands of dollars making updating your kitchen every few years unrealistic.

You need to find some inexpensive ways to update your kitchen without breaking the budget. These simple tips can help!

A kitchen with text inexpensive ways to update your kitchen without remodeling

Plan Ahead Before Updating Your kitchen

Before tackling the job of updating your kitchen you should go through your kitchen with an objective eye and see what areas really need to be updated and which areas need less work or none at all.

By noting what areas of your kitchen need to be updated you can concentrate your limited budget on those areas.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to renovate your entire kitchen to give it a modern update and make it more beautiful and even more functional.

Taking the time to plan ahead a few months in advance will allow you to put away a little money each week or month to purchase the materials you will need.

It will also help you to decide which updates you can do on your own and which ones may be better left to a professional.

Here are some easy to achieve and cheap ways to update a kitchen without having to remodel your kitchen.

7 Affordable Ways to Upgrade Your Kitchen Without Remodeling

#1. A Fresh Coat of Paint Does Wonders

There is nothing that gives any room a fresh and new look faster and more inexpensively than a fresh coat of paint. If you want to update your kitchen for very little money then give your kitchen some fresh new paint. You can paint the walls, cabinetry or both.

You can keep your kitchen the same color as it is or choose a new modern color when updating your kitchen. Of course, you can always go white as a white kitchen always looks brighter and larger. Make sure that you choose a paint that is easy to clean.

If you paint your kitchen cabinets as well as the walls you can either paint the cabinets the same color as the walls or another color that compliments the colors in the wall.

#2. Change Your Kitchen Cabinet Door To Make Those Cabinets Look New and Different

There are a few ways that can make those kitchen cabinets look new and different while staying well within your budget.

Here are a few suggestions that you may want to consider to turn those old kitchen cabinets to newer looking cabinets (while you are applying that new coat of paint.

  • You can simply remove the door on any top cabinets that are at the end of a run of cabinets to make some empty dish shelving and modernize your kitchen.
  • Remove the center insert of your kitchen door (if your door has an insert) and substitute perforated metal, glass or wire mesh for the wooden insert to update the look of your kitchen cabinets.
  • If you don’t want to remove your kitchen doors why not get a nice looking stencil and stencil your kitchen cabinet doors. This is a great way to customize your kitchen while updating it.
  • Replace the old hardware with new hardware.

You will want to look around before replacing all of the hardware in your cabinetry, check prices because the cost of hardware can quickly add up to more than you might think.

AmazonBasics Euro Bar Cabinet Handle Pull, 1/2 Inch Diameter, 5.38 Inch Length, 3 Inch Hole Center, Satin Nickel, 25-PackAmazonBasics Euro Bar Cabinet Handle Pull, 1/2 Inch Diameter, 5.38 Inch Length, 3 Inch Hole Center, Satin Nickel, 25-PackAmazonBasics Euro Bar Cabinet Handle Pull, 1/2 Inch Diameter, 5.38 Inch Length, 3 Inch Hole Center, Satin Nickel, 25-Pack

#3. Add A Couple of Floating Shelves

You can add a couple of floating shelves to hold your colorful crockery or your collection of antique teapots or cups. This will not only free up some of the space in your kitchen cabinets, but will also add charm to overall kitchen décor.

Rustic Farmhouse 3 Tier Floating Wood Shelf - Floating Wall Shelves (Set of 3), Hardware and Fasteners IncludedRustic Farmhouse 3 Tier Floating Wood Shelf – Floating Wall Shelves (Set of 3), Hardware and Fasteners IncludedRustic Farmhouse 3 Tier Floating Wood Shelf - Floating Wall Shelves (Set of 3), Hardware and Fasteners IncludedBAYKA Floating Shelves Wall Mounted, Rustic Wood Wall Shelves Set of 3 for Bedroom, Bathroom, Living Room, KitchenBAYKA Floating Shelves Wall Mounted, Rustic Wood Wall Shelves Set of 3 for Bedroom, Bathroom, Living Room, KitchenBAYKA Floating Shelves Wall Mounted, Rustic Wood Wall Shelves Set of 3 for Bedroom, Bathroom, Living Room, Kitchen

#4. Update Your Kitchen Lighting

Another great way to update your kitchen décor is by updating old kitchen lighting fixtures for newer ones. You can add under cabinet lighting to the food preparation area.

PANGTON VILLA Under Cabinet Lighting RF Wireless Remote Timing Function, 13ft White LED Strip 6000K Flexible Full kit, DIY Kitchen, CupboardPANGTON VILLA Under Cabinet Lighting RF Wireless Remote Timing Function, 13ft White LED Strip 6000K Flexible Full kit, DIY Kitchen, CupboardPANGTON VILLA Under Cabinet Lighting RF Wireless Remote Timing Function, 13ft White LED Strip 6000K Flexible Full kit, DIY Kitchen, Cupboard

You can also change that old style overhead light over your kitchen island or breakfast nook for a new modern pendant light or try adding a couple of wall sconces if appropriate.

BEIRIO C04 1 Lights Pendant Lighting for Kitchen Island, 13BEIRIO C04 1 Lights Pendant Lighting for Kitchen Island, 13BEIRIO C04 1 Lights Pendant Lighting for Kitchen Island, 13Progress Lighting P500041-020 Briarwood One-Light Mini-Pendant, Antique BronzeProgress Lighting P500041-020 Briarwood One-Light Mini-Pendant, Antique BronzeProgress Lighting P500041-020 Briarwood One-Light Mini-Pendant, Antique Bronze

#5. Add An Accent Rug

If your kitchen could use a little color add an accent rug that will add some color to kitchen flooring. Not only will an accent rug a little color it will also add a bit of texture as well. This is definitely a great idea for anyone looking for how to update a kitchen without spending a lot of money.

Ottomanson otto Home Collection Runner Rug, 20Ottomanson otto Home Collection Runner Rug, 20Ottomanson otto Home Collection Runner Rug, 20

#6. Get Creative

Do you need to add a small kitchen table or cabinet to your kitchen to make it more convenient to use or have more space to store items? If so why not get a little inventive.

You can easily pick up a small dresser for just a couple of dollars, paint it to match your kitchen cabinets and use it to store items such as your dishcloths, linens, flatware and other items while at the same time adding a bit of charm to your kitchen décor.

A small table can also be picked up for a few dollars and used to turn a corner of your kitchen into a cute little breakfast area.

When you pick up used pieces you can make them look new with just a little sanding and some fresh paint while updating your kitchen’s usefulness.

#7. Splurge on One Expensive Item

When you first start thinking about updating your kitchen, start saving to splurge on one more expensive item such as having that wood floor refinished, or new flooring or a new countertop.

Spending the money for one fairly expensive kitchen update will make all of those inexpensive updates look even more spectacular.

Final Thoughts!

By finding inexpensive ways to update your kitchen decor you can have a new little kitchen while saving thousands of dollars on your expensive kitchen remodel.

Best of all you can do most of the work yourself while creating a decor you can be extremely proud of.

Related Home Decor Articles:

inexpensive kitchen updates

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.