How to nail a kitchen makeover on a budget

Of all the rooms in our homes, the kitchen bears the brunt of our daily rituals. It’s a thoroughfare in the mornings, occasionally doubles as an office, and can feel like feeding time at the zoo in the evenings. So, it only seems fair that we give it a little love now and again. That said, whilst a kitchen makeover can be the most dramatic of interior transformations—it can also be the most expensive. You might be wondering: how can I update my kitchen without replacing it? Well, in the interest of not blowing the entire decor budget on one room, we’re sharing some of our experts’ top tips on how to nail a kitchen makeover on a budget.

Paint kitchen cabinets

Much cheaper than a full kitchen remodel and very effective, we always recommend using eggshell paint when painting your kitchen cabinets, as it can withstand whatever life throws at it. Find the best kitchen paint colour for you, learn some insider tips on how to paint your kitchen cupboards, and you’re off. Whether you’re going for a neutral look or all-out maximalism, painting your kitchen cabinets will inevitably transform your space. 

Paint the island in your kitchen

Painting your kitchen island in a different colour to the rest of your cabinets is a good way to create contrast. Great if you're after a bit of visual interest, whatever your kitchen decor style. If, for example, you're going for a Japandi style kitchen, you could create contrast by painting your cabinets in a soft white paint and your kitchen island in a deep black. Alternatively, take some paint to your kitchen cabinets in Green 04 or Blue 11 and white to your island to really make a statement.

Paint or upcycle existing furniture

Unless you're going for a completely sleek look in your kitchen, upcycling existing furniture is a financially and environmentally sound way to revamp things. 'Mix and match' chairs no longer mean families squeezed around the dining table during holiday celebrations. Today, it's a design statement. Unsure where to start? Take a look at our guide to upcycling furniture or these colourful room ideas.

Create a feature wall

A feature wall is a great way to define your dining space and make a design statement. And, with many of us opting for open-plan living, today, our kitchen is also our dining room. Using less paint than an entire kitchen paint job, creating a feature wall is not only the perfect excuse to use up leftover paint, but it's guaranteed to spruce things up within a budget. Kitchens don't only have to be about paint, however. Not only is our wallpaper FSC® certified, it's high quality, durable, and most importantly, wipeable.

Update your cabinet handles and knobs

Simply replacing dated door knobs with sleek kitchen handles is a quick and easy way to give your kitchen the mini makeover it needs, especially if you're going for a minimalist kitchen. If you've got light kitchen cabinets, adding dark handles or vice versa is another way to create contrast and visual interest. Keep things calm and minimal with these 6 neutral kitchen ideas.

Opt for open shelving

If there's one kitchen trend that shows no sign of slowing down, it's open shelving. Whether you're removing doors completely from existing cabinets or adding open shelving to your kitchen walls, however, you style open shelving in your kitchen, it will give the space a totally transformed look. From Scandi kitchen style to creating a cohesive look in an open plan kitchen, open shelving is the way to go. Display your favourite ceramics, glassware, and indoor plants whilst making sure your spices and cookbooks are easily accessible.

Change up your lighting

The right lighting is essential in any room. But, in the kitchen, in what can sometimes be quite a stark space, something as simple as changing your lights to a warmer bulb can work wonders—especially if you've got spotlights or your kitchen doesn't get much natural light. Adding pendant lights above a kitchen island or above your dining table is an instant way to change the look of your room, or you could even add your favourite lamp to an open shelving display. Perfect in a cosy farmhouse-style kitchen.

Update your splashback and countertops 

A new splashback or countertop is a great way to add personality and texture to a kitchen, without committing to a whole new scheme. Marble can be on the pricier side, but these days you can get vinyl alternatives that look just like it, at a slash of the price.

Update your kitchen appliances

A great way to smarten up your kitchen is through your appliances. By updating and matching your appliances, you create a cohesive look in your kitchen. A toaster, kettle, and coffee maker in the same style, for example, can tie a colour scheme together and give what are usually practical, industrial devices a softened aesthetic appeal.

Add texture

Kitchens can run the risk of feeling cold and sterile, mainly due to the materials used in them. You see a lot of stone, steel, laminate, and plastic. A great way to counter this is by adding texture through rugs, kitchen cloths, curtains, and your soft furnishings. Textured materials will soften the space and break up the sleek, shiny surfaces elsewhere, giving the room a cosy, lived-in feel.

Looking for some inspiration? Check out the best kitchen colour schemes, or take a look at our complete guide on how to paint kitchen cupboards, doors and units. The hardest part is getting started, but we promise you won’t be disappointed with the results.