DIY Budget Kitchen Makeover Ideas

Todd Runyonn

Is your kitchen looking as though it could use a little love? As one of the most frequently used rooms in the home, your kitchen will inevitably suffer a lot of wear and tear over the years. The prices of brand-new fitted units and appliances can amount to a shocking sum, but you don’t necessarily have to fork out a fortune to breathe new life back into your kitchen. Here are some simple DIY makeover ideas to have your kitchen looking fresh and up-to-date.

Lick Of Paint

The most obvious way to refresh any room in your home is to give it a lick of paint. Don’t be scared to go bold with your colour palette. Consider the atmosphere you want to create. For a cosy, inviting environment, opt for warm, earthy tones like soft beige or olive green. For something with more punch and drama, choose teal blue or eggplant purple. If you don’t feel up to painting your walls, you could always paint your cabinets for a pop of colour.

Get Tiling

Creating a statement backsplash can add a tonne of personality to your kitchen. It may sound daunting, but tiling isn’t as complicated as you might think. You can get all the necessary components at your local DIY store and follow along with an online tutorial. Alternatively, call in some help from a friend or family member with tiling experience.

Upcycle Furniture

Upcycling is a thrifty way to give old pieces of furniture a second chance. It also benefits the environment by helping to cut down on waste. Perhaps you have some old wooden dining chairs that are looking a little tired and dated - give them a makeover with some chalk paint and replace the upholstery fabric with something unique from your local haberdashery.

Replace Hardware

If you don’t want to replace your kitchen cabinets, you can give the illusion of brand-new units by replacing the hardware. Replacing your handles and knobs is a quick and easy project that won’t cost the world. You could opt for inexpensive plastic, mid-range hand-painted ceramic or go all out with durable polished brass.

Label Containers

Super easy and chic, adding labels to your containers is a great way to keep your kitchen functional. Purchase an embossing label maker and decant your rice, pasta and pulses into large mason jars, so you always know what’s available. The country cottage aesthetic of having ingredients on display will give your kitchen a lived-in, rustic feel. Having your ingredients labelled also minimises the risk of mistaking one thing for another. Salty coffee, anyone?

Add More Storage

Another way to up your kitchen’s practicality and keep clutter at bay is to increase your storage capacity. If you’re guilty of leaving items without homes, at loose on your countertops, and if you have the space, it might be time to invest in a new unit. Welsh dressers and oak sideboards offer ample storage and surface space, great for tea and coffee facilities or displaying crockery.

Vinyl Worktops

Replacing your worktops can be pricey. Instead, grab some self-adhesive vinyl from your local DIY store and wrap them to perfection. This simple and inexpensive project can transform the look of your kitchen in no time and gives you an element of creative control you wouldn’t have otherwise had by purchasing new kitchen cabinets.

Swap Your Taps

Over time, taps are prone to becoming leaky and damaged by sediment build-up, making your sink area look grimy even after a good scrub. Replacing them can give your sink a new lease of life without replacing the entire thing. This project may require a bit of basic plumbing know-how, but perhaps you know somebody that could help you out.

Window Ledge Herbs

Having houseplants dotted around your home is a guaranteed way to enrich your living space. Adding a splash of greenery to your cooking area will help to purify the air and boost your mood. You could go one step further and include some functional houseplants - namely, potted herbs. Mint, oregano, basil, chives and parsley all thrive particularly well indoors. You don’t need to stop at herbs - consider including a chilli plant, microgreens or aloe vera.