When you find yourself with time on your hands, sometimes thoughts of renovating or updating your home can creep in. What do you do when you don't have the budget for a significant overhaul of a bathroom or kitchen? You get creative and do it yourself!
Your kitchen is more than just a place to store your food. It's also a place to spend time with others over coffee or a meal. Kitchen updates are among the most popular home upgrades, but they're also some of the priciest renovations to make—if you're thinking big.
You don't need to spend thousands of dollars on a renovation when you choose some of these DIY kitchen updates!
1. Floating Shelves
If you need more storage space, but you don't have the floor space to accommodate an additional storage cart, think "up!" Wall space is an opportunity to create more storage and accomplish a design update all in one step.
Floating shelves give you the flexibility to place them anywhere you have wall space. Create a symmetrical design by measuring and placing shelves spaced evenly apart and next to each other. Or add some creativity to your space and set your shelves at odd intervals.
Make sure you choose shelves that can handle the weight of the items you store on each shelf. If you plan to use shelves for dishes or heavy items, anchor them securely into the wall.
For taller items, allow plenty of space above and below the shelf to place them safely.
2. Under Cabinet Lighting
Have you noticed how dark it is underneath your cabinets? If you haven't, you're probably going to check on it right now.
Brightening the space underneath your cabinets is a simple DIY update that can make your cabinets and counter space look more high-end without spending the money on new cabinets.
If you're handy enough, you can find under cabinet wired lighting that can patch into your existing light switches. However, if you prefer to spend less money and not deal with your home's electrical wiring, you'll find plenty of options for under-cabinet lighting doesn't require wiring or an electrician for installation.
Choose push-button LED lights that you can place with even spacing underneath your cabinets. Low-end lights will stick underneath the bottom of your cabinets while spending slightly more can get you a set of lights that screw in place.
These lights operate on batteries making them easy to maintain after prolonged use. Use your new lights to help you see ingredient labels, read recipes, or to add a brighter touch to your kitchen simply!
If you love under cabinet lighting, take it a step further! LED faucet lighting is an excellent way to add more glow to your kitchen.
3. New Drawer Pulls
Replacing your drawer and cabinet pulls is a quick way to update the look of your cabinets and drawers. It's like having a whole new set of cabinets without replacing any of them!
These pieces of hardware are easy to install. All you need is a complete set of your favorite new pulls and a screwdriver! Remove the old pulls with the screwdriver, then install your new set.
Shop online at your favorite home improvement store to find new drawer pulls that suit your style. You'll find everything from brushed metals to shiny metals or colorful knobs and latches.
Make sure your new pulls fit your current cabinets. While most of these pieces come in standard sizes, it's a good idea to order a few pieces, test them in your drawers, then order the rest of your set when you see that they fit perfectly on your cabinets and drawers.
4. Fresh Paint
If new drawer pulls don't spruce up your cabinets and drawers enough, it might be time for a fresh coat of paint, too. Sometimes removing the cabinet handles or knobs can cause you to take a closer look at the paint and notice how it's faded or cracked.
You can have a new set of cabinets without the expense of buying new cabinetry or a contractor to demo your existing cabinets and install new ones. All you need is a few cans of your favorite paint color, sanding materials, brushes, rollers, and the time and patience to repaint your cabinets.
Depending on the type of paint you use, you might need to sand away the old layers of paint before applying a new coat. For a quality look to your cabinets, it's worth the time to remove the old paint properly, prep your cabinets and cabinet doors, then apply the new paint.
Choose a color that compliments your new drawer and cabinet pulls, and make sure it's a quality paint with the right finish to withstand everyday kitchen activity. Keep longevity in mind! The right paint color is timeless and won't require another update in a year or two.
5. New Sink and Faucet
You don't have to be a plumber or hire a plumber to replace your kitchen sink and faucet. A Google search can help you understand how to connect water hoses to your new faucet and how to install a sink!
If your old ceramic sink doesn't fit with your new cabinet colors, or When choosing your new kitchen sink, make sure to take good measurements! Keeping an installation simple means buying a new sink that fits neatly into the space left by your old sink.
Also, take note of where your hot and cold water connectors come from the wall to attach to your new faucet. You'll save yourself some time and headache if your new sink and faucet don't require reworking the location of your under-sink pipes or hose connections.
When removing your old sink, be careful to protect your countertops. Smashing an old ceramic sink might be the most fun (and simple) way to remove it, but try to avoid damage to countertops and the pipes under your sink in the process!
6. A New Backsplash
Many home improvement stores offer a variety of backsplash options with the DIY home renovator in mind. You can update the look of the area behind your sink or range top with peel-and-stick backsplash options that look nice and make installation easy!
Add a pop of color with a fun multi- or single-color backsplash. Choose from tiles, metals, or different patterns that you can easily install over the weekend.
Make sure you use the right adhesives that can hold up to moisture or heat. Give your new backsplash ample time to cure before getting it wet or turning up the heat on your stovetop.
7. New Countertops
Installing new countertops can sound like a labor-intensive task. Still, plenty of DIYers replace countertops—or recover existing countertops—without breaking the bank or creating a bigger project than it needs to be.
If you're on a budget, there's no need to spend the money on new granite or quartz countertops. There are plenty of cost-effective surface options to update your countertops without expensive materials or a contractor.
Soapstone is an inexpensive countertop material that makes a significant impact when changing the look of your kitchen. If you don't have the budget or desire to replace countertops, consider applying a layer of concrete or buy a DIY countertop kit. These kits include paint and sealer to update the surface of your counters!
8. New Light Fixtures
Replacing your lighting is easier than you think! Recessed lighting and other types of fixtures could be out of date or no longer match other updates you've made in your kitchen.
Before removing old fixtures, cut the power to your kitchen from your breaker box. Clean, simple fixtures work well with almost any decor and will stay on-trend for the long haul.
9. Cork Flooring
You don't have to tear up your old kitchen floor to update your flooring! Adding a layer of rolled cork or cork tiles can quickly hide your old flooring pattern and provide a comfortable, water-resistant, and eco-friendly new look to your kitchen floor.
Cork flooring is just one of many simple DIY flooring options. Choose a material that updates your kitchen design and can hold up to heavy kitchen traffic and regular cleaning.
10. Add Molding
Change your plain, flat kitchen walls into something with more character! Adding floorboards, crown molding, or a chair rail can create texture in your kitchen decor.
Keep it simple with clean patterns. Avoid making the room too busy by choosing one place for molding—floor, ceiling, or chair rail—not all three!
DIY Kitchen Updates Make a Big Difference
You don't have to spend a lot on DIY kitchen updates to make a big difference in your decor! If you've been dreaming of a new kitchen, but you haven't had the time or money for renovations, try some of these simple, inexpensive ideas to create your dream kitchen.
After you finish your kitchen updates, be sure to check out our blog for more Kitchen Craze ideas!
