Some kitchens simply don’t stand the test of time. From old Formica countertops to cheap cabinets to rusted appliances, it always seems like there’s another fix to handle. However, if you’re not looking to spend major money on premium features or you’re busy fixing up your bathroom, there are still ways to update a basic kitchen with some of the essentials without breaking the bank.
You’ll want durability, features that can improve your home’s resale value, and the right price for installers. To update your kitchen on a budget, you should consider some of the following tips.
Fresh Paint
You’d be surprised how much a new paint job can do to update your kitchen’s style. Whether you’re painting over drawers or you’re looking for that perfect accent wall, a fresh coat of color can revitalize an outdated space. Plus, you can find all the colors, hues, and shades you’re craving without ever stepping foot in the Home Depot.
Sites like www.paintloose.com sell art supplies and showcase DIY projects that can give you the inspiration for a true kitchen makeover. If you didn’t know, you can even repaint some appliances as well as solid wood to help give your home a modern look. Bonus: If you’re looking for new artwork, PaintLoose has that too! From acrylics to pastels to unique “I love you” fridge magnets, PaintLoose has a little bit of something for everyone, no matter their interior style.
Before you get to painting, you need to know what kind of supplies you’ll need. For instance, if you’re going to stain your kitchen cabinets to freshen your kitchen design, standard brushes won’t do. Instead, you’re going to want foam brushes that can hold in the stain more effectively and keep it from dripping onto other surfaces. While you won’t need a paint shaker, you’ll still want to make sure that you mix your paints well before you get to work. Otherwise, you could end up with patchy brushstrokes and uneven colors.
New Cabinets
Many fixer-upper homes need a bit of TLC when it comes to their cabinet style. Older houses tend to rely on cabinets that creak, wobble, and use older wood that doesn’t hold up. Of course, for many homeowners, wood cabinets are the de facto standard. So, if you want new kitchen cabinets, what do you do? Again, ditch Home Depot.
Many hardware and home improvement stores sell stock cabinets that won’t capture the true style of your home. While there’s nothing truly wrong with stock kitchen cabinets, they always look a little cookie-cutter and are often made of plywood. Solid wood, on the other hand, is much more durable.
If you don’t want to shell out for custom cabinets, though, what do you do? Whether you’re looking for standard kitchen cabinets, wall cabinets, or base cabinets, you don’t have to compromise. Instead, choose semi-custom cabinets. These cabinets allow you to slightly tinker with the design of some “stock cabinets” so you can personalize them to fit your home like a glove.
If you like the kitchen cabinets you choose, you can even consider extending the design to your bathrooms so there is continuity throughout your house. On top of this, instead of paying for premium features, you can repurpose old hardware and handles if they are in solid shape. Custom cabinets do look great, but they’re often not cost-effective, especially if you want solid wood of a certain hue or shade.
Odds and Ends
Beyond cabinets and paint jobs, you can consider some smaller, yet noticeable fixes. From adding contact paper to drawers to installing a new, affordable oven hood, you can get all of the chic stylings that you want without the large expenses. Refreshing your kitchen can breathe new life into your whole house. After all, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Don’t break the bank, though. By making smart purchases, you can get the modern kitchen of your dreams without emptying your wallet.
