Wanting to update your kitchen while keeping the costs down is one thing but knowing how to update an old kitchen on a budget is something else. Your kitchen is a central space of the house and is likely to be frequented by family, friends, guests and visitors of all kinds.
So knowing how to upgrade your kitchen without overestimating how far your allocated funds can stretch is the key. Before you get started taking the sledgehammer to your kitchen, check out our top ten pieces of advice for updating kitchens on a budget.
- Keep Your Existing Layout
An easy way to keep your kitchen upgrade costs under control is to refrain from extensive renovation in the form of changing your layout. When you start modifying the layout of your kitchen you start messing with the plumbing, electrical works and a whole lot more. By keeping the structure of your kitchen intact and the same you can focus on making your money go further by zeroing on the smaller things that still make a big difference.
- Hold On To Your Appliances
A lot of people who catch the renovation bug, start itching to replace everything in their kitchen on the inside and out. Before you start getting rid of the toaster, the sink and everything in between, consider using your budget on the smaller items that are going to last longer and have a greater aesthetic effect in your kitchen, such as the tap and finishings.
- Fittings and Powerpoints
The devil is in the details, and so is the best way to keep your kitchen upgrade costs down. Small changes to the seemingly insignificant aspects of your kitchen can work in tandem to create an overall amazing effect. Think brand new powerpoint covers, fresh switches for the light, covers for your windows and even some new fittings for your lights.
- Paint, Paint, Paint
No surprises here: painting is probably the most simple and popular way to cheaply update your kitchen. A fresh coast of paint can inject new life into even a worn kitchen space. Depending on your budget you can opt for just a bright change of colour palette for your window and door frames. You can paint over timber cabinetry or add a splash of bold colour to the walls. In fact, you can even paint the floor of your kitchen with a bright yet neutral shade to add lightness and liveliness to the entire room.
- Introduce A Splashback
Splashbacks offer a lot more than just a practical addition to your kitchen. It brings an affordable way to add a bit of personality to the space and refresh the overall look. There’s plenty of opportunity to customise your splashback too beyond just the colour:
You can use natural stone, stainless steel, or brick in a wide variety of patterns and layouts. All of this without breaking the bank as well.
- Focus On The Cabinets
Your kitchen cabinetry offers a lot of surface area to work with. Replacing or resurfacing the cabinets, including the doors and the fronts of the drawers, enables you to transform your kitchen into something exciting, fresh and new without costing an arm and a leg.
The important thing to remember is to get cabinet doors and fronts that fit over your existing structures so that you minimise the amount of work that needs to be done and necessary structural changes.
- The Benchtop Can Achieve Wonders
At the centre of your kitchen (if not physically than functionally) is your kitchen benchtop. Of course, it’s no secret that we don’t think anything looks quite as amazing as a marble or natural stone benchtop, but there are a ton of alternatives for homeowners. Even if you do nothing but redo your benchtop–whether a complete replacement or a simple resurfacing–you will be bowled over by the way it completely changes your entire kitchen.
- Light It Up With Lighting
You need solid lighting to work in a kitchen, but your lighting also provides a perfect opportunity to change up the entire space without impacting the back pocket. Nowadays, fashionable and bold lighting options can be found online or instore at affordable prices. You can choose soft yet bright lights that infuse your kitchen with a welcome feel.
Or you can add a sophisticated design element in the form of a pendant light or similar. Alternatively, consider bringing the 21st century to your kitchen with smart-bulbs that are controllable through our phone. In truth, you can actually choose a combination of any of the above: it’s surprisingly affordable.
- Remove Impeding Walls
If you’re ready and willing to get stuck into some structural work, there’s an easy way to update an old kitchen on a budget: Remove some of the walls that get in the way of a wide, spacious-feeling kitchen.
You’ll immediately feel the difference between having an open and easily accessible kitchen compared to the worn, tight, old kitchen you might be used to. Don’t worry, we know what you’re thinking: You don’t have to completely give up on the storage space those walls may have contained. Floating shelves, metal brackets and other smart storage solutions can help you have your storage cake and eat it too when it comes to your kitchen renovation on a budget.
- Add Some Decorative Accessories
An integral aspect of effective interior design is the choice of accessories and other decorative objects. There’s no limit to the options available to you and plenty to suit all preferences, budget sizes and kitchen spaces.
Lamps, artwork, mirrors, ornamental dishes, woven decorations or antique appliances are just some of the many, many options available. Of course, you can mix and match with styles and change your accessories whenever it suits you.
Contact Us Today To Find Out More
Would you like to discuss even more ways in which you can keep the costs associated with updating an old kitchen to a minimum? Or do you want to walk us through your plans and have our reno experts weigh in?
Either way, give the Euro Marble team a call today on (02) 8585 2999.
