7 Quick Kitchen Upgrades That Don’t Require a Contractor

In times when home sales are depressed by raised mortgage interest rates, spending on remodeling tends to decrease. Despite this being the case at the moment other indicators suggest people are investing more in remodeling. Homeowners are expected to increase spending to $350 billion across the country in 2019.

Would you like a kitchen upgrade but don’t have a big budget? Read on to discover quick and easy kitchen upgrades you can do without a contractor.

1. Cabinet Upgrade

Your kitchen cabinets are the dominant design feature in your kitchen. You can create a whole new look with a simple cabinet change and it needn’t cost your entire bank account. 

You can switch your cabinet doors without replacing the whole cabinets. Doors are usually standard sizes so finding inexpensive replacement doors is a low-cost refresh of your kitchen.

Painting your cabinets is an even less expensive solution. Buy specialist paint that is suitable for the task. Prepare the surface according to the instructions on the paint can.

Open fronted or doorless cabinets are an option to consider. Remove doors and fill and sand any screw holes. Repaint the carcass to achieve a completely different look.

You can use contrasting paint or wallpaper on the back of the open cabinets. This creates a feature of the cabinets and can set off what is effectively a display of your plates, cups, and glassware.

2. Change the Lighting

Even if you don’t change anything else in your kitchen, a change to lighting can make a dramatic difference. Introduce longer pendants and fit recessed lighting.

You can create drama in your kitchen by using lighting to accent displays of your favorite dishes. Create an intimate dining area with a low pendant. Use under cabinet lighting that you plug into existing sockets to flood your countertops with light.

Change the mood in your kitchen with dimmer switches. Lighting that changes color works very well inside wall cabinets with glass fronts. You can create a party atmosphere even if you are serving a weeknight supper.

Only work on electricity yourself if you have the knowledge and skills to do so safely.

3. New Appliances

Appliances add design as well as function to your kitchen. Color coordinated toasters, kettles, and mixers bring accents of color into an otherwise dull kitchen. Try a bright new color for your coordinated appliances.

If you get bored with the color, get some new small appliances. It’s a less expensive way to change your kitchen than remodeling. The color options change regularly reflecting fashion changes so keep it fresh and exciting with a new toaster and kettle combo.

Are your appliances limiting your cooking options? Read an in-depth review of the Cuisinart TOA-60 to open your mind to more opportunities. Consider ways of bringing new life to your kitchen by adding a bread maker, coffee machine or wine cooler.

4. High Impact Decorative Makeover

The perfect low-cost kitchen makeover is one where you get a big impact with the minimum of investment and effort. Creating an accent wall is an example of just such a project. This small change can completely transform your kitchen.

Chose a darker shade than the rest of the room for an instant mood change. Go for a bright splash of color for a funky new vibe. Coordinate with colored appliances for an integrated look.

Wallpaper on a single wall can also have a similarly dramatic effect for little outlay and effort. A big dramatic pattern or colorful motif is an opportunity for your personality to find expression. Use wallpaper away from backsplash areas for a longer life. 

5. Backsplash Magic

Changing the tiles on your backsplash may be a more demanding job than many of the suggestions here. If you have the skills it’s a small job that makes a big difference in your kitchen’s appearance.

If you can’t change the tiles, you can create a new look with adhesive tile stickers. These tile decals mean you can change every tile easily. Better still, decorate occasional tiles to create accents of pattern and color.

You can even paint tiles. Use a moisture resistant glossy paint that you can wipe clean.

6. Handles and Knobs

If your budget won’t stretch to new cabinets and drawers, give them a fresh look by changing the handles or knobs. There are so many to choose from you can create a whole new look and feel to the kitchen.

You don’t have to have every handle the same. Create a funky bohemian look with slightly mismatched knobs.

Go all metal but have copper, brass, and gunmetal. Different colors of ceramic knobs can work too. They can be so inexpensive, change them every time you fancy a fresh look.

7. Countertop Swop

Countertops are an important part of your kitchen. They are a large block of color so contribute a lot to the look and feel of the kitchen. The surface can look dull and worn after lots of use.

Replacing countertops might seem like a huge task. They have to be cut to size and shape. They usually have to be integrated with the sink, appliances, backsplash and more.

All this means you may shy away from upgrading your countertop thinking it will cost too much, need a contractor to do the work or be beyond your skills. Think again. You can resurface countertops with a kit that is made specifically for the job.

These kits can be used on a wide range of surfaces from granite to laminate countertops. They don’t require any specialized skills and you could get the job done in a few hours plus a day for drying.

Taking Kitchen Upgrades One Thing at a Time

One benefit of these inexpensive kitchen upgrades is that you don’t have to do them all at once. Make a small change and then, when time and budget allow, do something else. Have fun with it and keep it fresh and fun.

Here are more ideas for decorating on a budget.