Affordable Ways to Update Your Kitchen Without Remodeling
Updating your kitchen doesn’t have to mean ripping out the cabinets, replacing the countertop, or putting up a new backsplash. While doing one or two of these things can be very affordable and make a big difference, there are a lot of other ways to update your kitchen that are even easier and more affordable to do that can still get you the results you are looking for.
The following 6 kitchen update ideas are super easy and very affordable. Try these out if you want update your kitchen without remodeling.
How to Upgdate Your Kitchen Without Remodeling
1. Paint the Cabinets
If your cabinets are in good shape but you want to give them a facelift, painting them is the easiest and most affordable way to do so. Old cabinets can get a brand new lease on life with a fresh coat of paint. For the best resale value, opt for a neutral color such as white, gray or a creamy off-white.
2. Switch the Hardware
Another easy way to update your cabinets is to switch out the hardware. It may seem like a small detail, but it can have a big impact on the aesthetic of your kitchen. The investment is minor and you can have them all switched out in one afternoon.
Pair this step with painting the cabinets for a huge transformation or just switch out the hardware and leave the cabinets as they are if you like them but want something fresh.
3. Change the Lighting
The basic lighting you’ll find in most kitchens is functional but doesn’t do a lot for the style of the space. If your kitchen is older, the lighting is also one of the biggest contributing factors to it feeling dated.
Replace your old light fixtures with new, updated ones to instantly give it a brand new look. You may even want to add extra lighting if your kitchen is limited on its current fixtures. Many older homes, for example, will have only one light source in a kitchen, so adding some pendant lights over the bar, for example, will brighten it up and add some character.
4. Remove Outdated Molding
Most cabinets will immediately be modernized by a new paint color, but some have details on them that will still date them, such as ornate molding. Remove these details and you’ll be amazed by how modern they will suddenly look.
If you want your cabinets to have a more upgraded look, replace outdated molding with a more modern, clean-cut molding. You can also add these details to newer cabinets that are plain-looking to make them look more expensive. If you have the space, you can add crown molding, panels to the ends, and even insets on the doors.
5. New Bar Stools
In a kitchen with a bar area, bar stools are a great way to bring some character to the space and make it feel more inviting. If you already have some but haven’t updated them in a while, consider switching them out to some new ones to freshen up the space.
For a bar area that is small, opt for stools without backs that can tuck underneath the lip and out of the way of traffic. There are a variety of styles on the market to suit all different tastes and sizes, so measure how much space you have and make sure they are to scale.
6. Bring In Some Color
Color is one of the most transformative elements in design. Just a few accents can completely change the look of a space, even in the kitchen.
For staging, we always recommend keeping the main things neutral and then bringing in some colorful accents. In the kitchen, this can mean colorful cookbooks, bar stools, flowers, fruit and beans in apothecary jars, a runner, and other decorative pieces. Any of these things can bring some charm and character, not to mention make your kitchen feel new.
By keeping color in the smaller accents, you can replace them whenever you get tired of the color and want something fresh.