Updating Your Kitchen on a Budget

The kitchen is often dubbed the hub of the home. Whenever you host, it’s almost guaranteed your guests will congregate here! That’s why we’ve come up with some expert tips on updating your kitchen in 2019, which don’t break the bank either.

According to the Kitchen Trends Report from Houzz , the average budget and spend for new kitchens in the UK is between £10,000 – £25,000, with 22 per cent of homeowners spending between £25,000 – £50,000 and 10 per cent spending over £50,000. Now, not all of us have an endless money supply so being clever with your kitchen ‘edits’ is the way to go.

The benefit of re-designing or updating your kitchen is in the long term, this work will add value to your house. If you’d like proof; research conducted by the National Association of Estate Agents reveal opening up space and kitchen makeovers are within the top four home improvements that will add value to a property.

If this is on your agenda for 2019, here’s our guidance for DIY kitchen improvements.

Paint Your Cabinets

Painting your kitchen cabinets is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to create a new look. If your kitchen is shaker style, you’re in luck. It’s the new craze to paint your kitchen cabinets – rather than replace the doors. If the structure of your cabinets are in good condition you are half way there. Purchase a paint colour such as sage green, mushroom or light grey, and you’ll honestly feel like you have a new kitchen once complete. Add some smart under-lighters too, and prepare to be amazed at your transformed space.

If you do plan to paint cabinets, be sure to prime them first. This is really important as it will make all the difference to the finish. Wilko and B&Q sell furniture primer and a range of paints suitable for wood, melamine and MDF cupboards.

Change Your Kitchen Floor

If you feel an old, worn, or uninteresting kitchen floor is letting the overall scheme down, then changing your floor is an easy update and could make a real difference to first impressions.

Depending on your selection, you are more than likely able to lay the new floor over the old, making this kitchen improvement simple, and a no-brainer!
Just make sure you don’t create a lip between the adjacent room by doing so. Something to watch!

In terms of flooring choices, Vinyl used to be a swear word to interior designers, but, actually, the market for Vinyl flooring has significantly improved.

Love Your Handles

If the basic structure of your kitchen is in good condition, you can change the style of the room by simply replacing the handles. You wouldn’t believe how much this can improve the overall look and feel. In fact, overhaul your kitchen with a designer edge by optioning for luxury-looking handles. Right now, chrome, leather, and brass are hot finishes.

Photo Credit: Pintrest

Improve Your Storage

It’s amazing how much we accumulate over the years. We may not even realise how much clutter we have out on our sideboards! That’s why removing clutter from the kitchen is of the upmost priority; especially if you are looking to put your home on the market soon.

There are some simple, yet effective, methods to add or improve storage in your kitchen. Depending on your style, metal racks (see below) offer a scandi, design-led alternative. This method will prevent you from putting items on the sideboard, using wall space instead. We personally, love this idea as it’s a great space-saver, whilst being a bit different too!

Treat Yourself

With the January sales well and truly underway, there’s no better time to invest in some small appliances and accessories for your kitchen. How about treating yourself to a new kettle and toaster? From Smeg, to Delonghi, to Tefal, and more, there are bargains to be had everywhere from John Lewis, to Curry’s!

                Think of small appliances as decorative accessories for your kitchen. You will be amazed what a few well-planned accessories can do. Even a change of tea towels can make an impact.

Update Your Window Dressing

From new pretty blinds to tablecloths, fabrics can work wonders and don’t have to cost the earth. Windows are often considered features of the room so is it time you updated your blinds to add some more warmth or character?

It’s easy to become complaisant, but if you look closely your blinds could easily have discoloured in the sun, or become a bit tatty. Ordering new Roman blinds in a more vibrant colour, or adding a pattern, can be an easy yet effective way to spruce up the window appeal.

Proving extremely popular at the moment, are Venetian blinds, as you have a higher level of control with the light. Venetian blinds look smart and will make more of your kitchen from the outside, as well as in.

Make a Statement with Lights

Ideally, you should have task lights, such as spotlights, over the worktops, halogen bulbs on the extractor and overhead lighting with ambient light in a dining area. As time goes on, we all get used to our lighting scheme, so why not give things a shake up? If you can facilitate one, add a pendant light over a table or breakfast bar, or add some feature under-lights to set the mood in your kitchen.

Always use a qualified electrician for anything complicated.

Add some personality – go kitsch!

Vintage cookware adds charm to classic and country kitchens – antiques shops, charity shops and eBay are great sources. Affordable pieces such as a vintage dresser with glass doors, or budget kitchen furniture can be used to store and show off your favourite china.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our tips for kitchen improvements on a budget. Be sure to keep an eye on our news page for more editorials like this over the coming months.

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