How to Update a Kitchen on a Budget: Inexpensive Kitchen Remodeling

The kitchen is by far the most expensive room in the home to remodel. Unfortunately, if you're like many Americans, you can't exactly afford to splurge on a new kitchen. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to update a kitchen without spending tons of cash. Here are a few ideas on how to update your kitchen without breaking the bank.

Replace the Lighting Fixtures

The wrong lighting fixture can easily make a kitchen look outdated. Replacing a kitchen lighting fixture is actually relatively inexpensive, with many options under $200. So, whether you choose a modern, stylish new fixture or a traditional, elegant chandelier, it can really make a difference.

Repaint

Repainting the kitchen is inexpensive and can really bring new life to dirty and dingy colored walls. If you're really ambitious, consider repainting your cabinets as well. A bright white color can work with nearly every cabinet style and give the room a new, clean and modern feeling.

Update the Cabinet Hardware

Speaking of the cabinets, when's the last time you updated the hardware? Switching out the drawer pulls, cabinet door knobs and even the hinges can all make a difference. If you're feeling ambitious, consider swapping your out-of-date door handles and lighting switches while you're at it.

Reorganize the Kitchen

When you're going through your day to day life, things can become disorganized and clutter can grow over time. Though this isn't technically an update, it can help improve your overall view of your kitchen. Reorganizing your cabinets, throwing out expired food and broken or mismatched tupperware can all make a difference. While you're reorganizing, consider wiping down in the insides and outsides of all of your cabinets and drawers; your backsplash and if possible, your walls or the sides and fronts of the appliances.

Replace Your Faucet or Sink

Replacing a faucet is relatively inexpensive and (if possible,) so is the sink. (However, keep in mind that some situations may not allow this; for example, a farmer style sink may not be replaceable without replacing the entire countertop to allow for the new sink shape.) Leaky, drippy faucets can make a kitchen feel older than it really is. Fixing these issues or even replacing them for cosmetic reasons can really improve the look and feel of a kitchen.

Of course, these are just simple updates that can make a difference. Keep in mind that these do not all have to be performed at the same time, though of course if your budget allows it, there's no reason not to.