Update Your Kitchen for Under $100

When updating their home, many people decide that the kitchen provides a good return on their investment. The problem is that many people spend too much money updating their kitchen. The price for a low-end kitchen remodel is considered $2000 to $3000 dollars, and a high-end remodel can cost more than $20,000. But there are easy ways to update your kitchen and make it more liveable, without spending too much money.

First, paint your kitchen cabinets. A fresh coat of paint costs around $15, and it makes your kitchen look fresh and vibrant. Make sure you sand down any areas that need sanded, and apply a good coat of primer. This will help the paint adhere better to your primer.

You can also add crown moulding, or some other form of moulding to the top of the cabinets. You can also place decorative trim in the filler areas of the cabinets. This will add a high-end look, without costing much money.

Once you have painted your cabinets, you should refinish the hardware for them. You can have them replated, but a better option is to use a fine steel wool on the cabinet hardware, and then spray paint them with a good metallic paint according to the manufacturer's instructions. There are many types of spray paint on the market now, and there are some very good metallic paints that can be used on metal.

Next, update the walls. Most cities have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore site. This is a store where contractors can donate their used or new home improvement items and get a tax write-off, but you can get a bargain. Look for boxes of tile to do your kitchen countertops or backsplash area. If you are really lucky, you might be able to find antique tin ceiling tiles, which can be refinished and used as a backsplash. For the rest of the walls, a fresh coat of paint will help.

Next take a look at your kitchen floors. If you have a small kitchen, you can find good deals at any tile place that sells vinyl tile remnants. If it is a larger area, you may need to use more creativity. Check ReStore for bargains, or look in your local classified ads to find someone with good, used flooring. If you have a hardwood floor, you can refinish it with a floor sander, or you can paint it with a paint that is suited to flooring applications.

Finally, if you have any money left in your kitchen remodelling budget, replace the countertops with a new sheet of laminate. While the countertops may be expensive, the laminate is not. With a sheet of laminate, some practice, and some specialty adhesive, you can update the look of the countertop to modernize it.