We all know a kitchen renovation can be expensive, but it doesn’t always have to be that way with a budget-friendly kitchen. You can easily transform your kitchen using cost-effective measures. From painting your European-style cabinets to upgrading your lighting fixtures, here’s how to build a budget-friendly kitchen.
Budget-Friendly Kitchen With European Style Cabinets
European-style cabinets are a great starting point for any kitchen. They are sleek, stylish, and look high-end, but they don’t have to come with a hefty price tag. These cabinets are also modern-looking in design, giving a dated kitchen an instant facelift. You can select your cabinets in anything from natural wood finish to bright and bold colors.
Find Your Color Palette
Speaking of colors! Once you have your cabinets in place, you can update the colors of your kitchen to reinvent the space.
For example, if you’ve painted your European cabinets white, you can use a classic black-and-white color scheme to create a sleek and modern space.
If you’ve left your cabinets in their natural wood finish, you plan to bring in a mix of light and dark colors and create a Scandinavian-style kitchen. Sticking to a theme will help you create a more cohesive and expensive-looking kitchen.
Budget-Friendly Kitchen Lighting
The lighting fixtures are an easy and cost-effective accessory to your kitchen. You can switch out your existing fixtures for something that better suits your new space, whether a dramatic pendant light in a bold color or simple recessed lighting that emphasizes your space.
Adding more light can also alter your perception of the space: the more light you have, whether it’s natural or artificial, the bigger and brighter your kitchen will feel. You’ll want to ensure the space is light, bright, and clean-looking for modern kitchens.
Get Creative With Your Designs
A new backsplash can completely transform the style of your budget-friendly kitchen. You can choose white subway tiles for a clean and modern look, patterned tiles for something more unique and colorful, or marble for a refined, elegant look. You can even match your backsplash to your countertops!
One way to get these dramatic looks for a fraction of the cost is by using laminate. Instead of a pricey marble countertop or backsplash, you can opt for a laminate finish in a marble pattern. Peel and stick backsplash tiles are a more cost-effective (and renter-friendly!) way to upgrade your design.
Swap Hardware In Your Budget-Friendly Kitchen
Another budget-friendly way to make your budget-friendly kitchen feel new is by switching out the hardware and fixtures in the space. Your cabinet hardware can cheaply and easily change the look of your kitchen.
Swapping your ornate knobs for a sleek, stainless steel pull will instantly make your kitchen look and feel more modern.
You can keep the transformation going by switching out your faucet! You can choose the same finish as your hardware to keep a uniform look throughout your kitchen or a complimentary finish. For example, you can use chrome to match your stainless steel hardware or choose a bolder matte black that stands out against your all-white space.
Create Storage Solutions
photo: Hesti CabinetSometimes, your kitchen can look brand new after cleaning and reorganization. Clearing off your countertops and putting away clutter will brighten your kitchen, make it look more put-together, and create the illusion of a bigger space.
To help keep the kitchen tidy, you can outfit your European-style cabinets with storage solutions. Spice racks can be attached to cabinet doors, and pull-out drawers can hold pots and pans.
You might also want to consider adding a freestanding kitchen island for more space! While a built-in island can be costly, a freestanding island is more affordable. This will provide extra storage and counter space, and it can move around the kitchen to serve you better when needed.
You can also get storage that multitasks as decor! Extra wall shelving with neatly organized cookbooks and vases can be a great way to add visual interest while also freeing up counter space and keeping your items together in one place.
The same thing goes for your small appliances: get items that are colorful and match your decor so their appearance on your countertop looks intentional. A bright red toaster against your white backsplash can make a statement and tie into your red accent colors throughout the kitchen.
Don’t Forget The Floors
photo: Custom Closet SystemsFloors are another part of the kitchen that can be expensive to update, but there are cost-friendly solutions. Instead of more expensive ceramic tiles, you can opt for vinyl floor tiles. They come in various styles and colors, letting you play around and create a chic design for a fraction of the cost.
If you want the look of hardwood, you can get laminate flooring that mimics the look. If you already have hardwood floors, you can add a new stain or coat of paint to transform them into something new easily.
Rugs are another way to quickly and affordably spruce up your floors! You might not think of rugs in the kitchen, but it’s a great way to add color and texture to the space.
A runner under the kitchen table or near the sink will bring in an unexpected pop of color and create more visual interest in the budget-friendly kitchen.
