Inexpensive DIY kitchen updates
June 9, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Around the House, Doing it Yourself, decorations
If you’re longing for a new kitchen but don’t have the budget try some easy, low-cost DIY fixes. The DIY part is key. Make sure you choose updates you can actually do yourself. As soon as you bring in others to do the work for you, the costs climb. The ideas below are easy enough that most folks can do them on their own.
Paint – SO EASY and can make a huge difference. Choose a low or zero VOC paint because if you’re repainting, why not paint clean? Choose bright colors for a smaller kitchen or even go two toned – i.e paint the ceiling one color and the walls another or choose some nice trim colors as accents (say around windows and doors).
Hardware – clean your cupboards and drawers and polish them with a nice wood oil, then switch out the hardware. New shiny hardware makes a BIG impact for very little money.
Change the lights – new lighting can be inexpensive if you shop around but can make a nice difference. You can even install a dimmer fairly easily and have less glare in your kitchen.
Bring in some green – plants can really make a kitchen look nice. If you have room above your cupboards that’s a good place for plants that don’t need full sun. If you have a sunny window place a window box of pretty herbs or flowers.
Update your backsplash – putting in new tile is easy once you get the hang of it and you can be really creative with colors and designs. If tile feels like too much work, try some wall paper or decals on the backsplash.
Clear out the curtains – curtains and blinds are ok, but you’d be surprised at how nice a kitchen looks with a clear open window and nothing to block it.You can even decorate the window sill as an update with fresh flowers, pretty vases, or other cool objects.
What easy and inexpensive kitchen updates do you suggest?
[image via stock.xchng]
We moved into a house where the countertops were disgusting and probably unsanitary. We bought the linoleum-tile meant for floors (stick-on, adhesive type), but used it on the countertops. It cost under $10 (very little counter space!) and was done in less than an hour!