With a very small budget, just a couple of hundred dollars, you can do lots of projects yourself to brighten the space and give it a fresh look.
But if you have between $500 and $2000, you can really add some pizzazz to your boring, outdated kitchen. While top-of-the-line decorator-guided renovations can cost much more, you can get an almost-new, fresh look without spending your annual income. So look at our suggestions and decide what you can do to update your blah kitchen. It will be money well spent.
Of course, most renovation project costs will be based on the amount of space you need to update, but you can freshen any space on this budget.
- Install a New Backsplash
Many older kitchens have a 4" band of tile above the counter on the wall. Update the look by filling in the entire space between the counter and the upper cabinets. You could use wallpaper, glass tile of a contrasting color, decorative paneling painted to coordinate with the room, or embossed tiles. Remove any old tiles, smooth the surface, prime the space and install your choice of filler. Refinish Your Appliances
Scratched harvest gold appliances or a mismatched refrigerator and stove can really make a kitchen look ancient. Add a decorator touch by having the appliances refinished at a local workshop. They'll pick up the appliances, apply enamel in the color of your choice or with a brushed steel finish, and return them to your home looking just like new. And it will cost between $100 and $500 per appliance for a total appliance transformation. Be sure to check on the warranty before signing the contract. If your laundry is near the kitchen, add your washer and dryer to the project too.Install Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is all the rage and comes in a wide variety of patterns that imitate natural materials. Choose from wood grains, stone, granite, or tile. If your floors are level with the adjacent rooms, this is a great project for a do-it-yourselfer. Measure the space carefully and buy enough flooring plus a little extra. Place the open boxes of flooring in the room where they'll be installed to let them "season" for the recommended period of time. Then place the flooring, plank by plank, right over the old floors. The boards will snap together without nails or glue. It's a great solution for a dull rental, as you can lift up the flooring and remove it when you move.Revive the Old Hardwood Flooring
If you're fortunate enough to have hardwood flooring in your home, you'll be amazed what beauty and warmth they can add to a kitchen. Remove the flooring on top of the wood, clean off all old adhesive, fill nail holes, sand the floors, and then seal with the proper hardwood varnish. You'll get years of wear and enjoy the rich look. You can rent the proper tools and find the proper supplies at any hardware or home repair store.Float an Island
A kitchen island can provide extra work space, extra storage, seating, and a focal point to your kitchen. If you have the funds, buy some base cabinets, place them back-to-back, and install a countertop. You'll have tons of extra storage and more area for cooking. If your budget can provide for water and electricity in the island, you'll be way ahead on convenience and workability.