Fix Up Your Old Kitchen without Breaking the Bank

Fix Up Your Old Kitchen without Breaking the Bank (or Your Back

If you find yourself thinking that the only way to improve your kitchen is with a major investment in new cabinets, countertops and appliances, I’d like for you to reconsider. Yes, it would be lovely to have a sparkling new kitchen, but if your house isn’t on the market and you don’t want to take out a second mortgage – or if you just can’t afford it – there are many things you can do to make your existing kitchen more functional and appealing without spending lots of money. And most of these improvements can be done by anyone who knows how to use a screwdriver!

Here are some ideas:

• If you have builders-grade basic cabinetry, consider painting it for a fresh look. It’s amazing what you’ll see at your local paint store
• They even carry cabinet doors in all sorts of styles and colors to create the exact look you want.
• Change the hardware on your cabinets to give them an entirely different look. A simple change can make a huge difference.
• Swap out your countertops for ones that are granite or marble-looking glass laminate counters which can fool almost anyone into believing they’re real stone! Of course, since these are laminates, they won’t be as durable as true stone countertops, but they sure do come close to resembling the real thing! And if you go with a laminate, consider using an upscale version with embedded glitter or metallic flecks for an extra “wow” factor.
• Change your backsplash tile. If it’s old and stained, paint over it with a coat of matching semi-gloss enamel wall paint to cover the marks. If it’s just plain ugly, tear that sucker out! You can install new tile in its place or simply use removable decals to cover the whole thing if you don’t have time to grout new tiles. And this is not just for renters – homeowners can do this too because usually, all you need are basic household tools which most people already have on hand anyway.

• Instead of buying big and clunky pull out trash and recycling bins, consider putting in a built-in cabinet with pull out trays. This can be custom made – many companies make them – or you can shop around for kits that will help you to do this yourself. And they make these things in all sorts of styles now so your kitchen will look hip no matter if your house is ultra-modern or traditional.
• If your sink doesn’t have an overflow drain, consider adding one under the counter before tiling over it. Yes, I said “adding” because it doesn’t have to go through the cabinets first! Find a contractor who knows how to drill straight down through the cabinet base without damaging it and him what will install a drain right where you want it.
• If your cabinets are in good shape but they’re just too plain and boring or they don’t match the room, try adding trim to make them look custom made. For a change from traditional wood, consider using metal for a sleek modern look that fits today’s decorating styles.
• Upgrade the flooring – most likely whatever is there now is old and dingy. You can easily tear out that old layer of vinyl or carpeting and lay down new laminate planks that will fit right over those areas with no problem! And if you can afford it, use heated tiles so you won’t ever have cold feet again during that chilly winter season.

• Instead of spending a lot of money on new cabinetry or upgrading what you have, opt to refinish the cabinets so they look bright and shiny again. You can do this yourself with some gentle cleaning detergent and a few rags. And if you don’t want to get down on your hands and knees for a spotless shine, consider hiring someone who is trained in cabinet refinishing to do it for you.
• If your recessed lighting fixtures are dated and dingy looking, simply replace them with new ones that fit the same footprint but have clean lines that blend better with today’s decorating styles. Now isn’t that amazing how much of a difference even something small like this can make?
• Change the knobs. It sounds simple but it can make a huge difference in terms of updating your kitchen’s look. We all tend to stick with what we have simply because it’s easier not to bother, but this is one project you don’t want to put off for too long!
• Get rid of the fridge and replace it with a modern-looking under-counter refrigerator which will help save on energy costs as well as keep things cool more efficiently than an old dated model ever could. And just think – if you have the space, you can install two or even three!

Conclusion:

With no more than a few hours of your time and some effort, you can make this kitchen shine again like the gem it is! Kitchen renovations don’t have to be expensive or messy either. A little creativity goes a long way when it comes to updating your home without breaking the bank – just ask any renter out there who has ever struggled with that especially since landlords always want their properties looking fresh and new for rental rates that monthly are often more than many people pay for their mortgages.