If you’re not satisfied with the way your kitchen looks, especially if it’s rather old, you should know that you can upgrade it without having to spend an arm and a leg on renovations.
Of course, some investment is necessary but if you focus on one project at a time, you’ll be able to go through your kitchen upgrade in a quite cost-effective manner.
There are several different things that you can do.
Boost the Look of Your Cabinetry
If kitchen cabinets look old, worn and ugly, it’s essential that you change this look. This is one of the biggest worries for homeowners though, as replacing kitchen cabinets is usually the biggest expense when it comes to kitchen remodelling.
But, you don’t have to buy all new cabinets unless you want to. It’s possible to spruce up the look of the cabinets you already have with your own effort and DIY skills. That said, you’ll spend a lot less money as well. For starters, make sure to fix any loose hinges.
You can also sand, paint or stain the cabinets to give them a new look. Wood distressing technique for a rustic look is really popular nowadays. And if the front is really beyond help, just replace the cabinet doors.
Replace Your Hardware
New hardware is not that expensive and replacing it will make a huge difference for your kitchen look, especially if your current hardware is boring, unattractive and damaged.
You can pick various metal finishes, from nickel and silver to rose gold so don’t hesitate to make the most out of this project.
What’s more, these days you can choose between glossy and mat coatings, too. You can then match the metal shade to the knobs and hooks in your kitchen as well.
Freshen Up Your Countertops
When you’re upgrading the look of your cabinets you should also do a countertop makeover. Of course, if you’re ready to invest, you can replace it completely.
But for a more budget-friendly solution, it can be more than enough to repaint the countertop with the right type of paint for the project.
And for an even more interesting solution, you can explore your options with washable vinyl wallpaper that can mimic different materials easily.
Recolour and Reseal the Grout
Tiles may be easy to clean and they can stand the test of time rather well, but the same cannot be said for grout, especially if it’s not sealed properly.
That said, you don’t have to replace your tiles if they still look good. But, you can transform the overall look of this kitchen area simply by recolouring and resealing the grout.
And even if you don’t think you can do this yourself, professional service that will do a considerably more affordable job compared to replacing the whole thing.
Improve the Safety of Your Kitchen Space
Old kitchen designs weren’t really safety-conscious. In that respect, one of the essential steps in upgrading your old kitchen is to improve its safety. For starters, make sure that the ventilation system is modern and functional. Also, install a proper fire duct system to protect your home in case of fire. Of course, don’t forget to have a top-notch smoke alarm installed, too.
Repaint the Walls and Window Frames
One of the favourite home renovation projects for many home owners is adding a fresh coat of paint. After all, this project is easy to do, doesn’t cost much, yet it can make a huge difference and transform the look of any interior, kitchen included. Just make sure to pick the shade that you like and that matches other colours well. Old kitchens often have old windows, too.
If you’re not keen on replacing them at the moment, remember to give a fresh coat of paint to your window frames as well.
Update Your Backsplash
Finally, it will be very effective to update the look of your backsplash. Considering that backsplash gets a lot of stains, it can get worn and ugly rather quickly.
If you don’t have easy-to-clean tiles for your backsplash already, you might be interested in trying out one of the top tricks that many home owners use in their kitchens – washable vinyl wallpaper.
Not only is this inexpensive and easy, but you can play with different designs as well. And it’s rather simple to replace when necessary.
When you’re ready to deal with the project of upgrading your old kitchen, don’t feel pressured to do absolutely everything in one go. It will be easier for you, both mentally and financially, to focus on one task at a time.
That way, you’ll be able to do the best job for every aspect of your kitchen. And this kind of pace allows you to adjust the direction you want to take in further renovations, too.