{"id":1011,"date":"2021-08-17T11:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-17T11:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fastcabinetdoors.com\/content\/?p=1011"},"modified":"2021-09-03T05:31:51","modified_gmt":"2021-09-03T05:31:51","slug":"11-budget-friendly-kitchen-upgrades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fastcabinetdoors.com\/content\/2021\/08\/17\/11-budget-friendly-kitchen-upgrades\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Upgrades"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know that a good, budget-friendly kitchen remodel can get you as much as an 81% return on investment<\/a> when selling your home? It\u2019s true! While a midrange kitchen upgrade may not be as cost-efficient as, say, replacing your garage door\u2014a fix-it with a whopping 98% ROI\u2014it can also significantly improve your overall enjoyment of the space. It may also attract prospective buyers who might not have considered your home otherwise. In fact, a drab and dated kitchen can be not just an eyesore: it can also kill your chances of making a good sale when the time comes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the trick to a good kitchen remodel is perfecting the balance between style, utility, and affordability. Just because you pour tons of money into a remodel, that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ll enjoy it more\u2014or earn money back upon sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why we\u2019ve compiled 11 of our best tips and tricks for a kitchen upgrade that\u2019s both functional and fashionable. You shouldn\u2019t have to compromise one for the other! And best of all, these hacks are just the thing for home renovators on a budget. Check them out, and let us know which ones are your favorite!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s get into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0 Open Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heavy upper cabinetry can easily overwhelm a small or dim kitchen. Fortunately, there\u2019s a simple and budget-friendly solution, one that\u2019s just as practical as it is stylish for any kitchen. Instead of reinstalling smaller cabinet boxes, why not replace them with open shelving units? These homeowners have opted for two rows of sleek and elegant wooden shelves resting on streamlined metal brackets. The combination of rich, coffee-colored wood and black metal gives off a modern vibe with a slightly rustic influence, while the open-faced shelving makes the kitchen appear larger and airier. The homeowners have accessorized their shelves with lots of glass storage jars, so their contents are both accessible and attractive. Try it yourself. Open sesame!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"budget-friendly<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0 Wallpaper Beyond Walls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Are you tired of your glass-front cabinets? Maybe you\u2019re looking to change things up, or maybe you\u2019re just sick of looking at your stacks of mismatched dishware jumbled inside. Glass doors are supposed to show off the goods\u2026 but what if you don\u2019t want to put your goods on display? Either way, there\u2019s a simple and budget-friendly way to update your glass-front kitchen cabinet doors. Choose a textured wallpaper and lay it against your cabinet display windows pattern-side out. This subtle adjustment can bring a surprising amount of dimension and visual interest to your space. It\u2019s a funky, flexible, and budget-friendly alternative to replacing your cabinet doors. Plus, you can always swap out wallpapers when you\u2019re ready to change things up again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"wallpaper
Source: Meredith Corp<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0 Alternative Materials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s another glass-front cabinetry update tip, but this one takes the opposite approach. Rather than disguising your cabinet\u2019s interior with wallpaper, consider trading your glass doors for something a little more rustic. If you prefer a boho-chic, farmhouse, or mid-century modern look over the polished, traditional look of glass, simply swap out your glass for an alternative material. You could use chicken wire, as these homeowners have done, or even a fine mesh to create a subtle metallic texture. Or if wire isn\u2019t your thing, why not try a lattice made from wood or wicker? You can even choose the width of the weave, which means you can show off more or less of your cabinet\u2019s interior, depending on preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"white
Source: My 3 Monsters<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0 Harness the Hardware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve talked before about the power of new hardware, but it bears repeating because it\u2019s true! Replacing your cabinet\u2019s hardware<\/a> gets you maximum impact for minimum investment and can totally change the vibe of a space. This makes it a great budget-friendly kitchen solution! If you\u2019re working with a relatively neutral backdrop, like the kitchen shown here, for instance, your choice of hardware will pop all the more. This kitchen\u2019s pale palette and timeless textiles allow the hardware to speak for itself – and these homeowners have chosen hardware that is sleek, subtle, and blends beautifully with the rest of the space. But imagine, if you will, the homeowners had instead opted for cup pulls in brushed nickel or even something like these two-tone art deco style handles<\/a> from Etsy. A whole new vibe, right? Don\u2019t underestimate the power of hardware!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"White<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0 Shed Some Light on the Situation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t always need to add fancy new elements to your kitchen to make it look good; sometimes, it\u2019s just about illuminating what\u2019s already there. Such is the purpose of under-cabinet lighting. It\u2019s a great and relatively affordable way to spotlight your countertop\u2014and it\u2019s especially valuable if you\u2019ve invested in a beautiful countertop worth showing off. Under-cabinet lighting is also aptly referred to as \u2018task lighting\u2019 because it helps shed light on your kitchen work surfaces. Not only is task lighting aesthetically pleasing, but it\u2019s also an essential part of kitchen safety. Especially when you\u2019re using sharp implements and heat sources, you should be able to see exactly what your hands are doing. These homeowners are making the most of their under-cabinet task lighting, as it casts a warm yellow glow over their beautiful Japanese-inspired kitchen corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Modern<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0 Dual-Use Furniture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let your furniture do double duty, so you don\u2019t have to. These homeowners have repurposed a bar height table to serve as a dining space and a kitchen island. Their choice of furniture perfectly complements the home\u2019s minty green farmhouse aesthetic. In the name of upcycling (very trendy these days, and eco-conscious to boot!), you can buy the furniture second-hand and replace the counter surface, as these homeowners have done. The table-island\u2019s positioning makes it perfectly accessible as both a food prep station and a kitchen dining area. It even has a convenient footrest! All you have to do is tuck a couple of bar stools underneath for a stylish, affordable, and space-conscious island upgrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"bar<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7.\u00a0\u00a0 Elegant Upgrades<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Give your kitchen island a luxe architectural upgrade with the addition of molding. You\u2019d be surprised by what a few strips of painted wood can do for your island! These homeowners have added shaker-style molding to their island, imitating the shaker-style doors of the cabinetry. And to make it blend cohesively with the rest of the space, they\u2019ve painted the molding a deep dove grey, matching the existing lower cabinetry and crown molding. The finished product is beautifully balanced, elegant, and has the appearance of symmetry. Although the island molding isn\u2019t the most prominent feature in the room, it adds a subtle touch of luxury and gives the island a finessed, well-finished look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"deep<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8.\u00a0\u00a0 Countertop Reconfiguration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This tip may not be quite as budget-friendly as some of the others on this list, but it certainly can pack a punch in the kitchen, both for you and any potential future buyers. Typically, the most costly and most sought-after countertop options are natural stone, like marble, granite, slate, and quartz (okay, that last one is manufactured stone, but we\u2019re still counting it). These are beautiful, durable, and timeless options, but if you\u2019re looking for style and utility on a budget, there are still plenty of choices out there. These homeowners, for example, have elected for a gorgeous countertop made from slabs of butcher\u2019s block. You could also try solid surface countertops like Corian and laminate, which mimic the look of natural stone at a fraction of the cost, or industrial-style options like concrete and even stainless steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"View<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

9.\u00a0J\u2019A-door<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Replacing your cabinetry can be a time-consuming and expensive undertaking. But if you\u2019re just looking to give your kitchen a cosmetic facelift, there\u2019s just no need to tear out everything and start from scratch. Replacing your cabinet doors is the fastest, easiest, and most affordable way to update your kitchen cabinetry. Your cabinet boxes, aka the bones of your cabinetry, don\u2019t need to be taken out unless they\u2019re structurally unsound or if you\u2019re fundamentally changing your kitchen\u2019s layout. If the bones are good, just remove the doors and replace them with new ones! It\u2019s a simple and effective way to bring your cabinets up to date with the latest trends<\/a> at a fraction of the cost of total replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"shaker<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10.\u00a0Refresh and Renew<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Painting your walls is the simplest way to give your kitchen new life. This tip probably seems like a big \u2018no duh!\u2019 – but we think it\u2019s worth reiterating. A splash of paint can have a genuinely transformative effect on a space, and the kitchen is no exception. Depending on your selection, a good can of paint can cost between $20 and $80, making it a super-efficient, flexible, and affordable way to update your space. Whether you choose a crisp white, a subtle neutral, or a bold pop of color, paint is a great way to spice up your interior design. Plus, a fresh coat can help cover up many sins, including permanent stains, burns, and discoloration. Just be sure to clean the wall first!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"refreshing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

11. Fix Your Faucet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Much like cabinet hardware, your faucet can be an untapped source of style\u2014all it needs is a fixture replacement. These homeowners opted for a matte black curved-neck faucet featuring a sleek and simple handle and are perfectly matched to the black cabinets and hardware and the inside of the sink. These are folks who know how to coordinate! The overall look is modern, elegant, and refined, and the perfectly matched faucet adds to the overall appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"matte<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re spending big bucks or working towards budget-friendly options: we think you can beautify your home and kitchen for any cost. It\u2019s all about fulfilling your vision, meeting your needs, and thinking outside the (cabinet) box. Did you find any upgrade tricks that speak to you? Visit us online<\/a> to share your ideas and success stories with us. We\u2019d love to hear from you!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Did you know that a good, budget-friendly kitchen remodel can get you as much as an 81% return on investment when selling your home? It\u2019s true! While a midrange kitchen upgrade may not be as cost-efficient as, say, replacing your garage door\u2014a fix-it with a whopping 98% ROI\u2014it can also significantly improve your overall enjoyment […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1016,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[98,46,73,67,59],"class_list":["post-1011","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiration","tag-budget-friendly","tag-cabinet-doors","tag-cabinet-styles","tag-kitchen-cabinets","tag-kitchen-remodel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fastcabinetdoors.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1011","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fastcabinetdoors.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fastcabinetdoors.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastcabinetdoors.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastcabinetdoors.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1011"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastcabinetdoors.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1011\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1023,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastcabinetdoors.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1011\/revisions\/1023"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastcabinetdoors.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fastcabinetdoors.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastcabinetdoors.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastcabinetdoors.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}