Easy Kitchen Revamps

The kitchen sees more hustle and bustle than any other room in the house. And while it may seem to need fewer upgrades and redesigns than the rest of the home, it still ranks second among the ten most popular home improvement jobs.

If you don’t need more space, or even major appliances, you can update the kitchen on a fairly small budget (about under $2,000). The following are a few ways to give your room a new look.

Flooring – Kitchen floors take a beating, from dropped whisks to splashes of steaming sauce. Refresh the entire room with bamboo, hardwood, terracotta, or tile in disguise.

Cabinets – There are a lot of options with cabinets – re-facing, refinishing, door removal, and hardware. All of them are quick and easy weekend projects that create an entirely different atmosphere.

Functional Furniture – There’s definitely opportunity to create more space if you’re creative. Stand alone butcher blocks and kitchen carts can give more room for food prep while pantry cabinets give you more storage. Combo pieces conveniently give you both. Entire kitchen islands can be purchased for those with enough floor space. Styles on these moveable and functional pieces can range from shabby chic to sleek and modern.

Faucets and Sinks – These are surprisingly easy to install on your own. The hardest part may be selecting which style will work best for you new look.

Window coverings – Natural light is key to a welcoming kitchen. It simply makes it more inviting. Windows are an easy (and inexpensive) element to update the look. Replace old and worn blinds and curtains with more modern designs. Keep in mind the location of the window – if it’s near the stove or a heavy prep area, select a material that’s easy to clean. Think out of the box – elements and textures. Bamboo, grass shades, rice paper, and shutters all add a new twist on a dated window.

Countertops – Some countertops need only be refinished or resurfaced (an option easier on the budget) but other times they’ll need to be completely replaced. Choose what works best for you and the look of your kitchen. Kitchens that get used on a daily basis may be better suited for granite, marble, or stone, though cost-friendlier options include Corian and engineered quartz. Choose a style, color, and texture that you won’t easily tire of, because aside from flooring, countertops may be the project you won’t likely take on again in the near future.