The Ultimate Guide to Redesigning Your Kitchen on a Budget

Are you dreaming of a gorgeous new kitchen, but don’t have the budget you need to get the kind of kitchen you see on Instagram? Does browsing Pinterest make your head spin and your wallet hurt?

A limited budget can make you feel like you don’t have great options for fixtures and surfaces. It might even feel like renovating your kitchen won’t be worth it if you’re going to end up with something that looks dated or cheap.

With smart planning and a little know-how, you can spend money in the right places to get a kitchen you can love for years to come.

So, where do you start?

What Do You Want Out of Your New Kitchen?

First, take a look at your current situation. 

It can help to organize your thoughts about your kitchen something like this:

Emotional: What do you hate about it? What can you not live without? What’s the most visible fixture, which will need to look flawless?

Functional: What do you need your kitchen to do? Do you entertain a lot? Have a busy family? What would make your kitchen work better for your day-to-day needs?

Fashionable: What look are you going for? What’s your ideal design esthetic? For example, are you going for colorful maximalist, sleek industrial, or rustic country kitchen?

Now that you have a clear vision in mind, you can start working on a list of priorities 

Prioritize Your Reno

Getting the best possible results for your money is all about building a realistic budget and then putting it toward the changes that will give you the biggest results for the smallest cost.

Which parts of the kitchen are the most important to you? Will you really get the kind of change you’re hoping for by redoing those parts?

Where do you feel like you could tighten your belt?

Let’s break down which parts of a kitchen reno tend to cost the most versus what will give you the most bang for your buck.

5 Most Cost Effective Kitchen Redesign Upgrades

Here are 5 key changes that can make your kitchen feel like a whole new room without costing an arm and a leg.

1. Refreshing (Not Rebuilding) Your Cabinets

Completely changing out your cabinets is probably not in the cards if you have a limited budget. But cabinets also take up the most real estate in your kitchen. 

If they’re an ugly color, don’t match the design you’re going for, or they’re just dated, they can hold your whole redesign back. So what can you do?

A simple repaint can give you a fresh look for a modest chunk of your budget. 

Bright, bold colors are in right now, and can help you make a personal statement. A light, serene color palette can help a small space feel bigger. 

2. Renewing Your Kitchen Sink

If there’s one fixture that can completely change the way about your kitchen it’s the sink. The kitchen sink is where most people spend the most time when they’re cooking or washing up.

Fortunately, you can get a luxurious new kitchen sink and faucet without spending a lot.

You can get a ton of functionality out of a versatile faucet with add-ons like a pull-down sprayer. With a basin in a bold finish or luxury material, you can get a big upgrade without spending a lot.

3. Brightening Up Your Lighting

Nothing makes a kitchen feel cramped, dingy, and dated like dim lighting. Swapping out a lighting fixture can help the whole space feel inviting and fresh.

Recessed lights can give you a soft glow if you have space in the budget for it. Lighting aimed at workspaces can make the kitchen more comfortable to use. 

Even tucking some LED rope lights under the cabinets can make your kitchen feel more modern and high-end.

4. Get Organized with Shelving and Storage

An organized kitchen is way more fun to use. But improving your storage situation doesn’t have to mean completely rebuilding your cabinets, either.

You can eliminate dead space in many storage areas with racks and stackable storage bins. Add a lazy Susan for spices and a few strategic shelves near your brand new sink, and you’ve got a functional space that would make Marie Kondo proud.

5. Calling in the Pros

Especially in today’s world of DIY fixer-upper television shows, the first thing many people trim from the budget is labor costs.

And there is a lot you can do on your own. Find the right YouTube tutorial, and you can almost do an entire kitchen renovation yourself. Almost.

There are some instances when knowing when to call in professional help could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars later on. 

For example, replacing a kitchen sink can be a great DIY project. Unless you choose a very heavy basin material like fireclay. Then, you’ll need extra support to keep the basin securely in place long-term. 

If a professional install is completely outside your budget, stick to materials and fixtures you’ll be able to install yourself without risking damage down the road.

Want to Create a High-End Centerpiece? Start with Your Sink.

As you can see, most of your kitchen can be refreshed without completely replacing everything. 

But one place where it’s worth it to buy new is replacing an old, outdated kitchen sink. The sink is the most visible fixture in most kitchens. In many cases, you can even see it from outside the room.

With affordable Kitchen SInk materials like stainless steel, you can create a high-end look for a very small investment. Pairing a beautiful basin with a functional faucet can give you a more functional workspace and even help you save on your water bills.

That’s why a new kitchen sink is a great place to start. So you can get that refreshed feeling you’re looking for and make your kitchen more comfortable to use, too!