Seven budget-friendly ways to refresh your kitchen without a major renovation.

Let’s clean up

Whatever changes are planned in the kitchen, first of all, you need to clear the work front. Thanks to a thoughtful approach to cleaning, even the smallest kitchen can be freed from unnecessary items and “visual noise”. You should start updating from the far shelves in the cabinets: usually broken units, worn-out saucepans and unnecessary jars are huddled there.

Getting rid of junk will free up space for things that are visible and clutter the countertop. The less cluttered the work surface, the more spacious the interior looks and the more convenient it is to cook. After decluttering, we clean all surfaces, wash the windows, wash the textiles: a neat kitchen without stains and unnecessary small details will become lighter and more pleasant.

Updating the kitchen set

But what if even the cleanest kitchen looks outdated and uncomfortable? Most of the room is usually occupied by furniture, which means it sets the mood for the whole environment. If the kitchen set is in good condition, it is enough to replace the facades. But it is even cheaper to repaint the furniture, having first selected the most suitable color. You should paint the kitchen by unscrewing the fittings and removing the doors. The surface should be degreased. If there is a film on the facades, it should be removed by holding it over hot air. Then apply a primer.

It is recommended to paint the furniture with a roller and chalk paint. Several layers will be required to make the kitchen look neat. After the last layer has dried, the facades should be protected with varnish.

Changing the backsplash

Are you happy with the kitchen set, but the old ceramic backsplash spoils the whole look? You can paint the tiles too! Latex, epoxy or alkyd enamel will do. The products must be washed, degreased and lightly sanded with sandpaper. To save paint and improve adhesion, the surface should be primed and painted in two layers after drying. For greater wear resistance, the finished apron should be varnished.

You can decorate old tiles with special stickers with patterns. It is better to choose not too bright images: saturated colors give away a fake. An even easier way to cover up old tiles is to install a sheet of hardboard or MDF.

Rearranging the furniture

Another simple way to transform the kitchen is to swap items. If the room is small, the matter is more complicated, but in a spacious kitchen it is enough to turn or move the table to add variety to the interior. Perhaps there is an outdated corner in the kitchen that you have dreamed of getting rid of? It’s high time to replace it with simple chairs or even stools: there will be more space, and the interior will look updated.

Other pieces of furniture moved from the rooms will also help to refresh the decor: a bean bag chair, a small shelving unit or even a sofa. By the way, ordinary wooden chairs can also be painted. The technique of a dining group made up of retro chairs of different designs is at the peak of popularity today.

Experimenting with textiles

There are several options for refreshing the interior with textiles, and each kitchen requires an individual approach. If the interior is overloaded with details (active wallpaper, curtains and a tablecloth with patterns), it is worth replacing the fabric with a more restrained one or getting rid of the curtains and chair pads altogether. It is recommended to replace voluminous curtains with lambrequins with laconic roller blinds or blinds: the kitchen will become lighter and more spacious. Another solution is possible: if the interior lacks coziness or bright spots, colored curtains and a tablecloth will perfectly cope with this problem.

Decorating the kitchen

Creatively fill an empty wall, add live plants, replace a boring chandelier with an unusual lamp or hang garlands in the dining area – simple ideas will help turn the kitchen into the coziest place in the apartment. To decorate the wall, you can use mirrors, frames with paintings or posters, beautiful plates or clocks. An open shelf, the composition of which can be easily changed to suit your mood, will fit in well. The main thing in kitchen decor is not to overdo it and not to return to the state “before cleaning”, when there are too many details.

Transforming the refrigerator

This appliance is considered the heart of the kitchen. If the refrigerator serves properly, but does not please with its appearance, use any of the decor methods. The most inexpensive is painting with acrylic paints: it is enough to apply a simple drawing in black and the refrigerator will have its own character. You can also paint the appliance or decorate it with stickers.

An inspiring video about a budget kitchen makeover can be seen here: