Are you feeling uninspired by your kitchen, but you haven’t got the budget for a full makeover? There are plenty of affordable DIY projects you can finish in a single weekend to rejuvenate the look of your kitchen. Here are a few mini-renovations you can do for under 250 dollars:
Drawer pulls and cabinet knobs: If you’re not ready to completely change your kitchen décor, why not start small? A simple change of hardware for your drawers and cabinets will refresh the look of your kitchen instantly, and you can find lots of options at your local hardware stores for 5 to 15 dollars.
Paint: A change of wall color will make the biggest possible impact for the lowest price. Popular colors may be bold, subtle, or anywhere in between. Right now using actual color (instead of a neutral) is a big trend, so choose your favorite!
Window Treatment: In contemporary kitchens simple valances or shades, or even the complete absence of window treatments, are in vogue. Gone are the fussy little curtain sets of the past. If you have an eat-in kitchen, the same holds true. Use roll-up shades or Roman blinds instead of the old mini-blinds.
Linens: New placemats, a table runner in a vivid color, or a new set of towels can give your kitchen an affordable instant facelift.
Accessories for your countertop: Store the little appliances that never get used and put out some attractive canisters, jars, a decorative plate and stand, vases, a tiered fruit basket, a cookbook set, or a flower arrangement.
Art: You don’t normally need much on your walls in a kitchen, but adding a strong picture or two can be really effective. A vintage sign, framed art, interesting clock or wall sculpture will add some wow factor to a dull kitchen.
Faucet: If you haven’t looked at faucets in a while, you may be surprised by all the new finishes, pull-out spray wands, and new designs. Changing your kitchen faucet can give a boost to your kitchen’s look as well as its function.
Backsplash: Whether you prefer stainless steel, ceramic or glass, you have endless choices for your backsplash. This can add instant drama and color to your kitchen décor.
Lighting: There are plenty of beautiful choices for any budget, whether you want a new light in your dining area or some accent lighting to add ambience or extra light where you need it. Oiled brass, antique bronze and brushed stainless steel are all popular both for individual and multiple fixtures. If you like the style of your current fixture but you want a new finish, you can even spray paint it for a super fast (and super affordable) instant pick-me-up.
Countertop or cabinet refinishing: If your laminate countertops and cabinets are in good shape but have out-of-date finishes, you can refinish them. One product line, Rust-Oleum Transformations, makes this an easy task.
Vinyl Floor Tiles: These have really evolved, and you’re no longer limited to no-wax super-shiny finishes or old-fashioned linoleum. You can now get vinyl tiles that look like real tiles (in some cases you can even grout them to look more like ceramic or stone), but they are much less expensive and easier to install. A smaller kitchen might only use 4 or 5 boxes, making it an affordable option.
To get even more bang for your buck, look at the clearance section in your local home improvement stores. Often you can find exactly what you’re looking for and pay a lot less for it. Use the money you save for another mini-project!