Undergoing a kitchen renovation may seem like a daunting task, and from the perspective of your wallet, it can be. Floor-to-ceiling kitchen renovations can very easily run upwards of 70,000 dollars, and if you are making changes to the structure of the room or decide to invest in higher-end appliances or beautiful – albeit expensive – granite countertops, that number can soar well into the six figures.
A lot of homeowners today are shying away from these big-budget renovation projects and opting for DIY kitchen updates. That, too, maybe a somewhat intimidating thought – after all, a kitchen renovation requires knowledge of electric, plumbing, carpentry, and tilework, among other things; that’s no small task! But don’t fear: the DIY kitchen renovation doesn’t have to be as scary as it sounds. There are a handful of easy and fun things you can do to your kitchen that are budget-friendly, require minimal skills, and will give your space the update it needs.
Paint can give any space a much-needed refresh
Painting is a great, budget-friendly way to update a space, and requires virtually no skill at all (if you can move a brush back and forth and understand how to use tape, you can paint a room). Your once-bare kitchen walls present a blank canvas on which to express yourself, so don’t be afraid to go bold! Deep emerald green or elegant charcoal grey against white cabinets could offer a sense of luxury and will help those cabinets really pop. Or, if your cabinets are bold, maybe stick with a soft grey or greige to offer contrast and create warmth. Plus, if you’ve invested in gorgeous granite countertops (and really, you should consider it: they’re so versatile and sturdy and the price point is well worth it, according to this reference), softer more neutral colors will complicate them beautifully.
But any room can get a re-paint: what’s really fun is to update your kitchen by re-painting the kitchen cabinets! It’s a chic and unique way to give a kitchen a face-lift, and it’s not hard. Sand your cabinets down well to remove existing stains or paints, grab your favorite brush and go to town. Black cabinets with marbled grey countertops have become wildly popular, or try a deep Navy. You could even paint your cabinets emerald green if you’re feeling really adventurous (just don’t go crazy with the number of things that you paint: if you’re doing a bold cabinet color, maybe stick to neutrals on the wall, and visa-Versa).
Have fun with tile (it’s easier than you’d think)
Re-doing your floors and backsplashes can seem like a scary thing to undertake on your own (after all, if you make a mistake on your kitchen floor, it’s going to be hard not to notice). But really, tilework is not all that complicated and is easy to learn. Go out and buy yourself a tile cutter or wet tile saw (or better yet, borrow one from a friend). Let your friend or the nice folks at the hardware store teach you how to use it properly, and then have fun! Tiles come in a million and one different sizes, shapes, colors, styles, and materials, and they can lend serious character and charm to a kitchen. Also, once you’ve cut your tiles, they’re just not that hard to lay: you grab a trowel, mix some thin-set mortar, spread that gooey fun and start laying!
What’s fun about tilework is that, in a kitchen, it impacts so much more than your floors. Tile backsplashes can wrap the entirety of the room; you can create a mosaic masterpiece over a sink or behind a stovetop; you can even go floor-to-ceiling for an accent wall. This is a fun and easy way to introduce your unique style to the kitchen, to have fun with color, and to bring character and life. So if you’re going to undertake a DIY kitchen update, don’t shirk on the tilework: it’s where you just might have the most fun.
Let the little (and easy) stuff make a big impact
Yep: re-doing the plumbing and electric in your kitchen could very well be as scary as it sounds. So if it’s not absolutely necessary for your DIY kitchen overhaul, don’t do it. Stick with fixes and updates that are fun and easy for you to do and that introduce style into space, rather than mechanical must-haves (basically, stick with the “cosmetic” fixes). For example, a kitchen that you feel is lacking in luxury can become seriously elevated with the introduction of visually pleasing wall cabinets to suit your space. Or go bold with golden fixtures at your sink! These are easy things to install and replace and they can really go the extra mile in lending a space character and interest.
Lighting is another area where you can really make a big impact in a little way, and it’s so often overlooked. Consider replacing outdated ceiling lights with recessed lighting or cans. Or, if there’s space, go big with a statement-making chandelier. These pieces are not hard to install: the biggest thing you’ll need is a second pair of hands to help you hold them in place. Finally, the décor of a kitchen is a very easy and budget-friendly area where you can make updates without needing any skills. Think about the shelving, the wall art, the potted plants or other indoor greenery in the space… all of these things can take your kitchen from drab to fab in an instant.
And make sure you have fun with your DIY kitchen remodel! Updating a space shouldn’t be a chore – it should be a way for you to express yourself and really get creative.