Even on a limited budget, giving your kitchen a fresh new look needn’t be just a dream. Here are a few tips for a makeover that doesn’t break the bank.
1. Have a detailed plan. Don’t just set your budget, make a plan for how to spend it. You probably have a long list of ideas for things you’d like to do if you can afford to: taking time at the start to cost them out will help you make the most of your available funds. Prioritise the changes that will make the greatest impact, and then use what’s left to add in as many of the extras as you can manage.
2. Only replace what’s necessary. You’ll certainly want to refresh your units, as they have the biggest visual impact on your kitchen of anything. But if the actual cupboards and drawers still have plenty of life in them, you can save a lot of money by simply fitting replacement kitchen cabinet doors, visit www.kitchenrestoration.co.uk. Similarly, you may find that giving your existing flooring a deep clean will make replacing it unnecessary. If it really has come to the end of its time, though, explore your options for laying new lino or vinyl tiles over the top. It will depend on what type of flooring you want to cover, but this could be the most cost-effective way to do it.
3. Get your hands dirty. Your shiny new replacement kitchen cabinet doors will immediately make your walls start showing their age, so you’ll almost certainly need fresh paint. If you don’t mind rolling your sleeves up and doing the job yourself, this is an inexpensive task that goes a long way towards making your kitchen look spanking new. For a kitchen, it’s important to get the right balance between cost and durability, so shop around for the best paint to suit your budget and your requirements.
4. Upcycle. You can save a lot on kitchen furniture and accessories by searching around second-hand shops, car boot sales and websites. Your finds can be upcycled to suit whatever design you’re going for, and at the end of the day you’ll have a completely unique piece at a fraction of the price you would have paid for a brand new one.
There’s no denying that refurbishing your kitchen on a budget isn’t a project you can expect to polish off in a bank holiday weekend. Doing a proper job while keeping the costs down requires an inversely proportional investment of time and effort, but if you’re willing to make that commitment then you’ll find it a rewarding and worthwhile project.