Home improvements come in many forms. You can update your old bathrooms with new fixtures and mirrors. You can fix up your garage to become the ultimate man/woman cave. Or, you can fix up the most popular room in the house: the kitchen.
But if you don’t have a whole lot of money to spend and you’re wondering how to modernize your kitchen for less, you might want to think about doing it yourself (DIY). In fact, home improvement DIYers have learned that updating your kitchen doesn’t have to be an exercise in futility, and you can actually accomplish the task with relative ease.
According to a new report, you can easily complete a kitchen update in a weekend or two. These easy DIY updates include a backsplash installation, painting the cabinets, replacing the faucet and hardware, adding shelf storage and drawers, and more.
You can also DIY some new exciting colors and textures, along with some “functionality,” to make the kitchen a better place to cook and simply hang out with friends and family.
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Remodeling Your Kitchenvs. Updating
A kitchen update, especially one you plan on DIYing, is said to include refreshing the appliances, cabinets, and walls. These are considered “low-risk projects,” which include replacing drawer knobs/pulls and painting. They are also easy on the budget and can be accomplished in minimal time.
However, a kitchen remodeling involves a much more extensive work scope and a bigger budget. You will also need to hire a private construction contractor who will perform the following:
- Removing the stove, refrigerator, and sink to construct a “work triangle.”
- Demolition of non-bearing walls to create a larger, more open space.
- You’ll need a professional plumber to install a new sink and/or an island sink
- You must contact a certified electrician to install new switches, recessed lighting, outlets, and more. (NOTE: Never DIY electrical work if you don’t know what you’re doing!)
- A professional mason can perform a stone countertop installation.
The major benefit of a complete kitchen remodel is that it will increase your home’s value. That’s why it’s important to get the most out of your remodeling project by hiring certified contractors to get it done right the first time and according to legal construction standards and specifications.
That said, here’s a deeper dig into the kitchen update projects you can easily do on your own for very little cash.
Cabinet Repainting
Experts say that one of the best, most cost-effective ways to modernize a kitchen is to paint the existing cabinets. Color options are seemingly endless, and you can go with classic white or even a two-tone job.
It’s best to grab some paint samples from a local hardware store, then look at them at various points in the day as the sunlight changes. Also, look at them at night under artificial lighting conditions. You should use a color that enhances the kitchen, including the fixtures, appliances, and countertops.
Replace Your Kitchen Hardware
By replacing the cheap, build-grade drawer pulls and knobs with vintage and/or new pulls, you can add a lot of value and character to your kitchen for very little effort and money. In mere minutes you can convert your outdated cabinet doors into new ones.
Experts state that you don’t even need to match your new hardware. In fact, mixing and matching different looks can add a unique visual appeal to your kitchen. Since you use pulls and knobs daily, make sure you choose something functional and easy to clean.
Add Drawer Organizers and Cabinet Accessories
If you feel like you waste a lot of time searching for the right pans, bowls, silverware, and even ingredients and spices, you might want to invest in some storage solutions. You can easily DIY cabinet accessories and drawer organizers that will make your life easier.
Roll-out trays are a simple way to take full advantage of all your cabinet space. Blind corner organizers, lazy susans, and corner pullouts are not difficult to install, and they keep everything you need for cooking a great meal at arm’s length.
You might also think about installing door mounts, overhead racks, under-shelf baskets, and space dividers to keep your cookware organized.
Add a New Backsplash
Adding a new sink backsplash is not only a great way to spruce up your kitchen, but you can DIY the project in less than two hours. It’s also a very inexpensive item, and in some cases, it’s as easy as “peel-and-stick.”
Some popular splashes are subway tiles. Others are glass, ceramic, and porcelain.