It can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking your whole kitchen needs to be redone when it begins to feel old, tired or simply a bit boring. But a renovation, and even a simple makeover, can quickly add up and cost a small fortune.
More often than not, your kitchen can be brought back to life with a few simple steps, all of which cost absolutely nothing. Making some subtle changes, whether you reorganize a space or introduce decorative items swapped out for others in your home, can make a world of difference in your kitchen. Here, we ask interior designers how they recommend updating a kitchen without spending a cent.
How to update a kitchen without buying anything new
The kitchen is the room most people spend the majority of their time in, so it's not uncommon to start feeling bored of the space. However, it's unrealistic to have a remodel every time trends, seasons or your personal interior design style changes. There are plenty of ways you can breathe new life into your kitchen without having to buy anything new, it's just about getting creative and working with what you already have.
1. Reorganize and declutter your kitchen counters and cabinets
Cluttered surfaces and disorganized cabinets make a kitchen instantly feel more tired than it really is. 'My go-to tip for refreshing without buying anything is always to undertake a big cleaning and re-organization project,' advises Kathy Kuo, CEO of Kathy Kuo Home.
Emptying out and reorganizing kitchen cabinets and counters in a way that makes sense will instantly make your kitchen feel like a much more useable and aesthetically pleasing space. 'It can be shocking how much of a difference it makes in the whole look and feel of a kitchen after you've done a deep clean and tackled countertop clutter,' adds Kathy Kuo.
'Having a dedicated space for kitchenware not only contributes to a clutter-free kitchen, it's also really practical,' says Gabriella Dyson, Solved editor at H&G. 'The added efficiency of knowing exactly where all your essentials live will ensure you enjoy using your space, plus the lack of visual clutter can totally transform a space.'
2. Undertake a deep clean
Kitchens see a lot of wear and tear over time, which can add to the old, used appearance your space has. But taking an afternoon to spend on deep cleaning all the nooks and crannies in your kitchen can instantly bring the space back to life.
'Deep cleaning is a really effective way to update your kitchen without buying anything new. With the vast amounts of cooking and food prep that takes place, it's expected deep stains and grime will appear,' adds Gabriella Dyson. 'Deep cleaning will help to lift the stains and instantly brighten surfaces in the kitchen.'
There are a few key areas to focus on: grout between kitchen wall tiles naturally becomes discolored, so giving them a good clean will instantly make your tiles look as good as new.
Hardware is another feature that can make a huge difference to the overall appearance of your kitchen. Taps, sinks, and finishes will look brand new with a good buff and shine.
3. Shop your own home
Looking around your home at what you already own is a great way to refresh multiple rooms at once. 'Swapping wall art from room to room is another fun way to get a new look without opening your wallet,' says Kathy.
This also applies to other decorative items – if you have kitchen shelving, switch up the pieces you have on display. This could be other kitchenware, recipe books, or ornaments you've found elsewhere in your home.
Artem Kropovinsky, founder and principal designer at Arsight, suggests taking it one step further by repurposing items in your home, adding 'use jars as utensil holders and hang pots and pans to serve a decorative purpose.'
4. Make use of leftover paint
If you're an avid DIYer, you've probably got a few part-used cans of paint sitting in the garage. Making use of them is a quick and easy paint project and a great way to spruce up your kitchen without spending money.
'Paint can make the most impactful change of anything you would do with a kitchen renovation,' says Andi Morse, of Morse Design. 'If you have a kitchen island, it's fun to paint it a different color than the surrounding cabinets. It's even more fun to choose a bold color.'
If you have leftover paint that matches your kitchen cabinetry, opt for a simple touch-up. Alternatively, if you have enough of another paint color, give island cabinets a fresh look, or add a pop of color with a feature wall.
5. Adjust your kitchen lighting
Kitchens aren't just for cooking, they are one of the most social rooms in the home. To create a more homely feel, a simple adjustment to the kitchen lighting can make all the difference.
'Modify the existing illumination by altering its give direction or adding lampshades,' says Artem Kropovinsky. 'These small changes can change your kitchen’s atmosphere.'
A small table lamp or floor lamp currently used in an entryway or bedroom can work wonders to create mood lighting and make a kitchen feel cozier. If you already have additional lighting in your kitchen, switch out a lampshade for one used in a different room for an easy way to inject a new color or pattern.
There are plenty of fun and simple ways to update a kitchen without buying anything new. It doesn't need to be an expensive task, and by making a few conscious choices you can refresh your space and make you feel excited about your kitchen once again.
