Budget-friendly tips for upgrading your kitchen

Written by Chris Pearson for Australian Seniors

While the kitchen is the hub of the home, it can also be the trickiest room to update if you’re tight for time and budget. According to the Housing Industry Association, kitchen renovations could cost upwards of $22,000 by 2026. But here’s a recipe for great-value revamps. “You don’t need to rip out walls or move plumbing to create something that feels fresh, functional and full of heart,” say interior designers Three Birds Renovations. “Good bones can be brought back to life with paint, handles, lighting, and updated surfaces.”

Change handles, taps, and knobs

Swap out handles and taps, a small change that can make a huge impact. “Changing handles and knobs is one of the simplest ways to elevate your cupboards and drawers,” says interior designer Kellie Richardson of Kurved By Design. “Opt for brushed brass, matte black, or minimalist chrome for a modern touch. You can DIY without needing power tools.”

Consider flat-pack kitchens

Kaboodle and Ikea deliver flat-pack kitchens in a box. “You don’t need to compromise on quality or style when it comes to a quick kitchen renovation,” says John Harrison of Kaboodle. “With off-the-shelf cabinetry, you can renovate your space faster without losing the design features you love. Mix and match colours, finishes, and configurations to make it your own.”

From Metod to Enhot – no, that’s not a Swedish railway line – the Ikea flat packs are among the brand’s amazing ranges of profiles in cabinets and shelving, whether contemporary, Shaker or country, in a dazzling array of colours.

Add a fresh coat of paint

With Dulux’s Renovation Range, you can repaint anything – literally. “Tailored to cabinets, tiles, benchtops, grout and floors, the water-based range offers a custom, premium look,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, colour and communications manager for Dulux. 

“Adding a moody colour to your laminated benchtops or tiled floors, paired with warm white splashback tiles, creates a classic and sophisticated look.”

“A freshly painted bench can completely change a kitchen for less than a few hundred dollars,” adds Kellie. “It can modernise the space, making it look brand new.”

Related: How to give your home a refresh for spring

Invest in a butcher’s block: an alternative to the kitchen island

Dreaming of an island, but lack the room? Opt for a butcher’s block that offers an extra work surface and storage beneath. For true versatility, choose a trolley with wheels. Three Birds suggests opting for a freestanding butcher’s block to add flexibility and farmhouse charm.

Replace cupboard doors

Want to avoid new cabinetry? Then replace or re-face your existing joinery doors. “Many cupboard doors are a standard size, which means you can replace them with doors from the hardware store,” Kellie says. “Replacing the doors can completely change up the look and feel of a kitchen, and there are so many styles.” Or paint existing doors. “It transforms their colour and finish.”

Maximise your storage space

Keep clutter at bay with smart storage, such as floating or freestanding shelves. Or a simple row of containers on the bench, which can up the ante. “Make the most of deep cupboards and tricky corners with our Wireware range that glides, spins and swings into action,” John shares.

Think pullout baskets, from two to six tiers, that slide and swivel, letting you access even pesky corners. “Perfect for downsizing, these clever additions maximise space and make cooking easier and streamlined.”

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Organise your drawers

“Large drawers are practical, but they can easily attract clutter,” says an Ikea spokesperson. “Interior organisers divide them into sections. A pegboard holds your plates and bowls, while a knife rack keeps your knives in place. Forks, knives, and spoons find their perfect place in a cutlery tray.”

Swap out the sink

While it might not be obvious when you enter the kitchen, a new sink goes a long way. Swap out that tired stainless-steel iteration for an elegant ceramic. Or, with a little juggling of your joinery, you could go for a seriously on-trend inset butler’s sink. 

Light up your kitchen

Pendants make a design statement while offering valuable light over an island, ensuring a handy work surface. 

“Statement pendants or under- cabinet strip LED lighting can make a huge impact, transforming a space by creating drama, lifting the mood and creating a designer finish,” Kellie says. In some cases, skilled DIYers can put in LED strips, but for pendants, always call in an electrician.

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