5 Easy Ways To Refresh Your Kitchen Without Remodeling
Thinking about revamping your kitchen space, but aren’t committed to the time and financial burden that can come with it? You’re not alone.
Kitchen renovations can be slow, expensive, and often fail to generate real returns on investment when homeowners eventually move forward with a home sale. In fact, statistics show that homesellers only tend to recover 52% to 59% of the cost of a kitchen remodel when selling a home.
But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost! There are many ways to refresh your kitchen, without breaking the bank, and we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite tried and true hacks.
#1: (Re)Face Your Cabinet Fears
Here’s the best secret on the market: if the only problem with your cabinets is their look, you don’t have to rip them out and start from scratch. A surprising amount of homeowners are inspired to rip out unattractive or dated kitchen cabinets, which can be quite a big job. In reality, if the kitchen’s layout speaks to you and the internal hardware and structure of the cabinets is sound, you can get a better visual aesthetic with a technique called cabinet refacing.
In refacing, the cabinet doors and drawer fronts are removed, the front and sides of the cabinet boxes are covered with laminate or MDF, and new doors and drawer fronts are installed.
It’s not for the faint of heart, but an experienced DIYer could pull off cabinet refacing with a veneer kit and special ordering some parts. Or, if that’s not your preferred method, many firms specialize in refacing as well, so check out some of your local contractors for quotes.
Alternatively, for homeowners whose cabinets are in good condition, painting the cabinets and installing fresh, contemporary hardware can be an easy DIY project to totally change the look of a kitchen without any major work at all.
#2: Backsplashes Steal the Spotlight
Installing a new backsplash can be pricey, running between around $600 and $1,400. Homeowners who want all of the look and functionality of a backsplash without the mess and expense, however, have a much less intrusive option.
Peel-and-stick tile can upgrade the look of your kitchen, installs easily, and makes your backsplash easier to clean. Available in a variety of styles from traditional to contemporary, these easy-to-install tiles are a quick and easy way to make your kitchen instantly look more high-end without the cost and hassle of major renovations.
#3: Embrace a Functional Island
If you want a little more space for food prep and storage, but aren’t ready to start knocking down walls, a functional island is a great compromise! There’s a huge variety of options, from large islands with seating, to smaller ones with storage, so you can really find what works best for your space and style.
#4: Spruce Up Your Floor
There’s no easier way to cover up a floor you’re far from infatuated with than by purchasing a cute runner or rug! Finding one that fits your style is a great way to cover up any imperfections on the floor and improve the look of your overall space.
Keep in mind, the kitchen is prone to spills, so you’ll want to find something that is low-pile and easy to clean. If your kitchen decor is more neutral, you might want to consider a bold, patterned accent rug! If your kitchen is already embracing some loud accents, then keep an eye out for a more minimal look. Either way, it’s an easy way to swap out accents without completely starting from scratch!
#5: Add In Under Cabinet Lighting
Under-cabinet lighting is easy to find and install, and provides an instant upgrade to the look of any kitchen. With a wide variety of options, it’s always easy to find a lighting system that adds ambience and functionality to the darker parts of your kitchen. Look for lighting systems that are battery-operated or plug into your existing outlets to avoid having to wrestle with complicated electrical work in your kitchen.