Key Highlights :
     When it comes to planning a kitchen renovation, it can be one of the most expensive rooms to renovate in the home. From selecting flooring and appliances to cabinetry and storage, the multitude of decisions can be overwhelming and the cost of a full renovation can be substantial. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little bit of planning and clever design tricks, you can still rejuvenate your kitchen without breaking the bank.
     Before you start your kitchen makeover, it’s important to plan ahead and be realistic about what you can achieve with your budget. Any structural work such as sky lights, changing entrances, moving pipes and rewiring will add significant costs to the project.
     Here are some tips and tricks for a cost-effective kitchen makeover:
     Revitalise Existing Cabinetry
     Cabinetry is a large focal point of the kitchen and updating it is one of the easiest ways to transform your kitchen. If your budget doesn’t allow for new cabinetry, painting them yourself can be the more affordable alternative, providing the same effect. Sand down your existing cabinetry, apply a primer and then paint them the colour of your choice. Whether you opt for a dramatic black or pastel green, the change of hue will give the illusion of a completely new kitchen upgrade – without the big spend. If you want even more of a change, you can also replace doors and drawer fronts with new materials and finishes.
     Introduce Floating Shelves
     If you have blank wall space, you don’t necessarily need to buy large pieces of furniture, such as dressers and cupboards, to fill it. Instead, incorporating floating shelving into the space is an affordable way to not only add more storage to your kitchen, but also add a level of style and airiness to the space. Floating shelves provide the perfect opportunity to showcase personal flair and character in your kitchen – displaying pretty glassware, or your favourite mugs and cookbooks, can keep your kitchen feeling cozy.
     Update Your Splashback
     Practicalities aside, splashbacks play a crucial role as a focal point in your kitchen design. Simply updating them is an easy way to add a splash of on-trend colour and transform the feel of the room. If the rest of your kitchen is fairly neutral, pick a patterned tile to add some flair. As well as colour, you can introduce an additional finish or layer into your kitchen with your splashback, such as textured or hexagonal tiles.
     Update Hardware
     Trade old or outdated hardware in for metallic finishes, such as brass and brushed gold, to give your kitchen a sleek and modern refresh. Small changes and additions like this can go a long way in making your kitchen look and feel more luxurious, without spending over the odds. Whatever finish or material you opt for, ensure you keep it coherent throughout the kitchen – with all knobs and handles matching in material and shape. This will tie the whole space together with a sleek and contemporary aesthetic.
     Add Under-Cabinet Lighting
     Aside from its practical purposes, lighting in a kitchen is a key design feature that can really determine the overall feeling and mood of the space. But you don’t need to invest in extravagant lighting fixtures, or rewire your electricals to achieve your desired finish. From overhead spotlights running across kitchen worktops and dangling over an island, to rattan lamps, safely placed candles and under or in-cabinet LED lighting, there are lots of small and affordable lighting tricks that can go a long way in creating a warm and ambient atmosphere.
     Flooring
     Another inexpensive way to refresh your kitchen is through your flooring. Hard flooring styles, such as vinyl and laminate, remain popular choices due to their durability and cost-effectiveness. Not only are these solutions highly durable, they can also help to transform a space and make a design statement in the kitchen, without a large investment. Additionally, they are particularly easy to maintain, offering a visible level of cleanliness and satisfaction with a light sweep and mop.
     Renovating your kitchen doesn’t have to be expensive. With a bit of planning and clever design tricks, you can still rejuvenate your kitchen without breaking the bank. From updating cabinetry and hardware to introducing floating shelves and updating your splashback, there are plenty of cost-effective ways to give your kitchen a makeover.