One of my favorite topics to share on my blog is design solutions for small spaces. It's been way too long since I've shared my ideas on how to maximize a small space. I was talking with a girlfriend of mine who recently bought a cute fixer-upper in Southern California about her kitchen. I was sharing with her ways to 'make it work' while she saves up for a big renovation in the future.
I started the blog series Small Home Style to help fellow small home dwellers with design ideas to help maximize their small spaces and tackle design dilemmas. This topic is near and dear to my heart as a homeowner living in a small 1950's rancher with my husband, two kids, and our Chocolate Labrador Oliver. I'm getting back on track, and every Monday will share a post about Small Home Style.
One of the big-reno myths on TV is a person or couple buy a home and instantly put $80K into renovating their house into their dream home with only one tiny $2K hiccup along the way in under 30 minutes, which is fake and misleading. The reality is most people prioritize renovations with needs as in what must be down ASAP to move into the home and then save-up for other improvements.
Today I'm sharing Five Budget-Friendly Ideas to Update a Small Kitchen on a Budget and tide you over for a while saving for a renovation. I honestly believe tight budgets create opportunities to get creative!
ONE // Add Storage
A bookcase is a great edition addition in a kitchen, especially if you have an empty wall and little more storage. Bookcases can easliy be transformed into freestanding pantries. You can use Ikea Billy Bookcases, a leaning bookcase or a wire metal shelf. All three are affordable updates that are under $ 100 bucks, but once styled look incredible.
image via First Home Love Life
TWO // Hang Shelves
Adding shelves to an empty wall is a great way to quickly and affordably update the look of a kitchen. Treat the open shelves like a pantry. Raw wood looks incredible and its very affordable! I love that most big home improvements store like The Home Depot, cut down wood for you in-store! Wood shelves paired with pretty shelf brackets is a great way to affordably customize your shelves.
image via Pinterest
SHOP THE LOOK
THREE // DIY Update on the Floors
Most dated kitchens come with dated floors! Nothing is worse than ugly tile and lots of it! When ripping up all the dated tile isn’t an option, consider painting it! I’ve seen some amazing tile and linoleum transformations with the power of paint! Within the Grove, was a great tile stencil ‘how to’ walking you through the process.
image via Within the Grove
FOUR // Paint Your Cabinets a Color
There’s no denying it, I LOVE white kitchens! However, I think older kitchen cabinets come to life when not painted white! Plus a white kitchen is almost expected, I love the idea of stepping outside the box and have fun with color. All the dated details of old kitchen cabinets (funky details) fade away. Top off the cabinet makeover with new hardware.
image via Hunker.com
FIVE // Remove Upper Cabinets / Remove Cabinet Doors
If your upper kitchen cabinets have wonky doors, consider removing some of the cabinet doors for a new look. You can paint or wallpaper the inside of the cabinet to create more interest. Or, remove the all upper cabinets completely and install shelves with pretty brackets. The second option requires more work, patches the wall etc. but once those dated cabinets are gone, its going to feel like a new space.
image via Domino
image via Decorpad
I hope you enjoyed this post and feel inspired to tackle little projects in your kitchen that won’t break the bank! Have you made any budget friendly updates in your home to area?
