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How to give your kitchen a glow-up on a budget
Just because you don’t have the budget to build the kitchen of your dreams, doesn’t mean you can’t breathe new life into your existing one. The kitchen is a hard-working space, but it can look good too. With the right choices of low cost upgrades, you can give your kitchen a glow-up to suit your preferred style. Here’s our favourite kitchen upgrades you can do on a budget.
1. Paint a wall
Yep, we’re starting with a no-brainer. A fresh coat of paint can have a huge impact, whether you’re refreshing, going with a different shade, or opting for a vibrant feature wall. It’s a new look and a new feel rolled into one, and can generally be done for a couple of hundred dollars (depending on how much wall you have).
Make sure you use a paint that’s appropriate for a kitchen, like Resene SpaceCote Kitchen & Bathroom, Wattyl I.D Advanced Kitchen & Bathroom, or Accent Interior Kitchen, Bathroom & Laundry. This paint will stand up against steam, splatter and general kitchen mess, and will be easier to clean too. For the best result, use rollers, and don’t forget to mask off any nearby fixtures.
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2. Get some new lighting
Changing the lighting in a room can make it feel like a completely different space. If your current lighting isn’t doing it for you, it could be time for a change. When it comes to home improvement, lighting is something that can add up quickly - so be mindful about which option will give you the right balance of functionality and aesthetics.
Task lights can be useful for illuminating the key work areas of the kitchen. Pendant lights can make a statement and give the space character. Moveable spotlights give you the most flexibility, while recessed ceiling lights will give you the cleanest finished look. LED strip lights along the underside of wall mounted cabinets is also a premium look with wallet-friendly price tag.
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3. Install a new splashback
CA splashback is another functional kitchen component that also contributes to the overall look, giving you the opportunity to add some fresh visual interest to your kitchen. The easiest splashback to install is a single glass panel in your choice of colour, pattern or image, and will essentially act as a smaller scale feature wall. Whether you want to find something that blends into the kitchen or stands out is your choice.
The slightly more difficult and time consuming option is to go for a tile splashback. This will often give you a bit of texture as well as visual impact, and lets you get a bit more creative with tile size, shape, orientation, and colour, so you can create something that’s unique to your style.
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4. Put some new handles on your drawers & cupboards
A new set of handles or pulls for your kitchen drawers and cupboards is a quick and relatively simple upgrade. There’s a huge amount of options available, from minimal and modern to elegant and timeless, not to mention a range of materials and finishes, there will definitely be a few options that will elevate the look at your place.
The most important factor is to measure the screw holes from the old ones before you start shopping. With knobs, you’ll generally be fine to just pick the one you like, but getting the right hole spacing for handles is essential to maintaining a clean look. The last thing you want is unsightly holes in every panel.
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5. Build up your storage
Sometimes, the look of your kitchen isn’t the issue. Sometimes it’s just all of the stuff that makes it look a bit overcrowded and cluttered. If that’s what’s happening at your place, some new storage solutions could be the answer. Start with your most cluttered space, think about whether those items need to be in the kitchen or can they go somewhere else? If they need to stay, do they need to be on hand, or can you put them away to pull out when you need them? If you can, try and whittle the clutter down to just the daily essentials.
From there it’s just about finding the right storage solutions for what’s leftover. We have a huge range of pantry and draw organisers, storage containers for food and accessories, storage racks that can be mounted on walls or cupboard doors.
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6. Bring in some houseplants or decor
When all else fails, doing some decorating or bringing in some houseplants can help make the space feel fresh and new. As far as decor goes, you could hang some artwork on a wall, maybe put up some floating shelves to display any knick-knacks or keepsakes you love. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, especially if you already have some things you want to display.
With houseplants, there’s a huge range on offer down at your local Mitre 10, as well as pots and hanging baskets to help you get the look you want. Be mindful of where you place them, as the plants may not like being too close to a heat source or direct sunlight, and remember - don’t get anything that will grow too large for your space. Remember you can always check the label for care instructions. A windowsill herb garden is also a great choice, not just providing you with fresh, easy to reach herbs, but they can bring a touch of rustic charm to the kitchen too.
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A kitchen you love doesn’t always mean a full-blown renovation. With the right small changes, you can give your kitchen the glow-up it deserves. Plus, you can always chat to our team in-store about ways to make the most of your budget with your kitchen refresh.