How to upgrade a small kitchen on a budget?
There are plenty of myths floating around about small kitchens.
Not enough storage. Limited floor plans. Nothing can really make a difference.
But here’s the secret no one wants to tell you…
Even the smallest kitchens can look and feel bigger with fewer frustrations. And there’s no need to spend thousands of dollars to do it.
These kitchen upgrades prove it.
Let’s do this.
The Strategy is Key When Renovating a Small Kitchen
Poor renovation decisions are amplified in small kitchens.
Splurge on the wrong upgrade. Tear out cabinets that should’ve been left alone.
Next thing you know there’s a partially renovated kitchen and zero dollars left in the bank account.
Small kitchens aren’t forgiving. That’s why strategy is more important here than in any other room of the house.
The goal is to spend as little as possible while getting the maximum amount of benefit from the upgrades chosen.
Want proof? Let’s look at kitchen renovations from a Return on Investment (ROI) standpoint.
Basically, the priority should be all the projects that won’t completely destroy the bank account. Which means no full gut renovations.
Cabinets, layout, smart lighting, countertops — these are the biggest factors that determine how a kitchen looks and feels on a daily basis.
Start with the big guys and treat everything else as gravy.
Wood Cabinet Refacing Makes The Biggest Impact
Did you know…
Cabinets occupy more “visual space” than anything else in a kitchen.
When cabinets look dated and worn, the whole room suffers.
Refacing the cabinets is one of the biggest upgrades possible in a kitchen.
The results speak for themselves.
Changing out cabinet faces can give a whole new kitchen without breaking the bank or taking months of disruption.
Cabinet refacing involves leaving the existing cabinet boxes and building new doors, drawer fronts, and veneer over them.
To see the step-by-step process and examples of finished projects, check out: https://www.kitchensaver.com/
It’s a complete transformation, but without the cost of full cabinet replacement.
That brings us to…
Replacing every single cabinet in a kitchen is one of the most expensive upgrades available. Period. End of sentence.
Wood cabinet refacing costs 30% to 50% less than full cabinet replacement. That same new kitchen look is achievable without spending a fortune.
Refacing can be done in as little as three to five days.
The kitchen stays usable with only minor inconvenience the entire time.
Compare that to full cabinet replacement which takes a full demo, new cabinet boxes, new cabinets, and sometimes even flooring until the project is done.
Here are the reasons why cabinet refacing should be the first upgrade:
- Cabinets can stay right where they are (no changes to the current layout)
- Thousands of style and wood finish options to choose from
- Completely changes the look of the kitchen
- Much cheaper than full cabinet replacement
- Finished project looks just as good as full replacement
There’s no need to replace every single cabinet just to make a kitchen look good.
Refacing is a game changer for small kitchens that spend wisely.
Change The Layout To Open Up Space
Fresh cabinet doors won’t help if the kitchen is a layout nightmare.
Kitchen layouts make or break small spaces.
If the dishwasher door is an obstacle every time it opens, it’s time to make some changes.
That means smarter storage options and utilising all of the space available.
Storage Solutions
Small kitchens tend to have limited cupboard space.
Almost all of them have unused space above the upper cabinets. Installing cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling or adding shelving takes advantage of all that unused space.
Think vertical.
Pull Outs And Lazy Susans
The space inside cabinets is just as important as the space outside.
Install pull outs for shelves and drawers.
Put a Lazy Susan in corner cabinets. Small details like this can double storage space without installing more cabinets.
Open Shelving
Replace one or two cabinets with open shelves.
Creating more “open space” in a kitchen by installing a few shelves instead of upper cabinets is an easy win.
Don’t go overboard here. One or two sections is plenty. Too much open shelving and the kitchen will look cluttered.
Countertops, Lighting, Hardware
Got cabinets covered? Here are some low-hanging fruit upgrades that come together to form a great-looking kitchen.
Countertops
The countertops are one of the first surfaces noticed when walking into a kitchen.
Upgrading countertops can instantly elevate the whole space.
If the kitchen has outdated laminate countertops, consider replacing them with quartz or butcher block.
Lighter colours are the way to go for countertops in a small kitchen.
They make the room feel brighter and bigger.
Under-Cabinet Lighting
Skip this upgrade at your peril.
Kitchen designers have known for decades — if there’s a small kitchen, under cabinet lighting can make it look and feel twice the size.
Not only that, but LED strip lights are affordable these days.
They last a long time, and can be installed in less than a day.
This upgrade is the secret a small kitchen has been craving.
Hardware
New cabinet hardware is one of the quickest finishes to a cabinet refacing job.
If cabinets still look outdated after a refacing project, new hardware can finish the job. Brushed nickel, matte black, and brass are some of the most popular hardware finishes right now.
Changing knobs and pulls is fast. It’s also really affordable.
Kitchen Renovation Strategies To Match Your Budget
The last thing anyone wants is to tackle one project, only to decide seven other upgrades are needed to finish the job.
Pick a strategy, figure out a kitchen budget, and get to work.
No kitchen is too small to look and function exactly as desired. Minor kitchen remodels deliver the highest ROI of any interior project at 113% — which means focused, smart upgrades beat expensive overhauls almost every single time.
Know Your Goals, Then Take Action
There are a handful of upgrades that can make the biggest difference.
Start with the cabinets.
They’re the kitchen’s foundation, and cabinet refacing can make a huge impact on the overall appearance. It adds value too.
Here’s the list:
- Cabinet Refacing — sets the tone for the entire kitchen
- Layout and storage — use vertical space and corner cabinet drawers
- Lighting — under cabinet lighting is a game changer
- Countertops — if they’re outdated, replace them
- Cabinet Hardware — fresh hardware finishes off the cabinets
Plan created? Budget set?
Go make things happen.
The dream kitchen space is waiting.
