15 cheap kitchen upgrades that make a huge difference

Sometimes the biggest impact on a room can stem from the smallest changes. Read these tips to freshen the look of your kitchen, without the headache of a big remodel. These projects take anywhere from a few hours to a weekend.

Under-cabinet lighting doesn’t have to be expensive! LED ropes, for example, are highly affordable and easy to install. While it adds a new dimension to your kitchen, it also highlights dust and dirt, so keep your counters clean. Head here for more great advice on updating a room with new lighting.

One way to update the kitchen without spending a lot of money is replacing the cabinet hardware. This project can be done in one day and can help tie together the look of a room. Here are some great tips on replacing cabinet handles and drawer knobs.

Grey has become the go-to neutral, for good reason. Depending on the shade it fits well into most home colour schemes. The colour also helps to hide any fingerprints or food splashes. Here are 10 great tips for choosing paint colours.

If you don’t have the money to switch out all the benchtops in your kitchen, focus on the island. By changing the island benchtop, a new-look can be tested in a small way. FInd out how to build your own kitchen island benchtop here.

Freshen up your kitchen by bringing the outdoors in with a new hanging herb garden. This project is a good one to build in the late winter/early spring so you can transplant the herbs outside when the growing season starts. Herbs need a lot of sunlight, so make sure the hanging garden is placed near a sunny window.

Flooring is often an expensive project because of the materials used and labour required, but today there are many options for inexpensive flooring projects. If your kitchen has decades-old linoleum, it’s time for a redo. Explore vinyl tile styles and colours to find something you like. Today’s vinyl tiles are affordable, very easy to install, and can even mimic the properties of other, more expensive surfaces for a high-end look. Follow this guide on how to lay vinyl tiles.

Tile adds interesting texture, colour and style to any kitchen. Plus, tiling a splashback is a very DIY-friendly project. Here’s how to make a mosaic tile splashback.

The kitchen sink is used every day and can get worn and tired-looking before other elements in the kitchen. Replace the sink to give your kitchen a boost.

Expandable or pull-out shelves are an easy way to add extra room to your kitchen without changing anything else. This is a relatively small project and you can typically find a very good pull-out shelf accessory for around $50 – or you can make your own. Discover how to install slide-out kitchen storage here.