Your kitchen is truly the heart of your home, whether you own your own home, live in an apartment or condo, or share a kitchen space with others. Your kitchen is also one of the most essential rooms to decorate because it is where you will often eat and entertain. In this article, we will be talking about several ways to spruce up your kitchen decor while on a budget. These DIY ideas can help you save money and still love the space you live in.
Holders for Cutting Boards, Pans, Etc.
If you’re sick of stacking your cutting boards or pans on top of each other, there are sleeker solutions for storing your flat kitchen items. For example, one way to nicely organize your thin pans or cutting boards is to get a wire file organizer like you’d have in your office and slide them all in. If you want to get super creative, you can even paint the organizer whatever color you want.
Find a Fun Rug
We often focus on the things going on on top of or in the kitchen cabinets. But take a look at the floor to brainstorm another improvement option. For example, rugs are typically expensive, and you can even find reasonably-priced used ones at thrift stores (just be sure to clean them). Additionally, if you have a rug in another part of your house you could swap into the kitchen, consider doing that to spruce things up.
Install Floating Shelves
While traditional kitchen shelves might not seem super aesthetically appealing, floating shelves can give your kitchen storage a much more elevated look. Floating shelves can be as little as a few dollars a piece at IKEA, and they are relatively easy to install with the right tools. Floating shelves are sleek and seamless and can hold things like cookbooks, tools, candles, and more! Also, floating shelves are a great way to eliminate kitchen clutter or display some of those fancy dishes you’ve accumulated over the years.
Add Some Greenery
If you have a green thumb and want to flex it, adding some greenery to your kitchen is a great way to spruce it up on a budget. Flowers, houseplants, and succulents are cheap to buy from big box hardware stores. And if you know how to take care of them, they can keep your kitchen looking beautiful for years to come. Additionally, plants will keep your house smelling fresh and clean.
Change Your Backsplash
The backsplash is the section of wall between your cabinets and countertops, on top of your appliances. If things get “splashed” off the counter, this is where those splashes end up. Typically, people put some fun wallpaper or tile in this space to break up the solid colors in their kitchen. Switching your backsplash to some fun tile is one of the easiest ways to spruce up your kitchen on a budget. You can find cheap sticky tiles that are easy to install in an afternoon.
Make Your Own Coffee Bar
Making your own coffee bar can be as easy or complicated as you want it to be! This is a perfect project if you have a little bar cart or kitchen side table. However, if you only have a tiny bit of counter space, you can wedge it in there too. Clean up your coffee machine and surround it with some fun syrups, creamers, coffee pods, or other additives. Keep your reusable cups nearby to make your morning coffee (or tea) routine way more fun!
Add Some New Lights
Lighting can really change up the vibe and feel of a space. Consider switching up the lighting setup if your kitchen’s lighting is stale or uncreative. Even switching out harsh bulbs for softer ones can make a huge difference. Look for a vintage or funky lamp on Facebook Marketplace or in a thrift store. You may find that with new lighting, you feel more stimulated to cook or enjoy free time in your kitchen.
Find A New Piece of Artwork
If you have your structure and setup of your kitchen exactly the way you like it, but you still feel like something is missing, consider adding a fun piece of artwork to the mix. Whether it’s a painting, tapestry, or even a funky sculpture, a piece of art can make your kitchen feel less dull and more creative and comfortable. Additionally, many funky art pieces can be used as conversation starters with friends!
Update Kitchen Hardware
One small but mighty way to upgrade your kitchen for less is by updating the hardware. Changing out hardware could include handles or knobs on your cabinets or even updating your faucet. Depending on the color scheme of your kitchen, updating your hardware could make your kitchen feel much more cohesive and sleek. If your cabinets are older or original to a new home you recently moved into, updating your hardware can make your space feel more modern and contemporary.
Paint Your Walls
While this project takes much more leg work to complete, painting your walls will undoubtedly change your kitchen’s entire ambiance. Whether you want to make your space feel brighter, darker, more serene, or more fun, choosing a new color for your kitchen can help to stimulate your relaxation or productivity. When choosing a new paint color, compare colors within your space to be sure you like it before making the commitment.
Pick Out Some Fun Wallpaper
If you don’t want to paint or want something less messy, consider putting up some fun wallpaper in your kitchen, either on an accent wall or in your entire kitchen! When picking out a fun wallpaper, be mindful of how busy the pattern will feel and whether it’s more suitable for one wall or multiple walls in your kitchen. Wallpaper could also go in your backsplash if it’s an especially appealing pattern.
DIY Marble Countertop
This project might seem intimidating for some, but the payoff can be gorgeous! If you want marble countertops in your kitchen but can’t afford actual marble, you can try a couple of different DIY options. The first is vinyl peel-and-stick sheets that stick to your counter and essentially act as a marble sticker. The second is white and gray chalk paint to mimic a marble design. When you are finished, you can seal it with epoxy. However, this option is probably not suitable for renters.
DIY Menu Board
If you want your kitchen to have a more “restaurant” feel, or you just want your family to know what the dinner plan is, consider making a DIY menu board! You could craft this with something as simple as a dry-erase whiteboard. Or you can get really creative with a small chalkboard and a custom frame. Either way, having a fun customizable accessory in your kitchen can make planning your meals more fun.
