Is your home in need of a change? Maybe you’re planning on moving soon. Maybe you’re just growing tired of looking at 1973 shag carpeting every day. Renovations don’t need to be expensive and difficult; there are many simple, affordable, and creative ideas to spruce up your house on a budget.
We’re excited to share with you some of our favourite low-cost ways you can breathe new life into your home. In today’s article, we’ll start with one of the most lived-in rooms – the kitchen and eating area.
New Cabinet Handles and Knobs
Do you have chintzy knobs on your kitchen cupboards? You’d better pull out your screwdriver! Knobs and handles are fairly affordable, and they can certainly work wonders to update an outdated kitchen. Plastic handles are not in style right now; consider purchasing brushed copper or aluminum handles for a more modern finish.
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Ditch The Cupboard Doors
Openness continues to be a huge trend in interior design, and it’s beginning to extend even further into the kitchen. If your cupboard doors are an eyesore – simply get rid of them! Open shelving adds a different take on kitchen cupboards in a world full of closed off shelving, and you can do this simple renovation for free!
Pro tip: if you are willing to spend a bit of money, you can line the insides of your newly-open cupboards with a bright, patterned wallpaper that will add a pop of colour and style.
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Fold Some Cloth Napkins
Whether you have an eat-in kitchen or a separate formal dining room, these add class and style to any place setting. Best of all, they’re simple and inexpensive. Purchase napkins with bright floral patterns for a nice contrast if you have a neutrally-coloured tablecloth. For the full wow-factor, learn how to fold them like a pro thanks to Taste of Home.
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Chalkboard Fridge
If you have an stale looking fridge but don’t want to spend the big bucks to replace it, you’ll love this affordable alternative. Head on down to your local hardware or craft store and pick up some chalkboard paint! Follow these instructions to give your fridge a whole new look! You can let your creativity show by drawing or writing on the blackboard surface – seasonal designs and menus are a fun addition!
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It’s The Little Things
Small potted plants, colourful dishes, a butcher block cutting board… there are many low-cost and stylish additions you can make to your kitchen. One new trend is to put soil and plants in nifty glass hanging planters to create your own beautiful kitchen terrarium as seen in the picture below. You can purchase these planters here!
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Organize Your Messy Junk Drawer
Everyone has it: a drawer full of tangled cables, loose keys, and various writing utensils. It’s typically a nightmarish aspect of the kitchen that stays hidden from guests. But why should you be embarrassed by a simple drawer? Follow these easy steps to breathe new, organized life into your junk drawer.
These simple, inexpensive things you can do to revitalize your kitchen could yield a huge return; the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a house in terms of salability. In the next article of this series, we’ll share some economical renovation ideas for your living room. Stay tuned!
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Author:
Matthew McLaughlin
Matthew is a contributor for Welcome Mat. He is based out of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.