Next Up

50 (Almost!) Free Kitchen Updates

Sprucing up your kitchen doesn't have to take a big bite out of your budget. Our pro tips will help you creatively make several small changes that'll add up to big style.

Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money off these affiliate links. Learn more.
1 / 51
Photo: Amy Bartlam/Kate Lester Interiors

Max Out Your Kitchen's Style for Less

A total kitchen makeover, like this stunning designer example, is one of the most expensive home reno projects — but from the island to the cabinets to the backsplash and everything in between, you can freshen up your existing kitchen's style with tasteful tweaks and a few of our designer-approved tricks. Keep reading for our best tips.

see more photos

More photos after this Ad

2 / 51
Photo: Jeff Herr Photography. From: Terracotta Design Build.

Paint Just the Island

Ah ... paint, what can't it transform? One of the most budget-friendly fixes around, paint is also one of the easiest projects to tackle yourself. And best of all, if you change your mind, just paint it again in a new hue. Speaking of a new hue, this kitchen island is a real attention grabber with a fresh coat of Oceanside by Sherwin-Williams. Get our best tips to give your kitchen island a new look, below.

get the how-to

More photos after this Ad

3 / 51
Photo: Hendricks Churchill. From: Hendricks Churchill LLC.

Or, Paint the Trim a Kicky Color

This timeless kitchen proves that a little paint can go a long way. To recreate the look, use a saturated shade, like the Randolph Blue by Benjamin Moore shown here, to highlight your kitchen's trim, molding and millwork. For a balanced palette, opt for soft white walls and a neutral island to let the look-at-me trim steal the show. Get more kitchen paint color suggestions, below.

see more photos

More photos after this Ad

4 / 51
Photo: Amy Bartlam. From: Jenn Feldman Designs .

Rework What You Already Have

Rearranging your existing furniture and accessories is a completely free way to reimagine any space. Of course, cabinets and large appliances make kitchens a little more — well, permanent — but you can still shift around the movable bits. Start by clearing the countertops and removing any furniture, like rolling islands or butcher blocks, then play with a new arrangement, keeping your kitchen's functionality and flow in mind.

see more photos

More photos after this Ad

500 Operands are not of the same type: comparison is supported for Number types only.

Operands are not of the same type: comparison is supported for Number types only.

Cannot serve request to /content/hgtv-com/en/design/rooms/kitchens/photo-galleries/2011/1/13-almost-free-kitchen-updates.html on this server


ApacheSling/2.7 (jetty/9.4.42.v20210604, Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM 1.8.0_351, Linux 5.10.173-154.642.amzn2.x86_64 amd64)