One thing nice about owning your own home is the ability to change things up and make it more to your liking. Of course, you can do this somewhat with a rental place, as long as you don’t make any permanent changes or if your rental contract doesn’t have rules against making holes in walls. But when you own your own home, the sky is the limit. Or rather… your pocketbook is.
There are certain changes you can make that make a big difference to your kitchen that don’t need to cost a lot of money- just changing the back splash can make a big difference, for example.
Here are some low cost changes you can make to your kitchen to spruce it up a bit and make it suit your taste even more.
I’d never want any area in my house to feel like a cookie-cutter room, but I especially wouldn’t want that for my kitchen.
The kitchen is the heart of the home and I think it should feel like it’s really your space.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. A full remodel costs way too much and if your kitchen is functional, why bother with it? But what if you took the budget out of the equation for a bit? I bet you wouldn’t feel the same way and you’d be happy to remodel.
With the right DIY project, you don’t need to spend half your paycheck to make changes in your kitchen and it doesn’t even need to take a long time to do it. Small, simple changes you can do on your own can make a world of difference, both in the way your kitchen looks and in the way it feels.
Let me show you what I have in mind.
6 DIY Projects to Customize Your Kitchen
Your kitchen can feel like home without you having to empty your bank account to pay for renovations. Here’s how.
1. Revamp Your Countertops
You can replace your countertops altogether, but that’s really expensive. Luckily, there are some great budget-friendly ways to update the way they look. Using contact paper is one of my favorite options to make your own custom countertops because it comes in all kinds of patterns. Faux marble, wood, matte, glossy… Whatever you want, contact paper has it. The best part? It’s super easy to apply.
Concrete overlays are another excellent option. They’ll give your countertops a modern, industrial feel, just make sure you prepare the surface well.
2. Install a Custom Backsplash
A backsplash will add personality and protect your walls without having to be a pro to install it. Peel-and-stick tiles are easy to use, not messy, and you can instantly upgrade your kitchen with them. Of course, you can also go for traditional tiles, but they’ll take a bit more work to install properly.
Whatever option you choose, you’ll need to measure your space really well, and you’ll also need a steady hand to make it look good.
3. Upgrade Cabinet Doors
If your cabinets look old but you don’t want to replace them, DIY tricks can give them a whole new look. A fresh coat of paint or stain is probably the easiest thing to do and it will instantly make your kitchen brighter. You can also swap out the hardware to make the cabinets look newer.
For something a bit more dramatic, you can add trim or molding and even swap out solid doors for glass inserts. There’s even an option of removing the doors completely if you’re after a casual, airy vibe.
4. DIY Kitchen Island or Cart
A kitchen island will give you workspace and storage, but if you go out and buy one, you’ll spend quite a lot. For a cheaper option, you can make your own by repurposing old furniture like a dresser, a bookshelf, or even a table.
If you add caster wheels, it becomes a movable kitchen cart, which is perfect for smaller spaces or multifunctional use. Add hooks for utensils, baskets for produce, or extra shelves for cookware and you’ll be surprised at how much storage you’ll have.
5. Custom Shelves and Organizers
Sometimes, no matter what you do, your kitchen is always cluttered. If you have this problem, adding custom shelves and organizers will make a huge difference. Floating shelves are an easy DIY upgrade that adds storage and creates a stylish display for dishes, cookbooks, and decor. A DIY spice rack will keep your seasonings within reach and free up counter space.
If your kitchen is small, add hanging rods, magnetic strips for knives, or tension rods inside cabinets to use up every inch.
Enhance Lighting
Lighting is a huge deal when it comes to mood, so try to do some tweaks in this category. I’d recommend installing under-cabinet lights to brighten your countertops and make meal prep easier. Just make sure you go for LED lights because they’ll last you a lot longer.
DIY pendant lights are another option. You can make them from repurposed old fixtures, create a woven basket light, or maybe even an industrial pipe design. There’s really an endless amount of ideas here.
If you want something really quick and really cheap, battery-powered push lights or adhesive LED strips will do the trick and there’s no wiring required.
Conclusion
See? I told you you didn’t have to spend a ton of money to make your kitchen feel new and unique. Not only are these DIY ideas cheap and easy, they also don’t take long and you won’t be stuck cleaning the mess for days after you’re done.
Upgrading your kitchen doesn’t have to be pricey and complicated, it’s just a matter of being creative and practical.
