11 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Upgrades That Don't Involve Remodeling

As the old saying goes, the kitchen is the heart of the home, and we spend a lot of our time in this space preparing meals to share with others. Having a kitchen that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing can make that time all the more enjoyable. Unfortunately, not everyone finds that their kitchen quite makes the cut. And, with the cost of a full kitchen remodel being what it is, many are left feeling frustrated or defeated that their budget won't allow them to improve the situation.

However, just because a full kitchen remodel might not be in the cards right now, it doesn't mean that there aren't some quick (and budget-friendly) things you can do to upgrade your space. We interviewed several remodeling and real estate experts and asked them to share their top tips for elevating a kitchen without spending a ton of money. Ahead, you can find the inspiration you need to enhance your space with the insight they shared exclusively with House Digest.

If your kitchen cabinets look outdated, there are ways to enhance their appearance without paying for new custom cabinets. Speaking exclusively to House Digest, Tyler Tranni, the owner of Tranni Home Remodeling, highlights updating the hardware as a way to achieve this goal. The remodeling expert explains that "swapping out old knobs and handles for modern ones can give your kitchen an instant facelift. Depending on the style and material, this can cost as little as $20-$60 for a full set, significantly changing the look of your space with little investment."

With so many types of cabinet hardware to choose from, each person should be able to find something to match their personal preferences. You can select from different finish options, such as chrome, gold, or brushed nickel, to coordinate with the rest of your space or make a real statement. If you want a more modern or minimalist look, you might want to consider some sleek and slender cabinet and drawer pulls, like the Goldenwarm Matte Black Drawer Pulls. Alternatively, you could opt for something a little on the ornate side, like the Amerock Cabinet Pulls, to bring a more traditional feel to your kitchen.

Poor lighting in a kitchen can make it feel dark and outdated. Plus, inadequate lighting can also make it difficult to see what you're doing, something that is certainly important when you're trying to read a recipe or finely dice veggies. Tranni recommends adding under-cabinet lighting as one of the most impactful upgrades you can make on a budget.

He says, "Adding under-cabinet LED strip lights can improve both the functionality and ambiance of your kitchen. This can be done for approximately $50-$150, offering both energy efficiency and a refreshed feel." Consider options like these Govee LED Strip Lights. The strip includes 300 LEDs and can be trimmed to ensure a custom fit under your cabinets. Once mounted (which is quick using the included clips and the integrated adhesive) you can use the remote control to adjust how bright or dim the lights are to match your cooking needs and the ambiance you wish to create in the kitchen.

Have you noticed that the grout lines on your backsplash or tile floor are looking dingy or cracked? Perhaps the caulk around your kitchen sink is yellowing or even peeling away from the vessel. Old caulk or grout can certainly bring down the look of your space, which is why Tranni says, "I also recommend re-caulking and grouting as a way to refresh the appearance of your kitchen."

While removing old caulk and grout might be a bit time-consuming, your hard work will pay off. "Resealing these areas can make surfaces look clean and new," shares Tranni. If you're able to tackle this job yourself, he notes that you can probably get it done for under $50, making it a real budget-friendly project. If you don't have the time to take on this project right away, you could try deep cleaning your grout lines to brighten them up. The Zep Grout Cleaner & Brightener features a bleach-free formula that works to eliminate stains and refresh grout lines.

Speaking exclusively to House Digest, Jesse Andrews, the owner of New England Home Pros, reflected on his 30 years in the home remodeling business, noting how even seemingly small changes can have a huge impact on a kitchen. He says, "One budget-friendly kitchen upgrade is swapping out your faucet for a modern, high-arc model. This can create a fresh look and improve functionality. On average, a new faucet costs between $50-$150, depending on style and features."

There are a few things you'll want to consider when choosing the perfect kitchen faucet for your sink. Beyond the overall style and height, also think about the different finish options that are available. Choose one that coordinates with your cabinet hardware and the other design elements while also keeping functionality in mind. Many high-arc faucets feature a pull-down spray head, which can help with filling pots with water, rinsing out the sink, or doing the dishes. Moen's Adler High Arc Faucet is one stylish option to consider. It's available in finishes like stainless steel, bronze, and matte black to coordinate with your personal style. 

If the reason you're not happy with your kitchen is that it isn't meeting your needs, a simple addition may drastically improve its functionality. Andrews recommends, "introducing a stylish, multifunctional kitchen island cart. It not only adds prep space but also works as portable storage or a serving station for gatherings." Compared to the cost of adding a built-in island during a full kitchen renovation project, kitchen island carts are a much more budget-friendly option. Andrews notes that there are several quality products available for under $200.

As an example, the Homcom Kitchen Island Rolling Cart costs just $179.99. For this relatively small investment, you'll gain an additional 43 inches of prep space, as well as two drawers and two cabinets to hold kitchen essentials. The kitchen island cart has an attractive rubberwood countertop and is available with a white, distressed white, black, brown oak, or gray finish.

You don't have to complete a full kitchen remodel to upgrade the look of the space. Seth Williams, a real estate broker and the owner of Reference Real Estate, shares the dramatic effect that installing some trim or crown molding in your kitchen can have. While a relatively inexpensive project, this enhancement can truly transform the space.

During an exclusive interview with House Digest, Williams says, "Simple touches like these can make your kitchen look more polished and elegant, highlighting the cabinets' architecture. Trimming around the cabinets or along the ceiling adds sophistication and charm." He explains that pre-made wood or MDF molding products, like the uDecor Polyurethane Crown Moulding, "are affordable and can be easily installed with a few basic tools." You can add the molding to the top of the walls or even to the top of the cabinets themselves, depending on which look you'd prefer.

Has your kitchen floor seen better days? Do you feel like it is dragging down the look of the entire room? If so, Nicholas McMillan, a real estate broker and the owner of Hire Realty, has a simple and budget-friendly solution for you. "A bright, patterned area rug can transform the kitchen's floor without the expense of replacing tiles or hardwood. It helps to add color, warmth, and comfort in kitchens with hard flooring," he shared with House Digest in an exclusive interview.

Elevating your kitchen's style by adding a rug is an easy way to make an impact. Start by considering the overall decor of the space and look for rugs that will pick up on key colors or other design elements. There are a few well-respected brands that make washable kitchen rugs. So, not only will you be able to find something stylish, but you'll also be able to easily clean it when those unavoidable spills happen. McMillan offers one more piece of advice to help you choose the ideal rug for your space. He says, "Choose a rug made of durable material, such as cotton or wool, so it stands up to high foot traffic and controls spills."

Old or dingy cabinets are another thing that can really bring your space down. Whether the finish is chipping off or the color is just dated, you might feel like all hope is lost. After all, replacing old cabinets is one of the biggest expenses associated with remodeling your kitchen. Fortunately, Eric Bramlett, owner of Bramlett Real Estate, has a great suggestion. The realtor exclusively tells House Digest, "Painting [the cabinets] is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to change the look of your kitchen. For about $50 to $200, depending on the size and paint, you can go from tired and dated to modern and clean."

Provided you don't need multiple coats, you may be able to paint your kitchen cabinets in a day or two, making this a quick upgrade as well. Consider investing in a sprayer, such as the Vonforn Paint Gun, to help the job go quickly while also ensuring the paint is evenly applied to each surface. Take your time choosing a color; you want to find something that will take your space from drab to fab. Choosing a timeless shade, such as Heirloom Traditions Cabinet Paint in Cashmere or Linen, can ensure your cabinets stay in style even as trends change in the future.

If you have outdated lighting fixtures, Bramlett notes how they "can make a kitchen feel stuck in another decade." Choosing trending kitchen light fixtures can add spark to your home and renew the space. Bramlett shares, "Replacing [outdated light fixtures] with something modern or unique for $50 to $200 changes the vibe entirely. I worked on a project where we swapped out standard lights for oversized pendants. The kitchen went from functional to stylish instantly," says Bramlett.

Oversized pendant lights are available in a variety of styles and colors, allowing you to best coordinate the product you choose with the other design elements in your space. For example, the sleek lines and frosted glass design of the Zlierop Pendant Light will work well in a more modern space, while the Arturesthome Wooden Pendant's design may be better suited for a more mid-century modern or Scandinavian-style kitchen.

A new tile backsplash may cost more than $1,000, depending on the materials you choose and the size of your kitchen. This price puts it well out of the category of budget-friendly upgrades for most homeowners. However, if you crave the charm and visual appeal that a new backsplash will bring to your kitchen, Bramlett shares a little trick that can save you a lot of money. He says, "Peel-and-stick tiles cost $100 to $300 for most kitchens and are quick to install. I've seen clients go for classic white subway tiles or bold patterns, and both add a ton of character."

If you have an existing backsplash, you can even install the new peel-and-stick tiles directly over it. You can also apply them on a painted wall if your kitchen does not currently have a backsplash. Peel-and-stick tiles are a fun way to breathe new life into your kitchen, and their low cost and less permanent nature give you free rein to try out slightly more daring design ideas. For instance, if you love the look of caustic tiles but are scared to commit, you can test drive the idea with these peel-and-stick ones from The Tiles Plaza Store on Amazon. Or maybe you're drooling over glossy green tile backsplashes? Art3D's jade green peel-and-stick backsplash tile has a 4.2-star rating on Amazon and well over 4,000 reviews. 

One appeal of a full kitchen remodel is making your space more functional. Even if you have a lot of cabinet space, it may not be well-designed. With builder-grade cabinets, you typically don't get fancy pull-out features or smart storage solutions that are easy to organize and access. But instead of paying for a full renovation, Bramlett highlights a more budget-friendly upgrade that can make your existing layout more user-friendly. "I've also seen pull-out shelves in cabinets make a huge difference in functionality for about $50 to $150," he shares.

There are different pull-out shelf styles to consider, depending on which cabinet you need to organize. The Kitstorack Expandable Cabinet Organizer allows you to easily access a cabinet's entire space, and the Rev-A-Shelf 2-Tier Kitchen Cabinet Pull-Out may be the ideal solution if you need to make your pots and pans more organized.