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19 Budget Kitchen Remodel Ideas for Affordable Luxury
By: Andrew Saladino | 
5 min
September 12th, 2023
We all want our dream kitchen remodel, but that can come with a hefty price tag. New appliances, flooring, and other upgrades add up quickly, so how can you refresh your kitchen without clearing your bank account?
The average kitchen remodel costs about $26,000, so you might be looking for ways to save money without compromising on style. That's why we're sharing our 19 favorite budget kitchen remodel ideas to inspire your new kitchen without spending your life savings.
You don't have to sacrifice quality for price. Our NKBA certified designers can help you design the perfect kitchen tailored towards your budget, complete with the highest-grade RTA and and pre-assembled cabinets to complete the look.
1. Refresh Counters With Contact Paper
New counters make a big impact in a kitchen remodel, but coveted granite countertops can get pricey. Refresh your countertops with some contact paper for a new look on a budget.
2. Test Out Peel-and-Stick Tiles
Looking for a new backsplash but not ready to commit to a new look? Peel-and-stick tiles are a less permanent and inexpensive solution to keep your kitchen renovation within budget.
3. Give It a Fresh Coat of Paint
Repainting your kitchen is an inexpensive project you can do yourself to give the space a new look. You can also redo your kitchen cabinets with fresh paint for a completely new look.
4. Refinish or Restain Wooden Features
Restaining wooden features is an inexpensive project you can DIY for a kitchen that feels brand new. If you're considering painting vs. staining your cabinets, windowsills, or other surfaces, staining is a great option to highlight the beautiful wood grain in your kitchen.
5. Add Some Trinkets
If you're looking to switch up the vibe in your kitchen but you're not ready to take on a major project, consider mixing up the decor. Displaying some new trinkets from the thrift store is inexpensive and can change the feel of your home.
6. Swap Out the Hardware
New cabinet hardware is relatively inexpensive and has a big impact on updating your kitchen. New statement drawer pulls or other cabinet hardware swaps can change the whole look of your kitchen. Plus, you can typically replace them using only a screwdriver, making it a quick and easy upgrade you can do yourself.
7. Replace Light Fixtures
Lighting is everything in a remodeled kitchen - it literally highlights all your hard work. Replace an outdated chandelier or pendant lights with some new light fixtures for the final touch on your budget kitchen remodel.
8. Reorganize the Clutter
A chaotic kitchen can make everything feel out of date and out of place. Start your remodel with pantry organization or clearing up the clutter so you can see the room's full potential.
9. Choose Ready-To-Assemble Cabinets
Ready-to-assemble cabinets are delivered in parts to put together yourself - helping you save some money so you can splurge elsewhere in your remodel.
10. Stick With Secondhand or Vintage Furnishings
When it's time to look for furniture or other decor, check out secondhand stores first. With a little searching, you can find some fantastic pieces to add to your kitchen without going over budget.
11. Maximize Your Storage
There are plenty of ways you can update your kitchen to include stylish new storage. Show off your favorite glassware or cookbooks with open shelving for a dual-purpose kitchen addition that maximizes style and storage.
12. Replace the Linens
You might overlook details like kitchen towels and curtains during your kitchen remodel. Ensuring your kitchen towels, curtains, pot holders, and other accessories match is the final touch that upgrades a kitchen and gives it a professional look.
13. DIY a Breakfast Nook
Breakfast nooks are in high demand, but did you know you can do it yourself on a budget? Think outside the box with secondhand benches, storage benches, or even transform your existing kitchen island into a breakfast bar.
14. Switch Up Your Faucet
It might be time for a new sink and faucet in your kitchen. Replacing these key features is more budget-friendly than replacing other appliances, and there are a ton of ways to show off your personal style with a unique sink or faucet.
15. Highlight Counters With Under Cabinet Lighting
There's nothing worse than going to make dinner and struggling to see what's on your cutting board. Under cabinet lighting is not only functional, but adds a unique touch to your kitchen to show off your counters and anything else you're displaying. This feature is budget-friendly, too, with many peel-and-stick options available.
16. Create a Kitchen Island on a Budget
Kitchen islands are a great way to add storage and counter space while renovating a kitchen, but they can be expensive to install. Add a kitchen island on a budget by purchasing a storage cart with counter space instead of building a true kitchen island. This even means you can change up your kitchen island layout whenever you want, so you'll never get bored.
17. Choose a Budget-Friendly Tile
Redoing a kitchen backsplash can be a relatively inexpensive option as long as you choose your materials wisely. You can still update your backsplash on a budget with trendy low-cost options like subway tile.
18. Replace Kitchen Stools
If you have bar stools at your kitchen counter or island, replacing them is a simple swap that makes a big difference in the overall look of your kitchen. It's an opportunity to upgrade your morning coffee on some new and stylish stools.
19. Lay Down a Rug
Rugs aren't just stylish - they can also prevent slips in the kitchen and even reduce back pain while you're standing and doing your weekly meal prep. They can also be a budget-friendly way to disguise scuffed floors instead of replacing or refinishing them.
Ready to start budgeting for your kitchen remodel? Use our kitchen remodel cost estimator to discover the best ways to allocate your budget and get the most bang for your buck.
Budget Kitchen Remodel FAQs
What's the cheapest way to upgrade a kitchen?
The best ways to upgrade a kitchen on a budget are to DIY what you can, repair and paint when possible, and try to source materials and furniture secondhand.
What's the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets are typically the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel. Ready-to-assemble cabinets will save you money compared to pre-assembled cabinets.
What's a realistic budget for a kitchen remodel?
The average kitchen remodel costs around $26,000 but ranges from $10,000 to $40,000, depending on how dramatic a transformation you want and what type of materials you use.
What's a kitchen remodel project with the highest value?
New cabinets will add the most value to a kitchen remodel project. They're a bit of an investment but will add the most resale value to a home.
But a limited budget doesn't need to limit your creativity. With some simple DIY skills, knowing when to compromise, and planning ahead, you'll find the budget kitchen remodel ideas that work for you.
When you're ready to start your kitchen remodel and maximize the value in your new kitchen, explore our ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets to find a budget-friendly option for any kitchen style.
