In another article we talked about timelines for kitchen renovations—a process that can take up to five months from planning to installation when the job is a complete kitchen overhaul. Twenty weeks is a long time and kitchen remodels are expensive, but there are updates you can make in less time, and for far less money, that will make a big impact without a big investment of time or money.
Freshen Up with New Paint
New paint is one of the fastest, least-expensive options for giving your kitchen (or any room) a new look. You can repaint the whole kitchen or create a bold statement wall in a contrasting color to give the space some pop. Another great option for the kitchen is using chalkboard paint on areas as small or large as you wish—make an art wall for the kids, a space to keep an ongoing grocery list, or even a chalkboard-paint backsplash.
Change Up Hardware
A small detail that makes a big difference, changing out the pulls and knobs on your drawers and cabinets is a smart use of remodeling dollars. Can’t afford new cabinets? No problem—new hardware will freshen up your existing ones until the time is right, and you can transfer them to new cabinetry in the future. Plus, hardware is a relatively easy DIY.
Kitchen Faucet and Sink
Whether you do these as a stand-alone renovation, or along with your hardware upgrade, changing up the kitchen sink and faucet is another great way to allocate renovation dollars.
Install New Countertops
Finally, one of our favorite renovation-on-a-budget solutions is the installation of new countertops. Not only does a new countertop give the whole kitchen a fresh look, but today’s materials also give you more options than ever before in terms of damage-resistance, anti-bacterial ability, and lower long-term maintenance.