5 tips to transform your kitchen on a budget

1. Transform existing cabinets

First of all, it’s essential to keep your current kitchen cabinets and, ideally, your current countertop (whether ceramic, marble, or wood). This will save you time and money, but above all, you’ll be doing something good for the environment. This step isn’t mandatory, but it will certainly be the most impressive!

Self-adhesive film

To change their colour and finish, you can cover your cabinet doors with a specialized self-adhesive film. Properly installed, this film is durable and easy to apply for those who are skilled and meticulous. You can cover the entire cabinet—or simply create an accent section or cover the lower half of your cabinets, which tend to get worn over time. If you would rather not do the work yourself, there some companies that offer installation services.

Advantages:

• Gives new-kitchen vibes
• Modern finish
• Can be applied to several types of materials
• Cost-effective solution
• No tools to wash and only one easy step

Disadvantages: 

• Can only be applied to smooth surfaces
• Limited colours and finishes

Paint

With paint, the possibilities are endless. There are so many colours to choose from and you can even change the style by adding mouldings! The most important thing when painting cabinets is to prepare the surface well and choose the right products. At the hardware store, you'll find paint specifically designed for kitchen cabinets, no matter what your base is. If you want to try a top-quality paint that covers quickly, I recommend mineral paints. They even allow you to transform melamine cabinets; all it takes is a little patience and to carefully follow the steps from start to finish. Melamine is a smooth and low-porous material, which is why it requires a little more attention than wood for a long-lasting result.

Advantages: 

• Almost infinite colour choice
• Option to add mouldings
• Long-lasting results when steps are closely followed
• Can be applied to all surfaces (mineral paint)
• An easy-to-achieve, cost-effective solution

Disadvantages:

• Time-consuming; it’s essential to carefully follow each step, especially when applying to melamine
• Doesn’t allow you to change the texture of the material underneath 

Micro-concrete

A quick solution to transform all surfaces except plastic: micro-concrete! You can cover your kitchen countertop, backsplash, the inside of an open cabinet, the exposed panels of an island... I used this trick when transforming my kitchen, on the main island as well as inside an open cabinet.

Advantages: Versatile depending on the texture you desire, moisture-resistant, and durable. Modernizes at low cost, can be applied to all surfaces except those that are malleable, such as plastic.

Disadvantages: Limited choice of colours (my trick: add a drop of stain or paint to the mix), requires a bit of prep and clean-up, a few steps to follow.

2.  Change or revamp your handles

Handles are often underestimated in the kitchen. And yet, we all know how a small makeover can make a huge difference. It is often the number of handles, multiplied by the price, that makes us hesitate even though they have a major impact on a room’s overall aesthetic. Here are a few tips on how to change them on a budget:

• Change the colour of your handles with a paint that’s appropriate for the material in question. Whether they’re made of wood, metal, or plastic, know that there's a paint for every need.
• Change only half of the handles to vary between drawers and cabinets.
• Find and use second-hand handles.
• Buy handles from a hardware store; they tend to have a wide range of styles to choose from, as well as budget-friendly bulk packages.

3. Refresh the backsplash without removing the old one

A kitchen backsplash is intended to prevent water from seeping in, but also to facilitate the washing of an area that is prone to splashes and splatters. In addition to its practical functions, the backsplash adds a lot of charm to a kitchen and can quickly give a nice effect of change in a low-cost transformation. Here are 3 ways to transform your existing backsplash without removing it:

Self-Adhesive backsplash

You can install quality self-adhesive tiles directly over your existing tiles or on a blank wall. A wide range of colours and shapes are available online and a few models can be found in hardware stores. These sheets of tiles can be installed in a few minutes and cut with a retractable knife. Don't forget to add a water-resistant seal between the tiles and the countertop to prevent water infiltration!

Paint your existing backsplash

A solution that requires several steps, but which has a beautiful effect: painting the existing backsplash. With specialized products, you can change the look and colour of your existing tiles simply by painting over them. While it's not my favourite, this technique has been shared many times on Pinterest in recent years. Well executed, the result is durable, but I find it difficult to clean, not to mention that you lose the contrast of textures that you normally have when alternating between grout and tile.

Cover with micro-concrete

If you don’t intend to cover your kitchen countertop with micro-concrete as suggested in the first section, I recommend you do so on your backsplash. To avoid completely uniform surfaces, I recommend varying the textures between countertop and backsplash. The technique is similar to countertop, but provide 4 coats of “wet” sealant if the surface is regularly in contact with water.

4. Optimize functional and decorative lighting

Properly thought out, the lighting will make you feel like you've spent weeks transforming your kitchen. Lighting is as much a part of the organization as it is of the aesthetic side of a kitchen. Light in the right place will save you time: for example, when installed under cabinets, it will allow you to cook under a good light source or create an inviting atmosphere.

Vary between adjustable recessed lights and warmer decorative lights that will allow you to enjoy an aperitif around the central island. If you can, add automatic lights to your cabinets to make it even easier to get your hands on what you're looking for. Adding a beautiful light fixture also helps with the décor, so it's a cost-effective way to combine style and function.

5. Dare to decorate according to your tastes

Here are a few quick tips to add personality to your kitchen:

• Replace a cabinet with shelves if it fits your lifestyle. Don't forget to use the shelves to store the items you use most often to prevent them from gathering dust. Ideally, choose items that match your décor and that you love.
• Incorporate a new colour that brings a wind of change and is good for morale. Whether it's on cabinets, in accessories, or on the backsplash, step out of the traditional white kitchen.
• Transform your counter stools; change the colour or fabric to match your tastes of the moment.
• Add edible plants to your décor; they’re beautiful to look at and delicious in many dishes.

Have fun transforming your spaces: whether it's to simplify your daily life or to help sell your home, a breath of fresh air is always welcome. Hoping these 5 tips will help you transform your kitchen on a budget. Dare to get your hands dirty, you'll be proud of your aesthetic transformations!