How to Upgrade Your Kitchen on a Budget
16th August 2021
The kitchen is known as the heart of the home. We spend most of our time here so it’s important to remember that every beating heart deserves a little TLC from time to time. That’s why when considering home improvements, it’s natural that we splurge a little on this sacred space but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. With a few simple tips, tricks and accessories, you’ll be able to create the kitchen you’ve always been dreaming of.
1. Getting down to business
Before getting started, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get through the messy part. The first step is to go through all those drawers filled with unwanted Christmas-themed cheese knives and ditch a couple of the 6 identical ladles. Cleaning out unused kitchen gadgets and utensils and donating them to a local thrift shop is free and will freshen up your space instantly.
Ask yourself how often you have used an appliance in the last year - if you can’t remember the last time you used it, get rid of it. This step is absolutely essential and really makes a world of difference.
2. Space savers
The second step in the process is to consider maximising your pre-existing space. Do your cabinets go all the way to the ceiling? If not, can you use the space above to display something and free up space? Or perhaps it’s a good idea to call a local carpenter and think about extending your kitchen cabinets to maximise storage.
Do you have a bare wall in your kitchen but not enough space to use it for cabinets? This could be an opportunity to use some clever shelving units. If you don’t have enough room for shelving, consider displaying that fancy set of plates that you rarely use. Storage that is decorative is a clever and a cheap way to upgrade your space.
3. The future looks bright
Now that you have some extra space, it’s time to consider lighting. Lights are a great way to add ambiance to your kitchen and can be done on a budget with a variety of lighting options that don’t require a certified electrician. You may want to consider installing some simple under cupboard lights that will help when preparing meals or ditching that old central lighting fixture entirely. It’s easier than you think to replace it yourself but if you’re still unsure about doing it, ask a handy friend to help with the promise of a delicious meal to say thank you.
One of the biggest mistakes when choosing a central lighting fixture is choosing something that is too small or too large for the space. Check out inspiration online on websites like Pinterest and consider carefully before purchasing to avoid having to pay more down the line.
4. Stick to the essentials, old and new
When it comes to upgrading your kitchen appliances, it can be hard to know what is useful and what’s going to collect dust like that fondue pot you swore you were going to use. The great news is that there are a range of great quality products on the market that are multi purpose. A food processor is an excellent investment as it can be used for mixing, chopping, and blending and if you are looking to save space they’re also available in miniature versions.
A cast iron pan is a timeless kitchen staple that is seeing a huge resurgence in popularity lately. It can be used in the oven or on the stove top - not to mention it prepares the most mouth-watering pancakes. While we are on the subject of classics, consider investing in a beautiful mortar and pestle. A stone piece will look great displayed in the kitchen and help build some arm strength in the process. Kitchen afficianatos talk about these beautiful pieces like heirlooms and they are often passed down for generations and come with great stories.
It seems like everyone today is talking about the new kid on the block: the air fryer. This handy kitchen countertop appliance can rival your microwave and is being celebrated for it’s crispy golden finish. French fries and other deep fried specialties can be cooked up with a fraction of the oil and the calories thanks to the air fryer. Other new kitchen staples are silicone baking mats to replace parchment paper and small electric egg makers for perfect soft boiled eggs every time.
As you can see, kitchen upgrades don’t have to be pricey. Clean up the clutter, keep your appliances compact and focus on the essentials to save money and create a beautiful space that you can share with the ones you love.