Looking for easy kitchen updates? The good news is that you don't have to spend a fortune on a complete refit to give your kitchen a makeover. Whether it's a weekend decorating project or quick accessory refresh, these inspiring kitchen update ideas will transform the heart of your home without the hard work or enormous costs.
Read on for easy kitchen updates anyone can do...
Low-cost glass storage jars are a stylish and functional way to display dry goods such as pasta, pulses, and cereals. Displayed on open shelving, they free up space in cupboards and if you can refill them from grocery stores that offer plastic-free packaging, then even better.
Featured jars available from B&M.
Give your kitchen a boutique café feel by decorating your kitchen with an array of plants. You could opt for a fancy palm in a corner spot, trailing leaves for shelves, potted herbs on the windowsill, or a colourful orchid on your kitchen island. Tropical varieties will thrive in the steamy environment or, for any spots that don't get much sunlight, mix in a few faux versions.
Featured furniture available from Furniture and Choice.
If replacing cabinetry is too costly, painting your units could be a more frugal alternative. A lick of paint will transform dated but well-made pine doors in no time. Simply sand them down, apply a primer, then follow up with a few coats of a formula specifically designed for cabinetry. Finish with a top coat varnish to protect your upgraded doors from scratches and knocks.
Featured kitchen cupboard paint available from Rust-Oleum.
Installing LED strip lights under kitchen cabinets or plinths is an easy DIY method to illuminate your kitchen without having to enlist the services of an expensive and time-consuming electrician. The little strips of light-emitting diodes can be cut to size or connected for a seamless fit.
Featured kitchen available from LochAnna Kitchens.
A fresh table setting is a simple trick that can give a kitchen a new lease of life. An easy option is to buy a new tablecloth. A fun and colourful waterproof version is a practical option when little ones are about. However, for something more sophisticated, lay several table runners perpendicular to a neutral cloth and finish with pretty napkins and homely chair cushions in matching tones.
Featured table linen available from Dekoria.
Whether you’ve got an amazing view to frame or not, carefully selected curtains or blinds will add an extra decorative element, as well as creating shade and privacy. If you have a neutral kitchen, a patterned textile could add a splash of personality, or if your kitchen is already full of colour, a neutral shade will look sleek.
Featured blind available from English Blinds.
A kitchen island is often at the top of a new kitchen wish list, and it's obvious why. Forgo the cost of a complete unit refit and purchase a freestanding island instead. A flat-pack model is affordable and makes great use of central space by creating an additional worktop, extra storage space, and a compact dining area. Plus, you can take it with you if you move, too.
Featured kitchen island available from IKEA.
It’s amazing how different a neutral kitchen can feel once you add a few well-chosen small appliances. Toasters, kettles, and coffee machines in cool designs and colours will add personality to an otherwise dull kitchen. Look out for matching sets for a cohesive look, and try to match metals with your existing hardware, i.e. taps and handles.
Featured appliances available from KitchenAid.
If you’re looking for a timeless element, you can’t go wrong with a metro tile. They're a great choice for achieving an on-trend look without the cost. These versatile tiles can be used in a variety of laying patterns, from a classic brick bond to a bold double block herringbone, meaning you can put your own stamp on the design.
Featured tiles available from Direct Tile Warehouse.
Wall panelling can make a rustic alternative to tiled splashbacks and look the part in farmhouse-style kitchens. However, be sure to seal with a water-resistant varnish to make wiping away splatters a breeze and team with an upstand that matches your worktops. The cladding can look stunning as a kitchen island feature, too.
Featured kitchen available from Olive & Barr.
Introduce a touch of greenery into your kitchen with an indoor herb garden. Not only will you have fresh herbs on hand to spruce up your dishes, but they'll fragrance your kitchen with their heavenly aromas, too. If you don't have green fingers, fear not, some high-tech containers are even self-watering.
Featured kitchen rack available from IKEA.
Give tired kitchen tiling a new lease of life by going for a grout makeover. If you are a dab hand at DIY, you can remove the old grout and replace it. There are plenty of tools to help with the labour-intensive task of removing the dirty or chipped filler. However, if that sounds like too much hard work, a grout pen can whiten existing grout and enliven the current tiles. Or, why not choose different colours for a completely new look?
Featured tiles available from Walls and Floors.
Changing your kitchen cabinet handles, knobs, or pulls can be a simple way of refreshing dated kitchen cabinets. However, before you commit to a whole new set of hardware, remove one handle first and take note of the holes left behind. Any new handles will need to fit this gap or cover it up. Alternatively, you can use wood filler, but this will lengthen the project.
Featured leather handles available from IKEA.
Want to keep your current kitchen on trend? Choose affordable yet stylish furniture that can be easily switched as fashions or your tastes change. These wood and metal bar stools lend an industrial look but can easily be dressed up or down with soft furnishings in on-trend colours.
Featured leather handles available from Peppermill Interiors.
Creating a colourful paint feature on your walls can elevate your existing kitchen. Opt for a tonal stripe just above the worktops to disguise any nuisance marks, or go big and bold with a geometric pattern. This is a great project for using up cheap tester pots or leftover paints. Use masking tape to mark out your design to keep lines clean when you paint.
You don't need to rip out a whole kitchen to transform your space. If you're still content with the existing layout, leave the kitchen carcasses as they are and install shiny new cupboard doors. You'll get the look of a brand new refit at a fraction of the cost.
Do some research to find the correct fit – you could enlist the original kitchen fitters or go with a door replacement specialist.
Featured kitchen available from HUSK.
Wall tiles can make a striking statement, especially if you cover a specific area in an eye-catching design, such as an alcove behind a cooktop. Textured surfaces add dimension, as do bold geometric patterns. Alternatively, a modern biophilic pattern, such as this one, brings the outside in.
If you're working to a budget, invest in a statement design for a smaller area, then use a cheaper tile to cover larger spaces.
Featured tiles available from Original Style.
If your chrome kitchen tap has seen better days, inject a touch of bling by replacing it with a shiny new mixer in brass or bold. Or, for an edgier scheme, try a chic matt black or gunmetal tap instead. Whatever your choice, a simple fixtures update can make all the difference.
Featured preloved kitchen available from Rehome.
To transform the look of your kitchen, you don't even have to touch the units. Installing a colourful splashback can add a fresh pop of colour and pattern without overwhelming your existing design. From block colours to quirky patterns and even opulent metallic finishes, there's no end of choices.
Look for clearance or end-of-line sales if you only need a limited number – you might snap up a bargain!
Featured tiles available from Walls and Floors.
It might sound pricey, but replacing your kitchen worktops could be less expensive than you think. Opt for a new laminate wood, stone, or marble effect and you’ll be surprised by how much it updates the space without having to totally replace your cabinets.
Featured worktop available from Wilsonart.
Update your cooker hood for a fast makeover. From sleek metallic models to stylish sculptural shapes, there's a whole array of quirky designs out there to choose from. Opt for something with real architectural impact, it'll instantly lift your existing units.
Featured kitchen available from Harvey Jones.
For an easy DIY idea, consider transforming your kitchen dining chairs with a coat of furniture paint. It'll make the world of difference and only take a weekend. For an eclectic look, try painting each chair in a different hue – another great way to utilise tester pots, too.
Featured furniture available from Wayfair.
A new floor can spruce up a room no end and can be a clever way to zone an open-plan space. Opt for a budget-friendly vinyl or wood-effect laminate – just double-check they're suitable for use in the kitchen first.
If you're redoing a small space, look out for clearance or end-of-line sales, as you might be able to snap up remnants of a vinyl roll or a final few packs of boards. Also, keep a lookout on sale sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace for sellers getting rid of surplus flooring from their own project.
Featured flooring available from Tile Mountain.
Artwork isn’t just for bedrooms and living rooms, so liven up your kitchen with a few framed paintings or prints. Whether you go for black and white photography, fun quotes, or perhaps a food-related print in an interesting frame, it'll add a personal feel to your cooking space.
Featured artwork available from Desenio.
Fabric skirts have been used in place of kitchen doors for many years and seem to be making something of a comeback. Whether you choose just one skirt under a butler sink or go for a whole run of material, it can be an affordable way to introduce colour and texture into your kitchen. Plus, if you use fusible webbing, it's an ideal no-sew project.
Featured curtain available from Hilarys.
Give your kitchen an instant modern update with a chalkboard-painted wall. This fun feature will make organisation a breeze. You could scribble to-do lists, motivational quotes, or simply notes to other members of the family or housemates.
Featured kitchen available from IKEA.
If you need extra storage space, pick a versatile kitchen trolley that will fit seamlessly into your scheme. It can double up as a serving unit for entertaining, as well as providing an extra workspace for when you're cooking up a storm.
Featured trolley available from Nkuku.
Wow-factor wallpaper might not seem like the natural choice for a kitchen, but hear us out! It's a great way to add personality to a room, plus there are lots of hardworking wipeable versions if you're worried about splashes and stains. It can define an open-plan area or be the starting point for a theme, like this nature-inspired mural, which is channelled throughout the room with sage green cabinetry and wooden accents.
Featured wallpaper mural available from By Haleys.
A fresh set of tea towels, napkins, and even oven gloves is probably the easiest and most budget-friendly way to add a touch of newness to a kitchen. Choose shades and patterns that work with the seasons, or go for a timeless design like this pretty floral.
Featured textiles available from Sophie Allport.
There’s no need to hide all your fabulous kitchenware behind cupboard doors. Displaying your favourite items on open shelving allows for easy access and makes them work double-time as décor. Layer up your shelving to create a cool feature wall with plenty of storage spaces.
Featured kitchenware available from Nkuku.
Brighten up your kitchen in more ways than one with well-placed lighting. Opt for pendant fixtures in metal or glass to give the room an on-trend industrial feel, as well as introducing balance and extra light above an island or breakfast bar.
Featured lighting available from Houseof.
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