Here's How to Achieve a Stylish Kitchen on a Small Budget (2024)

You don't have to spend a fortune on a major kitchen remodel. Whether you want to maximize a small kitchen or modernize a dated one, these budget kitchen remodel ideas will help you create a space you love spending your time in.

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DIY What You Can

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This kitchen remodel on a budget was able to keep costs low with DIY updates. The homeowners built their own Shaker-style cabinets and painted them a light gray to complement the stainless-steel appliances. They also installed the white herringbone subway tile backsplash themselves to help brighten the room.

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Stick with the Existing Layout

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To keep this kitchen refresh within budget, the homeowners decided to stick with the existing kitchen layout. To improve the flow of the room, they removed a peninsula and replaced it with an island. All of the cabinetry and appliances stayed put to cut costs.

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Industrial Island

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The new homeowners of this 1957 house decided to stick to its roots when it came to their kitchen remodel on a budget. Instead of installing all new cabinets, open shelving replaced the original upper ones. The rest of the cabinets were sandblasted to match the existing rustic walls. To gain more counter space and storage, they added an inexpensive industrial-style island.

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Go Green

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Once dark and old fashioned, this kitchen got an affordable makeover with the help of some clever DIY tricks and a few gallons of chalk paint. Crisp white and mossy green cabinets add brightness and personality. A counter-height table provides a more affordable alternative to a kitchen island. Instead of replacing the floor tiles, the homeowner used a stencil to apply a black-and-white pattern with chalk finish paint, recreating the look of unglazed ceramic tiles.

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Keep the Countertops

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The original granite countertops remained after this remodel, and new oil rubbed bronze pulls and matte black fixtures tie together the dark hue around the room. The cabinet hardware's sleek design balances the kitchen's more traditional elements. The homeowner splurged on a penny tile backsplash for an unexpected accent that still fits in at this 1879 Victorian home.

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Add Art and Decor

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This range tucks into an area that originally housed a cooking fireplace. Narrow panels and countertop borders give it a built-in appearance. Installing an inexpensive subway tile backsplash behind the cooktop keeps costs low. Framed vintage artwork and collected glass bottles add a personalized yet inexpensive touch.

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Install Butcher-Block Countertops

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Before undergoing a makeover, this kitchen's brown tiles and heavy oak cabinets showed its age. The homeowners embarked on a DIY kitchen remodel to update the space while keeping costs low. They tore out the upper cabinets, repainted the lower ones, and installed butcher-block countertops themselves for a fresher look.

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Open the Walls

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Changing up the paint color is a simple way to add visual impact to your kitchen remodel without much effort or high cost. Rich black paint defines the wall connecting the kitchen and the bar-style eating area. Two pendant lights add task lighting in the pass-through window, which makes the small kitchen feel more expansive.

Open Shelving

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An elongated shape and a matte finish put a contemporary spin on classic subway tile. Installing them in a grid pattern, instead of the typical running bond arrangement, creates even more graphic appeal. Open shelves and matte black hardware complete this affordable kitchen remodel with modern finesse.

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Spruce Up Your Cabinets

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After a few coats of white paint, the once-blue cabinets exude modern farmhouse charm in this kitchen remodel. Cabinet hardware received a coat of black spray paint to give the worn brass hardware an iron look. A new apron-front sink and faucet from IKEA round out this clean and contemporary kitchen.

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Add Storage with an Island

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Painting the cabinets white instantly brightened this small kitchen and created a welcoming farmhouse impression. A new marble-herringbone pattern backsplash was a small splurge that the homeowner offset by selecting inexpensive butcher-block countertops to replace the old ones. She also designed an island to expand the prep and storage space.

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Modern Farmhouse Sink

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A new farmhouse sink emphasizes this kitchen remodel's rural sensibility. Open corner shelves hold blue Ball jars containing food supplies to deliver color and practical use of the space. A glass-shade pendant hangs in front of the window to maximize task lighting. On the counter, leather plant holders crafted from old belts add even more rustic charm for a fractional price.

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Install Beadboard

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Adding white beaded board to the peninsula and painting the existing cabinets a warm white brightened up this kitchen remodel. To keep cost down, new hardware was added only to the drawers. Mismatched chairs and stools all coordinate with the crisp coat of white paint.

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DIY Roman Shades

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An oversized pendant illuminates the sink area of this budget kitchen remodel, while a pretty Roman shade provides a hint of color. The floral-patterned fabric gives a nod to the fresh blooms on the counter, and a single-bowl farmhouse sink adds character to the space.

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Inexpensive Countertops

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The homeowners installed these butcher-block countertops themselves for this kitchen remodel. The warm wood tone adds character to the now all-white room, and the inexpensive material holds up well while still staying within the kitchen remodel budget.

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Thrift Furniture

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Furniture found at secondhand sales and easy DIY projects gave the attached dining room personality without blowing the budget. The eye immediately goes to the unique light fixture, made from a simple track-lighting system concealed by a wooden box and wine bottles. Some of the bottles, cut with a bottle cutter purchased online, are used as shades on the lights or for decoration.

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Use White to Make the Kitchen Feel Bigger

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Painted white walls and a white ceramic tile backsplash already help this small kitchen remodel feel bigger than it is. In a budget-friendly makeover, newly painted cabinets, sleek cabinet hardware, and stainless-steel appliances freshen everything up. To further boost the kitchen's style, the laminate countertops were replaced with warm butcher block, and neutral ceramic tile replaced the red linoleum floor.

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Small but Stylish Kitchen Remodel

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Any extra storage provides a big impact in a small kitchen remodel. Moving the refrigerator about a foot to the right provided enough room to add another base cabinet and more countertop space. Open shelving installed around the refrigerator offers even more storage, keeping everyday dishware within reach.

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Extra Built-In Storage

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Empty space next to the range was the perfect spot to add another cabinet in this small kitchen remodel. This added built-in holds a microwave oven and small wine refrigerator in an easy-to-access spot. Plus, its top provides essential countertop space near the range.

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Keep Original Appliances

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The original galley kitchen's layout was functional, but this remodel gave it a total facelift. With quick updates (including paint, new cabinet hardware, and a few decorative elements) the kitchen was made modern on a budget. New clear glass panels and a fresh coat of paint on the upper cabinets refreshed the space's style at minimal cost. The neutral color palette complements both the existing black kitchen appliances and the cream-color laminate base cabinets.

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Galley Kitchen Remodel

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New decor in this kitchen remodel provided affordable additions that dramatically enhanced the overall kitchen design, proving effective updates can be done on a dime. An eye-catching pendant light replaces a dated glass-globe fixture over the sink and adds a touch of drama, while a new bamboo window shade provides warmth and texture, bringing the natural color palette together. A rug created from durable carpet squares protects the hardwood floor from heavy traffic through the kitchen into the adjacent garage.

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Wallpaper Glass Cabinet Doors

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The warm gray hue on the kitchen walls and countertop trim connects the black appliances and cream-colored kitchen cabinets. Grass-cloth wallpaper lines the inside of the glass-front doors and hides the contents of the upper cabinets, providing cozy texture and a hint of modern style.

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Classic White Kitchen

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Yellowed oak cabinetry and dated wallpaper once left this small kitchen feeling dark and dreary. New white paint on the cabinets and a sunny yellow on the walls adds fresh charm and makes the space appear more open. A simple Roman shade made from yellow, green, and white lattice-print fabric adds a touch of softness and introduces a cheerful pattern.

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Work with Original Sink

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This Roman shade's Moroccan-inspired pattern brings a modern feel to this kitchen remodel, which is enhanced by a new industrial-style pendant light. The light fixture's antique pewter finish complements the new satin-nickel cabinet hardware and faucet for a cohesive look. The existing sink also works with the white-painted kitchen cabinetry.

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Modern Backsplash

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A new white penny tile backsplash replaced dated 4x4-inch tile and creates a sophisticated yet playful focal point for the room. Honey-colored grout adds dimension and helps hide dirt and stains. Kitchen appliances were functional and didn't need to be replaced, which helped curb costs in this budget kitchen remodel.

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Add Touches of Color

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New matte cream ceramic tile replaced dated laminate along the backsplash for a fresh, budget-friendly kitchen revamp. New 12x12-inch granite tiles bring a stylish look to the countertops (at a fraction of the price of granite slabs) and a new Roman shade created with fun, colorful fabric brings a pop of pattern to the neutral color scheme.

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Don't Move Appliances

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Kitchen appliances stayed in their original locations, greatly reducing the cost of this kitchen remodel. Glass cabinet doors at one end of the kitchen help lighten the look, and allow you to show off your favorite dishware.

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Laminate Countertops

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When the current homeowners purchased this home, the kitchen appliances, flooring, and black cabinets had already been updated. A few simple design tricks took the kitchen from basic to chic and contemporary. In the remodeled space, beige paint updates once bland white walls. A glass backsplash with multihued mosaic tiles adds fresh character, and new laminate countertops with a sleek edge profile replicate the look of upscale solid-surfacing.

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Beadboard Backsplash

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A beaded-board backsplash in one area stayed in place during this kitchen remodel to keep it cost effective. The cracked laminate countertops were replaced with a more stylish, budget-friendly laminate. Fabric scraps from the dining area window treatments dressed up a ready-made Roman shade, which adds some color around the window.

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Line Back of Cabinets with Pattern

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For a fresh look, the upper cabinet doors in this kitchen remodel were removed and the back of the cabinets lined with colorful wrapping paper. The lively design adds color and visual interest, and the open shelving keeps everything within easy reach during cooking. Red and white dishware continues the room's color scheme for a cohesive look.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?

Unless major structural work needs to be done, the cabinets are the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel. They take up the most space and make the biggest impact on the overall design.
How much does a kitchen remodel increase a home's value?

A kitchen remodel will generate ROI (return on investment) of an average of 60% to 80%. The average value increase is 4.8%, or around $16,700 for a $348,000 home, the average price in the United States.
How much do kitchen remodels cost?

Depending on the size, scope, cost of materials, and design features, the average price of a small-scale, simple remodel is between $10,000 and $20,000. A mid-scale remodel, with upgraded appliances and finishes, averages $20,000 to $70,000. A high-end, total remodel, including redesigning the layout and moving appliances, electrical, and plumbing will be between $70,000 and $130,000.