5 Kitchen Upgrades You Can Do Yourself

When you walk into your kitchen, are you happy with what you see? Is your kitchen outdated, out-of-style, or just plain boring? Before you shell out thousands of dollars for a major remodel, try some of these do-it-yourself fixes to turn your tired old kitchen into a culinary oasis.

1. Bring in some color

One of the quickest ways to give any room a new look is to change its color. Whether you decide to wallpaper an accent wall, repaint the entire kitchen, or simply spice it up with some bright and cheery new curtains, a color change is an easy DIY project to get you started.

2. Update old fixtures

Hands down, the easiest way to give your kitchen a fast face-lift is to replace or refinish old fixtures. Pinterest is full of fantastic ideas for updating boring, builder-grade knobs and drawer pulls, whether it be spray painting them to wrapping with them twine. Or, if your budget allows, simply replace them!

Hardware stores, craft supply shops, and even antique stores are great places to find new and interesting pieces to add a bit of flair to your cabinets. Light fixtures can also be spray painted (or replaced) for a fresh new look.

3. Give your counter tops a makeover

There are several options these days for rejuvenating outdated counters. For a more industrial look, try layered concrete! For a more traditional look, counter top renovation kits, which allow you to paint right over your existing counters and are available in a range of colors and textures. These can be easily found at your local home improvement store.

4. Add a back splash

Installing a back splash, a perfect project for a DIY-er, can transform the look of your kitchen. White subway tile is an extremely popular choice in today’s kitchens, but the options are endless. Tile work is easier now than ever before, and you can find plenty of help at your local home improvement store to get you started. If you don’t love the look of tile, a fun wallpaper can work just as well. Use your back splash to tie a theme together or to show off your personal style.

5. Transform your cabinets

Sanding and repainting wooden cabinets can completely change the look of your kitchen. It may take a few days to disassemble doors, sand the surfaces, prime, paint, seal, and reinstall, but this DIY project will bring the greatest transformation. Get creative with chalk paint, stencils, or contrasting shades of the same color. Installing new glass doors will give your cabinetry a fun, contemporary look. Or, remove your doors entirely! Open shelving will give your kitchen a more airy, laid-back feel.

Learn something new? Want to pass an idea to a friend? Share the knowledge with your network!