38 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Remodeling Ideas You’ll Want to Steal

You don’t have to spend a fortune on a major kitchen remodel. Small aesthetic upgrades can make a big difference, no matter the size of your space.

A fresh coat of paint on your cabinets or new light fixtures can change the entire feel of your kitchen without blowing your savings.

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.

Take inspiration from our best kitchen remodeling ideas on a budget.

Paint Contrasting Cabinets

You don’t need to completely remodel a kitchen with dated oak cabinets.

Instead, paint some of your cabinets in a dark cool tone to contrast the warmth of the wood while still maintaining the kitchen’s original charm.

A matching coat of paint on the island along with new countertops totally transforms this space.

Add Faux Wood Beams

If you’re planning a farmhouse kitchen remodel on a budget, consider adding DIY wood beams.

Not only are they fairly inexpensive to make and install, they’ll turn any builder-grade kitchen into a charming, homey space.

Vintage-Inspired Kitchen Remodel Idea

Add vintage charm to your kitchen while saving money by repurposing secondhand pieces.

Rather than splurging on statement doors for your pantry, look for an interesting set at thrift shops or antique stores.

Add Color with a Kitchen Rug

If you’re not ready to commit to a full paint job, consider adding a pop of color with a washable kitchen rug.

You’ll spend much less on a rug than you would on the supplies to paint the kitchen or install colorful tile, and this way you have the option to swap out the rug as your preferences change.

Update Cabinet Doors

It’s possible to get updated cabinets without installing an entirely new unit. 

These DIY cabinet doors are a project you can complete in an afternoon at an affordable price.

To get the look, we used a jigsaw to remove the inner panel of the cabinet doors. Then, we filled the space with patterned sheet metal.

Color-Drench Your Kitchen

Modernize your kitchen by leaning into the color drenching trend and painting the walls, cabinets, and trim in the same shade.

Choose a light color to make a small space feel bigger, or opt for a moody hue for a cozy kitchen makeover.

DIY Kitchen Remodel Idea on a Budget

This kitchen remodel on a budget kept 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.

Install a Statement Ceiling

Don’t forget the ceiling when you’re planning your kitchen remodel on a budget.

A statement ceiling can completely transform a room, whether with paint, wallpaper, or wood paneling, and it’s often not a huge expense.

Stick with the Existing Layout

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 a kitchen island.

All of the cabinetry and appliances stayed put to cut costs.

Display Your Dishware

Rather than buying new decor for your newly-remodeled space, decorate the kitchen with your favorite dishware.

Display decorative plates on open shelves, and install hooks for colorful or sentimental mugs.

Rustic Industrial Kitchen Remodel

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.

Green Kitchen Remodel on a Budget

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.

Keep the Countertops

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.

Small-Space Kitchen Remodel

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.

Install Butcher-Block Countertops

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.

Open the Walls

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.

Kitchen Remodel with Open Shelving

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.

Kitchen Cabinet Remodel on a Budget

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.

Add Storage with an Island

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.

Farmhouse Kitchen Remodel on a Budget

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.

Install Beadboard

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.

Kitchen Window Treatments on a Budget

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.

Install Inexpensive Countertops

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.

Hunt for Secondhand Furniture

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.

Use White to Make the Kitchen Feel Bigger

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.

Small Kitchen Remodel Idea on a Budget

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.

Extra Built-In Storage

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.

Keep Original Appliances

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.

Keep Appliances Where They Are

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.

Galley Kitchen Remodel on a Budget

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.

Modern Backsplash Kitchen Remodel

A new white penny tile backsplash replaced dated 4×4-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.

Laminate Countertops

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.

Wallpaper Glass Cabinet Doors

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.

Work with the Original Sink

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.

Beadboard Backsplash

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.

White Kitchen Remodel Idea on a Budget

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.

Add Touches of Color

New matte cream ceramic tile replaced dated laminate along the backsplash for a fresh, budget-friendly kitchen revamp.

New 12×12-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.

Line Back of Cabinets with Pattern

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.