Kitchen Update Ideas to Let You Forget Renovation

Renovations to the kitchen are expensive and time-consuming. You'd understand how stressful a complete kitchen renovation can be if you've ever been through one. So, most families try to delay the next big renovation as long as possible. The favourable layout is the core of your kitchen design. If it works for you, just update the kitchen on a budget instead. 

A DIY kitchen update is not only a cost-effective way to make a change, but also an environmentally friendly one. The goal is to make a kitchen look brand new with minimum cost and inconvenience. We can change the lighting fixtures, paint the cabinets and walls, and install new countertops. This gives the room a new feel, transforming it from outdated and drab into something fresh.

Kitchen update vs remodel

Involving only cosmetic changes without altering the structure or layout, kitchen updates are significantly cheaper. This approach can save homeowners thousands of dollars and months of inconvenience compared to a full kitchen remodel, which involves moving walls, electrical, and plumbing systems.

A kitchen update is a quicker option than a complete remodel. For instance, a DIY update to kitchen cabinets can be completed in a matter of weeks or even days. It means less disruption and quicker access to a refreshed space. 

Kitchen style updates are also more eco-friendly because they reduce waste and reuse existing components instead of throwing them away. This aligns with eco-conscious practices.

Signs your kitchen needs an update

Over time, any problems can accumulate, and your kitchen will no longer serve your needs or reflect your style.  Look around - does it seem like everything is fine, but you no longer feel happy with it? This does not necessarily mean the space needs to be torn to studs. Smarter is to learn how to update a kitchen without renovating.

It's important that you recognize subtle and not-so subtly obvious signs that a kitchen may be due for making some changes. Here are some of the common indicators to help you decide if it's time for an upgrade.

1. Dated colours and finishes
   Cabinets that are faded, chipped, or way out of trend can be a sign it's it may be time for a refresh. It may be time to update your kitchen cabinetry according to today's trends, technologies and materials if it screams ‘another decade’.

2. Worn countertops and damaged surfaces
   The stains, cracks, and scratches on a counter and tiles can not only make the kitchen look old-fashioned, but also harbour bacteria. If you notice peeling paint, loose fixtures or squeaky hinges, it's more than just cosmetic. It means your kitchen needs your attention.

3. Poor lighting
   It is important that a kitchen has enough light to cook and hang out. Do not depend on only one ceiling fixture; if the kitchen's lighting is dim or dark, just make sure to relit it properly!

4. Inefficient appliances
   Old, noisy and energy-wasting appliances can drive up your bills, as well as make cooking more difficult. Modern upgrades can improve efficiency and comfort and save you money in the long run.

5. Leaking tap
   Dripping faucets are not just annoying, they can cause mould, water damage or increased utility bills. Tap issues can hit your budget pretty badly, so they need to be addressed at the initial stage.

You may notice these scratches, faded areas, or darkened spots in high-traffic areas a few years after a renovation. The imperfections can creep up slowly, but once they are removed, you will be surprised how good it feels!

Ways to update your kitchen

You can often improve the look and functionality of your space by making targeted changes. Just make sure you're comfortable with the existing layout and there are no structural or other serious issues. In general, the best kitchen layouts have the refrigerator, oven/hob and sink lined up in a golden triangle to maximize the efficiency of the space.

The following are some ideas on how you can update old kitchen cabinets, worn surfaces and other important areas.

Focus on storage 

There are plenty of techniques on how to update a kitchen without replacing cabinets. Simple projects, like painting kitchen cabinets, refurbishing/rewaxing, or refacing, do the trick. Let's take a look at them more closely:

Repainting

You can create a whole new look for your Shakers or flat panel doors with just paint. You can make a big impression by choosing a vibrant colour for units. You may try a glossy finish on your cabinets if your worktop is matte or honed, or a matt finish if it's glossy. This creates a dynamic and balanced look. 

Painting works on a wide variety of materials, including solid wood, MDF and plywood, as well as cabinets that have been painted or stained, as long as the surface has been properly prepared. A new coat of paint is a good way to update laminate kitchen cabinets without refurbishing them. 

Paint also requires time, attention, and the correct materials for professional results. It is important to thoroughly clean each surface with a degreaser to remove oils and other residues that could affect paint adhesion. Sanding surfaces with fine or medium-grit sandpaper helps smooth the surfaces. Make sure to choose the right primer for your cabinet (wood, melamine, etc.) For edges and corners, you can use a brush, and for large areas, a foam roller or sprayer to get the best results. Just give your kitchen a new life with paint if it is still in good condition. 

Refacing

You can get new doors to replace old ones, in cases where the door style is no longer satisfying or your cupboards look really worn out. This is a more costly option than painting, but still cheaper than a total kitchen renovation. Even if your carcasses are the same, updating kitchen cabinet doors with modern designs will give you a completely new look. Instantly, the kitchen can go from old-fashioned to any finish and style you want.

To update kitchen cabinet doors, take accurate measurements of the height, width, and thickness. If you are reusing old hinges, double-check the placement of hinge holes (called boring). Even a few millimetres can lead to alignment problems later. Make sure your new doors will fit with your existing hinges. If you are using European-style hidden hinges, ensure that the overlay and cup sizes match. Mark your holes before drilling and using a template to ensure consistent placement when installing new hardware.

Waxing

When you want to update your cabinets with no paint, waxing can be a good option. It is particularly effective on solid wood cabinets that are in good structural shape but have become faded or slightly scratched with time. It can enhance the natural beauty of the wood, bring out its grain and add a soft sheen.

This method is ideal for homeowners looking for how to update kitchen cabinetry without painting. Clean the cabinet surfaces well to remove any grease or dust. To open the wood up and make the wax stick evenly, process it with a fine sanding sponge. Apply a beeswax polish or high-quality furniture wax in thin, even coats with a soft brush and rub it with circular motions. After it has dried, use a soft brush to buff the surface.

The technique works with most wood types for cabinets, including:

• Honey oak kitchen cabinets. By waxing instead of painting, you can tone down the dated orange hue and give the cabinet a modern but natural appearance.

• Cherry wood kitchen cabinets. The natural colour of cherrywood will be enhanced greatly by waxing, while cabinets look more refined and smooth.

• Maple kitchen cabinets. Maple wood waxing can benefit by retaining their classic charm, capricious grain pattern and pleasant shine.

Overall, waxing provides a cost-effective, non-invasive way to update wood cabinets. This is also a great way to start if you want to make an instant visual improvement, but plan on doing more comprehensive upgrades in the future.

To upgrade the inside of your kitchen cabinets, add cabinet lining, interior organizers or inside cabinet lighting. 

Update kitchen cabinet hardware

The smallest changes can have the greatest impact. Replacing worn-out or loose knobs can be a simple, quick way to update cabinets. This is one of the most budget-friendly kitchen update ideas. Experiment with matte black or brass finishes, elegant bay handles or super long t-bars to yield noticeable results. 

Updating knobs and pulls is not only an aesthetic aspect, but rather a functionality consideration. You used your kitchen for years, and you know the type of handles would be most comfortable and functional. Pay attention to your motions and think about the best shape for your move patterns.

Think through the way you would update kitchen cabinet hardware. Pay attention to the fact that new handles must fit the existing hole placement. Otherwise, you have to drill the new knob holes, which means patching the old ones and repainting the cabinet faces.

Update a kitchen island 

An island is usually the focal point of your kitchen and also the unit under the most stress. Stains or scratches on the counter, chips in the edges, fading paint or finish, loose parts, and water damage at seams or sinks, all these become more visible on the island. So updating it can change the mood in the entire room.

Kitchen island update ideas mostly involve painting it in a contrasting colour, installing new hardware or polishing the countertops for a luxurious feel. You may want to add open shelving, a wine rack - all work well with mixed-material layouts and modern designs. But the thing that levels your unit up is an overhang with stylish barstools, which make your island truly functional. 

Update kitchen countertops

It is easy to see if your countertops have been damaged or worn out. For a kitchen counter update, consider using materials like butcher blocks, laminate overlays or quartz remnant slabs. These materials are less expensive than stone slabs and concrete, but still offer good functionality and durability. A different counter edge shape, waterfall sides, or an integrated kitchen sink can change the vibe drastically.

If you are looking for how to update your countertops without replacing them, there are options, depending on the slab material. Polishing or resealing will restore the shine to natural stone surfaces such as granite or marble and can remove minor stains or scratches. Sanding and waxing can smooth out any cuts on wood or butcher block counters and restore the grain. As a temporary fix, you can use peel-and-stick vinyl wraps - perfect for renters or quick solutions.

Update kitchen backsplash

Cracks, stains, or outdated tiles that no longer match your style can be upsetting to see daily. Greasy grout can be difficult to clean and harbour mould, which makes the area less hygienic. Updating your backsplash is one of the best ways you can modernize the look of any space. Consider glass splashback, geometric tiles, or copper accents that can add pattern or texture. 

You can update kitchen tiles without removing them by using tile refinishing kits or peel-and-stick backsplash panels. Even if you don't change anything else, a new backsplash can add character and dimension to the kitchen.

Improve lighting

Modern hardware and lighting can be easily updated at a reasonable cost, but they have a big impact on the functionality of your kitchen. For a visually pleasing and balanced space, consider task lighting for prep areas with ambient lighting and accent lighting to highlight features. This will save you from sticking with a harsh overhead bulb or a dated fluorescent light box. 

To update kitchen lighting and modernize the space, install under-cabinet lights. These fixtures light up the counters directly. This makes food preparation, cooking and cleaning easier and safer. Under-cabinet lights also eliminate the harsh shadows cast by ceiling fixtures. This creates a balanced and welcoming atmosphere. There are many options, from hardwired strips to plug-in LED puck lights or battery-operated ones.

There are easy ways to update a fluorescent lighting in the kitchen, such as removing the diffuser panel and swapping in stylish flush-mount fixtures that use energy-efficient bulbs. You might also explore how to update recessed lighting in the kitchen by replacing old can lights with modern LED retrofit kits. These are slimmer, brighter, and more energy-efficient, and they can usually be installed using your existing housing.

How much to update a kitchen?

Sometimes we have a very tight budget, so we have to update the kitchen the most cost-effectively. With smart planning and targeted improvements, you can have your kitchen updated significantly, even on a limited budget. The benefit of small updates is that they have a high impact and require much less stress. Strategic DIY fixes will help you revive the space without tearing it down.

Here is a price breakdown to update a modern kitchen with the most cost-effective methods.

Spending a weekend and a few hundred bucks on specific improvements, such as updating cabinet hardware or painting your cabinets, can make a big difference. In comparison, a complete remodel, which includes new cabinetry and flooring, as well as appliances and changes to the layout, can easily exceed $30,000. A minor kitchen update will often be less expensive and quicker to complete.

Small kitchen update

Small kitchens are typically cheaper to renovate than larger ones, simply because they have less surface to cover. This includes fewer cabinets, shorter counters, and fewer fixtures. This can reduce both material and labour costs.

In Canada, the average cost of a 10x10 kitchen upgrade is between $700 and $2,700. This includes cosmetic changes such as painting, installing new hardware, and adding lighting. If you want to do more extensive work, like installing new cabinet doors or a backsplash, the cost could rise to between $2,700 and $5,500.

The ability to make an impact quickly and at a reasonable price is one of the greatest benefits of a small kitchen upgrade. Even a modest kitchen budget can make a big difference in a small space.