Who doesn’t love a brand new kitchen? Whether you have recently purchased an older home or you are simply looking to update your aging kitchen, it is no secret that a newly renovated kitchen can be a breath of fresh air for any home.

Kitchen renovations can be quite time consuming. They require months of planning to figure out the layout and specifications. Cabinets need to be custom-built. Countertops need to be site measured and fabricated. Appliances, lights, plumbing fixtures all need to be ordered. Not to mention the costs associated with all these items.

DID YOU KNOW…that the starting price point for a kitchen renovation in Vancouver for a standard, 10′ x 10′ kitchen is upwards of $30,000?

So what if you want a new kitchen without the hassle or cost of a new kitchen renovation? Well, you came to the right place.

Today, we are discussing 7 ways how you can update your kitchen quickly, without breaking the bank!

1. Refinish Your Cabinetry

Kitchen cabinets are without a doubt the most expensive aspect of a kitchen renovation. Every kitchen is unique, so in order to get the perfect functionality out of your kitchen, we always recommend custom-built cabinetry. However, if you are on a tight timeline or simply wish to update your kitchen on a budget, refinishing or refacing your cabinets can give you a whole new aesthetic without all the hassle of demolition, waiting for new cabinets and spending big bucks on new boxes. Refinishing cabinets involves repainting the existing cabinet doors and exterior surfaces. Although a very cost effective choice, we don’t recommend painting older cabinetry. You can also reface your cabinetry, which would involve purchasing brand new doors and hardware. This is a great way to give yourself a clean canvas to work with when reimagining your new kitchen.

2. Change The Countertops

You would be surprised how big of a difference new countertops can make to a kitchen. Simply upgrading your countertops to a modern specification can make your kitchen look and feel brand new. Whether you prefer the durability of quartz or the unique aesthetic of natural stone, there are lot of options out there than can make your kitchen pop.

3. Upgrade Your Appliances

You might now be thinking, “wait a minute, I thought this post was about updating the kitchen on a budget. Appliances are never cheap!” Well, this is where we come in. An experienced contractor will not only help you select appliances that can last you for a long time, they can also leverage their industry relationships to help you get a new appliance package on a budget. Changing your old appliances, with a new stainless steel package will not only improve your daily use of your kitchen but it will also make your kitchen feel new.

4. New Flooring

Installing new flooring can be extremely cost effective, quick and have a massive impact on the overall look of your kitchen. If you have children or pet at home, or if your kitchen floors are often exposed to water, we certainly recommend going with a waterproof product such as tile or vinyl planks. You may be able to save additional money on demolition costs, if you are able to install new flooring on top of your existing floors. This is especially helpful if you are living in a stratified unit. Eliminating demolition noise will make your neighbours happy and the additional layer of flooring will provide an extra layer of soundproofing in the future.

5. Plumbing Fixtures

Every little bit counts when you are renovating on a budget. Although they are a small part of the overall picture, updating your sink and faucet can help modernize your kitchen. A lot of older kitchen have top mount sinks installed. These types of sinks are getting phased out and most new kitchens have undermount sinks installed. If you are not familiar with the difference, you can check out our blog posts on different types of sinks here. Upgrading to an undermount sink will make your countertops stand out. This will also make cleaning the surfaces much easier. We certainly recommend updating the faucet along with the sink as well. Faucets are quite expensive and older faucets often show signs of wear and tear. A new set of shiny plumbing fixtures will certainly stand out in any aging kitchen.

6. Lighting

Lighting fixtures often blend into the background in older kitchens, especially if you have small chrome fixtures or track lights. However, where there is a problem, there is an opportunity. A beautiful set of pendant lights can be the standout feature in your kitchen. Needless to say that with the wide range of options available, especially from online retailers nowadays, you can upgrade all the lighting in your kitchen in a very cost effective manner.