1. Set out on a journey to find reclaimed materials for your floors. Wood floors are a must these days, and more so if you ever plan to sell your house. Wood panels found at home improvement centers and floor showrooms are very expensive, and it could even take weeks to get the floor boards once you get the correct measurements and place the order. With a quick search online, you can find companies who specialize in reclaimed building materials and they would be more than willing to sell you flooring for cheap! Reclaimed wood comes from numerous sources, such as old torn down barns, or even buildings, and can provide you with a very unique kitchen floor for a very little investment.
2. Give it a fresh coat of paint! Just about any space will look new again when you refresh the paint on the walls. White will open up a small kitchen and make it look bigger than it really is. Red and yellow are colors that make people hungry, so these are perfect choices for a kitchen setting where you want to invite people in to cook and dine with you.
3. Add some color to your kitchen by displaying fresh fruit and other foods. Food is one of the most inexpensive ways to add color to your kitchen and you can change these colors frequently to suit your needs at any given time. Try displaying a big bowl of fruit on the counter, or arrange some of your spices in nice clear jars throughout your kitchen.
4. Update the hardware. Door hardware is cheap at most home improvement centers and can quickly make your kitchen cupboards look fantastic once again. You can choose from traditional or modern hardware and this little touch will give your kitchen a fresh look.
5. Lighting is your best friend! Proper lighting will make your kitchen inviting to family, friends, and guests. You can find very budget friendly lights at your local thrift stores, home improvement centers, or even online for a discount. Take a look through the clearance aisles and you will be amazed at the deals you can get. Whether you are looking for hanging lights, or something that is recessed, lighting does not have to break your bank account and can have a remarkable effect on the way your kitchen appears.
6. Make your kitchen look organic with fresh herb gardens and greenery. If you have a kitchen window, try growing your own herb garden or add some potted plants in colorful containers. Not only will you reap the rewards of cleaner air from the fresh plants, but you will also have fresh herbs on hand to cook with.
7. Display your cookware. Racks for decorative pots and pans can be mounted to your ceilings or walls, and will give your kitchen an industrial feel. Choose cookware that will compliment your kitchen scheme and display it for the world to see. You will never have to dig through your cupboards looking for a sauce pan again!
8. Install glass front doors on you cupboards. These doors are great for showcasing your serveware and can be found, or custom made, much cheaper than replacing the entire cupboard. When you install glass front doors, your guests will never have to play the guessing game trying to find a cup or glass when they need it.
9. Custom make your own curtains. Sewing is an easy to learn, and a sewing machine can be picked up for a good price at your local thrift store or flea market. If you have windows in your kitchen, try custom making your own curtains instead of purchasing expensive ones from the store. Fabric stores almost always have an assortment of fabric on sale, and the sky is the limit as to what you can create when you when you sew your own curtains. Search the Internet and you will find hundreds of free patterns and instructions for custom designing your own window dressings.
10. And finally...learn how to add tiling the DIY way! Tiling is easy and there are numerous books that will guide you through the process. Tiles and back splash materials can be purchased for much less than you would pay for a contractor to come in and do the work. In a weekend, you can transform the look of your kitchen by rolling up your sleeves and setting some fresh tile and spackle! Tiles come in every color of the rainbow, so get creative and make your own patterns.
Updating your kitchen can be a fun experience for the whole family. By scouring the Internet, your local home improvement centers, thrift stores, and flea markets, you can easilly create your dream kitchen, even on a small budget. Your kitchen should be the place where your guests and family want to congregate to cook and share meals with you. With a free weekend, and a little bit of elbow grease, you can quickly have a kitchen you can be proud of!
