10 Amazing Kitchen Updates on a Dime

Looking to update your kitchen? Here's 10 fabulous updates you can do for under $100 (some for FREE) to spice up your kitchen and make make it fit your style. From framed backsplashes to a 5 minute lighting update, here's 10 ideas you can tackle today!

This chalkboard wall cost $15 to create, and we use it for a monthly calendar, menu board, and doodle area for the kids.

Framed prints (and old map and recipe card) add interest to the backsplash without costing a dime.

Updating hardware is a super easy to way to modernize cabinets and other fixtures.

Open shelves + accessories = lots of color and details!

An outdoor rug (used indoors) adds color and durability to our hardwood floors. Plus, a soft place to play for my kiddos as I make dinner.

FIVE MINUTES. These pendant lights screw into existing recessed lighting fixtures and can take just a few minutes to install. Huge bang for your buck!

Related DIY Projects

How to Install Overlay or "Hidden" Cabinet Hinges

When we started the kitchen remodel, my husband really wanted to do all new cabinets. I talked him out of it because the ones we have are functional, solid wood and really just needed refreshing (not to mention cabinets are very expensive!). So he conceded but said he really hated the hinges. The hinges?! So here was my solution to those eyesore hinges.

Arabesque Blue Tile Backsplash Using an Adhesive Mat

My husband and I tiled our kitchen backsplash recently -- our first tiling job ever! We used Mussel Bound Adhesive Tile Mat instead of thin set. With the mat, you grout within 24 hours instead of waiting 24-72 hours as you would with thin set.Originally posted in 2015. In 2017 I've added more photos and information since I've taken down the blog that I referred you to for more information in 2015.

kitchen cabinets makeover with milk paint, kitchen cabinets, kitchen design, painting

Kitchen Makeover for $100 With General Finishes Milk Paint!!

Oak cabinets....anyone else have oak cabinets and want something different?! My sister did, so I grabbed my paint brush and favorite General Finishes milk paints and went to town!

Spooky Halloween Tablescape With Lights

Halloween tables can be so much more fun at night with the addition of some fun lights to the centerpiece. Start with a fun tablecloth, and a plastic caldron full of skull garland spilling out over the sides.

Pumpkin Topiary

Embellished pumpkins greet you at entry.

Give Cheap Dollar Store Pumpkins a Quick Makeover for Pennies

If you have walked in to your local dollar tree lately you will find that they offer a ton of decorations and craft ideas. You have to sometimes look outside the box and see what these $1.00 items could become with alittle paint or work.This is what I did a couple of weeks ago. I found these styrofoam bright orange pumpkins. I bought 3 of these light weight gems knowing that I can use them somewhere.But I’m gonna be honest, I hated the brightness of these pumpkins.So, here’s what I did with them in order to put them outside my doorway And achieve that antique look. (I walked into target today and they were selling pumpkins just like this, antiques, for $14.99 Each! I don’t have that kind of money to spend on small decorations.)

Budget Kitchen Update

When we decided to update our kitchen we set a certain budget. Not too small but we wanted our dream kitchen so were willing to hire out projects and DIY what we could. We knew we wanted to remove our upper cabinets to make the space feel more open and airy, we wanted to keep the layout but make a change to the style of the cabinets, new appliances, and new counter tops. Those were the "big budget" items. The small stuff we did ourselves and we are so happy with the end result. We ended up spending around $15,000, which included the counter tops, refacing/custom cabinet work (they even through in matching the vanity in the half bath near the kitchen to make the area uniform), and new appliances.

Can We Cook?

A total transformation took place in this kitchen. Notice the before picture. The family has lived in this home for 20 years and the room felt heavy to them. The wanted an update with more room, storage, and counter space. The brick was removed and new custom cabinets and stainless steel appliances put in it's place. Imagine creating lunches to banquets in this beautiful kitchen.

1980s Traditional Kitchen Update

It had been 30 years since our traditional kitchen had any updates. What started as one appliance replacement (the refrigerator) quickly turned into what I refer to "scope creep". Before we were finished, we added under-counter and pendant lighting, replaced countertops and almost all the appliances, AND we even threw in new kitchen sinks!

How To Update Old Cabinet Doors

In our basement, we have a built in cabinet/counter area that used to be part of a kitchenette that we ripped out during our basement renovation. We decided to keep this built in, because I thought it would be perfect for a snack/beverage area to use when entertaining. The only problem is that it was painted the ugliest shades of brown and tan that you could find, the cabinet doors were old and had some wear, and the hardware was outdated. But I was going to change this!

Kitchen Pantry Doors Mural

My daughter wanted her Pantry doors spruced-up. She gave me an idea and this is the result. These doors can be seen from the family room and were screaming for some personality.

Wanted to share my recent design

from when we bought our house the kitchen had great cabinets but was dark and there was no backsplash. So I white washed the cabinets and it brightened it up a lot but it was still missing the backsplash. So I made one! I used rough cut Latice boards, cut them with a miter saw in various length, stained them a dark walnut, used a construction glue to put them up, I also use the air gun to add extra hold. Once glue dried I used dark walnut wood putty to fill in any large gaps. Sealed the wood with a good satin poly. Included is the before, process, and after pictures

Kitchen Cabinet Update

NEW on Hometalk: You can now hire me to help you recreate this project! Need some guidance to make sure your cabinets come out perfectly? Book me for a one-on-one video session now.One of my very best friends wanted to give her kitchen a complete overhaul and it was nothing short of spectacular! The kitchen was in excellent shape, so there was no reason to get new cabinets. They just needed a fresh look! Also, why pay thousands of dollars on new cabinets when you can do a DIY and spend some time with your awesome friend (me, duh)!

Cut a "pass Through Window" in Your Wall With Less Mess!

While our renovations were taking place this summer, I, like most normal breathing women, did not want drywall dust in every nook and cranny in my house. So when we cut out this little "window" between our kitchen wall and sunroom/eating area, I had an idea on how to keep the dust to a minimal and it surprisingly worked out pretty well! Maybe some of you already know this trick, but if you don't - hope you can use it!

DIY Corner Pantry

I’m kind of embarrassed to admit this but we were using a stand up clothes armoire as a simple DIY pantry in our kitchen because we didn’t have enough space to hold all our food stuffs. Hey, you do what you need to do. And I needed more space for my canned goods. My husband, Roy, who’s not a carpenter, finally decided he was going to make us a pantry. It would be small and in the corner, but it would be floor to ceiling.

Apartment Friendly Faux Wood Floors With Contact Paper

If you need to cover a floor you just can't handle looking at anymore this is PERFECT! I honestly was stunned at how great this stuff looked... and felt! This contact paper faux wood flooring is a great option for renters, because it can be peeled back up if needed, but is durable enough to withstand traffic. A couple rolls of wood contact paper can transform any old linoleum floor with ease. We want to help you DIY, so some of the materials in this post are linked to sellers. Just so you know, Hometalk may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.

Galapagos Blue Kitchen

We are adding Galapgos Blue everywhere we can! It is our signature color that we invented and WON a contest in 2015 hosted by General Finishes! So when a client wants to use it in their home our heart skips a beat! It is amazing at what a can do!

Renter Friendly Backsplash!

I was searching and searching for the perfect solution for my rental kitchen. I wanted to update it without losing my deposit. Tic Tac Tiles are sticky enough to last until you decide to move or change them out. They can easily be removed by applying heat and lifting/peeling them off the wall.