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5 Ways to Update an Old Kitchen on a Budget

Transform your tired looking kitchen for under £100 with these cheap and easy kitchen updates.

Tired of your old kitchen or just want to inject some new personality into your space without spending a fortune? We have you covered. In this blog, we’ll share with you 5 ways that you can update an old kitchen on a budget. These updates should all cost you less than £100 and doing just one of these will make the world of difference!

From updating your kitchen tap to sprucing up your cupboards, there’s plenty you can do to make things look like new. 

1. A lick of paint

One of the easiest ways to update your kitchen is to consider painting, whether that’s the walls or the cupboards and cabinets themselves. The thought of painting might make you shiver with fear but even the novice painter can give this a go and get great results. 

In fact, a fresh coat of paint on your cabinets especially can instantly transform your kitchen as they are one of the main focal points when entering the room. A tub of kitchen cupboard paint will cost in the region of £33 per litre, so depending on the size of your kitchen you can get the job done for under £100.

It’s always a good idea to test your paint on the surface of your cupboards by painting a small section in an inconspicuous area first of all. But most of all, take your time and enjoy a little weekend upcycling!

update an old kitchen on a budget
Add colour and style by painting old kitchen cupboards

2. New kitchen tap  

What’s a better way to breathe new life into your kitchen than a shiny new addition? The kitchen tap as humble as it is can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your space.

We love these fabulous modern tap options below, all under £100 which is a real bargain. 

And you can even add a traditional vibe to your space just by updating your tap for less than £100. Amazing! 

There’s huge savings to be had on kitchen taps in our spring sale. Take a look at the full kitchen taps sale. You can filter by things like price and type in the left hand navigation. 

3. Swap cupboard handles 

As kitchen updates on a budget go, changing your cupboard handles is by far the simplest choice, but is still very impactful. 

Whether you are choosing to add a new finish or to completely change from handles to knobs or vice versa, this can add wow factor in an instant. 

You can choose to add a more antique twist to your space or opt for a bolder brass finish for maximum effect. We also love updating your handles to matt black for a fresh, modern touch. 

update an old kitchen on a budget
Black handles help to create a modern space

Love the look ❤️

How stunning is this gold sink and tap installed in a customer’s home? It’s an epic combination! 

Shop the look 👀


4. Add shelving 

Adding shelving in your kitchen not only gives you an area that you dress up to look stylish and inviting but it also helps to keep clutter at bay. 

Whether you decide to install shelves for a decorative touch with greenery and some knick-knacks or use it to store jars of herbs and spices, you’re going to give your kitchen a fresh, new look and a focal point to boot.

And yes, buying shelving can be very affordable. Whether you’re opting for a rustic pine look, a stainless steel industrial vibe or a simple white shelf like the ones pictured below, they can all be found for less than £100. 

update an old kitchen on a budget
Shelving helps with storage and decoration

5. Update lighting 

Finally, our experts recommend lighting as a way to update an old kitchen on a budget. You can easily find a new light fitting for less than £100 and this will really give your space some new and infused style. 

Pendant lights, a spotlight rack or even drop lighting are all ideas you can easily add into your space to give it a new look. 

Adding lighting can change the aesthetic of your space, whether it helps to brighten it up overall or add a spot of mood lighting for intimate dinners. We love drop lights over your dining table or a spider style fitting on your ceiling for a contemporary style that adds wow factor. 

update an old kitchen on a budget
Lighting can really help to change the overall vibe of your space

Got a little bit more to spend? 

While these budget ideas will all make a huge difference in your kitchen, if you are willing to spend a little bit more on your revamp then the following kitchen updates are perfect!

6. Updating your worktops 

Redoing your entire countertops could spiral into thousands but opting for an overlay material can reduce this quite dramatically while still giving you a fresh, new look.

An overlay is a layer that is fitted on top of your existing surfaces. They come in a variety of colours and styles so plenty of choice and it makes having that new kitchen feel much more affordable! 

7. Matching that tap with a sparkly new sink

A new kitchen sink will cost a little more than upgrading your tap but can make a huge impact on your space.

We love these sinks available in our current spring sale for less than £200. However we have a huge range of choice on offer in our kitchen sink sale

8. Going bolder with lighting 

There is so much you can do with lighting to really upgrade your space. From adding stunning feature lighting above an island to ambient touches with spotlights under countertops, the possibilities are endless. 

Want to read more on lighting for the home? Check out this bathroom lighting ideas and advice article.


Has that got you in the mood for home updates this season? Our spring sale is on now! Find unmissable deals on kitchen and bathroom essentials with up to 60% off! 

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