10 Simple Tips for an Affordable Kitchen Makeover

I hired interior designer Demery Mezin at the end of 2020 to help me refresh my main living space. I want to start with sharing the simple changes we made to add a new look to my small kitchen and dining area. If you’re looking to update your kitchen area without major construction, check out 10 simple tips for an affordable kitchen makeover.

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1. DECLUTTER

This is absolutely FREE but will automatically transform your space! The more clear counter space you have, the cleaner and fresher your kitchen will feel. I share more on how I get my countertops to be more empty in tip #7. Try to put all appliances away if possible and don’t let tables end up being a drop and leave area. (My weakness!) This also means maybe removing the 872 pieces of paper from the fridge lol!

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2. PAINT

Painting could mean a variety of things. You might want to paint a feature wall a fun color. In my case, I simply painted our counter stools black to match the rest of the hardware in the kitchen and back granite countertop.. It brings a sense of cohesiveness to the space and matches the “cottage” feel of the old kitchen.

3. PLANTS

Fresh plants, herbs, and flowers will always bring great energy to a space. I’m terrible at keeping houseplants alive so I’ll invest in some faux ferns as I can find some. We just did one small potted plant on the large console for my small kitchen. Large plants are found in the larger living space. ​
I got mine from Home Depot and a local plant nursery.
Pots from Home Depot and Amazon.

4. RUGS/MATS

​This is an instance of just replacing the old with some new. My kitchen mats were quite old and “well-loved”. Demery helped me find some adorable jute half-circle rugs that add to the island nature feel in the whole house. I also switched an old 5X7 rug under the dining table to a round jute rug and I absolutely love it!
I just love natural fibers/materials in my décor. From jute rugs to wicker baskets to wood bowls. Love it!

5. ARTWORK

​Bare walls, like my bare windows just felt naked. Demery helped me find vision with large tropical leaf prints framed and placed on the wall aside the window. I love the pop of color it brings to my neutral kitchen. More island vibes for me, but what colors and images would brighten your kitchen?

6. MOVEABLE CART

​This little cart helps me ensure all my vitamins, supplements, seasonings, aren’t littered across my countertops. The best part is, when I host, I can roll it into another room to open the space and allow the kitchen to feel more clean and roomy. I got mine from amazon here.

7. BASKETS

​These large rope baskets are so handy! First of all, they are collapsible. (I’m kinda falling in love with all things collapsible/moveable) I can use them to hide my piles of recycling so they aren’t out on display. Or to store just about anything. I also love to use these for toy storage and I think they’d be excellent for laundry. Who else loves storage that is cute and multi-purpose!

8. DEEP CLEAN

Do it yourself or hire a cleaner. I had some baseboards, a half-wall under the countertop that was just gross. From food spills to kids shoe prints...It just was an area that I never got around to deep cleaning. If you have a couple icky spaces, taking a good scrub to it will really make the room feel new. I had a housecleaner come and she made my baseboards shine! I even had to go so far as to paint another wall in the living room to get rid of kid-crazy-dirty prints. Do what you gotta do, you’ll feel amazing with really clean areas. ​

9. HARDWARE

​Hardware that matches guys. It is like a well-planned outfit. The knobs in my kitchen are all matte black. Demery selected these hearty matte black curtain rods for me and I think they match my kitchen perfectly. Another thing I’ve learned from her is how switching out knobs and pulls can really allow you to customize a space. Maybe you want to swap out drawer pulls for beautiful glass ones off etsy. Small changes count. Don’t forget about hardware!

10. WINDOW TREATMENTS

My kitchen windows have been bare since I moved in over 4 years ago. I just felt naked. Only one small window had blinds which I never used. We added these sweet sheer striped curtains that made the kitchen feel so homey but still allowed for lots of natural light. The dining area has a large window. We swapped the old blinds for beautiful textured curtain panels and matching curtain rods to match the kitchen. 

ADD THAT EXTRA TOUCH

Ordering some customized items like embroidered dish towels, wall paper, faux tile, and any other unique "just your style" will add to your kitchen and make it a space you truly love, while setting it apart. I love having tea towels made by a friend of mine in my kitchen, and a ceramic bowl made by my mother. Special sentimental items deserve to be highlighted in your home. 

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It’s a new kitchen with just a few changes. There were no enormous purchases, no crazy construction, no moving of furniture. Just a few tweaks here and there. Some additions cost a little money and some were totally free to do. I hope you get to enjoy a kitchen space you love and found a tip or two that can inspire you today! I want to thank DesignsbyDemery for her help. Go follow her on Instagram and be sure you’re with me as well at happilyhomemom.

Stay tuned as I’m sharing other room transformations throughout the year!

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