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How to renovate your kitchen on a budget
Hannah has almost three years of experience overseeing surveys, product testing and investigations around home improvements and pet care.
A new kitchen doesn't come cheap, but it's possible to remodel without breaking the bank.
From careful budgeting to keeping your current appliances, we share money-saving advice for your kitchen renovation.
We've also put together our best budget kitchen makeover ideas for refreshing your space without remodelling.
Ready for a new kitchen? Discover the best kitchen brands according to our research
Plan your renovation
Set a budget
We recommend setting a budget for any home improvement project – no matter the size.
For a kitchen renovation, a good rule of thumb is not to spend more than 5-10% of the value of your home. Use this as a starting point for making your budget.
Bear in mind that you'll need a contingency of at least 15% of your final budget to cover any unexpected circumstances or price rises, especially if you're planning any structural work.
Establish your priorities
Once you know how much you have to spend, consider your current kitchen and think about what works – and what doesn't.
For example, can you move around your kitchen easily? Do you have enough storage? Do you want to create space for the family to eat, or for the kids to do their homework?
Then create a list of priorities. Start with the more practical updates, such as storage or worktop space, then work down to the 'nice to haves', such as a coffee station or double oven.
Plan the layout
The first part of planning your renovation is deciding whether you want to commit to structural work to expand or reconfigure your home.
Adding more floor space with a kitchen extension is always tempting, but you might be surprised by how much space you can create by reconfiguring what you have.
Creating an open-plan layout by knocking through from the kitchen to the dining or living room can be a relatively simple project, provided the walls are not load-bearing.
Consult with a builder or architect to help you find the most cost-effective option.
Update what you have
If parts of your kitchen are in good working order, or you're just looking to refresh the finish, it will be much cheaper to update your existing kitchen. You could repaint your cabinet doors, or replace them if there's a lot of wear and tear.
Repaint your cabinet doors
If replacing your cabinet doors is currently beyond your budget, you could give them a facelift by painting them. Cabinets will need several coats of paint, plus you'll need to prepare them beforehand.
For solid wood or wood veneer, look for interior wood paint. For laminate, look for a specialist multipurpose paint designed for wood, melamine and MDF. Read our guide on how to paint kitchen cabinets for advice from tradespeople and DIYers.
If that sounds like too much of a DIY project, you could simply change your cabinet handles. Brass, bronze or gold handles look great against dark blue or green cabinetry.
Flat or T-bar handles will make your kitchen look more modern, whereas more traditional options, such as arch handles or cup pulls, can add a vintage feel.
Replace your cabinet doors
Your cabinets consist of two main elements – the carcass (the actual structure of the unit, including the walls and internal shelves) and the doors.
If your carcasses are in good shape and you're happy with your layout, you can give your kitchen a budget remodel by just replacing the cabinet doors and redecorating.
Kitchen cabinets come in standard sizes (usually 500 or 600mm wide), so you can install any brand of door on to any brand of cabinet – just make sure you check the measurements before you buy.
If your kitchen is older, you should also fix any faults to ensure it's in good working order as part of your remodel.
Add or upgrade your splashback
Not only do kitchen splashbacks protect against stains and splashes, but they can also be a striking design feature.
Tiles are a popular choice. Metro tiles are a timeless option for a classic and clean look, whereas mosaic tiles and patterned designs can add visual interest.
Glass is another good choice – it's easy to clean and reflective, which can make your kitchen seem more spacious.
Budget splashback options include acrylic, aluminium composite and even PVC wallpaper murals.
Set the tone with new lighting
Well-considered kitchen lighting will not make your kitchen more functional, but can also transform the look and feel of the space.
If your room feels too dark or you're struggling to see while cooking, consider adding energy-efficient LED lights or strip lighting under your cabinets.
If you want to add warmth and depth to your kitchen for socialising or dining, try incorporating pendant lights over the table or your kitchen island. Choose a warm-coloured bulb for an inviting glow.
Keep your current appliances
A new suite of kitchen appliances generally costs somewhere between £800 and £2,000, so keeping your current appliances is a great way to save money.
If they're all in working order but a little old and tired, use your kitchen renovation as an opportunity to conceal them. If your cabinets are deep enough, you should be able to add extra cabinet fronts to hide away a dishwasher or washing machine.
Try to keep plumbed-in appliances in the same place, as relocating pipework can be expensive (although if you're reconfiguring, this may not be an option).
If you do need to replace your appliances, read our tips for finding the best kitchen appliances
Consider your materials
If you're trying to save money on a renovation, it can be tempting to pick the cheapest option for everything. However, this could end up costing you more in the long term if things don't hold up to daily wear and tear and need to be replaced or repaired in a few years.
Of course, opting for luxury materials such as marble countertops or splashbacks will add a lot to your budget. Consider all your options before making a choice.
Flooring
Updating your kitchen flooring is a bit more of an undertaking, but it doesn't have to be a significant expense.
Modern materials such as luxury vinyl floor tiles offer a great balance of cost and longevity, and are markedly cheaper than ceramic tiles.
Laminate floors come in a wide variety of designs, and many use a click-lock system to simplify DIY installation. While laminate is generally more durable than it used to be, it's still susceptible to damage from excessive moisture, so ask the retailer for advice.
For a more environmentally friendly upgrade, consider cork flooring, which has natural thermal and noise-muting properties. Bamboo and linoleum are also relatively popular eco-friendly flooring choices.
Worktops
Fitting new or replacement worktops is another option for dressing up standard units or giving an older kitchen a new lease of life.
It's not just the material you choose that determines how much your kitchen worktop will cost. Fitting a granite or marble worktop is trickier than fitting a laminate one, so it will often cost more to install as well as to buy.
For a less expensive alternative, you can use vinyl wraps to give your old worktop a facelift. With the right tools and knowledge, you could vinyl-wrap a kitchen worktop yourself. But for a flawless finish and a longer lifespan, you may wish to call in a professional.
Try open shelving
Open shelving is a more cost-effective way to boost your storage space than adding wall cabinets.
They work particularly well in small kitchens, as they open up the space – too many wall-hung cabinets can make it feel closed in. Open shelving also allows you to get creative with your storage. Mix up functional and decorative items to create an aesthetically pleasing display.
Bear in mind that open shelves need more cleaning and dusting to keep kitchen grime at bay, and you'll need to keep them organised so they don't look messy.
Find out more about the costs of various flooring, worktop, splashback and island options in our guide to how much a new kitchen costs
Buy a second-hand kitchen
If your kitchen is past its sell-by date and really does need replacing, you could opt for a second-hand or ex-display kitchen.
According to used-kitchen specialist Rehome, you could save 5,000kg of carbon and spend up to 85% less compared with buying the same kitchen new (including appliances). It's also a great way to get a better-quality kitchen than you could afford if it were new.
There are several online stores dedicated to selling used or ex-display kitchens. The following offer kitchens from a variety of companies and second-hand sellers:
See our guide to buying a second-hand kitchen for more in-depth information
Try some DIY – or use a reputable trader
To DIY or not to DIY – that is often the question.
If you're confident in your skills, DIYing your kitchen upgrade can save you a lot of money. However, it also takes time, and mistakes can be costly. See our advice on DIY jobs you shouldn't attempt yourself (and those you can).
If you'd prefer to leave it to a professional, use Which? Trusted Traders to find reliable local tradespeople who have been through our rigorous vetting process.
We also recommend you speak to two or three traders to ensure you're getting the best quote. Always ensure the quotes are as detailed as possible to avoid any surprises.
You might also look for fixed contracts, which means prices can't go up or down (except in predefined circumstances).