Between prepping meals for the week and cooking at least a couple of full meals every day, sometimes it feels like I never leave the kitchen.
Don’t get me wrong — I adore cooking, so being in the kitchen is enjoyable. It’s the space itself I’m not wild about.
My home dates back to the 1950s, so the kitchen is… let’s just say it’s due for an overhaul.
My partner and I recently splurged on a beautiful new refrigerator (we skipped the extended warranty), but unless a huge windfall lands in my lap, I’ll be working with the same kitchen for a long while.
So, like any thrifty Savinly reader, I searched online for simple, wallet-friendly kitchen upgrades I could tackle without breaking the bank.
These five projects are my top picks. Bonus: they’re easy to reverse if you rent.
1. Spruce Up Your Backsplash
The wall area between the countertop and the upper cabinets is one of the most visible parts of a kitchen.
We spend a lot of time at the counter prepping and cooking, so that section sits right in our line of sight. Since we look at it so frequently, why not make it attractive?
Painting it a single color is kind of dull, and backsplashes can cost a pretty penny.
The solution uses an item you probably already encounter every day.
Plates!
Danielle at 2 Little Superheroes came up with the clever idea of using plastic plates to fashion a backsplash for only a few dollars.
You can buy a set or two of durable melamine plates online for roughly $15–$25, but there’s an even cheaper route: scour thrift shops or yard sales for inexpensive plates and picnic ware.
To prepare the plates for hanging, create a hanger point by removing a soda can tab and hot-gluing it to the back.
Tap small nails into the wall and hang the plates to build a DIY backsplash that’s uniquely yours.
Renter tip: When you remove the plates, fill the small nail holes with toothpaste or a bar of soap.
2. Improve Your Cabinets’ Look
Aside from being old-fashioned, my kitchen is fine. The cabinets and cupboards, though, tell a different story.
They’re tacky, brown faux wood-grain relics from when the house was built. I absolutely despise them.
If your cabinets are just as unattractive, try covering them with contact paper.
Self-adhesive contact paper comes in virtually every finish and pattern imaginable — even chalkboard.
If that feels like too much hassle, go bold: remove the cabinet doors altogether and apply these four open-shelf tips to keep things neat and guest-ready.
Renter tip: Before applying contact paper, test a small, hidden area to ensure it won’t leave residue when removed.
When taking cabinet doors off, label each door and its corresponding cabinet with masking tape so you know exactly where to rehang them.
3. Swap Out Your Hardware
My cabinet knobs and drawer pulls may have been stylish once. (Who am I kidding? They’ve always been awful.)
Removing the old pieces and replacing them with modern updated hardware made a dramatic difference.
Renter tip: Store all the original hardware and screws in a plastic bag, then tuck the bag in a kitchen drawer so everything is ready when you need to return them.
4. Reclaim Your Countertops
Clearing and organizing your countertops instantly refreshes the look. Stow small appliances you rarely use inside cabinets and gather utensils in that charming vase you found at a garage sale.
Here are some smart ideas to tame countertop clutter:
- Trade that bulky knife block for a magnetic knife strip
- Craft decorative DIY storage boxes for small items and stack them atop the refrigerator
- Minimize your kitchen gadgets down to the five essentials and free up cabinet room for appliances you actually use
If you’re ready to let go of things you don’t need, sell them on LetGo to earn a little cash.
Renter tip: Tag small appliances and kitchen items that came with your rental so it’s easy to separate them from your belongings when moving.
5. Add Textiles for Warmth
New textiles are an affordable, endlessly customizable way to refresh your kitchen.
Attractive dish towels cost only a few dollars, especially if you pick them up secondhand.
Rugs can unify a room and make even uninviting spaces feel cozy. They can be pricey, though, so consider learning how simple it is to fashion your own rug from washable materials before splurging.
Don’t forget how much the right window treatments can do. I’m not suggesting you drape dish towels across the window — a tasteful set of curtains can cost as little as $10, or even less if you find a thrifted pair you love.
Renter tip: The beauty of using rugs and towels to update your kitchen is you can just take them with you when you move.
Karen Aldridge is a staff writer at Savinly. She’s so thrilled with her new refrigerator she gives it a little wave every time she walks by.
