Renovate Your Interior Without Breaking The Bank

By | April 4, 2025

Renovate Your Interior Without Breaking The Bank – The kitchen is one of the fastest growing areas in the house. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most expensive to remodel. The good news is that you don’t have to do a major renovation to update your kitchen ─ in fact, you can update your kitchen in as little as a weekend.

Updating your kitchen doesn’t have to mean ripping out the cabinets, replacing the countertops, or installing new wallpaper. While doing one or two of these things can be very affordable and make a big difference, there are many other ways to update your kitchen that are even easier and more affordable, and can still get you the results you’re looking for.

Renovate Your Interior Without Breaking The Bank

The following 6 kitchen update ideas are super easy and very affordable. Try this if you want to update your kitchen without remodeling.

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If your cabinets are in good shape but you want to give them a new look, painting is the easiest and most affordable way to do it. Old cabinets can get a whole new life with a fresh coat of paint. For the best resale value, opt for a neutral color such as white, gray or off-white.

Another easy way to update your cabinets is to ditch the hardware. It may seem like a small detail, but it can have a big impact on the aesthetics of your kitchen. The investment is small and you can replace them all in an afternoon.

Pair this step with painting the cabinets for a huge transformation, or simply ditch the hardware and leave the cabinets as they are if you like them but want something fresh.

The basic lighting you’ll find in most kitchens is functional, but doesn’t do much for the style of the space. If your kitchen is older, lighting is also one of the biggest factors in making it feel dated.

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Replace your old fixtures with new, updated ones to instantly give them a brand new look. You may even want to add additional lighting if your kitchen is limited to its current appliances. Many older homes, for example, will only have one light source in the kitchen, so adding some pendant lights over the bar, for example, will brighten it up and add some character.

Most cabinets will be immediately updated with a new paint color, but some have details on them that will still be dated, such as ornate molding. Remove these details and you’ll be amazed at how modern it suddenly looks.

If you want your cabinets to have a more upgraded look, replace the outdated moldings with more modern, cleaner moldings. You can also add these details to newer cabinets that look plain to make them look more expensive. If you have the space, you can add crown molding, end panels, and even door inserts.

In a kitchen with a bar, bar stools are a great way to add some character to the space and make it feel more inviting. If you already have some but haven’t updated them in a while, consider switching them over to some new ones to freshen up the space.

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For a bar area that’s small, opt for backless stools that can be tucked under the lip and out of the way of traffic. There are different styles on the market to suit all different tastes and sizes, so measure how much space you have and make sure they are in proportion.

Color is one of the most transformative elements in design. Just a few accents can completely change the look of a space, even in the kitchen.

For staging, we always recommend keeping the main items neutral and then bringing in some colorful accents. In the kitchen, this can mean colorful cookbooks, bar stools, flowers, fruit and beans in apothecary jars, a runner and other decorative pieces. Any of these things can add some charm and character, not to mention make your kitchen feel like new.

By keeping the color in smaller accents, you can switch them out whenever you get tired of the color and want something fresh.

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For more tips on updating your kitchen, click here to watch Megan’s free home webinar episode on kitchens!

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All cookies that may not be specifically required for the website to function and are used specifically to collect user personal data through analytics, ads, other embedded content are called non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to obtain user consent before running these cookies on your website. With astronomically high mortgage rates, selling your home or buying a new one is practically unthinkable. So it’s not surprising that there are many renovation projects underway. Instead of investing in a new property, many homeowners are investing in their savings to improve their space. Big or small,  home renovations and remodeling can come with complications, delays, unexpected costs, and more.   

If you’re interested in changing the look of your home, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Southern California-based interior designers Melissa Henle, Julie Hovnanian, and Ashley Clark share their thoughts on renovations—from decluttering to gutting, and everything in between. 

“With renovations, you’re usually working with an older structure and a lot of unknowns,” Hanle says. “Most people only renovate two or three times in their life, so quality really matters.” 

There are ups and downs during renovations, but it’s all about having a clear plan before demo day. Hanle and Hovnanian emphasize that you want to make sure the drawings are approved and that appliances, plumbing and other items are on the way. 

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“My number one tip for renovations is to make sure as many products as possible are selected, ordered and delivered to your home or storage unit before the demo starts,” Hanle says. “Custom products have fairly long lead times, which are now exacerbated by current supply chain issues.” Waiting for certain products to arrive after you’ve already started renovations can cause a domino effect of costly delays. The idea is to get things moving as quickly as possible.”

In the planning stage, you also want to confirm your intentions for your home. Clark says he goes through a series of questions with his clients. These thought triggers include:

“Depending on the size of the renovation and the area to be renovated, my first suggestion is to live somewhere else,” says Hovnanian. 

Whether it’s a long-term rental, another property you own or bumping into a friend or relative, finding alternative living space will be helpful. After all, who wants to live in a construction zone? This can potentially affect the cost of your project, so don’t forget to factor that into your renovation budget. 

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Not to mention, your life situation can also change the timeline. For example, Clark says you may need to do the renovation in stages if you plan to stay in your home while it’s under construction.

Chances are you’re not a professional contractor and it really helps to have one. To avoid taking any guesswork out of your experience, hiring an expert is a highly recommended expense. 

“Contractors have relationships with their subcontractors and that makes for a smoother and more efficient remodeling,” says Hovnanian. 

“Ask for a referral because you’ll be working closely with them throughout the process and a shared vision is essential,” she says.

Before & After

“When I’m considering a budget, I always tell clients to make the ‘bones’ of the house the way they’ll ultimately like it,” says Hovnanian. “Decorative items may come over time, but you’ll never go back and redo floors, appliances, countertops, etc.”

Do you dream of a home that is elegant and modern? Colorful and eclectic? Whatever your vision is, go with your gut. “My clients often think they should.”