DIY Kitchen Update Ideas

You don’t have to completely gut your space and do a full renovation to modernize your kitchen. There are plenty of less expensive ways to bring a dated kitchen into the modern age. Rather than starting from the ground up, try to identify which parts of your kitchen work for you and which don’t. Then tackle the projects one by one.

Your kitchen should be a functional place to cook, gather and eat, but every household is different. If you have a growing family, you might need to upgrade the refrigerator or add a pantry. For a dark or drab kitchen, the solution may be as simple as adding more lighting or applying a fresh coat of paint. Often, a little cabinet and pantry organization can help improve the look and functionality of your kitchen.

Get Ideas From These Kitchen Makeover Videos

• The Modern Family Kitchen Makeover
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• The Industrial Farmhouse Kitchen
• The Timeless Kitchen Makeover

You don’t have to wait until your appliances are broken to replace them. One of the most effective ways to modernize a dated kitchen is to upgrade the appliances. It’s a big investment to replace all the appliances at once, so identify your biggest pain point — like a refrigerator that’s always crammed full or a microwave that cooks slowly — and start there.

Try these upgrades to get a first-class kitchen.

Refrigerator
Swap your top-freezer refrigerator for a French door refrigerator. Many older homes have basic fridges with a freezer on top, which can be hard to organize and usually lack modern convenience features. Upgrade to a stainless steel French door refrigerator with an in-door water and ice dispenser to increase your fridge space and never run out of ice.

Dishwasher
Add a dishwasher. If you live in a home without a dishwasher, you can save time by installing one. If you don’t have the space or hookups for a full built-in dishwasher, consider a portable one on casters or a countertop dishwasher to save time on cleanup.

Range
Invest in a good range. Most people use a cooktop a lot, so upgrading to a better range can make a huge difference when preparing food. Consider a range with an extra burner or a warming area to make meal prep and dinner parties easier. You can also upgrade to an induction range for faster cook times and more even heat.

Microwave
Upgrade your microwave. If it takes forever to thaw frozen meals or steam vegetables in your microwave, it might be time for an upgrade. Microwaves can lose efficiency over time, and old models tend to heat unevenly. Get a new microwave with special features like convection or Bluetooth connectivity for a new level of convenience.

Range Hood
Range hoods can be practical, as well as attractive. Purchase one that coordinates with your range or use an undercabinet range hood and build a frame around the hood to conceal it. Add wood trim, plaster or tile to create an attractive range hood for your kitchen. Learn how to DIY a custom range hood cover.

Upgrade the Sink
Don’t overlook your sink when you make kitchen updates. A new sink can make a big difference in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Install a white apron-front sink for a modern farmhouse look or spring for a scratch-resistant fireclay undermount sink for a seamless look and easy cleaning.

Learn how to install a farmhouse sink.
Learn how to install a drop-in kitchen sink.

Upgrade the Faucet
If you don’t want to replace the whole sink, upgrading the faucet or sprayer will help modernize your kitchen. Consider a high-arc faucet to make washing dishes and filling pots easier or opt for a touch faucet that’s perfect for washing messy hands. Choose an in-faucet sprayer or add one to the side of your sink for a convenient solution to rinsing dishes and watering plants.

Learn how to install a kitchen faucet.

Most modern kitchen ideas focus on making your kitchen brighter and more vibrant. Even if you don’t have a beautiful window over your sink where the morning sun streams in, you can make your kitchen shine with well-placed lighting. Add under cabinet lighting to make prep work easier. LED lighting is the brightest option, but stick-on battery-powered puck lights can significantly light up your counter space too. If you have a kitchen island, consider adding a group of pendant lights or a chandelier above the island to provide additional task lighting. Rail lights are great for large kitchens that need general illumination, and the individual lights can be oriented any way you need.

Another way to brighten up your kitchen is with a fresh coat of paint. Kitchen walls tend to get dingy over time due to accumulated cooking residue. Give your walls a good scrub and repaint them with a bright, stain-resistant paint. Add a lively tile backsplash or wallpaper to bring more character and color into the space.

The kitchen is often overlooked when it comes to home décor. But if you want to modernize your kitchen on a budget, adding decorative touches is one of the fastest ways to do it. Here are some ideas for livening up your space.

Cabinet Hardware
Swap out the cabinet hardware. Replace purely functional drawer pulls and cabinet knobs with fun hardware. There are many different kinds of hardware you can buy, or you can make your own by painting plain wooden knobs.

Racks & Hooks
Make your kitchen tools part of the décor. If you have a ceramic Dutch oven or collection of copper frying pans, you don’t have to hide them away in a cabinet. Install an overhead pot rack or wall hooks to display your favorite items and keep them within reach. Consider a magnetic knife block or wall mounted utensil holders.

Rug & Linens
Add a rug or new linens. A low-pile rug can make your kitchen cozy and cover up out-of-style flooring — just be sure to get one that’s easy to clean and stain-resistant. Add more color to your kitchen with coordinating dish towels and window treatments.

Artwork & Accessories
Decorate the walls. If your kitchen walls are mostly blank, it can make the room feel impersonal or empty. Add some décor to your walls to make them more interesting. 
Choose family photos or food-themed artwork or frame your favorite family recipe cards. Hang a memo board or chalkboard to jot down grocery lists or plan your meals for the week.

You don't need to do a full gut renovation in order to update your kitchen. Here are a few ideas to easily refresh your space without breaking the bank.

• Start with organizing the kitchen. Clean out the cabinets, fridge and pantry. Add organizers, bins and baskets, so that you can easily find what you needed.
• Do you need a bigger fridge or a new range? You don't have to buy a new suite of appliances. Sometimes one update can make a big difference. Shop Lowe's for all the latest appliances and best deals.
• Upgrade your sink and faucet. Workstation or apron-front sinks are functional and attractive. Faucets in brushed gold, stainless steel and matte black are popular.
• Undercabinet lighting, a new coat of paint or a pretty tile backsplash can brighten up a room.
• Don't forget the details. Switch out the cabinet hardware. Add new window treatments, dish towels and area rug in coordinating colors.

Are you ready to get started? Get inspired with these 12 kitchen remodeling ideas and designs