Kitchens are the hub of the home. You go there at some point during the day to grab a snack, prepare a meal, or just hang out at the table with family or friends.

Your kitchen must be designed well to be a functional room. But, renovating it entirely can be costly. Fortunately, you can update your home without spending an arm and a leg.

Here are nine ways to modernize your kitchen on a budget and make it more functional for your entire family.

Upgrade the Lighting Fixtures

Adding some new lighting in your kitchen can update the entire look and feel of your space. More and brighter lights can make it easier to work there and improve its functionality.

Search for some modern, inexpensive and efficient lighting at your local hardware store or online. You can add a string of lights below your cabinets for extra workspace lighting, hang some pendant lights over your island, or place some puck lighting over your stove and sink.

Add a Backsplash

Another way to modernize your kitchen is with a functional backsplash. A fun pattern can give the room some character!

Add white tile for a more modern take, or opt for a patterned ceramic tile, which would significantly impact a smaller space. If this is a bit out of your price range, you could always add shiplap (see also ‘How To Install A Shiplap On Wall‘) or panels instead.

Open up the Walls

Many modern homes have an open-concept design, and employing this in your kitchen makes it look more contemporary. Removing some of the upper cabinets can transform your kitchen, making it look like you have a ton of space.

Add some open shelving and display your stacks of dishes, cookbooks, and serving platters. You could remove cabinet doors or replace them with glass to get the same effect. 

Exchange Your Cabinet Hardware

You can make your kitchen look modern by exchanging your cabinets’ hardware. Some modern finishes on cabinet hardware include black, mixed metal, or polished chrome. 

These will give your kitchen a more contemporary feel, and it’s a budget-friendly way to upgrade your space. You can replace your faucet, too, to match your hardware.

Integrate Some Plants

Homeowners everywhere are greening up their spaces with indoor plants. It’s a really easy way to modernize your kitchen on a budget and incorporate nature. Add some fresh flowers to your counters for a pop of color.

You could also grow some fresh herbs year-round in your kitchen windowsill to get some green in the room. Artificial plants do the trick, too.

Invest in a professional range hood.

Do pesky cooking smells and heavy smoke in your kitchen bother you? A professional range hood is the perfect solution! A quality range hood can last you 10 years or more, so it’s an incredibly cost-effective option for your home. You have so many choices: wall hoods, under cabinet hoods, outdoor hoods, range hood inserts, and more.

If you’re concerned about cost, under cabinet range hoods are a great place to start.

Update the Floors

While updating flooring can be a bit more expensive than some of these other modernizations for your kitchen, there are ways to make it more affordable. You don’t necessarily need to remove the previous flooring. Consider porcelain, ceramic tile, cork, or linoleum for inexpensive, modern options.  

Put in Some Decorative Touches

Sometimes all it takes to upgrade your kitchen is to add in some decorative touches. Inject personality by hanging up some colorful wall decor.

Display it against a white backdrop for a dramatic and modern effect. You can also go with a theme for your kitchen’s decor, like farmhouse chic, vintage or geometric. Decorations will make it your own style, so your kitchen will be personalized yet modern! 

Paint Your Walls

You can always grab a can of paint and paint your kitchen walls. A fresh coat can take the room to a whole new level and cover up any imperfections that come with years of use. Choose a lighter color to brighten up the space, and if you wish, you can paint an eye-catching accent wall. Latex paint works best in kitchens because it’s easier to clean, meaning spaghetti sauce won’t stain your walls anymore. 

It’s Time to Upgrade Your Kitchen

Modernize your kitchen on a budget with these tips. Soon, this popular gathering place will be looking as good as new. Not to mention you’ll have more money in your pocket for future upgrades.

If you spend wisely, you may be able to stretch your dollars pretty far and do everything on this list. You can have beautiful new decor on a dime. Good luck with your renovation!

Thanks to Rose Morrison from Renovated.com for this guest post!

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