Update your kitchen on a budget
Want a new kitchen but don't have much time or money to renovate it? Discover some simple and affordable tricks to easily update your kitchen. All it will take is a few light touches!
In this kitchen, we focused our attention on style and functionality. We improved functionality by installing wall rails to keep the worktop clear, practical recycling solutions and additional storage solutions. As for style, we went with monochromatic decor (fabric by the metre, frames, posters and chairs). Want to see what we came up with? Keep reading!
1. Free up space on your counter
The primary need for any kitchen is to have more counter space—it's the main work area after all!
If you want to make the most of this area and gain a little bit more space, one of the simplest and most effective tricks is to take advantage of vertical storage.
How can we do that, you ask? Simple: you can add hanging rails to keep your utensils, dry your dishes and much more. To do this, make the most of the height of your kitchen, both the space between the hob and the cupboards, as well as on top of the extractor hood. Any bit of free space can be used. This way, you'll always have the items you use most right at hand and perfectly organised.
2. Improve your recycling and cleaning routines
Can we gain more kitchen space by reorganising the under-sink cupboard? Absolutely. In fact, this is one of the most under-utilised areas in the entire kitchen.
There are lots of ways to organise this kitchen corner and make the most of the space. We recommend using one area for the bins and another for storing your cleaning products.
For your recycling, you can't beat removable bins. Having them on rails, you can simply remove them and take full advantage of the bottom of the cupboard.
For the products, the best thing to do is to place an additional shelf that allows you to have several levels and some baskets to organise everything.. Plus, you can take advantage of the cupboard doors to store extra bits like small items for recycling. For this, a simple basket with suction cups, for example, is just right. Effective and very affordable!
3. Boost the light in your kitchen
Want to have an extra spot of light in your kitchen without having to install new ceiling lights? We have a perfect and very affordable solution!
Built-in LED lights are a great option to create more lighting in your kitchen without taking up extra space. Just put the LED strips under the kitchen cupboard and hide the cables so they are out of the way.
4. Expand your kitchen storage
Add open cabinets on a side wall where you can store your favourite cookbooks and containers. You can place everything from shelving units to individual shelves and adapt them to suit your space. We've already told you about the tremendous potential of your walls...
Another idea for achieving more kitchen space without spending too much? The good old trolley once again shows its worth. These offer additional work space and plenty of storage. Why do you think there's never one missing in any house?
5. Add a touch of glamour
Follow these tips and you'll discover you do have enough time and space to add a decorative touch to your kitchen.
In this case, we have played around with a combination of monochromatic photographs and tableware to give this kitchen a minimalist look.
In the display cabinet above the table, you can store and display mealtime basics. This will save you from having to get up from the table so often. Isn't that ingenious?
6. Update your dining table
And to finish styling our small kitchen, try this tip: update your decor by playing around with the textiles on the table.
The fastest and easiest solution is a new tablecloth. By combining placemats, table runners and other elements, you can create a completely different table for every occasion at a very low cost.
If you prefer something more daring, we recommend trying a combination of different style chairs. It will give you a really unique look.
What did you think? Discover more ideas for kitchen decoration and organisation with the following specially selected articles.
We love it when customers use our products in a creative way. Why not try to do something new with them yourself? But do remember, any modifications or changes that you make to IKEA products will prevent them from being resold or used for their original purpose, thus invalidating IKEA product warranties and your right to return them.
