Upgrade your kitchen for under $200

It's no secret that kitchens and bathrooms can add or decrease value in a home, but quite often, these all-important rooms are the most expensive to renovate. 

Rather than blow your bank balance on a whole new kitchen, you can be mindful of spending and still achieve a stylish upgrade. In the long-term, making simple, cost-effective updates will allow you to save funds to upgrade another area of your home — or eventually buy a bigger home!

Finance expert and host of SugarMamma TV, Canna Campbell, recommends approaching any home update by thinking about who would potentially buy your home whenever you intend on selling. 

"You want your property to suit as many people as possible as that will help secure a good price," Campbell says.  

"But be careful not to over-capitalise and constantly update," she warns. "Once your project is finished, find a new hobby as you run the risk of always looking for new ideas and end up continuously shopping and spending money when you don't really need to."

We spoke to interior stylist Belinda Cendron from The Sourceress to get her top tips on how to make over your kitchen on a budget. 

Colours

Ignore fad colour trends in your kitchen and stick to a neutral palette. You can always add accents with flowers, vases, or tea towels. That way when you grow tired of it, you can switch it over to something fresh. 

"Consider your existing architectural features i.e. floor and wall treatments," Cendron suggests. "I like a kitchen to feel calm and spacious, so I typically blend finishes with these features. 

"For example, white or light cabinetry against white walls will open up a small space. Keep it monochrome or a light natural timber that won't yellow or age so the look will be timeless."

Trends

Marble is undoubtedly the biggest trend of 2017, but it also happens to be very expensive. If you love the look of a marble kitchen, but it's not in your budget, accessorise with marble décor pieces to give your space a luxe feel. This Carrara marble tray from The Sourceress ($79) and marble oval board from Kmart ($10) is seriously on-trend, and very budget-friendly.  

Cupboard doors

"Fitting new cupboard doors or refinishing existing ones is a great way to totally transform the look of a space," says Cendron.

And when it comes to colours: "Simple satin white or light grey is an easy clean look. Natural timber in light tones, sanded and oiled for a natural look can also work well in most spaces."

These Ringhult doors in high-gloss white from IKEA start at just $15, and are totally family-friendly. They're easy to clean, and sit flush with no handles or knobs. 

"[Choose] push closures where possible for a more streamlined look rather than standout hardware," Cendron advises.

Hardware and tapware

It might be tempting to jump on the copper or gold hardware trend that's been around for the past few years but Cendron warns against it:

"Opt for a flat stainless or antique brass in clean lines rather than anything too flashy or shiny."

This Estilo WELS 4 Star 7.5L/min chrome pin lever sink mixer, is sleek and timeless, and just $69 at Bunnings. 

Lighting

Consider overhead benchtop lighting to brighten up your area.

"A beautiful feature light, if you have the space, is an easy all-budget transformation item," Cendron says. "It can really give the space a focus and is a simple way to make a dated kitchen look more contemporary."

Our pick: Cherokee ceiling pendant, $59.95, Freedom.

What to avoid

When you're on a budget, it's just as important to know what not to do.

"Definitely avoid feature walls and full suites of matching coloured appliances," Cendron warns. "A red toaster, kettle and blender, can look very staged and chaotic. Choose stainless steel for a clean, long lasting, high quality look that goes with all interiors styles and seasons."

This stainless steel kettle ($30) and toaster ($39) from Kmart are effortlessly chic, and will stand the test of time. 


*Making your renovation dreams a reality doesn't have to put you out of pocket. Head to Suncorp to find out your Money Profile, and let's get doing more with your money. Suncorp-Metway Limited ABN 66 010 831 722.