Sometimes you want to give your living spaces a bit of a face-lift. But, you don’t want to have to take out a loan to do so. There are plenty of inexpensive ways that you can freshen up rooms in your home with minimal work. This definitely includes the kitchen. For those who love to cook, a refreshed kitchen look is always welcome. But, even if you don’t fancy yourself the next big celebrity chef, a few kitchen updates would be a great way to rejuvenate a space you likely do spend a fairly good amount of time in. It’s been said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, so why not show it some love? Check out our list of totally budget-friendly kitchen update ideas and make it happen.

Channel Your Artistic Side

The fastest and easiest way to give any room a mini-makeover is by giving it a fresh coat of paint. Your kitchen is no exception to that rule. Trying out a new shade, or a totally new color will make the space feel almost brand-new. If you’ve got a bit of an inner artist in you, consider revamping old cabinets by painting them and adding some hand-painted details. Just be mindful that the wall near your stove doesn’t get too decorative. Food, oil, and grease splash-back around your stove and oven will take its toll on elaborate artwork. This is definitely a kitchen update that won’t break the bank.

Get Yourself An Island

Small kitchens, and/or very little counter space, can be a downside of many homes. Apartments can be notorious for their itty bitty kitchen spaces. You might not think that your kitchen can comfortably hold an island and still have much walking around room leftover. Islands come in various sizes, however, and with so many on the market, you’re sure to find one that will fit your space, style, and needs. You could go for something steel and modern, or something in a rich dark wood with a faux marble top. Some even have leaves, so when not in use you can make the island even more compact.

Consider Your Cabinets

Not totally in love with your cabinets? There are a few ways you can tweak them that equal a quick and painless budget-friendly kitchen update. For starters, you can simply remove the cabinet doors. You’ll still be left with the shelves to hold your things, but it will open up the space. You can even rearrange the contents in a fun and attractive way. You don’t have to do this on every cabinet, just doing it on a few can go a long way. You can also replace some of your solid cabinet doors with glass doors instead.

Hang Up Some Art

Sometimes we tend to see the kitchen as more a functional room than anything else. Because of this, we might tend to under-decorate it. Adding a few art pieces or wall hangings will go a long way towards making the space feel more homey. It’s a sure-fire kitchen update that will also make the room appear more homey to guests.

Get A Rug Or Two

With the potential for spills in the kitchen, this might not be a kitchen update idea that initially leaps to mind. You might already have a couple in the room, perhaps one in front of the sink and another in front of the stove. But adding an additional rug to the center of the room can freshen the space up in a snap. Don’t be afraid to go with something printed, patterned, or textured. Doing so will help hide spills if they do happen.