10 Kitchen Update Ideas without a Renovation

I may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Please click my Disclosure Policy to learn more

Today, I am sharing 10 kitchen update ideas you can do without getting involved in a full-scale renovation. Sometimes, your kitchen just needs a little updating, not a renovation, to get it into tip-top shape.

We all know kitchen renovations are expensive. Even if you haven’t personally been through one, you’ve seen them on HGTV shows like Flip or Flop and Fixer Upper. Every time they mention the kitchen renovation budget, it’s never less than $15000. However I feel like depending on how in-depth the renovation really is, most full-scale projects can be $30,000 or more. Yikes!

Not only is money a factor when it comes to taking on a kitchen update, but the time it takes to do all these updates is another key component.

Most people don’t have the luxury of moving out of their houses while a renovation is being completed, so the timeline they are working with is usually tight.

Can you imagine trying to renovate a kitchen with a full house? It seems like it would just add to the stress of an already stressful renovation situation.

A full kitchen renovation requires more than time and money. It also requires a great amount of planning to make sure the vision of your dream kitchen is achieved. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to update your kitchen without a remodel while you are saving and planning for your future full-scale renovation.

INEXPENSIVE KITCHEN UPDATE IDEAS WITHOUT RENOVATING

1. UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN CABINET DOORS

Updating your kitchen cabinet doors is not the most inexpensive fix you can do. However, if you aren’t in need of a full-scale kitchen renovation updating your doors can make a big impact on your kitchen’s look as well as its style.

When I first moved into my home, I knew there were kitchen updates I wanted to tackle. Fortunately, the kitchen had good bones and a workable layout. The one thing I couldn’t get past was the cabinet doors.

They were traditional-style, box store, builder-grade cabinets. Knowing that replacing the entire set of cabinets and getting into renovation was out of the question, merely updating the doors would make a world of difference.

I chose an unfinished shaker front style and painted them all white. Choosing the unfinished door not only saved money but it allowed me to paint the cabinets the color I wanted.

2. PAINT YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS WITHOUT RENOVATING

To piggyback off of the first kitchen update, painting your cabinets is one of the easiest ways to make an impactful, budget-friendly upgrade to your kitchen without a full renovation.

For the DIYers, it’s the cost of a can of paint, some supplies, and maybe a pizza and some beer to bribe a friend or 2 to help. (Drink the beer after you are done!)

Save time! Get the best painting supplies available!

SHOP PAINTING SUPPLIES

For all of the non-DIYers, you can consider hiring a reputable painting company like WOW 1 Day Painting to come and tackle the job for you quickly and professionally.

This option will only make it seem like you remodeled your kitchen cabinets. It’s amazing how paint can make such an impactful change.

As I mentioned before, I painted my cabinet doors SW Pure White. But the color possibilities are endless.

EXPLORE PAINT COLORS:

Painting your existing kitchen cabinets is definitely one of the best ways you can update your kitchen without a renovation.

Just recently, I helped my sister update her kitchen. We painted her lower cabinets Blue Peacock Sherwin Williams, a gorgeous, statement-making teal color.

To complement the lower cabinets, we went with Olympus White by Sherwin Williams for the uppers, a very light, almost white gray. I’m telling you, it transformed the kitchen—no Reno required!

3. REPLACE YOUR KITCHEN HARDWARE

One of the quickest and easiest kitchen updates you can do without a renovation is replacing the hardware on your cabinets. Now is this going to transform your kitchen? Not necessarily but, it will update it enough to give your kitchen a fresh look.

I opted for matte black finish hardware to continue my kitchen update. Wayfair has several beautiful options ranging in price. From traditional to modern, the options are endless.

Of course, Amazon is an excellent option for affordable hardware as well. They also sell this handy mounting template to ensure you are mounting all your hardware in the right spot. It’s inexpensive and it will ensure you mount the hardware in the same spot on all your kitchen cabinets.

SHOP KITCHEN CABINET HARDWARE

4. UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN FAUCET

Switching out your current kitchen faucet for a new and improved one is another fantastic kitchen update without a renovation that is both functional and visually appealing.

By updating your faucet, your kitchen will automatically feel newer. This, along with some of the other smaller options, is a great starting point for your kitchen update.

I just recently updated my faucet for this Moen Align in matte black. I have to say it really made a difference in my kitchen. This particular faucet is in a large size, which gives it a “grand” sort of presence, making it the perfect addition to my kitchen.

READ MORE: Amazing Kitchen Faucet Options

5. UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN LIGHT FIXTURES

Swapping out those old, outdated light fixtures is another inexpensive kitchen update that can be done without a renovation. Not only is it easy, but it’s also absolutely impactful.

Getting your lighting right is a guaranteed way to help your kitchen along with the update process.

Sometimes, it could be the size of the light fixtures that make the impact, which happened to be my case.

The pendant light fixtures that came with the house were extremely too small for my kitchen space.

Simply swapping them out for more size appropriate pendants made a world of a difference and didn’t break the bank.

UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN LIGHTING NOW

6. CREATE AN ACCENT WALL WITHOUT A RENOVATION

Creating an accent wall is a fun way to put your creative touch into your kitchen update. An accent wall can be as simple as painting it a different color to installing shiplap. Check out how I created my own shiplap here.

Then go find out how to paint shiplap the easy way.

This is a great time to put your creativity to work, especially if you are working within a budget. Stenciling, wallpaper, and even faux brick are other ways to add something unexpected to your kitchen. And the best part about it is it doesn’t require a renovation.

You can find beautiful wallpaper here.

7. UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN BACKSPLASH WITHOUT A RENOVATION

Changing your backsplash is a kitchen update that will definitely make an impact. Depending upon what your current backsplash situation is, this can range in price

If you do not currently have any backsplash, one inexpensive way to make an update is by using a fun stencil like this one. This will give you the look of an elaborate tile without the cost.

You can also opt to install a tile of your choice. With tile being available in all different price ranges, it will be easy to find one you love.

Find your tile here.

Have an existing tile? Consider painting it. Not into painting your tile? Think about installing tin tiles like these tin tiles over the existing backsplash. They are mid-range in relation to cost but they are extremely easy to install.

This is how my sister updated her backsplash and what a statement it made!

8. UPGRADE YOUR KITCHEN APPLIANCES

If you love everything about your kitchen except the appliances then why not consider upgrading them?

Is this the cheapest kitchen update?

No, not quiet. But if it’s the only update needed you are still saving a considerable amount of money in comparison to a full-scale kitchen renovation.

Not only is buying your kitchen appliances in a package deal a fantastic way to save money, but it will also provide your kitchen with a cohesive feel.

SHOP APPLIANCE PACKAGES

Don’t need to update all of your kitchen appliances? No worries! You can 100% purchase what you need at the moment.

Sometimes it’s not the big appliances in your kitchen that need an update. The smaller appliances make a difference too.

Consider treating yourself to a fun colored KitchenAid mixer to add an enjoyable pop of color to your kitchen. Find more KitchenAid mixer colors here

9. UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN SINK

Updating your kitchen sink will not only be a beautiful kitchen update but it will also be functional. And Let’s not forget it’s a great update to do without renovating.

The kitchen sink may not always be the first thing you think of to update. However, it’s a fantastic option.

Sinks come in all shapes, sizes, and styles now. There are way more options than the familiar stainless steel sink. You can find anything from gorgeous copper sinks to Granite Composite sinks.

When I updated my kitchen I opted to go with a white farmhouse sink. Not only was it the style that drew me in, but the functionality of it as well. Sure it’s fun to have a “pretty” kitchen, but additionally, it needs to be a working kitchen too.

Consider this show-stopping farmhouse sink to really add some wow to your kitchen.

SHOP KITCHEN SINKS

10. UPGRADE YOUR KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS

The last, but certainly not the least kitchen update- countertops. You may think that the only way to update your counters is to completely replace them. This isn’t true. If you have laminate and aren’t a fan of the color, paint them. Rust-Oleum makes this Specialty Light Base Satin Countertop Resurfacing Kit that you can find at Lowes. There is also the Giani Countertop Paint Kit that is very highly rated on Amazon.

Another countertop option for your kitchen update is butcher block. It’s less expensive than granite or stone, and it will still make an impact on your kitchen. Ikea has great butcher block options.

As I mentioned earlier, I helped my sister update her kitchen. Being on a budget we had to get creative for her countertops. Originally, the kitchen had a tiled top, so painting it was out, and the butcher block was a little over budget.

We decided to make our own bar-style counters out of plywood and this Epoxy Resin Coating. They came out amazing and were budget-friendly. Win, Win.

If you do have the budget for a stone countertop It will most certainly make an immense impact on your kitchen.

Before you start demoing your entire kitchen, stop, and really evaluate what your wants and needs are for the kitchen. Not all kitchens need to be fully renovated. Using these kitchen update ideas will save you time, money, and aggravation in the long run.

RECAP- 10 WAYS TO UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN WITHOUT A RENOVATION ON A BUDGET

Replace your kitchen cabinet doors.
Paint your existing cabinets.
Update your kitchen cabinet hardware.
Upgrade your kitchen faucet.
Update outdated light fixtures.
Create an accent wall in your kitchen.
Add a fun backsplash.
Replace your appliances with upgraded ones.
Update your kitchen sink.
Invest in new countertops.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to updating your kitchen without a renovation, there are so many different ways to do it while sticking to a budget.

Not all kitchens need a full renovation. Sometimes it’s just a few updates here and there that will do the trick.

Before you decide to start ripping your kitchen apart, step back and access what updates your kitchen really needs. You may be surprised how you can give your kitchen an upgrade without renovating it.