Have you been thinking of giving your tired-looking kitchen a glow-up this spring?
Many homeowners get inspired to freshen up their spaces once the weather warms, but since it’s not always practical to knock down walls or rip out kitchen cabinets and flooring, we asked two DIY design experts to share their tips on upgrading and revamping a kitchen without breaking the bank.
If you don’t have plans to get together with friends and family this Easter long weekend, it’s the perfect amount of time to make these small tweaks that will create a big difference in your kitchen.
Give your kitchen walls and cabinets a new look
When you’re short on time, money, DIY skills — or all of the above — even small changes can help a kitchen shine, says Halifax-based interior design consultant and TV host Rebekah Higgs, also known as DIY Mom.
“Start with surface-level changes,” says Higgs. “A fresh coat of paint on the walls or cabinets can instantly refresh the space. If you’re painting cabinets, consider hiring a spray company that can give you a factory finish, or roll on thin coats of enamel paint yourself. Just allow a minimum of 18 hours between coats for the best results.”
Calgary-based DIY content creator Bailey Exner recently helped her parents transform cabinets with paint and recommends using an all-in-one product.
“[There are kits that] include a surface de-glossing solution you just wipe on, a base coat you can get tinted to a bunch of different colours, and a topcoat,” says Exner. “It’s easy — there’s no sanding, stripping or priming. They market it as only needing one coat, but we did two coats of creamy white because we were covering up a dark wood.”
Exner took off the doors and painted them in the garage and painted the bases in place. She says the project can be done over a long weekend, including drying time.
“The basecoat needs to cure for 24 hours before you do the topcoat,” she explains. “You save a ton of money. The time is the investment, but then you can feel proud of yourself when you’re looking at something you did yourself.”
If your countertops are also in need of a refresh, there are kits available to refinish these as well.
Swap out your hardware in the kitchen
Exner changed the hardware on all her cabinet doors and drawer fronts in her own kitchen.
“They had builder-grade, nickel hardware you see in every house, so we upgraded it to a more substantial, matte look and it’s just made such a difference,” she says.
Look for hardware that fits into your existing holes to avoid having to fill and drill new ones.
Beautify your backsplash with peel-and-stick tiles
If your backsplash screams “blah” rather than “bling”, there’s no need to sledgehammer those tiles away, says Exner.
“Peel-and-stick tiles are big and there are some good quality products out there,” she notes.
You can also purchase double-sided adhesive tile mats that go over existing tile so you can then lay new tiles on top. This means no messy mortar required! The mats also work if you don’t have a backsplash — just apply it to the drywall and start your tiling project.
If you like the shape and style of your existing backsplash tiles, but not the colour, there’s an easy fix, advises Higgs.
“Consider painting or resurfacing them with products that bind directly to tile or cover them with solid stone for a more polished look,” she says.
Change the sink faucet in your kitchen
Exner’s home, built in 2016, featured a kitchen that didn’t require major work, but the finishes felt boring and dated to her.
“When we moved in, there was a standard silver and nickel faucet, so we changed it out for a nice matte black one, which gave us a more industrial style,” says Exner.
“That was really easy to do: We got the hardware on Amazon.ca for less than $100, so that’s a very affordable project.”
Add luxe lighting in your kitchen
Not loving the plain pendants over your island? Take them down, advises Exner.
“Lighting can make such a huge impact, even if you just replace the lightbulbs and go from a blue light to warmer lighting,” she says.
Exner opted to change out her plain glass pendants for luxurious bell-shaped gold ones and she installed a unique black metal fixture over the sink that elevated the space.
Adding inexpensive stick-on LED puck lights under kitchen cabinets creates more task lighting and brightens the room.
Pop in some personality
If you have an eat‑in kitchen, consider recovering your chairs or getting pretty new placemats or cloth napkins to inject a punch of colour.
“Just freshening up the décor can make such a huge difference like in your space,” says Exner, who suggests beginning by styling your countertops.
“Add functional décor, whether it’s a bread box or some baskets to keep paperwork in, then you can put some cute items on the countertop, like pieces of art, a candle warmer, or a little lamp.”
Higgs says other quick wins include adding a runner rug or a few well-placed plants to bring in some texture and warmth without any major expense.
“Don’t underestimate the power of organization. Cleaning up your counter space and tucking things out of sight can go a long way,” she says.
Exner likes putting out refillable coloured glass bottles with pretty labels for soap beside the sink. She also opted to remove the plain slat blinds in her kitchen, replacing them with custom-made linen, retractable shades, which created a chic look.
Invest wisely and save where you can
“Think about where your eye lands every day — those areas are often worth the splurge,” says Higgs. “A new faucet, panel-ready appliances, or even just replacing a tired fridge or stove can instantly elevate the kitchen’s feel and function. You can also rethink your cabinetry: extend cabinets to the ceiling for a custom feel or remove a few uppers to create floating shelves that open up the room.”
Installing a new range hood, whether custom-built or just upgraded, can become a striking focal point, too, she adds. Sometimes, the secret to a whole new look is right in front of your eyes. When Higgs redid her kitchen, she found a way to upcycle her existing solid cherry wood cabinets.
“When you flip the Oxford-style door over, you get a shaker style cabinet door,” she explains.
Higgs opted to paint her old cabinets, change the kitchen layout, and add paneling to the back of her kitchen island.
“Where you can save is in the details you can DIY: open shelving instead of all new uppers, painting cabinets rather than replacing them, or choosing affordable lighting that still makes a statement,” she says. “Small appliances can be tucked away to keep counters looking clean, while larger investments — like a countertop — are best made where longevity and daily use really matter. The balance of saving and splurging keeps the kitchen both beautiful and budget friendly.”
Remember, a simple, quick and affordable way to add a finishing touch to your renovated kitchen is with a plant or cut flowers for freshness.
— REALTOR.ca