Kitchen Renovations for a Shoestring Budget

By Leslie A.M.
RefacingCabinet.com Columnist

Sometimes you can't wait to win the lottery to invest in projects like kitchen renovations. Here are a few ideas that can be done with a very small budget.

1. Staining Oak Kitchen Cabinets

Stain is cheap and you can cover a lot of ground with a can of stain. If you have stock kitchen cabinets that are oak, you can rest assured that they will take stain easily, saving you time and money. Sand off any finish that might not let the stain soak in and follow the manufacturer's directions on the can. Remember, staining oak kitchen cabinets can take you darker but not lighter.

2. Kitchen Counter Refacers

We often think there's not a thing we can do with the kitchen counter. Wrong! There are companies who can change the color or surface of kitchen counters that are good old formica, or they can actually cut new kitchen counters that fit right on top of the existing kitchen counter.

3. Fresh Paint for Inexpensive Kitchen Cabinets

So many tract homes built in the 60s used pine for a clean look. It's not the most durable wood, pretty soft, but if yours have held up, paint them for a great new look. Just strip off any sealant that might be on them and choose your favorite shade. You'll need to prime them first and if you choose a dark color, then tint your primer to make coverage a little bit easier.

4. Discount Cabinets Look Expensive With Hardware

You can upgrade your whole look by adding some snazzy new hardware to your discount cabinets. That can add up too. If you have to, just buy three or four handles at a time until your kitchen is complete.

Kitchen renovations don't have to be major to make a big impact.

 

About The Author

Leslie A.M. Smith is a freelance writer and desperately needs a new kitchen. Until she can afford it, she has her eye on refacing her cabinets.