Skip to content
When you’re renovating or upgrading a small kitchen, every little inch matters. So, if you’ve been searching for small kitchen ideas on a budget, you’ve come to the right place. The best part about renovating a small kitchen is that you don’t need a lot of materials.
From making your kitchen appear more spacious to incorporating helpful storage options, here are 17 small kitchen ideas on a budget that don’t skimp on style.
1. Incorporate Color by Using a Rug
Upgrade your small kitchen by adding a colorful rug, such as a small runner by the sink area. Putting down a rug is an easy solution to introduce some warmth and color to a small space. While searching, you’ll be able to find affordable rugs with unique designs.
Tip: When searching for a small rug, ensure you purchase one with durable materials that are easy to maintain and clean, such as washable cotton or polyester. You’ll also want to ensure you get a non-slip backing to add to your rig so it doesn’t move, which is essential in highly-used kitchens.
2. Use Airy Shades and Light
One of the easiest ways to transform your small kitchen is by using various paint shades. If you’re planning to have your kitchen cabinets painted, keep in mind that lighter shades can make your kitchen feel less small. When you add lighter paint colors to your small kitchen, it reflects natural light, allowing it to open up the space.
Using darker paint colors will absorb light, making your kitchen appear small. Natural light is one of the most important factors when searching for small kitchen ideas on a budget. If your small kitchen lacks natural light, you should consider using pure white or magnetic gray.
Tip: To find airy shades, visit your local home improvement shop to search for incorrectly mixed shades that you can purchase at a discount.
3. Change Your Backsplash
There are various small kitchen ideas on a budget, more than ever before. To significantly change your small kitchen, you can change your backsplash to something bold and colorful.
Tip: There are many peel-and-stick options you can find at your local Home Depot, and with many options under $15/ square foot, this kitchen update is very budget-friendly.
4. Update Your Hardware
Updating your kitchen hardware is one of the best small kitchen ideas on a budget that you can make. The best part is that you can find kitchen hardware on Amazon or your local home improvement shop at an excellent price. If you’re someone who loves thrifty finds, you can search at local garage sales.
Tip: If you’re searching for modern kitchen hardware, Amazon has a great selection that can give your small kitchen a significant facelift.
5. Thrift Finds
Whether you’re adding new kitchen decor or new furniture, thrift stores are excellent places when searching for small kitchen ideas on a budget. If you’re going for a makeover that includes small details, you can find mugs and plates at a discounted price.
Tip: Thrift shops are great places to find vintage pieces on a budget and a perfect way to upgrade your kitchen like new.
7. Add Door Storage
The best way to make the most of your small kitchen is by adding extra storage to the inside of your kitchen cabinet doors at the bottom of your kitchen. Instead of adding a bunch of clutter to your kitchen sink, attach a basket to the inside of your cabinets.
Tips: Door baskets are one of the most budget-friendly ways to add more storage to a small kitchen, so make sure they’re large enough to store items you wouldn’t want on your countertops.
8. Build Shelving
While storage is one of the most essential pieces when looking for small kitchen ideas on a budget, incorporating open shelving can make your kitchen feel larger and less closed in.
To build your own shelving, you’ll need nails, brackets, and wood. When creating open shelving, you’ll want to ensure you have approximately 20 inches between the space and countertops.
Tip: To find out how to build open shelving for $20 or less, Lemon Thistle is an excellent blogger who gives great tips to include this essential home improvement piece.
9. Do a Small Renovation
To do a kitchen renovation, you don’t need to rearrange the layout of your kitchen or get rid of walls to have an effective renovation. While there are many small kitchen ideas on a budget, doing small renovations is still an effective solution to take it easy on your wallet.
Tip: So, what is the best way to maximize your small kitchen? You can search for hidden areas to add storage spots or add on custom options to get the most for your money.
10. Include a Pantry
Adding a kitchen pantry is still an effective solution to upgrading your small kitchen on a budget. When homeowners think of a pantry, they most likely consider separate rooms to keep extra kitchen dry food and essentials. While pantry options for small kitchens require some creativity, they can still be accomplished.
Tip: Include separate drawers and shelving or combine areas in your home to include a new pantry. If you can sacrifice areas to add food storage, this won’t take up too much space in your already small kitchen.
11. Install a Kitchen Island
We know what you may be thinking. A kitchen island in an already small kitchen may seem impossible, but it doesn’t always need to be a large kitchen island. Did you know that you don’t always need a stationary island?
Tip: When incorporating a kitchen island into a small kitchen, use a small cart with wheels that you can quickly move aside when not in use.
12. Hang Your Pans
Another small kitchen idea on a budget is to hang your pots and pans on a ceiling rack instead of taking up space in your cabinet. You can find affordable options on sites such as Wayfair that also have excellent designs.
Tip: If you don’t have the space for a ceiling rack, you can consider a wall mount, like the ones you can find at your local Home Depot. Whatever option you decide, you’ll want to ensure it's durable enough to hold heavy pots and pans.
13. Add Green
If your small kitchen needs an affordable makeover, green paint is an excellent way to upgrade your kitchen on a budget. Pure white and green kitchen cabinets add personality and brightness. A table the height of your countertops is also a more adorable option than adding a kitchen island.
Tip: When using green paint, consider using a white and black stencil to pair with the paint, recreating the appearance of using ceramic tiles.
14. Farmhouse Sink
To bring a sense of rural sensibility, a farmhouse sink is an excellent way to upgrade your small kitchen on a budget. A farmhouse sink paired with open shelving is the perfect option for those who are looking to achieve a farmhouse appearance.
Tip: For a decorative touch, include plant holders on your countertops for a rustic charm at an affordable price.
15. Bead board
Painting your existing kitchen cabinets pure white and adding bead board to your kitchen will help brighten up a small kitchen. To keep this at an affordable price, you can add kitchen hardware to only the drawers of the kitchen, with kitchen stools found at your local thrift stores.
16. Roman Shades
Did you know there are DIY options when adding Roman shades to your small kitchen? Roman shades are excellent and affordable to illuminate your kitchen sink while also providing color.
Tip: Try adding Roman shades with floral patterns if your kitchen has a farmhouse sink.
17. Keep the Same Appliances
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when upgrading a small kitchen is assuming they need to replace the appliances, but you don't have to. With quick updates such as new kitchen hardware and a fresh coat of paint, you can make your small kitchen a modern one without replacing the appliances.