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We all know the kitchen is the heart of every home. And as such it sees a lot of action and can quickly tire. So we've asked the interior design experts at our partners My Bespoke Room to give us their top tips for renovating your kitchen on a budget.
Hi, I’m Milena, an interior designer with My Bespoke Room. Kitchens are one of the most transformative spaces in a home, but they’re also one of the most expensive to renovate. Luckily, with a little creativity, you can achieve a high-end look without spending a fortune.
So here are my 12 designer tips for a kitchen makeover on a budget to help you create a beautiful, functional kitchen that feels bespoke—without breaking the bank.
A real client kitchen makeover before and after using Wren kitchens.
If you’re planning a full renovation, choosing the right supplier is key to keeping costs under control. Budget-friendly brands that we love here at My Bespoke Room include IKEA, DIY Kitchens, Magnet, Wren, and Benchmarx. Depending on the size of your kitchen, with these brands you could have a brand new kitchen coming in at under 10k!
Find a professional interior designer and get a free consultation with our partners at My Bespoke Room.
Painting your kitchen cabinets is one of the most well-known and cost-effective ways to transform the space. While it’s possible to do this as a DIY project, I would recommend hiring a professional spray-painting service to ensure a flawless and high-end looking finish.
You can choose any finish you like—matt for a contemporary look or gloss for something more traditional. For added impact, consider a two-tone approach:
“Painting just the island or base units in a contrasting shade can add a bespoke feel without overhauling the entire kitchen.”
If painting isn’t for you, vinyl wraps offer another affordable option. These are thin sheets of vinyl with adhesive backing that can be applied directly to cabinet doors and drawer fronts. They come in a wide range of colours and finishes, including matte, gloss, woodgrain, and even metallic. It’s a quick and effective way to modernise your space and refresh tired cabinets!
If you need more storage but want to avoid buying additional kitchen cabinets, look at the furniture you already own.
“An old dresser or vintage cabinet can make a wonderful addition to a kitchen. It’s perfect for storing glassware, crockery, or pantry items, and adds a layer of character to the space,” I often tell my clients.
Reusing pieces is a practical way to enhance your kitchen’s functionality while introducing a super unique, personal touch.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or just sprucing up your existing kitchen, swapping out the cabinet fronts can make a dramatic impact.
If you’re getting a brand new kitchen on a budget, you can save money by choosing an affordable brand like IKEA for the cabinet backs and then using brands like Superfront and Plykea to create custom-made doors designed to fit perfectly to those IKEA cabinets. This is a genius hack to really get that luxury look kitchen for a lot less.
And if the foundations of your existing kitchen are still in pretty good shape, but you’re just wanting a style refresh, you can find many other companies who can supply bespoke fronts for almost any kitchen. This allows you to keep your existing layout and save on the cost of completely new units.
Designer tip
For a premium finish, consider a mix of materials or colours. For example, opt for darker fronts on the lower units and lighter tones or textures on the upper cabinets to create contrast and depth.
Small updates can make a huge difference in how your kitchen looks and feels. So if you’re looking to makeover your kitchen in just a weekend, focus on these finer details:
Changing your cabinet handles is one of the simplest ways to transform your kitchen. Whether you choose brass for a sophisticated touch, matte black for a modern look, or wood for warmth, new handles can refresh and define the style of the entire space.
Do note, that it can be difficult to find handles that will match the existing screw holes. In this case, I would recommend selecting handles with a backplate to cover existing holes to create a sleek look.
Upgrading your tap is an easy way to add both functionality and style to your kitchen. A sleek pull-out spray tap is perfect for busy cooks, while matte black or brushed brass taps can make a bold design statement.
You could also consider replacing the sink itself with a deeper, more practical option or one in a trendy material like composite granite for a subtle luxury touch. Don’t forget to update visible plumbing components, such as pipe covers or drain fittings, for a cohesive and polished finish.
Swapping out your backsplash is another affordable way to make a statement. If tiles aren’t in the budget, consider stainless steel, glass, mirrors, or even painting your existing tiles for a fresh look.
Sometimes, going bolder is better, by swapping out your backsplash tiles for something eye-catching like green subway tiles, you’ll instantly avert eyes away from the rest of the space and create a stunning focal point.
Not sure where to start? My Bespoke Room is an award-winning online interior design service revolutionising home makeovers across the UK. Offering personalised and professional design expertise from just £295 per room, the company combines affordability with style. With a seamless process and FREE 30-minute consultations with expert designers, My Bespoke Room has already transformed thousands of homes, making high-quality design accessible to all. Book you free call today.
Find a professional interior designer and get a free consultation with our partners at My Bespoke Room.
We’ve covered painting the cabinets, but your kitchen walls are also a great place to get creative and inject personality into the space.
Colour drenching is a style that’s loved by us designers and is here to stay! This involves using the same colour on your walls, cabinets, and even the ceiling to create a cohesive, bold look. It’s particularly effective in smaller kitchens where a single shade can make the space feel more expansive.
Alternatively, you can highlight certain spaces by colour blocking with three-quarter painted walls, arches or feature walls. This makes your space so much more interesting and creates incredible focal points.
For a pop of pattern or texture, try wallpapering a feature wall. Choose designs that complement your kitchen’s style, and don’t forget to protect it with a clear matt varnish to prevent stains and splashes.
Crown moulding is a clever way to make your cabinets look seamless and custom-built. These decorative strips are added above the cabinets to create a seamless, polished appearance.
It’s a small investment that gives your kitchen a traditional, high-end feel and something I always recommend for clients looking for a classic-style kitchen.
Lighting can be used as a great statement, which can completely transform a kitchen, making it look more luxurious and become more practical.
Dramatic pendant lights above the island or dining table can act as a focal point. It’s an easy way to elevate the look of your space.
For added practicality and ambience, install under-cabinet lighting to brighten workspaces, highlight accent shelving, and create a warm glow during the evenings.
Plinth lighting is also a great way to elevate your kitchen at a low cost. The low-level lights add a subtle glow, creating a modern, floating effect that instantly makes your kitchen feel elegant and adds depth.
Though under-cabinet and plinth lighting may sound expensive there are great plug-in options that don’t involve costly electrical work. Stick-on LED strip lights are another easy, budget-friendly option that works for both under-cabinet and plinth lighting – you can even get Bluetooth options which can be controlled directly from your phone!
If you have an island, consider extending the worktop to add seating or extra workspace. This way you can spend the same on the island and only spend a little more on a larger worktop which overhangs.
And if you have an existing island, this doesn’t have to involve replacing your entire worktop! I often suggest adding a small overhang with a different material, like wood or glass, to create a stylish breakfast bar.
As I’ve mentioned, mixing up styles, colours and materials can really transform your kitchen without burning a hole in your wallet.
Another option for this is including brick slips. These are thin, lightweight bricks that can be used to create a feature wall or backsplash. They’re affordable, easy to install, and add texture to your kitchen. Just be sure to seal them to prevent stains.
Replacing your worktops doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can cover your existing worktop with a thinner material, like laminate or quartz, to freshen up the look.
And don’t forget contrasting materials are okay! By adding a butcher’s block section to your worktop you can create a lovely contrast, adding warmth and practicality.
Having a brand-new or luxury kitchen isn’t all about how it looks, the thing that makes it stand out in day-to-day life is how it feels while you’re using it. Small, practical changes can make a big difference in how you use your kitchen every day.
Upgrading to soft-close hinges can instantly make your kitchen feel more luxurious, and trust me when I say you won’t miss the slamming of those cabinet doors!
You can also improve accessibility in sections of your kitchen by installing pull-out shelves, while also making the most of your cabinet space – and as a bonus, your back will really thank you!
If you’d like to book a free consultation with one of My Bespoke Room’s expert designers and take the first step toward your dream kitchen or any other project, please follow this link: Book a Free Consultation. We can’t wait to help you transform your space!
Enjoy personalised top tips to help create your WOW room and boost your home's value.
