If it’s time for a kitchen refresh, these 5 easy and effective kitchen update ideas can give your kitchen the fresh look it needs without the cost of an entire kitchen remodel.

Follow these 5 Tips:

1. Paint Your Walls

One of the easiest ways to refresh your kitchen is with a fresh coat of paint. The right color can completely transform your space and make it feel brighter and more inviting.

For our kitchen, we chose a neutral gray—Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray—to complement our taupe subway tile backsplash. This warm gray added a modern, stylish touch without overpowering the room. Using a neutral paint color is one of the most affordable kitchen makeover ideas and works perfectly in both modern farmhouse and contemporary kitchens.

2. Update Your Cabinet Hardware

Our kitchen cabinets didn’t have any hardware when we bought the house, and the lack of handles left the space feeling unfinished. Adding new cabinet hardware is a quick and affordable kitchen update that instantly gives your cabinets a modern, polished look.

We chose a simple, timeless design that complements our overall kitchen style. Using a cabinet hardware installation template (seen here) made drilling the holes fast and accurate, saving time and making this easy DIY project a breeze. This small change can make a big impact on the overall kitchen refresh and is one of the easiest ways to update your space on a budget.

*Hardware adds a decorative element to the space* and can give you an easy kitchen refresh

3. Refresh Your Kitchen Lighting

Updating your kitchen lighting is another simple way to give the space a stylish, modern update. New fixtures not only improve functionality but also add a decorative element that can completely transform the look of your kitchen.

There are plenty of affordable kitchen lighting options, and many come in coordinated collections—perfect if you need to update multiple fixtures at once. We replaced the sink light, island light, and table light with a matching collection from Home Depot. The industrial-style frames added character and tied in beautifully with the gray tones we chose for the space.

Swapping out old fixtures is an easy DIY kitchen update that elevates your kitchen without a full remodel and can instantly create a more cohesive, modern look.

*Table Chandelier – part of this lighting collection from Home Depot*

4. Upgrade Your Appliances

If your kitchen appliances are outdated—like our old white oven—it’s time for a refresh! Upgrading your kitchen appliances not only improves function but also gives the space an instant modern feel. New appliances make a huge difference in the overall look of your kitchen and are one of the easiest ways to give your space a quick budget-friendly kitchen makeover.

Even small upgrades, like swapping an older appliance for stainless steel or matching finishes, can completely elevate your kitchen and tie together your overall design.

5. Paint the Cabinets

Replacing all your cabinets can be expensive, but painting your kitchen cabinets is a cost-effective way to achieve a fresh, updated look. When we first moved in, our cherry cabinets were too close in color to the floors, making the space feel dark and dated.

We chose Sherwin Williams Alabaster White for a warm, timeless finish that brightened the kitchen and worked beautifully with our new SW Agreeable Gray walls, the original countertops and backsplash. Painting the cabinets was the perfect budget-friendly kitchen update—it refreshed the space and gave our kitchen a clean, modern farmhouse vibe without the cost of a full remodel. If you’re considering painting your cabinets, you can read more about why we chose Sherwin Williams Alabaster White and see the full color review here.

*Using these 5 great tips, this is our finished kitchen refresh – It is so beautiful and definitely worth it!*

Bonus Kitchen Update Ideas

1. Remove Outdated Window Treatments

Sometimes small details make a big difference. Removing old valences, shades, or curtains that date your kitchen instantly modernizes the space. Our south-facing kitchen needed some light control, so we kept the 2-inch wood blinds but removed the country-style valences. The result? A cleaner, more modern look that feels bright and open.

2. Upgrade Your Faucet

A stylish new faucet can completely change the look of your sink area. With so many affordable, easy-to-install options, this small update can have a big visual impact and elevate your kitchen without a full remodel.

3. Add Under-Cabinet Lighting

I love the way undercabinet lighting transforms a kitchen. Whether installed by an electrician or with plug-in options, it creates a high-end, professional feel, highlights your countertops, and adds a cozy, welcoming ambiance. It’s an easy way to make your kitchen feel more polished and updated.

I was so thrilled with the transformation that all of these updates provided! The kitchen is now a space that I love spending time in every day and I am so happy that we decided to take the steps to complete this gorgeous makeover!

Need more home ideas? Click here to see a list of the color palette we used in our home or more great lighting ideas here!