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Replacing kitchen cabinets can be a costly investment, though often it’s worth the time and money, especially if you’re trying to sell your house. However, all is not lost if you’re working with a tight budget. If you can’t afford to completely remodel your kitchen, you can easily and cheaply update it.

Most kitchen cabinets can be improved with either a lick of paint or a coat of varnish. Replacing doorknobs and hinges can also help to bring a kitchen into the modern age. If painting, opt for a neutral colour and then accent the rest of the kitchen using brightly contrasting accessories like curtains or tea towels. A white kitchen can be given a boost by just one bright focal point – a tiled splashback for example, a colourful chopping board, or just a vase of flowers.

If the cabinets you’re working with are really dated, one option is to think about removing the doors entirely off the top cabinets and leaving open shelves instead. Not only will this create a sense of space, but it also works really well if you have nice glassware or ceramics to display. Think about replacing old cabinets with simple white shelving coupled with some bold statement brackets, offset against a dark-painted wall.

How to design a small kitchen

Don’t forget to update the inside of cabinets either – try lining them or painting them. Uncluttering can immediately create a sense of space, which you can then maximise by fitting cabinet carousels, drawer gliders and dividers.

Countertops are yet another way of updating a kitchen. Fairly cheap and easy to replace, countertops come in a range of looks and finishes. Today’s laminates are hardwearing and great value. Similarly, flooring has come a long way in recent years, with vinyl tiles now rivalling ceramic and stone in both look and texture, at a much more palatable price. Another bonus is how easy they are to lay.

Lighting is probably the easiest and quickest way to make over a kitchen. Consider what mood you are trying to evoke in your kitchen. If you’re looking for opulence, why not install a dramatic lighting fixture like a chandelier over your kitchen table, or spotlights beneath cabinets to soften the lighting and create drama?

If you’re working within a limited budget, think about investing in one great statement piece for your kitchen – a retro fridge or granite benchtop – something that will make visitors say “Wow!” when they see it and draw their attention away from any less flattering features.

How to manage an easy kitchen makeover

One more upgrade that can completely alter the look of a kitchen is a replacement sink. And if you can’t stretch to that, it’s worth just updating the kitchen tap, of which IKEA offers a massive range. Select fixtures that work with the rest of the kitchen’s look and feel and you’ll have a kitchen that looks brand new in no time.