How to Do a Kitchen Makeover on a Budget

The average kitchen renovation costs $21,751. If that number makes your jaw job (yeah, us too), we’ve got some good news for you. Read on for five tricks that will help give your kitchen a facelift at a fraction of the price.

Mimic granite with “paint-on” stone.

Upgrading laminate countertops with the look of sought-after granite doesn’t need to be pricey: “Just coat them with a stone refinishing kit that you simply paint on,” says DIY guru Danny Lipford. “The kit actually contains finely ground stone, giving it a pretty phenomenal look of real granite.” One option: Daich Spreadstone Countertop Refinishing Kit ($43.75, Amazon).

Give appliances a new look with liquid steel.

Few things modernize a kitchen faster than stainless steel. To get the look, brush appliances with stainless steel paint. Says Lipford, “Apply it using a foam roller, then add sealer to give it luster.” One to try: NuVo Stainless Steel Appliance Paint Kit ($24.95, Home Depot).

Enlarge your space with clever lighting.

A well-lit kitchen makes your space look bigger and more inviting. One way to “fake” fancy lighting without the costly installation? “Stick a few round battery-operated LED lights — a pack of five costs about $20 at home-improvement stores — on the bottom of cabinets to highlight decor elements underneath, like pretty jars,” says Lipford. “It’s an easy way to enhance your kitchen.”

Create a chic backsplash with a sticky mat.

It’s easy (and cheap) to create a backsplash without mess or mortar: “Just pick up a tile-adhesive mat,” Lipford advises. “It works like double-stick tape on any wall, so all you have to do is place tiles on the mat and you’re done in less than an hour.” One option: Simple Mat 10 sq. ft. Tile Setting Mat ($24.47, Home Depot).

Renew your faucets with pretty bronze “bling.”

To give your sink a look as trendy as it is timeless, consider spraying faucets with oil-rubbed bronze paint. “It has a warm patina that’s very popular right now,” observes Lipford. Just sand chrome faucets to remove the shine first. Bonus style points: “Spray the strainer, too, for a cohesive look.” One option: Rust-Oleum Oil-Rubbed Bronze Paint & Primer ($6.98, Lowe’s).

This story originally appeared in our print magazine.