The common knowledge among homeowners is that when you have a tight budget, you’ll just have to put up with how your home looks like – no matter how outdated or boring it looks like.

However, is it really true? Does your budget really determine how your humble abode will look like? Or is it more of a determination-based matter?

The answer is, it all depends on you and your determination to upgrade your home, especially your kitchen ̶  one of the busiest spaces in the house.

As the saying goes, if there’s a will, there’s a way. Having said that, here are nine easy, cheap ways to upgrade your kitchen:

1) Replace your handles and pulls

Handles and pulls might seem like minor items because of their small size, but don’t underestimate their ability to upgrade your kitchen. Replacing them will enhance your kitchen cabinets, just like how accessories can instantly glam up any outfit.

Plus, it’s effortless! You can simply shop from the hardware store and install it yourself. However, you need to make sure that the new ones will fit in the existing cabinet holes because they come in different sizes. So, better bring the old ones when shopping for size reference.

2) Reface your cabinet doors

Ready to go the extra mile on upgrading your kitchen cabinets? Then aside from replacing your handles and pulls, you should also try refacing your cabinet doors.

Refacing your cabinet doors will give your kitchen a fresh new look without replacing them entirely. All the more, if you have it done by a pro, it’ll be hassle-free and take only two to four days to finish.

3) Crown your cabinetry

We often hear the saying that ‘hair is our crowning glory’, which is true. That’s why we groom It and change it to make ourselves look better. The same goes for kitchen cabinets with crown molding.

It might appear like a finishing touch that no one notices but it will make your kitchen cabinet look trimmed, seamless, and elegant.

4) Add drawer organizers

After upgrading your cabinet exteriors, it’s time to get to the inside because sprucing up its interiors is just as important.

If you’ve ever experienced not having enough space for your kitchenware or found it difficult to organize making it looks messy, it’s probably because you’re not yet using drawer organizers for your kitchen cabinets.

Using drawer organizers such as utensil drawer inserts, pull-out trays, and built-in cabinet plate racks will help you use up every single space effectively by storing your kitchenware in a neat pile̶ no more storage dilemmas!

5) Tile up your backsplash

Is the wall behind your kitchen sink just painted and not tiled? If it is, chances are it’s already cracked or blistered due to water exposure. So, why not tile it up?

You can DIY by using peel and backsplash tiles or have it done by an expert. Either way, you’ll be able to get creative and choose the tile color, texture, design and pattern you want.  Afterwards, your backsplash won’t only be waterproof, it’ll also look stunning.

6) Dress up your walls

Do you want to transform your dull and faded walls without the hassle of repainting it? Then you should try dressing it up! Covering it up with wallpaper will make your kitchen walls just as much stunning.

After measuring your kitchen walls and estimating how much wallpaper you’re going to need, you can now proceed to shop for a wallpaper of your choice, and adhesives, to attach the material onto the wall.

A friendly tip: make sure that your walls are smooth before hanging the wallpaper to avoid bubbles and wrinkles. You can use a paint stripper to even out cracked wall paint and a wet sponge to wipe of residues.

7) Use new fabrics

If dressing up walls is a thing, of course, then your windows and furniture shouldn’t be left out. Buying new curtains, tablecloth, chair pads, and table napkins will make your dining area feel cozy and look as good as new.

8) Upgrade your lighting

There’s no doubt that upgrading lighting can transform any space, be it a museum, a gallery, or a kitchen. It gives off a bright, airy feeling that will make any person feel more comfortable.

Not to mention that task lighting can make your cooking and food preparation easier because you’ll be able to see what you’re chopping, cooking, or preparing clearly.

9) Tidy up

Last but not least, tidy up. It’s the easiest and cheapest way to upgrade your kitchen. You’ll only need soft, clean rags, a pail of water, and an all-purpose cleaner and you’re all set!

Were you inspired to get moving around the kitchen and start making changes? If so, what are your favorites among the nine? Feel free to share your thoughts below!

Author Bio: Mark Cabrera is the Marketing Manager for KitchenCabinetRefacing.com, the Web’s most complete customer resource guide on cabinet refacing. He has worked with the online resource website as one of its top experts and professionals in the field of kitchen cabinet refacing projects. You can find Mark’s various articles in the Kitchen Cabinet Refacing website.