7 Ways to Make Your Kitchen Look Expensive on a Budget, According to Design Pros

Remodeling a kitchen is one of the most expensive home renovations. From appliances to countertops, this space needs to be as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing. Renovating a kitchen on a budget can be a challenge, but there are ways to work around it. You don’t need to break the bank to have a beautiful space. Here are seven ways to make your kitchen look expensive on a budget, according to designers.

Repaint the Cabinets

Cabinetry is one of the biggest and most noticeable features in a kitchen. Old cabinetry instantly makes the space look dated, but replacing it can cost a fortune. However, repainting is just a fraction of the price and can make the entire kitchen look brand new. Just be sure to remove the cabinet doors from the hinges and then sand and prime before repainting. 

Replace the Cabinet Doors

If your cabinet doors aren’t in good enough condition to repaint or they’re made of a material other than wood (only wood can be repainted), replacing the doors is a better option. Although this is more expensive than painting, it’s still more affordable than buying all-new cabinetry. 

While you can go custom, it’s probably not going to make sense on a very tight budget. So opting for pre-made doors like those from Semihandmade is a smart alternative for just about any style kitchen. 

Opt for Quality Hardware

If you purchased your home from a builder, more likely than not, they used basic builder-grade hardware like simple chrome cabinet pulls. This hardware rarely enhances the style of your kitchen and can cheapen the overall aesthetic. Paulina Hospod at AhA Interiors in New York advises swapping it out for higher-quality hardware from designer trade stores if possible. “Many of them will have solid metal choices that can make any kitchen look more expensive. Hardware will also dress up cabinets and make the entire kitchen look stylish.”

New hardware makes a big difference and is easy to self-install. All you need is a screwdriver.

Consider Uniquely-Shaped Hardware

Hospod tells me that uniquely shaped hardware can also make your kitchen look expensive on a budget. “Use unique door pulls like half circles and install them in a fun way to dress up the cabinets.”

Alternatively, going with a hexagon or octagon-shaped knob over a round one adds pizzazz and visual interest. 

Budget Smartly

While that fancy fridge isn't in your budget, you might be able to go more high-end on some finishes like backsplash tile, if you don’t need a large quantity. “If your backsplash is low in square footage, that can offset the cost of a tile and you can choose a more expensive one,” Hospod recommends.

Install Statement Lighting

The designer recommends hanging a large light fixture in your kitchen. This will look far more impactful and decorative than a standard flush mount. The grander scale will make your kitchen look expensive. 

Splurge on Natural Stone Countertops

If you are going to splurge on one item within your budget, Brittany Farinas at House of One in Miami suggests going with natural stone over laminate or engineered stone countertops because it has the most “wow factor.”

If you have an island and outfitting the entire kitchen in marble isn’t in the budget, consider using marble on the island where you’ll only need one piece cut, and opt for something less expensive but still natural, like butcher block, for the rest of the kitchen.