How To Elevate Your Kitchen Without Spending A Fortune
Small Tweaks Can Make A Big Difference
“Many people assume you need a full renovation to refresh your kitchen but a few clever, budget-friendly tweaks can make a huge difference. One of my favourite approaches is to mix and match. If your carcasses are in good condition, keep them and simply upgrade what’s around them. Add new doors, change up your handles and finish off with a new worktop. It’s an easy way to achieve a high-end, bespoke look without the expensive price tag.” – Lisa Hensby, founder & creative director, Lisa Hensby Design & Build Studio
New Door Fronts Can Change Up A Space
“If you're working with a smaller budget, the one update I'd recommend, especially for a space that feels a bit dated, is replacing the door fronts and drawer panels. Even if the layout and carcasses remain the same, swapping out the fronts instantly changes the personality of a space. It’s a way to go from tired to tailored without the cost and disruption of a full renovation, and it gives you a canvas to introduce colour, texture or style that better reflects your taste. For materials, finishes and colours for door fronts, solid wood or wood-effect finishes are the easiest way to add some warmth and perceived value. Painted MDF in sage, dove grey, or navy (softer hues) adds depth, while textured laminates or gloss finishes can make the kitchen feel contemporary and high-end. Subtle details like shaker-style panels or beaded edges can also lift the look without much expense. You just want to make sure you're choosing a finish that complements the rest of your home and feels intentional.” – Gareth Davies, design director, Classic Interiors
“Sterile white kitchens are a thing of the past, so if you’re replacing door fronts, look for something that will add interest. A classic shaker style door in a matte, warm neutral, paired with brass hardware, will elevate the look and create a timeless and elegant design. If you have a kitchen island, consider complementing the neutral palette with darker doors such as dark earthy green.” – Tara Ashwell, founder & creative director, Tara Ashwell Designs
Lighting Is Transformative
“Lighting can dramatically transform a kitchen and is one of the most effective ways to elevate a dated design. Layering is key – combining ambient, task, and accent lighting ensures the space is both functional and inviting. Affordable wall lights provide focused task lighting, while casting a soft, warm glow, and pendant lights over a kitchen island create a stylish focal point. We recommend designing kitchen lighting on two or three circuits with dimmable ceiling spotlights so you can adjust the setting from bright in the daytime to a softer, more relaxed glow for evening entertaining.” – Tara
“Lighting is going to be of the most important things you can change to create more of a high-end atmosphere, and the most inexpensive way to do this would be getting some under-cabinet LED strips which can highlight work surfaces and add depth. A note on layering light – use warm-coloured bulbs. Cool white can make a space feel clinical while warm tones add more of an inviting, bespoke quality.” – Gareth
If In Doubt, Paint
“A lick of paint can also breathe new life into tired units. Just make sure to clean, sand and prime properly beforehand. For extra durability, I often recommend a scratch-resistant paint like Scuff X as it stands up brilliantly in busy kitchens.” – Lisa
“You don't need everything to be bespoke to feel luxurious. The trick is to keep the palette consistent and repeat key materials or colours throughout so that the kitchen feels curated rather than piecemeal.” – Gareth
The Right Worktops Matter
“Solid wood worktops or butcher blocks add warmth and character, while engineered stone, quartz composite or porcelain slabs offer the look of natural stone without the full cost. For a luxurious feel, consider thicker or waterfall edges, minimal seams or a two-tone scheme with a darker island and lighter perimeter surfaces. Thoughtful lighting can also make budget-conscious surfaces feel bespoke and sophisticated.” – Tara
“Worktops are another area where small choices make a big difference. You can pick up some laminate to mimic stone or timber – simply select textured finishes or panels with edge details that look more substantial. Butcher-block surfaces are also relatively inexpensive and instantly warm the kitchen. Even just extending a laminate worktop slightly beyond the cabinet base or adding a co-ordinating splashback can elevate the perceived quality of the room.” – Gareth
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Accessories Make A Huge Impact
“Open shelving can make a huge impact. It creates an airy, designer look and lets you display your best pieces. Style yours with stacked crockery, a few well-worn cookbooks, a potted herb or two and some vintage glassware. Even if you have closed cupboards, consider removing one door to create a section of open shelving and make the space feel lighter and more lived-in.” – Lisa
Flooring Can Be Updated
“Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) can mimic wood or stone beautifully and is much more affordable, perfect if you want to tie the space together. I recommend Karndean for its durability, design choice and realistic finish.” – Lisa
Finally, Don’t Ignore The Hardware
“Hardware has the power to completely shift the perception of a kitchen, regardless of budget. Even the most straightforward and budget-friendly cabinetry can feel more bespoke when fitted with well-made handles in solid materials like brass. The key is to avoid lightweight or plated options, as these tend to feel hollow and wear poorly over time. Instead, choose hardware with a tangible weight and depth of finish as it instantly lends credibility to the design. Finishes such as burnished brass, dark brushed brass or antique bronze all introduce warmth and richness, while matt black or nickel can create a more architectural edge. Paying attention to scale and proportion also makes a big difference: larger pulls or knobs with a refined profile can bring balance to simpler doors and make the whole kitchen feel more intentional.” – Gareth Hull, Design Lead, Hendel & Hendel
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