Budget renovation

Changing what you can — and disguising what you can’t — is key to creating maximum impact for minimal outlay in your kitchen

Keeping your existing cabinetry and updating it with paint, new tapware and on-trend handles can save you serious cash, particularly if you’re happy doing the hard graft yourself. Cosmetic updates along those lines can breathe new life into a dated kitchen and will cost anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to about $3000, depending on what’s involved, says renovation broker Blake Riley, director at Blakes of Sydney.

Paint gives you the most bang for your buck when you’re on a shoestring budget. You’ll find specialist paint finishes to spruce up everything from laminate benchtops, cabinetry, tiles and even the fridge, made by brands such as White Knight and Dulux (from its Renovation Range). According to Dulux, you can do up a whole kitchen for less than $600. “Pale greys and darker shades, such as navy, are right on-trend for cabinetry right now,” says Kitty Lee, the principal at Sydney’s Kitty Lee Architecture.

Or, add a show-stopping splashback. “Tiles are an inexpensive splashback material and can really add warmth and character to a kitchen,” says Blake. “They work out at about a third of the cost of glass, and even more when compared with a natural stone such as marble.”

Pair your splashback with new cabinetry handles and statement tapware. “Consider matt black, brushed nickel or brushed brass as an alternative to shinier chrome styles,” says Kitty. You can pick up fashionable matt-black or brushed-gold tapware from $355, according to Daniela Santilli, merchandising leader for bathrooms and kitchens at Reece. “To keep costs down, replace with like for like in terms of the outlet and its location on your benchtop,” she says. “And always use a licensed plumber to install your new tapware.”

Good lighting is another smart investment. “LED lights under wall cabinets allow you to see what you’re doing when you’re cooking, and provide a soft lighting option when you’re entertaining – for as little as $500 installed,” says Blake.