If you're looking to update your kitchen but don't have tens of thousands of dollars for the project, don't worry. It's possible to renovate your kitchen on a relatively small budget—even as little as $3,000. While this budget doesn't leave room for custom cabinetry or granite countertops, you can still make a significant impact with some well-chosen projects.
With this budget size, it's essential to consider which tasks you can tackle yourself to save on labor costs versus which tasks will require professionals. We've curated a suggested list of budget-friendly kitchen upgrades that can make a massive difference in the appearance and functionality of your kitchen for $3,000 or less.
1. Hire a pro to paint the cabinets ($394 to $1,254)
Replacing your kitchen cabinets (Average cost: $11,1001) isn't feasible on a $3,000 budget, but you still have options to update the color and finish. For example, consider hiring a professional to paint your cabinets. This process involves a professional painter removing your kitchen cabinet doors, taking them to a workshop and spraying them with high-quality paint for a factory-quality finish.
The cost to hire a pro to paint your kitchen cabinets ranges from $394 to $1,254, with an average price of $762.2 Professionally painted cabinets are long-wearing and fully customizable, and they can completely change the look of your kitchen.
2. Install vinyl plank flooring ($3 to $5 per square foot)
When it comes to kitchen flooring, a simple change can have a lot of impact. If your flooring is old and outdated, consider installing a long-wearing, waterproof, inexpensive option like vinyl plank flooring.
Vinyl plank flooring looks like hardwood and is waterproof, durable and easy to install. You can install vinyl plank flooring using no power tools; most brands only require a sharp knife to cut the planks. Vinyl plank flooring can even be installed over existing tiles, and it comes in various colors.
Vinyl plank flooring costs $2 to $3 per square foot for materials, plus another $1 to $2 per square foot for installation.3
3. Replace the countertops (up to $38 per square foot)
While marble or granite slabs might be out of reach, laminate or butcher block can fit a $3,000 budget perfectly. Your local big-box hardware store can be an excellent source for laminate or butcher block countertops. These types of stores often have pre-cut slabs of laminate countertops that are not customized to your home and may cost less than $100 per 98-inch slab.5
Countertops can be easy to install yourself. You'll need specialized tools, including a circular saw and jigsaw, a drill, a level and plenty of shims. If that sounds too advanced, a handyperson can typically do this project in one day.
4. Install under-cabinet lighting ($20 per foot)
Few things make a kitchen look more luxe and high-end than under-cabinet lighting. This lighting style can illuminate your cooking space, or it can be used as accent lighting when the overhead light fixture is off.
Fortunately for budget-conscious renovators, under-cabinet lighting—which used to require customization and new wiring—has come a long way. Thanks to smart home technology, under-cabinet lighting is easy to install and highly customizable, and it can be powered by AA batteries. You can buy under-cabinet lighting that is motion-activated or even controlled by your smartphone for around $20 per foot.6 Note that you'll need a good-quality power drill and a measuring tape for installation.
5. Customize the cabinets ($7 to $900)
If your kitchen cabinets are older, adding organization options—like pull-out pot organizers or integrated trash and recycling storage—can be a tremendous quality-of-life improvement. You can find plenty of budget-friendly options (anywhere from $7 to $900) for cabinet organization at your local home improvement store.7 And cabinet organizer installation is an easy DIY project that only requires a few carpentry tools and a good-quality drill.
6. Replace the sink and faucet ($216 to $628)
Replacing your kitchen sink and faucet can help you improve your home's looks, increase its value and save money on water and electricity. There are a wide variety of finishes and functions to choose from, so be sure to select a sink and faucet combination that fits your budget. And unless you're planning to replace your kitchen countertops, choose a sink and faucet combination that fits in the existing opening.
You should also ensure your new sink and faucet suit your lifestyle. For example, a busy family of four may want to prioritize a large sink basin in a hard-wearing material like stainless steel, while a retired couple might find the upkeep associated with high-end soft stones reasonable to achieve their desired look and feel.
The cost of installing a sink ranges from $216 to $628, with an average price of $420.8 Replacing a kitchen sink and faucet requires some plumbing knowledge, including an understanding of drainage. If you aren't familiar with plumbing basics, this job might be best left to a professional.
7. Install tile backsplash ($600 to $1,300)
A backsplash can add visual interest to your kitchen and protect your walls from food splashes and splatters. Plus, this project can have a significant effect on the overall appeal of your kitchen. Tile backsplashes cost about $600 to $1,300 to install, but you can keep costs down by choosing an inexpensive subway tile and tackling the project yourself instead of hiring a professional.9 Note that tiling a backsplash requires specialized tools like a grout float and tile cutter, along with extra materials like grout and spacers.
Renovating your dream kitchen could cost just $3,000
You don't need a big budget to renovate your kitchen into a beautiful and functional space for you and your family. While renovating a kitchen on a $3,000 budget may not be easy, it's absolutely possible. You'll need to budget carefully, cut costs where you can and tackle projects yourself. If you take these steps, the result can be a functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen that improves your property value and is a joy to cook and live in.
As with most renovation projects, a bigger budget could help you tackle more extensive updates. For example, a $5,000 kitchen renovation could offer room in your budget to replace appliances or add new cabinetry.
And for your next home renovation project, use your Synchrony HOMETM Credit Card to pay over time with promotional financing.*
*Subject to credit approval. See store for details
3 Catie Bonner, January 18, 2023, "How Much Does it Cost to Install Vinyl Flooring?" Modernize, https://modernize.com/flooring/vinyl, accessed February 1, 2023.
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