12 Cheap Ways To Make Your Kitchen Look More Expensive

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When it comes to renovating your kitchen, the price of making even modest upgrades has soared in recent years, depending on the types of materials and technology used, of course. According to cost data compiled by Angi, formerly Angie's List, the average cost of a kitchen remodel in 2025 was just under $27,000. Though, the actual cost for homeowners to update their kitchens varies widely. This year, homeowners in the U.S. have been paying between $14,600 and $41,000 for kitchen remodels, according to data from Angi. And with major updates that include purchasing new appliances and replacing countertops, that cost could rise even higher.

For those who don't have deep pockets, but still want the look of luxe for less, you're in luck. There are a number of low-cost ways to make your outdated kitchen look more expensive. And when you tackle the right renovations, homeowners are likely to see a good return on investment (ROI), designers and real estate agents say. Remodeling your kitchen could increase the value of your property, with an ROI of 60 percent, notes House Beautiful. Whether you are a proud do-it-yourselfer or someone who loves to find contractors to take on home remodeling projects, here are some strategic ways to make your kitchen look more expensive without breaking the bank.

If your fixtures have been in place since before the turn of the century, it could be time to swap out your dated lighting for something more modern and affordable. One way to do this is to look for clearance sales at your local home renovation centers or for people selling newer lighting styles that didn't work in their space on places such as Facebook Marketplace. Ideal Home suggests focusing your budget on a statement pendant shade over a kitchen island or peninsula for the greatest visual impact.

For those who are comfortable installing new light fixtures, you can save even more by swapping them out yourself. There are hundreds of online tutorials to walk you through changing out old can lighting in kitchens with more sleek, modern and energy efficient LED lighting that can be retrofitted to go in the same spot in your ceiling. And for an even more affordable new look, you can consider changing the shade of metallic lighting features (or those crafted from wicker) by changing the hue with spray paint. For example, if you are tired of those nickel-plated lights, you can remove them and paint the metal a deep on-trend gold or matte black for a low-cost update.

Smart interior designers know that one of the quickest — and cheapest — ways to update your space is by painting. And while the cost of a gallon of good paint has risen in recent years, fresh paint on your kitchen walls can totally transform the space, according to decorating pros and real estate agents. When it comes to kitchens, many projects can cost between $570 and $1,210, or $2 to $6 per square foot, notes HomeAdvisor. Smaller spaces can run as low as $330 for  a new paint job, while larger kitchens or more detailed spaces can push the price to $1,620 or so. Homeowners can potentially spend about $800 on a kitchen paint job, though final costs vary based on square footage, paint quality, labor rates and how often the surfaces may need touch-ups, per HomeAdvisor.

To make sure you aren't paying more than you should, it's smart to shop around and get quotes from at least three painters or painting services to ensure your dollars stretch the farthest. And for the lowest price, you can choose to paint your own kitchen for a fraction of what it costs to have a professional do the job. If you choose the do-it-yourself route, it's important to know how much paint you'll need to complete your project. A gallon of paint typically covers about 400 square feet or 200 square feet, if you use two coats.

Some home designers like to think of kitchen hardware as the finishing touch on the heart of the home, often likening it to jewelry. Fortunately, replacing outdated cabinet knobs and drawer pulls on your kitchen cabinets is one of the most cost-effective upgrades homeowners can make to help their space look more expensive. As with so many other things, it's smart to shop around when it comes to these kitchen accessories because retail prices can vary widely on similar items.

Protip: Never assume that the handles you find for $10 each at a big box store can't be found cheaper online. That said, it's wise to look for new kitchen hardware made from solid materials that will stand the test of time, since cabinet pulls and drawer knobs are high-use items. The folks at Urban Splatter suggest using higher-end materials such as stainless steel or brass to ensure your hardware can stand up to the daily wear and tear that people put their kitchens through. Don't know where to start? Retailers such as Wayfair, IKEA, and even Amazon offer a variety of price points for those looking to renovate on a budget.

For anyone who lives with someone who has a tendency to slam cabinet doors, soft close hinges can be worth their weight in gold. Luckily, you don't have to pay precious metal prices for all new cabinets in your home kitchen to take advantage of this high-end feature. Depending on your kitchen cabinet style, most older hinges can be replaced with soft-close hinges without much fuss. And while this upgrade is mostly hidden from public view, there is just something so upscale (and calming) about having soft-close hinges that keep doors from slamming shut, even accidentally. Plus, they can be surprisingly affordable and easy to install.

Fortunately, there are hundreds of different soft-close hinge brands, styles and price points to choose from. To keep your cabinets protected and your kitchen a little less-noisy space, Bob Vila recommends several different brands, depending on individual needs. In the best full overlay category, Bob Vila suggests the DecoBasics Full Overlay European Soft Close hinges available on Amazon and other retailers. The item was recently in stock and listed for $1.80 each on Amazon. The item is noted for its durable construction and ability to fit most standard sized cabinets, with multiple cabinet styles and easy installation that includes a clip-on plate design that attaches to cabinet doors.

When it comes to having an expensive-looking kitchen, custom cabinetry can certainly set your space apart. But if you don't already have that feature in your home, there are ways to get the look at a fraction of the custom-built cabinet price. For example, you can add upscale touches to your millwork, such as trim or other molding details to flat cabinet doors or islands that can offer a much more custom look and built-in feel, but on a budget. Beyond that, notes Real Homes, adding crown molding to the top of contractor-grade cabinetry can also elevate your look for a lower-than-expected price. And while this may seem daunting, homeowners can add crown molding themselves instead of hiring a carpenter or handy-man to make this upgrade.

Pro tip: When going the DIY route, it's important to make sure you have (or rent) the right tools to handle the job. While some local home improvement retailers such as The Home Depot will allow you to make simple cuts to molding and other wood at their stores, other cuts will have to be performed on-site using specific saws and other tools. Other considerations include whether there is enough space between the ceiling and the top of your cabinets for the size of the crown molding you select. Remember the old wood worker saying: Measure twice, cut once, so you won't measure once and cuss twice.

To make an older sink seem more stylish you can upgrade the faucet — which could come in shades of matte black, brass, or even muted gold — and can serve as an upscale focal point and elevate the surrounding areas of your kitchen. The good news here is that a new faucet doesn't have to bust your budget, especially if you know where to look. Don't be afraid to scour the clearance or open box section of your local home improvements stores to score a great deal. Lots of shoppers get an item home and realize it doesn't work for them. Their loss can be your gain. Plus, changing out this fixture doesn't have to be complicated, according to The Spruce, who notes that installing a new faucet is something many homeowners can tackle themselves.

Pro tip: No matter whether you choose to swap out a faucet on your own or with the assistance of a plumber or handy person, you should remove the baseplate that may come with a new faucet. And if your faucet currently has a baseplate between the fixture and the sink, you could also consider removing it before you buy a new tap to see how the old one may look with that single piece removed. You can thank us later.

If the space between your kitchen counters and upper cabinets could use some love, there is a super affordable trick that budget savvy homeowners often use to make their kitchen backsplashes look more expensive. While it's not a design secret by any means, adding a low-cost but high-impact tile can make your backsplash look like a million bucks — but on a budget. Erin Napier, one of the hosts of HGTV's Hometown home renovation show, often uses a simple tile on a backsplash to elevate otherwise affordable kitchens for her clients, per House Digest. She has also been known to take the modest subway tile and turn it on its side to add interest to kitchen walls and backsplashes.

How much should a standard subway tile cost? That depends on what the tile is made of and if it was created en masse or handcrafted. According to Tilemart, a basic ceramic subway tile can be priced as low as $1 per square foot. However, porcelain subway tile is a bit pricier but still affordable, with a typical cost of between $3 and $8 per square foot, notes Tilemart.

File this one under the heading of helpful hints for busy homemakers. There's a reason that many real estate agents suggest that their sellers have a professional cleaner give their homes the once over before they put them on the market. That's because a professional has the tools to be able to do things like make an old kitchen look new again by doing something as small as cleaning grout lines on the back splash or even the entire kitchen floor. And while a professional may be able to work some grout-busting magic with a high-end steam cleaner, you can potentially achieve a similar level of clean — depending on the severity of stains — with something as inexpensive as a grout pen or other grout-cleaning product.

For those unfamiliar with the modern cleaning marvel, a grout pen allows users to touch up or recolor grout by using a felt tipped pen the size of a large magic marker. You can also opt for a grout refresher to bring your original grout color back to its former glory days. If you want to get professional results, consider renting a steam cleaner from a local home improvement store to make your kitchen tile and grout lines shine again.

If you are looking for a no-cost way to make your kitchen almost instantly seem more expensive, here's an idea you may not have already considered. Design experts say you can spark some joy and create a more upscale vibe just by clearing the clutter from your countertops, open shelves and any other flat surface where knick-knacks tend to gather and collect dust (same goes for the refrigerator door). Why is that? When you remove the clutter, you are more easily able to see the quality of the materials already in your kitchen such as the design in the countertops or the texture of the real wood of your cabinets, according to Better Homes & Gardens.

Plus, when keeping kitchen surfaces more minimal and curated by removing unnecessary items, and leaving just a few well-styled pieces (like a wooden cutting board or a striking green plant) you are spending no money and potentially gaining a big aesthetic return. If you are not sure what to do with all of those extra items you removed from your kitchen, consider donating them to charity or selling them on an online marketplace. That's a win/win.

Magnolia TV network's Joanna Gaines knows a thing or two about the impact of adding greenery to a space to give it a more upscale feel. In a pinch, the designer will even scour a homeowner's yard to make sure there's some greenery in clear vases perched on a table top or kitchen counter to add height and warmth when she's doing a home renovation reveal for clients. The bottom line is that adding plants and other greenery brings in warmth and life, and can feel very high-end.

What should you incorporate? Remodr suggests using potted herbs, trailing vines, and even small succulents to add a bit of warmth and color with the added bonus of helping improve air quality. You can also consider placing greenery on shelves or countertops to create a more polished, high-end feel. Gaines and others like to use decorative planters crafted from clay or glass for a high visual impact. If you're not sure where to start, bring in just one large potted plant, such as a fiddle leaf fig, to fill an empty corner.

Window treatments aren't the only way to introduce fabric into your kitchen decor. To elevate the look of the heart of your home, some designers suggest adding an upholstered chair or a fabric bench to make the space feel more refined, according to Homes & Gardens. Bringing in a rug that you may have had in another room is another way to enhance a kitchen's look on a budget. Another example of this design idea that can be accomplished for a low cost is to add furnishings to a kitchen that are typically found in a den or living room. That could also include adding cushions to dining chairs, opting for upholstered banquette seating or choosing a fabric-covered chair to create a reading corner, if space allows. Incorporating textiles also opens the door to adding more color and pattern to kitchen spaces, design experts say, which can also contribute to a high-end vibe.

It's probably not a surprise that simply having an island in your kitchen can add value to your home. And as more kitchens now include original islands or those that were added during remodels, homeowners have the opportunity to add fresh paint or wood trim to make it feel more like a custom piece, notes Woman and Home. And let's face it, the more custom your kitchen feels, the more expensive it likely will look. Another way to upgrade your kitchen island on a budget, according to Real Homes, is to add tile on the front in an elegant pattern or distinct mosaic design. You could have a professional add the tile, or tackle the project yourself to save money. Other options for an island refresh is to consider painting out a wood island in a muted tone. To stretch your budget, if you only need a small amount of paint for this project, you could opt for a quart of high quality paint instead of buying an entire gallon.

Pro tip: If your kitchen doesn't already have an island, but you would love to add one, consider using a kitchen work table or a vintage baker's table as a lower cost option. Looking in local thrift shops and stores such as Goodwill are great places to uncover hidden treasures. Facebook Marketplace is another solid option for finding used furniture at rock-bottom prices.