3 Min. Read

When you’re on a budget it can be hard to get the upscale, luxurious-looking kitchen you want. Although high-end kitchens can come with high-end price tags, that doesn’t mean chic styles, décor, and appliances are out of reach. There are many ways to make your kitchen look more expensive on a budget ranging from organization and décor to fixtures and appliances. Explore how to give your kitchen remodel a more expensive look on a budget.

White and light brown stained kitchen cabinets and islandWhite and light brown stained kitchen cabinets and island
Newport door style in Lily and Fossil kitchen cabinets

Decanter Organization

Instead of stocking your cabinets and pantry with bags and boxes of food from the store, use decanters. Trending styles include clear containers with wooden lids. Using these decorative containers makes grabbing food at a glance easy, and you can even use custom label makers to add more style.

pantry decanters and jars filled with dry foodspantry decanters and jars filled with dry foods
Pantry decanters and glass jars

Functional Décor

Turn your everyday kitchen tools into functional décor. Transition old plastic cutting boards to display-worthy wooden boards. Additionally, select quality dish towels and beautiful dishware that you’re proud to show off on floating shelves or in glass cabinets. Updating everyday items will drastically change the overall appearance of your kitchen.

Light gray shaker kitchen cabinets with marble countertops and decorative cutting boardLight gray shaker kitchen cabinets with marble countertops and decorative cutting board
Light gray shaker kitchen cabinets

Faucets & Hardware

As the jewelry of your kitchen, faucets and hardware make a big statement. Draw more attention to these focal points by choosing nicer brands with higher quality finishes. Investing in touchable kitchen fixtures will increase the lifespan of your kitchen while making it look more expensive.

White and light-brown stained kitchen cabinets and islandWhite and light-brown stained kitchen cabinets and island
Newport door style in Lily and Fossil kitchen cabinets

Upgraded Lighting

Chandeliers, pendants, under cabinet, and accent lighting are another great area to update within a reasonable budget. For an upscale look, shop big box stores or online boutiques for chandeliers and pendants with clean designs and dynamic finishes. Include accent lighting to add ambiance while drawing attention to different details of your design.

Oak and dark espresso colored shaker kitchen cabinets with large modern chandelierOak and dark espresso colored shaker kitchen cabinets with large modern chandelier
Shaker kitchen cabinets

Clutter-free Countertops

Although this isn’t a design tip, most expensive kitchens are clean and well-kept. Mimic this by reducing the number of magnets and papers on your refrigerator, and file away mail in decorative baskets or cabinets. This also goes for small appliances. Conceal everything that could be considered clutter, and your kitchen will have a much more put-together appearance.

Light gray shaker kitchen cabinets with light-brown stained island and white quartz countertopsLight gray shaker kitchen cabinets with light-brown stained island and white quartz countertops
Light gray shaker kitchen cabinets and Newport door style in Fossil

Classic Color & Contrast

Most expensive kitchen designs have less flashy color schemes and tend to migrate towards neutral colors that will look good no matter the current trends. Choose countertops and backsplash in neutrals to stand the test of time. Make these selections pop by selecting materials with contrasting colors to create drama and interest.

White and wood slab door kitchen cabinets with large marble islandWhite and wood slab door kitchen cabinets with large marble island
White and wood slab door kitchen cabinets

Countertop Backsplashes

One thing you will notice in expensive kitchens right now are slab backsplashes. Less homeowners are using tile because grout lines create a busy look. Instead, many of these luxurious designs are continuing the countertop material up the backsplash. This provides a stunning look with the natural veining and variation found in stone countertops, and depending on your material, it can be less expensive than tile.

White shaker kitchen cabinets with marble countertops and white range hoodWhite shaker kitchen cabinets with marble countertops and white range hood
Newport door style in Lily kitchen cabinets

Upscale Appliances

Buying nicer appliances like JennAir or Viking is great, but when those aren’t in the budget, look for more economical brands with a similar look. Most expensive ranges, for instance, don’t have control panels on the back, they have a smooth top with controls and dials on the front. If buying a complete suite of appliances is out of reach right now, focus on the range or hood first since they are typically focal points of the kitchen.

Decorative white shaker kitchen cabinets with large stainless steel range Decorative white shaker kitchen cabinets with large stainless steel range
Decorative white shaker kitchen cabinets

Now that you know what to do, decide what you'd like your kitchen remodel to look like, then narrow it down based on price and preference. After you’ve decided which of these kitchen staples to invest in for your upgraded look, pay attention to the quality. High-quality materials always have a more expensive look and are likely to last longer making it a better investment in the long run.

 

For more design tips, schedule a Complimentary Design Consultation today!