Five Kitchen Upgrades You Can DIY for Under $100

A kitchen remodel can be expensive, especially with renovation costs predicted to stay stubbornly high for the foreseeable future. But getting more out of your kitchen doesn't take waiting for interest rates to go down. Here are five simple DIY projects you can undertake to improve your kitchen while spending less than $100.

Hang some shelves

While replacing cabinets can be expensive, if you have some wall space, or even some space in front of a window, you can add some shelves for less than $100—you just need these brackets ($49.99) and a 1x12 inch board ($33.28) to make a three-shelf fixture with a spot for hooks ($6.99) to hang kitchen utensils or mugs.

Since the bracket width is adjustable, these shelves are also perfect for spanning a window, like the one over your sink, to add storage in a tight space.

Update your light fixtures

While you might not be able to overhaul your whole kitchen lighting system, you can update your fixtures easily enough. If you have a metal fixture, you can paint it with spray paint ($11.48) to give it a new finish. You can also try swapping out the shades ($31.99 for 6) or globes ($43.75 for 3) for an update to an existing light fixture.

When choosing new shades or globes, double check that you are getting the right size and attachment type for your fixture, and be wary of any products that don’t include that information in the product description. If you want something totally new, you can also swap your old fixture for a new one ($58.89).

Maximize your cabinet storage

Making the most of your existing cabinet storage can make your kitchen more practical without costing you much money. Choosing customizable hardware, like this pots and pans organizer ($20.98) will make it easier to fit your kitchen utensils in your existing storage space. You can also try these adjustable shelf pull-outs ($35.99) to make it easier to keep things at the back of your cabinet organized, and make it simpler to use all of your storage space.

To wrangle smaller items like spices and utensils, you can try these stackable storage baskets ($39.99) with a pull-out drawer design. Adding functionality to your kitchen can improve your daily experience while keeping your budget in check.

Refinish your countertops

While you might not be able to replace your countertops for less than $100, you can give them a makeover.

Using a countertop refinishing kit, you can add an epoxy finish to your existing countertops. Refinishing kits come in faux granite ($66.76), patterns ($89.95) and solid colors ($49.98). Most kits will cover a 25 to 50 square foot area, but check the product label for coverage details so you get a kit that will work for your space. (While this project is definitely DIY accessible, you should be prepared to not use your countertops for three or four days to allow for proper curing time.)

Give your furniture a new look

Whether you have bar stools at your kitchen island, chairs at a kitchen table, or a bar cart for drinks, you can give your current furniture a makeover for much less than replacing it. For metal furniture, a can of spray paint ($6.04) can go a long way—just make sure to clean your surface and sand it with a fine grit sandpaper ($9.66) in order to create a good surface for your paint to bond to. You can revitalize wooden stools or table tops by adding a stenciled detail or some stripes.

To stencil your wooden furniture, choose a stencil ($15.99 for two) and some paint ($16.48), then use a stencil brush ($8.99 for three various sizes) to apply your paint. To get a clear outline from your stencil, tape it in place with some painter’s tape and use a dabbing motion with your brush. (If you’re not sure how your image will come out, you can practice on a piece of cardboard first before tackling the furniture.) For repeating patterns, make sure you get at least two stencils to make lining them up easier.

While most acrylic or interior latex paint is okay to use on wood furniture, using a product that’s designed for furniture, especially in a kitchen, is a good idea. Alternatively, a stenciling project is a good way to use up leftover paint from another project, so you can also opt to add a clear coat ($16.48) to seal your surface when you’re done painting. To add a stripe, use a straight edge to run a line of painter’s tape ($4.49) to each side of where you want the stripe. Then, use a brush ($7.95 for five various sizes) to apply your paint between your tape lines.