5 Easy Ways to Refresh Your Kitchen Without a Full Renovation

5 Easy Ways to Refresh Your Kitchen Without a Full Renovation

Affordable Upgrades That Make a Big Impact – From Colour Supplies

Your kitchen is the heart of the home—but that doesn’t mean you need to rip it out and start from scratch to give it new life. A full renovation can be costly and time-consuming, but small, affordable upgrades can transform the look and feel of your kitchen quickly and easily.

At Colour Supplies, we’re all about helping you make stylish improvements without the hefty price tag. Here are 5 easy ways to refresh your kitchen without a full renovation and fall in love with it all over again!

1. Swap Out Cabinet Handles and Knobs

Changing your kitchen hardware is one of the quickest and most affordable updates you can make. Whether your style leans modern, rustic, or classic, new handles and knobs can breathe new life into tired cabinets.

When selecting and installing kitchen cabinet handles, consider factors like placement, size, style, and finish to ensure both functionality and aesthetics. For base cabinets, handles are typically placed on the top edge of the door for easy access, while for wall cabinets, they are often positioned at the bottom edge for a seamless look. Drawers benefit from handles placed in the centre, and for larger drawers, two handles may be preferred.

Why it works: It’s a detail that instantly changes the aesthetic of your units—no drilling or painting required. It's a quick, and quite budget friendly way to make an instant impact in your kitchen!

2. Refresh with a Coat of Paint

A new colour on the walls or cupboards can dramatically transform your kitchen’s appearance. Whether you choose a calming neutral or a bold accent colour, paint is one of the most powerful tools in your home improvement kit.

Quick tip: Use kitchen-specific paint that's moisture-resistant and easy to clean, especially near cooking zones.

Our picks: Try Dulux Easycare Kitchen paint available at Colour Supplies.

3. Install a Stylish Splashback

A new splashback can instantly update your cooking space while also protecting your walls. Glass, tile, or even peel-and-stick options are available for a quick weekend project. Opt for smooth, non-porous materials that are easy to wipe clean, like glass or stainless steel. Ensure any natural stone or wood is properly sealed to prevent damage from moisture.

Bonus: It’s not just functional—it’s a design opportunity! Use bold colours or patterns to make a statement. It shouldn't just be a reflection of your home, but a reflection of you!

4. Upgrade Your Lighting

Good lighting is essential in the kitchen—not just for functionality, but also to set the right mood. Consider swapping outdated fittings for something more modern or adding under-cabinet lighting for extra warmth and brightness.

Ideas to consider:

• Pendant lights over breakfast bars

• LED strips beneath cabinets

• Dimmable options for versatility

5. Add a Touch of Softness with New Blinds or Curtains

Window treatments are often overlooked in the kitchen, but updating them can instantly add warmth and style. Consider waterproof roller blinds, patterned café curtains, or modern Venetian blinds for a clean, tailored look.

I saw the impact of this personally when I finally changed my own kitchen blinds (mostly because I had no choice, my cat thought it would be funny to jump and claw into them - the cat was fine, the blinds were not). It completely changed the feel of my kitchen, giving it a brighter, warmer feel. 

Top tip: Choose moisture-resistant materials that are easy to wipe down and clean.