My dad recently renovated his Manhattan apartment, including a massive kitchen overhaul. The final outcome? Bellissimo. But after seeing all the paperwork, delays, and cold meals he had to endure during the monthslong project, I wasn’t prepared to take that on as a DIY kitchen project for the new home I moved into this past November. Amanda Wyatt, founder and CEO of Design Insider, in Cashiers, North Carolina, concurs with this sentiment. “The kitchen is arguably the most challenging space to remodel while living in your home—dust, disruption, and the constant reminder of what’s unfinished,” she says. (Never mind the fact that you can’t, you know, cook or access hot water for days or weeks on end!)
Still, my husband and I knew our kitchen needed some work—we’re mostly talking minor things, from hardware updates on the cabinets to a cozy breakfast nook—and thus my hunt for easy, breezy DIY kitchen projects began. As Wyatt explains, smaller strategic upgrades can offer a surprising amount of impact without the chaos of a full renovation. “Thoughtfully placed hooks can free up drawer space while adding charm, a well-chosen piece of art can bring personality to an overlooked wall, and stylish countertop storage can transform clutter into an intentional design feature,” she says. “These tweaks aren’t just for staging your home; they’re for you—to enhance functionality, create beauty, and make the space feel more yours every day.”
Take note: If you’re embarking on making some of these kitchen updates on your own, being extra careful with work involving adherence of or installation of components to surfaces is key. Precise measurement (get that level!) and placement of parts are crucial to a well-designed and well-executed project. As always with any home-improvement projects, it’s better not to rush to avoid mistakes than require costly corrections.
Ahead, here are 11 budget-friendly DIY kitchen projects you can do on your own that will give the culinary epicentre of your home the exact splash of pizzazz you seek.
Add a well-placed hook
Or a few of them. “A well-placed hook is the epitome of form meeting function, transforming an overlooked surface—like a wall or the end of an island—into a moment of both beauty and utility,” Wyatt explains. “Perfect for holding towels, aprons, dried herbs, pot holders, or even small pans and utensils, hooks seamlessly blend practicality with design. They create opportunities for subtle texture and layers, turning everyday essentials into curated details.” For timeless options, Wyatt often turns to deVOL in the UK, whose handcrafted hooks elevate even the simplest spaces with understated elegance and craftsmanship.
Change your cabinet hardware
Sure, you could spend thousands of dollars and spend days installing new cabinetry. Or you could just swap out the hardware. Donna Mancini of Donna Mancini Interiors and Flooring in Ponte Vedra, Florida, is a big fan of this approach.
“Changing your hardware can modernise your space instantly. Start by removing the old hardware using a screwdriver, saving the screws if needed, and clean the surface to remove any residue. If the new hardware matches the existing hole spacing, simply align it with the holes, insert the screws, and tighten them,” she explains. “For hardware with different dimensions, measure and mark the new positions using a tape measure or template, ensuring proper alignment. Drill new holes carefully, if necessary, and attach the new hardware, being cautious not to overtighten.”
