6 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Upgrades at Home Depot for 2026
Written by
Rebekah Evans
Edited by
Brendan McGinley
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Kitchen updates don’t have to cost a fortune. You can get everything you need for a noticeable refresh in a trip — or maybe a few — to Home Depot.
This can allow you upgrade your space without a major investment. For example, the average cost of a minor — midrange — kitchen remodel is $28,458, according to the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, by Zonda.
You don’t even have to be a DIY-pro to do many of these improvements, as they’re relatively simple. Keep reading to learn six budget-friendly ways to update your kitchen in the new year.
Get a Backsplash
If you don’t have a kitchen backsplash — or your current one is outdated — hang a new one. This will change the look of your kitchen, making it feel like a new space.
There’s two ways to accomplish this — the traditional way, by covering the wall with adhesive and applying the backsplash by hand or using peel and stick tiles. If you don’t have much — or any experience — with this type of project, you might consider the latter.
Easy and affordable, a peel and stick backsplash can be installed in minutes. For example, a section of Art3dwallpanels Peel and Stick White Subway Tile costs $29.69 at Home Depot.
Give the Cabinets a Glow Up
Dated, ugly or worn cabinets can ruin the look of your kitchen. Buying new ones is expensive, so give yours a makeover with a fresh coat of paint.
A Rust-Oleum Transformations 1-Quart Pure White Cabinet Kit covers 100 square feet and costs $59.98 at Home Depot. This includes a cleaner, bond coat and top coat designed to transform worn or damaged wood, laminate or melamine surfaces.
Swap Out Old Hardware
If your cabinets have outdated knobs and pulls, give them a cheap refresh. A four-pack of Liberty Solid Bar 3-inch Brushed Stainless Steel Modern Cabinet Handle Drawer Pulls costs just $19.98 at Home Depot.
Paint the Walls
A classic way to transform a room, painting your kitchen can make it feel like an entirely different space. If you’re overwhelmed by the amount of hues to choose from, consider choosing one of the colors of the year.
- Part of the jade green family, one gallon of Hidden Gem One-Coat Hide Matte Interior Stain-Blocking Paint and Primer — Behr’s 2026 color of the year — is $60.98 at Home Depot.
- A rust brownish hue, one gallon of Glidden Diamond Warm Mahogany Eggshell Interior Paint With Primer — Glidden’s color of the year — is $35.98 at Home Depot.
Get a New Light Fixture
A new light fixture can really pull the room together. Home Depot has a huge variety to choose from, including the Adsensty Four-Light Nickel Modern Semi-Flush Mount Ceiling Light for $153.43 and the Mencolulu Modern Black Six-Light Chandelier Industrial Metal Pendant Light Fixture for $110.40.
Buy an Island
Adding an island to your kitchen doesn’t have to break your budget. Home Depot has many portable islands that look like the real thing.
For example, the Runesay Farmhouse White Wood 53.7-inch Drop Leaf Kitchen Island costs $360.30. Another option, the Homestyles Americana White Kitchen Island With Seating is $756.15.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary. Prices are accurate as of Jan. 6, 2025.
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