Cheap and Easy Cottage Kitchen Makeover

Our 90’s kitchen needs some style love, a cheap and easy cottage kitchen makeover was very needed! We are so thankful for our home, though we/I are desperately craving some cottage style touches to just get the ball rolling before the budget is here for major renovations. I think most people can relate to that time in life where you are feverishly waiting to make your renovation dreams come true… that pesky budget though.

So here’s the thing… we CAN add some major beauty on a dime! Let’s do a makeover that we can all handle with frugal and simple taps of our fingers rather than obliterating our bank account or back breaking demo day. Even though demo day is the best day… am I right?

I am very grateful to be able to share a few budget finds that I hope bring joy to the home you have made, cheers!

Here are 18 English Cottage Style Kitchen Upgrades

• Antique Brass Faucet
• Vintage Turkish Rug
• Vintage Rug Dupe
• Oak Wood Drawer Pulls
• Cabinet Knobs
• Sink Skirt
• Gingham Dish Towels
• Copper Pot Rack
• Copper Canisters
• Peg Rail
• Floating Shelf
• Vintage Cutting Boards
• Vintage Cutting Board Dupe
• Vintage Angle Cutting Board Dupe
• Vintage Vase Dupe
• Beadboard Wallpaper
• Vintage Pitcher
• Pitcher Dupe

Included in the above list is a mix of new and vintage finds from around the internet, all curated to heighten your enjoyment in a room we tend to spend so much time in! Please feel free to scroll through these fun finds that will add that glorious cottage charm to your kitchen makeover.

This post contains affiliate links and I do make a very small commission for anything bought through them with no cost to you, I truly took the time to find the best prices from all over the internet and found unique items! I hope this post inspires and serves you well!

The Cottage Kitchen Sink

Hours are spent at the kitchen sink and I can attest that adding a bit of charm to this area has kept this chore a pleasure rather than a dread! First off, a cottage kitchen sink commonly has a curtain below instead of cabinet doors. What an easy switch! Take the doors and hinges off, save in the garage, then place an inexpensive tension rod with your new beautiful gingham or stripped curtains. Viola! Ten minutes and you’ve added such an impact!

Next, I think we have all seen the classic faucet switch but you have to check out this $60 brass faucet linked above…. if I haven’t bought it for myself yet! Lastly, for your darling feet. A rug may seem odd in a kitchen but I absolutely love mine and its so easy to clean. Above I have found a wonderful vintage Turkish rug and also a dupe, they are both gorgeous and add a soft cozy texture!

Open it up!

Many meals made for family and friends here, we are inspired to serve others by our love but a beautiful cottage kitchen to do the work in can really motivate :). For our kitchen makeover, I took out all upper cabinets above our stove and sink to create open shelving with peg racks. Absolutely the best solution to keeping your spices, dishes and pots organized because nothing can be hidden! So instead of stuffing excess away, let’s make useful beautiful for a gorgeous display. I have linked some floating shelves and peg racks so that with a click of your finger shelving is on its way to you. If it were me I would distress them using the technique I showed for this fireplace mantle, then hang the floating shelf right above the peg rack so that they look built as one unit! Display your favorite coffee mugs so that they bring a smile to your face every time you glance over, thats how a kitchen should serve you!

Inexpensive Cabinet Makeover Hack

Our local paint shop sometimes purchases too much paint for a particular job, those excess gallons of tend to build up. So imagine my delight when scrolling Facebook Marketplace and I see FREE 5 gallon Sherwin Williams paints and stains! I rushed over and they begged me to fill our truck up… why yes I would be happy to help! I would highly recommend calling your local paint contractors if you are on a budget. I have done countless indoor and outdoor projects now from my free paint and stain stash.

Once we took down most of the upper cabinets I did two coats of an off white paint on the lowers. Easy and free! Then I replaced all the drawer pulls and knobs with beautiful wood ones, such a clean look and the wood adds a warm old world touch!

Lastly, there were just some glaringly obvious cheap giveaways in my kitchen… My 90’s fridge… I absolutely love the storage in this big ol’ monster but It really needed to blend into my sweet cottage kitchen aesthetic a little. I added textured and paintable bead board wallpaper with some construction adhesive to completely cover the sides of our fridge and all the exposed sides of our cabinets to dress everyone up a bit. Caulked all the seams, and “HOLY COTTAGE CORE” did simple wallpaper make a huge change! Next, I might add some to the ceiling in between some free faux beams…. stay tuned for more DIY scheming.

Cheap and Easy Cottage Stove Upgrades

A Shinny, eye catching copper pot rack is always on the Cheap and Easy Cottage Kitchen Makeover checklist because its classic and timeless! Couldn’t believe it was so inexpensive so we snagged one for our very own. Love it! If your feeling feisty, you may also need some over grouted stone detailing above your stove to complete the look! The tutorial for ours will be linked here, it has added so much to our kitchen and I really cant believe it cost us $10 and an hour of work time!

If it isn’t useful or sentimental its out of my kitchen, no clutter aloud. So when I find something useful and beautiful…well… it’s coming home with mama! Here are some adorable gingham kitchen towels to help us clean up spilled milk with a smile. Mixed metals in the kitchen are all over Pinterest, so these copper canisters will be perfect in your home no matter your current finishes. So beautiful! To add texture, this antique cutting board dupe and antique vase dupe are just STUNNING.

Enjoy your frugal finds!

I truly believe that beauty is motivating and it doesnt take much to create a beautiful space for yourself, a cheap and easy cottage kitchen makeover could easily be attained! Thank you for stoping by the Hinterlands, please feel free to email with any questions and subscribe to our weekly newsletter! Our weekly emails are meant for the DIYer to feel inspired and encouraged, I hope you take the time to get creative if it brings you joy! Cheers from our family to yours!