The Best Budget-Friendly Cottagecore Kitchen Ideas

Looking for ways to update or decorate your kitchen on a budget? Wait until you see these cottagecore kitchen ideas.

We have wanted to update our kitchen since well before moving in. I planned on updating it this past winter, but we had to put it on hold for a few months while we completed other projects that were higher on the list.

Since moving to our current home a little over a year ago, we’ve been making small cosmetic updates on a budget that have had a huge impact.

I mean, have you seen some of the changes we’ve made?

We renovated the sunroom, family room, dining room, and foyer with a can of paint and thrift store vintage decor.

With most of the main living floor updated, it’s time to focus on the hub of the home, our kitchen.

I haven’t shared much of it in my blogs, but It’s a great working kitchen with lots of high-end appliances. But it needs a little makeover. I don’t love the cabinets and would love to sand them down, paint and refinish them.

Tackling a kitchen project like that isn’t foreign to me as I did something similar in our former home, where I took our 90’s country kitchen to farmhouse fabulous just by painting the cabinets and walls.

Until we renovate, I’ve been decorating with a cottagecore vibe that includes old copper, vintage decor, plants, and flowers. Which has been a great place to start to make our kitchen feel cozier.

Are you looking to update and decorate your kitchen on a dime too?

Here are some ideas to add cottagecore charm to your kitchen on a budget.

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What is the Cottagecore Lifestyle?

Cottagecore is a design style that emphasizes a rustic, cozy, and nostalgic aesthetic. It offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

With period features, vintage decor, and a focus on simpler times, it’s no wonder that the cottagecore aesthetic has gained so much popularity in recent years.

The cottagecore trend has been gaining steam for several years now. I for one have embraced it and made it my own to reflect my personal style.

To get the cottagecore look, I casually blend vintage farmhouse decor with my plants and flowers.

In this post, we’ll explore some budget-friendly cottagecore kitchen ideas and how to decorate.

Ways to Renovate a Kitchen on a Budget

If your kitchen feels a little ho-hum and you want to add more cottage charm, there are lots of ways you can renovate it without breaking the bank.

I spent well under $1000 to renovate my former kitchen and you can too. Renovating a kitchen can be a significant expense, but there are ways to do it on a budget.

Focus on Cosmetic Changes

Instead of completely gutting your kitchen and starting from scratch, a great way to update a kitchen includes making simple cosmetic changes such as painting your cabinets or adding new hardware.

You’d be surprised how much these changes can give your kitchen a fresh new look without a major expense.

After painting our kitchen several years ago, it was worth it! It’s not hard to do and the result is incredible

Keep the Same Layout

Changing the layout of your kitchen can be expensive and time-consuming.

One of the best ways to keep costs down is to keep the layout the same and work with the existing plumbing and electrical.

This will save you money and make the renovation process faster.

Of course, you may still need electrical and plumbing updates, but working with what you have already can save you money when renovating a kitchen.

DIY Projects

There are many DIY projects you can do in your kitchen, such as installing a backsplash or painting your walls and cabinets.

Even if you’ve never done them before, doing these projects yourself can save you money on labor costs.

If you lack confidence or aren’t sure where to begin, research it. Google it to read blogs and watch videos on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram.

You’ll learn so much about the process and build confidence at the same time.

Shop for Deals

Look for deals on appliances, cabinets, antique furniture, and other materials.

You can often find deals at thrift stores, antique shops, vintage markets, or on clearance and during sales events.

Think outside the box and look for unique items you can incorporate. For example, a china cabinet and hutch would make great additional storage. Or maybe you can flip an old buffet into a cabinet with a sink.

Refinish Instead of Replacing

Instead of replacing your cabinets or countertops, consider refinishing them.

Refinishing can give them a fresh new look without the expense of replacement.

Painting cabinets and hardware are really easy to do. And I’ve also seen bloggers paint and epoxy their countertops with great success.

If you plan to replace them anyway, why not try refinishing them first? You might save yourself a lot of money taking a risk and just putting in that minimal effort.

If you are afraid to try it, test it on something else first until you get a feel for how it’s done.

Use Cost-Effective Materials

Consider using cost-effective materials such as laminate or vinyl flooring instead of hardwood. These materials can give your kitchen a beautiful look without the high price tag.

And there are so many great materials out there that are like real wood but aren’t.

When we refinished our laundry room and powder room, we chose a tile floor that looked like hardwood and it was GORGEOUS.

It was much easier to add with our existing wood floor because it was different plus it cost a little less than adding that same look with real hardwood flooring.

But Don’t Skimp on Quality

While you want to save money, you don’t want to sacrifice quality. Invest in good quality materials and appliances that will last for years to come.

Consider how these updates will add value to your home.

And really look into the repair, maintenance, and reliability of any appliances you buy. Do your research so you aren’t rebuying appliances later.

How Can I Update My Kitchen So It Looks Cottagecore?

If you love the look of a farmhouse kitchen or long for an english cottage style aesthetic, you can bring that vibe into your home by adding a few key elements.

Natural Materials

Cottagecore is all about organic, natural materials, so look for wood, stone, and other natural materials when decorating your kitchen.

Wooden countertops, stone floors, and brick walls all add to the rustic, country charm of a cottagecore style kitchen.

Vintage and Antique Finds

Look for vintage and antique kitchen accessories to decorate your space. Old crockery, enamelware, and copper pots and pans are all perfect for a cottagecore kitchen.

Antique kitchen scales, old copper, floral pulls, a vintage botanical print, and tools can also add to the charm.

Soft Colors

Soft, neutral, and earthy muted colors are central to the cottagecore aesthetic.

You can incorporate these colors into your kitchen with painted cabinets, a tiled backsplash, or even just some pretty dishes on display.

It all really depends on the style you are going for and look you want to achieve.

Open Shelves

Open shelving is a popular feature in cottagecore kitchens. It allows you to display your vintage finds and pretty dishes, while also keeping everything within reach.

Consider using reclaimed wood for your shelves to add more the rustic charm.

Or just remove the doors from your existing cabinets to get a similar look.

Floral Accents

Flowers and floral patterns are a must for any cottagecore kitchen.

You can incorporate floral motifs into your backsplash or wallpaper, or simply display fresh flowers on your table or windowsill.

Hanging dry flowers from a rack is another great idea to decorate.

Farmhouse Sink

A farmhouse sink is a perfect addition to the cottagecore kitchen. It’s practical and functional, but also adds to the rustic charm.

Look for a sink with a simple, classic design and pair it with a vintage-style faucet.

I wish we could have done a farmhouse sink when we renovated our kitchen a few years ago. But it would have driven up the cost of our budget because we needed to fix the cabinets below too.

Since I was doing the renovations on my own and had no experience with doing all that, we just went with a new under-mount sink when we installed our granite countertops.

Cozy Textiles

Finally, don’t forget to add some cozy textiles to your cottagecore kitchen.

A pretty tablecloth, tea towels, and a cozy rug can all add to the warmth and comfort of the space.

How I Added Cottagecore Style to My Own Home

Since my 90’s kitchen was SO outdated by 2017, I decided it was time for a renovation. Although we didn’t have a large budget, I found ways to make cosmetic updates to the whole kitchen on a dime.

Here are a few things that I did to make the heart of the home feel like a brand-new kitchen.

• I painted the kitchen cabinets. It took me about 2-3 weeks to do from start to finish and it was totally worth it.
• We took the hood vent from ornamental to useful by adding a ventilation insert. And to change its look, I renovated the hood vent with this gel stain to give it a beautiful vintage look.
• I decorated with beautiful home decor including beautiful botanical prints to make a floral gallery wall.
• I also added a bunch of natural elements to create warmth and more texture.
• We shopped lots of flea markets, vintage shops, and thrift stores for other inexpensive decor.
• And I always cut flowers from my garden to enjoy indoors.

15 Cottagecore Kitchen Ideas on a Budget

If you are looking for ways to add cottage charm to your home, here are 15 budget-friendly kitchen ideas to try this year.

More About Cottagecore Style

Do you enjoy decorating with a cottagecore vibe? What are your favorite renovating and decorating ideas? I would love to know more in the comments below.

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I’m a master gardener who’s been gardening and growing things for over 25 years. With a deep passion for gardening, I enjoy helping others find their inner green thumb with all things plants and flowers, as well as find ways to bring the outdoors inside their homes too.

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