Kitchens are the heart of any home, yet kitchen renovations are notoriously expensive and time-consuming. However, with some clever DIY skills and budget-friendly materials, you can transform your kitchen in a weekend without breaking the bank. Here are a few impactful updates you can do yourself on a small budget.

Give your cabinets a makeover. New cabinetry can easily cost upwards of $10,000, but you can refresh your existing cabinets with a coat of paint or stain for under $100. Clean and lightly sand your cabinets, then apply two coats of paint or stain, waiting for each coat to dry in between applications. For paint, use a satin or semi-gloss finish for durability. Replace the hardware for a finishing touch. New knobs and pulls cost around $5 to $10 each and take cabinet updates to the next level.

Update the backsplash. A new backsplash immediately brightens up a kitchen and protects walls from splatters and spills. For a budget-friendly DIY backsplash, consider self-adhesive vinyl tiles which cost around $30 for a 10-sheet pack. Peel and stick tiles come in a variety of styles like subway tile, hexagon, and stone. Wipe the wall with rubbing alcohol, measure and cut the tiles to fit, then stick them directly to the wall. For an even quicker option, coat the wall with a few coats of chalkboard or magnetic paint for an interactive backsplash.

Add new countertops. Replacing dated laminate countertops with stone or quartz is a pricey renovation, often costing thousands. For a budget DIY alternative, consider concrete, wood, or tile. Concrete countertops provide an industrial look for around $50 per square foot. Wood countertops like butcher block cost between $30 to $200 per square foot. Tile countertops using ceramic, porcelain or natural stone tiles cost $10 to $30 per square foot. With some time and patience, you can transform your countertops yourself for a fraction of the cost of stone.