Style on a shoestring: kitchen update

This kitchen was a mish-mash of styles when House Beautiful's Chief Sub-Editor, Iona Bower, 30, and husband Matt, 32, moved in. ‘With no budget to rip out the kitchen, the challenge was to make a big difference with a few key changes,' says Iona 

Lighten and brighten:

COST £100.29
White paint freshened up the cream cupboards and the plain metal handles were replaced with ceramic blue and white ones. The bright striped blinds add a splash of colour. Cupboard paint in Brilliant White, £13.99 for 2.5L, Dulux. Ceramic spot handles, £2.95 each (14 used), John Lewis. Blinds in Wobble Stripe fabric, £18 a metre (2.5m used), Cath Kidston

Change the worktop:

COST £247.11
The old laminate work surface was dark and dated. ‘This wooden one makes the space seem so much brighter and more up to date,' says Iona. Numerar worktop in oak, £88.09 for 126cm x 62cm and £137.02 for 186cm x 62cm, Ikea. Set of three red glass canisters, £22, Next Home

Add country-style storage:

COST £39.96
Iona replaced the plastic boxes on top of the units with white willow baskets. ‘They look neater as they hide the contents,' she says. Agen baskets, £3.99 each, Ikea. Dotty oilcloth (on table), £12 a metre (2m used), John Lewis

TOTAL COST £387.36

More easy ideas for updating a kitchen...

Iona and the team transformed her kitchen in a day (the worktop was fitted on a separate day). Here are more ideas for a quick change.
Paint the tiles: International's High Gloss One Coat Tile Paint is perfect to use in a kitchen and available in 16 colours at £14.99 for 750ml.
Give the dining area a new look by painting the chairs: Try different shades of chalky pastels to add interest to a neutral scheme like Iona's.
Change the taps: A single mixer tap like the Allegro deck mixer from Screwfi x is inexpensive at £71.49 and instantly updates an existing sink.  

SHOPPING LIST: Bunched roses tea Towels, £10 for a set of two; jug (on table), £15; both Laura Ashley. Cut and collect chopping board, £30, Joseph Joseph. Enamel bread bin, £19.50, Marks and Spencer. All other items pictured, Iona's own