A cottage-chic style brings warmth and comfort to a kitchen without breaking the bank. This charming style features distressed wood, floral patterns, lots of white, and vintage-inspired accessories. With clever shopping and DIY projects, you can create an affordable cottage kitchen that looks and feels luxurious. Here are some tips for designing a cottage-style kitchen on a budget.
Choose Affordable Cabinetry
Cabinetry can be one of the most expensive parts of a kitchen remodel. To save money, look for options like:
Seek Out Discounted Stock Cabinets
Big box home improvement stores often discount in-stock cabinet options that ship quickly. These ready-made cabinets cost less than custom styles. Opt for simple Shaker-style cabinets in white paint or stained wood.
Consider Refinishing Existing Cabinets
If your kitchen already has cabinet boxes in good shape, you may be able to refinish them at a fraction of the cost of new cabinetry. Sand and apply new paint or stain to give worn cabinets a fresh cottage look.
Build Your Own
Building DIY cabinets using plywood and trim allows you to customize the size and features. While more labor intensive, you’ll save substantially over purchasing custom cabinets.
Select Affordable Countertops
Natural stone countertops like granite and marble look amazing but come with a hefty price tag. Some budget-friendly options for a cottage kitchen include:
Butcher Block
Wood countertops lend a rustic vibe. Use butcher block in maple or oak, or distress salvaged wood yourself. Apply waterproof polyurethane to protect the surface.
Laminate
Laminate is an affordable option that comes in meadow-like solid colors and floral patterns fitting for a cottage kitchen. New printing technology makes patterns and textures look impressively realistic.
Tile
An intricate tile backsplash or countertop surface adds lovely texture and pattern to a cottage kitchen on a budget. Subway tile, penny tile, and handmade tiles deliver classic charm.
Concrete
Poured concrete countertops are cheaper than natural stone. You can polish smooth for a modern look or imprint with texture. Painted concrete in white or pale tints enhances the cottage appeal.
Use Wallpaper for Personality
While wallpaper typically costs more per roll than paint, it can transform a space without replacing cabinets or counters. Select a small-scale floral print, distressed design, or scenic landscape to imbue vintage personality. Use samples or removable wallpaper to limit commitment in case your style evolves.
Add Charm with Creative DIY
Part of cottage style is embracing imperfection with character. Put your own stamp on the space with DIY projects like:
Display Collected China
Fill open shelves with collections of vintage plates, teacups, and pitchers. Mix colors and patterns for an eclectic, collected look.
Wooden Rolling Cart
Sand and paint an old wooden cart to use as a handy island or bar. Find them affordably at flea markets or secondhand shops.
Framed Botanical Prints
Frame pages from a vintage book of botanical prints under glass to add a pop of color and texture. Group coordinating frames gallery-style on a wall.
Floating Shelves from Salvaged Wood
Use reclaimed barn wood or scraps from other projects to build rustic floating shelves. They’re perfect for displaying cherished ceramic pieces.
Painted Mason Jars
Upcycle glass mason jars and tins with painted patterns or floral designs. Use them to hold utensils and dry ingredients.
Choose Cottage-Chic Hardware
Updating worn hardware and fixtures does wonders to refresh the look of existing cabinetry inexpensively.
Bin or Bar Pulls
Simple metal bin and bar pulls have a timeworn look. Use cup or ring pulls on drawers and larger pulls on doors and upper cabinets.
Vintage-Style Faucets
Replacing an outdated faucet instantly boosts cottage appeal. Look for bridge-style faucets with cross handles in polished nickel, brass, or copper.
Rustic Light Fixtures
Wrought iron, antique brass, and galvanized metal light pendants, chandeliers, and sconces enhance the vintage vibe. Painted glass shades add cheerful color.
Floral Curtains
Inexpensive white curtain panels livened up with floral trim, ruffles, and pretty tie-backs add style to windows over the sink.
Select Affordable Cottage-Chic Finishes
The right finishes can make builder-grade cabinets and counters look custom. Consider these budget-friendly options:
Paint Everything White
A fresh coat of white or antique white paint unifies mismatched elements like cabinets, trim, and ceilings into a cohesive look. The brightness enhances the sense of space.
Whitewash Brick or Stone
For a timeworn appeal, dilute white paint and apply as a whitewash to brick walls or stone backsplashes. Let some of the original color peek through.
Add Beadboard Wainscoting
Installing beadboard wainscoting using reclaimed wood adds texture and dimension. Paint or whitewash to match your color scheme.
Wallpaper a Backsplash
Use removable wallpaper as an affordable alternative to tile backsplashes. Florals, scenic patterns, or distressed textures deliver plenty of charm.
Pick a Pale Countertop Color
White, light gray, pale blue, and muted greens echo the softness of cottage style. Tint poured concrete or paint laminate countertops for a custom look.
Source Furnishings from Unexpected Places
Furnish your cottage kitchen on a budget with help from these money-saving sources:
Check Classified Listings
Search classified ads online or community newspapers for great deals on cottage-style tables, hutches, and mismatched chairs with character.
Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops
Visit secondhand shops in affluent neighborhoods to uncover quality vintage and antique pieces. These items often cost a fraction of new furniture.
Flea Markets and Garage Sales
Arrive early and keep an eye out for worn treasures hiding great cottage style at garage sales and flea markets. Haggle for the best price.
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist
Scour local listings on sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist for free or cheap home furnishings in need of a little TLC. Paint or reupholster to suit your style.
Curbside Freebies
You never know what curbside treasures you may find. Keep an eye out for furniture or decor left on the curb for free pick-up. Give it new life with paint or repairs.
Get Creative with Lighting
Fancy lighting can bust a home decor budget. Discover clever ideas for cottage-chic lighting on the cheap:
Mason Jar Pendants
Transform mason jars into charming pendant lights. Use enamel paint to create colorful patterns on the glass. Hang with wire and vintage Edison bulbs.
Utilize Natural Light
Sheer curtains, painted white walls, and glossy light cabinets help maximize natural sunlight streaming into the kitchen.
Try DIY Wire Baskets
Invert wire hanging baskets from the craft store and attach to the undersides of cabinets to use as cheap lighting fixtures. Line with fabric or wallpaper.
Display Vintage Finds
Show off pretty vintage bottles, glasses, and vases on open shelves near windows to let light filter through.
Incorporate Mirrors
Hang an antique-framed mirror on the wall near a window to amplify light reflection throughout the space.
Source Vintage Decor Affordably
Decorating with secondhand cottage finds stretches your remodeling dollars. Look for:
Enamelware
Classic enamelware pitchers, pots, and canisters in muted hues typical of cottage style cost little at flea markets and antique malls.
Screen Doors
An old screen door propped against a wall or hung on cabinetry makes stylish open shelving for dishes. Look for one with a distressed white frame.
Baskets and Buckets
Vintage galvanized buckets and chippy baskets provide charming rustic storage. Use them to hold cooking utensils on countertops and open shelves.
Antique Signs
Look for antique tin advertisements or signage with charming graphics to mount as décor. Try flower or seed company designs that appeal to cottage style.
Floral China
Mismatched floral china in blue, pink, and yellow floral patterns lends vintage character on open shelves. Try thrift stores and estate sales to build an eclectic collection over time.
Repurpose Furnishings Creatively
Give existing pieces new purpose and save on buying additional furnishings:
Vintage Ladder Shelf
Distress and paint an old wooden ladder white or robin’s egg blue to mount horizontally as charming wall shelving.
Convert Armoire into a Pantry
Remove the interior shelving and rod from a discarded armoire to use the cabinet for pantry storage. Paint or stain to coordinate.
Side Table Island
A petite vintage side table topped with butcher block or a square of reclaimed wood makes an affordable island for a small cottage kitchen.
Dresser Buffet
Repurpose an outdated dresser into a buffet for extra dining and serving space. Sand, paint, replace the hardware, and top with stone or butcher block.
Drawer Utensil Organizer
Stack a set of vintage wooden drawers from an old dresser on the countertop or in a kitchen island to neatly organize cooking utensils.
Create Affordable Flooring Ambience
Floors can make or break a kitchen design. Find budget-friendly options to achieve the look of pricier originals:
Paint Existing Floors
Paint worn vinyl, concrete, or even dated tile floors in a fresh white or pale tint better suited to a cottage space. Use an epoxy floor paint for durability.
Limewash Tile
Achieve the weathered character of European farmhouse floors by applying diluted white paint as a limewash over existing ceramic or stone tile.
Sheet Vinyl
While less durable than other options, sheet vinyl comes in cottage-friendly patterns like checkerboard and floral prints at very affordable prices.
Concrete Resurfacing
For texture and dimension, have existing concrete floors resurfaced with an overlay stamped with stone, brick, or wood plank patterns for far less than replacement.
Plywood Subfloor
For a temporary cheap solution, seal and paint the plywood subfloor a light color to brighten up the space. Eventually replace with hardwood floors.
Include Cottage-Style Accents
Splurge on a few key cottage elements with outsized impact:
Floral Curtains
Sweet floral curtains with ruffles or pom pom trim instantly signal cottage style. Check discount home stores for affordable options.
White Dishes
All-white dishware gives an upscale feel so ideal for a cottage kitchen. Mix varied shapes and patterns for visual interest.
Farmhouse Sink
The hallmark deep stainless steel apron front farmhouse sink makes cleaning a pleasure. Undermount for a seamless look.
Woven Rugs
Scatter braided, rag, or palm leaf rugs on the floor for texture and warmth underfoot. They conceal worn areas in hardwoods.
Vintage Recipe Tins
Display your grandmother’s vintage recipe cards and painted recipe tins to infuse family nostalgia.
Final Thoughts on Designing an Affordable Cottage Kitchen
With some resourceful tricks like buying secondhand, refinishing furniture, and embracing imperfections, you can create a cozy vintage-style cottage kitchen without going over budget. Focus on details like hardware, lighting, accents, and finishes tailored to the look. Your charming kitchen will feel like home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Creating a Cottage Kitchen on a Budget
What are the key elements of a cottage kitchen?
Some signature elements of cottage style kitchens include distressed wood cabinets, floral accents, vintage decor touches, farmhouse sinks, woven rugs, white painted walls/ceilings, paneled appliances, open shelving, and pendant lighting.
How much does it cost to remodel a cottage kitchen?
For a full remodel with new flooring, cabinetry, and appliances expect to spend $20,000-50,000. However, you can transform the look of your existing kitchen for under $5,000 by refinishing cabinets, adding wallpaper, updating hardware and lighting, and using DIY touches.
What is the most cost-effective change for a cottage kitchen?
Refinishing and painting worn cabinets white makes the biggest visual impact for the lowest cost. Changing cabinet hardware, sink faucet, lighting, and decor also goes a long way.
Should I DIY or hire a contractor for a cottage kitchen?
It depends on your budget and skills. Many cottage elements like painting cabinets, adding wallpaper backsplashes, and displaying decor are great DIY projects. But hire pros for installing countertops, complicated tile, or safety-sensitive electrical and plumbing.
How do I add character on a budget?
Refurbish and repurpose flea market finds, display collected china on open shelves, hang a vintage window as a pass-through, add wallpaper, install beadboard wainscoting, paint floors, remove doors for open shelving, and infuse your personality through DIY accents.
How can I save money on cottage kitchen lighting?
Take advantage of natural light, build inexpensive pendant lights from mason jars and wire, display pretty glassware on open shelves, install inexpensive track lighting, and consider vaulting the ceiling to amplify light.
What are the most affordable countertop options for a cottage kitchen?
Butcher block, laminate, concrete, and DIY wood surfaces offer beauty at a fraction of the cost of stone. Creating a butcher block island allows you to use more affordable laminate on perimeter counters.
Kitchen of the Week: A Cottage-Chic Kitchen on a Budget
Cottage style brings vintage charm to a kitchen without breaking your decorating budget. The key is creatively blending new and salvaged elements for lots of character. This lovely cottage-chic kitchen remodel proves you can achieve farmhouse coziness on a budget.
Salvaged Cabinets
The existing 1990s oak cabinets had good bones, so I sanded them down and applied two coats of white paint for a fresh start. New bin pulls from the hardware store completed the transformation for under $100.
Butcher Block Island
I wanted the look of butcher block countertops but saved substantially by building it only for the island. The wood’s organic texture contrasts beautifully with the crisp white cabinets.
Open Shelving
Removing a few upper cabinet doors achieves the coveted cottage open shelving look, letting me display my vintage floral china for free. The white dishes pop against the wood walls.
Wallpaper Backsplash
As a budget-friendly alternative to tile, I used a prepasted floral wallpaper and cut around the outlets for this charming backsplash. The pops of color tie in the vintage vibe.
Woven Runners
I layered a few inexpensive sisal and braided rag rugs as runners down the center of the existing vinyl flooring. The natural textures warm up the space.
Repurposed Dresser
This outdated dresser got new life as a cottage-chic hutch. Chalk paint, new knobs, and a coat of poly protect the wood finish. It holds my everyday dishes and glassware.
Framed Botanicals
Pages from a discarded botany book and $10 thrift store frames allowed me to create these charming floral prints. Grouped in a collage, they infuse cottage personality.
Brew Station
I transformed an old kitchen cart into this handy coffee bar. A coat of robin’s egg blue chalk paint and new butcher block top did the trick on a $25 flea market find.
Final Thoughts
With a few savvy changes like refreshing the existing cabinetry, adding wallpaper, and including vintage pieces, I achieved a cozy vintage vibe that feels custom. Choosing several high-impact cottage details keeps the charming style I love without overspending my budget.
