How to give your kitchen that HGTV look for less than $250

If you’ve ever paused an HGTV reveal and thought, “Why doesn’t my kitchen look like that?”, you’re not alone. The good news is you don’t need a full renovation to get that high-end look. You just need the right upgrades in the right places.

Most HGTV kitchens feel clean, coordinated, and intentional—and you can absolutely create that vibe for under $250. The key is knowing where to spend, what to skip, and how to pull things together visually.

Swap your cabinet hardware

One of the easiest upgrades you can make is swapping out your cabinet knobs and pulls. Go with matte black, brushed brass, or antique bronze for a more current feel. Big box stores sell multi-packs, so you can often refresh your whole kitchen for $50 or less.

Stick with simple shapes like bar pulls or round knobs—nothing too ornate. If you’ve got wood cabinets or white ones, updated hardware alone can make them feel custom and pulled-together without touching paint.

Paint a focal wall or your island

You don’t need to repaint every cabinet to change the look of your kitchen. Focus on a single accent—like the island, a pantry door, or a back wall. A quart or two of high-quality paint usually runs $25–$50 and goes a long way.

Softer greens, creamy whites, and slate blues tend to work best if you’re chasing that HGTV feel. They bring in warmth without going too trendy, and they pair well with most countertop and floor types.

Add peel-and-stick backsplash

If your backsplash area is plain drywall or outdated tile, peel-and-stick options can give you the look of real tile without the work or cost. Most options run $30–$50 for enough to cover the space behind a standard stove or sink.

Look for subway tile, herringbone, or marble-look designs in white, gray, or neutral tones. It makes your kitchen feel more finished and high-end—and it’s removable if you’re in a rental or want to change it later.

Swap out light fixtures

A dated ceiling light can make even a nice kitchen feel stuck in the past. Look for modern farmhouse or schoolhouse-style fixtures under $75. You can find plenty that work with standard mounts and don’t require rewiring.

Even one updated light over the sink or island can set the tone for the space. Stick with warm finishes like black or brass, and use soft white LED bulbs to create that clean, HGTV-style glow.

Add open shelving or a wall rack

HGTV kitchens love functional decor—and open shelving is one of the easiest ways to bring that in. You can grab two basic wood shelves with brackets for under $60 at most home stores. Style them with dishes, cutting boards, or a few matching jars.

No space for shelves? Try a small wall rack or mounted pot rail. Hanging a few frequently used tools or cutting boards brings in that same curated, practical look without taking up counter space.

Upgrade your sink accessories

You don’t have to replace the whole sink to make it feel updated. Swapping in a matte black or brushed gold faucet instantly makes the area look more polished. You can find nice ones online for $60–$100 that are easy to install if your setup is standard.

To go a step further, get a matching soap dispenser, sink grid, or wood cutting board that fits over the sink. These kinds of touches help your kitchen look more thought-out without spending much.

Add a rug with some personality

A low-pile runner or 3×5 kitchen rug can totally change the feel of the room. Look for muted patterns, earthy tones, or vintage-style prints. Even a washable one for $30–$60 can make your space feel softer and more styled.

Place it where you stand the most—usually in front of the sink or between the island and stove. Rugs help break up big floors and make a space feel more lived-in, which is exactly what HGTV kitchens get right.

Update your countertop clutter

You don’t need new counters—you need better countertop styling. Hide plastic containers and mismatched tools. Bring in a wood cutting board, a matching canister set, or a ceramic crock for utensils. You can usually pull this off for under $40 if you shop smart.

Less is more here. Leave out what’s useful and nice to look at, and tuck everything else away. That clean-but-functional feel makes the whole kitchen look like it belongs in a design magazine.

Install under-cabinet lighting

Lighting makes or breaks a kitchen. Adding LED under-cabinet strips or puck lights gives that soft, expensive glow HGTV kitchens always seem to have. You can get battery-operated ones for around $20–$30.

Stick them under your upper cabinets, especially over prep areas or around the sink. It adds dimension, helps with cooking, and makes the whole space feel more custom—even if you’ve changed nothing else.

Display a few kitchen staples intentionally

Instead of hiding everything behind cabinet doors, bring out a few good-looking essentials. A bowl of lemons, a set of matching glass jars, or a wood tray with olive oil and salt makes your space feel curated.

This trick doesn’t cost much if you use what you already own and add one or two budget finds. The key is grouping things in odd numbers, using varied heights, and giving each section a little breathing room.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.