What Are the Best Budget-Friendly Kitchen Upgrades?

I’m planning to refresh my kitchen, but I don’t want a full renovation because of the cost and disruption. So I’m wondering: what budget-friendly upgrades have made a noticeable difference in your kitchen? I know things like repainting cabinets, changing handles, installing peel-and-stick backsplashes, and upgrading lighting can make a big impact.

If you’ve done small or medium-sized upgrades that improved both appearance and functionality, I’d love to hear what worked best. Did you focus more on aesthetics or practical changes like storage, layout, or appliances? And how much did your improvements cost overall?

I’ve been browsing kitchen upgrade ideas on https://www.justaskgenie.co.uk/
, but I’d rather hear real experiences so I know which upgrades are actually worth doing. Did anything turn out harder than expected? What changes gave your kitchen a modern feel without breaking the bank?

Any suggestions or before-and-after stories would really help.