6. Thrift and upcycle a piece of furniture

If you like going to thrift stores to look for unique stuff, the next entry on our list of affordable kitchen upgrades is for you! You probably know that you can find some hidden gems in these places, and pieces of furniture are no exception!

Sure, it may take some time, but with a bit of luck, you can find a diamond in the rough for under $100 and take it home to give it a nice facelift and restore its shine. For instance, a simple dresser can be repurposed into a sideboard, or you can transform a vintage work table into a kitchen island.

And obviously, you can always upcycle traditional kitchen furniture pieces, like a Hoosier cabiner or hutch.