How to save money on your kitchen – expert ways to cut costs on TikTok

With the cost of living on the rise, more people are searching for money-saving hacks and affordable alternatives to household expenses. Renovation costs – in terms of material and labour – are also increasing but interiors and cooking enthusiasts are still looking to upgrade their kitchens.

Homeowners are turning to social media for inspiration and cost-saving tips that flood Instagram and TikTok. A recent report by Rated People: revealed that 60% of homeowners planned on trying at least one of TikTok and Instagram’s top home improvement trends in 2022. The popularity of these affordable DIY house tricks has been encouraged by the hashtag #kitchendiydecor, which has over 8.3 million views on TikTok.

Kitchen appliance manufacturer InSinkErator have conducted an investigation into TikTok’s top DIY kitchen trends and asked trade experts their thoughts on which trends are really worth the money-savings and which are best left to the professionals.

1. Stick-on splashback

Splashbacks are easy to clean and add a burst of personality to your kitchen. However, the cost of tiles, materials and tradesmen can push you over budget.

TikTok creators are suggesting to take a hands-on approach to splashbacks using peel-and-stick tiles. These are usually made of vinyl and are simple to apply yourself. This idea has clearly become popular as the number of social media hashtags soar – #peelandstickbacksplash has over 2.4m TikTok views and #diysplashbackhas reaping over 8.7M TikTok views.

These stick-on splashbacks are hugely popular among renters, as they’re an easily removable way to decorate their rented property –  #rentalfriendly already has over 54.5 million views on TikTok. A video by @emilymakesthings shows a complete transformation of a kitchen using these vinyl tiles – showing just how much of a difference you can make when you get creative.

How much could you save?

Packs of peel-and-stick wall tiles can be bought on Amazon for less than £30 – often plenty to cover your entire splashback. The cost of a tiled splashback varies a lot more depending on the size of the area, but professional tilers may charge up to £150 for the same job. Using the peel-and-stick splashback trend, you could save yourself over £100 on kitchen renovations.

What do the experts think?

Patrick Garner, resident handyman at Heatable.co.uk, says:

“There’s no doubt that stick-on splashbacks are appealing due to their affordability and relative ease of application, however, the disadvantage is their durability. The adhesive itself is not waterproof and the tiles are not watertight, so water can get behind them and cause bubbles, making them lose their traction.

“Stick-on tiles will also be vulnerable to the sun and so, over time, their colour will begin to fade. The heat from either the sun or stove can cause the tiles to prematurely lose stickiness and come loose.

“Doing a DIY stick-on splashback could be worth it for those on an extremely limited budget without the funds to buy quality tiles or a contractor. But it’s worth remembering that they lack both the durability and quality of the genuine article.”

2. Painting your kitchen sink

TikTok creators are also demonstrating their DIY sink makeovers, with popular hashtags #spraypaintsink and #diykitchensink, getting over 10k views together. Spray painting your kitchen sink is a simple and affordable way to freshen up the look of your sink. This is a lot less hassle than having your sink removed and reinstalled by a plumber.

How much could you save?

Spray painting your sink requires only two materials – a strong detergent like trisodium phosphate to thoroughly clean the sink surface and an epoxy spray paint in your chosen colour. These usually add up to a total of no more than £20.

Purchasing a new sink can cost anywhere from £200-700+ and this doesn’t include installation fees which are estimated at £144. This means the total bill for a new sink is at least around £350 – giving you a massive £330 saving if you opt to get creative with sink spray painting.

What do the experts think?

Jamie Griffin, eCommerce Manager at InSinkErator, says:

“Spray painting kitchen sinks seems like an effective way to achieve a new look at a fraction of the price.

“However, it’s important to consider the type of material your sink is made of before adding spray paint. Only stainless steel or acrylic sinks should be spray painted. Porcelain sinks should only ever be refinished professionally.

“DIYers should also make sure they’re well-prepared to paint their sinks, otherwise they risk using a paint that’ll chip easily and ruin their finished look.

“The method itself should be safe as long as the right type of paint is used (epoxy) and you’re wearing a face mask and gloves whilst painting. A lot of time and effort will need to be spent on a sink spray paint project, with multiple coats being applied and extra attention being spent around the taps so bear it in mind when deciding if it’s worth the savings.”

3. Microcement worktops

Microcement is a material that’s used as an alternative to tiles. It acts as a decorative coating, without the need for building work so has been rising in popularity, gaining over 1.5m views with the hashtag #microcementworktop. Plus, there’s no joins in the continuous surface, making it a more hygienic option.

The clean edges are ideal for those with minimalist taste and the industrial style finish has become favourable with steampunk enthusiasts.

How much could you save?

Any home improvement or refurbishment cost will depend on the size of the area you’re working on. With microcemeting, some TikTokers claim it costs them as little as $40, equivalent to £33. However microcementing kits are also available across numerous online retailers, including Relentless Microcement for around £295. In this case, the overall savings from this trend is quite small – especially when considering the skills needed to execute it perfectly.

What do the experts think?

Patrick Garner, resident handyman at Heatable.co.uk, says:

“The biggest issue when it comes to DIY microcement worktops is that it takes practice and experience to master. There’s also a risk that the worktop isn’t compatible with the cement or could cause other issues down the line. Of course, you can prevent cracks to a certain extent by adding fibre reinforcement, rebar or wire mesh, however, a complete assessment from someone with experience will help prevent any of these oversights.

“Microcement also isn’t as durable as pre-cast and polished cement, so it’s going to show wear and tear much sooner. Cracks can develop soon after the microcement has dried, which then warrants DIY crack fixing and involves more work.

A DIY microcement worktop can save money, but, in my view, it’s not a project for the complete DIY novice as the application can be more complicated than people like to assume.”