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This research was compiled by food waste disposer and hot water tap creators InSinkErator.
The spiralling cost of living hasn’t dampened enthusiasm for home improvement, according to a recent report by Rated People: almost half (49%) of UK residents had work done on their homes in 2021.
The report also found that 60% of homeowners planned on trying at least one of TikTok and Instagram’s top home improvement trends in 2022. Kitchens are always a favourite focus for a makeover, with ‘Kitchen trends 2022’ generating 193 million views on TikTok.
Yet the Rated People report highlights that kitchen renovations now cost 10% more than in 2021 and a full quarter (25%) more than they did in 2020. This has left many looking for cheaper ways to give their a kitchen a facelift, with #kitchendiydecor attracting 8.3 million views on TikTok. The platform has thousands of videos offering hacks and DIY tips for the kitchen.
Given people’s continuing desire to improve their kitchens, we at InSinkErator decided to identify some of the most popular TikTok DIY trends that you can replicate – without breaking the bank.
#diysplashback 8.7m TikTok views
#peelandstickbacksplash 2.4m TikTok views
Splashbacks add colour and individuality to your kitchen, but the materials and professional tradesmen can quickly add up to a substantial bill. So TikTokers are busy creating splashbacks themselves, using peel-and-stick tiles, which are usually vinyl, and come in a range of colours and styles.
They have the added benefit of being rental-friendly, as they aren’t permanent and (as the name suggests) can simply be peeled off when you move. This is important to a lot of renters: there are 54.5 million TikTok views for #rentalfriendly.
It’s also a bonus for homeowners, since you can swap styles regularly to freshen the kitchen up in no time.
Peel-and-stick wall tiles are available on Amazon from around £27.99 for a pack of 10. This would cover 3m2, which is more than enough for the average area behind a stove (usually about 700mm x 750mm).
Of course, covering a whole kitchen wall, right up to the cupboards would require more packs of tiles, but this would still cost significantly less than a professional splashback. According to priceyourjob.co.uk, the cost of a tiled splashback is £20 to £50 per m2, on average, so covering the same area as you would with a pack of stick-on tiles could cost you up to £150.
By following the peel-and-stick splashback trend, you could save over £100.
#diyconcretecountertop 779k TikTok views
#microcementworktop 1.5m TikTok views
Microcement is a material that’s been rising in popularity, as an alternative to tiles. No building work is required, as it’s just a decorative coating. And there are no joins in the continuous surface, making it more hygienic.
The clean edges make it popular among those with minimalistic tastes, while steampunk enthusiasts appreciate the industrial style.
As with any home improvement job, the cost will depend upon the size of the area you’re working on.
Some TikTokers claim it cost them as little at $40, equivalent to £33. But kits are also available online for around £295, from companies such as Relentless Microcement.
Priceyourjob.co.uk costed up a professional microcement job at around £80 to £120 per m2, with additional costs for sealing and labour. For a standard counter size of around 3m2, this could cost £240-450 in total.
So for this trend, the saving is quite small, unless you’re quoted high labour costs.
#diycountertop 19.8m TikTok views
#peelandstickmarblecounter 49k TikTok views
#peelandstick 73.5m TikTok views
Much like the stick-on splashback trend, this trick involves peel-and-stick sheets, but this time in faux stone and marble prints suitable for floors and countertops. Choose wisely and you can achieve a high-end look for your countertop, at a fraction of the cost.
All you need is peel-and-stick sheets (usually PVC), a smoothing tool like a hand scraper and a craft knife (to neatly cut edges and spaces out for the sink).
The creator of the video above claims she spent $200 (£166) on her peel-and-stick countertop.
Amazon is selling 3 metres of peel-and-stick PVC for £19.99, but it’s vital to measure the space you need covering before buying your materials.
Priceyourjob.co.uk estimates marble counters to cost anywhere from £1,100 to £1,700 for a standard worktop space of 3m2 with a width of 60cm and a thickness of 2cm. That includes materials, installation and removal of the old counters.
So the DIY version could end up costing well over £1,000 less than a real marble counter.
#spraypaintsink 5.5k TikTok views
#diykitchensink 6.2k TikTok views
As odd as it sounds, this trend is becoming more and more popular as a simple hack for adding some colour to your kitchen. And, needless to say, it’s much more cost-effective and less hassle than removing the whole sink and installing a new one.
It does need a bit of patience as you’ll have to use a primer spray and a couple of coats of paint for the best finish. That way it’ll stand the test of time and be durable enough to endure endless boiling water and scrubbing.
Numerous TikTok videos advise beginning with a strong detergent like trisodium phosphate – to clean the sink surface. These can be bought for £4.24 on Amazon.
Next you’ll need a primer spray (£5.75 at Wilko) and a Rust-Oleum appliance epoxy (£9.90 on Amazon).
So the total cost for the DIY sink makeover can be less than £20.
Compare that to a new sink, which can come in at £200-700+ (looking at black sinks and gold sinks on tapwarehouse.com), not including installation. The cost of tradesmen for the job is estimated at £144 on priceyourjob.co.uk, making the total bill for a new sink at least around £350.
That’s a saving of £330 if you opt to get creative yourself.
#diyhoodvent 369.6K TikTok views
People looking to install a hood vent and hide unsightly vents are often finding builders’ quotes far too high, so they’re turning to TikTok for DIY solutions.
As long as the unwanted air can escape through an exterior wall or roof, this solution should work well and can transform your kitchen. Essentially, it involves building a large box to fit over the stove, using wood and other materials.
It’s a more challenging DIY project, with tools like drills and saws required, as well as a second pair of hands and quite a few hours.
TikTok user @dbuzzeo said she spent around $100 (£83) on the materials to build the vent (trim, plywood, four-by-twos) and then $33 (£27) on the paint (but didn’t use a whole pot). This gives us a total of £110 for a new hood vent.
Another TikTok user @house_of_hemingway claims a builder wanted to charge them $3,000 (£2,500) for a hood vent. Although the cost of your own vent hood would depend on the materials you use – and you do need some tools – there’s likely a saving of thousands of pounds.
*Figures correct as of July 2022