Peel and stick tile

While I could go into cabinet refacing, adding new curtains, those are no-brainers. Something people rarely think about is peel and stick tile! I have now recently even seen flooring and backsplash tiles at JoAnns! Depending on the brand, it is easily removable with no damage (That means it is even good for renters!). What a way to really update and change a kitchen with ease. 

Consider remodeling in stages

 

Not everything needs to be done at the same time when remodeling. Spreading out the remodel in stages will help reduce the initial cost, and give you extra time to save for the next step in the remodel. Hardware, glass cabinet doors, and back splashes can all be done last in the renovation timeline. Take it slow if your budget is tight! 

Island Alternatives

If adding an island to your kitchen, consider an alternative. Kitchen Islands can be fairly expensive, and you have to add in the cost of extra counter top material. 

There are many awesome alternatives! Re-purposing an old piece of furniture, such as a dresser or table! If you don’t have something to re-purpose, keep an eye out on different re-sale websites such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist! Vintage pieces can bring a lot of charm and character into the space.

If your space is smaller, or you want something a bit more modular, there are many great island cart options available on any budget. If you’re crafty enough, there are plenty of ways to DIY a great island cart by re-purposing old furniture or doing a simple amount of word working! 

Keep existing cabinets and reface

 

Cabinet boxes and custom cabinetry are both very expensive. A great way to cut down a lot on costs is to reuse your existing boxes. Cabinet refacing is a small fraction of the cost compared to getting all new cabinetry. Your kitchen will look brand new and no one will know the difference. 

Open Shelving

 

A way to cut costs even more, is to utilize open shelving over traditional cabinets. While you have to be a tidy person to keep your kitchen looking nice all the time.

The cost savings are huge. If you don’t want to remove the existing upper cabinets, when done right, removing the doors entirely can give a great appearance to a trendy, beautiful, kitchen.

Don’t move appliances

 

Rerouting plumbing, gas lines, and electrical is very expensive. If you can, try to keep your appliances where they are, or at least most of them. Appliances can move a tiny bit with out too much effort, but only an inch or two at most. If moving them around is a must, make sure to factor in the cost before starting your project. 

How should my cabinets open?

 

Well this may seem a bit silly, this thought is actually a lot more complex. Cabinets take on a completely different look and feel depending on the hardware. Knobs and pulls are essential for creating a finished, and luxury, look in the kitchen. 

While looks are important in a kitchen, functionality is important. Do you like to grab your drawer handles from the top or bottom, for example. On top of just the shape of hardware, there is also a matter of finish. Which finish do you prefer? Oil rubbed bronze, brass, brushed nickle etc. Also something to consider is, does the functionality and taste in style clash with the rest of your home?

 

Next thing to consider is soft-close cabinets and drawers. While they are absolutely wonderful, and my favorite part of my kitchen, they aren’t for everyone! If you don’t care about them, or they aren’t worth the money to you, then right off the bat cross them off your list. But if I can give my input, I think they are a wonderful addition to any kitchen.  

What profile should my countertops have?

 

The shape of the edge of the countertop may seem like a mundane detail. However, it  makes a world of difference to the look and function of your counters, and honestly, the entire kitchen. Look around at some kitchens you admire, and figure out which one is right for you. 

Countertop finish

 

On the topic of countertops, finish is another important detail. Besides choosing thr material  for your counters, backsplash and flooring, you also need to decide the finish of the materials themselves. High polished finishes are very common for stone countertops, and most often the safest choice.

 

Honed finishes leave a more natural, organic feel. In a rustic home, this is definitely a wonderful choice! It all depends on what feel you’re looking for!  

What finish should my fixtures be?

 

Choosing fixture finishes is about more than just looks. There are many ways to have contrasting finishes in a kitchen, and making it look good. There are practical choices to consider when choosing fixtures. 

Brushed finishes do a better job at hiding fingerprints and water spots. If you’re daring to contrast against your stainless steel appliances, brass and gold-tone finishes gives a  warmer and more dramatic homey feeling, while stainless steel and silvery-tone finishes sparkle and blend into the rest of the kitchen.

 

When choosing new appliances, my only real recommendation is to pick all pieces from the same manufacturer. All manufacturers choose their own body lines, which can make miss-matched appliances really clash. 

Lighting

Lighting makes a huge impact in the home. Pendent lights can be a beautiful the focal point in a kitchen, if the space is calling for it! There are many cheap options on the market these days, too! Rustic, industrial, vintage and many other styles to fit every taste. However, if you are uncomfortable with switching out lighting, there are always wall plug options that make life simple! 

 

Accessorize 

The absolute easiest way to dress up a space is to pick, good looking, every day items. Canisters, cutting boards, storage for spices, cook books etc. A home that always looks staged will always feel classier. If you have a few go-to cook books, displaying them on your counter will make your kitchen feel much more “show room worthy”. For example, the canisters in the image here, I purchased for $4.99 a piece! It took a lot of hunting till I found ones the perfect ones on a budget. Keep an eye out for things whenever you are shopping, and you’ll be bound to find something that your kitchen is calling for! 

 

New hardware

A very quick and easy way to change the feel of a kitchen is changing, or adding, hardware. Knobs and pulls can be found on a budget, and there are many beautiful styles out there. Count the number of knobs and pulls you need before hand so you can get a rough idea of what you’ll be paying! 

Remove upper cabinet doors

Glass cabinet doors are the leading trend right now in kitchen design, however, that isn’t in the budget for everyone. Removing the doors gives the same look and feel, but it is free! It is the easiest way to add a sense of spaciousness to a small kitchen.

Pick a decor style

What decor takes your breath away? Contemporary? Craftsman? Rustic Chic? Farmhouse? Start researching certain styles and finding out what all fits together with your tastes. Pay attention to which color pallets draw you in. Most of all, make sure it doesn’t clash with the rest of your home. 

Inspiration

If you are a “do it yourself-er”, you probably use inspiration for every project. Just like an artist, you use references and ideas from other art and the real world to create beautiful artword. Feel free to browse our website, Pinterest, Houzz or even Google images for some inspiration. It is very hard to make decisions from thin air and there is no shame from taking ideas from other kitchens, in fact, it is encouraged. 

Start with the most important piece

Whether it is beautiful floors, a specific cabinet door style and/or color, or those countertops you can’t get out of your head, start with whichever one you know you can’t live without. With a remodel, we all usually know at least one thing we want in our kitchen. If you have no real preference, I personally prefer to start with floors and work my way up. Floors cover the most surface area and can extend past just the kitchen, so they make the biggest impact. There is nothing wrong with starting with something else, however. 

Keep practicality in mind

Some materials may look gorgeous. However, if that material is hard to clean, does not hold up long term, or fades quickly, it may not be the best material for the job. You want your kitchen to last a long time, be function, and easy to clean. This goes for appliances as well. Choose something that looks good, but also includes features you will use and is a brand you trust. 

Have fun

Projects are supposed to be fun, but can get stressful quickly! If it does get too stressful, there is no shame in getting a second opinion. No matter if it is a friend, family member, or a professional, everyone just wants to see your vision come to life. 

Cost

A bathroom remodel can be done on almost any budget. Costs vary greatly (Few hundred toward 100k) depending on what you are looking to remodel and how much you want to DIY. The main reason it can vary so much is that relocation of pipes can be extremely expensive. If the remodel is just cosmetic, the cost stays on the cheaper end. Also pay attention to quality of materials, this has a huge impact as well. Pick your budget before you start shopping.

 

 

Hardware

Hardware is the quickest and cheapest way to remodel. If you are happy with your current doors, or if you reface, hardware is just as important as the doors themselves! May attention to your finishes and make sure they all match.

Refacing Isn’t Just for Kitchens

Cabinet refacing is another awesome and cost effective solution for bathroom remodels. Refacing cabinets can completely change the look and feel of your bathroom, while staying on a budget. Cabinet refacing works even if you want to change the layout, just make sure to not damage your existing boxes when you relocate them! As long as you are happy with your amount of storage, saving your boxes from your previous cabinets and relocating them by incorporating them into the design is a huge money saver.

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Throw on some new doors, a coat of paint on the walls, maybe a new mirror or lighting fixtures and your bathroom can feel 100% new.

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What Door Style Should I Choose?

There is no right or wrong answer to “what door style” should be incorporated. As long as it fits your taste, you can go as bold or safe as you’d like. Just make sure it doesn’t clash with the rest of your home.

 

 

 

These few simple steps can create a beautiful remodel and add equity in your home in the blink of an eye.

Soft Colors

The pallet for cottage style homes is soft, light and airy. The most popular cabinet and kitchen colors are bright white, light yellows, khaki and turquoise, but any light and fresh color will do just fine for any cottage kitchen.

Furniture Style Details

Before cabinets became as we know and love them today, most kitchens actually used furniture pieces, such as pie presses and freestanding armories. Choosing cabinets with feet and corbels will add the cottage touch to any kitchen.

Cup Pulls

Cup style drawer pulls, generally found in old bakeries and old fashioned general stores, add an extra dash of cottage flavor. Choosing hardware with a light patina will help boost the cottage effect as well as add convenience to your kitchen.

Hardwood Flooring

Cottages were before the time when tile and carpet were ever used in homes. Choosing hard wood flooring is the only way to go for a cottage style home. Hardwood flooring isn’t the only way to go, choosing any flooring with rich tones to offset the lightness of your kitchen will create the same feeling.

Pendent Lighting

Task lighting is important in any kitchen. Low hanging pendant lights keep the kitchen feeling warm and cozy all while keeping the cottage feel alive. Choose a more vintage style pendant with frosted glass or nickle.

Traditional

Dark bronze knobs and pulls will add a timeless, classic, look to any kitchen. Your home will feel warm, and the style will last for many generations. This look complements multiple door styles and colors. 

Modern

More modern and contemporary knobs and pulls, with a silver or brushed finish will make your kitchen appear more modern. The clean lines and simple detail will blend well with your stainless steel appliances.

Rustic

It is easy to pull off a rustic look in a home or kitchen. With hardware, anything with a light “beat up” look will do nicely. Dark knobs and pulls with a more hammered or worn out look will add that rustic charm to your kitchen.

Farmhouse

Cup pulls create that vintage farmhouse look that everyone loves, and is very in style right now. Paired with bead board or flat panel cabinets, it is sure to be a show stopper. 

A bathroom remodel can be done on a budget. Costs vary anywhere between a few hundred dollars all the way up to $100k depending on many things. These include, if the remodel is just cosmetic or if there needs to be updating in pluming and wiring, quality of the materials chosen, and who you hire.

The most efficient way to remodel a bathroom is just to keep the existing layout and replace come finishes, while working with what you already have.

Cabinet refacing is another cheap solution for bathroom remodels. Refacing cabinets can completely change the feel of your bathroom., while staying on a budget. What if you’re changing the layout entirely? As long as you are happy with your amount of storage, saving your boxes from your previous cabinets and relocating them and incorporating them into the design is a huge money saver.

Throw on some new doors, a coat of paint, maybe a new mirror or lighting fixtures and your bathroom can feel 100% new.

There is no correct answer to which door style you should use in a bathroom. As long as it fits your taste, you can go as bold or safe as you’d like. Just make sure it doesn’t clash with the rest of your home.

If you are happy with your current doors, or if you reface, hardware is just as important as the doors themselves! Make sure you choose something that matches with your current finishes.

These few simple steps can create a beautiful remodel and add equity in your home in the blink of an eye.