Kitchen remodels are the best way to make an old kitchen feel new. Whether your intention is for resale or to make your home reflect your personal style and needs, they can be costly. It is important make sure expectations match the budget, however, there is no need to sacrifice everything.
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.
