Affordable kitchen remodel
5 Low-Cost Ideas to Help You Spend Less
The average kitchen remodel costs the same as an Ivy League school. But you don’t have to pay that much.
Image: Clair Carter of Middle of This StreetIf you've got $68,000 lying around, you could buy a luxury SUV. You could pay for one year at Harvard. Or you could remodel your kitchen. Yup. It typically costs that much.
But unlike fancy new cars and Ivy League experiences, you can opt out of the full retail price of a kitchen remodel. Here are five low-cost ideas so you can remodel your kitchen on a budget.
#1 Keep the Cabinets, But Change the Doors
BeforeAfterImage: Refreshliving.net
New cabinets are a big chunk of the average kitchen remodel cost (30%-35%). But most of the time, it's only the fronts that need updating.
A great low-hassle way to save on pricey new cabinets is to buy only the fronts from a manufacturer, like these gorgeous blue ones that were installed on existing cabinets.
Or, if you're into DIY, save even more, possibly spending only a few hundred dollars by:
- Repainting or staining
- Adding new trim or molding
- Removing doors for an open-shelf look
Don't forget new kitchen hardware, a tiny, affordable change — even if you don't change your cabinet fronts.
#2 Stencil Outdated Tile Instead of Replacing It
BeforeAfterImage: Covella Design & Staging
Tearing out old tile and replacing it with new can get expensive. To free up some serious room in your budget, just paint it.
Tile stencils are easy to find online, and it only takes a little prep-work to get your tiles ready. You'll be done in less time than it would take to pry half the old tiles off the wall.
#3 Use DIY Kits to Update the Lighting
Image: Diane Rath of The Rath Project
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to update your kitchen is to use a recessed lighting conversion kit — no electrician required.
The kits only cost $15-$20 each and are a cinch to install, even for DIY newbies. The parts screw right into the recessed light, a brace holds the new light fixture in place, and a decorative cover hides the recessed light.
In about 15 minutes, you've got dramatic new kitchen lighting.
#4 Paint the Floor Instead of Replacing
BeforeAfterImage: Dawson Interiors
If you have an old wood floor or have pulled up your old flooring only to find subflooring (rather than the beautiful hardwoods you were hoping for), try paint.
It might seem a shame to paint wood floors. But professional refinishing can cost as much as $2,000, while painting costs $200 — or less, depending on the size of your floor. That makes it one of the most budget-friendly kitchen updates you can do .
For the most durable results, use polyurethane-based porch and floor enamel.
#5 Keep the Footprint, But Change the Look
BeforeAfterImage and Design: Deeply Southern Home
Send a dingy or dated kitchen down the disposal with two updates that make a big impact: a new backsplash and countertop.
Together, they cover an awful lot of surface area, setting the stage for a totally new kitchen look.
A little paint on those cabinets, and it's like a brand new kitchen.
The countertop pictured is quartz, a timeless choice, but if it's not in your budget, there are plenty of DIY countertop options, too.
Related: What To Do About Dinner When Your Kitchen's Being Remodeled
More in By Room
5 Ways to Remodel a Kitchen on a Budget
Kitchens are one of the most expensive areas of the home to remodel due to the material and labor costs. But the good news is a budget kitchen remodel is possible.
As the homeowner, it's ultimately up to you to keep costs down for your kitchen remodeling project. All of the secondary parties involved—including contractors, subcontractors, architects, designers, and suppliers—are trying to maximize their profits as you're trying to maximize your savings. While it's not common to work with a person who willfully tries to punch holes in your budget by heaping on extra costs, you'll still likely have to remind the secondary parties to stay on budget throughout the project.
What's easier to control are the remodeling choices you make to keep the costs manageable.
Here are five tips to lower your kitchen remodel budget.
Tip
As tempting as performing some of the work may be, hiring a professional may ultimately be the most efficient option to save time and money, and to stay safe. Assess your abilities before undertaking some of the more difficult projects.
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01 of 05
Refresh Rather Than Replace the Cabinets
brizmaker / Getty ImagesIn general, all tear-out-and-replace projects are more expensive than projects that keep most of the materials. Kitchen cabinetry is a prime example of this. New kitchen cabinets can be very expensive, especially if you need custom-made pieces to fit your space.
Fortunately, there are ways to refresh your existing cabinets that are both eco-friendly (because the old cabinets won't end up in a dumpster) and cost-effective. - Painting: Painting kitchen cabinets is a classic method of updating them. The process of sanding, priming, and painting can be time-consuming depending on how many cabinets you have. But it's simple enough that beginners can achieve good results.
- Refacing: More expensive than painting, refacing adds a new veneer to the outside of the cabinet boxes and entirely replaces doors and drawer fronts. This is difficult to do yourself, as it requires tools and expertise that most DIYers don't have. But it's still cheaper than getting all new cabinets, and it will completely change your kitchen's look.
- Hardware: In addition to the cabinet finish, consider updating the hardware. Sometimes modern knobs and handles are all it takes to make existing cabinets feel brand new.
- Shelving: Instead of purchasing new cabinets or refinishing your old ones, consider installing some open shelving. Shelves are inexpensive, and you can easily match them to your kitchen's style, resulting in an airy feel almost like that of a commercial kitchen.
6 Ways to Save on Kitchen Remodeling Costs
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02 of 05
Refurbish the Appliances
Flo / Getty ImagesIn the past, many appliances were sent to the landfill during the course of a kitchen remodel. Thankfully, that antiquated thinking is on its way out, as municipalities have enacted restrictions against sending appliances directly to landfills.
Now, information about fixing kitchen appliances is readily available. And there's a thriving online service parts marketplace. This makes it possible for many homeowners to refurbish their own appliances, rather than paying for a professional or spending money on something new.
Some appliances you can fix yourself include:
Of course, the ability to repair an appliance depends on your skill level and whatever's causing it not to function like new.
But it's often worth an attempt to DIY before you pay even more money.Warning
As always, stay safe by only working on appliances that have been fully unplugged and detached from water supply and water drain lines. Watch for appliances that may tip. Dishwashers especially have a tendency to tip forward once they have been released from the bay in the base cabinets. Refrigerators are top-heavy, too.
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03 of 05
Keep the Same Kitchen Layout
Ivan Hunter / Getty Images
Dramatically changing the kitchen layout is one sure way to drive up the remodel budget. For instance, moving plumbing for the sink, dishwasher, or refrigerator entails hiring plumbers. They'll have to punch holes in your walls to run new pipes, which means an added cost of materials in addition to the labor.
On the other hand, keeping your kitchen layout essentially the same while updating the elements within that framework is incredibly cost-effective.
You generally won't have to add any new plumbing or electrical. You also can keep your existing flooring if you wish. (Flooring often doesn't run under cabinets, so if you change the layout, you'll have to deal with gaps in the flooring.) And you still can achieve a whole new look and feel in the space. Furthermore, galley-style or corridor kitchens often have such limited space that footprint changes aren't possible unless you want to spend a lot of money on major alterations to the home's structure. One-wall kitchen layouts allow for a little more flexibility because they have an open side. In this case, adding a kitchen island is a great way to gain more prep space and storage without expensive layout changes.
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04 of 05
Do Some Work Yourself
Vincent Ricardel / Getty Images
Do-it-yourself home remodeling projects allow you to pay for the materials while bringing labor costs down to zero. Some remodeling projects that require beginner to intermediate expertise from DIYers include:
- Interior painting
- Tiling
- Flooring installation
- Changing outlets and lights
- Hanging drywall
- Installing baseboards and other trim
Local hardware stores and community colleges often have how-to classes and demonstrations for common home projects.
Plus, hardware store employees are usually available to offer advice on products and projects. Even better, these educational resources are often free of charge. However, in addition to cost, an important factor to consider when deciding between DIY and hiring a professional is time. While a tight timetable typically means hiring a team of professionals, if you have the luxury of time to complete your kitchen remodel, you can do much of the work yourself.
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05 of 05
Assemble and Install Your Own Kitchen Cabinets
David Papazian/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty ImagesSometimes, it's not possible to refurbish your kitchen cabinets. One rule of thumb: If the cabinets are structurally sound, they can be refaced, re-stained, or painted. If not, it might be time to remove the cabinets and install new cabinets.
If you do need to replace cabinets, look for ready-to-assemble options. It's typically not that difficult to assemble the pieces yourself, so you won't have to pay for labor costs.
But getting the right fit for your kitchen can be a challenge, especially if you have odd angles. RTA kitchen cabinets are found online, at home centers, or at large home design warehouses like IKEA. Cabinets are sold flat-packed. The cabinets assemble using an innovative cam-lock fastener system. No pieces are constructed from scratch. If screws are used, pilot holes will usually have been pre-drilled for you.
To save money, time, and possibly frustration, many RTA retailers offer pre-assembled RTA cabinets. The same cabinets that you would assemble at home are instead assembled in the factory and then shipped by freight to your home.
Pre-assembled RTA cabinets cost more than the flat-packed version due to labor costs at the factory and significantly higher shipping costs. But for many homeowners, pre-assembled RTA cabinets help them push past the obstacle of the assembly phase.
Watch Now: Designer Kitchen Tips
How to make repairs in the kitchen cheap and beautiful? 12 Tips
A beautiful kitchen doesn't have to be expensive.
Designers' ideas will help those who are ready for a small redecoration in the kitchen: targeted, sometimes extravagant, solutions for the sake of an obvious wow effect.
► We remind you: to get additional information about each project from this article, to see other angles of shooting the interior or ask the designer a clarifying question - click on the photo you like
Julia Kamanina
1. Combine fronts
Fronts make the main contribution to the price of kitchen furniture. The most budgetary material is chipboard covered with a film. Alas, such doors are doomed to be simple, even and rectangular. But that doesn't mean boring. The film can be of different colors, matte and glossy, kitchen facades can reliably imitate the natural texture of wood.
What to do: Combine several types of finishes within one kitchen set. nine0003
Interested in a kitchen renovation?
Let's select a contractor according to your criteria
Entrance Fastighetsmäkleri
Idea with a photo: If the furniture is old, partially updating the facades will help radically look the headset.
Interested in kitchen design?
Let's select a contractor according to your criteria
Ira Nosova
2. Color your furniture
Color is the key to originality. And in this regard, it may be better to choose not the usual orange or green for the kitchen, but, for example, a refreshing blue. Bright monochrome facades "work" as a color dominant, an accent spot in the interior. nine0003
Tip: Match the bright kitchen with colorful tiles with an interesting floral or geometric decor - on a backsplash or in the form of a tiled carpet, as in the photo.
Olga Shangina | Photography
In the photo: a solution based on blue; several shades are used - from blue to saturated ultramarine, for example. This design will look especially impressive in the interior of a studio apartment or in kitchens combined with a living room.
CROSBY STUDIO
Rhonda Knoche Design
3.
Fittings - an active element of decor
Expressive fittings can become a highlight of the kitchen, especially against the background of simple plain facades. So, long, in the entire width or height of the door, the handles will give rhythm to the interior and emphasize the shape of the furniture. Handles can be different: light and massive, plastic or metal, vintage or modern, made according to the author's sketch.
Judith Mathon / Diagnostic Deco
4. Use the color on the apron
As the photos and pictures of repairs show, usually the maximum that we decide on is to lay out the apron with tiles with a simple decor. It is much cheaper to order and mount an apron made of glass painted in a defiant color, it is easier to care for it. And in terms of strength, heat-resistant glass is in no way inferior to ceramics.
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RELATED PHOTO…
► Kitchens with red backsplash
educ the hue did not distort the perception of blue).
Interested in a kitchen renovation?
Let's find an artist according to your criteria
Gleba+Störmer
In the photo: an extravagant transformation was chosen for this Berlin kitchen - both the furniture and the wall were painted the same color.
Tip: Mix and match modules.
Projects of kitchen furniture today can be anything. To make a simple kitchen look original, we advise you to alternate cabinets of different widths: for example, narrower ones with horizontally elongated ones.
Nadja Endler | Photography
4. Add some drama
The accent wall principle works in the kitchen just like it does in any other room. It’s just that a wall with an apron is usually taken as an accent wall. What if the active color is on some other wall? nine0003
STUDIO LOUIS
In the photo: the simple form of the sets looks impressive against the background of the deep shade of the walls and ceiling.
Such exercises with volume and geometry will give the kitchen a more modern look.
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Photo on the topic ...
Spectacular walls in the kitchen
___________0002 Sol Haus Design
5. Don't discount appliqués
An inexpensive way to make an outstanding kitchen is to decorate the facades with self-adhesive foil appliqués. Ready-made options can be found in stores specializing in decoupage products, or ordered in a workshop according to your own sketches.
Lombardini22
In the photo: stickers were used here not only on the kitchen facade, but (take a closer look) on the lowered ceiling above it.
Bjurfors Skåne
6. Buy unusual household appliances
It is not necessary to build everything and everything behind furniture facades.
Especially when it comes to the scarlet refrigerator. When there is such a refrigerator in the kitchen, all eyes are only on it - neither the color nor the layout of your headset is striking so much.
Daria Elnikova
The photo shows a tiny five-meter kitchen in a Moscow apartment. The soloist is a scarlet refrigerator, next to it is the simplest kitchen furniture. nine0006
7. Dissolve the furniture
The right option is a completely white kitchen, including furniture, walls, ceiling. Against such a background, simple white facades will completely dissolve, and the room will become visually larger and brighter. As a result, you will get a light, airy, non-binding kitchen, the furniture in which tends to fade into the background and not "an eyesore" with its presence. And it will be possible to diversify such an interior with bright accessories. The same technique can be used not only in the kitchen, but also in the design of apartments in general.
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Design Studio M I S U R A
8. Bare the top
Ditch the bulky top cabinets. Of course, open shelves will require more thorough cleaning. But in the kitchen-living room they will help get rid of the feeling of "a feast in the kitchen."
atelier daaa
9. Bet on surprise
Who said that the apron should be the entire wall? Sometimes a small but spectacular fragment above the stove is enough: a completely functional solution. nine0003
In the photo: the apron was fragmentarily made “under the stone”. It immediately looks more elegant than if the countertop and backsplash were black all over
Logan Killen Interiors
10. Instead of a cupboard - a mirror
Due to lack of space, we traditionally try to fill all the walls of the kitchen with cabinets. And what if you do not hang a bulky cabinet over the sink? If there is not enough space, let there be shelves here.
But the best option is a beautiful mirror: it is always nice to see a good person once again. nine0003
Julie Nabucet Architectures
11. Hang a beautiful designer lamp
Another way to direct guests' eyes (and conversations) in the right direction. Let it be emphatically decorative, nonchalant and playful – after all, for functional lighting, you have LEDs under the upper cabinets and a separate lamp above the work surface.
YOUR TURN…
There are many practicing interior designers among our subscribers and readers. Share your life hacks — how do you manage to achieve a wow effect when designing budget kitchens? nine0006
how to make it beautiful and cheap?
Any repair, regardless of whether the object is an apartment or a private house, requires a significant investment of money. The kitchen deserves special attention in residential buildings: it should be beautiful, clean and fresh here, which is why it is so important to make a choice in the direction of practical and good-quality materials.
How to organize an inexpensive kitchen renovation so that the quality of the coating does not suffer? In this case, it is important to be smart, making a choice in favor of simplicity, cheapness, safety and functionality. nine0003
Contents
- Getting Started
- Making a To Do List
- Smart Renovation Planning
- How to meet the minimum amount?
- Inexpensive materials for decorating kitchen areas
- How to put your own hands and not miscalculate with repairs?
Getting Started
Before renovating, it is important to think about the general concept of the future room. In determining the style of the room, the personal preferences of the residents play the main role, then a list of the main materials and fixtures for installation is thrown. This item allows you to significantly save your own budget. When purchasing cheap materials, it is important to be careful, it is advisable to consult with specialists who will advise on any issue.
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Minimizing costs will allow independent activities during repair work. So, getting rid of the old coating, bringing in or removing material is within the power of each person. Complex types of work that require professionalism are best left to specialists. They will easily carry out repairs to the kitchen inexpensively.
Making a to-do list
Making a to-do list for the restoration work will make things easier.
Highlights to be listed:
- Elementary work such as cleaning the base surface, chasing holes, removing old coatings.
- Measures for leveling the surface, laying electrical wiring, replacing pipes are best left to experienced craftsmen.
- Surface priming, painting is carried out in-house.
- Laying tiles, linoleum is not difficult, so it can be done by anyone.
In the photo you can see the process of self-assembly. nine0003
Tip! Analysis of the list of works allows us to conclude that the bulk of the cases can be done without seeking outside help.
Functionality is the main purpose of the kitchen, therefore, taking care of reducing the cost of repairs, it is important not to forget about its main purpose. It is important to remember that excessive simplicity in the future can turn into sheer inconvenience and discomfort. Therefore, an inexpensive kitchen renovation with proper planning will add significance, convenience and originality to the room. nine0003
Proper renovation planning
Before you make repairs in the room, it is important to find out what type it will be: current or major. If the first option involves a superficial change in external data, then the second is associated with a complete transformation of the room. In connection with this moment, the future kitchen is being planned:
- Zonal delimitation of the room into a work area and a place for eating.
- Dismantling of old coatings, sinks, windows, doors, communications. nine0231
- Designation of points for future installation of household appliances, installation of sockets.
- Determining the placement of kitchen furniture.
- Marking the location of the kitchen backsplash on the wall, tiling the working area.
How to meet the minimum amount?
To organize a budget renovation of the kitchen will help a clear planning of expenses, the acquisition of the most necessary and the perfect match with the overall environment.
How to purchase materials for subsequent repairs? nine0003
- be patient and prudent, buying only the things you need;
- purchase building materials in one place in order to exchange goods if necessary;
- small parts, minor trim elements, accessories are purchased last.
Some types of materials show a bright photo. Attributes are selected according to the color scheme of the room. To make repairs available to everyone, you can use simple, inexpensive materials for decoration. So, inexpensive types of linoleum are suitable for decorating the floor.
The photo clearly shows examples of such floor coverings. Upon completion of the restoration work, the kitchen is furnished with furniture and household appliances. nine0003
Inexpensive materials for decorating kitchen areas
You can upgrade the room with cheap materials that are optimal for the installed part of the room. When finishing the ceiling, it is allowed: drywall, plastic, putty. For the floor coverings in the form of laminate, tiles, linoleum are suitable. It is better to decorate the walls with tiles, treat the remaining surfaces with putty or stick wallpaper. The photo successfully demonstrates the finishing of the kitchen.
Cheap materials have both strengths and weaknesses. To repair the kitchen inexpensively will allow the clear use of plastic elements. This material is quickly assembled, durable and easy to maintain. However, such coatings quickly become unusable when exposed to bulky objects and melt at high temperatures. Examples of such materials are visible in the photo.
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Recommendations:
- GKL sheets will ideally level the base, but this material is not entirely practical: the high moisture content in the kitchen will quickly warp the coating.
- Only a person who is well acquainted with all the intricacies of the process can lay out tiles.
- Making repairs with laminate and linoleum is much easier, but it does not exclude any kind of damage during operation.
- Wall renovation can be made cheaper by self-applying putty if the base coat is even and a person who knows the basic nuances of the work. nine0231
- When choosing wallpaper, you should choose vinyl sheets: they will simplify the process of gluing, which is especially important for a beginner. The photo shows the lining with this type of material.
How to apply your own hands and not miscalculate with the repair?
Start restoration work from the ceiling. Making repairs cheaper will allow the finishing of this zone without the use of additional structures.
The base base is carefully leveled, cleaned, primed, puttied. As the layers dry, the procedure is repeated, after which the ceiling is painted with light paint. A chandelier or fluorescent lamp is selected as a lighting fixture. In the photo you can see the results of such a finish. nine0003
For kitchen wall cladding, it is better to choose washable wallpapers in discreet shades, to match the interior. The working area is tiled, because it is not afraid of heat and soot, and any splashes are easily cleaned.
First, it is important to prepare the surface: clean, level, prime, putty. Usually glue is applied to the canvases and work starts from the window.
The cheapest way to repair a floor is to purchase discounted types or remnants of the appropriate flooring. When choosing a laminate, the degree of its wear resistance and moisture resistance, so necessary for the kitchen, is taken into account. At the time of laying this material, it is important to prepare a quality substrate.
