From hosting fun gatherings to acting as the center of your home to giving you a place to get the family together for dinner every day, your kitchen is integral to both your house and your family life. That’s why sometimes, an outdated-looking kitchen that isn’t quite serving your current needs can feel like such a downer. If you’ve been dreaming about doing a remodel to achieve the ideal kitchen look and functionality that you’ve always wanted but you’re worried your plans will exceed the amount of money you want to spend on the project, you may be heartened to learn that it’s more than possible to totally transform your kitchen while working within a set budget ceiling. If this sounds impossible to you, you might change your mind when you take a look at these five clever ways to get your kitchen looking great without having to blow too much cash.
1. First, Figure Out a Plan for Your Remodel Finances
Since finances are probably at the top of your mind, you’ll want to choose a private loan or figure out another way of financing your remodel before getting started. When you decide you’re going to embark on a major project like remodeling an entire kitchen space, it can be all too easy to get caught up in the excitement and emotions of the project and be tempted to start working right away and finance items as you go along. However, without a plan for payments in place from the get-go, you could put yourself at risk of overspending and subsequent financial strain. This can lead not only to stress but, in some cases, to needing to stop the remodel because you’ve run out of money too soon. Whether you plan to cash-flow everything or you’re looking for a loan, lock down your financing first and then get started with the nitty-gritty work.
2. Consider Working With a Professional for Selected Parts of Your Project
You probably wouldn’t attempt to repair your own car when it starts smoking if you have no experience in the area, and approaching your kitchen remodel in a similar way can potentially be a shortcut to saving time and energy. Unless you’ve handled remodels before or are confident that you can juggle all the moving parts involved, it may be helpful to consider working with a professional. Since the goal is to stay within budget, try making a list of the changes you’d like to make to your kitchen, and decide which ones are worth splurging a little more on for the extra help. Even if you just get a professional designer’s input on a few aspects of your project, you could help make sure that you’ll get the end results you want.
3. Don’t Be Afraid of Using Wallpaper, Paint and Other Quick Solutions
Replacing entire cabinets or islands can quickly become extremely expensive. Rather than throwing out the old to replace it with the new, it’s much easier on your budget to make the most of quick, cheap solutions like adding a coat of paint or sticking on some wallpaper. The key here is to choose an elegant color or pattern and a quality paint or wallpaper product. With the extra savings, it’s easier to splurge for the exact paint color you want!
4. Install a Series of Open Shelves
Running out of room for additional full-sized cabinets or pantries but still need extra storage space? Consider nabbing a few spots on an empty wall and installing a series of open shelves. This solution has several advantages to offer. First, it’s a relatively quick fix and can be installed easily. Second, it only requires the purchase of a few planks of wood and some nails, and so can be an incredibly cost-efficient way to spruce the space up. Third, it provides much-needed extra storage without extra bulk, which can make a big difference in cramped kitchens that are common in smaller houses or old apartments. Finally, it can be thought of as an eye-catching design choice. By artfully laying out your items on the open shelves, you can add unique character to your kitchen while keeping everything organized at the same time.
5. Zoom In on Smaller Details Like Hardware or Accents
A cheap but deeply impactful way to transform your kitchen on a limited budget is to skip major changes, like replacing the flooring, for example, and to go straight to easier swaps like changing out cabinet hardware or replacing accents. For example, you could hand-install an eye-catching new backsplash that doubles as a focal point for the whole space. You can also replace cabinet handles or other small details like the sink faucet with updated versions to lend everything in their vicinity a more modern feel.
Every morning when you walk in looking for a quick breakfast and every evening when you’re whipping up a quick dinner for your family, you’re likely reminded of just how important your kitchen is both to your everyday life and to the look and feel of your home. If that look no longer matches the vibe you’d like to set in your space, you don’t have to worry that aiming for an upgrade will completely blow your budget. In fact, you can stay on track with your spending while still making your kitchen look the way you’ve always wanted it to. With these five nifty tips, it’s easier now than ever before to get started on a kitchen remodeling project without needing to pinch pennies the whole time. Try them out in your next project!
