The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. It’s where you prepare your foods, where you eat, where the family gathers, and even where many people entertain. Food has become such a big part of our culture that it only makes sense the kitchen would be so essential to our daily lives.
It’s no wonder then that the kitchen is also one of the top rooms home buyers’ critique when looking for a home. They want to ensure the place they’re buying has a kitchen that fits their needs. However, if you’ve lived in your home for some time or you purchased a home that needs a serious kitchen remodel, you’ll quickly figure out that remodeling this room isn’t cheap.
There are a lot of things you need to factor in when remodeling. You may need to replace the flooring, cabinets, backsplash, countertops or even the lighting. The appliances could also need a serious repair. All of these expenses can add up quickly. Many of the items needed usually aren’t cheap either, for example: cabinets and countertops can get pricey if you’re not careful.
The expense of remodeling the kitchen may put you on hold for a little while as you try to save up for exactly what you want. Or, on the other hand, it could put you in debt because you’re ready for your new kitchen now but need to put some of it on the credit card.
The good news is, there is another option to consider. There are ways you can reduce your overall cost when remodeling this essential room.
Reducing the cost of cabinets
Let’s start with the cabinets because honestly, these are probably your biggest expense. According to HomeAdvisor, “A typical 10 by 10-foot kitchen would run anywhere from $2,000 to $24,000 though most fall in the range of $4,000 to $13,000.” But what if we told you there were ways you could reduce this cost?
The first option you have here is to repaint your current cabinets. If they’re in good shape and you just don’t like the appearance, why not repaint them and replace the knobs? Give them a simple update for an incredibly affordable price.
The second option you can consider is purchasing used cabinets. There are stores that sell these like Habitat ReStore; you can also find them used on sites like Craigslist. They may just need a few touch-ups before installing them.
Your third option for saving money is buying unfinished cabinets. Many home improvement stores sell them. You can then finish them as you wish – choose your stain or paint, and knobs to go with.
Countertops on a budget
When it comes to saving money on countertops, you may just want to paint your current countertops. There are also companies you can hire to resurface your countertops to make them look new again. But if you’re looking for an all-new countertop, there are also affordable options. Some options include laminate, concrete, tile, wood, stainless steel and acrylic countertops. You could also follow a do it yourself tutorial provided by an online expert.
Adding a backsplash
If you want to add a backsplash to your kitchen, there are many affordable solutions to consider for this piece of the remodel. From subway tile to a beaded-board backsplash, you have options to consider that are budget-friendly.
Upgrading your flooring
If you want to upgrade your flooring, you’ll have several choices to pick from. Laminate is going to be your most affordable choice, but there are also other reasonable and beautiful solutions, such as vinyl. Ceramic tile and linoleum are also great choices. They may seem pricier at first, but if you plan to stay in your house for a while, the lifespan of the flooring and the quality will be worth the initial cost.
There are a lot of things to consider as you navigate your kitchen remodel. Many of the affordable solutions may include some DIY. If doing it yourself isn’t really the best solution for you, you could compare the cost of hiring a contractor to do the “DIY” work for you versus buying the brand-new cabinets and countertops with an installation. You may find hiring a contractor is more affordable or you may find it’s best to just go with the latter choice. Ultimately, your kitchen remodel will be a very personal experience. You’ll need to decide exactly what fits your budget and your needs. You’ll determine the color, the storage space needed, and every other element that will bring life to this important room.
If you’re looking for flooring, please come by to see us at Carpets America. We’ll be happy to show you some great options for your kitchen remodel, or any other room you plan to update. We’ll help you choose a solution that’s just right for you and your household.