Practical Ideas for a Budgeted Kitchen Remodel
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Tired of your old kitchen? If so, you’re not alone – each year millions of homeowners remodel their kitchens. Whether you live in a warm city like Atlanta, where barbequing is common, or a slightly cooler city, your kitchen is a very valuable part of your home. Though a kitchen remodel can be a costly undertaking, it’s not an impossible one. If you plan on staying in your home for five years or less, view the remodel as an investment – kitchen remodels have one of the highest returns of all home remodeling projects. If you’re planning on staying longer, view the remodel as a way to make your home more comfortable for you and your family. That said, there are a number of tips for saving money and remodeling a kitchen on a tight budget.
Remodel in Stages
Before you contact a remodeling contractor to gut your kitchen and install a new everything, consider remodeling in stages. Often small changes can make a big difference, and over time, you can create a completely new look. But don’t feel pressured to change everything all in one go. In addition, when remodeling in stages, be sure to tackle projects in a logical order. For example, if you plan on buying new appliances or moving cabinets, hold off on replacing the flooring until afterwards.
Paint
Paint is the easiest, most inexpensive way to transform the look of a kitchen. Hire a local painter and be sure he uses a semigloss latex paint. This will allow you to wipe off food splattering and splashes with ease. For best results be sure to prepare the surfaces you’ll be painting. Wash all walls and surfaces with a TSP (trisodium phosphate) or TSP-substitute before painting so that the paint adheres well.
Organizers
Organizing your kitchen and keeping it tidy will also improve the way it looks. For under $100 you can purchase pot racks, lid holders, pullout trays, drawer organizers and shelving, letting your kitchen’s natural beauty shine.
Cabinets
Cabinets will make the most visual impact in your kitchen and will probably be the single most expensive part of your makeover. But there are ways to cut costs. If your cabinets look worn, consider refinishing or repainting the doors and frames instead of replacing the entire unit. This will make a big impact in your kitchen at a fraction of the cost. If new cabinets are the only option, purchase stock sizes and standard doors and finishes instead of splurging on custom designs.
Appliances
If you need to replace a refrigerator, oven or dishwasher, select a new one based on energy efficiency. Purchasing Energy Star appliances will guarantee that they’ll be efficient, and will often be eligible for government rebates or tax credits as well. In addition, it’s important not to be persuaded by advertisements or brand names, but rather to select based on energy consumption and household needs.
These are just a few tips and suggestions to consider when planning a remodel. These tips obviously don’t cover everything, but the principles are clear: Change only what needs to be changed, and do it gradually. Purchase products that are efficient and sensible, not flashy and energy-consuming. If you stick to these suggestions you’ll spend less and get more.
