As one of the most used areas in the home, having a functional and up-to-date kitchen is crucial. Although the space is the most popular area of the home, a kitchen remodel is expensive, which makes it the “honey-do” project that is constantly being demoted to the back burner.
Although kitchen remodels can be pricey, it is possible to give the space a clean and modern update without going into bankruptcy. By taking a few weekends to get your elbows dirty, you can have a brand new, beautiful kitchen that fit the budget.
1. Budget
First things first, look at the budget and determine what is the most important remodel aspect for your kitchen. Is it new cabinets? A sleek backsplash? Opening up the space so it’s the center of the household? Once you decide the “must-haves” of your kitchen remodel, do a little research on materials and how to cut cost without cutting style.
If there is still too much on the “must-have” list than what’s in the bank, consider a loan from a bank or company like TitleMax. Depending upon your financial situation or financial comfort level, a loan can be a viable option.
2. Open Concept
While kitchens were once an area designated solely for cooking, kitchens are now the hub for entertaining. Most people want their guests to feel as if they are family, thus a casual atmosphere where the food is sitting on the kitchen island or bar is favorable. Many older homes feature a closed off kitchen, which unfortunately leaves the host stuck behind closed doors. One of the first updates to make should be to open up the space, for it makes it far more conducive to entertaining.
When it comes to redesign, as long as the wall is not load bearing, it is relatively inexpensive to knock down a wall that is closing the space off from the living quarters. To save a little more and cut down some of the work, consider making a pass through instead of knocking the entire wall down. The pass through could act as a kitchen bar, perfect for extra seating with bar stools with extra cabinets underneath, or as a buffet area.
3. Appliances
Although stainless steel appliances are considered timeless, newer trends have appliances venturing into the color wheel. One of the best ways to save money on home appliances is to purchase floor models. Appliance stores sell their floor models at a discounted price.
4. Lighting
Many kitchens with original lighting fixtures are dark and dingy, usually having a slight fluorescent yellow hue tinting their kitchen. Switch the lights out for pendant lamps, eco-friendly LED lights, or for light features that are bolder and showcase the kitchen’s design like renovating large industrial pendant lamps or lanterns.
5. Backsplash
Subway tile is back in style and also one of the cheapest ways to redesign a backsplash. You can purchase individual subway tiles and grout them yourself, or you can purchase sheets of subway tile that are pre-grouted and stick to your kitchen walls.