The kitchen is one of the most frequently used rooms in your home. You meet there, entertain there, and spend hours with your family preparing and sharing meals. As far as common spaces go, the kitchen is the space where the most life is shared.
Unfortunately, many people are dissatisfied with their current kitchen. They may be out of date, cluttered, or in disrepair. Whatever the case, it’s possible to get the kitchen of your dreams without breaking the bank.
Here are five simple steps to upgrading your kitchen on a budget.
Have A Plan
As with most home remodeling projects, it’s always better to have a plan of attack. Renovating your kitchen is a serious task–one that should be undertaken only after careful thought. Make a plan. Know what you want to do, what the end result will be, and the route you need to take to get there. If this is your first time, it might be best to hire a designer. Working with a professional may save you money in the long run.
Add Thoughtful Lighting
“Ambiance” is the name of the game. Sometimes small improvements in a few areas can change the entire feel of a room. By adding careful, thoughtful lighting to your kitchen you can convert a dim or dusky galley into a warm, inviting space to prepare food. Under counter lighting, task lighting, and indirect lighting are all important aspects of making your kitchen more approachable.
Keep Plumbing Static
The quickest way to run up a construction budget in your kitchen is through changing the layout of appliances and fixtures that require plumbing. Water lines and, in particular, drains are difficult to reroute. Try to keep sinks, faucets, drains, and other waterways where they are and work around them.
Scratch-And-Dent Or Refurbished
Buying new appliances can be expensive. Before you break the bank, check out the scratch and dent section of your local supplier. You might find more there than you imagine. Also, for countertops, try looking for remnants or pieces that might be large enough for your countertops. This works especially well in small kitchens.
Cut Down On Waste
At the end of the day, cutting down on material costs can help save a ton of money. Be careful with your cuts and pay attention to any wastage you might be able to use elsewhere. Having a plan helps here.