If its time for you to remodel your kitchen, here are 7 ways for you to save money on your effort, courtesy of Zillowblog.
1. Carefully shop for your big ticket items
Take
your time when shopping for cabinetry and appliances. If you are able
to whittle down 10% or more off of the cost of these items, simply by
shopping around a little longer, you will end up with a lot more cash to
play around with when looking at light fixtures or a new faucet. Make sure you speak to your home contractor to avoid buying the wrong shape, size, or grade items.
2. Stay away from the "professional" appliances
These
are the items that can really break the bank. Instead of going with
the pro lines, go for home-appliance manufacturers that have the same
functionality while mimicking the pro look - equaling some steep
savings. These types of appliances are often designed specifically for
the home market, often including amenities that pro-versions don't
offer, such as a self-cleaning oven.
3. Consider your lifestyle and needs
Honestly
evaluating your lifestyle could save you a lot of money down the road.
Go beyond the simple appearance of your appliances for a second, and
think about what kind of kitchen would suit your daily needs.
Do you often eat your food on the go, or order takeout? You're probably not going to have an overwhelming need for a high-BTU cooktop or double oven, despite their curb appeal. Will enough people be using that external water dispenser on your refrigerator? Making select choices that will truly supplement your lifestyle will help you focus your budget and save you money.
4. Blend high and low cabinetry
You can use your budget to make choice statements in your cabinetry, while using cost-effective builds. Instead of going all out with fully custom-designed cabinetry, try mixing it up by using big box store cabinet builds with high-end boutique accent pieces, like knobs and drawer pulls.Also consider adding custom doors and drawers to IKEA cabinet boxes. You can get a high end look for much less, and nicely compliment an upscale kitchen.
5. Don't let plywood turn you away
Believe
it or not, sealed plywood cabinets are an affordable option which can
be used decoratively and securely. Plywood is made of wood layers,
often from trees like birch or spruce, and displays a distinctive grain
which can be dressed up quite convincingly.
6. Don't get carried away with the interior
Instead
of ordering cabinetry with build in rollout shelves and dividers,
consider using less-expensive and ready-made alternatives found in
storage specialty shops and big box stores. This option not only adds a
personal style to your kitchen when combining textured bins and boxes,
it will save you a load in renovation costs.
7. Resist the urge to splurge
I
know, when you're cutting down on your cabinetry costs, it's incredibly tempting to splurge for an extravagant countertop. There are, however,
gorgeous countertop options available that will not cost a fortune. If
you do want that statement, consider using the pricey material at a
specific workstation, like a center island or a wood countertop
specifically for chopping, while filling the other counterspace with a
less expensive material.A common combination of high-low budget materials are combining wood or stainless steel with laminate countertops. You can also repurpose salvaged materials like stone, steel, or wood to save some money.
We recently covered 8 Alternatives to Granite for Your Kitchen.
8. Tiles > Slabs
If
you like the look of granite and marble, remember that the bigger the
slab of rock, the more expensive it will be. Consider using tiled
equivalents, ranging from mosaic size to 12-inches, which are much
easier to fit to a space. You can also add custom accents, such as
copper, with tile. The variety of colors that tile provides are
seemingly unlimited, and can provide easy compliments with flooring and
backsplashes.
9. Make your own backsplash
Even
those afraid of DIY work can tackle a backsplash project with ease -
and it will aid your budget. Let your imagination run wild, here. Add
copper, stainless steel, or galvanized aluminum to add some excitement
to the room. You can also use basic items found around the house, like
broken pottery shards or tile scraps to create a true piece of artwork.
Using these tips will help you save some money towards a piece that you can't live without, or renovations on other rooms. Go ahead- get a little creative, take your time. It will be worth it.
Need a professional's opinion? Send me an e-mail or give me a call, and I will put you in contact with a design specialist in your area
No comments:
Post a Comment