Creating That Dream Kitchen On a Budget

We all spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  The kitchen is the hub of the home; it is where family meals take place, where we decompress from a long day at work and it is where most entertaining starts.
 
Kitchen upgrades generally have a return on investment of anywhere between 80% - 105% of their cost when a home is sold.  So money spent updating a kitchen is definitely money wisely spent.
 
So everyone wants a gorgeous kitchen but spending $50,000 or more to remodel isn’t a viable option for many people in the current economic climate.  The good news is there are some ways to update your kitchen without breaking the bank.  But if you don’t have $50,000 to completely renovate your kitchen a facelift and making minor modifications can have a huge impact.
 

Kitchen Cabinet Updates

 
New kitchen cabinets can devour a big chunk of your upgrade budget and hiring a custom cabinet maker is pricey.   Consider pre-manufactured modular kitchen cabinets or if your kitchen cabinets are not overly outdated and in good condition considering painting them and possibly adding a couple of glass inserts to a couple of the doors, this can be done relatively inexpensively and make a huge change to the look and feel of your kitchen.
 
In addition, consider adding an island.  An island will instantly change the look of your kitchen you can use a pre-manufactured modular cabinet for the base and add a countertop – plus some luxury chairs and your kitchen will definitely pop.
 

Affordable Kitchen Countertops
 

 
Almost everyone loves granite and stone countertops the cost can definitely be a shocker.  If there is something that you should splurge on that is your countertop.  Quartz countertops that resemble the look of marble and much cheaper and a potential option.  There are also good quality laminate countertops that resemble granite or stone countertops and are easy to install. 
 

Kitchen Appliances
 

 
It may surprise you, but experts say that there isn’t much difference in reliability between high-end and less expensive appliances.  You may not get all the bells and whistles of chef-worthy appliances on less expensive ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers but you will still get sturdy and functional appliances.
 
Forget the new trends and stick with stainless steel appliances.  Pick beautiful appliances that complement each other and designs that help you achieve professional high-end looks and results.
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Affordable Flooring Options
 

 
When you are considering flooring options, less expensive materials can often be a better choice than more expensive materials for the rigors of daily kitchen wear and tear.  Ceramic tiles resist wear, moisture, dents, and stains and cost less than a hardwood floor.  Plus there are so many tile options and sizes to pick from nowadays.  There are also some very good quality laminate flooring that mimics the look of hardwood but is cheaper and much more durable.
 

Accessories and Paint

 
Everyone loves the look of marble subway tile, using a white subway tile instead can save you tons and still looks very classy.  Change your door handles to sleek and modern looking handles.   Add personality with character lighting, you can find lighting fixtures at your local hardware store at very reasonable prices.
 
A fresh coat of paint on your cabinets can dramatically change the look of your kitchen cabinets but painting the entire kitchen can also dramatically change the look and feel of the kitchen.
 
Giving your kitchen a facelift can dramatically change the look and feel of your kitchen.  Best of all it can be done on a budget but does take a little planning and creativity.

For tips on what brings the most value to your home reach out and I will let you know what buyers are now looking for in a kitchen.