The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. After all, you spend at least part of every day in the kitchen. Therefore, you want this space to be both beautiful and functional. It might be time to do some remodeling. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, here are some tips for kitchen remodeling on a shoestring budget.
Make a Budget
Before you can figure out how do your kitchen remodeling on a shoestring budget, you need to know what that budget is. Most average kitchen remodels cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. What does “shoestring” mean to you? Here are some tips for figuring that out:
- Determine how you’re going to pay for the remodel. Are you using savings or a loan?
- Review common kitchen remodel expenses. Get a sense for what’s realistic.
- Ask yourself honestly what you most want out of the kitchen remodel. Prioritizing will help you budget.
- Plan out the remodel step-by-step. Make the changes on paper, not in the process of remodeling.
Determine Who To Hire
Are you doing the remodel yourself? Alternatively, are you hiring construction workers? Maybe you can do some of the work yourself and hire professionals for just the biggest parts of the job.
Do you need someone to do the remodel design plan for you in advance? Some people find this to be worth the expense if it saves money in the long run.
It’s important to remember to include labor costs in your budget.
See if Paint Will Make a Difference
If you’re doing kitchen remodeling on a shoestring budget, you might want to start with paint. After all, paint is one of the cheapest ways to redress a room.
If you’re thinking about replacing the cabinets, ask yourself if painting them would satisfy you instead. (Note that refacing the cabinets is a happy medium between repainting them and entirely replacing them. Or consider open shelving.)
Have you considered painting the floor? Many people spend a lot of money replacing the kitchen floor when paint would do just as good of a job at a much lower price.
And the rest of the room? How about painting an accent wall to brighten up the space? Some people even paint their appliances.
Start with paint, then you can add other remodeling plans.
Should You Change The Room Layout?
If you are kitchen remodeling on a shoestring budget, then you want to keep certain things exactly where they are. Appliances and plumbing don’t move easily. You add a lot of extra cost when you start trying to move those things around.
However, you can make a room look fresh and new by changing the other things around those major items. For example, does your table fit in a different spot or even at a new angle? If you have a lot of counter space, could you add bar stools to make a new breakfast nook? Bar carts and islands on wheels also move easily.
Additional Tips for Kitchen Remodeling on a Shoestring Budget
Here are some additional things to consider:
- Add fun, funky light switch plates. They can make you laugh or enhance the theme of your new kitchen decor.
- Choose a laminate countertop to save money while making a big visual change.
- Get creative with small decor items. You can bring the whole design of a kitchen together with little touches. It doesn’t cost much to replace towels and dishes, add canisters and trays, and yet it can make a big impact if it’s all cohesive.
- Lighting matters in a kitchen. However, it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Try a DIY light kit or shop around for the best new lighting options on a budget.
- Put up some art. Many people think framed art is only for the other rooms of the house but the kitchen can use some too. Alternatively, put up a potholder display, hang baskets from the walls, or create a vintage bottle collection.
- Replace the hardware. Add something beautiful in the little hardware touches.
- Update the sink area with an affordable modern backsplash. If you already have a backsplash, you could actually stencil a new design onto it for a fraction of the cost.
Read More:
- 4 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Floor for Your High Traffic Kitchen
- How to Be Frugal When Renovating a Bedroom
- How to Budget for Unexpected Expenses
Kathryn Vercillo is a professional writer who loves to live a balanced life. She appreciates a good work-life balance. She enjoys balance in her relationships and has worked hard to learn how to balance her finances to allow for a balanced life overall. Although she’s only blonde some of the time, she’s always striving for total balance. She’s excited to share what she’s learned with you and to discover more together along the way.