10 Budget-friendly Kitchen Renovation Tips

The kitchen is the 'soul' of the house and having a modern kitchen is crucial in resale value. With the addition of new floors, clean or new cabinets, up to date appliances and a modern backsplash, you could turn a dull space into a valuable kitchen.

Don't move drainage and sinks. Be creative with your layout so you don’t spend a small fortune on moving pipes and wires or simply look at installing a new stylish sink.
Updating these features will not only save you money but you’ll also enjoy cooking in a gorgeous space.

Here’s how to renovate your kitchen without breaking your budget. Get tips…

1. Don’t move drainage and sink

The largest part of your savings will come with smart planning. Things to plan around are your plumbing and drainage. Moving any of these is expensive but the good news is you can almost always work around them.

It can cost R2 000 or more just to change the location of a sink. If you’re unhappy with the layout of your kitchen, consider at least keeping the appliances in the same place and changing how the kitchen flows with a bar or kitchen island.

Be creative with your layout so you don’t spend a small fortune on moving pipes and wires or simply look at installing a new stylish sink.

2. Save with the backsplash

You can opt for less expensive tiles on the backsplash, which can save you up to 35%.
Countertops are another expensive part of kitchen renovations, especially if you’re going with granite, Caesarstone or Corian. These are the most popular options and it’s hard to get around this. However, you can opt for less expensive tiles on the backsplash, which can save you up to 35%. If you have to, make use of Formica LifeSeal countertops – they look better than ever.

3. Buy your appliances in bulk

Everyone is always on the hunt for top-of-the-line appliances. Not everyone can afford these however. Fortunately, there are so many brands these days that make wonderful stainless steel appliances that can fool almost anyone.

Buy all your appliances from one place. To save money, you must be willing to buy floor models. You can buy an appliance that looks like a high-end product if you forego models with frills.

4. Reface your cabinets with paint or wallpaper

You can buy an appliance that looks like a high-end product if you forego models with frills.
Buying new custom or ready-made cabinets can get pricey. In order to save here, consider replacing or refacing your old wood cabinets. Refacing is a simple process that requires the cabinets to be sanded to the bare wood followed by a coat of paint, polyurethane, stain or wallpaper. This can completely change the look. If you must swap your cabinets, install DIY carcasses and solid wood fronts.

One of the cheapest ways to update the cabinets in your kitchen is to change the hardware – just simply add new handles.

5. Do all the electrical work at once

Plan your lighting ahead of time. Upgrade your lighting at the same time you’re doing the electrical. If you don’t, you’ll have to bring the electrician back, costing you a lot more money than is necessary.

6. Install your own flooring

You should consider general, task and mood lighting when making an upgrade. Also, options such as fluorescent under cabinet lighting, LEDs and spotlights will give your kitchen a special look.
Ceramic and vinyl floors cost about the same and are equally attractive to buyers. Choose the one you like. You can save money on your floors by installing them yourself. Both tiling and laying vinyl flooring are easy DIY projects – so get your tools out and get to work.

7. Make cosmetic changes

Sometimes, the biggest changes you can make to the look of a kitchen are cosmetic. Painting your kitchen cabinets in a new colour, for example, can make a huge difference.

Consider making changes to your window treatments, backsplash, stools, decorations and trim. Also, cut down on the clutter. When you look at high-end kitchens in magazines, you’ll notice that they don’t display magnets on the refrigerator or personal items all over the countertops.

8. Look for green options as you renovate

While it’s true that going green usually costs you money rather than saving you money, in the long run you’ll end up making that money back. Green appliances, for example, will save you money on your utility bills every month. Using green products in your kitchen is also safer for your family.

Bamboo countertops are being installed in high-end homes around the world for good reason. They're not only made from a sustainable product, but they are also practical and beautiful.

9. Set your budget ahead of time and stick to it

By far, the best way to renovate your kitchen without spending too much money is to set a realistic budget before you start looking at sample materials. Have a plan when you start the project and remember to account for labour costs if you don’t intend to do the work yourself.

Don’t just have a bottom line number. Come up with both a bottom line and specific prices for everything you intend to change. As you look at options, don’t go over budget in any area. If you’re strict with your budget, you can make the best choices in your price range without having to stop mid-project because you’ve run out of money.

Remember, prepare for problems with your kitchen. No matter what your budget, you should have about 20% of your budget set aside for miscellaneous costs. That way, if there are problems, you don’t have to completely stop the project until you’ve saved up more money.

10. Buy new light fixtures and retrofit existing spotlights

Lighting is an important aspect of any room. A bit of change in place of the light fittings can give a feel of change even if everything else stays the same. The pressure on the pocket is also not much.

Buy and fit some fancy lights here and there – they add to the atmosphere and décor in the kitchen. Adjustable lights are effective too. You can change them according to your needs and sometimes these lights have the provision of regulating their intensity.

This is a fairly inexpensive project especially if you are making improvements instead of wholesale changes.

You should consider general, task and mood lighting when making an upgrade. Also, options such as fluorescent under cabinet lighting, LEDs and spotlights will give your kitchen a special look.

Article courtesy of www.home-dzine.co.za.