Whether you're a homeowner, a renter, or just want to update your kitchen for the pleasure of it, re-doing your kitchen is a big project. But don't let that deter you! It can be easy to handle if you know where to save and where to spend more money. Follow these steps and you'll be well on your way to having a beautiful new space that suits both your needs and budget:
Save on cabinets
If you don't have a lot of money to spend on your kitchen, cabinets are where it's at. You can save by buying used cabinets, choosing a style that is less expensive (like shaker or builder-grade), and painting the cabinets yourself or hiring someone to do it for you.
If you're not into the idea of painting your own cabinets and would prefer to hire someone else to do it for you, there are still ways here too! First off, if your budget allows for it (and if they aren't already in good shape), consider building them out of plywood. This will add structural integrity as well as eliminate any potential warping issues later down the road - this is especially important if your kitchen faces an extreme climate like heat or cold during multiple seasons throughout year.
Be alert with discount offers and sale so you can still save for the cabinet storage that you've always wanted. Check our best-selling wine storage cabinet and save at least $50 today!
Spend on countertops
If you're looking to spend some money on your kitchen upgrade, spend it on countertops. The countertops are the most visible part of your kitchen and they have a big impact on the overall style. They're also likely to be in place for as long as you live in the house, so choose wisely—this isn't something that can easily be changed when selling if it doesn't work out!
Update your kitchen appliances
- Consider how much you want to spend: Appliance prices range from a few hundred dollars for basic models to several thousand dollars for top-of-the-line options. As with any major purchase, it's important to have a budget in mind when shopping around.
- Consider energy efficiency: Energy Star (energystar.gov) is an independent organization that certifies appliances based on their efficiency ratings—the lower the rating, the more efficient your appliance will be at using less electricity and therefore saving money over time. The site also lists which appliances may qualify for tax deductions if purchased within the last three years; this could help offset some of your costs if you're planning on replacing older equipment anyway or upgrading from an older tax deduction–eligible model (such as replacing an old refrigerator before it hits its maximum energy usage).
- Consider how often you use certain appliances and how much counter space they take up: If there isn't enough room around your kitchen sink or dishwasher, then these items might need to go into storage closets instead of being placed right next door where they'll be accessible. Kitchen essentials like this electric water heater and boiler can be placed on your counter for easy everyday access.
Save on flooring
- Buy used.
- Buy from a discount store (such as Habitat for Humanity ReStores).
- Buy from a bargain flooring store (such as Lumber Liquidators).
- Buy from a discount online store (such as Wayfair).
- Buy from a discount showroom (like Home Depot or Lowes).
Save on lighting
LED lights are smarter, more energy efficient and can be used for both task and ambient lighting in your kitchen. In addition to being a better choice for the environment, LED lights are also more cost effective than other options. They last longer than incandescent bulbs (which have been phased out in many areas) and they come in a wide range of sizes and shapes to fit any number of different applications.
If you're looking for an easy way to save on electricity costs without giving up much light output, consider dimmer switches or lamps. As with LEDs, these types of solutions will help you save money on your electric bill while still providing ample illumination for working in the kitchen at night. It's also worth noting that many experts recommend building fixtures with multiple light sources—such as ceiling fixtures with both incandescent bulbs and LEDs—to ensure that each type of bulb has sufficient power when needed most often: during cooking prep time when bright white light is essential! Check out this beautiful lamp perfect for your kitchen!
You may also want consider using energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) instead of incandescent ones if possible; this will cut down on electricity usage even further while still providing plenty enough brightness so we don't feel unsafe when working late at night after our kids have gone bedtime without us.
Spend on the sink and faucet
You've probably got a good idea of how much you're willing to spend on a kitchen upgrade. But you might not know where to make those investments, or what they should be. To help you decide, we've broken down our advice into three different categories:
- Spend on the sink and faucet
- Invest in smart appliances that improve your day-to-day life
- Save money with low-cost updates
Re-doing your kitchen doesn't have to be expensive once you set a budget and know where you can save and where you should spend more money.
Even if you're not an expert carpenter, there are many ways to save money on a kitchen upgrade. If you're going to be opening up the walls and floor of your kitchen and replacing them with new ones, then it's worth hiring a professional contractor to do some of the work for you. This can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on labor costs.
But what about everything else? You might be able to install cabinets yourself or repair countertops instead of buying new ones altogether. And appliances are often cheaper models than their more expensive counterparts—not every product has to match every other product in your home!
Another way to save money is by choosing inexpensive flooring materials like vinyl or linoleum over hardwood floors (which are usually very expensive). Just make sure these materials aren't too thin!
We hope this article has helped you to understand that upgrading your kitchen doesn’t have to be expensive. You can save or spend money in many places, depending on what fits best with your budget and style.