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If you’re worried about an expensive kitchen remodel, here are six tips to remodel it inexpensively.
If you are planning to remodel your kitchen, you’re probably aware of how much the process can cost. The many facets of a kitchen can drive up costs and overwhelm you as you’re deciding what aspects to overhaul.
To solve this problem, here are six ways to remodel your kitchen without dipping too heavily into your savings.
Although attractive, granite counter tops typically add significant expense to a kitchen remodel. In lieu of granite, laminate is a popular product that is both cost-effective and similar in appearance to granite.
Home Depot how-to expert Eileen Claar said, “You will do a ‘double-take’ when you replace an old counter top with a new laminate top that has the look of an expensive stone top.” Mixing granite and laminate is also a current trend; you can use granite on an island and laminate on remaining surfaces.
If you want include some eco-friendly elements with your counters, an option is to use Paperstone, which is post-consumer recycled paper mixed with resin, according to kitchen designer Paul Anater.
Kitchen cabinets are an area that is easy to remodel on the cheap. If they are structurally solid, a simple repainting can serve as an efficient and inexpensive upgrade. According to Lowe’s, removing old, tarnished cabinet doors can also create a new, open look that simultaneously puts your beautiful dishes on display.
To help with the problem of keeping the contents of cabinets visible and accessible, The Container Store suggests adding “sliding drawers for lower cabinets, tiered stacking shelves for cabinets at eye level and pull-down racks for hard-to-reach cabinets.”
Another alternative to replacing your cabinets is the Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations kit. It only requires four steps and covers up to 100 square feet.
If you do want to replace your cabinets, opt for RTA kitchen cabinets or stock cabinets, as they will be cheaper than customized cabinets.
Flooring is the most difficult and most expensive part of a kitchen to remodel. If you want a new look for your floors but don’t want to accrue the expense of redoing them completely, consider trying self-stick vinyl tiles.
Vinyl tile can, according to Claar, “go over the top of most flat hard surfaces and is easy to install and maintain.” Here is a step-by-step process for installing the tiles.
Updating the lighting in your kitchen is a fast way to add to your remodel without adding much expense. Installing under-cabinet lighting will give you better task lighting without shadows. Using pendant or hanging lights can also provide illumination at work stations such as the sink or island and make cooking easier. Watch this video to learn how to install under-cabinet lighting yourself.
If you want to upgrade your appliances without replacing them, you can have them professionally painted or even paint them yourself with spray paint made for appliances. Claar suggests using Rust-Oleum Specialty White Gloss Appliance Paint to revamp your refrigerator or dishwasher. After surface sanding and wipe down, one quart of paint can cover 125 square feet.
In the event that you wish to dump your old appliances for new ones, Lowe’s suggests purchasing these energy-efficient and environmentally friendly appliances that are also designed to help you save money.
If you’re looking to add “green” kitchen products to your collection, Crate & Barrel also sells earth-friendly kitchen wares as does The Container Store.
Why install a sink and faucet separately when you can do it all at once? Home Depot carries several variations of an all-in-one sink, which includes a stainless steel sink, pull-out faucet with sprayer, soap dispenser, cleaning basket and bottom grid. This serves as an inexpensive and efficient way to remodel your sink.
Photo courtesy of SWIMPHOTO
One Comment
Just changing the hardware on the cabinets will make them seem new.