Kitchen remodeling is one of the most popular updates that increase your home’s overall value. Wallet-friendly kitchen remodeling ideas will give your kitchen a fresh look without breaking the bank.
That said, one of the most important questions that most homeowners consider is the kitchen remodel cost. The National Kitchen & Bath Association approximates a complete kitchen remodel costing an average of $25,600. A small kitchen remodel project, such as refacing cabinets, will cost as low as $4,000. However, the expenses vary according to the quality of material, floor size of the kitchen, and expected changes in layout.
Top 10 Creative Kitchen Remodel Ideas and Their Costs
Executing a kitchen remodel within your project budget gives you peace of mind to enjoy the remodeling process. If you plan to sell the house, having a unique kitchen can help you stand out among other homes in your neighborhood. Although you can handle most of the home renovations on your own, it is advisable to ask for help from a kitchen remodeling professional in your area.
Take advantage of the following 10 additions that will certainly improve your kitchen’s functionality and increase its value while cutting your kitchen renovation costs significantly.
1. Reface Your Cabinets
While most people think about replacing their cabinets, they often forget that they can give them a new look by refacing them at a lower cost. Refacing cabinets is a simple process that includes removing doors and drawers and then covering the cabinet sides and frames with wood veneer or laminate. Refacing your cabinets is a cost effective way to upgrade the look of your cabinets and change the overall design of your kitchen.
It is possible to DIY refacing your cabinets, but it is smart to hire a professional, as any minor obstacles for you may be another drop in the bucket for the professionals.
Refacing cabinets cost anywhere between $2,500 and $15,500, depending on the complexity of the style and material. It is important to remember the return on your investment for refacing old and outdated cupboards is high, more so than completing gutting and redoing your cabinets from scratch.
2. Mix up the Kitchen Countertops
The combination of the color and material of both your kitchen countertops and cabinets can bring the desired balance and contrast your kitchen needs. If your cabinets are light-colored, you can consider choosing a dark tone for your countertop and vice versa.
You can also redo your countertops and choose a different material to mix up your kitchen’s design. Countertops are not cheap, so expect to pay $50-$200 per square foot, depending on the material you decide to go with. Consider a mix of Quartz and granite for a stone countertop.
3. Include a Garden in Your Kitchen
A great way to infuse life in your kitchen is to bring the outdoors inside. Create your own garden sanctuary in your kitchen. With a garden comes fresh ingredients, vegetables, and herbs for your cooking.
There are numerous ways to be creative with your kitchen garden. A couple ideas are installing a garden window or purchasing an AeroGarden. However you decide to bring your garden inside, you will leave your kitchen feeling fresh and lively with greenery that is both nice to look at and functional while cooking.
The cost of the suggested garden window is anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000, which does not include any additional labor or installation costs. The AeroGarden previously mentioned ranges from $100 to $500 depending on the style and size you buy.
The cheapest solution to start growing a garden inside is just going out and buying indoor plants and then strategically placing them around your kitchen. Once you start adding to your collection, you’ll have your own kitchen garden in no time.
4. Stencil Outdated Tiles Instead of Replacing Them
Stenciling tiles is a cost effective alternative to completely replacing your old tile. The process includes cleaning and painting your old tile and then, with the help of a stencil, you just paint the design on the tile. Then there you have it; a new tile look but at a fraction of the cost.
You can stencil your floor tiles by spending $3.00 to $5.50 per square foot. The cost of a tile stencil is as low as $9.95 for a small 6″x6″ reusable tile stencil.
5. Replace Flooring with Cork or Vinyl Tiles
This is another budget-friendly kitchen update you should consider. Cork or vinyl tiles are pretty inexpensive and easy to install. However, they are not known to be durable. This is an easy DIY project that can make a significant difference to your kitchen space. However, you can get professional refinishing services for better results.
Be ready to spend $3.00 to $5.50 or $4.00 to $8.50 per square foot for vinyl tiles or cork tiles, respectively.
6. Refinish Walls with Wallpapers
Most homeowners prefer painting their kitchen walls over installing wallpapers. But the perks of using wallpaper is it opens up more room for creativity with beautiful prints and when the wallpaper adheres to the wall, it hides and imperfections in the wall flawlessly. This minor investment often helps give your kitchen a brand-new look.
However, you need professional help installing wallpapers in hidden spaces such as walls between cabinets. A professional will charge you around $750 to $2,000, depending on the size of your kitchen.
7. Create Temporary Surfaces in Your Kitchen
If your kitchen feels claustrophobic, consider installing a pull-out shelf in your cabinet. This addition will increase the space you need to prepare and store food. Another worthy investment is having a cutting board or a flat surface space over your sink area for a temporary counter. You can create a temporary surface with a kitchen remodeling budget between $500 and $3,500.
While this addition does not necessarily increase ROI for your home, it leads to better functionality and efficiency in the kitchen.
8. Add Cabinets in Narrow Spaces of Your Kitchen
You can increase the return on investment for your kitchen by ensuring that you utilize every inch of your kitchen space. You can add a narrow cupboard next to the kitchen stove to increase counter and cabinet space. You can use these cabinets to store items such as cookie sheets and shallow pans. The kitchen remodel cost of installing a 10-inch counter in your kitchen can cost you between $150 and $200.
9. Lighter Colors Make Your Kitchen Look Bigger
You can make your kitchen airier and bigger by using lighter colors. For example, a mix of light flooring, white cupboards, and beige countertops, will visually expand the kitchen. The kitchen remodel cost for professional painting may vary from $500 to $1,500.
10. Get Creative with Lighting in Kitchen Remodeling
Add a mix of lighting styles to your kitchen. You can use surface-mounted lights for a cheerful light within your space. Multiple-light chandeliers are perfect above an island space. Professionals recommend recessed lights if the kitchen area has an extension that serves as an entertainment or dining section. Do not forget to include under-cabinet lighting in your kitchen remodel budget. The average kitchen remodel cost for installing lighting in your kitchen ranges between $500 and $2000, depending on your kitchen size and style.
Transform Your Home With Kitchen Remodeling professionals from R.H. Homes
Increase your overall home values by getting the custom kitchen remodel you need. After reading this blog, you should have a couple solid brainstorm ideas to hit the ground running. Lastly, most kitchen remodeling projects can be done DIY style, but if you want the best results, you need a professional kitchen remodel expert on your side.
