Courtesty ARAContent
 

It is the busiest room in the house and often needs the most improvement: the kitchen. A remodeled kitchen increases the value of the home and makes it more enjoyable to cook, live and dine in. However, many homeowners are left wondering how to create the culinary oasis of their dreams on a budget.

“Just about everyone has cost concerns when it comes to remodeling. Very few people have unlimited budgets, so doing research on various options will go a long way to stretching your dollars,” says Connie Edwards, certified kitchen and bathroom designer and director of design for Shenandoah Cabinetry. Edwards offers some valuable tips for controlling costs when remodeling the kitchen.

• Do as much of the work yourself as you can. Wallpaper removal, light demolition, and cleaning up after subcontractors require hard work as opposed to skill; there is no point in paying skilled contractors to clean up.

• Buy stock cabinets. Instead of having cabinets custom-made, find a line of stock cabinets that you like. Shenandoah Cabinetry, sold exclusively at Lowe’s, is a stock cabinet manufacturer that offers a wide range of premium construction features and accessories at a value price.

• Use alternative materials instead of costly marble or stone. Laminate countertops and vinyl flooring create rich-looking surfaces on a modest budget. When choosing faucets, brushed and polished chrome is vastly less expensive than more exotic finishes, and basic white fixtures are budget friendly and won’t look dated in a decade.

• “Wow” the island. The island is the first thing that people notice when they walk into the kitchen, so keep the main cabinets simple and put the emphasis on the island. Make the island pop by increasing the thickness of the countertop, using a premium finish or glaze on just the island cabinetry, or illuminating the island with inexpensive but attractive pendant lights.

• Work within your existing space. Annexing space from an adjacent room or removing a wall can be costly, so add storage and organization features to new cabinets to utilize space you already have. Many of these accessories are now factory installed, such as those offered in Shenandoah’s OrganizationOptions program, making things simpler for the consumer and easier on their wallet.

• Use moderately priced items in an interesting way. Small splurges in small spaces like a glass tile backsplash behind the oven range will spruce up the kitchen and is the best use of your dollars.

• Consult a design professional. A design professional can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure the job is done efficiently.

 

Get the Look of New Cabinets
New cabinets not within the budget? Here are some tips to make them look like new.

• The easiest, least expensive way to update your cabinetry is to replace the hardware. Look for hardware that really adds to the overall look and feel of your kitchen. For a retro kitchen, consider glass knobs in a green hue that will add to the charm. If you have a kitchen filled with traditional white cabinetry, wrought iron pulls will add instant drama. For a country kitchen, take a whimsical approach and combine several different knobs and pulls.

• Give the cabinetry a completely new look by giving the doors new fronts.  Do this by cutting  and removing  the inner portion of your doors. Then, replace it with plexiglass, frosted glass, or even wire- change all of your doors or just a few. This project will take some knowledge of tools and materials; do some research or take a class to become more familiar with the process.
• Painting your cabinetry will give you perhaps the most dramatic change to your kitchen. Do be careful when selecting your paint color- I recommend painting some samples and placing them in the kitchen before paint touches the cabinets. You will need to prepare and paint the surface properly in order to achieve the best results - do your research and do the job right.

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TIP

: Make a diagram of your kitchen and number the cabinet doors. Then, using painter's tape and a permanent marker, physically number the cabinet doors. This will ensure that when you are ready to re-hang the doors, that you will know where each one goes making reinstallation a cinch.

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Kitchen Countertops

When it comes to countertop surfaces, never before have there been so many choices. Whether your tastes lean toward country charm or city sleek, there is something for everyone.
 

Alternatives to Natural Stone

Engineered Stone
Engineered stone is composed of quartz particles and is easy to care for and is both stain and acid resistant. It comes in a larger range of colors and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. Engineered stone is priced at about the same as natural stone, anywhere from $40 to $125 per square foot. 

Solid Surface
Solid surface counters solid all the way through making it possible to sand out any scratches. Solid surface counters come in an array of colors and patterns, are seamless, and stain resistant. They can be expensive (from $40 to $100 per square foot) and the surface can be damaged by hot pans and stains. 

Wood / Butcher Block
Wood countertops can bring warmth into a room. Wood is available in a wide range of colors and finishes, is easy to clean, and can be sanded and resealed as needed. Standing water and liquids can damage wood and cause dark areas to form on the surface. Wood will also stain over time and absorb food odors. It is also rather pricey at $50 to $200 per square foot.

Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is durable, heat resistant, and impervious to acids and oils.  It is also very easy to clean. Stainless steel can scratch easily and care must be taken to avoid an institutional feel. It will cost anywhere from $75 to $150 per square foot. 

Concrete
Concrete  is extremely strong, heat and scratch resistant and porous. In order to prevent staining, proper sealing and waxing is needed. Concrete can be color-tinted with creative colors and inlays. Concrete may crack and can sometimes look industrial. It will cost  from $75 to $200 per square foot