If you are like most home owners, you are opting for affordable home updates over expensive renovations. With the real estate market in shambles, homeowners today are seeking ways to improve the comfort and function of their living space without breaking the bank.
When considering “updating your home”, a kitchen make-over is the best way to improve the livability factor. Here are a few ideas on how you can save a bundle in the kitchen.
- Floor plan: Removing a wall between the kitchen and dining area makes the kitchen feel bigger and the dining room more open and usable.
- Cabinets: Replacing or restoring the cabinets can improve the feel and usability of your kitchen. Cabinet construction, finish and hardware options can make or break your kitchen upgrade budget. For example, painted cabinets cost more because they take longer to prepare than stained. Choosing solid doors instead of drawers can also drop the over all cost of the improvement.
- Excess: Consider ditching the garden window over the sink and the self-closing cabinet drawers. Home sweet home is more often found in countertops and flooring. Shop around for the best deal on sinks, tile and hardware–prices can vary greatly.
More often than not, the biggest budget buster is post kitchen design changes. Spending more time upfront understanding the cost versus benefit of each improvement will save money.
As written in “The New Rules of Remodeling” in the Wall Street Journal “…annual spending on remodeling is expected to accelerate this year.” While we don’t expect the economy to get better anytime soon, you shouldn’t feel “stuck” in an uncomfortable home. Affordable kitchen remodels are possible and the joys gained will pay emotional dividends that are well worth the investment.
