The kitchen is one of the most important parts of a home and kitchen remodeling is a very common home improvement project.
Upgrading or remodeling a kitchen will greatly enhance its efficiency and comfort while maximizing the available space and modernizing its design.
If properly carried out, an upgrade will improve the worth and resale value of your home (up to 60% or more) than you paid for the upgrade.
The cost of a full kitchen renovation can be as high as $70,000 and even more, depending on the size of your kitchen and the location of your home.
This price is relatively too high and this has led many homeowners to consider handling the project themselves.
DIY remodeling is thought to be a reasonable way of cutting the cost of labor and the entire cost of a renovation project.
But it’s not that easy as it seems and cannot be done successfully without adequate information and proper kitchen remodeling ideas.
Are you stuck with an old or outdated kitchen and planning an upgrade but cannot afford the cost of a complete remodeling all at once or you’re just looking for ideas to make a little revamp?
This article will guide you through some common and affordable kitchen remodeling ideas to follow to create for yourself the kitchen you’ve always dreamed of without having to hire a contractor.
Plan and Estimate the Cost of a Full Kitchen Upgrade
This is the first step that has to be carried out before starting your kitchen remodeling project.
Ask yourself what you want your kitchen to look like, what you want from it, how you want it to function and how much you are willing to pay for the upgrade.
It is not necessary for you to replace everything all at once since you can decide to opt for repairs in place of replacements. You can equally save time and money by using the existing walls and configuration.
Remember that there is always a way of cutting costs.
Estimate the cost of a full renovation, decide on what to repair or replace, visualize the new look of your kitchen and plan the model that suitably falls within your budgetary constraint.
The cost of remodeling a kitchen can run from $7000 to over $50000 and can be completed within 1 to 6 months.
Consider the following kitchen remodeling ideas to determine the one most suitable for your kitchen that falls within your budget.
#1 - Repainting the Cabinet
If your kitchen cabinet looks old, dark or dirty after many years of usage, consider renewing them with paint.
Painting kitchen cabinet is easier and more affordable compared to when you refinish or reface them. It allows you to select a new color scheme but this option should only be considered if the cabinets remain sturdy after many years of use.
Although paint will not correct cabinet design or structural issues but the look of the cabinets will be greatly improved.
The cost of painting your cabinets depends on the cost of materials used and the number of cabinets you have.
Painting kitchen cabinets can be completed within 1 to 2 hours with the cost running around $200 to $1000.
Read more: How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets With a Sprayer
#2 - Refacing Your Cabinets
The cost of replacing the cabinets and appliances takes most of the kitchen remodeling investments.
Many homeowners find that they can actually spend less for upgrading existing cabinets instead of getting brand new ones.
Refacing replace the doors, drawer fronts and the finish on the outside of the cabinet. The cost of cabinet front and doors starts around $10-$100.
Kitchen cabinet refacing costs less and does not take too long to be completed. You do not have to bother about new cabinets that do not fit. The cost of refacing ranges from $200 to $5000+.
See also: How To Install Cabinets With A Laser Level?
#3 - Replace or Install a New Countertop
Countertop is one of the most important parts of any kitchen.
Since there are many varieties of countertops, it is important to consider the countertop materials and what they’ll be up against before selecting the most suitable ones that stay just within your financial constraint.
Kitchen countertops should be resistant to water, scratches, and burns.
It is difficult to predict the cost of a new countertop until the size is stated and a specific countertop material is selected. However, the cost of installing a new countertop ranges from $125 to $6000.
With new countertops, the value of your kitchen may not be easily recognized unless the previous ones were greatly damaged.
However, it will improve the efficiency of your kitchen and you will feel better and more confident about your kitchen.
#4 - Refinish Your Kitchen Walls
Are you looking for an easy way to remodel your kitchen without going broke? Consider repainting your kitchen walls.
A new wallpaper or finish to your kitchen walls together with a refinished cabinet will make your kitchen look fresh and new. You have the opportunity to select your preferred color but you still have to be creative with colors.
You can repaint your kitchen walls using two colors. Select one wall as an accent wall and give it one color while giving the other walls another paint treatment.
Kitchen walls can be repainted within an hour if you have all the necessary materials. The cost of refinishing your kitchen walls ranges from $200 to $1000+ depending on size and the materials used.
Read more: How To Paint Stripes On Wall?
#5 - Install Backsplash
Backsplashes do more than just protecting the wall against sink’s splashes. They also cover the entire length of the wall to beautify it and protect against cooking splashes.
Adding a stunning kitchen backsplash is an easy DIY project that can change the entire look of your kitchen.
The bright color and the alluring texture of the tiles can make your backsplash the most attractive feature in your kitchen.
When purchasing the tiles for your backsplash, do not only look out for the colors and the price per piece, but also consider the size of the pieces and the value for your money.
Backsplashes do not only beautify your kitchen but also increases your home value and marketability. The installation of backsplash cost $600 to $1350+.
#6 - Replace The Old Sinks with a New One
Is your sink old, ugly, chipped, or nonfunctional? Always remember that sinks are not made to be irreplaceable or to last forever.
Taking out your sink to replace with new ones may seem to be very difficult but it’s actually not. Take out your old sink by simply cutting away the caulk, and lifting out the sink.
You can then replace with a new sink of your choice and then re-caulk but it must have the same size as the previous one. This can take 1 to 2 hours to complete.
There are various kinds of sink with different color and material to select from and this affects the upgrade cost.
The cost of installing a brand new sink is relatively higher than simply replacing the old or damaged sink with a new model.
The cost of sink replacement runs around $110 to $1300+.
See also: Best Rotary Tools For DIYers
#7 - Repair or Replace Flooring
Beautiful floorings can be the center of attention of an entire household.
The decision to repair or replace the floor of a kitchen or the entire household depends on how old or damaged the previous floor is and the need, taste, and income of the homeowner.
While the cost of installing new flooring can be high, the resale and aesthetic value it adds to a home cannot be written off.
Repair can, however, be considered if the previous floor is not excessively damaged.
There are many kinds of floors from different materials with various styles and colors to select from, all of which affects the cost of repair or replacement.
Refinishing a wood floor or replacing with cork or vinyl tiles can be an easy DIY remodeling project.
The cost of replacement and repairs are also affected by the size of the kitchen. However, most homeowners spend an average of $2300 to install a new kitchen floor and $750 to repair the existing ones.
Read more: How to lay tiles using a laser level?
#8 - Install a Dishwasher
Using a dishwasher can be a more efficient way to wash your dishware compared to washing with hands. With the dishwasher, you will be saving up to 500 gallons of water and more than $30 per year on power.
Installing is an absolute DIY project; it saves cost as you do not have to hire a professional to do that for you.
Repair your dishwasher if the one you have is broken or consider replacing with a more efficient one.
Dishwashers do not only improve the value of your kitchen but also saves time and reduces the stress of doing the dishes by hand.
Dishwashers do not only improve the value of your kitchen but also saves time and reduces the stress of doing the dishes by hand.
The cost of installing a dishwasher depends solely on its cost of purchase but usually runs from $300 to $1300. Installation can be completed within an hour or two.
Verdict
Depending on which kitchen remodeling ideas you wish to follow, consider the durability of each idea, how long you wish to stay in the house or if you are planning to sell the house after the remodel.
These should guild you to select the most suitable kitchen remodeling ideas for your home. Avoid extravagancies especially if you are putting the house up for sale after the upgrade.
Always remember to go for an upgrade only if it’s necessary.
