How To Get A Fabulous Kitchen Renovation On A Tight Budget

Are you looking to start a kitchen remodel or a kitchen renovation and build your dream kitchen?

Kitchen

Kitchens should always be designed around function rather than form. The most common mistake people make when designing their own kitchen is choosing a design based purely off aesthetics. Aesthetics only 

matter once you’ve decided what kind of kitchen you want. Once you’ve done that then you’ll start looking at things like color schemes, finishes etc.

When planning out your new kitchen, remember that there are three key areas which must be considered;

• Space Planning
• Functionality
• Design

Space Planning

This involves deciding exactly where everything needs to go within your kitchen. Do you plan on having a breakfast bar? Will you have enough countertop space? How big does your fridge need to be? These questions will help determine how large your kitchen needs to be.

Functionality

The kitchen is arguably the most important room in the house It’s where you spend more time than any other part of the house. So it makes sense that if you are going to invest money into one area of the house, this should be the place. The kitchen can also be the biggest headache when it comes to remodeling projects. This is because there are so many different things involved with designing and building out a new kitchen. From choosing materials for cabinets and countertops to selecting appliances and fixtures, there are plenty of decisions to be made. Once all those choices have been made, then there’s still the matter of actually getting everything built. There are several ways to approach this process depending on your budget and timeline. One way would be to hire an architect or designer who specializes in kitchens. Another option would be to do-it-yourself by hiring contractors who specialize in kitchen construction.

Design

Once you know what type of kitchen you’re after, now its time to get down to business. You may already have some traditional kitchen ideas but don’t worry we can help you narrow them down even further. 

Kitchen Countertops : Granite vs Quartz

Kitchen countertops also come in the form of a ‘kitchen island’. A kitchen island is essentially just another name for a breakfast bar or peninsula. They’re great additions to any kitchen design, but they come at a price. You’ll likely pay anywhere from $1,000 to over $10,000 depending on how fancy you want yours to get. That said, not every homeowner wants to drop thousands of dollars on something that may only end up being used once per week. In fact, some people don’t even use them at all! 

Kitchen countertops and kitchen islands are usually made of either granite or quartz. Granite has become increasingly popular as homeowners look for ways to update their kitchens without spending an arm and a leg on expensive upgrades. But what exactly is granite anyway? And which type would best suit your needs? Let us break down the differences between these two common types of stone and help you decide which option might work better for you.

What is granite? Granite is a natural rock composed primarily of silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide. These minerals give granite its characteristic color and durability. There are three main varieties: white, brown and black. White granite tends to be softer and less durable than brown or black granite. Brown granite is harder and stronger than both white and black varieties. Black granite is the hardest variety by far. While each kind offers unique benefits, we’ve found that brown granite works well for almost everyone. Here are some reasons why.

Brown granite looks good in any style of kitchen. Whether you prefer modern, traditional or transitional styles, brown granite adds warmth and depth to any space.

It doesn’t require much maintenance. Unlike marble, limestone or travertine, granite does not stain easily. However, since it’s porous, it requires regular cleaning to keep it looking fresh. Cleaning products designed specifically for granite include soap and water, mild dishwashing detergent and baking soda. Baking soda removes stains while leaving behind a protective coating. For tougher spots, try using a scrub brush instead of plain old soap and water.

You won’t regret buying it. We know that granite isn’t cheap. But after seeing the difference it makes in our own homes, we’d recommend splurging on a quality piece of granite.

What is quartz? Quartz is a man-made material derived from sandstone. Like granite, quarts is often referred to by its colors. Although quarried stones vary widely in size, shape and texture, they share similar properties. Most importantly, they tend to be very hard and strong. Because of this strength, they make excellent surfaces for counters, floors and walls.

Quartz is easy to clean. Just like granite, quartz doesn’t need special cleaners. Simply wipe away spills with warm, wet cloths. If necessary, apply a little bit of dish washing liquid to remove stubborn marks.

You can find affordable options. Since quartz is manufactured rather than mined, prices aren’t nearly as high as granite. Plus, unlike granite, quartz is relatively soft and malleable. As such, it’s easier to cut and carve. With proper care, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about scratches or chips.

If you live in a cold climate, quartz is ideal. Not only do quartz tiles stay cooler during summer months, they also insulate against heat loss in winter.

Advantages of Granite Countertop:

• Durability – Granite is extremely durable and resistant to scratches and stains. In fact, granite is often used by restaurants and hotels due to its durability.
• Versatility – Because granite is such a hard material, it works well in both commercial settings and residential homes. You can use granite counters in almost every setting from bathrooms to basements.
• Looks great! – Granite looks amazing and adds big style and elegance to any space. Whether you’re looking for something modern or traditional, granite offers endless options.
• Low cost – Compared to marble and wood, granite costs less to install.
• Long lasting – Granite lasts forever.
• Heat resistance – Unlike some other surfaces like tile, granite won’t crack or peel
• All natural, all granite comes from real stone mines

Disadvantages of Granite Countertops:

• Granite requires special care
• Granite stains easily
• Not easy to cut or shape

Advantages of Quartz Countertops:

• Quartz is man-made but looks like real rock.
• Quartz does not require cleaning, but you still should clean it, for the sake of hygiene.
• Easy to cut/shape.
• Quartz does not stain easily.
• Cheaper than Granite.
• Can be colored.

Disadvantages of Quartz Countertops:

• It doesn’t last as long as granite.
• Can chip over time.
• Doesn’t hold up against heat very well.

Which is right for me? Both kinds of granite and quartz offer distinct advantages. Each has its pros and cons, making it difficult to choose one over the other. Ultimately, though, it depends on your personal preferences. Do you enjoy working with tools? Are you concerned about maintaining a beautiful surface? Or maybe you simply love the way certain textures feel and look.

Kitchen Walls

Walls are one of the things that can dramatically effect the way your kitchen looks, as all the incoming light reflects off of the walls and wall paint, you will need to choose your kitchen walls wisely. There are several wall designs and wall textures to choose from

• Kitchen Wall Cladding – This type of design uses an engineered timber frame which is then clad with plywood panels. The advantage here is that this method allows you to create custom shapes and sizes within the framework. This means that if there is a particular feature you want incorporated into the design, you can achieve this without having to build around it. However, because these types of kitchens tend to be quite expensive, they may not suit everyone’s budget.
• Painted Kitchen Wall Cladding – The painted finish option is probably the most popular choice amongst homeowners today. It gives a sleek contemporary appearance to your kitchen while also being relatively inexpensive. Paints come in many colors so you have plenty of scope when choosing what color suits best with your existing décor. If you prefer a more rustic look, you could opt for a darker shade of grey or even black.
• Wooden Kitchens – If you would rather go down the wooden route, you might consider using solid oak boards instead of plywood. These are much stronger and easier to work with than their plywood counterparts. They do however take longer to dry out after installation meaning that you will need to make sure that you keep them covered at all times during construction. Another disadvantage of this kind of kitchen is that it tends to be heavier than others, so you will need to ensure that you get someone else to help you move furniture around once everything is installed. Wooden kitchen walls would dramatically change the feeling of your kitchen into an almost Nordic style chalet.
• Ceramic Tiles – These tiles are made from clay and fired at high temperatures creating a ceramic product. Ceramics are incredibly sturdy and can withstand extreme conditions. The beauty of tiles is that, if you have enough money and creativity, you can have mosaics on your wall.

Kitchen Floor

The floor of the kitchen is another often overlooked aspect, the floor generally effects the overall comfort and efficiency of the kitchen. For example you wouldn’t want a stone or tile floor in a cold area otherwise you will get freezing feet every time you walk on it, but you also wouldn’t want a carpet floor in a kitchen – think of all the stains. In essence for a good kitchen floor you want something that is easy to clean and maintain. Kitchen flooring options include:

• Laminate floors – Laminate floors are very durable and stain resistant making them ideal for any kitchen. You can easily remove spills by wiping up immediately.
• Hard wood floors – Hardwood floors are extremely hard wearing and long lasting. They require regular maintenance such as waxing and polishing.
• Stone/Marble Floors – Stone and marble are beautiful natural stones that add warmth and elegance to any space. Marble has been used extensively throughout history due to its durability and ease of cleaning.
• Concrete Floors – Concrete is great for commercial spaces where foot traffic is heavy. It’s low cost makes it perfect for smaller homes too.
• Tile Floors – Tile is a versatile material that comes in various styles and patterns. It is highly durable and requires little upkeep.
• Glass Floors – Glass is a modern alternative to traditional carpets. It adds a touch of luxury to any space.
• Bamboo Floors – Bamboo is a sustainable solution to our ever increasing demand for energy. It grows quickly and produces no waste products.
• Foamed Polyurethane – FP is a synthetic foam insulation board that provides excellent soundproofing properties. It is suitable for use under appliances like refrigerators and freezers.

Kitchen Gas Fittings

The gas fittings in your kitchen will ultimately decide where your gas using appliances will be situated This includes ovens and stoves.

You have two options here, you can either keep your gas fittings in their current location or you can have the gas pipes moved into another position.

If you choose the latter option, depending on your state, you may need to get permission from the local authority. Don’t try doing this yourself, you could cause an issue such as a gas leak.

Kitchen Power Outlets

Almost every kitchen appliance requires a power outlet, so take into consideration how many you will need and let your builder and electrician know as early as possible. If you don’t, you’re going to be quite upset. Especially if you mention it after the walls go up.

Kitchen Cabinets and Cupboards

Kitchen cabinets and cupboards are your main storage option in your kitchen. You will have to choose, do you want upper cabinets? or do you want dark cabinets, gray cabinets, or semi custom cabinets? Kitchen cupboards and cabinets come in a  variety of materials including:

• Wooden cupboard doors
• Raised-panel cabinets
• Recessed-panel cabinets
• Metal cabinet doors
• Plastic cupboard doors
• PVC plastic cupboard doors
• Stainless steel cupboard doors

There are pros and cons with each type of door. Wooden ones tend to look more expensive than other types, however they last longer and are easier to care for. Metal doors are usually cheaper than wooden ones, however they scratch much quicker. Ceramic and PVC plastic doors are both cheap and quick-wearing, although ceramic tends to chip faster than PVC plastic. Stainless steel doors are strong and sturdy, however they are not recommended for kitchens because they rust over time.

Kitchen Lighting

Your kitchen will get its lighting in one of two ways, either through windows or through electrical lighting. You’re of course going to need electrical lighting in any kitchen, and luckily there are several designs for lighting fixtures and features:

• Undercabinet lights
• Overhead lights
• Wall mounted light strips
• Floor lamps
• Spotlights
• Lamps
• Light bulbs
• LED lighting

These all work well but some people prefer certain types of lighting better than others. For example, spotlights are great for highlighting specific areas within the kitchen, while floor lamps provide ambient lighting throughout the whole area. Undercabinet lights are perfect for illuminating small items like spices and utensils. Overhead lights are best used when cooking at night, providing enough illumination to see what’s happening without being too bright. Wall mounted light strips are ideal for creating moody atmospheres in rooms. Perfect for a moody kitchen renovation.. Perfect for a moody kitchen renovation.. Floor lamps are good for general lighting purposes. Spotlights are useful for accentuating particular objects. Lamps are generally considered to be decorative rather than functional. Light bulbs should always be replaced regularly to ensure safety. LED lighting has become increasingly popular recently due to its long life span and ability to save electricity.

Kitchen Furniture

The furniture is going to be the last thing that you put in to the kitchen. You cannot overlook the importance of the kitchen furniture as these will be the things that you, your family, and your guests interact with the most and is thus subject to the most wear and tear.

When choosing kitchen furniture you want to choose the option that provides the best quality within your budget

High quality kitchen furniture is made from wood such as oak, maple, mahogany, teak etc. These woods can withstand heavy use and also resist moisture which means it won’t rot easily. They are also easy to clean and maintain. However, if you don’t mind spending extra money then stainless steel would be an excellent choice. It looks sleek and modern and doesn’t require regular maintenance. If you plan on having kids around the house, then you might consider getting children’s furniture.

Kitchen Windows

The windows in your kitchen serve as a good source of lighting, as well as a source of ventilation to let out the cooking smells. It’s even better if you have a lovely view outside of your kitchen window. When it comes to renovating your kitchen windows there are actually more choices than you may have been aware of, designs such as:

• Fixed glass panes
• Sliding doors
• Rolling shutters
• Awnings

You could go for something simple like sliding doors or rolling shutters, or perhaps something more elaborate like awnings. The main consideration here is whether you’d like them openable or not. Awnings are usually fixed so they only roll up and down. Sliding doors allow you to slide them back into place after opening. It’s also worth noting down double glazing and even triple glazing glass. These types of glass help with heat retention and thus help cut down on your energy bill as well as keeping noise out.

Kitchen Plumbing

The plumbing in your kitchen decides where your kitchen sink, kitchen drain, and washing machine go. Again same case as the gas pipes, there is two options, keep the pipes in the current location or move them.

Kitchen Sink

Once your kitchen plumbing is in place it is time to decide what sort of sink do you want. There are many types of kitchen sink which are available including; single bowl sinks, double bowls sinks, corner sinks, undermount sinks, wall hung sinks, freestanding sinks, and pedestal sinks. All of these different styles come with their own pros and cons. Some are easier to install than others, however, once installed they look fantastic and basically all provide the same function.

Washing Machine

Your next decision is about how much space you need for your washer and dryer. This depends entirely upon how big your home is and how often you wash clothes.

How Much Does Kitchen Remodeling Cost?

When redesigning your kitchen and kitchen layout, you’re going to need a budget of course! You’ll probably find yourself looking at prices ranging anywhere between $10k-$50k depending on the size of your kitchen and the amount of work involved. Standard rate of labor costs varies from state to state. If you’ve got some spare cash lying around, you should definitely invest in upgrading your appliances. Remember to consider functionality first when designing your kitchen. You could take a look at this for inspiration if you find yourself stumped for ideas.