How to Design Kitchens on a Budget
- 1). Determine the budget for the project. Consider that the majority of home improvement projects go over the budget due to unexpected expenses and leave a buffer to avoid running out of money.
- 2). Take your time to plan out and design the kitchen before jumping into the work. Making changes after the project begins will likely add cost to the project.
- 3). Make a list of all the design elements you wish to include in the project. Don't worry about the cost as you create your list. Assess the list to determine which items are must-haves for you in the kitchen design. Remember that you can upgrade certain elements of the kitchen down the road if they aren't in the current budget.
- 4). Shop around at various home improvement stores to determine the costs of the items included in your kitchen design if you are handling the work yourself. Work with the designer to determine the cost and areas you can cut if you are having help with the design.
- 5). Consider discontinued models of appliances or cupboards to slash the budget. Consider lesser-known brands of appliances as long as the reviews are positive.
- 6). Choose stock cabinets over custom built units. Dress up the fronts of the cabinet doors and drawers with decorative drawer pulls and handles.
- 7). Consider compromises on the flooring and countertops. Laminate flooring looks similar to hardwood but saves money on the budget. Many solid-surface countertops resemble granite or marble and cost significantly less. They may also prove easier to care for on a daily basis.
- 8). Consider handling some of the work yourself. If the project is a kitchen remodel, tear out the old cabinets, flooring, wallpaper and appliances. Rent a dumpster to dispose of these items, but make sure there aren't restrictions on the type of materials you can place in them. Consider installing the flooring, painting the walls or cleaning up the work area yourself to save on money. Any work that you do yourself reduces the labor costs for the kitchen project.
Source...