6 Areas to Save Money in a Kitchen Renovation

Let’s admit it, at some point in time we have all had it...kitchen envy.

Whether you see a stunning kitchen on a home decorating show or during your evening scroll on Pinterest or Instagram, I’m sure most of you could easily describe your dream kitchen if asked. Kitchen renovations however typically come with a huge price tag which discourages a lot of home owners from doing any work at all. The good news is that if you spend wisely with your updates, you can still achieve a beautiful kitchen renovation and get a good bang for your buck!

Here are some areas where you can make some smart “money saving decisions” with your upgrades:

1. Cabinetry - Custom cabinetry is one of the most expensive parts of a kitchen renovation.

Over the years however, big box stores like Ikea, Home Depot, Lowes and Rona have come a long way with pre fabricated cabinetry. You can now get that custom look for a fraction of the price.  Alternatively many people are resurfacing their existing cabinets and giving them a “face lift” simply by sanding and painting the existing cupboards or having them professionally sprayed. Both are great alternatives to custom cabinetry.

2. Tiles/Backslash - Have you ever been to a store like Eden Tile or the Tile Depot and have no idea where to start!? The selection these stores carry is incredible, and you can easily achieve a very high end look on a not so high end budget. If there is a more expensive tile that you just can’t live without, consider using it as trim or only in a certain section of your backsplash as an accent.  Challenge yourself to create that expensive look with inexpensive tiles...only you will know the difference!

4. Appliances - Undoubtedly this can be one of the most expensive items in a kitchen. But this is also a place where you can be wise about what you are spending. Consider the size of your kitchen, how often you cook and how many people live in your home. This can help determine going from a 6 burner to a 4 burner stove top or choosing a standard size fridge versus an elaborate industrial size. Do your research with brands too. Sure it’s great to have a Wolf range or a Sub Zero Fridge, but is there a comparable appliance at half the price?

5. Demolition - This part of the job seems like it’s not a big deal. Just pick up a sledge hammer and start tearing out the kitchen. Well, it can cost a fair amount to have a contractor do the demo before the work. Get a group of friends over one weekend, rent a bin and have a demolition party. It will be fun and you can save some extra money to go towards that special faucet or light fixture you have your eye on.

6. Planning - Take your time with your renovation so that you don’t make expensive mistakes. Scout out stores for sales on appliances, tiles and cabinets. Get advice from different professionals and try to make all your big decisions in advance. Create that perfect design of your dream kitchen , map out all the details and enjoy the transformation!