Budget kitchen reno
It all begins with an idea.
The name of the game is high - low. I don’t believe in cutting costs on every item - its nearly impossible to achieve a high end look. Trust me, Ive tried! Sadly, when it comes to interiors, there’s a reason things cost what they do. Below are some of the key rules I follow to achieve the look for less.
Splurge
+ Gas stove
For me, if you don’t have gas, this is one plumbing cost I would splurge on. Have you ever seen a designer kitchen with an electric stove ? Not to mention the happiness it will bring you when you cook.
+ Appliance Package
The base cost of buying any appliance these days is so high. They are something you use everyday and you will want quality and something you find beautiful. Spend the extra money to get the appliances you really want.
+ Stone Sink
If you’re going to save on counters and do butcher block or a plain white, splurge on your sink! It becomes a focal point. We love our soapstone sink and despite being a soft stone it’s held up wonderfully.
+ Marble Coutertops
Marble is amazing and can be the same cost of close to cost as quartzite. Yes it’s a softer stone and can stain and etch, but embrace the patina. Do as the Europeans do, they’ve never shied away from marble and keep it for generations.
+ Unlaquered Brass Bridge Faucet
Simply put, they’re just so gorgeous. May as well be a work of art. This element will make it look like a designer did your kitchen.
+ Zellige Backsplash
If you calculate the actual square footage of your backsplash - and look at the total cost of $20 tile vs $3 tile - it’s really not that big of a difference compared to your total kitchen renovation cost. And it’s right at eye level, one of the first things you’ll see when you enter the room. This is why I never go cheap and pick the backsplash of my dreams.
Save
+ Floating shelves - use butcherblock and have your carpenter fabricate or buy prefabricated shelves. I like the prefabricated shelves from semi-handmade.
+ Cabinets - sand and paint the existing cabinets, work your design around prefabricated cabinets, or use ikea cabinets with semi handmade fronts
+ Layout - try your hardest to keep the existing layout of your kitchen - especially as it pertains to plumbing. Moving plumbing is costly, time and consuming and usually involves pulling permits from the city (more time).
+ Countertops - this is an area where I say go all in and make the stone of your dreams the focal point of your kitchen or go full budget and use butcherblock. We love our butcherblock counters, they have held up fabulously.
+ Pot filler - dont do it! Yes they are gorgeous and I think many of us have the fantasy of how much we would use one while we are drinking wine and making dinner in our fabulous new kitchen… but let your budget bring you back down to earth. you will have to add plumbing which involves tearing up wall and floor most likely. And thats before you purchase the faucet. You are probably looking at about $3000. As an alternative you can add a brass pot rack which can be drilled into your backsplash and this will only set you back about $100-200.
