Kitchens

The kitchen is the most expensive room in the home to update and remodel.  Haven’t you seen those home decorating shows where the budget for their kitchen makeover is darn close to what you paid for your house?  It's no wonder you've been putting off this project for the past decade!
 
Redecorating a kitchen on a budget can be daunting, but there are ways to save money and keep your costs within a tight budget. Try these tricks to help keep costs down when you’re planning a budget kitchen remodeling project. 

Revitalizing instead of Replacing Kitchen Cabinetry

When it comes to kitchen renovation, a quick fix is what comes in the mind of most people. New cabinetry costs a fortune. Get more mileage out of your current cabinets by painting them and updating the hardware.  You’ll be shocked when you see what a difference it makes in your kitchen.

If you're not sure on paint color, consider white. It's timeless, clean-looking, and continues to be the most popular choice in current kitchen trends.  The most popular hardware right now is nickel plated.  That tends to change every few years.  I personally found nickel hardware too modern looking for rustic kitchen décor.  I found a great alternative in black nickel – it gives the bright brushed nickel an aged appearance that works well with casual or country kitchen décor.

Saving those Appliances – is it Worth it?

Have appliances that work well but are stuck with nightmare colors of decades gone by?  Update them with paint. Believe it or not, there is a spray paint specifically for appliances that can work wonders in this situation. You don’t have to be saddled with that gold refrigerator from the 70’s while the rest of the kitchen has a new, updated feel.

But, if you do choose to replace your appliances, you may actually be saving yourself money in the long run.  Appliances have come a long way in energy efficiency in the last decade.  You may be saving enough on your electric bill in the upcoming years to pay for the cost of your new appliance.  I’m not making this up, my husband swore I was – a new refrigerator can use 40% less energy than an older model.  Considering a refrigerator can cost up to $150 annually in energy costs – that 40% savings will add up during the life of the new fridge.

Transform Your Walls

Now that we’ve updated the appliances and cabinets, your walls are going to look really dirty and dingy.  Be prepared to paint them as well.  Painting your walls tends to gives you the most bang for your buck when it comes to decorating on a budget, and the kitchen is no exception.  (That will open up a whole new can of worms - what color do you paint your kitchen?  Not to worry, we have tips for picking a color for you.)

You can compromise in plenty of areas when it comes to updating the kitchen or trying out budget interior design tricks for your kitchen, but don’t sacrifice what you like for the latest kitchen decorating trends. It’s your kitchen – decorate to your taste, not to trends.