budget kitchens

A kitchen is the heart of the home and a lot of activity happens in this space. Some like it all open to the rest of the main living spaces, and some like it more closed off to hide any mess or to keep it as a quieter room. But regardless of your preference, being mindful of budget is often a top priority for many as they embark on a kitchen renovation that will ultimately need to serve them for many years.

Here are a few ideas on how you can save on your next kitchen renovation:

1. Do the work yourself - this is huge and not for everyone, but there are many phases of a renovation so some of the work, if not all, can be done yourself starting with demo and removal of the old, prepping the space, then all the way to installing the new kitchen. Bringing in an electrician and plumber for specific tasks is often advisable however.
2. Keep the old appliances - sometimes this is possible, but not always. Stoves and dishwashers have standard sizes so that is a good place to start with keeping the old if they are functional as they can be more easily replaced when it's needed in the future. Fridges, on the other hand, have varying sizes, so this may be where you start if only one new appliance is affordable.
3. Keep your finishes on the low end. Ikea kitchens have great options and some so simple and classic it will work for a long time to come. Solid surface counters (quartz, granite, soapstone...) are all beautiful, but there are some beautiful laminates out there now, and butcher block can also be found at a more reasonable price.
4. Backsplashes can be the bling in your kitchen, but it doesn't have to be expensive. Classic subway tiles are, well, classic, but for fun you can use a coloured grout for the same money to add your own flare. Also, backsplashes are not necessary everywhere so consider if you can forgo an area to save a bit of money.
5. Cabinet hardware - I hate to suggest that another bling of the kitchen can be inexpensive, but it can. Go super simple and this cost can stay low too.
6. Consider some open shelves instead of upper cabinets. They are less expensive and very on trend right now.
7. Once the budget is set and the finishes chosen, if you think there is room for a small splurge, go for it in a small way but where you will appreciate it the most, such as a higher end backsplash behind the stove area, or a light fixture you have always coveted, or do go for the better hardware so that you can touch something special every time you go into a cupboard.

Here are some more great ideas on how you can save on your kitchen renovation. If you have any ideas to add, please do so in the comment section below.

This is a faux marble laminate counter with a drop in sink!

Use open shelves to save on the cost of some upper cabinets.

Paint out the backsplash in a colour that matches the counter for a higher end look.

Use butcher block, subway tiles and open shelves for a lower cost trendy look.

For a splurge, add your favourite backsplash but just behind the stove.

If you have a bulkhead, keep it intact and simply go with shorter cabinets.

Combine butcher block with simple white cabinetry so that white appliances look intentional and beautiful.

Go for plywood!

Let your fridge stand alone and save on gables as well as those upper cabinets that are hard to reach.

If you're tidy and have some great items to display, go with some industrial shelving.

Use an old dresser painted in your favourite colour.

If you have a great piece of furniture you don't know what to do with, use it in your kitchen in place of new cabinets.

If you have the discipline to get rid of some things, forgo uppers all together.