Remodelling a kitchen is a smart move in many respects. If you are going to sell your home, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms prospective buyers consider before buying. Improving the kitchen increases the value of your home as well as the sale appeal.
If your kitchen’s appearance is less than desirable, you may find that people aren’t willing to spend what you’d like to buy your house. You may be blind to the imperfections of your kitchen area, but buyers notice everything and compare it to other potentially nicer kitchens on the market.
The Money Pit
Once you start looking at options for kitchen remodelling, you will start to realize how much money you could potentially sink into your kitchen. Custom cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dual fuel ranges; some people pay double digit thousands of dollars when renovating. Things add up fast. A few extra hundred dollars here and there can turn your small project into a bank breaker.
Luckily there are options that can make a huge improvement to the kitchen without bankrupting you. Here are some of the ways to improve on a budget:
Opt for Granite Tiles versus Solid Counter Tops
The look of granite is unmistakably beautiful. Expensive homes have solid granite countertops which need to be professionally installed and cost and arm and a leg. To achieve a beautiful look with a fraction of the cost, consider using granite (or other stone) tiles. Tiling a countertop can be done by pretty much anyone with a bit of know how. Doing it yourself will save money along with the savings of avoiding solid counters. This way you have an expensive look for less.
Laminate countertops can sometimes look very similar to granite, however the appeal isn’t nearly as impressive for potential buyers.
Reface Cabinets to Save Money
If the cabinets themselves are sturdy and provide enough space then you might want to consider simply re-facing them. Refacing can save considerable amounts of money compared to replacing the whole structure.
Re facing can mean several different things. One way to reface is to paint existing surfaces. This can make a big difference to looks but can be difficult to achieve a professional finish.
Changing the doors along with matching face fronts can make a huge difference to the kitchen. This can be done through a company who will install everything or it can be done using do-it-yourself kits (which saves more money).
Sometimes the cabinets doors can be changed by applying a laminate to the surface. Only certain kinds of doors can be treated this way.
Buy Appliances for Looks and Function
Nowadays you can achieve an expensive look without paying for the high end appliance costs. Get the features you need without buying all the extra bells and whistles inside. Many stainless steel appliances are very affordable. The cost has come down considerably which means that you can have your dream kitchen in reality. Stainless fridges and stoves are a definite plus when selling your home.
Use Laminate Flooring and Save
The difference in price between laminate and hardwood floors can be considerable. Laminate is becoming more and more affordable while at the same time becoming more durable. The look you achieve will be very similar to that of hardwood without the extra cost. Laminate is easy to install yourself without the need for many special tools.
Let the Sun Shine In
Ok, it doesn’t have to be the sun, but the adding decent lighting in your kitchen will make a noticeable change. Choosing modern fixtures to appeal to trend oriented buyers is a bonus. A bright kitchen is inviting and appealing to men and women alike.
More and more men are cooking these days, so improving your kitchen will speak to a large audience. Changing some of all of the above can add value to your home. Even if you are not planning on selling, changes such as these can make your cooking experience so much more enjoyable.