Kitchen remodeling is often an expensive undertaking. The average cost of this project ranges from $75 to $250 per square foot. Fortunately, there are several ways to save money when remodeling your kitchen. Check out these expert-approved ideas:

Prepare a Detailed Plan

Lack of planning can cause hefty expenses along the way. When creating a plan and preparing project design, you need to first evaluate your needs versus your wants. It can be tempting to jump into a complete kitchen overhaul but it isn't always necessary, especially if there are parts that are still in pretty good condition. 

Think about how to make your kitchen practical and functional, aside from making it stylish. Give considerable thought to the needs of your household.

It also pays to do some research to figure out the cost of items and what affordable options are available. Lastly, set a budget for your project and add 10 to 20 percent more for unplanned expenses.

Decide Which Tasks Would Be DIY

If you can do some projects by yourself, much better. If you've never laid a hand on home improvement projects before, you can work on simple tasks like DIY decorations, open shelves, cup stands, etc. 

You may also consider painting the walls by yourself instead. This task is pretty easy with some guidelines you can get online. Surely, it can save you a lot of money. 

Other tasks that you can probably do on your own are hanging wallpaper, removing popcorn ceilings, and fixing a clogged garbage disposal. Repairing a leaky drain pipe is easily done by simply tightening a slip-nut near the P-trap.

Revamp Kitchen Cabinets Instead Of Replacing

Replacing your cabinetry can be a costly project. Luckily, you can give your kitchen cabinets a makeover without the need to replace them.

Here are some inexpensive ideas to give your kitchen cabinets a makeover:

Repaint them. Color changes everything. As long as the frames and doors are still in good condition, you can clean them up and then apply a fresh coat of paint.  

Reface them. Resurfacing is a great way to restore old cabinets. It means laying wood veneers, laminate, or rigid thermo-foils over existing cabinets so they look new again. With cabinet refacing, you can save up to 50 percent of the cost of replacement.

Install under-cabinet lighting. Lighting can greatly enhance the look and feel of your space. Task lighting is pretty easy to retrofit beneath upper wall cabinets and provides supplemental light for your countertop.

Choose Low-cost Countertop Material

When it comes to kitchen countertops, you have plenty of affordable options. They include:

• Laminate - Laminate countertops can mimic stone or wood. Thanks to advanced technologies, you may not even be able to tell the difference.

• Concrete - Concrete offers the same hardness and solidity as natural stone but at a fraction of a cost.

• Tile - This is one of the cheapest options. Tiles vary in colors, sizes, and designs. You can even buy custom-cut slabs if you don't want smaller tiles.

• Wood - wood adds warmth to a kitchen. Instead of installing costly granite or marble, go for inexpensive wood countertops made of bamboo or maple.

Avoid Moving Plumbing And Rerouting

As much as possible, keep your plumbing system where it was initially set up. Rerouting lines can be very costly. It can cost $5,000 on average.

RearrangingRe-arranging the layout of your sink will most likely double your plumbing costs. It's generally more expensive because you're adding time for the plumber and spending more on materials. 

Schedule professional plumbing inspection services before you start your remodeling project to make sure you don’t miss out on anything that needs to be repaired. 

Paint The Floor Instead Of Replacing

Another affordable and stylish way to spruce up your kitchen is to repaint your wood floor. White and yellow are popular colors for kitchen floors. They both create a light and airy ambiance and can make your space feel more relaxed. 

If you're a fan of patterns, stencils are another option. You only need a handful of tools and materials, such as a stencil pattern, brush, paint, paper, and stencil paint.

For the best outcome, don't skip the essential preparatory steps like cleaning, sanding, and priming your kitchen floors. The type of paint you use is very important. Choose quality paint that is suitable for the type of flooring you have.

Conclusion

Remodeling a kitchen on a budget is possible if you know which ones to prioritize. Again, start by addressing problems or areas that will make your kitchen more functional and practical. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that not all items need not be replaced. Cabinets and floors can be spruced up by simply repainting them. Meanwhile, you can make your kitchen look more stylish by changing the wall paint and decorating it.

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