Remodel and upgrade your kitchen without breaking your bank account.
If you’ve been putting off remodeling your worn and dated kitchen due to adhesive shocks and budget issues, you’ll be happy to know that a great-looking kitchen doesn’t have to break the bank. You can do a lot of upgrades for a modest cost, and still have a significant visual and functional upgrade.
Keep in mind that the most expensive part of most kitchen remodeling projects comes from buying large appliances. If your fridge, dishwasher, and hob/oven are in good condition, you can treat yourself to a fresh new kitchen and still have plenty of money when the job is done.
Do away with the cabinet doors and remove the old hardware. Remove the old stain or paint and sand the surfaces to even out imperfections and small signs of wear. Add a new stain or paint, allow to dry, and add new hardware before replacing the cabinet doors and drawers. Pat yourself on the back. Your kitchen will already look dramatically different.
Nothing updates the overall look of a kitchen like new cabinets … except remodeled ones. You can save a lot of money and achieve a luxurious look by refurbishing existing cabinets and drawers. You can also play with a contrasting color of paint to freshen up the walls.
Add a modest yet elegantly priced glass tile backsplash. You can even save more money by choosing tiles that can be separated rather than cut and are self-adhesive. For conventional tiles, you’ll need a wet saw, trowel, and grout. You can rent wet saws inexpensively at your home improvement store.
Make sure you go with a finish and color that improves the focal interest to your space. One way to go is to spread the mortar with a trowel (for conventional tiles) and press the tiles into place. Clean off the excess mortar and let it dry. Attach the adhesive tiles by sizing them to fit your space, removing the protective sheet, and pressing them to the surface of the wall.
Nail down the new look of your kitchen together with a new faucet and a new lighting fixture. They are sure to come in a variety of styles and price points, so it’s easy to find one that fits your taste and budget. Take the screws from the old drives and carefully remove the original devices. New faucets and lighting units usually come with their own attachment hardware, but if not, the old bolts and screws can be reused. Of course, the best approach is to purchase units with their own mounting equipment.
Refresh your counters and plans if the money stays in the budget. This is relatively simple, with the laminate floor tiles and countertops now available. Unlike linoleum tiles of yesteryear, laminates come in a wide variety of finishes and textures and can be installed by the weekend homeowner on the weekend. Now that your updated kitchen is complete take part of your savings to buy a bottle of champagne to share with friends while you showcase your work.
Items you will need
- Basic household tool kit (screwdrivers, cordless drill, wrenches, hammer)
- Paint stripping solution
- Portable sander
- Wood color
- Paints 1 to 2
- Brushes/rollers
- Drawers, handles, and hinges for cabinets/drawers
- Backsplash of glass tiles
- Wet saw (for conventional tiles)
- Tile mortar and trowel (for conventional tiles)
- Replacement luminaire
- New faucet
- Self-adhesive floor tiles
- Cheap laminate countertops
Tip
Make sure you work in a properly ventilated area when using paint, wood, or varnish. Coatings can emit potentially harmful fumes if inhaled for prolonged periods. Paint is available, which releases fewer vapors and little odor. Ask for these brands when choosing nail polish colors.
If you are using a wet saw for the first time, ask for a demonstration at the home improvement store and get safety tips. Also, make use of protective goggles to protect your eyes from stray debris.