Making My Home Gorgeous

Posted on: 25 February 2019

Whether you're planning to put your home on the market soon or are just tired of having a tired-looking kitchen, you may be interested in the prospect of a kitchen remodel. But if there are other parts of your home you'd like to update as well, you may be reluctant to drop anywhere from $12,000 to $30,000 or more on a full remodeling project. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to refresh your kitchen even on the tightest budget, giving you a new-looking kitchen while helping you retain funds for a future full-fledged remodel. Read on for three ways you can seriously refresh your kitchen without breaking the bank.

Reface Your Cabinets

Often, one of the biggest contributing factors to a kitchen that looks outdated is a set of worn-out cabinets. Over time, the wear and tear of opening and closing your cabinets and drawers each day, as well as the surface stains and damage that can come from cooking thousands of meals in an enclosed space, will leave your cabinets looking dingy and well-used. Refacing your cabinets allows you to maintain their current structure and layout while completely transforming their look and appearance. 

Much of the "list price" for a full kitchen remodel lies in completely removing and replacing cabinets. The serious structure required of high-quality cabinets can be costly—but if your current cabinets are structurally sound, there's no reason to remove them entirely. Instead, you can choose and install new cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and other visible cabinet components to match a new paint scheme or brighten up a dull, drab kitchen. You may opt for modern knob-free cabinets, which can save you money on dozens of drawer and cabinet pulls, or you might prefer decorative knobs that showcase your unique style.

If refacing is still slightly beyond your budget, you might also consider refinishing your cabinets. If you have solid wood cabinets, you'll be able to sand down the outer layer and apply a new coat of paint, stain, or sealer. This provides you with the glossy look of brand-new cabinets at a fraction of the cost. 

Upgrade Your Appliances

Just as an avocado- or mustard-colored refrigerator can take you straight back to the 1970s, other once-trendy appliances can begin to show their age sooner rather than later. Today, cream-colored or off-white appliances have taken the mantle from solid stainless steel, much to the relief of any homeowner who has spent hours trying to remove greasy fingerprints from a steel microwave or refrigerator. 

If you've been holding out on replacing a still-functional-but-not-ideal appliance, like a refrigerator with a malfunctioning icemaker or a stove with only three working burners, there may be no better time than the present. Today's appliances are smarter than ever and are designed to be ultra energy-efficient, reducing your electricity bill over the long term. By replacing or upgrading your refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher, you'll give your kitchen a whole new look and improved function.  

Brighten Up Your Sink and Backsplash

The sink is an often-underappreciated workhorse of any kitchen and, over time, may start to show its age through cracks, stains, scuffs, and scratches. Installing a new kitchen sink and faucet doesn't need to be an expensive undertaking and can seriously brighten up that entire side of the room.

While you're upgrading the kitchen sink, you may also want to consider adding a backsplash. By placing glass, metal, or ceramic tile behind the most splash-prone part of your kitchen, you'll make this area easier to keep clean and give it a brand-new look and feel. And while other kitchen projects (like refacing cabinets) will require you to hire a contractor, installing a backsplash is something you should be able to do on your own.

Get in touch with a kitchen remodeling contractor to learn more.