Are you tired of the outdated look of your kitchen but short on money?
According to Remodeling Magazine and its annual survey, a minor kitchen remodel will return homeowners more than 92.9% of their initial investment.
Not all kitchen remodels have to cost a fortune. The following are five ideas a homeowner can use to update a kitchen without blowing their budget.
one) Replace flooring. Install laminate flooring over old linoleum, vinyl, or chipped tile. It’s only $1 to $5 per square foot and there are many modern, easy-care styles that look like wood, stone or tile and don’t come with the high price tag.
two) Modernize and replace lighting. Nothing dates a kitchen more than outdated lighting. A new ceiling fixture costs less than $100 and will brighten up your kitchen. Adding a few lights under cabinets or pendant lights above work areas will illuminate work surfaces and brighten up the entire kitchen.
3) Give cabinets a new life. A coat of good paint and new hardware is the cheapest way to go. If the budget isn’t too tight and the homeowner can spend $4,000 to $6,000 on the project, hire a restoration company to replace the doors and drawer fronts. Be sure to replace old hardware with new hardware and you’ll be well on your way to adding a fresh face to tired old cabinets.
4) Do not forget to restore the appliances. For a few hundred dollars, an appliance refinisher will refinish your stove, refrigerator and dishwasher door in the color of your choice, including a stainless steel look. Go to an appliance store or home to find out about the latest kitchen appliance colors. Make sure to ditch colors like gold and avocado, which are a throwback to the ’70s, and repaint with fresh, modern colors.
5) Make sure to update the splash guard. Replace the gap between your cabinets and countertop with trendy stone, inexpensive wallpaper, or a fresh coat of paint. A new coat of coordinated paint throughout the kitchen will give the entire kitchen a new and updated feel. Try to stick to neutral colors if you plan to sell your home in the near future.
All or some of the above ideas should make a dramatic change to a kitchen and provide the homeowner with a good return on money when it comes time to sell.
