For many homeowners, the kitchen is the most popular room of the home to upgrade since that’s where the majority of their housework, social entertaining and gatherings take place. However, in most cases, renovating a kitchen doesn’t mean tearing the existing one down and starting from scratch unless it’s absolutely necessary. Below are the top eight items you may want to consider when upgrading your kitchen without it costing an arm and a leg.1-Cabinets and hardware
You may decide to paint or reface your cabinets instead of replacing them. If the doors are in decent shape then this is a good cost-effective option. The hardware can be taken off, any holes can be filled and the cupboard exteriors and cabinets can then be spray painted. This choice will be significantly less expensive than replacing the cabinets and it can still change the overall feel and look of the kitchen. In addition, you can also replace trim or mouldings if you’d like to modernize them. If your cabinet hardware is dated it can easily be replaced for a reasonable price. It can be modernized with pewter pulls or stainless steel handles as they’re usually sold in packages.2-CountertopsIf your countertops are stained, chipped or simply out of fashion they can easily be updated. Many homeowners prefer to go with laminate countertops in relatively neutral colours or shades such as gray, brown, black or taupe as a backdrop for the cabinets. If you’d prefer to have a more high-end kitchen, you may want to install a marble, quartz or granite countertop at a higher price. If you’re selling the home, buyers are typically more attracted to neutral settings.Having a good contractor is key as they will know the best quality countertops you should be using. We found the best home remodeling contractors in Redwood City by looking at Google Reviews online.
3-FlooringThe floor of the kitchen is basically the anchor space and it has to fit in effortlessly with the rest of the room by tying everything together. For resale value, a neutral-coloured floor usually works best in either hardwood or ceramic tiling. A laminate floor is also a fine option in some cases, but usually not if you intend on selling the home or raising its value.
4-LightingBrass-trimmed lights and fluorescent panels are quite popular when kitchen lighting is being upgraded as they generally add some style to the room. In addition, modernized track-lighting can highlight and brighten things such as the cooking area and countertops.5-Sinks and FaucetsThere’s not really much point spending a lot of your renovation budget on a sink. They should match the faucets and fit in with everything else, especially the countertops, but buyers aren’t usually too fussy when it comes to sinks. You’ll be fine as long as everything is cohesive. For high-end kitchens, upgraded stylish faucets are generally recommended, but you can often find some good-looking, modern faucets for less than $200 for any size and style of kitchen.
6-AppliancesThe appliances can often make or break the kitchen. Yes, they need to be pleasing to the eye, but they also need to be clean, functional and in good working condition, especially when selling your home. It’s also important that the appliances match. You don’t really want a green oven, a black fridge and a yellow dishwasher for example. Buyers often prefer black or stainless steel appliances, so you may want to keep that in mind when renovating. It’s also important that the appliances fit the kitchen space properly. You shouldn’t try to squeeze something into an area if it’s too big and vice versa. It’s recommended that you measure the spaces in the kitchen and install the appliances and stove fan-hood which will fit nicely into them.7-BacksplashesBacksplashes are also becoming popular installations during kitchen upgrades as they basically connect the base and upper cabinets. These should also be neutral if you plan on selling soon such as taupe and white. There are numerous materials and textures to choose from with high-end kitchens often going with stone, metal, glass or wood etc.
8-The ColorIf you plan on keeping your home you have endless options when it comes to the color of the kitchen as it’s basically your personal preference. However, if you plan on selling then you may want to go with a neutral tone. This can easily be achieved with minimal cost by giving your kitchen a brand new coat of paint.
