The kitchen is usually considered one of the most complex, expensive rooms in the house to refit. Having flooring that will withstand years of footfall and dropped food, appliances that aren’t going to break down within the first couple of years, and high-quality countertops to work on isn’t exactly cheap, and it can also take a lot of time to figure out what would be the best option in each category.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be that way, though. While it might still cost more than other rooms in the house, you can make significant savings if you choose the right strategy.
To help you get started, here are three tips for refitting your kitchen on a low budget without having to compromise on quality.
1. Consider What You Can Keep
When money’s no object, you can replace everything, but on a budget, you’ll need to think carefully about what you really need to replace and what can stay.
It all depends on the quality of your existing kitchen. If you already have granite or quartz countertops, for example, these can usually be resurfaced and kept. Wooden floors can also be resanded and refinished, and if your tile floors don’t show any signs of wear, there won’t be much sense in replacing them so long as you’re happy with the aesthetic.
Try to think out of the box. If you can afford to remain with the same layout, you could even keep your current cabinets and just get new doors.
2. Buy Second Hand Appliances
Reddit has a community called Buy It For Life, which is all about purchasing second-hand items from a different era for their superior build quality. It’s proof that you can often get something second-hand that’s significantly better made than you’d buy in-store or online today, and you’ll find that things are much cheaper this way.
With retro styling being very much in fashion today, many people love these pieces for their appearance, too, and make something of a hobby out of restoring them to their former glory. eBay is usually your best bet – just make sure you read the descriptions carefully. Another thing to be aware of is size and configuration, which can be quite different from today’s fridges, washers, dryers, and so on.
3. Choose Reputable Contractors
A lot of the money you spend when renovating your kitchen goes on labour, and it can be difficult to find a reputable electrician, plumber, and kitchen fitter who can do everything you need for a fair price.
Make sure you spend plenty of time reading reviews and ensuring that the contractor’s repertoire aligns perfectly with what you need doing. Naturally, those with a more extensive skill set are best (someone like Keil Electric, for example), and you’ll make a saving here versus having to call multiple people in to do separate jobs.
Wrapping Up
While the above tips don’t cover absolutely everything you need to know, they should be enough to get you going. Providing you do plenty of research and don’t rush anything, you’ll end up with a fantastic new kitchen for half the price it should’ve cost you.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
