Quick, Easy Budget Kitchen Renovations

Perhaps the most daunting task in home renovations is the kitchen makeover. We hear some horror stories about the enormous cost of remaking a kitchen. Just one look at the price tag on a new kitchen at a home renovation show or your local home renovation store is enough for you to say “no way”.

Kitchen renovations can indeed be a huge, complicated undertaking; perhaps more so than with other parts of the home. This probably has to do a lot with the fact that the kitchen is the most used, multi-purpose room in the home. However, if you are operating on a budget and you want to add a face lift and increased functionality to your kitchen design without taking out a second mortgage, you can achieve this with simple cosmetic changes.

1) Give your kitchen cupboards a face lift. Your kitchen remodelling will benefit greatly from renovating your kitchen cupboards. This would involve replacing hinges, knobs and handles, sanding and staining or painting. Yes there is some elbow grease involved but well worth the effort. You can decide on the colors, finish and hardware which can be a very exciting endeavour.

2) Choose a color for your kitchen. Try to think outside the box and you can get plenty ideas for kitchens from home shows and displays as to the best color combination for your kitchen. When repainting the kitchen, don't forget the ceiling and trims in your kitchen design plans.

3) Replace worn or dated appliances. If your appliances are worn or dated, replacing them makes a world of difference for your kitchen renovation project. The good thing is that since this is a do-it-yourself-project you can add new appliances as you are able to. If you decide on stainless steel for both large and small appliances, keep an eye out for sales. There is nothing wrong with purchasing a floor model range or refrigerator for much less than you would a fresh off the truck one.

4) Replace your counter. If you are replacing your counter top, think long term about your kitchen design. Your current one may have been in place for more than a decade and now you want a fresh modern look. You can still get good deals on granite, corian or any of the other hot counter tops right now. Buying quality counter tops for your kitchen renovation will add instant value and beauty to your kitchen and home, so it is important to shop wisely and wait for sales. If you are using granite get it professionally installed unless you really know what you are doing.

5) The backsplash. Other things to think about is the back splash for one. You can’t have a new counter top without a new back splash for your kitchen renovation project. You may also need a new sink and tap to go with your new counter top. Think about adding an Island in your kitchen if you have the space. These can be purchased or made and you can add a granite or other top to compliment your counter tops.

6) Lighting makes a huge difference to your kitchen design. You can choose from a variety of options from strategic task lighting to ambient lighting.

7) Flooring is another area to consider when doing a kitchen design. However, you may already have newer flooring in and if that is the case and funds are an issue, just work with it and concentrate your efforts on other areas.

It is important to understand that you don't have to do it all at once when you are doing kitchen renovations. There is no contractor on the time clock and you can choose which area to work on when. The only caution is that you set a time for completing the project and try to complete one project before moving unto another.Get ideas for kitchen, and remodelling ideas from a variety of home renovation sources. You can also develop your own kitchen design ideas and renovation ideas.