If you’ve been following me for a while, you probably caught my post about inexpensive ways to create your dream bathroom.
We all need a place to relax, unwind, and just have a good soak once in a while. And – fun fact – your bathroom is one of the best rooms to renovate because it adds a tremendous amount to the value of your home. You could add as much as 20% onto the asking price if you make the right design choices. And if you’ve already renovated your bathroom, you can take things one step further to increase your home’s value; your kitchen has a similar impact to your bathroom when it comes time to resell your home. Your property value can increase by 20-25% by adding a few things to give potential buyers the kitchen they’ve always dreamed of.
I know what you’re thinking: a proper kitchen renovation is expensive.
After putting in so much time and money into paying the professionals, your return on investment may not be as great as you had initially hoped. Luckily, there is an easy way to combat some of the high labor costs. Yep, I’m talking DIYing it! There are quite a few parts of a kitchen renovation that you can actually do yourself. While it cuts into your personal time, it doesn’t eat into your wallet like it would if you hired a contractor. But where should you begin?
Add some new lighting.
The best place to start with any home update is to consider the lighting in the room. The right lighting not only accentuates the best features, it also allows you to have complete control over the aesthetic of your kitchen. Of course, natural lighting is always preferred in a kitchen. But if your windows are few and far between, you can add some basic lights yourself to give the right vibe.
With perfectly placed lighting, you can make your countertops glisten and guarantee that your floor looks absolutely stunning.
One recommendation I have is to think about adding spotlights to your kitchen. This modern choice is contemporary enough to appeal to the majority of home buyers, and looks amazing in any room. And in the kitchen, the minimalism of these lights looks incredible. Sunken spotlights avoid being invasive on the space of the room and they are easy to keep clean and clear. No more dusty hanging lights to clean!
However, typical spotlights are easier to install and setup. Don’t forget to flip any breakers before changing out lights. If rewiring is necessary, Google and YouTube are good resources for easy instructions. (Just leave any major or dangerous wiring issues to the pros.)
Don’t just stop at ceiling lights.
Lights can be added underneath cabinets and fixtures, even inside cupboards on the bottom of shelves. One benefit to this is that you can make the inside of the cabinets bright and beautiful, particularly if you have glass doors or cabinets with windows. Adding lights beneath the countertops will ensure two things. First, there won’t be any shadows to make your kitchen look smaller than it truly is. Second – and more importantly – it guarantees you a perfect, well-lit work space.
I know you’re probably thinking that adding these features is difficult and time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be! It’s totally possible to make this entire process relatively pain free. You can get battery LED lights that stick underneath the cabinets or the bottom of the shelves. My parents have done something similar to this, and it turned out great! It’s super easy and there is no wiring necessary. Plus, theirs has a remote control and color options – fun to play with during holidays!
What about new cabinets?
Replacing cabinets is pricey, but if the main cabinets are in good shape, just change out the doors! If you remove the old ones, you can buy replacements online. And if the price is still a little higher than you’d like, join Ebates (it’s free and you’ll get a $10 bonus for joining!) and find a vendor where you will receive cash back. But if you decide to do the work, it’s probably worth investing in a brushless drill. What is a brushless drill? Equipment like this will adjust the power of the drill based on the pressure you use. Basically it makes drilling holes much easier, especially if you’re inexperienced with power tools (like myself). Doing a DIY renovation will require the right equipment, so you definitely want to look into this.
Another idea is to install easy to lay flooring.
Easier and Cheaper Than You Think
If you’re upgrading the flooring for your kitchen, make sure that you buy material that is easy to lay down. This might sound like obvious advice, but you’d be amazed how many people make the mistake of over complicating the matter. For instance, with some flooring, each piece needs to be glued down. What you’re looking for is flooring that fits in place like a jigsaw puzzle. It’s easy to lay, and if you do ever want to change it, you’ll have no problem removing it.
What about keeping flooring costs cheap?
An inexpensive flooring option is laminate. It’s a great choice because it comes in a wide range of different styles, so you can find the perfect kind to match any decor or design elements you’re including in the kitchen. It’s budget-friendly, so if you choose this option you’ll still have cash left for extra possibilities.
Epoxy resin is another route you could go. This can be used as a finishing on the flooring. A light yet constant covering will give the floor a glass- or water-like appearance once dry, and if done right can be a stunning feature for your new kitchen.
The little changes make a big difference.
Like most people I know, you’re probably looking for frugal options because you don’t have a massive budget to work with. That’s okay! There are plenty of small changes that will have a significant impact on the way your kitchen looks. For instance, you can switch out the handles on the cabinet drawers and doors (check out Hobby Lobby for some cool options, and go on a day when they have them BOGO 1/2 off!). A new faucet can liven up the space too, giving a contemporary kitchen a new modern steel design. By swapping out the smaller details, you can breathe new life into your kitchen and accessories.
Bigger changes are always an option too.
Sanding down the wood on the kitchen fixtures and revarnishing them is a bit more work, but can be worth it. This can give your kitchen an awesome new shade and add a fresh and vibrant feel. (Just double check you are using the right tools for the job; you don’t want to get in over your head.)
I hope you have fun with these possibilities when tacking your own kitchen redesign. With so many choices that can fit into any budget, you really have no excuse not to improve such a vital room in your home. If you have other suggestions or just want to share your own home reno story, leave a comment below!
