Where to splurge and save in a kitchen remodel ideas
Remodeling your kitchen is a great idea if you want to enhance it and take it to the next level. You don’t have to revamp everything, however. There are some things that you can splurge on, but also stuff that you can save on in order to lower the investment. Now, are appliance upgrades, cabinetry, countertop, and lighting investments a necessary splurge, or can you cut corners? In general, you can splurge on stuff that you use every day. If you use it sparingly, maybe you can save and go for a cheaper option.
What should you splurge on?
Cabinetry
Cabinets are widely regarded as the backbone of any kitchen. In most kitchens, cabinetry eats up around 30 to 40% of the space. You should consider high-quality or even custom cabinets that have very good durability and construction, efficient storage and improved finishes. You can also opt for soft-close drawers and hinges, full-extension slides and so on. Even here, you can save a little with stock cabinet lines from reputable manufacturers and semi-custom cabinets, if you want. In the end, quality cabinetry will help increase your home’s value. And since you are using these often, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Functional storage
Even if your kitchen is stunning, low-quality cabinetry can end up being very problematic. And that’s why a recommendation from our side is to opt for deep drawer storage, pantry organization, trash/recycling systems, pull-out organizers and so on. These are excellent if you want to improve your day-to-day use. There’s a reason why most people are focusing on these as the main focus for a remodel.
Countertops
A high-quality countertop is extremely valuable, and it can help improve your kitchen’s look and durability. When you buy a countertop, splurge because it will take daily usage. It will deal with acidic foods, spills, knives and heat.
Countertops are highly visible; in fact, they’re the first thing people tend to notice when entering a kitchen. When you splurge on a countertop, ideally you want to go with quartz, granite and other durable materials. It makes sense to avoid the ultra-premium exotic stone slabs like exotic granites or rare marbles because their performance isn’t always ideal.
Professional design
It’s a good idea to splurge on a professional design. A great designer will maximize the layout, make the most out of the available space, focus on functionality, coordinate finishes and materials, manage your budget and work with it to deliver an exceptional result. Even if you have a specific budget, a good designer will make it look more expensive than it really is.
Ventilation
Another thing you can splurge on is the ventilation. It’s overlooked, but a good ventilation system is crucial. It can eliminate cooking smells, which might affect the indoor air quality. The most important thing is to get a range hood and an adequate ventilation system. Invest in something durable, and focus less on expenses here.
Where should you save money?
Trendy finishes
That’s the thing: you don’t want to remodel a kitchen based on trends. It might be trendy now, but, in a few years, it’s old-fashioned and dated. You should consider saving on decorative accessories, statement color, or trend-driven tile patterns. Instead, it’s a much better idea to opt for a timeless foundation.
Decorative items
A lot of people think that investing in beautiful decorative hardware, that will look great. But the reality is that most of these can be changed in the future. Even if you go with something cheap and it breaks, finding a replacement is quite easy. That’s especially true for pulls and knobs, among many others. In this case, you have a lot of flexibility, so use it as an advantage.
Decorative lighting
Even if lighting is important, the truth is that a lot of people go overboard. They treat every fixture as a showpiece. What you can splurge on is a focal fixture, like those in the dining area or on the island. For places like under-cabinets or more remote kitchen lighting, it just makes sense to go the cheaper route.
Appliances
Some people think that it’s better for them if they go for professional-grade appliances. And yes, for some of them, it might be worth it. But for the overwhelming majority, that is not the case. Think of it this way: do you cook often or not, do people come to visit often, and if you will use the specialty features. A lot of the time, you won’t need those. You can use the money you save here on better storage and cabinetry. Be smart with the investment, and you can have an amazing looking kitchen within budget.
Flooring
Another thing you can save on would be flooring as well as paint. You can go for quality flooring that focuses on scratch resistance. And in some cases, you can actually refinish the existing floor, which can help you save even more money. When it comes to paint, you can opt for a color that’s not very expensive. Most people won’t need premium designer paint.
Budget allocation
For a regular kitchen remodel, we think it’s a good idea to allocate your budget using the following percentage guidelines:
Cabinetry should cover 30 to 35% of the budget
Countertops 10-15%
Lighting 5%
Appliances 12-15%
Labor 15-20%
Flooring 7-10%
Hardware 3-5%
Contingency fund 10-15%
Yes, it’s a great idea to have a contingency fund just in case there are surprises. A remodel is not going to be simple; a lot of the time, there can be issues. Avoiding those is crucial, if you can. However, sometimes, they are unavoidable. Hence, the reason why having a contingency fund is a great idea to keep in mind.
Schedule Kitchen Design Consultation with HKG Today
If you want to plan a kitchen remodel, you always want to splurge on elements that you’re using most often. A great design, quality countertop, and very good storage and cabinetry, these will help immensely. You can save money on other areas that can be easily replaced or which do not impact the quality of living as much. You don’t need to spend a ton of money. What matters is how you are spending everything. It will make your life a lot easier if you focus on satisfaction and quality rather than trends, so keep that in mind.
Hermitage Kitchen Gallery has been a leader in the Nashville design space since the 1940s. Schedule a kitchen design consultation today online, or give us a call at (615) 988-5988.