Remodeling a kitchen can be a daunting task. After all, this play has so many purposes: this is where we eat, mix, socialize and have fun. Creating a functional but beautiful space suitable for people living in the house is no small task.
As the kitchen is one of the most crucial parts of a property, it can be a break for many potential buyers and tenants, which is why it is essential to carry out a renovation with a really solid plan.
One of the most difficult aspects of any renovation is the initial planning process. Developing your vision of space and determining the characteristics that will bring it to life are key elements, even if – or especially if – you are working on a defined budget.
It can be easy for those with a little creativity, but if you are not a natural-born renovator, or if you do not know on which parts of the room to splurge and in which areas you can save money, it can quickly become stressful.
During Sarah Megginson's quest to reconfigure her own personal kitchen, she discovered that the best ideas came from various sources.
"We visited four different kitchen manufacturers and were inspired by each," she says. "The bonus of this is that we ended up with a design that we never would have thought of on our own."
Based on her experience, Sarah offers her best personal advice on the creative renovation of a kitchen on a limited budget.
FIRST STEP: DO SOME WORK
Mental preparation is the very important first step in any renovation project, because even if sometimes you know exactly what you want, at other times, you need to do your research.
"Ask for advice and walk around the kitchen warehouses," suggests Sarah. This tip comes from his own success in gleaning design concepts by visiting kitchen manufacturers.
By examining how others develop their individual aesthetics, you will find yourself thinking about ways to improve or modify these ideas to your liking. You can also discover ways to save money for example, Sarah realized that she could redeploy her existing sink mixer from her old kitchen to her new one.
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In addition to exploring warehouses like Bunnings or IKEA, you can get ideas from friends or family. Keep your eyes open to discover interesting design elements such as unique lighting or beautiful worktops.
SECOND STEP: CHAMPAGNE BOUTIQUE ON A BEER BUDGET
Once you've finally set up your ideal kitchen, it's time to go shopping. It is certainly much easier to dream than to execute, especially if the things you love may be out of your price range, so shop around for products that fit your budget.
"I wanted a black granite sink because they come off the white worktops. Granite is also robust and chip resistant, so it's perfect for a rental property, ”says Sarah.
"But they are expensive! So I went around and finally found what I wanted online for $ 450 – far less than the $ 1,000 that our kitchen installers cited for a granite sink, which was actually smaller than the one that we bought. "
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The best way to get a good deal on the products is to pay attention to sales. Subscribe to the newsletters to be informed of the offers and remember to ask for a discount if you can pay in cash.
THIRD STEP: GO NEUTRAL WITH CUPBOARDS
One of the simplest ways to save money on renovating a kitchen is to keep your cabinets simple, making it a complementary rather than a remarkable feature. of your kitchen.
"Matt white base cabinets are generally the cheapest you can get, and they're the perfect base for any kitchen," says Sarah.
"I wanted a Hamptons shaker style look, but it was $ 3,000 cheaper to get white cabinets. These would get a similar look with fancy Hamptons style handles but save a bundle. Because it was my own house, I splurged, but if it was an investment property, I would have pocketed the savings. "
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"Consider opting for high-end finishes on the upper cabinets that are seen more regularly, then install a lighter style for the cabinets below," suggests Sarah. "It adds style and impact, while limiting costs."
STEP FOUR: HAVE A SHOWSTOPPER MOMENT
When designing your new kitchen aesthetic, Sarah suggests creating this large centerpiece that becomes the main topic of discussion when people enter the kitchen.
"In our kitchen, these are the worktops – these are high quality stones in a Calacatta marble finish," she says.
“In my mother's kitchen, she opted for simple white worktops contrasting with a bold and elegant marble credenza. In my friend's kitchen, she splurged for expensive marble on the island bench – the part everyone sees first – but used basic neutral worktops along the wall the bottom. "
The rest of your kitchen should be built around this centerpiece so as not to be cluttered with too many individual design elements.
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Maintenance is important to make sure your kitchen always looks high quality. It is important to wipe the worktops regularly and keep your splashback free of grease and grime.
FIFTH STEP: CREATE WITH AN ISLAND BENCH
With regard to kitchen benches, many renovators can think of island benches. However, Sarah notes that you should not be limited to this option.
"If you want the function and aesthetics of an island bench, depending on the space and layout, you may be able to install a dining table in the kitchen – it's a lot cheaper and can look really effective! "
The kitchen tables are particularly useful for large family homes. They help make the room a great place to cook and wash as well as eat and socialize, ensuring that the kitchen remains the heart of the home.
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The key to choosing the perfect dining table to use as an island bench for your kitchen is to make sure there is plenty of walking space around the table. . Remove all chairs and consider adding stools to create a casual dining area.
STEP SIX: GO WITH HANDLES
When designing your new kitchen aesthetic, Sarah suggests creating this large centerpiece that becomes the main topic of discussion when people enter the
kitchen.
"In our kitchen, these are the worktops – these are high quality stones in a Calacatta marble finish," she says.
“In my mother's kitchen, she opted for simple white worktops contrasting with a bold and elegant marble credenza. In my friend's kitchen, she splurged for expensive marble on the island bench – the part everyone sees first – but used basic neutral worktops along the wall the bottom. "
The rest of your kitchen should be built around this centerpiece so as not to be cluttered with too many individual design elements.
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Door handles and door handles come in different shapes, colors, materials and sizes, giving you the perfect opportunity to experiment. You just want to make sure they stand out – and of course are durable!
STEP SEVEN: BUY THE VERY BEST BENCH YOU MAY HAVE
There are aspects of cooking that you should spend to ensure the highest quality and durability. For Sarah, her island bench was non-negotiable.
"We opted for a high quality engineered stone in a Calacatta marble finish – the most expensive element of our renovation, but it is indestructible." It cannot be stained or burned and looks like a million dollars, "she said.
"It was worth the investment because it really stands out as a premium bench."
You do not need to invest the best for your investment property, but opt ??for the best possible quality. An inexpensive bench can drop a solid reno when it starts to burst a year later.
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Do not try to save on stone worktops, as poor quality materials can flake, stain and deteriorate too quickly. If you are looking to rent or sell and want a cheap and cheerful solution, consider laminate or wood.
STEP EIGHT: DON'T FORGET THE FLOOR
The floor covering is an essential element of any kitchen COST renovation, especially if you are carrying out major works which reconfigure the space and have an impact on the existing floor covering.
“We had to redo the flooring in our kitchen, our living room and our dining room after our renovation. Sometimes this can be the smartest move, rather than "fixing" the existing floor, "says Sarah.
"It can add value and interest to having new floors, so weigh the pros and cons in your budget."
Stone floors are durable but the most expensive choice. For an investment property, vinyl is an economical option and is also waterproof.
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For those looking for inexpensive but still attractive floor coverings, Sarah points out that "vinyl floors are becoming more affordable and look fantastic." Vinyl can come in many forms, and because it is waterproof, it is an ideal choice for kitchens and wetlands
CASE STUDY
This renovation had been long in coming: seven years, to be exact.
"When we moved into the house, we knew the kitchen needed to be updated, but we knew it would be expensive to do what we wanted, so we kept turning it off while we were saving to do it right, "says editor of your investment property Sarah Megginson.
Before
"Over the years, the situation has worsened: two cooktops have stopped working. The oven only worked at 300 degrees, which made cooking delicate. And then one day, the hood collapsed on the stove! "
They made the decision to demolish the existing fittings and install a brand new Hamptons style kitchen, but the project would have ripple effects.
"Redo the kitchen, that meant we also had to redo the kitchen, hall and dining room floors, which added another $ 6,500 to overall spending," says Sarah. .
"We also had to redo our front entrance to knock down a curved wall and install closets, which had to happen before redoing the flooring, so the overall renovation project got a little bigger than what we originally planned! ”
Under the direction of Kitchen Connections, they reconfigured the layout of a U-shaped worktop to a galleystyle space supplemented by a large island bench, with an additional coffee corner against the wall .
After
Sarah's biggest advice is to reuse what you can. She adds that if the renovation of your kitchen is for an investment property and you choose the best value for money, try to keep the configuration of the plumbing, cabinets and electricity exactly where they are. find, and just update them.
"Our biggest budget losses were invisible costs, like the extra $ 800 we had to pay the plumber to cut the concrete when we moved the sink. Or the $ 700 we had to pay a welder to reinforce a wall we were told was not a carrier, "says Sarah.
"It is crucial that you have a budget to deal with the additional expenses that arise, as they are inevitable."
Sarah Megginson is a passionate investor in real estate magazines and editor of the magazine Your Investment Property
