How to Remodel Your Kitchen without Spending a Fortune
Get the look of a pricey kitchen renovation—without the cost. All it takes is a few smart upgrades.
Up next in Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling (10 videos)
Spruce up your kitchen and bathroom with the easy and affordable renovation ideas in these videos.
You Will Need
- Paint
- Stainless steel contact paper
- New appliance doors
- Faux granite
- Cabinet refinishing or refacing
- High-end kitchen hardware
- Vinyl flooring
- A new faucet and sink
Steps
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Step 1
Paint the kitchen
Add a fresh coat of paint; it immediately brightens any room.
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Step 2
Get the look of stainless steel on contact
Get the look of high-end appliances by covering them with stainless steel contact paper. Or, get a mishmash of appliances to match by ordering new doors or panels for some of them.
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Before you order a new front panel for a dishwasher door, check if yours is reversible, with a different color on the opposite side.
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Step 3
Get a “granite” counter
If you’re still scrubbing Formica, install a faux granite counter for a fraction of the price of the real thing.
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Step 4
Give cabinets a facelift
Give old cabinets a facelift by sanding them down and then refinishing or painting them. Or have them refaced – the cabinet boxes stay but new doors are put on. If your cabinets are in decent shape, just slap on some high-end hardware, like brushed nickel knobs or drawer pulls.
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Step 5
Floor it
Replace an old floor with a vinyl one, which is less expensive than ceramic tile but can look just as pricey.
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Step 6
Install a new sink
Consider installing a new sink—it’s a relatively inexpensive renovation that will perk up your entire kitchen. Or just invest in a new faucet.
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On average, homeowners recoup 85 percent of what they spend on even a minor kitchen remodeling job, according to a study by Remodeling magazine.
