An Inexpensive Kitchen Renovation in Five Easy Steps
Written by: Admin | Date: Monday, 24th May 2010

You should spend some time and serious thought when working on your kitchen renovation to save money on labor costs. You can bargain hunt for appliances and save even more. Follow these five easy steps and you will soon be the proud owner of a lovely new kitchen without breaking the budget.

1. Consider the Current Condition of your Kitchen Cabinets

Are you happy with the layout of your kitchen? Do you have enough storage space? Are your existing cabinets in good condition? If the answer to all three questions is "yes", you will be able to save money by repainting or re-staining your cabinets. A new paint job or re-stain will give your cabinets a fresh new look. Complete the remodel by adding new modern handles to your cabinet doors.

You can replace nicked or scratched cabinet doors without replacing the entire inside of the cabinet. Replacing the doors of your cabinets is a far less expensive option than replacing the entire cabinets.

If you prefer a completely new layout for your kitchen, you can save money by demolishing the current cabinets yourself. You will save money by purchasing ready-made cabinets to install yourself.

2. Choose New Countertops

New countertops will give your kitchen an immediate lift. Install the new countertops yourself or have a contractor install them. If you hire a contractor, remove the old countertops yourself to save money.

Granite or stone countertops are very popular, however these finishes cost more than laminate. To save money, cover an island bench with a granite or stone countertop and cover the rest of your kitchen countertops in laminate. Choose a plain colored laminate for your cabinet tops to complement the granite or stone covered island bench countertop.

3. Repaint your Kitchen Walls and Ceiling

Your kitchen walls and ceiling will look wonderful with new, modern paintwork. Paint is one of the least expensive ways of altering the appearance of your kitchen. Take a little time to look through magazines or decorating books before you plan your color scheme. Do not be afraid to try something different. You can create a beautiful up-to-date kitchen by simply applying a new coat of paint.

4. Update your Kitchen Lighting

If you have only one light in your kitchen, now is the time to review your lighting needs. Installing additional lighting over your stove or cook-tops. Additional lighting will provide you with a brighter, easier to use working area.

Suspend a pendant light over your island bench. This will provide you with bright light when you are using the island bench as a counter-top for preparing meals. The dimmer switch will provide soft romantic lighting when you use the island bench as an eating area.

5. Purchase New Modern Appliances

Now is the time to bargain hunt for new appliances. Save money by comparing the prices of appliances before you buy. If you are purchasing more than one item from his store, you can negotiate with the store manager for a better deal.

Shop for bargains via the internet, or you can obtain appliances at bargain prices at an auction.

A freshly painted kitchen, with gleaming new cabinets, countertops, and appliances will look wonderful, especially when seen under your new lighting system. You will be able to enjoy your beautiful new kitchen for many years to come, and it will add to the value of your home.