You've been flipping through magazines for months now, circling the counters you want, picking out colours, dreaming about flooring and lighting and what you could do to spruce up your kitchen if only you had the money.
But, seriously, kitchen renovations on a budget? Yes: absolutely!
Not all kitchen renovation projects need to cost a small fortune. The experts at Kent say even with a more modest budget, options are available to create the kitchen of your dreams.
"Renovating a kitchen is a significant investment, however, there are cost-saving measures, and the kitchen department at Kent can help," says Deana Johnson, marketing manager with Canada Retail MasterBrand Cabinets Inc.
Johnson says Kent offers a variety of quality kitchen cabinet brands. Within each of these brands, the price points range from value to premium, giving the consumer a wide range of choice. For instance, Kent carries Aristokraft Cabinets, a line that has been providing quality kitchens in North America for more than 55 years, she says. Aristokraft offers three different construction platforms, and a wide variety of door styles and finishes. "With this extensive selection, you are sure to find a kitchen that suits your needs, style, and most importantly, your budget," she says.
Johnson's advice? Make an appointment with a Kent Kitchen Associate and bring in your ideas, wish list and budget. "They can take your kitchen dream and turn it into an affordable reality." One handy cost-saving measure to consider is Ready To Assemble (RTA) cabinets, where you save money by assembling the cabinets yourself. "The dollars saved on your cabinets can then go towards your flooring, appliances or countertop," Johnson says.
Kent offers Kitchen Classics RTA Cabinets in four fashion forward styles, and Johnson says it is a good product to consider. "Rest assured, you are not sacrificing quality. All Kitchen Classics RTA Cabinets are backed by a lifetime warranty."
Kent also has a cabinet line called KC Select. These are assembled cabinets that are right on the shelf so that homeowners could literally start their kitchen project the same day as purchase. KC Select cabinets also offer the perfect storage solution for additional storage needs such as for an in-law suite, laundry room or garage, she says.
Another tip?
Borrow from the thinking of home décor designers who often advise their clients to step back and "shop" in their own home first (no cost there!). See if there are pieces they already own that can be rearranged, moved around, or form the basis or anchor of a new design. "You must look at this two ways," says Johnson. "Your kitchen is the heart of your home where most of your daily activity revolves. So first you must sit back and really think about how you want your kitchen to function. Ask, 'Do I need a work island? Do I need to have extra storage? Do I need to plan for additional seating?'"
She says it is these types of considerations that will help you plan your layout with a kitchen designer.
Secondly, she says it is important that homeowners look at "what they have" in terms of the overall plan of the home. "Look to adjacent rooms and assess the overall sense of style that you have already established for your home. This will assist you when choosing a door style and finish for your kitchen." Consider how your kitchen relates to other rooms in your home, she says, and take into consideration the style of your home. If you live in a century home, for example, you may want to consider a traditional looking door style with a glaze to maintain that sense of heritage.
As for other choices that don't impact on quality, but do cut back on cost? Johnson says one of the key considerations that affect the cost of a kitchen is door style. Solid woods, glazing and finish techniques can certainly add cost. However, there are many door styles that offer a premium look for less.
Take for example Aristokraft, which offers PureStyle Laminate doors. "These doors are fabricated with a gorgeous satin laminate that is so smooth in its application, it appears as though it has been hand painted," she says.
"So you are getting the look of a hand painted kitchen at a laminate kitchen price. Only you will know the difference!"
Other affordable short-term solutions that can give your kitchen an instant makeover include backsplashes, drawer pulls, even countertops.
Adding a tile backsplash to your kitchen brings a touch of sparkle, brightening your workspace, Johnson says. Handles, otherwise known as "jewelry for your cabinets" are also an inexpensive way of changing your look.
Johnson says countertops can be easily replaced as well; and that laminate tops are both affordable and fashionable. There are literally thousands of colour and pattern options to choose from. "Some patterns resemble the look of solid surfaces such as marble and granite. It's really a great way to add big impact for fewer dollars."
And that's not a bad formula at all.