Expert Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Makeover on Budget
Renovating your kitchen on a budget? Follow these clever expert tips to ensure you keep the costs down
Amanda Pollard
28 August 2018
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
The kitchen is one of the most frequently used rooms in our homes, so it’s important to get it right. But that doesn’t mean you have to blow your budget – with a few clever tricks and solutions you can get the kitchen you want at a price to fit your bank balance. Our experts share their tried-and-tested tips for keeping down the costs of your new kitchen.
Professional advice from: Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors; Hayley Tarrington-Robson of Day True; Michaela Stansfield of Field & Co Interior Design Ltd.
Professional advice from: Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors; Hayley Tarrington-Robson of Day True; Michaela Stansfield of Field & Co Interior Design Ltd.
Do your research
“Start planning your kitchen several months before the builders arrive, so that you have plenty of time to do your research,” says Beth Dadswell. “Kitchens are one of the most expensive rooms in the house to renovate, and the choices of finishes, brands and electrical products are endless – so you will need some time to dedicate to this before work starts.”
“To get the best design on a budget, it is necessary to do thorough research on every single item or component,” says Hayley Tarrington-Robson. “Compare prices and, if possible, visit showrooms that showcase the design you like.”
Beth agrees, and adds, “Pick up samples, and research the costs, practicalities and lead times of each item.”
“Start planning your kitchen several months before the builders arrive, so that you have plenty of time to do your research,” says Beth Dadswell. “Kitchens are one of the most expensive rooms in the house to renovate, and the choices of finishes, brands and electrical products are endless – so you will need some time to dedicate to this before work starts.”
“To get the best design on a budget, it is necessary to do thorough research on every single item or component,” says Hayley Tarrington-Robson. “Compare prices and, if possible, visit showrooms that showcase the design you like.”
Beth agrees, and adds, “Pick up samples, and research the costs, practicalities and lead times of each item.”
Get the right professionals
It’s also vital to research your kitchen designer or fitter, advises Michaela. “The old ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ scenario can really hit a budget hard if the tradesperson fails to complete the job and you have to source a replacement to fix their work,” she says. “I always suggest getting at least three quotes from all trades required, be sure to get an itemised quote so you know exactly what you are paying for, check references and where possible view previous work and get recommendations.”
Michaela adds, “The cheapest quote may not always be the best bet; make an informed selection based on their qualifications and reputation.”
Find a kitchen designer or fitter in your area
It’s also vital to research your kitchen designer or fitter, advises Michaela. “The old ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ scenario can really hit a budget hard if the tradesperson fails to complete the job and you have to source a replacement to fix their work,” she says. “I always suggest getting at least three quotes from all trades required, be sure to get an itemised quote so you know exactly what you are paying for, check references and where possible view previous work and get recommendations.”
Michaela adds, “The cheapest quote may not always be the best bet; make an informed selection based on their qualifications and reputation.”
Find a kitchen designer or fitter in your area
Make a schedule
It’s often unexpected problems that can increase the budget during a project, so Beth advises, “Put together a spreadsheet – this is boring, but it means you won’t hold up the build because the floor tiles you want are being handmade in Spain and won’t arrive for three months. It will also mean you won’t have any nasty surprises at the end of the build.”
Hayley adds, “Try not to change your mind during the process and stick with the plan, as changes in due course might often result in a negative domino effect.”
She also recommends you ask professionals for as much advice as possible, and says, “It is easier to talk to an expert nowadays.”
It’s often unexpected problems that can increase the budget during a project, so Beth advises, “Put together a spreadsheet – this is boring, but it means you won’t hold up the build because the floor tiles you want are being handmade in Spain and won’t arrive for three months. It will also mean you won’t have any nasty surprises at the end of the build.”
Hayley adds, “Try not to change your mind during the process and stick with the plan, as changes in due course might often result in a negative domino effect.”
She also recommends you ask professionals for as much advice as possible, and says, “It is easier to talk to an expert nowadays.”
Understand your priorities
Decide what is important to you in your kitchen, advises Hayley. “Understanding and considering your priorities can make a big difference,” she says. “If you love cooking, for instance, it would be beneficial to focus more on appliances. If the priority goes on the style, it is possible to find cheaper solutions for appliances, and focus on the flair.”
Decide what is important to you in your kitchen, advises Hayley. “Understanding and considering your priorities can make a big difference,” she says. “If you love cooking, for instance, it would be beneficial to focus more on appliances. If the priority goes on the style, it is possible to find cheaper solutions for appliances, and focus on the flair.”
Highlight what you see
A great way to stay on budget is to figure out where to spend and where to save. Michaela says, “Focus on the finishing touches and ergonomic features that you’ll enjoy using every day and will stand up to the test of time.”
Hayley agrees and says, “Focus on what you touch and see. You could buy inexpensive furniture and spend on handles that give a stylish look, for example.”
She also recommends spending less on items that are integrated or hidden. A cheap extractor can be incorporated into something that looks good, such as marble or tiles.
Michaela says, “If budget is tight, I always suggest spending as much as you can on the worktops, and making savings on the carcasses, as inexpensive units can look much higher end when paired with stone worktops and quality handles and taps.”
Dress up your kitchen with drawer and cabinet hardware from the Houzz Shop
A great way to stay on budget is to figure out where to spend and where to save. Michaela says, “Focus on the finishing touches and ergonomic features that you’ll enjoy using every day and will stand up to the test of time.”
Hayley agrees and says, “Focus on what you touch and see. You could buy inexpensive furniture and spend on handles that give a stylish look, for example.”
She also recommends spending less on items that are integrated or hidden. A cheap extractor can be incorporated into something that looks good, such as marble or tiles.
Michaela says, “If budget is tight, I always suggest spending as much as you can on the worktops, and making savings on the carcasses, as inexpensive units can look much higher end when paired with stone worktops and quality handles and taps.”
Dress up your kitchen with drawer and cabinet hardware from the Houzz Shop
Shop wisely
It pays to be savvy when you’re shopping for your kitchen items. “Online retailers make it easy to compare appliances,” says Michaela. “Often, big savings can be made with just a few hours of research.”
She continues, “Tiles and flooring are another area where big savings can be made by shopping around and finding alternatives to designer items.”
“Look out for sales,” says Beth, “but be sure to check return policies, as buying too early and too much can be costly. Discuss exactly how many tiles you need with your builder rather than guessing.”
It pays to be savvy when you’re shopping for your kitchen items. “Online retailers make it easy to compare appliances,” says Michaela. “Often, big savings can be made with just a few hours of research.”
She continues, “Tiles and flooring are another area where big savings can be made by shopping around and finding alternatives to designer items.”
“Look out for sales,” says Beth, “but be sure to check return policies, as buying too early and too much can be costly. Discuss exactly how many tiles you need with your builder rather than guessing.”
Consider ex-display
“If you can be flexible with design and layout, ex-display kitchens offer a real opportunity to save hundreds, if not thousands,” advises Michaela. “If your space allows it, design the layout of the room to fit the ex-display kitchen or purchase additional units to complete the kitchen.”
Not keen on the overall look of the ex-display items? “Consider getting them repainted or mixing in a different coloured island as a feature,” says Michaela.
“If you can be flexible with design and layout, ex-display kitchens offer a real opportunity to save hundreds, if not thousands,” advises Michaela. “If your space allows it, design the layout of the room to fit the ex-display kitchen or purchase additional units to complete the kitchen.”
Not keen on the overall look of the ex-display items? “Consider getting them repainted or mixing in a different coloured island as a feature,” says Michaela.
Mix and match
If your budget is modest, Beth recommends you be creative. “Often, this produces a more interesting kitchen, but it does require lots of tenacity and researching,” she says. “Mix vintage chairs with high-street cushions, or cheap floor tiles with more expensive eye-catching splashback tiles.”
Michaela adds, “Use that designer tile you love just for behind the hob, which will significantly reduce how much you need to purchase,” she says.
Be clever with simple materials, says Michaela: “Inexpensive white metro tiles can look high-end and interesting when paired with the right grout colour and laying pattern, such as herringbone.”
Beth suggests, “Ask your builder to install and paint MDF display shelving, rather than buying it from the kitchen supplier. This will be cheaper and can also be fitted into any awkward gaps.”
You can also go for imitation materials. As Hayley says, “Imitation marble and products of good quality, such as high-pressure laminated surfaces, can still deliver a great result on your kitchen worktop.”
If your budget is modest, Beth recommends you be creative. “Often, this produces a more interesting kitchen, but it does require lots of tenacity and researching,” she says. “Mix vintage chairs with high-street cushions, or cheap floor tiles with more expensive eye-catching splashback tiles.”
Michaela adds, “Use that designer tile you love just for behind the hob, which will significantly reduce how much you need to purchase,” she says.
Be clever with simple materials, says Michaela: “Inexpensive white metro tiles can look high-end and interesting when paired with the right grout colour and laying pattern, such as herringbone.”
Beth suggests, “Ask your builder to install and paint MDF display shelving, rather than buying it from the kitchen supplier. This will be cheaper and can also be fitted into any awkward gaps.”
You can also go for imitation materials. As Hayley says, “Imitation marble and products of good quality, such as high-pressure laminated surfaces, can still deliver a great result on your kitchen worktop.”
Reuse items
“Reusing taps, appliances and sinks can really cut your costs when renovating a kitchen,” says Michaela. “If they work within your new scheme, you’ll be surprised how different they look once placed on new worktops, doors or in different locations.”
She continues, “If your carcasses are in good order, simply and inexpensively changing the doors can transform a space. If it works within your new layout try to keep sinks and appliances, such as washing machines and gas ovens in the same locations, as this will reduce plumbing and electrical fees.”
“Reusing taps, appliances and sinks can really cut your costs when renovating a kitchen,” says Michaela. “If they work within your new scheme, you’ll be surprised how different they look once placed on new worktops, doors or in different locations.”
She continues, “If your carcasses are in good order, simply and inexpensively changing the doors can transform a space. If it works within your new layout try to keep sinks and appliances, such as washing machines and gas ovens in the same locations, as this will reduce plumbing and electrical fees.”
Keep some cash aside
Michaela recommends putting 10% of your budget aside as a contingency fund, to allow for unforeseen expenses. “This way you are more likely to be able to stay within budget should hidden costs arise,” she says.
“It’s tempting to spend this at the planning phase but this safety net is worth its weight in gold when, part-way through the work, unforeseen expenses would have blown the budget,” she continues. “If you do manage to have it left over once work is complete you can always indulge in special finishing touches.”
Tell us…
Are you planning a new kitchen? Will you be using any of these tips to keep your project on budget? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Michaela recommends putting 10% of your budget aside as a contingency fund, to allow for unforeseen expenses. “This way you are more likely to be able to stay within budget should hidden costs arise,” she says.
“It’s tempting to spend this at the planning phase but this safety net is worth its weight in gold when, part-way through the work, unforeseen expenses would have blown the budget,” she continues. “If you do manage to have it left over once work is complete you can always indulge in special finishing touches.”
Tell us…
Are you planning a new kitchen? Will you be using any of these tips to keep your project on budget? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Incredibly helpful as it confirms my wish to re-use parts of my old kitchen. My extractor, hob, oven, taps and cabinet doors all have life left in them. I didn’t have a clue where to start with kitchen renovation. Many thanks.
Reuse, definitely! I kept my old oven, hob and dishwasher, which I inherited when I bought the house. They work perfectly and I prefer their respectively neat styles to anything currently available. As a couple of others have said recently, it’s wasteful to replace something unless it’s absolutely irredeemable!