Time for a Kitchen Update? Refresh, Revamp, and Remodel

Not all kitchen renovations are created equal and depending on your needs and budget, your renovation may be simple or a total gut job. In the next three months, we’ll walk you through three levels of renovation to consider when you want a new look for your kitchen: Refresh, Revamp, or Remodel.

This month we’ll start with what we call a Refresh. A Refresh is the least expensive way to change the look of your kitchen. Most of the solutions involve cosmetic changes and can be done by the homeowner or a handyman. Don’t be fooled though, small changes can make a big impact!

Lighting: The Overlooked Game-Changer

Let’s start with lighting; probably the most overlooked aspect of kitchen design that can dramatically transform your space. Most builder-grade kitchens lack light and there are many ways to solve this problem. A dimly or poorly lit kitchen is not just unappealing, it’s downright dangerous. Cutting, cooking or baking without proper light is a recipe for accidents.

A simple lamp on a countertop can provide much-needed task lighting; it doubles as a warm cozy night light after the dishes are done. Typical cost: $25-$75

Consider replacing your fluorescent light with decorative track lighting that can be adjusted to cast light all around the kitchen and eliminate dark corners. Typical cost: $150-$500

Under cabinet lighting will change your life. Not only is it a great way to get task lighting on your counters – where you cut and slice and peel and need to see what you’re doing – but it looks beautiful day and night. For a Refresh, there are under cabinet options that are battery operated and don’t require an electrician. Typical cost: $150-500

Cabinets: Budget-Friendly Updates

If dull, dated, oak or just plain ugly cabinets are your problem there are some Refresh solutions for those as well, the most common is the paint. Painting existing cabinets is usually not a long term solution for cabinets because it will wear and chip over time. However, it’s a great way to transform your kitchen without replacing all of the cabinetry. Hiring a painter will increase your cost significantly, but it’s still a fraction of the price of new cabinets. If you’re adventurous and patient, you can paint them yourself and save a great deal of money. Typical cost: $200-$5000

Check out this video from This Old House for tips if you want to try it yourself.

Other cabinet solutions might include removing cabinetry and adding floating shelves – a popular choice in remodels right now.

Adding glass or decorative metal or glass panels to cabinet doors is a fun and easy way to get a new look. Typical cost: $100-$500

Tile: Transform Without Replacing

What about tile? Too hard to change; you have to live with it, right? Absolutely not! You’d be surprised what options are available now to Refresh backsplash tile. If you don’t have any backsplash it’s easy to add one. Tile does not have to be expensive and if you’re a little bit handy you can probably install it yourself. Typical cost: $300-$500

Check out this video to see what the job entails.

You don’t have to replace tile to get a new look. The path of least resistance is to paint your existing tile. Yes, I said paint. Check out this before and after. Big transformation! Talk with your local hardware store to get recommendations for the type of paint you should use. Typical cost: $50-$100

There are even peel and stick “tiles” that will give you the look without any of the mess of new tile or paint. Up close you will probably see the difference between a peel and stick solution and ceramic or stone tile. Peel and stick is also more expensive than many ceramic options –  but it’s an option if you don’t have a tile saw and you won’t pay anything for labor when you do it yourself. Typical cost: $200-$800

Check out these options from Home Depot.

Countertops: A Cost-Effective Upgrade

Lastly, a new countertop can make you fall in love with your kitchen again. The least expensive option for a solid surface is a laminate – most people call it by the brand name Formica – but there are several laminate manufacturers. Laminate countertops have come a long way and there are many options available to the DIY consumer. I’ve been so impressed with laminate that sometimes I can’t even tell it’s not stone until I really get a good long look. Laminate counters usually cost about $18-$35 per square foot installed, which is significantly less than a stone countertop. Here’s a trick too – forgo the “giveaway” 4” backsplash that comes with most installations and install a tile backsplash instead.

Stay Tuned for Next Month’s Post: Revamp!

Be sure to look for next month’s post about the next level of renovation – Revamp!