Updating or remodeling your kitchen can be a great investment of your home improvement dollars, especially if you plan to sell your home in the next few years.
Remodeling this center-stage space of family gatherings can further enhance its functionality and utility, enabling you to enjoy the heart of your home to the fullest.
Here are some of the top kitchen remodeling ideas for the year, along with their expected costs and pros and cons of each update.
1. Low-budget Remodel – Do It Yourself can be a Viable Approach here
A kitchen remodel can be done on a shoe-string budget. Just update one part at a time as the budget allows. You can do some or all the work yourself, in some cases, if you are handy and have the necessary time and desire to get your hands dirty. đ
Otherwise, an investment of $20,000-$30,000 will buy a minor kitchen remodel completed by a professional remodeling contractor but doing some of the work yourself can also bring that price down quite a bit. A minor kitchen remodel could include, but doesnât have to be limited to the following:
- Refinishing cupboards
- Replacing outdated appliances with new, more energy-efficient appliances
- New paint or wallpaper
- New faucet
- New countertops
- New but inexpensive flooring
New countertops donât necessarily have to be expensive.
Even a new laminate countertop, which is fairly inexpensive, can make a huge difference. Decide what needs to be done, figure out the cost and have that one part done, or do it yourself, when your paycheck can cover it. — This remodeling approach could take a while, but eventually, youâll have a beautifully updated kitchen and wonât be too broke to buy groceries. đ
- A minor kitchen remodel will give you an average ROI or recouped value of investment of about 72%. Thus, a minor $26,214 kitchen remodel should add about $19,500 to the value of your home.
2. Refinish the Cupboards
Give your kitchen a face-lift by refinishing the cupboards and drawer fronts instead of replacing them. New pulls and knobs will complete the look. This is fairly inexpensive, and you will be amazed at the difference it makes. You can save even more money by doing it yourself but, be forewarned, it is not as easy as it seems.
If the cupboards are in good shape and do not have lots of grooves or intricate carving, it is pretty straightforward. The job will take time, elbow grease and paint that costs about $35 to $65 per gallon, plus $15 to $55 for new pulls and knobs.
However, the cupboards will almost certainly look better if you have the refinishing done professionally. Plan to pay between $2,500 and $7,500, depending on the number of cabinets and how much repair needs to be done. The average cost is around $5,500.
- Investing $3,000 in cupboards will add about $2,500 to the value of your home.
3. Reface those Cabinets
Have the cabinets refaced instead of replacing them if the doors and fronts are too damaged to refinish or if you just want a completely new look. This must be done by a professional.
It generally costs between $2,500 and $15,500, depending on the extent of the work. When cupboards are refaced, the doors, drawer fronts and the actual veneer or wood finish on the outside of the cupboards is replaced. There are a few up-sides to refacing, as opposed to replacing:
- Refacing costs less.
- You regain the use of your kitchen more quickly.
- You donât have to deal with the hassle of new cupboards that donât fit.
Even though this option is more expensive than refinishing, it will be worth it if your cupboards are old and outdated. They will look brand new.
- The ROI for a $5,000 refacing will be about $4,000 and a big wow factor that you get to enjoy every time you go into the kitchen.
4. Refinish Walls
New paint or wallpaper, along with the refinished cupboards, will leave your kitchen looking fresh and brand new. You can do this yourself, of course, or hire a professional.
If you hire a professional to paint, plan on spending between $1,500 and $3,500, depending on the size of the room. Having wallpaper installed by a professional will generally cost between $750 and $2,500. Doing it yourself is much cheaper but painting or hanging wallpaper in between the cupboards can be tricky.
- This minor investment may not give you much in the way of ROI but it will probably help sell your home more quickly. Think of this as curb appeal for your kitchen.
5. Replace Flooring
Replace your kitchen flooring with cork or vinyl tiles. These materials are inexpensive and easy to put down yourself in most kitchens.
Cork tiles cost around $4.00 to $8.50 per square foot for materials/supplies and installation, while vinyl tiles are $3.50 to $6.50 per sq.ft. for good quality vinyl tiles and supplies and installation. There are some pros and cons to consider here.
Pros:
- Inexpensive.
- Easy DIY project in most kitchens.
Cons:
- Not usually a very long-lasting flooring, although some come with a 25-year warranty.
- Existing flooring may need to be removed or underlayment might be required.
New flooring makes a big difference. The floor is the largest surface area in your kitchen and the first thing you see before you even enter the room.
- The ROI on $500 worth of new flooring wonât add to your home value but it will make a big impression on prospective buyers.
6. Mid-Range Kitchen Remodel
Larger, total kitchen remodels generally cost between $45,000 and $75,000 and entail a complete tear-out of the old⊠well, everything. Consider all possibilities and come up with a plan before the work begins.
Give plenty of thought to what works best for you in addition to what materials you want. Keep in mind that this room must be built for function, not just aesthetics.
Let your intentions guide your remodeling plans. Return on investment for kitchens is generally only 60 to 80 percent, although this varies considerably from area to area. — This means you will likely only recoup a little over half to three-quarters of what you invest in most locations.
It may, however, help your house sell more quickly. If you are remodeling to sell, keep the colors and materials on the neutral side. A prospective buyer may be turned off by too much bright purple.
- The national average ROI on a minor kitchen remodel is 80.2% but in Chicago it is 102.9%. You should only expect to recoup about 55% to 65% of the cost on a major remodel.
7. Small Kitchen Planning
Even though a small kitchen may seem like an easier remodel than a large kitchen, you actually may need to get a bit more creative. Small kitchens can be difficult.
Rip out the old cupboards and appliances in your mind and let your creative juices flow.
Imagine the cupboards, sink and appliances in every possible configuration to get the most out of the limited space. Plumbing can be moved. It will cost an additional $2,500 to $3,500 or so but that extra cost may be well worth it in the long run.
Keep the kitchen sink in front of the window, if possible. Use cupboards that extend all the way to the ceiling to get as much storage space as possible.
- Spending $25,000 will add about $20,675 to the value of your home. Do not invest too much. You could add more value to the home than the area housing market will support. Rule of thumb â do not spend more than 5% to 7% of the homeâs value on remodeling.
