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Get tips on where to spend cash in your kitchen remodeling and where you can cut back.
Ultimately, your kitchen will reflect how you live. Because there are no hard-fast rules on where in fact the budget must be spent in the kitchen, the method that you splurge and save your valuable money will depend on what’s most important to you.
The gourmet cook can justify an inflated budget for appliances and the splurge on a professional range. The entertainer sees a warming drawer and wine cooler as necessities. The busy family needs storage, storage... and more storage in those cabinets. And there’s the question of resale: How important is it to get a nice return-on-investment for the project? Or, are you currently designing a kitchen for the home you intend to live in forever?
If you’re planning for a kitchen you’ll reside in for the next decade and you can’t afford certain materials you need today, consider placeholders. For example , rather than installing a granite countertop today, choose a laminate look-alike for at the very least half the cost that may stand in as your work surface until your budget allows for the upgrade.
Here is some general advice on where you can save and splurge:
Appliances. Be practical to check out energy-efficient appliances with warranties - arguably, you’ll use appliances more than other features in your kitchen. But be sure to maintain a balance between what you spend on appliances and cabinets. In the event that you choose appliances first without considering cabinets/hardware, countertops or other features, you can box yourself into a floor plan and find yourself without enough money to spend on other features.
But be cautious which appliances you may spend on. For example , a refrigerator may need replaced in 15 years or sooner, but a cooktop can last longer. Spend there. If you have children and dirty dishes certainly are a way of life, invest in a quality dishwasher or dishwasher drawers that make your daily life easier.
Across the board, stainless steel is the hottest choice and what buyers look for in a home.
Countertops. If the countertop would be the focal point of your kitchen, you might spend more. A stone countertop costs many times more than a laminate one, but will add beauty and value to your renovation.
In fact , a showpiece countertop could dictate the design in a kitchen-you might base decisions about cabinetry, color scheme and furniture like stools on the surface you select. But remember, beauty is subjective. A buyer might not be that impressed.
There are shortcuts if you want the beautiful surface on a budget. For instance, there are assorted grades of granite (rated 1-5 or on various scales depending on the manufacturer). Instead of going for a grade 5, consider a grade 2, where you’ll get yourself a better return-on-investment.
Also, some laminate services and products cost half the price tag on granite and mimic the design. You can’t put a hot pan on that surface, but you’ll get the appeal you need. You can even install an undermount sink with laminate countertops today.
If you want to splurge just a little, choose a statement surface for the island-a remnant piece of granite with a beautiful pattern, for example.

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