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Every homeowner deserves a gorgeous kitchen. After all, your kitchen gets a lot of attention. The kitchen is a place where guests are entertained, families gather, and—best of all—delicious food is made—or, at least, where the coffee brews. With so much going on in the heart of your home, why wouldn’t you want the kitchen to look amazing?
It’s a rare occasion that you find a home where the kitchen looks exactly the way you want it. Getting your dream kitchen can take a lot of work (and money), and you may be wondering if it’s worth doing. Fortunately, there are ways to improve the look of your kitchen all on your own, without breaking your budget.
With a few handy tips, a little home improvement knowledge, and a few money saving hacks up your sleeve, you’ll have the kitchen of your dreams in no time. You’ll just need some creativity and a little elbow grease. So, grab some tools, put on your reading glasses, and strap in for a step by step guide for remodeling your kitchen!
Step #1: Choose a Theme
One of the first steps to remodel a kitchen is figuring out what you want the new space to look like. Picking a theme and sticking to it is a smart way to create cohesiveness in your renovation, and have your kitchen look more stylish and professional.
Of course, the aesthetics of your new kitchen are completely up to you. However, if you’re unsure of what style is going to look best, here are a few popular options you can choose to work with for your remodel:
- A Classic Kitchen – A classic style kitchen is going to have white or off-white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and neutral accents. Though this style is considered classic, it will look far from basic if done properly.
Remodeling to a classic style is a great way to make an outdated kitchen more pleasing to the eye, without going overboard and making your kitchen look out of place in your home. Use bright colors and ample lighting to make this style more inviting.
- A Modern Eatery – If you really want to bring your kitchen into the 21st century, consider going with a modern style for your remodel. Modern kitchens are sleek, shiny, and often use a darker color palette. High-tech appliances are also a nice touch for a modern kitchen, and they’ll work better and last longer.
A modern kitchen will often have flat surfaces, and appliances that fit directly into the wall—so keep in mind this style may require a bit more adjustment to the space than some of the other options.
- Industrial – Don’t be deterred by the term “industrial.” Industrial kitchens can be a home chef’s dream. Sleek black cabinets and counters, exposed brick, butcher blocks, and metal accents will elevate even the simplest weeknight meals. By mixing rich tones with old and new elements, you can create an utterly cool look that will make your kitchen feel like a trendy, Brooklyn loft—don’t forget an herb garden for a little green!
This style is similar to the modern look, but with more raw elements that give it that extra flare.
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French – French style kitchens combine vintage elements with modern ones to create a luxurious look that’s perfect for any aspiring chef. White or light brown cabinetry with delicate molding designs, warm tones, and soft lighting are some key features of this style.
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Color-Coordinated – Sometimes, all you need to design your kitchen is a favorite color. A happy yellow kitchen may brighten your mornings or a cool blue-and-white kitchen may feel incredibly welcoming whenever you come home from work.
Choose from one of these styles, or feel free to build your own! Once you’ve determined what your new kitchen will look like, it’s time for the real work to begin.
Step #2: Replace vs Revamp
Remodeling your kitchen doesn’t have to mean tearing everything out and starting from scratch. Your old kitchen most likely has elements that make a good base for the new look—it just takes some elbow grease to get them how you want.
While some parts of your kitchen may require new purchases, such as appliances you want updated or a new furniture set up, other factors can be salvaged. Some ways to revamp your old kitchen include:
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Repainting cabinets – If you can avoid buying new cabinets by repainting your existing cabinets instead, this is an easy, affordable way to completely transform the look of your current kitchen. Choose a shade that matches your theme, and make sure it’s the correct type of paint for your cabinet’s material (wood, plastic, or metal). Strip and sand off the old paint, tape up the edges, apply a primer, and begin adding a new splash of color to your current cabinetry!
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Covering countertops – Many people choose to replace their countertops when remodeling a kitchen, but this can often be one of the most expensive steps. Thankfully, there’s an alternative. For a faster and cheaper way to get beautiful counters, pick up some PVC decals at your local hardware store. These stick-on countertops come in large rolls, and a variety of patterns including ceramic tile, marble, and luxurious granite. If you lay these down carefully, flattening out any bubbles and trimming excess edges, nobody will be able to tell the difference!
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Paint a floor pattern – Wood or linoleum floors can be painted over to resemble a chic looking tile. Use outdoor porch paint and floor enamel for the best results. Paint the entire floor in one color, then use spray paint and a stencil to create the pattern. Let the paint dry and in 24 hours you’ll have entirely new floors for the cost of a can of paint. That’s what we call saving with style.
Affordable Replacements
Though revamping is typically the more affordable route, replacing kitchen fixtures doesn’t have to break the bank, either. While a new appliance or an entire dining set will probably cost a pretty penny, there are some smaller changes you can make that will still transform the look of your existing kitchen without transforming the contents of your wallet.
Consider some of these DIY replacements to add some extra style to your kitchen space:
- Replace hardware – Kitchen hardware is one of the easiest elements to change, and it won’t cost more than the price of the pieces you choose. The knobs on your cabinets are going to be the easiest fix, with a few loosened screws.
Replacing the faucet in your sink will take a bit more work, but the basic steps will require using a wrench to remove the old nozzle and drain and installing the new one. This shouldn’t take more than a wrench and your hands to turn the water valves off.
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Purchase new stools – Stools are an affordable furniture piece that will add more seating and a stylish touch to your new kitchen. Browse stools based on your theme. Whether you prefer a rustic wooden style or a sleek metal variety, a few stools will help revamp the space without costing too much.
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Change the lighting – Something as simple as a new light fixture or a different toned bulb can make a world of difference in your kitchen. Lighting is important, and changing it up doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Work with what you have and make small swaps to fit your current lighting set up into the new look.
Step #3: Fix Technical Issues
A kitchen shouldn’t just be beautiful to look at, it should be functional too! Older homes often have issues with plumbing and electricity. To ensure your new kitchen runs as beautifully as it looks, consider making these DIY technical changes in the inner workings of the space:
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Adjust the water pressure – Increase the water pressure of your kitchen sink by loosening the screw on the water valve. This should do the trick, but if it doesn’t you may have a clog in the plumbing or build up at the head of the faucet. Clean the nozzle of any mineral debris that may be affecting the water pressure, or use some unclogging techniques for the plumbing system.
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Add dimmer switches – This is an affordable DIY project that will elevate your kitchen’s electrical system to the next level. But safety first! Make sure you’ve turned off all power sources prior to performing this job to prevent the risk of electrocution.
Once the power is off, unscrew the wall plate of the old light switch and remove it entirely. Then, connect the wires on the dimmer switch and the wires connected to the wall using a pair of pliers. Once you’ve connected the new switch, replace the wall plate and enjoy your new mood lighting!
- Install a garbage disposal – A garbage disposal is a luxury feature that will make your kitchen much more user-friendly when cooking and cleaning up. The average garbage disposal will run you between $50-$100, which definitely places it on the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to remodeling costs.
Your new garbage disposal should come with instructions for set up, but the process will generally involve just a few basic steps.
First, disconnect the power supply to prevent electrocution—the only spark you want to see during kitchen remodeling is the spark of creativity, after all! Then begin connecting the disposal’s power cord and matching wires (the green wire will usually connect to the ground screw).
Next, you’ll have to install the new drain in your sink. These usually fit directly into your old drain, and require minimal installation beyond some plumbers putty and light pressure.
After you’ve installed the drain addition, screw the mount into the underside of the sink basin.
Lastly, attach the actual garbage disposal to this mount and connect the hose to a disposal outlet that will remove the waste. Once you’ve completed these steps, your garbage disposal should be ready to go.
Save Big on Home Improvement Supplies with RebateKey
Whether you’re cooking up big changes in your kitchen or just a few tweaks, the cost of your DIY supplies can add up. If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen on a budget, don’t forget to look for savings when it comes to purchasing tools, supplies, and even decorative items.
Fortunately, RebateKey is here to help. With RebateKey, you can find the perfect Home Depot rebate or Lowes coupon to help you craft your dream kitchen. Need help remodeling the bathroom too? We’ve got you covered with our article on bathroom remodel ideas on a budget!
RebateKey Saves You Money at the Hardware Store
Forget clipping coupons, mailing in a rebate, or—worst of all—paying full price for hardware items. RebateKey makes saving money easier and faster than ever.
If you’re looking for home improvement supplies, all you need to do is search for the items you want on our site. Whether it’s tools, paint, or furniture, just take a look at the hundreds of deals we have with your favorite retailers and find the best deal available.
Once you’ve found a deal, simply claim it and make your purchase. From this point on, we’ll take care of the rest. All you have to do is wait for your items (and your check) to arrive and you’re ready to start remodeling!
Get the kitchen you want for a fraction of the price, and check RebateKey frequently for up to 100% cash back deals on the things you need. Good luck, and happy shopping!
