HOW TO BUDGET FOR YOUR KITCHEN RENOVATION

You want a new kitchen but you are worried about hidden costs and the overall cost.  It is possible to create a beautiful kitchen without breaking the bank.  It’s all about knowing where to rein in your spending and where to splash out. Follow this guide to realise your own dream kitchen without blowing the budget.

INVEST IN PLANNING AND BUDGETING

40 – 50% of your budget is likely to go on building and labour.  Keeping this in mind will avoid surprises later on. Make a list of your must-haves and set up an excel spreadsheet to track costs. Try to have a buffer amount for unforeseen costs.

DECLUTTER

Declutter your current kitchen, this will help you with storage space decisions on your new kitchen.  You may not need all the space you currently have if it is full with items you never used and have just added to over the years.  Donate or sell anything you don’t need or don’t use, and then plan your storage based on your new, edited collection. Eye-level cupboards could be open shelves rather than full cupboards, this will also save on cost.

CHOOSE APPLIANCES WISELY

Choose only appliances that will add value to your daily life.  The obvious stovetop and oven, fridge-freezer and dishwasher will be needed.  Anything else is considered a luxury item, and well deserved if it will be used. If you’re a keen wine buff then a wine fridge might be a practical option, similarly an avid coffee lover could benefit from a built-in espresso machine.

INVEST IN QUALITY BENCHTOPS

It’s always a good idea to invest in good-quality work surfaces. Install superior benchtops over cheaper options.

CONSIDER YOUR SPLASHBACK

While splashbacks need to be durable (in terms of both heat and moisture), it’s probably not an area where you need to blow your budget. Stainless steel or copper or a plain, low-cost tile will give you a clean, finished look that will allow your more costly design decisions to really show their worth. INVEST IN TAPS AND HARDWARE The items that you touch and use on a daily basis need to be good quality and able to withstand years of wear and tear.

SAVE MONEY ON SINK CHOICES

If your benches, appliances and other areas are looking pretty impressive you can save by installing a budget-friendly stainless-steel sink.

INVEST IN LIGHTING

Your kitchen is one of the most used spaces in your home and the lighting can really make a difference to how it feels. Think great-quality, statement light fittings, such as a beautiful pendant.

SAVE ON FLOORING

A good-quality slate tile or poured concrete are inexpensive choices that look just as striking as more pricey flooring materials.