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5 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Renovation Tips for the Kitchen of Your Dreams


5 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Renovation Tips for the Kitchen of Your Dreams:

 

Your dream kitchen renovation shouldn’t stress you out or empty your wallet, even if you’re on a budget. It’s all about knowing how to strategise your costs and where to look for those obscure kitchen essentials. 

In this blog, we’ll take you through five tips, and that’s all you need in your arsenal to transform your kitchen while staying under budget. 

However, before we begin, let us share a quick overview of how much a kitchen renovation costs in Australia to keep your expectations in check : 

Renovation type

      Estimated Cost (AUD) 

    Timeframe

Basic renovation (paint, cabinet handles, DIY) 

          $1,000 – $5,000

    1 – 2 weeks 

Mid-range Renovation (new countertops, backsplash, flooring)

          $5,000 – $15,000

    2 – 4 weeks 

Full Renovation (custom cabinets, appliances, reconfiguration) 

          $15,000+

    4+ weeks 

 

Now that’s out of the way, let’s introduce you to the five tips that’ll make your life and budget-friendly kitchen renovation journey easier. 

 

Planning is Key

Whether you’re doing a full-fledged makeover, a few renovations, or a budget-friendly one, these all have one thing in common, and that’s well-thought-out planning. You need to identify what’s essential for your budget kitchen and prioritise it. 

Maybe your kitchen needs more attention on the cabinets, the countertops, or the lighting. Or it could be a decor upgrade to turn over the look and feel- whatever it may be, maintain clear communication with your showroom advisor or kitchen installer to let them know what you want for your budget-friendly kitchen renovation. 

 

 

 

Not All Heroes Wear Capes, Some Are Just a Cleverly Done DIY Kitchen.

Nothing screams budget-friendly than a DIY kitchen renovation. From avoiding labour costs, expensive tools, and extra charges, you get to take full ownership of your kitchen renovation and feel good about yourself at the end of it! 

If you’re wracking your brain with where to start from a DIY point of view, start with what you can change in the next couple of hours. By tackling smaller projects, you can start easy and find gratification in those small accomplishments. 

 

Where to start DIY kitchen projects?

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  • Cabinetry  – Take a look at your existing cabinets and all the tight corners and spacious gaps that you can fill them with. Cabinet hardware is easy to replace without much effort with the correct fitting. 
  •  
  • Painting – One of the best budget-friendly ways to spruce up your worn-out cabinets is a good coat of paint and refinishing. 
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  • Backsplash – By using leftover tiles from other kitchen projects, some peel-and-stick tiles, or a fresh coat of paint, you can add personality to your backsplash. 
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  • Lighting fixtures – With the magic of DIY, skip the hassle of rewiring altogether with stick-on battery-operated lights, or for a more sophisticated light up consider under-cabinet LED strips. 
 
 
 
 

While DIY projects are fun to explore, here are some key DIY reno traps to avoid for a positive experience :

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  • Low-quality materials can put all your DIY efforts to waste, so avoid them and opt for second-hand premium materials. 
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  • Your kitchen was once put together by professionals. So, get advice from professionals when you need to, and don’t make the mistake of avoiding them entirely. 
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  • Do not underestimate the level of work you will need to put in, even if you’re choosing the DIY route. 
 
 
 

The Art of Smart Spending

A budget-friendly kitchen doesn’t mean you’re downgrading the look of your kitchen, not when it can be done using less expensive materials that can still make your kitchen look good. 

 

How to use less expensive materials?

  • Floating floors are way easier to install over traditional flooring installations. Options like luxury vinyl plank,  laminate, or engineered wood can be installed over your current flooring for a more cost-effective and low-effort flooring. 
  •  
  • Low-cost, Low-effort Laminate countertops – Laminate has been one of the least expensive materials for kitchen countertops. And on top of that, it comes DIY friendly! 
  •  
  • Ready-to-assemble cabinets – RTA cabinets are made for budget-friendly kitchens. These are typically hands-on, so you can save on those labour costs. 
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Apart from using less expensive materials, you can still fortify a smart budget if you do your market research well, tweak your negotiation skills, and discover the power of bulk buying. 

 

 

Old Can Be Gold…With a Lick of Paint and a New Cabinet Reface

If you’re looking at your worn-out kitchen and thinking about a budget-friendly option, let us introduce you to our easy mate, ‘Refurbishing. ’ Replacing existing materials in your kitchen is a cost that is becoming pricier over time,  but you can avoid this with some strategised refurbishing techniques. 

 

  • What to refurbish?

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  • Painting cabinets is a popular refurbishing method, and it’s simple. This is something any homeowner can tackle. We recommend some trendy shades of classic grey, white, or navy. 
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  • Cabinet refacing is another way to add a new look without buying a whole new set of cabinets. All you need to do is replace your cabinet fronts while keeping your existing cabinet’s structure intact. 
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  • Painting walls will save a lot of costs that come from removing drywall. If you’re wall is in a condition that only needs a new touch and not a removal, leave it and shine it up with a coat of paint. 
 
 

The Kitchen Layout: If It’s Supported You This Long, Keep It in Place.

Changing your kitchen layout can come with a long bill of costs from moving the sink/dishwasher to purchasing newer materials, opening walls, and even rewriting at times. 

There is so much you can do in terms of renovating while keeping your layout as it is, which will be cost-effective and low-effort. However, this doesn’t mean layout changes are a no-no; you can still go for it within budget by opting for inexpensive plumbing choices and even a few electrical changes, such as fixing an outlet or a kitchen light. 

 

Finally Thoughts

In summary, renovating your budget-friendly kitchen does require great planning, creativity, and a dash of boldness for the daring. If you understand your needs and know where to get what you need, you can transform your existing kitchen into the one of your dreams without blowing your budget. 

Think you need more support and customised assistance? We’ve got you. Drop in for a chat, and our teams at Bayside Kitchens will help you bring your budget-friendly reno to life in no time!

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  

  1. Q1- How can I start a DIY kitchen renovation after planning? 
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After you’ve put together a well-thought-out plan, you should start to make a list of the materials and tools you need. Include everything you need in that list, from cabinets to appliances, hardware, lighting, and finishing touches. Once you have everything gathered, check if you have all necessary permits and review any regulations that apply to you. Next, set up a timeline that works with your plan and budget, and you are good to go! 

 

  1. Q2- How much does a basic kitchen renovation cost in Australia? 
  2.  

A basic renovation in Australia can start from $5000 and go up to $15,000. However, the final cost depends on your choice of renovation type (DIY or professionally renovated kitchen) and materials. 

 

  1. Q3- What is the least expensive way to redo a kitchen cabinet?
  2.  

If you’re looking for a cheap option to simply change the look of your cabinets, we recommend refacing. In this process, you strip the outer pain coat from the existing cabinets and add a new layer of varnish, pain, or even a stick-on veneer. 

 

  1. Q4- What is the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation? 
  2.  

We’d say cabinets, as they are a foundational requirement for your kitchen and cover a lot of storage area.