How To Keep Costs Down When Renovating Your Kitchen

Renovating your kitchen can be an exciting and transformative experience, but it can also be expensive. Keeping costs down can be a challenge, but it's not impossible— just ask Crissy, who renovated her kitchen in New York on a budget with Block. By following a few key tips, you can ensure that your kitchen renovation doesn't spiral out of control.

Don’t Touch The Layout

The best way to keep costs from skyrocketing is to avoid major layout changes. Crissy was able to keep her renovation costs down by making minimal changes to the kitchen layout and by keeping existing features like her fridge and arched entryway. By working with her designer to create a vintage-meets-modern aesthetic, she was able to create a space that would complement the rest of her apartment without being too trendy or costly. This approach also helps to ensure that the renovation will add to the home's resale value.

Opt For Cost Efficient Materials

Material substitutions and alternatives can end up saving you quite a bit on your kitchen renovation. Caesarstone, for example, is a cheaper alternative to marble that’s also easier to maintain while giving you the same luxurious look. Likewise, wood-veneer cabinets offer a wonderful alternative to solid wood cabinetry— giving you the same warm look at a fraction of the price. 

Plan As Much As Possible

Visualization is an essential tool when planning a kitchen renovation. As a visual person, Crissy found it helpful to work with her Block team to create renderings of the potential designs. These renderings provided a common ground for communication and helped her solidify her vision for the space. Visualization tools can also help you make informed decisions about materials and finishes, which can impact the overall cost of the renovation.

Invest In The Details

Subtle details and flourishes can help bring a place together without breaking the bank. Additions like a magnetic knife strip, a hanging pot rack, or a nice cutting board can really elevate your kitchen without ultimately costing you that much.

Ultimately, the goal of a kitchen renovation is to create a space that is both functional and beautiful. As Crissy noted, her new kitchen is “simple, but it’s not soulless; it has this life to it." By focusing on the essentials and avoiding unnecessary frills, she was able to create a space that is both efficient and visually appealing. This approach helped her keep costs down and ensured that the renovation was a worthwhile investment in the long run.