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Kitchen - Design Yours to a Budget

The first thing to consider when designing any new kitchen is the budget.  The amount of money that you have to spend will determine everything from the materials you use to the type of appliances that you have.  However, it is still possible to design your ideal kitchen on a budget and have it look like a million dollars.  Here are some budgeting ideas.

Know what things cost

This is a vital component and it will involve quite a lot of research on your part.  Be aware that using a professional such as a kitchen designer or interior designer will add on to the final cost of the project but they may be worth the additional cost, especially since they will ensure that the kitchen is what you want it to be and will be able to source materials at their cheapest possible cost.

As well as the materials and appliances, you will need to know how much the tradespeople will charge.  Don’t go for the first tradespeople that are available either.  Always get at least three quotes and compare them to see what the average cost is.  Don’t necessarily go for the cheapest, as it is worth paying a little bit extra to get good quality work.  Once you know the estimated cost for all of these three elements, you will be able to set a reasonably costed budget.

Don’t look in just one place

Never get all your materials or appliances all in one place.  Shopping around can end up saving you hundreds, even thousands of dollars, and you may find a bargain for one of your essential kitchen elements that you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.  If it is at all possible, wait for the sales, or look at online auction sites for some true steals.

If your budget is really limited, consider a flat-pack or modular kitchen available from places such as Ikea or Freedom Furniture, or even from specialist kitchen suppliers.  These are made to your kitchen’s measurements – meaning that you’ll have to ensure that your kitchen is measured right! – and can be installed yourself to save even more money or by a contractor.

While shopping for your items, it is also important to be disciplined with yourself.  It is likely that you will come across a stylish but expensive appliance or fitting and you may convince yourself that the kitchen won’t be the same without it.  If this happens, have a look at your budget and see if there is room to accommodate it.  If not, then it usually possible to locate a cheaper substitute that can look virtually identical elsewhere.

Be realistic and save extra

Before even beginning your kitchen design, you need to think within the confines of your budget and plan the kitchen accordingly.  There is no point aiming for solid granite benchtops if you only have $15 000 to spend and that needs to cover everything.  If you are realistic from the outset, this will avoid disappointment down the track when you realize that you can’t afford something that you’ve set your heart on, and also save you from costly budget blowouts.

However, you also need to remember that renovations rarely go according to plan.  If something unexpected crops up during the final design stage or during installation, your budget can get totally derailed.  Therefore, it is a good idea to have a buffer built in so that you are not caught short when the unexpected happens.

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