Some projects you can do yourself, but others might require the help of professionals. Some projects you can get started yourself, then have the pros come in to finish them off. Whatever you decide, your kitchen renovations will make your home more comfortable and more workable. And in the long run, they'll pay off almost dollar for dollar when it comes time to sell.
Read about what you can do to spruce up your kitchen on a budget of $2000 to $5000. You'll be amazed at the change!
Reface the Cabinets
For about half the cost of new cabinets, you can hire a refacing company to remove the old doors of your cabinets, reface the frames, and replace the cabinet doors with new, fresh painted or wood ones. And you'll not only save money, you'll also save weeks of disruption to your home, your life, and your kitchen. It could take months to measure, make, and install new kitchen cabinets. Once the space is measured, it will take only three days from start to finish. And you can even have additional matching cabinets installed or spacing for appliances changed for extra money. It will feel like a new kitchen, though you've only added a new face.Buy New Appliances
If your kitchen has old, outdated appliances, it might be a good idea to replace them, even if they're working alright. Old appliances are inefficient and unattractive. Adding new moderately-priced appliances can really bring the look to today. Expect to pay about $500 and up for each appliance, resulting in several thousand dollars for a refrigerator, stove, microwave, and dishwasher. If you can't resist a gourmet's kitchen with $10,000 custom-front, double refrigerator, make sure that you can take it with you when you move!Put in a New Tile Floor
A new floor under foot really transforms the whole space. Tear up old linoleum flooring and lay tiles of tumbled marble, slate, or ceramic for a real "WOW" factor. You can do the demolition work yourself, then call in the pros for the installation. Or try it yourself, following instructions from the pros. Professionally laid tile flooring, installed, can range from $5.00 to $100 per square foot, co choose carefully according to your budget.Install a New Wood Floor
If your home has a buried wood floor, you'll add value to your home and comfort to your feet if you get rid of whatever is over it. But for a beautiful transformation, install new hardwood flooring in place of the ugly floor that's there. The cost can be high but many floorings are made for homeowner installation. Find a finish you like and see if you can do it yourself. If not, hire a professional after getting a satisfactory bid for the job.Add Granite Countertops
This may seem like it would be out of the question on a budget. But you really can have granite countertops without spending a fortune. You can find remnants of granite left over from large jobs and the price is well below the cost of custom pieces. Check out what's available at your local home improvement centers and get an estimate for having your countertops transformed.Install Focused Task Lighting
Get rid of the ugly fluorescent fixture in the center of your ceiling and install recessed lights focused on your work areas. This will probably require the hiring of an electrician, but it's not a hard job for a professional. You'll pay about $100 per fixture installed so your allotted budget will go a long way! At the same time, have him install some lights under your cabinets to light up the countertops.
Check out our suggestions for a low-budget kitchen makeover and a modest-budget renovation, too.