Ideas to Renovate the Kitchen Without Work or A Large Investment

Table of Contents

1. Are Kitchen Renovations Worth it?
2. You Need a Plan
3. How Can I Cut Costs When Renovating?[+]
   1. Cabinetry
   2. Don’t Move the Services
   3. New Hardware
   4. Replace the Benchtops
   5. Create Character with Paint
   6. Turn your Splashback into a Feature
   7. Open Up

Is your kitchen a bit tired or outdated? Are you wanting to breathe fresh life into this space without spending a fortune? Wondering how to go about lifting the look and feel of your kitchen while still managing your household budget?

If you’re asking yourself one (or all) of these questions, you can be assured that you’re not alone. The benefits of kitchen renovation are a hot topic among home renovators in London, and the good news is that there are plenty of ways to revamp the ‘heart of your home without breaking the bank.

Hey, let’s put it out there: quality kitchen renovations don’t come cheap. But the burning question is…

Are Kitchen Renovations Worth it?

Yes, we believe they are. Whether you’re remodeling for your own enjoyment or sprucing your house up to sell it, money invested in improving the aesthetics and functionality of your kitchen is well spent.

With more than 16 years of experience in renovating London homes, we understand what it takes. And we believe that it all starts with a good understanding of what you’re working with and a strong idea of what you want to achieve.

Here’s the deal:

You Need a Plan

Having a clear understanding of what you want to achieve is the first step: a renovation project without a plan is like a journey without a destination!

Set your overall budget and decide how much you will spend in each area of your project. It may look something like this:

• for cabinetry
• for flooring
• for hardware
• for labor
• for fixtures
• for sundry and unexpected expenses

Think about what matters to you: if the current design of your cabinetry is practical and suits your needs, you might be able to save a pretty penny by just updating door fronts, benchtops and hardware; if your flooring is in good condition, you might choose to leave that as it is.

Allow for budget blowouts. Yes, you did hear right: we seriously recommend you allow a contingency amount to cover unexpected expenses – renovating an existing kitchen is totally different from a new build, and there are likely to be some unanticipated costs thrown in once demolition begins.

Have a clear vision of what you want the finished project to look like. This includes layout, design and color scheme.

How Can I Cut Costs When Renovating?

One of the benefits of kitchen renovation is that it doesn’t mean that everything has to be new. And this is where you have to make a few creative decisions: what can you keep of your existing kitchen, and what needs to go?

Cabinetry

If the basic carcasses of your cabinetry are still in good nick, you might get away with just replacing doors and drawer fronts. Believe us when we say that new fronts can transform the whole look of your space without the cost and hassle of a total re-fit.

If your doors and drawer fronts are solid timber, you might choose to repaint rather than replace them. A few hours spent sanding, painting and refitting, and this might be one of the most rewarding projects you will ever undertake!

Don’t Move the Services

As soon as you start interfering with existing plumbing and electrical plans, the costs will rack up pretty fast. If possible, stick to the existing plans and work your renovation around them.

New Hardware

Replacing handles and drawer pulls is another ticket to a new look, but minus the hefty price tag. Good quality drawer runners and hinges also improve the functionality of your kitchen – doors and drawers that bang shut aren’t nice to use!

Replace the Benchtops

The cabinets ok, but the benchtop has seen better days. Replacing the countertops isn’t hard, but it can instantly take your kitchen up several notches!

Your budget will be the determining factor here – stone or composite benchtops definitely give that ‘top-end’ feel, but they’re going to be more expensive to buy and install than a laminate option. There are plenty of other options when it comes to countertops: timber, concrete, stainless steel, and bamboo… what’s your style?

Create Character with Paint

Paint is a relatively cheap way to freshen up and create ambiance. As we well know, a neutral palette is a way to go if you’re creating that light, bright and airy feel. If comforting and romantic is your style, you may opt for darker tones – grey, navy, green, brown – and bring those soothing tones of nature right inside.

If your home is a traditional beauty, make the most of the original moldings and other design features when you paint. Ceiling rosettes, wall moldings and decorative cornices can become a stunning feature in your renovated kitchen.

Turn your Splashback into a Feature

Does your splashback need replacing? Spend some time thinking about what you want to use here – although tiles are probably traditional, laminate and acrylic splashbacks are two other popular and budget-friendly choices.

If you choose your pattern and materials wisely, it’s not difficult to make a big impact with your splashback without spending a heap. Retro tiles are all the rage across Britain – a trip to your local secondhand building materials supplier might turn up some retro gems.

Open Up

Open-plan living is hugely popular across Britain, and removing internal walls to create a free-flow kitchen/living area can totally transform the functionality and aesthetics of your workspace and allow natural light to flood the whole area.

Renovating your kitchen is a big investment, but your specialist renovating team can help you create something stylish that suits your budget. Call the team at Combit Constructions today, and let’s get your project started!

Thank you for reading!