You’ve been talking about remodeling your kitchen for years, but something always comes up: You don’t have the time; you don’t have the finances; you haven’t settled on a design direction. We get it—the excuses come easy because the task at hand is hard. And while we don’t blame you for taking your time—as patience is often the key to perfection!—delaying your plans might end up costing you.
In Houzz.com’s annual Houzz & Home survey, the architecture and design website revealed the median kitchen renovation cost jumped a whopping 27 percent in the past year, coming in at a cool $14,000. The culprit? A 10 percent increase in tariffs, Nino Sitchinava, Houzz’s principal economist, said in a statement. Sitchinava goes on to note that the tariffs primarily affect imports arriving from China—namely building materials such as cabinetry, countertops, ceramic tile, plumbing fixtures, and vinyl flooring.
But there’s still hope: You don’t have to order pricey door fronts or flooring in order to refresh your kitchen. Peep our cheat sheet for a budget-friendly remodel, below:
For Dingy Cabinetry: A Fresh Coat of Paint Designed by Velinda Hellen for EHD Photo by Sara Tramp
There really is no better way to get the most bang for your buck than by reviving lackluster kitchen cabinets with a fresh paint color. Right now, we’re feeling especially inspired by the palette at L.A.’s buzziest new destination, Firehouse Hotel.
For a Dated Backsplash: Wallpaper photo by anita yokota
Faux real, you’d never know that Anita Yokota’s patterned kitchen backsplash was actually just removable, peel-and-stick wallpaper. The designer scored her streamlined surface material from Rebecca Atwood for just $10 a roll.
For Beaten-Down Floors: A Vintage Runner photo courtesy of katie hackworth
If you consider the kitchen to be the heart of your home, why not amp up the coziness factor with a plush rug? A vintage runner is a great way to disguise old floor tiles while adding warmth and texture to the room.
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