If kitchens sell homes, then it is no wonder that a lot of pressure is felt when planning a new kitchen build or renovation. The question of “what should my priority be” and “where should I be allocating most of my budget” come up all too often. So today, we are giving you a few pointers as to where we feel you could splurge and where you could save.
SPLURGE | Layout
If you are planning a new build or a complete overhaul of your kitchen space, the layout is probably the most important element to get right. We hear the phrase “the kitchen is the heart of the home” so often and thus needs to work for the family or occupants living there. Whether it’s additional counter space for homework, a large informal dining area or multiple entries for optimal flow, this is one aspect that you need to consider very carefully and splurge on if necessary. Incurring those extra costs to move plumbing, or knocking down a restricting wall, will be well worth it in the long run.
SAVE | Lighting
Kitchen lighting need not be expensive or extravagant. As long as it is functional, gives you sufficient light to perform tasks and looks good, even if that is in a minimalist and understated way, that’s all you really require. We love LED downlights in the kitchen, whether recessed, surface mounted or on a track, they always do the trick and look great too! Rather save those pennies for a statement pendant over a dining table for in a large entrance hall.
SPLURGE | Countertops
Having a good quality and durable and countertop is invaluable in the kitchen. This is a hardworking space, and needs to be able to stand up to wear and tear. A quartz-based surface, such as, Caesarstone provides a beautiful surface in a range of colours and patterns that can last a lifetime.
SAVE | Splashbacks
Splashbacks are a great place to save especially if you’ve used a good quality, washable paint on your walls ensuring it’s not imperative to have a tile or glass splashback on all the exposed wall surfaces above your counter. If your budget is constrained, consider using a narrow strip of your countertop material along the back for a seamless and minimalist finish. And if you are lucky, this might just be an off-cut from your countertop slab, and therefore, won’t be any extra cost.
SPLURGE | Appliances
Good quality appliances with state of the art technology are a no-brainer in the kitchen. They save you time and energy and keep your kitchen functioning smoothly. If possible, integrated appliances are the way to go, especially if your kitchen is central to an open plan living area. Although, the price tag on these functional elements is a little higher, it enables them to be hidden away behind the cabinetry, allowing your kitchen to blend in seamlessly with the furnishings in the remainder of the open plan space.
SAVE | Cabinetry
This might seem a bit counterintuitive as the cabinetry is a pretty focal part of the kitchen. However, you’ll be amazed as what a coat of paint and some new handles can do to the overall look of your space. If hauling out the ol’ paint brush is not your thing, have them sprayed by a professional. This will give them a smooth and consistent finish and will still end up costing you a fraction of what new cupboards would.
SPLURGE | Taps
A stylish basin mixer that compliments the overall style, is the cherry on the top of kitchen design. Not usually something that people factor into a budget, a beautiful tap is one of the first things people notice. It’s a great way to highlight and tie in with other metallic elements in the kitchen, be it handles, an extractor hood, kitchen stools or appliances.
SAVE | Drawer Inserts
One can get carried away with the nifty gadgets, drawer inserts and corner carousels that might be on the market. But before purchasing these elements, you should ask yourself if they are really necessary and if simple, store bought inserts would not suffice, and perhaps, function just as well.
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