For many, the kitchen is the heart of a home. It is where we congregate at parties and where the kids do their homework. But like me, many homeowners often face the fact that their kitchen needs a little TLC but also face with the reality that any renovation must be done on a budget.

Many real estate experts say that homeowners need to renovate their kitchens every 10 years in order for their homes to hold its value at the time of resale. A major kitchen remodel costs anywhere from $60,000 to $120,000 and result in a potential 60% recoup in cost when the home is sold. But the truly interesting fact that came from the study is that in minor kitchen remodels, where the cost of renovation is about $20,000, the homeowners were actually recouping almost 83% of the cost according to 2016 Cost vs. Value Report. So, the following are three areas you can focus on when renovating on a budget.

Know Your Knobs

And while $20,000 stills seems high for many homeowner budgets, there are many simple changes you can make to your kitchen to give it a fresh new look. One of the cheapest ways to freshen the look of your cabinets is simply to change out the knobs and pulls on your cabinetry. The Big Box stores offer a large selection and many on-line retailers offer many choices. For about $200 your cabinetry can get a mini-makeover.

Granite versus Quartz

Photo by HeatherMG

Installing new countertops is another great way to remodel a kitchen to give it a fresh look. If you still have laminate countertops or Corian (popular in the nineties), you definitely should consider a countertop facelift; especially if your cabinets are still in good shape. I personally opted for quartz countertops when I did my kitchen remodel years ago. At the time everyone insisted granite was the way to go. I have not regretted the choice once. Quartz is crushed stone mixed with resin to produce a range from solid colors to the look of real granite. Quartz is the toughest countertop material, and it resists scratches, burns, and chips. And the best part is that it does not require sealing once a year like it is recommended for granite.

According to “Consumer Reports” it appears that quartz stone is edging out granite in sales. Although quartz costs about the same as granite, it’s much easier to clean and is a no hassle alternative.

So, whether you are deciding on replacing your countertops or not, a great quick renovation project many opt for is changing out their kitchen sinks. If it’s an undermount, changing out the sink should be easy even if you keep your existing countertops. Installing a new sink in an existing location can cost on average $300 to $400. However, moving the plumbing to a new location can be complicated and increase the cost. Be sure to change out the faucet as well to get a complete fresh new look.

Don’t Replace Your Kitchen Cabinets, Paint Them

If you cabinets are still in good shape but took a bit of a beating over the years, consider painting the cabinets. For the weekend warrior, a DIY project could be just the perfect project to keep the budget in check. However, before a drop of paint hits a cabinet, every square inch of the doors and frames must be clean of dirt and grease. A good cleaning with TSP or substitute followed by a light sanding will ensure that the cabinets will be ready for paint.

Find the best primer paint that works for your project. Some states have outlawed oil paint due to the VOCs, so make sure you investigate before you go shopping. Spring for the best topcoat paint that you can buy, as that is the finish the world will see. Don’t go cheap on this part of the project. After all, remember how much you are saving by not ripping out the cabinets and replacing them.

Here is a chance to try something different with your cabinets. Why not take the doors off a few cabinets to expose the shelves and display your favorite place settings or glasses. Even paint the back of the cabinet a different color to add some drama. Many homeowners are even painting their upper cabinets one color and their lower cabinets a different color.

Color Tip

If you choose to paint the cabinet uppers a different color than the lowers, always put the darker color (i.e. heavier feeling color) on the lower cabinet. Darker colored cabinets installed on the ground will anchor the room rather than float in the air.

I wrote this article a year ago for a utility company blog. It received a lot of great comments so I thought I would post it again.