How to Remodel a Kitchen From Start to Finish

Start your search for inspiration by browsing your favorite Pinterest boards and home improvement sites. Save ideas in a folder or vision board as you research to help develop your own remodeling plans.

Viewing a broad range of layouts and designs is helpful to identify the fixtures, textures and materials you want in your new kitchen. You should also consider how you will use your kitchen and whether your new design will fit within the existing floor plan.

When you have some (realistic) ideas in mind, draw up a general outline of the remodel. Your main focus should be figuring out the layout of the room. Are you working with a galley kitchen or have you decided to knock down walls for an open layout?

A crucial stage in the design process is to determine how far apart your cabinets will be spaced out, where your kitchen island will be situated, where appliances will go and other logistical details. Knowing the precise layout will also give potential contractors an idea of the scope of the work, making it easier to get ballpark estimates for your kitchen remodeling project.

Wondering how much a kitchen remodel costs? Get your fainting couch ready because, according to Home Advisor, the average kitchen remodel costs about $27,000. Typically you’ll find a kitchen remodel costing between $15,000 and $41,000 — and where the cost of your kitchen remodel falls depends on:

• The size of your kitchen
• Your materials and appliances
• How much of the work will be handled by contractors
• If you’re knocking down walls

Putting down that much money on a new kitchen is worth it for some. But others aren’t interested in splurging on high-end updates. Luckily, putting your kitchen remodel on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style.

Budgeting for a kitchen remodel involves keeping track of the cost of many different projects, from installing a new sink to switching out your flooring. This chart shows, on average, what percentage of your budget will go toward certain parts of your remodel.

Cabinets and labor will take up most of your budget. To save on your kitchen remodel, consider reusing or revamping your cabinets with new paint or hardware and try to DIY the process as much as you can.

Some homeowners may choose to leave their house once the kitchen demolition starts, but others will opt to remain in the home. If you choose to stay put, there are some things you need to plan ahead for:

• Set up a temporary kitchen in another room of the house.
• Make sure you have space for preparing small meals.
• Bring only the essential appliances you need for cooking (read: no waffle irons).
• Use a mini-fridge to store perishables.
• Stock your pantry with paper plates, plastic silverware and cups.
• Keep nonperishables such as peanut butter, crackers and snack bars handy.

For more tips and some moral support as you undertake a kitchen remodeling project, check out "How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel."

Beyond preparing a temporary kitchen arrangement, you should also make plans for cleanup before the kitchen remodel begins. Whether you’re tearing out cabinets, gutting the whole kitchen or something in between, we have a disposal solution for your DIY kitchen remodel. Learn more about our residential dumpster rentals and find the right size for your cleanup needs.

When it comes to utilities, you don’t want to cut any corners. For safety reasons, it’s best to pay for the professional labor to ensure a job well done. If you’re looking to save on this area of your budget kitchen remodel, we recommend keeping your old plumbing and electrical if it’s safe to do so.

You can lower the cost of drywall installation by using the fewest number of sheets possible to cover the necessary area. Doing this depends on finding the best sheet size for your space. Use this drywall calculator to test various sheet sizes and determine which fits your budget.

If you’re up for some heavy lifting, hanging drywall in a smaller, rectangular area is a job you can safely DIY to save on installation costs.

For more complex installations, you should call a pro. Since most people spend a lot of time in the kitchen, even small mistakes with your drywall will stand out. And if you make a big mistake, the cost to fix it will quickly eat up any savings you might have made by doing it yourself.

Linoleum and laminate flooring are the classic choices for remodelers on a budget. And there’s no longer any reason to cringe — modern versions of these flooring types are available in a huge variety of stylish looks.

And as long as you don’t mind the work, most homeowners can DIY the flooring installation for these options in order to save even more — linoleum is especially straightforward. Depending on the flooring you choose, this can be one of the most involved parts of a DIY kitchen remodel. If you’re not sure where to begin, some flooring manufacturers offer workshops for DIYers where you can talk to an expert about how to tackle your project.

Budget-conscious kitchen remodelers can save thousands of dollars by refacing or refinishing their existing cabinets instead of replacing them. The average homeowner can also safely DIY this part of their kitchen remodel, saving even more.

Reface Your Cabinets
You’ll want to reface your cabinets when existing cabinet surfaces have problem areas that paint or stain won’t cover. Refacing means giving existing cabinet frames, doors and drawer fronts a new veneer, usually wood or laminate. When you go the DIY route, you’ll need about $2,000 in equipment to get the job done. So it may be best to work with a professional.

Refinish Your Cabinets
When cabinets have become dingy but are otherwise in fairly good condition, it’s a good idea to refinish them. To refinish your cabinets, you’ll paint or stain the existing cabinet frames, doors and drawer fronts. If you choose to DIY, you’ll spend about $100 to $500 on equipment.

While refinishing your cabinets will take time and effort, the process is simple enough to make this an obvious way to keep your kitchen remodel inexpensive.

If you’re looking to keep your kitchen remodel affordable, you can save plenty of money by choosing laminate or butcher-block countertops and installing them yourself. Both of these options are pretty simple for even a beginner tackling a DIY kitchen remodel — saving thousands in the process.

If neither of those options fit the style you want for your new kitchen, there are a few ways you can save on the high-end look of granite:

• Install a granite overlay on your existing countertops. This option is also pretty DIY friendly.
• Buy granite remnants instead of whole slabs. Start your search at a nearby stone yard or a Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
• Buy your granite from a wholesaler. A granite company will still need to turn it into countertops for you, but it will come with a cheaper price tag.

When it comes to saving money on your sink, a drop-in sink is the easiest one to install yourself. The great thing about a drop-in sink is that the edges of the sink will cover any uneven cuts on your countertops if it’s your first time installing a sink.

It’s best to shop around when it comes to appliances. Check out both independent business and home improvement stores to find the most budget-friendly option. If you’re willing to compromise on your aesthetics, white appliances typically cost less than black or stainless steel.

By far the best way to save on your backsplash is to choose an option you can easily DIY. If it matches your kitchen’s style, beadboard is an incredibly budget-friendly — and trendy — option that takes virtually no effort to install.

But for a more classic look, you can opt for ceramic tiles. Many manufacturers now make tiles in interlocking panels that are pretty easy to install. Some even come with their own adhesive backing, so you won’t have to bother spreading gel yourself.

If you’re looking for a shiplap backsplash or accent wall worthy of Chip and Joanna Gaines, you may be able to find affordable reclaimed wood by checking your local classifieds.

If you’re looking to save on your under-cabinet lighting, consider using LED strips or puck lights. LED puck lights are round with adhesive on the back so you can easily stick them underneath your cabinets, and they cost about $25 per fixture. LED strips have a lower voltage but they cover your kitchen more consistently. An 8-foot strip of LED lights costs about $20.

Once the dust has settled, you can check out your newly remodeled kitchen, check off the project items that are complete and wrap up the others that still need attention. If you worked with a contractor, everything that was agreed to in the contract should be fulfilled before they receive final payment.

After your punch list is complete, you can finally dismantle your makeshift kitchen and resume a normal cooking routine in your brand-new kitchen.