Inspiring Budget Kitchen Remodel Ideas for 2023

So you sat down on the couch for this weekend’s marathon of one of the more popular kitchen makeover shows on network TV. You’ve got your pajamas on, the popcorn is popped, and your spouse has paused all notifications on their smartphone so you can both really focus on the task at hand: binging daytime television.

Sounds fun, right? Well, now you’ve got the itch for a custom kitchen remodel, but that can often get a bit spendy. And as a result, you need some budget-friendly inspiration to truly refresh your kitchen’s style.

Fortunately, there are tons of fun and interesting ways to tackle a kitchen remodel without costing you an arm and a leg (or requiring you to send in an audition tape for one of those cheesy kitchen makeover shows). And we’ll discuss more of those budget kitchen remodel ideas below.

Average Cost of a Kitchen Remodel 💰

The cost of any home improvement project can vary based on a range of factors, and your kitchen remodel will be no different. For example, a small kitchen remodel project with just a few minor changes like fresh paint and new backsplash tile might only run you a few thousand dollars, while an extensive and lavish kitchen renovation could be in the tens of thousands or more.

Ultimately, the cost of your kitchen remodel will depend on details, including:

• Home location
• Materials used
• Design and layout
• Kitchen size
• Demolition requirements
• Plumbing and electrical changes
• Your remodeling contractor

HomeAdvisor lists the average cost of a kitchen remodel as anywhere within the $13,300 to $38,300 range. But if you’re trying to save money or stay under a certain amount, it’s important to sit down and set a kitchen remodel budget. You can also speak with a local home restoration company to receive a free estimate for your kitchen remodel.

Building Your Budget 🧾

Many homeowners are just like you, dreaming of a beautiful kitchen makeover but can’t necessarily afford an entirely new kitchen. If you’re on a tight budget or have limited space, you need to consider your kitchen design carefully.

In order to create a budget, you’ll need to consider a couple of critical details. Ask yourself a few essential questions first:

What Are Your Wants vs. Must-Haves?

Although you probably have plenty of great ideas in mind for your dream kitchen, if you need to remodel on a budget, you’ll have to forego some of the fun stuff for more practical and functional items.

It’s essential to list your wants versus your must-haves to determine where you plan to direct your money first. You might have some frustrating pain points that need addressing, such as a too-tight kitchen table for your kids to sit at, insufficient storage, or a lack of natural light over your kitchen sink, making cleaning your dishes challenging. Those are the kinds of things you’ll want to factor into your budget first.

Do You Have Any Project Priorities?

Another important factor to think about when building your budget is your priorities. As we touched on above, there could be some pain points in your kitchen that you want to address first to quell those morning family quarrels.

Maybe your kitchen appliances are outdated and impeding your day-to-day life. Or perhaps your old flooring is scuffed, and countertops are cracked, requiring replacing.

You’ll need to decide which tasks to tackle right away and what can be left on the back burner for now. Make a numbered list of what you want to be done during your kitchen remodel in order of importance, so you prioritize what to put your money into first.

Can You Keep Anything?

You can also achieve an affordable kitchen remodel if there’s anything you can keep from your current kitchen. You might not need new appliances or cabinets and can instead spend that money elsewhere. This is also an excellent opportunity for upcycling, so don’t be afraid to DIY some aspects of your kitchen remodel to keep it low-budget.

Do You Think You Can Do It Yourself?

Many homeowners are able to remodel their kitchen on a budget because they decide to DIY certain parts of the project. This could mean doing the initial demolition yourself, painting the space afterward, or tackling various DIY projects for kitchen furniture and decor.

In addition, you can save even more money when you install tile, flooring, cabinets, and appliances on your own, but this can be difficult for inexperienced DIY-ers. Instead, work with a local contractor to get the more challenging parts of your kitchen remodeling project done right.

8 of the Best Budget Kitchen Remodel Ideas This Year 💡

Now that you’ve determined how much you’re willing to spend on your dream kitchen, you can start looking for budget-friendly ideas for the space. Try out some (or all) of the best kitchen remodeling ideas listed below:

1.) Leave the Layout

Some of the costliest aspects of a kitchen remodel will involve demolishing load-bearing walls and rearranging plumbing routes and electric wiring. If you leave the layout as is, you’re bound to have an easier time finishing your kitchen remodel on a budget.

2.) Avoid Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Custom cabinets might look great, but they don’t come cheap. Instead of investing a large chunk of your budget in custom ones, you can always keep and refurbish your current kitchen cabinets. You can also move things around or remove upper cabinets to give the room a new feel without the financial obligation of new cabinets.

3.) Update Your Existing Cabinets

Like we said above, you can always give your existing cabinets a facelift in a few simple steps. Whether that’s by painting them or adding new hardware, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on new cabinets to make your kitchen cabinetry look modern and fresh. Just take a look at this easy DIY project below, where just a fresh coat of paint and new drawers and doors completely transform a small kitchen.

4.) Change Up the Color Scheme

Just like your cabinets, you can also paint the walls to provide a new feel to your kitchen without breaking the bank. Many reputable companies like Behr offer primer-paint combinations, so you can save both time and money painting the room yourself.

5.) Search for Sales

If you’re not scared of shopping secondhand, you can find some surprisingly inexpensive items when scouring sites and stores like:

• Facebook Marketplace
• Craigslist
• Amazon
• Flea markets
• Antique stores or shows
• Local salvage yards

Do your research prior to purchasing anything secondhand to ensure you’re getting a fair price, and remember that you won’t get the same warranties as you would when buying bigger things like appliances at retail price.

This is also the perfect opportunity to find unique or vintage items to put around your kitchen when finished or use for a DIY project. Look for antique furniture, interesting and attractive decor, or salvaged materials to save money on your kitchen remodel.

6.) Don’t Be Afraid to DIY It

Again, you can also try your hand at DIYing many of the different aspects of a kitchen remodel. From doing your own demolition to replacing the hardware on your cabinets, you can cut costs in many simple and creative ways. Just look at this easy-to-follow instructional video for building a beautiful kitchen island out of old cabinets:

7.) Stick to Inexpensive Materials

Although you might have your eye on some gorgeous granite countertops or rich, classic hardwood flooring, many of those items will cut deep into your budget. But you can always opt for more budget-friendly materials that also look great and last for years.

The following materials have a reasonable price tag but still pack a punch with plenty of style:

• Subway tile
• Butcher’s block countertops
• Peel & stick wallpaper or backsplash tile
• Ceramic flooring tile
• Laminate countertops
• Engineered wood flooring

Now, you might shy away from the idea of putting peel and stick backsplash and wallpaper or laminated counters and floors anywhere in your house, but we promise you won’t be sacrificing on style. You can find an endless array of attractive and affordable kitchen remodel materials like the ones listed above at places in-person like Target or online at Wayfair.

8.) Look for Local Deals

Lastly, look for a kitchen remodeling contractor in your area who offers warranties on both their work and the products or materials used during the project. Most contractors will offer at least a 10-year warranty on workmanship, while product manufacturers often have lifetime warranties. That means you’re covered in most cases if the items or appliances stop working correctly.

You might also find bundles on stainless steel appliances at local department stores or big box home improvement stores like Home Depot, which will typically include a dishwasher, stove, refrigerator, and even a microwave in some cases.

Many of these places offer special sale prices around holidays like the New Year, Labor Day, and Memorial Day as well. You might even catch a commercial for one of these sales during your latest binge-watching session.

Bring Your Dream Kitchen to Life (On a Budget) 🛠

Kitchen remodels are often costly, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are tons of crafty and cost-effective ideas to refresh one of the most important rooms in your house. If you’re ready to start your kitchen remodel, talk with Thomas Buckborough & Associates. We work with kitchens of all sizes and strive to stay on budget while giving you a beautiful new kitchen.

Contact us to learn more about our services and start your budget kitchen remodel today.