Where to Splurge and Where to Save in Kitchen Design

We all know that the kitchen is the most expensive room of the house in either a new build or a remodel. And don’t believe the figures they show on home shows - they are under-priced because even the labor is offered at a discount in return for the promotional opportunities. No getting around it, for a good looking and functional kitchen, money needs to be spent. Today I thought I’d speak from my experience on where to splurge and where you can save in kitchen design. Since we are so close to Thanksgiving, all of us can be doing a little thinking about what works for us in our kitchens and what doesn’t as we cook that turkey!

Splurge: Countertops

Purchase the best stone or engineered quartz surface that will fit in your budget because counters always get a workout in the kitchen. There are no perfect answers for an indestructible counter, but the more you can afford, the better quality you can expect. Also, in today’s kitchens the large islands we’ve come to expect means that countertops are now the star of the show. If they don’t look good, your kitchen won’t look good. So splurge. You won’t regret it.

Splurge: Appliances

From the size and depth of the refrigerator (aways go counter depth if you can), to the range to the microwave to luxuries like a coffee station and dedicated wine storage, all appliances need to be selected in advance because the floor plan of a kitchen is designed around them, as is your cabinetry. So if you want that AGA oven, include it in your initial budget. This is where it’s important to work with a designer who has a relationship with a kitchen and bath showroom, as they know what’s best at every price point. The salespeople at dedicated kitchen and bath showroom are actually educated on every appliance they sell. I have an amazing relationship with Ferguson’s locally and they’ve been invaluable to me and my clients!

Splurge: Cabinetry

This is another area where you need to buy the best you can afford, as there are no do-overs. Cabinetry built with subpar materials, or installed by people who don’t know what they are doing, will age very quickly and your shiny new kitchen won’t look shiny for very long. Cabinetry is the most expensive component of any kitchen, so be prepared to spend the max your budget can allow. I try to encourage my clients to use a local, custom cabinet maker, even if it means postponing another expense for a year or two, like the pool in the the backyard. There are some reputable cabinet makers that you can order premade components from, but again, buy the best you can afford. Try to avoid super-cheap cabinets and stay away from MDF if at all possible. MDF expands when water soaks it, meaning all it takes is one leak to ruin your kitchen.

Save: Tile

This doesn’t mean I want you to buy cheap tile - far from it! It means you should be smart about how you use tile in your kitchen. In my Galveston coastal retreat, I splurged on one accent wall in a fab fish scale pattern, but only the one wall. And if you can’t afford even that splurge, the most affordable tile available is a classic white subway tile. It’s inexpensive, but it’s also chic, so no one will ever know it was a budget save. You really only need tile behind the stove (and sink), so you can even save more on labor costs by being creatively judicious in its use.

Save: Flooring

Again, I’m not advocating using cheap materials, but this is another area where classic style and budget consciousness go hand-in-hand. Hardwood floors have come back into vogue since the kitchen turned into an open great room. There is often no good solution to a separate floor tile in the kitchen, so just run the hardwood everywhere. Is it impervious to stains or spills? Nope, but it’s also very forgiving. Scratches can easily be filled in, and stains will fade overtime. Or you can just accept them as as they are, and eventually refinish as needed.

Save: Hardware

Expensive hardware is a lovely finishing touch, but if you use $2.99 shaker bin pulls, no one is ever going to notice. Same with pendant lighting. A simple schoolhouse globe works everywhere, and can be had for a great price. Later, when you’ve recovered a bit from kitchen sticker shock, you can update any of these items as necessary. Think this way for anything that can be easily removed and replaced - cabinets pulls, ceiling lighting and sconces, doorknobs, even faucets, are all easy future upgrades. Or you might find the less expensive version suits you just fine!

I hope you enjoyed today’s kitchen talk. For more kitchen inspiration, please visit my Yes, Chef Pinterest board.

Warmly,

Beth