Renovation On a Budget: 5 Ways To Keep Your Renovation Costs Down

The B word, aka BUDGET, is a huge factor when we are taking on a renovation project. Renovation budgets can easily snowball out of control! I’ve definitely seen this happen here in Western Massachusetts before clients have reached out to Details for some guidance. So, I thought I would share with you five ways to keep your renovation costs down without giving up a great new design.

1. Prefab Cabinets
The first way is to opt for prefab cabinets. That means that you’re choosing cabinets that are not custom made for your space. A prefabricated cabinet is just a cabinet that is not specifically made for your space. You will need to have a great installer on hand because they’re probably going to have to add in spacers and fillers. These are things that will make the cabinets fit into your space. But prefab cabinets are less expensive than doing a custom cabinet AND you still have all the great organization options like lazy susans and drawer organizers. You can also dress them up with some beautiful cabinet hardware! Which leads me to number 2…

2. Chrome Finishes
Number two is to choose chrome finishes. If you choose chrome over the more trendy finishes, like matte black, brushed gold, or brush nickel, it’s less money. It simply costs less to get chrome since it is not as trendy. However, chrome finishes are timeless, beautiful and add that little bit of sparkle to your room! Both bathrooms in the pictures above have chrome finishes and look stunning! Plus, you’re less likely to want to replace chrome finishes in 5 years when a new trend comes along.

3. Easy to Install Tile Layout
Number 3 is to choose an easy to install tile layout! This could be a brick pattern (as shown in the picture above) or a stacked pattern. Either one is going to cost you less money than if you choose something like a Chevron pattern or a herring bone pattern. Your tile installer is going to charge you more money to install the more complicated pattern. It just takes them more time, they have to put more effort into it, and it usually takes more tile. So… a more complicated pattern is going to cost you money on the install and it’s also going to cost you more money in supplies. So go with a super easy to install layout of your tile. Tip alert! You can still add a little bit of interest by taking that tile and turning it vertically. It’s still easy to install and doesn’t take much more tile, but it gives you a little bit of interest!

4. Go With Paint
Number four is to choose paint over wallpaper. Right now, we all love using wallpaper on our projects. But, wallpaper costs more than paint. And, again, the installation of wallpaper costs more. Great wallpaper also is pricey and you don’t want to go with a cheap wallpaper! Please don’t go with a cheap wallpaper! Because then you don’t end up with matching patterns and you never have the right amount of wallpaper and you need a really good wallpaper installer. Just trust me on that one. But if you’re trying to save some money GO WITH PAINT. You can still make a bold statement with paint the same way that you can with wallpaper.

5. Keep Your Layout
If you’re doing a kitchen renovation or a bathroom renovation, keep your layout! Keep the sinks where they are, keep the toilet where it is, keep your gas stove where it is. Keep things where they are and just change out all of the finishes. You can still have a full kitchen and bathroom renovation, but if your layout is working, keep it! It’s going to cost you soooo much money to move your toilet or to move your plumbing or your gas line. Moving your toilet is a huge plumbing cost. This is one of those things that drives me bananas when I watch those shows and they say just move the toilet! It’s not that simple! So if you keep the toilet where it is, keep your sink where it is, and just change all the floor, all of the cabinets, the sink, the countertops, the faucets, and the tile… you still have a beautiful renovation! But you have the layout. That’ll save you a ton of money!

If you would like to get a free interior design tip sheet with all of this information click HERE. Or if you want to watch a video on this topic, click HERE. And as always, if you still need some help, don’t hesitate to contact us HERE.

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