In my design career, I could show you dozens of upscale kitchens that I have designed with top-of-the-line appliances, counters, hardware, faucets, pot fillers, and on and on—actually, just exactly like our last kitchen in our Cypress home that I designed.
But not for this remodel! With Bob and my semi-retirements, being wise with our budget, it allowed for changes yes, but not for gutting our new home’s kitchen. This is where, as a designer, I decided to spend our remodeling money to get the most bang for the buck as they say.
Originally 95% of the elements were brown, brown, or brown toned. This was the trend in the early 2000’s. However, with my love for light filled spaces, there was no way to keep most of these dark brown kitchen finishes.
As a design professional, my work with clients was to solve their issues and challenges by creating solutions to meet their budgets as well as their project goals. Now, this was another opportunity for me to be my own client, so to speak, by meeting our budget and accomplish design goals, especially in our last best nest!
Changes Made In Our Kitchen Remodel On A Budget
Appliances
While unfortunately, most of the appliances were in good condition, replacing them all wasn’t in the budget. However, in the future, I have my eye on which appliances to purchase. Regardless though, since I am not a fan of microwaves on the counter, this made the priority list in this remodel. Bob spent a ton of time online trying to find a microwave to fit into existing cabinets since most microwave ovens are very deep. As you can see, he succeeded and I could not be happier with the results. My new favorite, small appliance is my Cuisinart air fryer! It fits perfectly on what I call our business area of the kitchen. These photos will show you the results that I believe, hiring a professional contractor who retrofitted cabinets, is well worth your remodeling dollars.
Cabinets Were Painted
Important, always, always buy samples of your paint selections. Samples should be painted on the cabinets. We also had samples throughout the first floor to evaluate paints in the stairway, trims, doors, etc. In every space, there is an emotional response, usually subconscious, but there are definitely vibes given off in all our spaces. What is your emotional response to the before and after image colors in our remodel?
Also, as we age, research tells us that lighter, brighter interior spaces enhances not only our emotional needs, but is also a requirement for the 50+ to live and work in lighter, brighter spaces in order to achieve their optimum wellness over all areas of aging. As you can see by the above photos that painting these cabinets perhaps made the most impact for dollars spent. My advice is to either have it done professionally or plan on lots of prep time along with several coats of good quality paint.
To me, painting outdated cabinet finishes is one of the best investments for resale, along with enabling homeowners to experience this maximum enjoyment. In doing this one upgrade, client responses were consistently the same. Why didn’t I do this sooner!?
“Revere Pewter” by Benjamin Moore is the paint color that was FINALLY selected…long story here that my sister loves to tell!
Backsplash Tile Was Replaced
As I made my priority list for this kitchen remodel, without a second hesitation, I knew that backsplash just had to go! Can you even imagine those old tiles trying to work in this upgraded kitchen?!
All that ends well…I do have to share this sweet side story of my tile installers measuring mistake—ordering too much of the pricey custom tile, from California, for our former Wichita, Kansas, Cypress home. After that remodel, I wisely kept the overage tiles—moving them from Kansas to Ohio. What you are viewing in this “Remodel On A Budget” image is that exact leftover tile measuring out to almost exactly fit. The only difference was 4 tiles left over!
Flooring
One of the major remodeling investments was to replace all, and I mean all, of the flooring on the first floor. We removed the carpeting in the living room, master bedroom, dining room, and this existing maple/orange toned flooring in the kitchen and laundry.
The above sample was our final flooring selection, “Pergo Outlast + Vintage Tobacco Oak” Laminate Flooring 7.5’ wide by 47.25” length from The Home Depot.
What a difference this decision made. I would highly recommend this be a major investment, if any, that not only you will love the easy care, but also the resale value that hard surface flooring is for attracting home buyers.
This image above reinforces why this kitchen floor just had to be replaced — even though it was in good condition. I probably struggled with this decision more than any other one. However, viewing the image above versus the image below and well, hello Mitzi, what was your issue? Easy answer, money. Whew again, thank goodness this change was made.
Lighting
You may know that I am a lighting fanatic. Yes, this is true. Why? Because for all I have written, spoken on, or blogged on, the best lighting is ALWAYS a goal.
Upgrades under counter LED lighting, additional ceiling cans, and changing out yellow cast light bulbs in all ceiling cans of course made a huge difference. For this major change, the budget was not terribly affected for the exchange of money spent.
What We Did Not Change
The hardward, counters, sink, faucet and appliances were not originally changed or replaced. However, after 4 years , the dishwasher and oven and refrigerator were replaced but by then, we were not adding to our initial upgrading budget. This is where having a professional advise you on where and what and when to spend your remodeling dollars on literally, pays off.
Next post I will share with you the hearth eating area of the other end of our last best nest kitchen. Please stay tuned for the announcement of an exceptionally exciting offer to you all that I know you will totally love and want to have for your own knowledge of kitchens.
And please remember, there are always ways to upgrade, remodel, or enhance your own kitchens, always. My hope is that this post will inspire you to evaluate your own kitchen for what could make it one of your favorite spaces because KITCHENS WILL ALWAYS BE THE HEART OF OUR HOMES!
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Mitzi Beach, A.S.I.D., C.A.P.S. is an award-winning interior designer, author of Design Smarts, and latest book, The Door to Restoration, a conference speaker, and 50+ marketing and interior design/lifestyle specialist. Armed with 30 years of experience and a Master’s Degree in Interior Design, she is one of Design Hounds’s top 100 influencers. Quoted in Wall Street Journal, Women’s Health Magazine, & other periodicals on Aging-in Place trends. For more information, visit https://mitzibeach.com.https://mitzibeach.com
Isn’t it amazing that they do not make upper cabinet sized microwave ovens? I had a job for which I needed one. Ultimately, we did find a small one that would fit. But they are not readily available. I have space in my kitchen for a full sized one, but the location really needs a right-handing one–and they do not make them!
I love the change! Day and night! As I get older, I prefer the white cabinets.