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Cost-Cutting Ideas for Kitchen Cabinet Remodel

Looking for cost-cutting ideas for your kitchen cabinet remodel? Here is a few ideas for saving money when buying or refurbishing kitchen cabinets.

Remodeling a kitchen is one of the most costly investments in home improvement and of the thousands spent on a kitchen remodel, one third to one half of costs are spent on the cabinets alone. Whether it is new or refurbished cabinets that interest you, here are a handful of ideas from Better Homes and Gardens to make your remodel a success without breaking the bank.

New Cabinets

If new, high-quality cabinets are what you desire, beware of poorly constructed cabinets and flimsy features. Make sure all engineered features are solid and high quality. Such amenities could include things like built-in spice racks, pullout cutting boards and even pop-up appliance platforms.

A higher price tag doesn't always mean better quality. There is a common misconception that expensive imported cabinets are better quality. But the truth is there is no difference between exotic and the American made counterpart. In fact, a simple version of a fancy cabinet is often the same quality with a much better price. In this instance, you could opt for simple quality cabinets and then dress up the remodel with a stylish island or custom tiled back splash for an eye catching look.

Inexpensive Custom Cabinets

Another option for cutting costs are inexpensive custom cabinets. While custom cabinets are normally the most expensive option, your local cabinet shop could offer some great deals. For a discount price, Better Homes recommends ordering the cabinets months or even a year before they are needed. This way the cabinets can be made in the off-season when sales are normally slow. Also, watch for ads from cabinet dealers who are updating their showrooms. If you catch these deals it can save you up to 40 percent. Just make sure not to buy outdated cabinets.

Mix and Match

For you treasure hunters out there, another alternative is to mix and match a kitchen with several types of cabinets, shelves, and hutches. Explore flea markets and antique stores for china cabinets, buffets, antique armoires and even bookcases. Anything that is attractive to the eye with storage capacity will do. If you fall in love with a table on your search, turn it into a gorgeous center island. This brings more furniture and a relaxed feel to the kitchen. Plus, without spending a fortune, you can be creative and bring out your inner designer.

Reuse Existing Cabinets

The most inexpensive choice for updating your kitchen is to reuse your existing cabinets. If the cabinets are structurally sound, maybe all they need is a new coat of paint or resurfacing. That way the money not spent on replacement cabinets can be spent on more flashy aspects like the countertop, hardware or backsplash. By recycling, you can bring new life to an otherwise outdated kitchen. Beware of how much refurbishing will cost you though. All of the work that goes into the project might be more expensive than new cabinets.

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