Kitchen Designers Assist in Decision-Making

The kitchen has the most traffic in the house: it's where we cook, eat, entertain, have drinks and share conversation. Due to the large number of functions a kitchen needs to meet, these spaces are particularly difficult to remodel. Especially if you don't want to spend a lot of money! Budget kitchen renovation is possible, and understanding kitchen design basics is the first step in creating a kitchen space that is beautiful as well as affordable.

Budget Kitchen Design Basics
There are limitless options when it comes to designing a kitchen, but when you're on a budget, there are three kitchen design basics you should pay close attention to: materials, appliances and convenience. Instead of granite counters or stainless steel backsplashes, opt for durable, affordable tile. Instead of choosing all stainless steel appliances to create a professional look, choose energy-efficient stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers that will save you money down the road and may make you eligible for federal, state or local incentives. As for convenience, the main things to consider are your layout, counter space and storage areas. Each of these can run you a bundle if you're not careful. Thankfully, there are professionals out there who specialize in creating effective kitchen spaces and can make dealing with these issues a less expensive endeavor.

Kitchen Designers: Budget Kitchen Renovation's Best Friends
Most people who decide not to hire a kitchen designer are doing so to save money. While it seems like common sense to forgo hiring an "extra" professional for a budget kitchen remodel, choosing to hire a kitchen designer is often the key to an inexpensive project!

A kitchen designer is your best friend during a budget kitchen renovation. These professionals know what materials tend to last the longest and which are likely to increase your property value; they also know where such materials are on sale and which companies will install them the best for less in your area. Think about it. By hiring a single professional, you get the best deals on the most desirable materials and the most competent installers. When you look at it this way, it's easy to see how kitchen designers save you money on the project as a whole!

Budget Kitchen Renovation Requires Good Planning
Sure your kitchen designer is there to help you make the right choices about your home, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do your homework. A good, low-budget kitchen renovation will require you to have a well-defined idea of what you want from your remodeled space. Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that you need to have the exact hardware for your cabinets picked before the project begins, but if you do, you and your designer will have an easier time fitting the cost of that hardware into your budget. Kitchen remodeling is a monumental undertaking, and the more clear of an idea you can present to your designer or design/build company, the better they will be able to fill your expectations while remaining within your budget.

You're making an investment, so don't leave it solely up to the professionals. By reading trade magazines, browsing through catalogues, searching the Internet, going to showrooms, asking the opinion of loved ones and looking at other people's homes, you will finally start getting an idea about what you want. This will make it easier for the professional planner because they no longer have to guess at your likes and dislikes. They will then be able to work from your opinion, turning vague ideas into solid tangibles. If you ideas are well-formed from the beginning, you'll be better able to turn the space you have in your mind into the space that is created in your new kitchen. Additionally, you'll be able to see that space come to life more quickly, which leads to fewer paid hours and bigger savings for your project!