"I saw this kitchen makeover on Houzz for 5,000."

B.S. A proper paint job by a pro will not be an awful lot less than replacing the cabinets. Refacing is about the same as new cabinets. Only way to do either much less is to do it your self.

Careful. The last line says labor costs are not included, which means for example that you would have to paint the cabinets yourself, with a result that is not assured.

Depending where you live, you may be able to pay less than some pros would want you to believe, but this reno professionally done is a lot more than $5000,

I am defining a budget for refreshing our kitchen : basically same layout, same countertop, changing lower doors and drawers, changing uppers to IKEA. We have a tiny kitchen (8'x 9'), and will be doing the work ourselves. Just cabinets and doors/drawers faces will cost $3,000. A basic quartz would have been more than $2k installed.

The counters in the inspiration kitchen were also installed by the homeowners, to save on labor charges. Do you have the skills, or know someone who will do it for you at no cost, to install marble counters?

That’s a 20K redo with labor added to it. And better materials than the ones they chose. Because they chose based on budget and not based on utility and longevity.

I am sure you are all right about it being way more than 5,000. It should not cost more but I know the labor contractors charge is too much. Cabinets are outrageously priced and overrated and countertop installation is too. I am not talking about cabinets custom made. There has to be a solution to this makeover. Any more suggestions welcomed. Thank you.

I have seen some reasonably priced doors. Even if I have to spend around 8,000. That’s possible isn’t it? Do you all think the doors with glass and new countertops would make this kitchen look pretty enough?

Labor contractors charge what the market will bear. If you think they’re overpriced, you can always do it yourself. And if you can’t, well....

If it was me, I would buy a new dishwasher, faucet, add lighting, and decide on if I wanted to paint or tile the backsplash.

I'd also consider the cabinet construction before paying for new counters... they have to be in great shape or be able to be re-habbed for it to be worth it to get new doors and counters.

Julie,
I am going to purchase a new dishwasher and sink and new faucet. The structure of the cabinet boxes are in good condition but the doors not so much. I was going to paint the back splash. Then new doors and countertops. Yes and also lighting. And I am not a DIY .
Would anyone happen to half a similar layout with results? I am trying to envision this project.
Trying to envision the project.

If you want cheap, you have to buy some tools and get handy. The contractor world doesn’t care for customers who pontificate about how much they overcharge when they don’t even own a left handled Phillips screwdriver and have never gotten dirty and sweaty. Those get standard plus the extra pita tax.

Is there a app to change paint color on cabinets to visualize this remodel?

There are designers that can do that. That’s your first step after upping your budget. Spend your current budget to hire a Kitchen Designer, and then listen to them. But just realize that when you’re paying labor, replacing is often the better option to refacing. Refacing is 75-150% of the cost of new cabinets.

If you can’t DIY, get ready to have that be a reality for a lot of projects. Combining new and old takes the most time and trouble for any project. Anything that’s labor intensive and tries to keep the old rather than demolishing it and starting new is going to be economically unfeasible when paying the labor to do all of that.

“It should not cost more but I know the labor contractors charge is too much. Cabinets are outrageously priced and overrated and countertop installation is too.”

You need to completely reset your thinking before starting this project. If you don’t, you will be miserable. Miserable I’m telling you! You will begrudge the contractors everything, you will constantly be disgruntled and unhappy and so stressed, and the contractors will ditch you midstream for being disrespectful of their work. If you don’t yourself know how to do this work, or aren’t educated with what is involved with the work, you can’t judge whether contractors charge too much.

Regarding your comment about countertop installation being overpriced and overrated, before making that judgement you should watch what is involved in scribing for a countertop, the skills and expensive equipment needed, templating, then cutting it cleanly and accurately, making the cutouts for sink and fixtures, ensuring pieces line up, and then the actual installation, and making a seam that blends invisibly. You not only need to change your mindset, but also be educated on what contractors do, or you should not proceed with this project.

Shannon, I do get what your saying.
I can’t justify upgrading with a 40 thousand dollar kitchen with a 400,000 dollar home. I have seen what can be done with just new doors or even some shelving and countertops. A really good designer could lead me with a more cost effective way of what to do within a reasonable budget.

Kitchen renovations are not cheap. Those with smaller budgets are doing DIY. There have been a couple posted on this forum with nice results.

Good contractors are worth every penny to me. I'm pretty capable myself, I can do basic projects, I own tools and know how to use them, and am willing to try things that I am pretty sure won't break my house or cause total disaster. I also know my limits. I will not pay someone to paint the interior of my house as I think I'm pretty detail oriented with it, have the equipment, and don't mind it enough to pay a labor premium. And then there is plumbing. I am more than happy to pay a plumber their billed charges. I dislike everything about plumbing.

I worked with a designer on my kitchen, it was also not cheap, but it was worth it to me. She had an upfront charge, and then a project rate. But her experience in kitchen design and her "Rolodex" saved me time, energy, and money. She costed thousands, but saved me that much in headaches and bad decisions. She also kept the trains running on time.

$5-$8K is not enough for a renovation without serious planning and DIY work. It's $40-60K on the cheap end if you have to hire labor.

I Just want my kitchen a little updated right now. Not wanting to spend that much . Maybe the IKEA cabinets are the way to go.

All white kitchens are REALLY in style right now, but many people are starting to realize they are kind of boring. Take a close look at your dream kitchen pic and you'll see the white is broken up by that big expanse of blue beadboard. So what I am trying to get to is, don't fall into the trap of thinking you need to make your kitchen all white! And I hear you about not wanting to spend more than 10% of the value of the house in a kitchen renovation. The wood cabinets you have are handsome and classic in their own woodgrain way, and if you want an economical kitchen solution, I say find a way to work with them!!! (Unless you just hate the honesty of knotty wood, lol! But personally I think the knotty wood fits just fine with the charming ship mode on your windowsilll!))

You have a nice generous L-shaped breakfast bar which fits perfectly with the cabinetry. I would not change any of that! I might add ONE (and only one!) set of glass doors for a little visual variety. I'd get a cabinet maker to handle that so you end up with doors that blend in with what you already have in terms of construction and finish. (And I said one since whatever is behind it has to be pretty, and that's usually only your glassware/dishware cabinet, not anything with food items>)

I'd spend some time to identify a paint color that flatters the cabinetry and pleases you (maybe even the blue on the beadboard in your magazine photo!) and then paint some of the walls (and you mentioned backsplash?). I would do all those things, along with lighting improvements someone mentioned and your dishwasher update before I spent anything on changing the counters. Unless they are burned, scratched, or stained, you might decide they are fine as they are, that they give you enough white to brighten the kitchen and tie in with the door nearby, etc. It would save you ALOT if you didn't try to change them. And I'd probably not bother replacing the sink either if it's a decent quality/condition stainless -- trying to remove it might wreck the counter. Updating your faucet might be enough to make it feel "new" along with the new DW.

Sorry for the long comment! Bottom line is figure out if you can find a style that is you (not somebody else's style of the month) which incorporates the existing cabinetry, you will save beaucoup AND have something that is unique & personal!

If you are flexible with the overall look you are trying to achieve, you could look at General Finishes java gel stain. Here is a link to how to do it. I’ve never done it myself but my understanding is that it’s much more forgiving than paint, thus, easier for a do it yourself job. Seems like the dark cabinets plus a white countertop could give you an updated look within your budget. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWtILDENl-g For some reason, the photo won’t attach, but look it up if you have a chance. Good luck!

Here you go.

Karenmo
Great idea! I think I am sticking with my cabinets. Adding a set of glass ones sound perfect. I am able to put new countertops in which I think would update the look. And new dishwasher. Then adding a hint of color or detail somewhere which would be on backsplash and bar . Of course two pendant lights! Thank you for seeing what I have and working with what I have!!

Lisachew5, Never knew that gel existed! Interesting to watch. I am wondering if this gel comes in white.

Looks like their white is more of a white wash. This is on oak.

I didn't read all the comments but I wonder if you are planning on installing marble counters? I have never had marble counters, but one of the reasons I never did, was because I was under the impression that they were not easy to maintain, or they stain easily or something like that. Does anyone have experience with marble counters? I thought most people who wanted stone, went with granite instead of marble.

I have also read they are not easy to maintain but you can apply a sealant to protect the marble.

Some people just have to make their own mistakes.

I would not put a marble counter in a kitchen. Bathroom yes, kitchen no. It's porous and high maintenance in a place with so much going on.

And it's pricey. Any stone counter is going to be pretty expensive, especially when you have alot of counter like in your place. The material is expensive and it's all custom work. Honestly, as long as your white laminate counter is in good shape, I'd just leave it at that. For now, at least. See if the other changes satisfy you.

If you want to look at marble in your kitchen now, you can buy a marble slab made for pastry making, and a marble mortar & pestle set (like I did!) and leave them out where you can see and use them. Then you can have the pleasure of looking at some marble in your kitchen (and the functionality), with minimal risk and expense. ( Lots of places sell these, but the slab happens to be on sale at Williams Sonoma! And it really does help with pastry. Links below!)

https://www.amazon.com/RSVP-White-Marble-Mortar-Pestle/dp/B000BUB58K

https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/williams-sonoma-marble-pastry-board/?catalogId=61&sku=8785458&cm_ven=PLA&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Cooks%27%20Tools%20%3E%20Baking%20%26%20Pastry%20Tools&cm_ite=8785458&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo7Tk4fSH6gIVS4FaBR3Gxwb1EAQYAiABEgI1IfD_BwE

Ss - In my house, I would not want to spend a fortune to completely redo my kitchen either, but really, I’m not a DIY either. I would like to update, but I have a small kitchen and the first time I renovated it, I spent a year planning it and I have what I think is a really good foundation. The arrangement of cabinets and counter top, and the window are exactly what they need to be. I’ve lived with my current kitchen about 15 years and have not once thought I should have made a different decision. The layout is great. I couldn’t do any better with the function of the cabinets.

Right now I need a new stove, sink, counter and the doors of my cabinet need something. I have natural maple. I have a hardwood floor that needs refinishing. That’s about it.

I have dark wallpaper and wood cabinets and floor. To replace any of that, would be a major expense and would be unnecessary because I have a great layout and function of the cabinets. I already have glass doors where I need them. I have a backsplash that works great, tile. I have a large 6 ft window over my counter. And they are all in excellent condition and don’t really need replacing.

The only thing that has any wear and tear is the kitchen sink, which is white enamel and showing it’s age, the faucet has already been replaced as well and doesn’t need replacing would stay. The counters which are formica, really do need replacing. And there is wear and tear on the doors around the handles.

My biggest issue is doing something about the doors. I don’t want to replace them. I have custom doors in glass on one large cabinet that holds all the dishes and glassware. And I have a tall cabinet with custom doors. So there’s really no point. I just have to figure out a way to refinish the doors. I don’t want to touch the boxes.

Looking at your kitchen, you have a good layout with the work triangle. You have a great tall cabinet for storage and enough other cabinets for what you need. You have a lot of counter space and a huge window. You’re not going to be replacing the refrigerator. Wherever you store pretty items, like dishes and glassware, is where you want glass doors. Or pretty pots and pans maybe with glass on the top of your tall cabinet.

That is a really high ceiling as well. Are you planning to keep all the walls white? And have white cabinets? And white counters…that is a LOT of white. What about the dishwasher, are you changing that to stainless like the fridge? Is the stove stainless?

Do your counters need replacing? They are already white and you are going to replace them with basically white.

If you really want to make sure you stick to a budget, to me, I’d have to rethink what I was trying to do. Either you say, I really want to end up with a completely different look, then that drives your remodel and the budget takes a hit. If you say, I just want to stick to my budget and do what will cost the least, then that drives your budget. If you are going to hire a designer, to me, that is not a budget redo.

If you really just want to use this opportunity to gain some DIY skills, and you have the time and no deadline, and the interest that is another way to go. You could get creative and enjoy the process and possibly end up with something you really like in the end. As a homeowner, that experience alone would be valuable. I’d say go for it, if that was what you were trying to do. My only caution would be to rethink using white everywhere.

PrarieMoon,
I would like to add ceiling beams. I think white cabinets would look great with faux or wooden beams. I do not like laminate countertops. I think quartz or marble countertops would update the look. Adding color with pendant lights and beams would distract from the kitchen looking so sterile. I am getting a stainless dishwasher.
It sounds like appliances and sink is the way to go with what you already have. Maybe just take down dark wallpaper and paint the walls.

Livewire,
I think doing a little at a time would prevent me from making huge mistakes. No timeline with me.

Beams on the ceiling are a great thought.

No, I'm in love with my dark wallpaper that is really a backdrop for a Dining Room hutch and frames my windows. It's 15 years old and I still love it and it's still in good shape. I love the way it works with all the wood too. I had white kitchens many many years ago, so I've already done that.

Good luck. :-)

Wallpaper sounds nice. I am wallpapering my guest bathroom for the first time.Something different.

"I would like to add ceiling beams. I think white cabinets would look great with faux or wooden beams."

Just to be clear, the subject of the OP about doing a kitchen on a low budget is no longer the case, correct? Or, if you still have a constrained budget, then you need to get a grip.

A small budget does not include ceiling beams. Furthermore, "faux beams" look just like they are called, faux. And yet, they cost a good deal. But not as much as real wood beams - you have no idea, and I mean that. Furthermore, how will the beams go--just on the ceiling side of your kitchen--so will the adjoining ceiling of the next space not have beams? Or will you have beams both sides? How big a space is that? And do ceiling beams go with your home?

"I have also read they are not easy to maintain but you can apply a sealant to protect the marble."

Sealant protects against staining only. Marble will etch regardless. Are you OK with etched marble? You should Google etched marble counters to see what that looks like. People with marble are OK with that patina, but they made sure they were OK with it before spending the dollars on marble instead of a more forgiving counter material.

I understand pricing but I just do not want to spend outrageous costs considering the value of the home. 5,000 is probably not feasible. I just want the kitchen to look more updated.
Marble is pricey but I am the only person living in my home. A few pricey add ons might do it without having to gut the whole kitchen.

live wire, I don’t want to have a terrible result.
I will need help. I just want it to be done the right way. I do not plan on reselling .
I know I will have to up my budget to get it done properly.