Updating a Tired Kitchen

[jennymbutler]

Hi Anastasia,

We're almost finished renovating our kitchen [2.6m x 2m] and we've done it for just over $10k.

We did an IKEA kitchen and bought the best quality we could find as we plan on living in our house for the next 5 years.

Here's a link to the before & after photos http://openingthecurtains.blogspot.c...enovation.html

The break down of costs:
$4,000 all cabinetry [including shelves etc], sink, tap, handles, plinths, lighting etc.
$2,500 Caeser Stone benchtops fully installed
$2,000 stove & range hood
$1,000 flooring [not in photo]
$450 pressed tin splashback & powdercoating
$600 tradies
Total $10,550

The quality of the IKEA cabinetry is really impressive. We got a lot of drawers in the kitchen and the hardware is top quality and it feels really sturdy.

Before deciding on the IKEA kitchen we almost bought a flatpack kitchen from Bunnings. So glad we didn't as the cost would have been only $500 less but the quality is rubbish comparatively.

Good luck!

Jenny.

[anastasiaC]

wow your new kitchen looks amazing!!! thanks for the post and breakdown of costs - thats so great!!
our kitchen is a little larger but i guess IKEA is still a good option as we dont plan to be in our home for too long!

hugs
Anastasia

[Elements]

Hey, we have just used a bunnings kitchen in our renovation that we are finishing to sell....
I completely understand that they can be viewed as different quality but its definately served its purpose for us and our situation....
Our thought is that we just needed to make it look as impressive as possible on a very tight budget as we are also building at the moment.....If I was going to be living with this kitchen I would probably spend a lot more but I have to say I am quite impressed and BIL (cabinet maker) who is doing our cabinets in the build was also reasonably impressed with the quality for the price ratio......
We will be finishing the kitchen hopefully between this weekend and next and I will post some pics when its done......
Obviously we all have different reasons for doing different things and you need to base your decision on your cir***stance.
I have found a couple of pics that may also be of some inspiration for you that I will post soon.......
Along the lines of all white cabinetry along the bottom and still keeping your timber at the top and replacing your benchtop with a black granite look alike product.....
I just have to go and find the pic....
Back soon.

[Elements]

I found the photo I thought would be great inspiration for you......


So I would consider replacing your benchtops with a black marble laminate. Cabinet makers are usually quite happy to do this for you....


paint the rest of your cupboard carcass white....White Knight do a laminate paint very good product for these applications....
and replace the bottom doors or paint whichever is cheaper or within budget....also in white
Paint the top carcass white and leave your solid wood doors for a feature.
You could possibly change over your appliances to Stainless farley cheaply for an added update...
Just an idea anyway....
Good luck and for what its worth you may find the solid kitchen may be of interest to some potential buyers if you don't go ahead....

[Lanne]

Sorry about the car accident!

I thinkyou could try a modern IKEA kitchen or equivalant..something flat packed would be cheaper. Can you use the carcasses and just replace the doors - it would be MUCH cheaper than a full refit. I would be inclined to do so if possible and just cover the bench tops. There are plenty of options in stone veneers etc floating around.
I would also price having someone professionally paint the existing cupboards and replace as little as possible.

It is unlikely, in this market, that someone is going to give you 10K MORE for your house for doing this work. whilst the kitchen might not be everyones taste it is HORRIBLE.. A new splashback and a coat of paint may be enough...

[anastasiaC]

my friends mum got a brand new kitchen (its huge!!) she converted her existing dining room into the kitchen so had to change plumbing etc
she got a quote for $16K but went with somone else for cheaper price - its gorgeous! so i think im going to bring them in for a quote

i think a newish kitchen does add value to the house - well at least it wont bring the price down...if a kitchen and bathroom is new and not tired then I think most people are happy with that!

[Julie-Ann]

Obviously I think that everyone should spend as much as possible on their kitchens to keep kitchen designers like me busy. But to get a true idea of whether or not you would get your money back ask 2 local real estate agents. Get your kitchen quotes so you can tell the agents how much you plan on spending and what changes you are going to make and see what the house would be worth with and without the changes.
Everytime the DH or the real estate agent says don't do anymore to the house or you will over capitalize I know it is time to move to another project (home).

[anastasiaC]

a little update on our kitchen!!
we've decided to get a completely new kitchen - using the same layout (small changes) so we can avoid retiling the floor and adding extra costs

we've decided on
antique white - matt satin polyutherane cabinets and doors
laminate benchtop - colour yet to be chosen
so a basic kitchen

so we got 4 quotes from different places
one came in at $18K - driving past this showroom and walked in - the showroom looked expensive and defn was!
one at $9K (includes removal of old kitchen) - my sister used this company 15yrs ago and was and still is very happy
one at $9350 ( doesnt include removal) - this company one was recommended by a blogging friend
and one at $7500 (doesnt include removal) - this guy was recommended by a family friend

so yes, it is possible to get a basic kitchen for less than $10K if you shop around
now the dillemma is who do we choose from the 3 who made it under our budget???
we'll defn go see their showrooms now adn take it from there!!

[Lorraine]

Julie-Ann, I tried looking at the blog it didn't work. I would love to have my kitchen cupboards painted and updated with new handles.

[Julie-Ann]

Don't worry Lorraine - you are not going crazy
The blogger seems to have stopped blogging and removed all their past blogs, so we can't see the painted kitchen anymore