If you spend a lot of time on social media or watching HGTV you might be under the impression that the only way to achieve a well designed home is through a massive (and expensive) renovation. That’s not true but I guess it doesn’t make for good tv to discuss budget friendly renovations. Well that’s exactly what we’re doing here today. I want to share my best tips for ways you can achieve that gorgeous, high end look on a budget.
1/ PRACTICE THE HIGH/LOW METHOD
A renovation can be very successful while using a mix of high and low priced products. It might require more research or additional discussions with your designer because you want to make sure you’re picking the correct items when it comes to knowing which should be high and which should be low.
I always suggest to clients that we create a priority list and this can help gain clarity around where to spend and where to save. If there are items that you know you can’t live without, make a note of them. In some instances, like a Wolf range or a Cambria quartz that has a unique pattern I will absolutely include it. Sometimes though it’s possible that there’s a dupe with a similar quality at a fraction of the price.
For instance, imagine you have your heart set on a very expensive backsplash tile that will take a big chunk out of the budget. It’s possible that there’s nothing similar but it’s worth exploring. And a lot of times I can find a tile that’s so close that it’s hard to tell the difference for a fraction of the price. In the case of a backsplash tile it won’t affect the way you live. It’s purely aesthetic so why pay more when you can get a look-alike?
2/ LEAVE THE FOOTPRINT AS IT IS
One of the most expensive aspects of a renovation is changing the layout of the home. When walls come down you’re also going to inevitably have to deal with whatever lives behind those walls. Your contractor will have budgeted for the rerouting of the electrical and plumbing but not for surprises. When you take down a wall and discover something unanticipated it’ll eat into your contingency fund. There are instances where the discovery is a safety issue and you’ll be glad you found it but often it’s a sleeping giant and it’s best to leave it alone.
It’s not just the walls themselves that can generate expense but also what lies above and below the wall. When you remove a wall you leave a gap in the flooring and ceiling. It’s particularly problematic in the floor because you may not be able to find the original flooring to patch the gap. The best case scenario is that your carpenter can patch the floor with wood that matches and build a stain to replicate what’s there. The worst case scenario is a tile floor and there’s no match available. Now you’ll be looking at removing the entire floor that otherwise would have remained. This is a huge expense and waste of time.
3/ CONSIDER THE FUTURE
It seems like every family on HGTV has unlimited funds and can redesign their entire home at once. In reality, a lot of my clients will pay for the design to be created in full but they’ll complete the design over stages.
Ask yourself this important question - what parts of the design can be added down the road when you’ve had more time to save? For instance in a kitchen renovation you could purchase the appliances and lighting in the future and invest in the cabinets and countertops right now. As long as the appliances are the same size as what you currently have it’s an easy switch down the road. This is definitely not the case for cabinetry, backsplash tiles and countertops.
This also applies to the number of rooms you can tackle at one time. Once the design plan is created you can feel confident that there’s cohesiveness between the spaces. Maybe you can tackle the kitchen this year and revisit the bathroom design in a year or two.
While it’s great to get it all done at once, don't let your budget hold you back from taking the first step. Even having a single room in your home upgraded will make you feel excited and looking forward to what’s to come.
4/ GET CREATIVE WITH CABINETRY
Whether it’s your kitchen, bathroom or additional storage in your living room, you don’t have to do custom to get a high end look. Cabinetry is one of the biggest expenses in a kitchen or bathroom design. If you’re on a limited budget you’ll want to be creative when considering cabinetry.
You can purchase cabinet boxes from big box stores like Ikea and get creative with those. To be honest, Ikea has nice looking cabinetry but it just won’t last as long as custom built cabinets. If you’re planning to move within the next several years this might be the best solution overall.
Another option is to hire a millworker who can create custom cabinet doors and drawer fronts for those less expensive boxes. This can be done for a fraction of the cost of fully custom cabinets. The custom fronts and doors will have a stronger finish so you won’t find any chipping of the paint down the road. They’ll also give you the heavier weight of a custom door so you’ll forget altogether about what’s behind the door.
5/ FOCUS ON DECOR
If you have to delay some parts of your design or just downgrade some of your original wishlist, consider decor to give your space a punch. Sometimes when we’re saving for a renovation we completely neglect our space. Instead, invest in some of the artwork, decor and rugs you’ll want to keep long term and start working towards that future home.
We often underestimate the power of decor in turning an ordinary space into a dream space. Decor can add personality to your home and make your home a true reflection of you and your family. You don’t have to live with outdated decor that doesn’t reflect you any longer. This also has the added benefit for the future when you do start your renovation. You’ll have all the right pieces to accentuate the gorgeous renovation and your entire space will shine.
I have a new design offering that focuses strictly on decor. So many of my clients found themselves struggling with multiple trips to HomeSense that resulted in disappointment. After hearing the same story again and again I created this service where I bring decor to you. If you want to learn about this new decor service Decor To Go, check it out here.
I hope this gives you the encouragement to get started on planning your own renovation. You don’t need a massive budget to turn your space into a home. If you need help with an upcoming renovation, contact me. I’d love to discuss your project and see how I can help you.
