Modifying the look of your kitchen shouldn’t require major investments. But if it has been more than ten years since your last update, now may be a suitable time for an upgrade.

Make the process cheaper and smoother by trying some DIY fixes – although anything involving plumbing or electricity should always be left up to moderate kitchen renovations Canberra professionals.

Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are one of the main expenses of any remodel and can account for up to 40 per cent of total expenses. As they won’t need replacing soon, spending money on quality units that will last decades makes financial sense.

Cabinets with stains, paint chips, or emitting foul smells may no longer be repairable and should be replaced. It may be worth paying extra to have a professional measure and install custom-sized units – particularly if your upper cabinets need to be deeper than standard depth.

Replacement cabinets can make an incredibly impactful change to a space’s look without breaking the bank. Homeowners have many choices regarding door style, colour or finish choices – with shaker-style doors remaining popular while flat panel ones have seen increasing adoption rates in recent years.

Upgrades for cabinets may include adding an island, changing the shape of cabinet boxes or installing glass inserts. When making these upgrades, consider any required plumbing, electrical and ventilation work; an experienced general contractor can provide accurate quotes.

Countertops

Countertops are one of the most visible components of kitchen design. As such, it should complement your overall aesthetic, be durable enough for your lifestyle and budget needs, be easy to keep clean – and come in various materials.

Granite, quartz, and marble countertops are popular natural choices due to their beauty and longevity. Soapstone adds warmth and richness to any kitchen design, though its heat resistance makes cleaning it more time-consuming than other stones.

Laminate countertops are an economical and practical alternative that can replicate the look of natural stone. Easy to maintain and stain-proof, laminate countertops require periodic resealing due to scratching.

Repurposed wood was used to upgrade this kitchen on a budget, demonstrating how effective changes can be made quickly and affordably. Eye-catching pendant lights and an affordable bamboo window shade complete the look, along with inexpensive additions like a butcher-block island and antique wooden corbels above the farmhouse sink. Now this space features beautiful yet functional countertops to make the space inviting!

Appliances

Appliances are at the core of every kitchen remodel, and homeowners typically upgrade these units in moderate remodels. It can include upgrading a refrigerator, oven and cooktop or range, dishwasher, microwave and hood. Homeowners may keep their current appliances or upgrade with advanced features such as touch-only activation or Wi-Fi connectivity.

When remodelling a kitchen, replacing faucets and plumbing fixtures typically accounts for about 3 per cent of total costs; however, if major pipe rerouting is necessary, this percentage could rise substantially.

Flooring

A new floor can bring life and warmth to a kitchen or room, allowing one to select environmentally-friendly flooring materials and energy-saving appliances.

Kitchen floors take a beating and can show signs of wear quickly, from loose hinges to discoloured grout. When replacing linoleum or tile floors, homeowners have numerous choices depending on design preferences and durability needs.

Lighting

Lighting may not top every Pinterest dream board, but it should always be considered during a kitchen renovation project. Lighting can help create an inviting and functional cooking and entertaining space while improving its look and aesthetics.

Switching up the lighting in your kitchen is an easy and relatively cost-effective way to create an instantaneous transformation. LED strip lighting, for instance, can be installed above cabinets to illuminate back panels and add drama. Controlled via a switch near or remote control switches nearby or remote, dimmers allow intimate settings, or brighteners can brighten them for working purposes.

Lighting upgrades provide an opportunity to address safety issues. GFCI outlets, for instance, can reduce the risk of electrical shock when cooking; moving outlets away from water sources reduces fire risks; while rewiring an electrical system during a remodel can further improve safety by eliminating dangerous wiring connections and providing proper grounding connections – improvements which both improve functionality and add the market value of any moderate kitchen renovations Canberra project.