When it comes to kitchen makeover, you might imagine some magnificent and attractive kitchen styles that you saw in a photo on Instagram or Pinterest. However, the reality may be far different. There are many things you have to consider and a lot of hard work you have to do before building a new kitchen.
To help you with this journey to your dream kitchen, we have gathered in one place, everything you need to know before you start your next project. Take a look!
How much does a new kitchen cost in the UK?
A complete kitchen makeover in the UK can cost anywhere between £8,000 and £10,000. This includes replacing cabinets and doors, countertops, backsplash, appliances, kitchen floor as well as paint and light fixture. Prices usually depend on the size of the kitchen as well as your location.
How much is it to revamp a kitchen in the UK?
On average, kitchen renovation in the UK costs between £1,000 and £3,000. If you want to replace just a part (for example, only worktops or tiles) of the kitchen then you will only pay at a fraction of the cost of a complete kitchen makeover.
According to national data and statistics, these are the minimum and maximum costs for a kitchen renovation on a national level:
- Minimum Cost - £800
- Maximum Cost - £3000
- National Average Cost - £1700
The price also depends on whether you will hire a company to do the renovation of your kitchen or you will try to DIY. However, trying to DIY sometimes can be dangerous, can get you in trouble, and often turns out to be more expensive. The professional service contractor will help you improve your plan and offer you tips that could save you from buying worthless products and materials or choosing a design that does not meet your needs.
How to revamp your kitchen?
When you are designing a new kitchen you clearly have so much to think about - you have the flooring, cabinets, doors, appliances, worktop, accessories and here is just one endless decision after another. That is why the number one thing that you have to do is planing.
Repair planning
First of all, you need to think carefully about what you actually want to achieve as a result. Take a sheet of paper and a pen and write down everything you want to repair, replace and renovate in your kitchen as well as all products that you will need. Consider whether you want a completely new kitchen or just to renovate the old one. This will help you set your priorities and limit your budget.
Do you want more storage or dining space, or you want to replace appliances and repaint the walls? Identify the main things you don't like in your existing kitchen. Which part needs urgent repairs and does it need to change the overall look of the room? It is important to prioritize the necessary repairs and upgrades.
Complete kitchen makeovers require disruption of your everyday life and much more work than you expected, so it's a great idea to consult with service contractors. The payment of such specialists is always repaid later, as their job is to assess your needs and meet your goals.
But even if you decide to do the implementation yourself, it is still a good idea for someone to inspect the room and give you an expert opinion. Do not leave anything to chance, look for and consider different options and discuss them with your service contractor before starting the work. This way you can get a clear idea of what lies ahead and how much it will cost you!
Consider the functionality of the new kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. Its main purpose is to be practical and easy to use and maintain. Unfortunately, many people forget this fact and attach primary importance to appearance when starting their home renovation, trying to find it by looking at photos of kitchens on social media. As beautiful as a new fashion design looks in a photo, it is definitely not worth stripping yourself of storage space or space on the countertop to achieve it. Always think of functionality first.
Determining a budget for kitchen renovation
Kitchen makeovers tend to be expensive in the UK. Create a detailed cost plan and make sure you include all possible expenses - hiring and paying service contractors, materials, supplies, accessories and more. To be sure, add a stock of 10-15% of the final amount you receive. Some costs are due to hidden damage that cannot be identified in the initial stages of the kitchen renovation. It is imperative that they be removed before proceeding, which leads to the accumulation of unexpected costs.
If you are going to buy new appliances or furniture, think of them as a long-term investment. Don't fall into the trap of buying cheap worktops, cabinets or door handles. Invest in a more expensive but quality kitchen.
Kitchen Makeover ideas
Revamp kitchen countertops
Your kitchen worktop is subject to humidity damp and heat on a daily basis. From hot pans to dinner plates to coffee cups and utensils all of which can cause scratches, marks, and other visible damage on the work surface. An old and "tired" worktop can make your entire kitchen look shabby. So if you want to renovate your kitchen countertops are the first place you should start with.
How to pick up brand new worktops? When you are picking a worktop for your kitchen you always have to decide on function first. You first need to make an assessment of how you and your family use your kitchen. Do you need something durable or something that is heat-resistant? The second thing you need to ask yourself is what is your budget. The different types of materials actually range from low to high end. Also, you have to consider what is your style. What is your vibe? Is it a little bit more farmhouse or maybe butcher block is a way to go, or your style is a really clean and modern kitchen. Of course, you can never go wrong with white marble or wood effect worktops.
Some of the most popular worktop materials include natural stone, Quartz, granite, laminate, solid wood, glass, etc.
Revamp kitchen tiles
Placement of new tiles is a perfect way to give a new look to your kitchen. They highlight the kitchen style and make it more beautiful and interesting.
In order to choose the most suitable tiles for your kitchen, it is important to pay attention to the size and colour so that they can be suitable for your interior.
Kitchen tile backsplashes are extremely popular and widely used in many homes. There are endless types of tile from stone to glass to stainless steel and that's not all. The tile paint and layout make for a variety of style combinations to choose from. Tiles are easy to maintain and clean. Also, if one of the tiles breaks or cracks, it is enough to replace only it without removing the others.
Revamp kitchen cupboards and doors
Cabinets are a key factor in determining the character of the kitchen, so it is very important to choose the right style and material for them. There are many different types of materials that you can choose - wood, oak, hickory, laminate veneer, high gloss, plastic laminate and so on.
Regardless of which of the listed materials you will pick up for your kitchen doors cabinets, you must not forget that the most important units are the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. These are the most visible parts of the cabinet, and there are different options for emphasizing them.
If the cabinets are still in a good condition you can replace only the kitchen cupboard doors or just spice up the old finish. Later in this article, we will give you some ideas on how to do this.
How to revamp a kitchen on a budget?
In many cases, the kitchen makeovers fail due to the fact that the final price is significantly higher than the set budget or there are unexpected finishing works that exceed the initially scheduled deadlines. Building a brand new kitchen can be far more expensive than revamping the existing kitchen. Here are some creative design ideas for a cheap kitchen makeover:
Paint the kitchen walls
Introducing a new colour scheme on the walls will definitely add value to your home. For example, if your kitchen is in a dark colour or neutral white, bet on a pastel shade or neutral tones and a wall in a bright colour for an accent.
Light up your kitchen
Dark and poorly lit kitchens do not look comfy and cosy, so you may want to try making this area of your home a brighter and more welcoming place.
Add a new decoration
This is another cost-effective option for renovating the kitchen, which relies mainly on the techniques in the decor. What can you do about it? Put a new tablecloth, change the kitchen towels, replace the handles, hang beautiful curtains, and why not a small rug for a nice finishing touch. You can also cover the chairs with soft cushions or covers.
How to repair kitchen worktops on a budget?
Replacing countertops can be expensive. Here are some ideas on how to repair them on a budget:
- If your worktops are wooden you can varnish them to give a nice and smooth finish.
- You can also give a whole new look to your countertops as you cover them with contact paper.
- Another option is to laminate your kitchen worktop or just paint it.
- When you are on a restricted budget but would like a really high-end countertop material is to kind of switch it up - maybe do that beautiful material in the island that doesn't get a lot of use and then you can install the less expensive materials all around the perimeter. It is a cost-effective way to give your kitchen that "straight from the showroom" finish.
How to renovate kitchen cabinets on a budget?
- Replace the kitchen cabinet doors. Replacing kitchen doors can save you up to 50% over complete kitchen makeover. You can choose between matt finish, gloss finish or semi-gloss paint.
- Replace the cabinet doors handles. It is an easy way to makeover boring doors.
- Remove the kitchen cabinet doors. Leaving the upper kitchen doors of the cabinets without doors (open shelving) is a current trend in kitchen makeovers.
- You can also renew the laminate kitchen cupboards by painting. This is a good way to transform your old kitchen units into something more modern and really low cost.
- Use self-adhesive plastic wraps. If you are more patient you can also try to update the kitchen cabinet doors by using self-adhesive plastic wraps. You may also wrap drawer fronts, end panels, pelmet and so on.
- Reface the Cabinets. Another great way to freshen up your cabinets on a budget is to reface them. Cabinet refacing is a complete overhaul service including replacing all the doors and drawer fronts and applying new veneers. It is slightly more expensive than just repainting them, but it is worth it as it gives you more options for changing the cabinet's look.
- Install them yourself. The majority of the costs for any renovation job is the materials and the labour of the fitters you hire. However, if you're confident in your handyman skills, you can save a lot of money by assembling and installing the cabinets yourself.
- Change the Finish. If the cabinets you currently have are in good condition, you can save money by changing their finish or hire a refinishing service which will still be cheaper than getting a new set of kitchen cabinets.
With a little paint in a fresh colour, new worktops, revamped kitchen cabinet doors and added finishing touches even the shabbiest kitchen becomes a bright and welcoming room with mood and cosiness.
To have a comfortable and functional kitchen and home, you do not need expensive furniture or appliances. Because when something is done with desire and attention to detail, it can be more valuable and meaningful.
For more renovation and design tips, check out our loft extension and conversion ideas article.