Kitchen remodel cost: Where to spend and how to save

how-to

Jennifer Kantor TODAY contributor

22 hours ago

David Gilbert

While no renovation adds as much equity to your home or is likely to be more enjoyed, kitchen remodel costs can get out of control quickly. When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, check out where experts suggest splurging and where you can cut some corners.

Splurge: Exotic stone counter tops

When remodeling a kitchen, the number one splurge you should make is counter tops. Theyre the first thing people see, says contractor John DeSilvia, host of DIY Network's "Under Construction" and "10 Grand in Your Hand." Karen Williams, a designer and kitchen specialist and principal of the boutique design studio St. Charles of New York, agrees. Exotic surfaces make a big first impression and can set the tone of the space, she says. A kitchen island, in particular, deserves the splurge. As the gathering and entertaining hub in most kitchens, its highly visible and utilized. So top it with something special calacatta marble, quartz or gorgeous lava stone, for exampleand cut back on out-of-the-way prep areas if your budget is limited, says Williams.

Save: Cabinets

Although theres definitely a case to be made for investing in the best cabinets you can afford they consume more than 75% of your kitchen space, after all the savings potential is just too great to ignore. Custom cabinets for a standard-sized kitchen can cost upwards of $40,000, whereas ready-to-assemble cabinets from IKEA look amazing for a fraction of the price, says DeSilvia. Thats a savings of $36,000. Willing to split the difference? Add custom doors and side panels to basic IKEA cabinet boxes, suggests Amy Shakespeare, owner of the NYC-based firm Redtop Architects, or add flair with Panyl panels, a super affordable way to give your cabinets a one-of-a-kind look.

Splurge: Hardware and fixtures

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Kitchen remodel cost: Where to spend and how to save