Designing
A Beautiful Kitchen On A Budget
When planning a new kitchen, it's essential to close
your eyes and dream. But the real creativity occurs
with your eyes wide open. Limitations of space, light,
money, or other resources can force us beyond the ordinary,
to invention and unimagined beauty. In every kitchen,
even the most grand, there are always smart budgeting
ideas somewhere. Every experienced designer must grapple
with the sensitive issue of how to spend money wisely
and well.
1. TAKE YOUR TIME.
Like a fine art collection, acquire furnishings and
housewares one beautiful piece at a time over many years,
choosing quality over quantity and making choices that
will last. Opting for quality sometimes means saving
for something you really want, like a fine antique table
or a granite countertop, or refinishing hand-me-down
furniture, waiting for sales, or scouring the flea markets.
Let your kitchen evolve one good idea at a time.
2. GOOD DESIGN IS THE KEY.
Although fine materials can enhance a kitchen design
with their own innate beauty, beautiful design must
always begin and end with fundamental design principles.
If the line, proportions, and color of a kitchen are
right, the fact that the countertops are clad in affordable
plastic laminate will not detract from their beauty.
Besides, you can always upgrade later—although
you may be so pleased with your initial choice that
the thought of an upgrade quickly vanishes!
3. JUST A TOUCH!
If your heart is set on granite countertops, but that
won't fit neatly within your budget, consider using
only a small amount of it. Mixing materials not only
provides design flexibility, but also the luxury of
having different countertops for different functions.
4. CONSIDER SMALL ARCHITECTURAL
CHANGES.
One small change in the architecture can work wonders,
making your kitchen space seem brand new. Sculpting
spaces with standard, affordable drywall can have an
amazing impact. An arch over the door and a recessed
niche for the cabinetry can transform a predictable,
box-like space.
5. SAVE MONEY ON CABINETS.
Cabinets are generally the single most expensive element
in any kitchen design, but there are ways to economize.
Here are just a few:
—Refinishing or replacing placing cabinet doors
can make a huge improvement at a fraction of the cost
of new cabinets.
—Buy less-expensive cabinets and paint over
the finish.
—Resist the temptation to fill all available
wall space with cabinets, buying only the cabinets
you need, and using the extra space as a seating area,
office space, or play area for the kids.
—Consider open shelving. It's decorative, provides
easy access, and also saves money.
6. REFINE YOUR DESIGN.
Economize by eliminating things you may not really need,
such as window treatments. Your kitchen may actually
be enhanced by the extra light.
7. CREATE A FOCAL POINT.
Focus your investment where it will have the biggest
impact; then balance your design and your budget with
more modest selections. One central appliance, such
as a professional-style cooktop, can carry the “weight”
of the entire kitchen. And all it takes is a few special
tiles on a backsplash of standard tile, or one wall
of unadorned field tile in a special color, to create
a truly beautiful focal point.
8. RESIST TRENDS.
If you're flexible enough not to go with the current
color trends, you can pick up a fine stone countertop
at a more affordable price. Consider last-year's appliances,
or floor samples with a few scratches. Ask merchants
what they “want to get rid of.”
9. MONITOR YOUR MOMEMTUM.
As the design process moves forward, it's easy to get
carried away. The four most dangerous words for your
budget can be “while we're at it...”
10. PAINT A NEW KITCHEN PICTURE.
The most economical way to remodel your kitchen is with
a fresh coat of paint. Whether you go wild with color
or stay neutral, you're literally applying a brand new
feeling to your kitchen. Every motion with a paintbrush
puts emotion on the walls. Painting one wall, an alcove,
or the interiors of your cabinets with a strong shot
of color can provide just the boost your kitchen needs.
Pantries, mudrooms and other small spaces adjoining
your kitchen are also good candidates for new colors.
Even appliances can be painted!
Spending less money on your kitchen doesn't mean spending
less creativity or enthusiasm. In fact, choosing to
solve a design issue with an affordable solution often
stimulates extraordinary thinking and leads you to a
brand new vision. 
— ADAPTED FROM CHAPTER 4 OF JOAN
KOHN'S IT'S YOUR KITCHEN: OVER 100 INSPIRATIONAL KITCHENS
Do you have any ideas for me? Please share on the
Joan Asks You page.
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