When we started out in the kitchen business in Sydney some 20 odd years ago, we thought of ourselves as being in the business of making new kitchens. Owning a home was the Great Australian Dream and a new kitchen was an important part of that dream. Over the years as the property prices in Sydney boomed and boomed and boomed…and boomed, record numbers of Aussies scrimped and scraped to get in the skyrocketing property market.
Some were buying into the Great Australian Dream. Others planned to do a reno and flip it. Others still were buying as an investment. We started noticing that more and more of our customers were looking for budget-friendly ways to update their kitchens without going whole hog into a new custom kitchen.
Enter the kitchen facelift - A new answer to "how can i modernise my kitchen cheaply?"
Fast forward and today we have been leading the way for a different type of kitchen reno…enter the kitchen facelift. Whether you want to maximise the sale value of your home, need to accommodate a growing family, a changing lifestyle, planning to flip a property or simply want a fresh and updated look without the hefty price tag, our budget-friendly, smart kitchen facelifts method for updating your existing kitchen could be just the ticket. With the right planning, smart choices and a little know-how you can transform your existing kitchen into a stylish and modern showpiece, all while staying comfortably within your budget.
In this article, we will discuss some of our top tips to help homeowners achieve budget-friendly facelifts for kitchens. These tips will include strategic design choices, cost-effective materials, and creative resurfacing solutions that can make a big impact without breaking the bank for homeowners considering a kitchen facelift in Sydney. By following these tips, homeowners can transform their kitchen into a stylish and functional space while staying within their desired budget.
#1 The Golden Rule of kitchen facelifts: Work with your existing layout
If you were to hazard a guess on what costs the most in a kitchen remodel, what would you bet on? The answer… well it’s almost always the cabinetry. Hands down. Unless you’re building a super high-end kitchen with $100K of luxury appliances, cabinetry will be far and away the highest cost in a kitchen renovation. So, not ripping out your existing cabinetry will save you oodles right off the bat.
Now before you get disappointed thinking this means you’ll be stuck with your cheap-looking, old laminate cabinets or your 90’s varnished timber cabinets with beveled edges and just a coat of paint, think again. Although most of us think of cabinets as the doors and drawers in our kitchens, actually the cabinets are technically the structure inside, not the doors and drawers themselves. That’s the expensive part. By keeping your existing cabinetry (the “bones”) and only updating the doors and drawers, you can save a tremendous amount of money. This allows you to achieve a fresh look without the need for a complete overhaul of your kitchen layout.
Expert Tip: When deciding whether a kitchen cabinet facelift of your existing cabinets is a good option for you, ask yourself if the following rules of thumb apply:
- The structure of your existing cabinets is still solid & sturdy
- Your existing cabinets are less than 20 years old
- No rot or water damage on existing cabinets
- You're happy with the size & layout of your existing kitchen
#2 Look Expensive for Less: Resurface your existing benchtops
If you’re trying to keep your material costs at the budget end of the scale, most people think of cheaper materials like laminate countertops. Whilst installing a brand new laminate countertop certainly is a cost-effective option for Sydney kitchen makeovers on a budget (and these days comes in a variety of colors and patterns) it definitely doesn’t have the wow factor of stone or granite benchtops.
Solution? Resurfacing your existing benchtops with engineered stone (learn more about benchtop resurfacing in this article). This involves applying a new layer of engineered stone, on top of your current countertops, giving you the look and feel of solid stone. Not only does this save you money compared to replacing the entire countertop (keeping your kitchen facelift cost to a minimum), but it also allows you to choose from a wide range of colors and patterns to match your desired aesthetic. An added bonus of this is it’s also a greener option as you are upcycling your existing benchtops – less waste and new materials.
Granite resurfacing = amazing kitchen facelifts on a budget
Just like an actual facelift, not all kitchen facelifts look equally beautiful and errr…natural. One of the secrets to a truly stunning result that seamlessly blends old and new whilst adding major beauty points is Granite Transformations. This revolutionary product, which is oft featured on home improvement TV shows like Selling Houses Australia and Space Invaders, allows you to cover your existing benchtops with a 7mm layer of engineered stone, to give you the look of solid stone countertops for a fraction of the cost.
As licensed partners of Granite Transformations in Australia, we’ve been building beautiful kitchen makeovers on a budget for years, incorporating this innovative technology with stunning results. With Granite Transformations, the resurfaced countertops will have the appearance of natural stone without the need for regular sealing or polishing. This cost-effective option not only enhances the overall look of your kitchen but also adds serious value to your home.
#3 Reskin and Rejuvenate: Facelift kitchen cabinet doors and hardware
In addition to resurfacing countertops, part of our kitchen facelift process normally includes adding brand new cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware. While in some cases you can refinish or paint your existing cabinet doors, especially if you are doing a DIY refresh, we have found that replacing them with brand new ones makes a huge impact and a massive difference to the end result. With new doors, drawers, and handles, you completely transform the look of your kitchen, and with new hinges and drawer pulls, you will also feel the upgrade in smoothness and sturdiness. With a wide range of styles and finishes to choose from, you can customize your cabinets to suit your personal taste and design preferences.
While in some cases you can refinish or paint your existing cabinet doors...we have found that replacing them with brand new ones makes a huge impact
# 4 Work with a kitchen company that specialises in kitchen facelifts in Sydney
Before you start searching “kitchen facelift near me”, it’s good to be aware that not all kitchen companies do (or like to do) facelifts for kitchens.
Some kitchen companies don't do (or don't like to do) kitchen facelifts...
A majority of kitchen companies in Sydney focus on full or custom kitchen renovations and give preference to these over smaller scale, partial renovations like kitchen facelifts. Working with this type of company you may find they don’t prioritize your smaller-scale project or they steer you towards a larger scale reno than you initially wanted or needed. Before you know it you are closer to a new kitchen than a makeover.
Some kitchen companies don't do the kind of custom work needed for a seamless, beautiful kitchen facelift...
Other companies which are focused on installations often don’t actually manufacture kitchens themselves and so the customisation needed to create the illusion of a new kitchen which blends seamlessly with the existing structure and components is not really in their wheel house. They may be happy to replace kitchen doors and benchtops, however, the end result can look like a piece meal upgrade rather than a cohesive, complete kitchen facelifts.
Choose a specialist for your kitchen facelift in Sydney
Over the years we have found that working with a company that specializes in kitchen facelifts ensures that you will receive expert advice and guidance tailored to transforming your existing space into a refreshed and updated kitchen. It also means your project is a priority for them and you are less likely to be pushed towards scaling up your renovation in ways you don’t need or want. Additionally, a specialist often has access to and knowledge of a wide range of products and materials specifically designed for kitchen facelifts, allowing you to achieve the desired look and feel for your revamped kitchen.
Summing Up... Success Factors for a Seamless and Beautiful Kitchen Facelift that Looks Like a New Kitchen
That rounds up our tried and true advice and tips to assist homeowners in giving their kitchens a facelift on a minimal budget. The key pointers to remember for creating a successful and beautiful kitchen facelift are: (1) to preserve the layout and the “bones” of your existng kitchen if possible, (2) when it comes to countertops, don’t replace them, reface them, (3) invest where it will make real impact (i.e. new doors and drawer fronts and hardware) and (4) work with a specialist kitchen facelift company that can help you confidently transform your space into a refreshed and modernized kitchen.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’d like to equip yourself with more info, we invite you to visit our kitchen facelifts and makeovers page or get in touch with our friendly team for a quick chat or a complimentary design consultation – we’re always happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you on your renovation journey.
Simply send us a few details and tell us a bit about your project and we’ll get back to you to organise a complimentary design consultation and quote to help you get the ball rolling.
