{"id":79134,"date":"2022-11-14T16:21:22","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T00:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=79134"},"modified":"2023-02-23T09:59:16","modified_gmt":"2023-02-23T17:59:16","slug":"diy-kitchen-renovation-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/diy-kitchen-renovation-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"21 DIY Kitchen Renovation Tips for a Makeover On a Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kitchen renovations are one of the most popular home improvement projects \u2013 and one of the most daunting. There are many things to consider during a renovation, from appliances and cabinets to flooring and countertops. They can also be expensive and time-consuming. Luckily, with some know-how and perseverance, you can complete your makeover quickly and on budget.<\/span><\/p>\n

So whether you\u2019re planning a total tear-out in your <\/span>house in Nashville, TN<\/span><\/a>, or just a few cosmetic upgrades in your <\/span>San Francisco apartment<\/span><\/a>, read on for DIY kitchen renovation tips to help you get started.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Before renovating, start by organizing your items<\/span><\/h2>\n

The first step to a kitchen makeover is organizing your belongings and moving everything out of the space. After all, it\u2019s difficult to renovate your kitchen cabinets or install new flooring if they\u2019re full of clutter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Start by removing anything you don\u2019t use or need and organizing the rest. \u201cYou should also take advantage of this opportunity to create a storage system that works for you,\u201d notes Jamie Martin from <\/span>Destination Organization<\/span><\/a>. \u201cMake sure you split items into categories.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your DIY renovation can also be an opportunity to give yourself a fresh start in the kitchen. \u201cFor example, take the time to declutter by grouping similar items together,\u201d suggests Megan Spillman, Certified KonMari Consultant with <\/span>Peace and Tidy<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s also a good time to experiment with different storage options.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Organizing your items beforehand makes it easier to move everything back when your makeover is complete.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Pack your kitchen as though you\u2019re moving<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re tackling a large project that requires a temporary kitchen, take this time to review your belongings. Jennifer Dwight from <\/span>Ideal Organizing + Design<\/span><\/a> suggests packing items you want to store for later in unsealed boxes and labeling them as if you were moving. \u201cMake sure to donate, recycle, or discard anything you no longer use,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Utilize boxes for maximum efficiency<\/span><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s easy to lose track of items when organizing. To help make your life easier, \u201cbox your things and label them clearly,\u201d suggests Gary Ashton, CEO and Founder of <\/span>The Ashton Real Estate Group<\/span><\/a>. \u201cWhen clearing out the cabinets, it\u2019s best to place a mark on the specific cabinet that corresponds with the box label for easy identification.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, you can designate one box for donations to simplify your life later.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Use your makeover as a chance to start fresh<\/span><\/h2>\n

A DIY kitchen renovation is your chance to start fresh and create the space you\u2019ve always dreamed of. It may be tempting to shove everything into a box and forget about it until your makeover is complete, but that won\u2019t help you in the long run.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amy Fritz, owner of <\/span>Thoughtful Organizing<\/span><\/a>, suggests removing anything you aren\u2019t using before starting your renovation. \u201cThis might take you a few passes, but it\u2019s important,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep an eye out for anything old, dirty, or unusable. \u201cGet rid of these belongings, especially anything chipped, broken, or mismatched,\u201d says Barbara Reich from <\/span>Life Organized<\/span><\/a>. \u201cWhen you have duplicates of an item, save the best and donate the rest.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Scour your cabinets for any unnecessary items<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pay special attention to your cabinets, drawers, and shelves during your organizing process. \u201cFirst, pull everything out and sort similar items into categories,\u201d suggests Angela Mai, owner of <\/span>Organized Calm<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThen, go through each category and either donate or trash any items you no longer use, keeping only the essentials.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As you work through your cabinets and drawers, the team at <\/span>Clutter Cricket<\/span><\/a> suggests asking yourself three questions: Do you use it? Do you love it? Would you repurchase it? You don\u2019t want clutter taking up space in your new kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Create a system for small items<\/span><\/h2>\n

The last step of the decluttering process is ensuring you don\u2019t miss your small belongings by checking your cabinets and drawers. As you do this, keep track of your mugs, cups, trinkets, and more. Additionally, \u201cpay special attention to utensils,\u201d advises <\/span>Amy Trager<\/span><\/a>, Certified Professional Organizer. \u201cThey can easily build up and become cluttered.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When decluttering your favorite mugs, \u201cstart by selecting one mug at a time and deciding how important it is to you,\u201d suggests Jen Cazares, Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization with <\/span>Livable Spaces<\/span><\/a>. \u201cSet a limit for yourself and consider how much space you\u2019ll have in your new kitchen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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6. Decide on a budget<\/span><\/h2>\n

Now that you\u2019re done organizing, it\u2019s time to decide on a budget for your makeover. Figuring this out can be difficult, so \u201cput the time in and do your homework,\u201d suggests the team at <\/span>Bruzzese Home Improvements<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIt will pay off in the end.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This process determines the scope of your project. Remember, you don\u2019t need to break the bank to achieve a great DIY kitchen makeover. Once you decide on a budget, you can move on to planning and designing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Use your renovation as an opportunity to go green<\/span><\/h2>\n

As energy becomes more expensive and climate change worsens, it pays to build a sustainable, energy-efficient kitchen. Sheridan Foster, founder of <\/span>Elemental Green<\/span><\/a>, suggests replacing old appliances with efficient, all-electric ones and switching out old lights with new LED fixtures. \u201cIf you\u2019re set on purchasing a gas stove, remember that they can be bad for your health,\u201d she says. \u201cRegardless, always <\/span>choose materials<\/span><\/a> that are beautiful and sustainable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Other ideas include:<\/span><\/p>\n