When Dream Kitchens Meet Real-World Budgets

April 15, 2006

When it comes to protecting the home, it's what's on top that really counts. On top, as in the roof.

It's the home's first level of protection -- against sunlight, rain, snow and wind -- but the last thing a homeowner usually thinks about.

The cost of an average kitchen remodel has hit $20,000, according to the National Association of Home Builders in Washington, D.C. Many homeowners, however, spend far more once they've installed new cabinets, high-end appliances and increasingly, multiple equipment such as two sinks or dishwashers, granite countertops, handcrafted tile backsplashes and a wine cooler. In fact, designer Sarit Catz, founder of the design firm Refuge in Short Hills, N.J., has had clients who've spent as much as $250,000 before they've said, "The Chinese take-out has been delivered."

For those tempted by the array of dazzling components or the finished kitchens they see in home magazines, kitchen showrooms and even in their neighbors' homes, it can be tough deciding where to splurge and where to hold the line in order to achieve the look you want and stay within your budget. Spend too much and you also risk not recouping some or most of your investment when you sell.

But how do you make such decisions, especially when not all designers agree about what's most important to include or exclude? Mick De Giulio, who specializes in kitchens through his de Giulio showrooms in Chicago and Wilmette, Ill., advises putting in the best quality equipment you can afford, but not necessarily a manufacturer's top item.

For example, if you choose a Miele dishwasher, you don't need to buy the most expensive one. A basic model that still offers quality cleaning and retails for $1,199 still sports a stainless steel front and has six wash programs. It isn't as quiet as the top model, which makes no noise, has a cutlery tray in which forks, knives and spoons can be laid out individually and a separate wash arm to clean the cutlery, said Dawn Bradley, showroom manager for the company's Kennilworth, Ill., design center. With a stainless front, and equal cleaning skills, it costs significantly more – about $2,000.

De Giulio also suggests buying "all-in-one" equipment such as a range with cook-top above and oven below rather than separate products, which will add up. He also recommends a basic microwave rather than convection design.

Catz offers a similar viewpoint about appliance choices. While she favors good equipment, she doesn't think homeowners need to invest in professional-grade appliances if they're not super cooks or have limited budgets. She has achieved a stainless steel, high-end look for clients without investing in top-of-the-line equipment, she says. "My general rule of thumb is to spend as little as you can but as much as you have to," she says.

Whether you want to put in a second sink or dishwasher, or any refrigerated drawers should hinge in part on how you use your kitchen. Good candidates are those with multiple family members cooking, frequent entertainers or those who have a large space and desire a separate area for young children to be able to get their own drinks and snacks, Catz says.

Cabinets can gobble up as much as 40 percent of a remodeling budget, so cutting back here can make your project more affordable. Instead of choosing the most unusual wood, such as a Honduras mahogany, choose a simple maple, says De Giulio. Always avoid particleboard, he says. Other suggestions are:

Choose a flat-panel front cabinet rather than one with elaborate detailing;
Buy simpler hardware, including good but not top-of-the-line hinges;
Invest in cabinets with nicely finished interiors and pull-out drawers, but without elaborate systems such as lazy Susans; and
Purchase stock or semi-custom cabinets instead of custom.

Catz helped one client save more than $40,000 by opting for a hardware superstore's cabinets that they assembled rather than a semi-custom cabinet. Another great way to save, but one that isn't advisable for all, is to leave cabinets in place if they're in good condition and the layout works. Update their look with a fresh coat of paint and new pulls.

Countertops are arguably the focal point of the room. While a laminate top will function fine for cooking and prepping, a beautifully hued granite or honed slate will provide a "wow" that you're apt to enjoy daily and that others will be impressed by when you sell, says Catz. Some buyers consider granite de rigueur for homes in certain price ranges. Even with granite you can cut back by selecting a 2-inch- rather than 4-inch thick top, De Giulio says.

When it comes to backsplashes, opt for ceramic tiles rather than stone, hand-painted or glass tiles, which can mean $2 to $5 a square foot versus $10 to $20, De Giulio says.

Flooring is also a major part of any remodel budget. Wood is among the best values and is also practical since it's easier on the feet and on dropped items, says De Giulio.

You will want good lighting for not only general illumination, but also for tasks such as cutting and to create ambience. This means combining recessed cans, under cabinet lights, a hanging fixture or chandelier. Just don't opt for the most expensive, De Giulio says.

If space allows, a must-have in any kitchen is an eating space in the form of a table and/or counter, says Catz, who says the best kitchens also open to a great room or similar space.

Bells and whistles should be kept to a minimum. Do you really need that pot filler or built-in coffee center? Probably not, but if you include one extravagance, you'll probably be blissfully happy.

Catz and others advise saving some of your budget for an outdoor kitchen, which has become more popular and now includes more than the old barbecue. Bon Appetit!

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