In today's day and age, the cost of kitchen remodeling is a huge consideration when planning a project of this scope. For many homeowners, it's the most important consideration.

Very few homeowners actually have a bottomless bank account that accommodates their every whim during a remodeling project. This is why certain trade-offs are essential when you need to slash a few overheads and bring your dream kitchen to life. 

Here are the top trade-offs you might need to consider. 

1. Everyday Kitchen Use vs. Entertaining

First and foremost, you need to think about how you use your kitchen when it comes to a remodeling project. Overall, your goal should be to create a space that suits the general use of your kitchen, not the rare occasion of entertaining. However, if you entertain often, or have a big family to feed, then your project outlook changes. 

Ultimately, a trade-off you can (and should) make to accommodate your budget is by assessing your design choices. If you don't need a big, fancy oven because you only cook for two, then this is a compromise to make. 

On the flip side, if you love to entertain and do so at least once a month then you're going to need that big, fancy oven. You might just need to make a compromise somewhere else. 

2. To Save or to Splurge

Another important consideration is when to splurge on certain kitchen accessories, or when to cut back and save. 

In order to come to the right decision about those splurge/save decisions, here are a few crucial questions to ask: 

  • How does a splurge investment add to your everyday life? 
  • Does the splurge solve a problem? 
  • Does the addition of this splurge item increase your home value?

If you feel that splashing some cash on a kitchen feature really brings value to the space, i.e. it's 100 percent worth it, then there's no need to compromise. 

However, if you're iffy about splurging on an item and your gut is telling you that you could spend that money elsewhere, make the decision to save. 

Framing your cost vs. value choices against the resale value of your home can help you make clearer decisions, too. 

3. Form vs. Function 

Sometimes, function might need to trump aesthetics when you have a kitchen renovation budget to stick to. This is an important trade-off to bear in mind -- essentially, it prioritizes the longevity of your kitchen and how it performs. 

Function not only refers to appliances but the layout and flow of your kitchen, too. Aesthetics relates to your kitchen finishes, detailing, hardware, etc. 

Ultimately, your budget might force you to make a choice over what's most important to you -- the function of the space versus how it looks. 

If your kitchen is the center of your home, you cook in it often and love to entertain, then function becomes all the more important. Perhaps you're retired, you travel a lot, or just don't like to cook. This is where you can make the trade-off of aesthetics over function.

4. Perfection vs. Compromise 

Every homeowner knows that putting in a new kitchen takes time.

This situation is only made worse is something you love is on back order. It may be tempting to make rash decisions and say ''yes'' to a second choice in order to complete your kitchen. 

All of this is understandable, but when you're making a huge financial investment that you have to live with for a long period of time, you’ll need to weigh your choices carefully. 

Take the time you need to go slow, make measured decisions, and weigh up the pros and cons carefully. However, there's nothing wrong with making alternative decisions that speed up the timeline -- but only if you're 100 percent happy with them!  

5. Unrealistic vs. Realistic Solutions 

This is the type of trade-off that takes who you are into consideration. In other words, your kitchen habits. Do you consider yourself a messy or clean-as-you-go type of cook? 

Are you an organized pantry type, or someone who lives with organized chaos? Whatever your personality type and however you use your kitchen, you must design the space around your true habits. 

Try not to make a trade-off that doesn't serve you. Don't plan a kitchen remodel around someone you wish you were. Instead, make decisions that make your life easier. 

If you need a bigger sink area because you're a messy cook, then it might be worth adding a separate sink area to hide all the dirty dishes when you entertain. 

Remember that you need to create a kitchen that suits you and your needs, not the needs of others, or some future homeowner. You're the one using your kitchen on a daily basis, after all! 

Affordable Kitchen Remodeling, Made Easy 

If you're considering kitchen remodeling and need to stick to a budget, these trade-offs can really save your bacon when it's time to make those budget cuts. 

Allow Cabinet Wholesalers to create the kitchen you've always dreamed of while keeping your budget at the forefront of everything we do. Get in touch with our team today and get a free quote.