Photo courtesy of Sun Valley Kitchen and Bath 

Kitchens reborn

Not all remodels cost a fortune

By Barbara Perkins

In a place full of opulent homes, rich lifestyles and even more old ski-bum cabins and 30-plus year-old homes, the lure of the remodel quickly turns into a wallet-emptying prospect for the not-so-rich-and-famous Wood River Valley homeowner.

When the budget is limited but the urge to update becomes overwhelming during the short hot summer or long cold Sun Valley winter, the kitchen is the place to start. The kitchen, where family and friends congregate regardless of how large a living room the home features, can be remodeled within a variety of budget constraints by combining a lot of imagination with a bit of time and a dose of know-how.

Cabinets can be resurfaced, restyled or repainted for a fresh new appearance. Flooring materials are available in every price range, and lighting solutions quickly change old-fashioned to modern with the flick of a switch. Even the most expensive items, appliances and countertops, can be resurfaced affordably.

Before beginning any remodel, look through as many kitchen design magazines and books as possible. Tear out or photo copy favorite layouts and styles. Make a firm plan and decide on a single theme that can be carried throughout the room and that fits with the home’s style.

Evaluate each feature in the existing kitchen and list what it needs to bring that piece in line with the theme. Would new hardware do the trick for the cabinets? New doors? Move down to the countertops. Will tiling over that old laminate bring it into the flow of the design selected? How about butcher-block? If costs can be kept low on most items or unnecessary expenses eliminated, perhaps that $4,000 Corian countertop can be the one big splurge!

It’s what’s underneath that counts when considering the best path to an affordable kitchen remodel.

The first step in evaluating the best, most affordable course of action is to look at what’s under existing paint, inside cupboard doors and underneath countertops and current flooring. This is essential because, for instance, if cabinets have a veneer, sanding and repainting are out of the question. No amount spent on Corian countertops will hide cheap plywood cabinets. In fact, it will make them more obvious.

Reasonably priced yet very handsome, Formica countertops with wood nosing make an elegant frame for the more pricey granite-topped island in the foreground. Over and above the countertops, savings from select semi-custom cabinetry make room in the budget for high quality hardware, as shown in the pulls and hinges. Photo courtesy of Sun Valley Kitchen and Bath

Beginning with the cabinets, one of the most prominent features of a kitchen, the goal is to make a visual statement, says Greg Ferris of Sun Valley Kitchen and Bath in Hailey.

“You can make a nice visual statement for $6 to $12 by installing knobs on knob-less cabinets,” he suggests.

If cabinets and interiors are in good shape, holes in the doors from old hardware can be plugged and the doors can be repainted for about $50, replaced for $7 to $15 each or restyled with glass or other decorative, and sometimes colorful, inserts that change the look entirely.

“Be cautious about repainting cabinets,” warns Ferris. “You can end up spending more than a full cabinet replacement would cost.”

Most of the cost of cabinets, says Ferris, is not the base cabinet but the finish and hardware. Hours and hours of sanding, priming and painting—and resanding and repainting if a mistake is made—can take quite a bite out of the time and budget allotted for the job.

Are the current cabinets oak or plywood? Refacing something that is dumpy on the inside may not be worth the time and money it takes to do the job. If the property is a rental or intended for quick resale, perhaps the exterior presentation is all that’s important. A coat of paint is ideal for superficially freshening up the look.

Repainting is time-consuming but very rewarding if approached correctly. Another option is to apply new veneer to change the finish, grain and color of cabinets.

Countertops, also a major focal point in a kitchen, are the finishing touch to cabinets. However, installing top-of-the-line counters is not always the right solution. Once again, what’s underneath: hard wood or cheap plywood? And what is the intended use of the home: personal, rental or resale?

Tiling over old Formica, adding a tile backsplash with color or designs that carry on the new theme or replacing the countertop with an affordable, easy to clean seamless laminate are all options.

Ideas abound. It’s easy to bust the budget shopping for all the options, so research the possibilities online and in books or magazines to make some solid decisions before ever setting foot in the supplier’s showroom.

The choice between slate, marble or the new laminate countertops makes for a wide budget spread of about $200 to $4,000, and how to install each requires special know-how. A couple of good Web sites with tips, tricks and warnings when to let the pros handle the installation of that $1,500 marble countertop include diynetwork.com and hgtv.com.

Photo courtesy of Sun Valley Kitchen and Bath

Something that quickly becomes obvious to the uninitiated is the snowball effect of remodeling: If countertops are upgraded, the sink style and faucets are sure to need updating. Take into account all the possible moguls along the way before making the remodeling run or the budget, time and patience will run out before the run is completed.

If in the initial kitchen evaluation, the cabinets and countertops were deemed to be in good shape, but the kitchen’s style still begs for an updated look, many affordable options are available.

Faucets and sink replacements are a good choice. Under-the-counter stainless steel sinks make counter cleanup a snap with no rim to catch dirt and grease. Good quality can be purchased for around $250.

New faucets on the market are available in a variety of designs, adding a functional and elegant look to the kitchen. Beware: Faucet costs, if allowed, can take on a budget life of their own, soaring to $1,000 or more for the exotics, which simply are not necessary for the average homeowner. Let the theme guide the selection of style and allow the budget to determine an appropriate grade of sink and faucets.

Appliances also feature prominently in a kitchen scheme. If major appliances work well but need a new look, consider refinishing instead of buying new. This could save $600 to several thousand dollars of the budget. Many manufacturers have new facings available in a variety of colors that are easy to install. Do-it-yourself outlets have the paint necessary to refinish appliances. The paint-challenged remodeler can turn to local appliance stores and even some auto painting businesses to get the job professionally refinished.

A new look for cabinets, counters and appliances brings the eye down to the floor and here the solutions are endless, and the prices vary widely. Watch for sales, design closeouts and even recycling store opportunities to cut costs.

Other ideas for updating kitchens include under-counter lights to brighten the workspace and crown molding on walls and ceilings for added visual appeal.

Hidden, under-counter lighting, in addition to being functional, adds a beautiful glow to countertops. A simple setup can be purchased for as little as $50. Hanging or directional lighting sets off special features and work areas. Don’t overlook lighting; it sets the mood for the entire room. Crown molding around cabinets gives a more finished look for about $50, or, to do an average room, figure around $200.

A little consulting with interior decorators, kitchen designers and remodeling firms helps define what one needs and allows homeowners to tackle specific tasks or even assist in major work to cut costs while not being left to fend entirely for themselves.

After a hard day mountain biking or skiing Sun Valley’s Bald Mountain, that remodeled kitchen will prove a welcome place for family and friends to gather to reminisce on the day’s adventures. •