The prospect of a kitchen remodel project is exciting. You probably can’t wait to do away with your old counter and worn-out cabinetry that makes your space look dated. But your kitchen remodel plan starts with your budget. How much do you want to spend? What do you want to spend it on? What are your goals for the project?

To keep your kitchen remodel on track, follow the five steps below.

1. Set Realistic Spending Limits.

According to Remodeling magazine’s 2018 Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange major kitchen remodel costs about $63,829. Do you have sticker shock? It’s expensive to majorly overhaul your kitchen!

It’s possible to get a beautiful space for substantially less than the cost of a luxury SUV, but make sure the spending limits you put in place are realistic when compared to your expectations.

2. Itemize Costs Clearly

Know where your money is going in your kitchen remodel budget. If floors are less important to you than countertops, your budget should reflect this. Don’t be surprised if up to 35 percent of your costs go toward labor.

3. Account for the Unexpected

Reserve about 20 percent of your budget for unexpected costs, because they are bound to come up! You could wind up having to drastically expand your budget or you could plan for the worst-case scenario and have a surplus if you’re wrong!

4. Clarify Your Priorities

Let’s say you take a major hit to your budget halfway through the project, an issue so expensive that it wipes out your cushion and then some. If you know the priorities for your project, you’ll have already invested in the areas you truly care about. If cabinets are a major must-have, make sure they are at the top of the list!

5. Find Projects You Can Handle on Your Own

One of the top ways to cut costs during a kitchen remodel is to tackle some of the tasks on your own and save on labor. From demolition to painting, there are many ways you can reduce the amount you’ll spend so you can save space in the budget for upgrades that matter to you.

We Can Help

When you’re looking for new cabinets that fit your kitchen remodel budget and goals, look no further than AWA Kitchen Cabinets. We have a wide selection to fit a range of prices and styles. We can deliver your new cabinets within two weeks, so let’s get started on your dream kitchen design today.

Choosing kitchen cabinet hardware might seem straightforward: just check out the hardware section, pick the ones you like best, then take them home! Right? Wrong!

It’s a lot more complicated than that. While one drawer pull might not cost much, ordering enough for your whole kitchen can put a dent in your wallet. That’s why it’s so important to make the right hardware choice the first time — save yourself the frustration of the return process or having to pay for replacement hardware.

Take a look below at our six top suggestions for choosing kitchen cabinet hardware.

Determine Your Kitchen’s Design Theme

Are you going with a modern kitchen design? Or is your kitchen more traditional? These are the two ends of the spectrum. While modern is sleek, traditional is ornate. Your cabinet hardware should match your design theme, whatever it may be, or else it will look out of place among all the other fixtures.

Select the Right Finish

Secondly, it’s important to choose the right finish when you’re thinking about the design of your kitchen cabinet hardware. You should first look at the other metal surfaces in your kitchen, such as your appliances. Brushed nickel, brass, satin, matte — there are a range of options to choose from, but your selection should never vary too greatly from the larger metal surfaces in the room. It’s possible to find one metal that complements another, but make this type of design choice carefully.

Decide Between Knobs or Pulls

Knobs are usually a little harder to use, but they are more traditional and could fit a kitchen aligned with this type of design profile. Pulls are better for modern kitchens, but they’re also a lot easier to use, which is something to consider if you’re designing a kitchen with accessibility needs.

Coordinate with Cabinets

Of course, you can’t really pick the best hardware if you aren’t settled on cabinet design or finish. If possible, see how the hardware looks installed on at least one cabinet or drawer before you order a large quantity.

Always Keep Quality Paramount

While kitchen cabinet hardware might seem like an area to cut corners and save money, don’t do it! Think about the use your cabinet hardware will get. It needs to be able to stand the test of time, and as with many types of building materials, you usually get what you pay for. Make sure you invest in high-quality pieces that are solid, sturdy and durable.

Don’t Be Afraid to Go Bold

If you’re looking for an area to make a design statement, this could be it! A patterned design for your knobs, a bright color — only you know what qualifies as bold in your kitchen; don’t be afraid to go for it!

At AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we can help you through every step of the kitchen redesign process, especially when it comes to choosing kitchen cabinet hardware. Just give us a call!