• Projects
  • Design
  • Picks
  • Stories
  • Travel
  • Projects
      • Projects

      • Home Reveals
      • Get The Look
      • Before & After
      • View All
          • Home Reveal: Rancho P.4
          • Home Reveal: Rancho P.3
          • Home Reveal: Rancho P.2
          • Home Reveal: Rancho P.1
  • Design
      • Design

      • Roundups
      • E-Design
      • Perfect Pairs
      • Design Tips
      • View All
          • The MGD Greige Paint Guide
          • Interior Insights: Window Treatments
          • Breakfast Nook E-Design
          • How To Pair Throw Pillows
  • Picks
      • Picks

      • Monthly Picks
      • Lifestyle Picks
      • Home Picks
      • View All
          • MGD Picks: August
          • The MGD Outdoor Pillow Roundup
          • The MGD Outdoor Furniture Roundup
          • The MGD Spring Decor Roundup
  • Stories
      • Stories

      • Creator Interviews
      • From Mindy
      • Friday Faves
      • View All
          • 2023 End of Year Recap
          • Creator Interview: Willow Crossley
          • Creator Interview: Sister Parish Design
          • The Best Advice For Aspiring Interior Designers
  • Travel
      • Travel

      • Travel Guides
      • Travel Inspiration
      • View All
          • MGD Guide: Ojai
          • MGD Guide: Santa Ynez Area
          • MGD Guide: Telluride
          • MGD Guide: Park City
Shop
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Inquire
  • Blog
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Inquire
  • Blog
Mindy Gayer Spanish Canyon Image

Design, Design Tips

Splurge vs. Save: Kitchen Remodel

Design
June 11, 2021

If you’re embarking on a kitchen remodeling project – Congratulations! Kitchen remodels are one of the most common home renovation projects, and for good reason. Your kitchen is the main gathering space of your home, and is the perfect place to create endless memories with your family and friends. However, the kitchen is also one of the most expensive spaces to remodel. With cabinetry, plumbing, countertops, backsplash, and appliances, your renovation costs can quickly add up.

Most kitchen remodels don’t happen with an unlimited budget. With our interior design clients, we help provide guidance on how to create the most impactful spaces within our clients’ budgets. Today on the blog, we connected with one of our designers to do the same with you! Keep reading for her valuable tips on where to splurge and where to save on your kitchen remodel.

  • Marigold Project Image
  • Marigold Project Image

Kitchen Remodel Budgeting Tips

The first tip we always recommend when deciding where to invest your budget in your kitchen remodel is to think about your unique lifestyle. Do you love cooking for large groups and need extra oven space? Are you typically entertaining every weekend and want a statement island for serving appetizers and drinks? Do you make fresh juice every morning and need a larger refrigerator to store your produce? Your lifestyle and preferences will determine what areas of your kitchen should be a priority in your remodel, and where you should spend the most of your budget!

We also always recommend doing your research and saving (lots!) of photos of kitchens you love. When we work with our design clients, we always start by creating mood boards and gathering clippings to get a sense of their overall style and design goals. If you start to notice a trend in the images you’re saving, pay attention! You may discover that you love a certain design element and want to include it in your kitchen remodel. All in all, remodeling a kitchen all comes down to personal preference. Your kitchen design and layout should be reflective of your aesthetic and lifestyle.

Mindy Gayer Spanish Canyon Image



Where to Splurge and Where to Save

Cabinetry

Splurge! We always recommend investing in your kitchen cabinetry. Cabinets are the most impactful element of the kitchen, and beautiful cabinets can elevate your entire kitchen remodel. They’re also take up the most visual room in the space, so don’t cut corners here.

Kitchen Appliances

Depends! For kitchen appliances, we typically recommend going for options that make the most sense in your lifestyle. Commercial grade appliances are stunning! However, if the budget is unrealistic for your remodel, there are many similar appliances you can find at more affordable prices. If cooking is not a passion of yours, we’d recommend saving on your kitchen appliances.

Countertops

Splurge! Aside from cabinetry, the next most important element of your kitchen remodel is the countertops. Invest in them! You want to make sure that you select a countertop that will last many generations, and something that is classic and timeless.

Backsplash

Save! There are lots of affordable options when it comes to kitchen backsplashes. Expensive tile can eat up your budget quickly, and while it can be beautiful, it won’t have as large of an impact as your cabinets or countertop. If you need to cut costs, find a more affordable tile option for your kitchen backsplash.

Hardware

Save! Hardware can eat up your budget quickly and there are tons of budget-friendly options on the market, especially if you’re looking for a matte black finish (which we love!).

Marigold Project Image



We hope this helps you decide where to splurge and where to save on your upcoming kitchen remodel. If you’ve already finished your remodel – Congratulations! Leave a comment below with your best tips to pass along. Last but not least, if you’re looking for kitchen furniture or decor, head to our affiliate shop for all of our MGD favorites. Thanks for following along!

SHARE THIS POST
Comments (0)
Back
Next
Shop MGD Picks
  • Pillows

  • Kitchen

  • Lighting

  • Furniture

  • Decor

  • Shop All

BY

A residential design studio specializing in remodels and new builds.
Visit Us

Other Stories

  1. Splurge vs. Save: Bathroom Remodel

    Design
  2. Home Reveal: Inner Sunset P.1

    Projects
  3. Interior Insights: Cabinetry Design Tips

    Design
  4. Home Reveal: Windward P.2

    Projects

The Studio

By

A residential design studio specializing
in remodels and new builds.

Visit Us

Join our Newsletter!

Receive all of the best inspo, tips, design resources, shopping guides, and more.

Thank you for subscribing!

Sitting pretty. The living room at #mgdxalvarado c Sitting pretty. The living room at #mgdxalvarado captures that effortless coastal feeling we adore—relaxed yet refined, and forever welcoming. #mindygayerdesign { Image by: @vlentine, Builder: @pattersoncustomhomes }⁠
⁠
#livingroomdesign #livingroomdecor #fireplacedesign #californiacasual
Entertaining made beautiful. The dining space is t Entertaining made beautiful. The dining space is the heart of gatherings at #mgdxalvarado. #mindygayerdesign { Image by: @vlentine, Builder: @pattersoncustomhomes }⁠
⁠
#diningroomdesign #diningroomdecor #diningroominspiration #entertainingathome
Serene mornings begin in the primary bath at #mgdx Serene mornings begin in the primary bath at #mgdxalvarado. Every element, from the custom cabinetry to the statement tub, was designed to create a space that feels like a breath of fresh air and the ultimate retreat. #mindygayerdesign { Image by: @vlentine, Builder: @pattersoncustomhomes }⁠
⁠
#bathroomdesign #bathroominspiration #dreambathroom #luxurybathroom
Thoughtfully designed to feel collected and lived- Thoughtfully designed to feel collected and lived-in from day one. 🤍 #mgdxbirdrock #mindygayerdesign { Image by: @vlentine }⁠
⁠
#breakfastnook #breakfastnookideas #diningroomideas #interiordesigner
  • Shop
  • MGD Picks
  • Projects
  • Amazon
  • Company
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Contact
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Careers

(C) MINDY GAYER DESIGN CO., LLC 2025

  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Inquire
  • Blog
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Careers

(C) MINDY GAYER DESIGN CO., LLC 2025