HGTV Star Jenn Todryk's Best Tips For Updating A Kitchen On A Budget
A kitchen renovation doesn't have to break the bank, especially if you follow Jenn Todryk's advice. In each episode of her hit show "No Demo Reno," she transforms interiors without any major demolition. So naturally, this makes her an excellent resource for budget-friendly tips and tricks. This is especially true when it comes to the area of your house that Todryk says is worth renovating — the kitchen.
Even a small kitchen remodel can give you an impressive 96% return on your investment. From your hardware to your cabinets, the room is full of small swaps that can make it look like an elevated space. Plus, you can choose the level of upgrade that works best for your time frame, budget, and interior goals. Throughout the seasons of "No Demo Reno," Todryk has continuously proven that these little updates can make a big difference. So, get inspired by the ways she has impressed her clients and use her strategies in your own space.
Install tile that appears handmade in a small statement area
In Season 3, Episode 12, Todryk wanted to give her clients' kitchen an artisanal touch without breaking the bank. Her cost-saving solution included selecting a tile that appeared handmade but was really machine-made. She explained her vision, saying, "I'm going to give her this beautiful hand-painted-inspired tile, it looks like it's hand-painted. And I want it only in the vent hood. It's going to be its own focal moment and it's really going to sell this really, really cool aesthetic." By putting the fancy tile only under the vent hood rather than across the entire backsplash, she saved costs in both the material and installation. The total cost of the vent hood backsplash was $2,200.
Choosing a low-cost tile that mimics an artisanal look-alike can be a great way to trick guests into thinking your backsplash is handcrafted. Look for tiles that include perfectly imperfect details. For example, these MSI Indigo Encaustic Porcelain Tiles come in a variety of patterns that appear to have been hand-painted and worn down over time. If you want to change the look of your backsplash with an ultra-inexpensive, temporary solution, try the Kakofaci Peel and Stick Backsplash Tile. Just make sure to avoid these mistakes that many make when buying backsplashes.
Add a new hood over your current vent rather than replacing it
Todryk came up with a creative way to upgrade her clients' vent hood in Season 3, Episode 9. Rather than replacing the entire hood, she changed the aesthetic of the space by simply wrapping the current vent in a decorative structure. She told the couple, "They just dry-walled around it and the old vent hood is actually still in there. It's just boxed in. It's still hanging out in there!" This allowed her to change the shape to a more modern silhouette without costing an arm and a leg.
If you've been thinking about replacing your hood, follow Todryk's lead and try your hand at an affordable DIY alternative. Harley Home Design completed a similar range hood renovation for only $40. This process included making a test hood out of cardboard and then cutting a board to the appropriate measurements before adding PVC molding. If handiwork isn't your strong suit, try purchasing a hood cover that is larger than your current vent, like this Unfinished Range Hood Cover from Riley & Higgs.
Don't underestimate the power of swapping out your hardware
Todryk emphasized the importance of installing new hardware in Season 1, Episode 3. She told the budget-conscious homeowners, "Here's the deal. Hardware, you're all about like, saving money. Hardware makes a huge impact and it doesn't even cost that much." Changing the handles, pulls, and fixtures in your kitchen can modernize it while making a minor dent in your budget. According to Todryk, this is one of the easiest, budget-friendly ways to upgrade your kitchen.
In the episode, the designer made a daring choice and went with brushed brass against an otherwise off-white kitchen. Her risk paid off, as the clients loved the warm, metallic touch. If you want to get the same look, you can purchase these Asidrama Brushed Brass Kitchen Cabinet Handles. Or if you're looking for knobs, try these contemporary Ravinte Kitchen Drawer Knobs. Take your kitchen makeover a step further and purchase a brushed Gold Kitchen Faucet by Hanvin to match your new hardware.
Try using rugs to cover your dated kitchen floor
In Season 1, Episode 8, Todryk decided to take a risk and not redo the kitchen floors. While the dated tile may have seemed like a renovation must, she found a way around the major expense. In addition to using statement countertops and cabinets to draw the eye away from the ground, she also used patterned rugs to distract from the tiles underneath. She excitedly said, "The best part about seeing that kitchen is that I had to point out the existing floors to Christy and Al. They didn't even see it, they didn't recognize them, and that was the whole point of my design was just to make those floors disappear."
Whether rugs are appropriate for the kitchen floor has been heavily debated. Although they can distract from an unsightly floor, they can also attract dirt and grime in an area that is prone to moisture and spills. However, washable rugs are a modern option that can enhance your aesthetic and keep your space clean. You can find a similar rug to the pair from the episode by Keen Home Design. There are also several other brands of washable kitchen rugs to consider, giving you lots of size and style options.
Spray painting your cabinets can save time and money
If you want to change the color of your kitchen cabinets, Todryk has sung the praises of painting them with a sprayer. In Season 1, Episode 9, she explained why this is her ideal method for updating old kitchen cabinets on a tight budget and in a short timeframe. She said, "The beauty of spray painting isn't just that it's a smooth finish, but it's also super-fast. Which means it's only been a matter of hours, and the cabinets are dry and ready for the countertops."
While there are plenty of pros to spray painting your kitchen cabinets, there are also a few cons. Using a sprayer can be more difficult to control, which means you'll need to thoroughly cover all other exposed surfaces. The final result may also require small touch-ups. However, spraying cabinets remains a popular choice for the finish and the speed of application. Plus, products like this Pokk Paint Sprayer are budget-friendly and designed for a variety of DIY projects.
Don't feel pressure to change your appliances
If your appliances are in decent condition, you don't need to get rid of them just because you're embarking on a kitchen remodel. In Season 1, Episode 6, Todryk had a pricey renovation to finesse. The couple wanted a stylish, Cape Cod-inspired space, forcing Todryk to get creative with ways to save. She explained, "The Cape Cod look doesn't come cheap, so I'll spend the bulk of the budget in this kitchen on all new floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and all new countertops. But, by keeping the stove, sink, oven, and refrigerator, I'll be saving at least $4,500 on appliances, which is money I can put towards creating not just one but two much-needed pantries."
Even if your appliances are getting old, you don't have to replace everything at the same time. It's important to prioritize if you're working on a tight budget. Consider the life expectancy of each individual appliance. For example, a dishwasher lasts about 9 years whereas a fridge can last for approximately 13. If your appliances are purely an aesthetic issue, consider covering them with appliance panels that match your cabinets to help them seamlessly blend in.
Keep the kitchen cabinetry but change the doors
In Season 1, Episode 3, Todryk wanted to make the kitchen look brand-new without changing the actual structure of the cabinetry. By changing only the doors, she was able to completely transform the look of the kitchen. She explained her plan saying, "Mallory and Justin really like the layout of their kitchen and their appliances. So, I'll save on the budget by keeping the existing cabinetry and just install new cabinet doors and countertops. This will be a savings of at least $3,000."
This episode is an important reminder that you don't have to tear out your cabinetry in order to create a new look. If you want to salvage your current hinges, make sure that the new doors have the same measurements as the previous cabinets. Keep in mind that cabinet doors typically overlay the edges of the opening by half of an inch. If you have standard-sized units, you can purchase new fronts like these Cabinet Doors from the Botoot Dtore in a variety of sizes. If your kitchen is more unconventional, consider having new doors custom-made.