A small kitchen is a place where food is made and enjoyed. It is also a place where the body can be nourished and the mind can be fed. It is the center of your home, even if it’s not very big.
The small kitchen requires more ingenuity than its larger counterparts. The space is limited and so are the resources available to you, but this doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on quality or taste. In fact, in my experience it’s quite the opposite: it’s easier to make something delicious when you know you have to work with less space.
A small kitchen is a great choice for those who want a floor plan that’s easy to clean, bright and airy, or efficient in terms of space. The following tips will help you learn how to design a small kitchen:
- Take your time. Small kitchens are often more affordable than big ones because they’re easier to build and maintain. If you have a limited budget, think about whether there are ways you can maximize the available space by using innovative storage ideas or simply renovating an existing room instead of building an entirely new one from scratch.
- Choose the right layout style. There are several different ways that people arrange their kitchens depending on whether they want open spaces or closed-off areas where everyone can gather during meals without feeling crowded together in one spot around one table (or bar). Think about how much traffic there’ll be before making any decisions so that everything will work out smoothly once construction begins.
It’s no secret that the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a home. It’s where you cook food, keep groceries and prepare meals for yourself and your family members. The kitchen is also a place to rest after a long day at work or school, so there are plenty of reasons why people want their kitchens to be as beautiful and functional as possible.
But if you’re trying to figure out how much it will cost to build a small kitchen with custom cabinetry or other expensive items like granite countertops or stainless steel appliances, it can be hard to know where to start with such an overwhelming project. A good rule of thumb when estimating costs is that they can vary greatly depending on what’s included in each project: cabinets have multiple sizes and styles; appliances come with different features; countertops can be selected based on aesthetics as well as durability; etc.
Installation & Labor
You’ll be paying for labor and installation of the cabinets, countertops, and flooring. Labor can vary depending on whether you’re hiring an independent contractor to do your work or hiring a professional cabinet installer. The cost of appliances also depends on the type of kitchen you want to install: some models are pricier than others. If you decide to buy new appliances, make sure that any warranty information is included in the purchase contract so that it’s valid if there are any problems down the line.
On top of this, there’s also plumbing work involved in building a small kitchen; for example, installing pipes for under-sink storage space or installing faucets into your new sink(s). In addition to these costs, keep in mind that due to their intricate nature (and sometimes size), many materials used in construction will inevitably cost more than those used by larger construction companies especially if they have economies of scale working in their favor.
Appliances
Appliances are the most expensive part of a kitchen, which is why you should take great care when purchasing them. There are two main types of appliances to choose from gas and electric. Gas ovens are generally more efficient than electric ones, but can be difficult to install in older houses. Electric ovens may cost less upfront, but they do have an energy consumption rate that will add up over time and make them more expensive in the long run.
When choosing your appliances it’s important to consider whether you want new or used ones (or both). The prices of both will vary depending on brand and style as well as where you purchase them from a dealer or directly from the manufacturer.
Cabinets
Cabinets are the most expensive part of a kitchen. They can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 and can account for 50% of your kitchen remodel budget. That’s why you should think carefully before deciding on cabinet styles and finishes that you’ll live with for decades to come otherwise, you may end up shelling out for high-end cabinets only to replace them later on.
As an alternative, consider buying inexpensive cabinets from IKEA or other big box stores and replacing them later with custom-made ones at a lower cost than if they were already built into your kitchen design.
Appliances
Appliances are the most expensive part of a small kitchen. A standard refrigerator costs between $500 and $1000, while a stove can cost anywhere from $300 to over $2000. While this may seem like a lot for the average homeowner, it’s important to remember that appliances will last you years and years. You’ll be able to use them in your next house if you move, or even sell them for cash when it’s time for an upgrade. And as we’ve already mentioned, small kitchens often mean higher-quality appliances because there’s less space for error, and you’ll have more consistent results every time you cook.
A new oven might not be within your budget right now, but replacing an outdated one with an energy-efficient model could save hundreds of dollars over time thanks to reduced repair costs and energy usage (for example). Most owners report major savings after switching out their old microwave ovens with new ones that use 75% less electricity during operation than older models did and they’re still just as fast at reheating leftovers or melting cheese on nachos.
Flooring
Flooring is another important aspect of your kitchen. There are many options, but the most popular ones are tile, hardwood, laminate, and vinyl. The tiles will be much more expensive than any of the other options, but they last a long time and they look great. You can also go with hardwood floors which are easy to maintain. However, if you have pets or kids then laminate can be a good option because it’s durable and easy to clean. As far as vinyl goes I would recommend going with something else because it doesn’t look very nice when installed properly.
After deciding on what type of flooring you want we can move on to cost estimates based on square footage:
Tile: $7-$10 per sqft (depending on finish)
Hardwood: $5-$8 per sqft (depending on finish)
Laminate: $3-$6 per sqft (depending on the brand)
Vinyl: $4-$9 per sqft
Countertops
The cost of your countertops is a major factor when it comes to building your kitchen. And the price isn’t just about the material, it’s also about how much work you’re willing to put into finishing them and what style you want.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $60-$100 per square foot for granite, while quartz will cost around $40-$65 per square foot. That makes granite three times as expensive as quartz. However, there are ways that you can save money on both materials:
- Ask for a discount from the contractor if they use your local supplier (or if they don’t, buy locally). You’ll need at least two quotes before signing any contracts so that when salespeople try to lowball you on price, you can tell them that another competitor offered better rates and was able to get their wares elsewhere in town.
- Shop around for different styles until something catches your eye (and wallet). If there’s one thing we learned from our recent visit with designer extraordinaire Amy Howard from Good Bones Home & Design House, it’s this: don’t settle early. If there’s nothing appealing enough within budget constraints then keep searching until something strikes gold which means finding both style AND affordability in one package deal.
Faucets and Sinks
If you’re working with a limited budget and need to cut corners, one of the best places to do so is in your kitchen faucets and sinks. Both are relatively cheap compared with other things in the kitchen, and there’s no reason you can’t get good quality for less than $100.
These days, most faucets come with a lifetime warranty against defect or damage, meaning that as long as you don’t abuse them by dropping them off bridges or running them into walls (or anything else that would cause damage), they’ll last for years without breaking down on you. If you do run into problems with an item breaking too soon after purchasing it, most manufacturers will repair or replace it for free within those first few years of ownership (and some even beyond). This means that investing in higher-quality models won’t necessarily mean paying more over time; instead, it could save money by allowing you to avoid repeated repairs later down the path.
Miscellaneous Costs
While most of the costs listed above are specific to the remodeling work you’re doing, there are also a couple of miscellaneous expenses that should be factored in. These include:
- Hiring a contractor. This is where you’ll want to be careful about finding someone who’s qualified and reliable. At this point, you may not have much experience with renovations, so it’s important for your budget and sanity to choose someone that you trust.
- Building permits and insurance for kitchen remodelers (if applicable). Depending on where you live, building permits may not be required for kitchen remodels, but if they are required in your area it can cost from $100-$300 per permit application. If your home has any historical significance or requires specialized workmanship, it might be best practice to hire an architect instead of a contractor when seeking permits, the costs vary depending on project scope but average around $1-$5K USD per project.
Building a small kitchen is relatively cheap.
Building a small kitchen is relatively cheap. Most of the costs are fixed, meaning you pay them no matter what size your kitchen is or how much work you do yourself. This makes it easier to get a good deal on cabinets and appliances because there’s not as much flexibility in their price points. You can save money by doing some of the work yourself (like putting up crown molding), buying used items (like appliances), buying in bulk (such as paint), and using less expensive materials (like plywood instead of hardwoods).
If you are looking to build a small kitchen, then you should know that it can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $20,000. If you choose to hire a professional contractor, then expect to pay somewhere around $10,000 for the job. This does not include any countertops or appliances though. It also does not include any plumbing work that would be necessary if there were no existing plumbing in place already.
