small kitchen | Sweeten

A 90-Square-Foot Kitchen is Revived in Color

Carole Braden — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 13:00:07 +0000

Compact appliances work with full-sized gusto in this Upper West Side gut kitchen remodel

Homeowners: An Upper West Side couple posted their kitchen renovation project on Sweeten
Where: Manhattan, New York City
Primary renovation: A gut remodel of a kitchen requiring major electrical work and a suite of compact appliances
Sweeten general contractor
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches homeowners with vetted general contractors for residential renovation projects, offering knowledge, support, and secure payments—for free.

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner. “After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten.

Technical needs take priority over aesthetics

I knew from the beginning that the electrical work needed to be upgraded, and I included that important aspect of the job when I posted my project on Sweeten. I took part in the initial consultations with contractors via Zoom, and then met the ones that interested me in person. My Sweeten contractor, who I chose to hire, is a woman-owned contracting firm. She came with the electrician and gave me a better estimate. The plan was to replace the electrical box and redistribute the power, since I’d been having constant issues when I used multiple appliances simultaneously. We would also improve the lighting by installing new fixtures and switches.

A plumber assessed that the old pipes and a plumbing line would need to be replaced before putting in a new sink and faucet. Those fixes would be particularly essential since I wanted to install a dishwasher for the first time.

A 180-degree kitchen remodel

Of course, I felt most excited about the things that were visible. I hoped to find a source for small, good-quality small-sized appliances. I wanted to use Ikea cabinets and replace the countertops and backsplash. We would redo the kitchen top to bottom, from refinishing the walls and soffits to putting down a new floor.

This was not my first renovation, but my first time doing a major teardown and remodel. I had a lot of questions about the cabinets and having enough storage space, in addition to the technical updates. My Sweeten contractor helped so much during the planning phase. I asked a lot of questions before we started. She provided great suggestions.

Spotlight on compact appliances for small spaces

The renovation was straightforward: No walls were moved and no layout changes were made. I had an initial design in mind but because of the extra money I spent on electrical and plumbing upgrades, I had to change it and cut materials costs.

With this in mind, my biggest choices were the appliances and the cabinets. It was a challenge finding reasonably priced and attractive compact appliances—when you’re looking for 18-, 20- or 24-inch models, choices are limited. I found the dishwasher, but the hood took a long time. I didn’t want one that stuck out, and anything less than 24 inches seemed nonexistent. When I found this 20-inch model, I ordered it right away—but then it came and we had no idea how to make it ductless! Note to apartment dwellers: A ductless hood, or one that can be adapted with a kit, is what you need. By the time I found these items, I’d decided to go with custom cabinets, to make life easier and maximize space.

I had an initial design in mind but because of the extra money I spent on electrical and plumbing upgrades, I had to change it and cut materials costs.

A unique blend of color and pattern

In addition, with custom cabinets, I had an opportunity to be creative with color. Initially, I’d envisioned light-gray cabinets with wood flooring. Then I changed my mind and looked at patterned vinyl flooring; in the end, I decided to totally contrast it to the wood floor in the living area. Looking at it with paint chips, a paint color called Brittany Blue—a light gray-blue with a warm-gray undertone—looked best for the cabinets. The color wasn’t far from what I had imagined, and it was a really good decision. I wanted a gold tone as an accent color, so I chose brass handles for the doors and drawers.

When it came to the island, I got even bolder. I purchased it online and when it came, I didn’t like the color, so I decided to experiment. I’d seen a photo of a kitchen that had purple cabinets. I remembered it because that color choice was so unusual and didn’t look dated. Painting that island was a fun project.

I chose quartz for the countertops and wanted to continue with the same material for the backsplash. For a small kitchen, it made a lot of sense, especially in terms of budget, since it didn’t cost anything extra to install.

For the lighting, I was less involved than I expected to be. I wanted overall lighting and also a fixture above the dining table. My contractor and electrician suggested installing LED lights above the cabinets, which turned out to be my favorite aspect of the renovation. The lights are dimmable, and such an upgrade from just a single ceiling fixture.

Good communication—the key to a successful remodel

Throughout the process, I was so happy to have my Sweeten contractor’s input. When something on my list cost too much, she always came up with an alternative solution that worked just as well. Also, from the start of the job to completion, we communicated constantly, and I think that’s one reason why it went so smoothly. Sweeten also stayed in touch and helped with project flow by checking in periodically. There weren’t any issues, but I liked knowing I had a fallback in case something went wrong. I think I worried less throughout the renovation as a result.

The project worked out so well that it’s hard to list just one thing I love about it. I am truly pleased with the new kitchen’s flow, and the look of the whole room tops even what I had hoped it could be. I am really happy with the result.

Renovation Materials

Custom cabinets, Calacatta quartz countertops, backsplash, and sink: Sourced by contractor.
Vinyl floor tiles: Harvey Maria.
Brass faucet: Kraus.
Beko 24″ refrigerator: Appliances Connection.
Bosch 18” dishwasher: Appliances Connection.
Avanti 20” range: Appliances Connection.
Cuna pendant light fixture: Umage.
Island: Wayfair.
Paint: Seattle Gray for walls, Brittany Blue for the cabinets: Benjamin Moore.
Cabinet handles in brass: CB2.

Thank you for sharing your new kitchen with us!

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Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

The post A 90-Square-Foot Kitchen is Revived in Color appeared first on Sweeten.

An Avid Cook Remodels Her Closet-Sized Manhattan Kitchen

Tisha Leung — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:19:11 +0000

A one-bedroom remodel turns around a tight layout and transforms a tiny kitchen

“After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten

Homeowners: Kayla + Jesse posted their one-bedroom apartment project on Sweeten
Where: Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan, New York
Primary renovation: Remodel a tiny kitchen to add space and character
Sweeten general contractor
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure payments—for free.

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Kayla

From Renting to Buying

I’ve always had a passion for real estate. I even work in real estate tech as a product manager. Since moving to the city over 10 years ago, I’ve spent my fair share of time looking at listings of apartments for sale. After many years in tiny Manhattan studios (think 300 square feet), it was time to get serious about buying an apartment.

I started to hunt for Manhattan apartments (with a preference for downtown) that were both affordable and true one-bedrooms. I spent around nine months going to open houses on Sundays, and after seeing many apartments, I finally stumbled upon the space I ended up buying in Chelsea.

It might have been how quiet and calm the apartment felt, but it was exactly what I was looking for. It is a true one-bedroom in a prewar building and has much of its original charm: a sunken living room and beautiful arches. But the original kitchen was the size of a closet. I used the fact that it was outdated as negotiating leverage and was able to bring the purchase price significantly below asking (a rarity in Manhattan).

Everyone I talked to told me that the most I’d fit into the space was a 24” stove, but my heart was set on fitting a large turkey into my oven.

Deciding Who to Hire

After asking around, I realized that finding a general contractor to do work in a Manhattan co-op was no easy task. I stumbled upon Sweeten, and after posting my job there, I connected with a few general contractors. I didn’t go the architect route because it would have added to my budget on top of the renovation materials. Also, I wasn’t planning any significant structural changes. For a one-bedroom renovation, that extra cost is just enough to push the cost over the return. Without an architect, however, finding a detail-oriented general contractor who is on top of their game was paramount. That’s exactly what I found with the Sweeten contractor I chose.

Must-Have: An Oven to Fit a Turkey

The biggest part of the remodel was gutting my tiny kitchen. I hired a kitchen designer to help me optimize the layout. She came up with configurations I couldn’t imagine possible in a 70-square-foot space. As an avid cook, I had a few (okay, maybe slightly crazy) requirements: a full size 30” stove, a large refrigerator, and a dishwasher. I was told the most I’d fit into the space was a 24” stove, but my heart was set on fitting a large turkey into my oven. And after much finagling, we found a layout that allowed for everything I wanted and more (somehow, I even fit a wine fridge).

The original plan was to buy custom cabinets to maximize the tiny space, but after seeing the price tag (north of $15,000), I had to reconsider. My Sweeten contractor worked closely with me to come up with a solution: a combination of custom and standard cabinets. We spent two hours talking through cabinet door sizes as well as placement so that the doors were symmetrical and made sense for the space. (Trust me, this guy pays a lot of attention to detail.) For my peninsula, he took the lead on creating both a practical layout and aesthetically pleasing geometric shape. There needed to be enough room to pass when walking into the apartment (the front door is right near the kitchen).

A Refresh for the Apartment

Beyond the kitchen, the remainder of the renovation was giving the apartment a facelift. I refinished the floors, stripped the door frames down to their original steel, replaced the baseboards, changed the grout in the bathroom, added a closet in the bedroom, and put a nice layer of paint on all of the walls.

Delivery Saga

While much of the kitchen renovation was a fun process, I’d be lying if I said there weren’t bumps along the way. Most of my friends do not believe me when I tell them I bought six sinks for the kitchen. Yep, you read that right: six sinks. To make a long story short: there was a farmhouse sink that was too shallow (thankfully, my contractor pointed this out to me), one that fell off a truck during delivery, another that arrived and didn’t fit, another that arrived then got lost (and eventually found again), and two others that ended up getting returned. When the sink saga was over, my boyfriend told me he never wanted to talk about another sink again. And honestly, who could blame him?

At the end of the day, I ended up with a beautifully renovated home that stayed true to its prewar nature. A common question I was asked after completing my renovation was: Would I do it all over again? You betcha.

Thank you, Kayla and Jesse, for sharing your refreshed home!

Renovation Materials:

KITCHEN RESOURCES: White shaker cabinets, Carrara marble countertops, and backsplash: Sourced by general contractor. Kitchen layout design: Montford Workshop. Liberty champagne bronze knobs, #207033029 and pulls, #301379116; Delta Trinsic touch-technology faucet in champagne bronze, #20312474: Home Depot. Bosch 24″ refrigerator, #B11CB81SSS: Appliances Connection. Bosch 18″ dishwasher, #SPX68U55UC: Appliances Connection. Viking 5-series 30” sealed burner range, #VGR530: Appliances Connection. Halsted semi-flush mount light fixture in warm brass by Possini Euro Design: Amazon.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Moen 90 Degree vanity light: Wayfair. Grout in Dove Gray: Home Depot.

LIVING ROOM RESOURCE: Halo 4-inch Smart Lights, RL460WHZHA69; Masonite bi-fold closet doors, #206580202: Home Depot. Brayden 56” ceiling fan: Wayfair.

LIVING AREA RESOURCE: Blato Linear light fixture above the dog bed: LBL. Jacobean wood floor stain, #305502024: Home Depot. Flat glass pendant light in entry: CB2.

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Have a small kitchen? These cook spaces are all under 60 square feet.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post An Avid Cook Remodels Her Closet-Sized Manhattan Kitchen appeared first on Sweeten.

Why a Galley Kitchen Rules in Small Spaces

Tisha Leung — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 13:00:56 +0000

A galley kitchen delivers a lot of functionality despite its small square footage

Just because a kitchen is short on square footage, it doesn’t mean it has to lack in function, organization, or style. The key to owning and making the most of the space is a layout that maximizes efficiency, like a galley. By definition, a galley kitchen consists of two parallel sides with a narrow passage in between. A galley kitchen layout works best for small kitchens—less than 90 square feet. Four to 6 feet between parallel sides maximize efficiency and workflow.

Check out these Sweeten kitchens to see how this type of small-space layout can work for you. Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure deposits—for free.

A breakthrough for a galley kitchen

Andrew and Germàn modernized their galley kitchen in their 1936 Med-Deco home. The room was closed off to the rest of the living spaces. The renovation plan was to keep the square footage the same so as to not disturb any architectural details with expansion. However, breaking through the wall for a pass-through breakfast bar was the solution to open the space up to the living room. It was the right decision: it ended up becoming an eight-foot centerpiece in the home.

Smart design expands this tiny galley kitchen

The six-foot-wide galley kitchen in Emily’s prewar apartment was originally an enclosed space. Several ideas helped it feel open and less closed in. In place of upper cabinets, open shelving in marble and brass offered the airiness the small kitchen needed. An undercounter refrigerator took up less space and was less visually intrusive.

To make the layout more ideal for entertaining, her Sweeten contractor created a pass-through window with an extended counter and two stools on the non-kitchen side. Post your project on Sweeten. Discuss with your contractor if a pass-through window is possible in your kitchen.

A pass-through window brightens up a dark kitchen

Megan didn’t want to change her galley kitchen floor plan or footprint. She just wanted to give the dark kitchen space a facelift. All new fixtures contributed to the lighter look, as did the extension of a pass-through window into the main living space. Her contractor knocked down the bar to countertop height and enlarged the opening. Now, all the light from the neighboring room streams in.

A smart layout is key in a galley kitchen

Storage and a smart layout made all the difference for Monica’s kitchen remodel. For more convenient kitchen storage, a broom closet was transformed into a pull-out food pantry. The refrigerator sat outside of the row of board-and-batten-style cabinets keeping its height and size out of sight. Adding to the galley kitchen’s character was a cozy eat-in dining niche.

A single wall of cabinets suits a narrow galley kitchen

To maximize Jenna’s narrow galley kitchen, a run of upper and base cabinets sit along one wall, and face a flush refrigerator and uncluttered wall. Although she admits, “I’m in the process of creating a “bucket list” installation for the remaining wall, though I’m enjoying the space the empty wall creates.” With only the width of a range to work in, this layout presents an efficient way to navigate this space.

Open shelves in a galley kitchen look stylishly neat

Daniel, a food writer and former chef, installed open shelving instead of upper cabinets along half of the wall in the kitchen. This eliminated the feeling of claustrophobia that plagued the old kitchen.

His Sweeten contractor moved the fridge away from the entryway, where it had made entering the kitchen difficult. It was relocated to the opposite end creating symmetry and making it easier to move through the space. See how Sweeten vets general contractors so homeowners don’t have to.

Rearranging the dining area allows for added storage

Sheilaja and Sergio’s long galley kitchen had a dining space at the end that they no longer needed (thanks to moving it in the living and entryway area). They instead used that extra space to take advantage of the room’s length and install lower cabinets all the way to the window wall. To make it feel even bigger, they opted for one long wood shelf opposite the wall of upper cabinets.

Clever idea: shallow cabinets save space

Sandra and Michael overhauled their existing galley kitchen layout to add more cabinet and counter space. They chose narrow base cabinets (basically wall cabinets) to save the square footage without making it feel more cramped.

Relocating a bulky fridge frees up valuable space

In Hari and Kaity’s galley kitchen the refrigerator placement minimized counter space and the surrounding walls made the whole space tight. They relocated it to a spot a few feet outside of the kitchen walls. A cutout in the wall at the entrance also helped free up space. Pro tip: if you’re unsure about taking down walls, moving your refrigerator can be an alternative to free up space while preserving the existing layout.

A galley kitchen puts dead space to use

Sweeten homeowner Rashmi had no interest in an open kitchen when it was time to renovate. She lived with the galley kitchen for four years to understand what she needed from the room. To save space, shallower 18” kitchen cabinets were installed on one side. Closer to the entry, a narrow eat-in bar that was an extension from the countertop in the kitchen fit two stools. Opposite the bar, Rashmi installed built-in cabinets for storage and a washer and dryer. It had once been dead space.

When you’re ready to get started on your kitchen or home remodel, work with Sweeten to renovate with the best contractors.

A note on fixture and appliance deliveries: If you’re on a tight timeline, Appliances Connection has over 50,000 items in stock and ready to ship nationally. If you’re in the NY/NJ metro area, in-stock items typically deliver within 2-3 days.

Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas For 60 Square Feet and Under

Kelley Rowland — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 16:00:01 +0000

Smart layouts and storage solutions make small spaces work

The reality is, not everyone (especially apartment dwellers) has a large kitchen with an eat-in island and endless cabinets. What we’ve discovered, is that it’s not the size that really matters, but how homeowners and their Sweeten general contractors maximize the space given. Check out these five small kitchen remodels, all 60 square feet—or 10’ x 6’ as a comparable measurement—and under, that demonstrate the functionality of smaller kitchens.

Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

The previous owners of Treanna’s home didn’t realize the 42-square-foot kitchen’s full potential. With cabinets left to a single wall and the refrigerator alone on another, it was clear there was a better way to maximize the footprint. Along with her Sweeten contractor, they came up with a design featuring cabinets on both sides, full-sized appliances, and plenty of storage (including a toe-kick drawer and a hidden fold-up stool).

Clever organization (and some extra square footage in the entryway) made working within 44 square feet possible in Sunghee and Joseph’s cook space. They relocated the refrigerator to a storage wall just outside the kitchen and focused on smart storage solutions, like the pegboard panel on the outside of a narrow pantry cabinet. It also doubles as a drying rack and permanent hanging spot. The couple’s architect suggested separating the cooktop and oven so cooking and baking could be done simultaneously, without the couple stepping over one another.

Architects Kate and Arthur took on a multi-room renovation, including expanding and changing the layout of their roughly 48-square-foot kitchen to add a few more feet. The space went from a single wall to a much more ideal L-shaped layout that allows for storage and cooking room. Not to mention, they could add a full-height refrigerator and an 18-inch dishwasher. They managed to do it all while retaining all the original plumbing locations—meaning no added expense to the budget due to rerouting or permits to file—a total win-win!

Measuring in at just 55 square feet, Racquel’s kitchen wasn’t just small, it was also stuck in the ‘60s. She couldn’t change much about the size itself, but all new fixtures and appliances were more than enough to transform the space. The white gloss cabinetry and the stainless steel appliances reflect light from the window, which lightens the room and helps it feel larger too.

Marc and Steve’s kitchen was already open to the living and dining space, which automatically made the 60-square-foot area look bigger. They installed a patterned black and white floor that adds personality, along with all-white Ikea cabinets to keep it clean and simple. The window over the sink (the perfect placement!) was widened to let me more light in.

Investing in a reputable and well-qualified general contractor is key to the success of your renovation project. You’ll want to hire a firm with relevant experience for projects like yours in addition to proper licensing and insurance coverage specific to your area. When you’re ready to get started on your kitchen or home remodel, work with Sweeten to renovate with the best contractors.

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Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten

The post Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas For 60 Square Feet and Under appeared first on Sweeten.

The Surprising Truth About IKEA vs. Custom Cabinets

Kerry O'Brien — Sat, 26 May 2018 17:00:13 +0000

Here’s a primer on kitchen cabinets, from custom designs to stock options

Cabinet construction may well end up being the single biggest expense of your entire renovation, and the results are the most obvious visual proof of your investment, so this can feel like a heavy decision. The challenge (and opportunity) is that your choices are endless, but if you focus on a few key factors, you can find the right cabinets for your kitchen renovation.

IKEA cabinets in Laura and Matthew’s kitchen renovation.

While it’s tempting to assume that your budget is the only consideration and while it’s true that custom cabinets can be (much, much) more expensive than stock cabinets, they don’t have to be. Even the cheapest kitchen is an enormous investment, so if budget isn’t necessarily the deciding factor, how should you decide and how can you keep your budget from dictating your choices? First, a few definitions.

Should you go with custom or pre-fabricated cabinets?

Stock cabinets

IKEA is widely considered the go-to for stock cabinets. Unlike almost anyone else, they mass-produce a system of set sizes, colors, finishes, and features that you pick and choose. The pieces of your order are pulled from stock supplies and shipped to your home, where you need to handle both the assembly and installation. IKEA keeps its costs low because they are sending your order to you in pieces and because the materials they use are very inexpensive.

Pre-fabricated cabinets

Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other big-box national retailers are distributors of independent lines of cabinets. They offer a semi-custom option: like IKEA, you pick and choose from set sizes, colors, finishes, and features (though national retailers tend to have more options overall). Unlike IKEA, your order is then manufactured and assembled for you so that your cabinets arrive ready for installation. Because you have more choice in materials and construction, the range of prices varies more here. You will probably pay more upfront for higher-quality materials, but you may spend less on labor because the cabinets are assembled before they get to you for installation.

Custom cabinets

Custom cabinets are designed and constructed by hand based on your individual design. You define the sizes, materials, finishes, and features and your order is hand-crafted and delivered for installation. Because your choices for materials and construction are endless, the range of material and labor costs is very wide. The costs here are generally distributed between your choice of material and style, labor, and a more personalized design and customer service approach.

High-end, built-to-order cabinet systems

A small group of cabinet companies also offer cabinetry systems that are extremely high-end (Bulthaup and Henrybuilt are examples). These companies are known for beautiful and durable cabinet construction and best-in-industry warranties, but the bare minimum for even a small kitchen can easily exceed $20,000, so unlike other categories of cabinet construction, this option is only available if the starting point for your budget allows you to consider it.

Custom cabinets by Henrybuilt in Kavi and David’s kitchen.

Custom cabinets might be less expensive than you think if your kitchen has limited space, lots of space, or an unusual layout.

In a tight kitchen, stock and pre-fabricated cabinets in standard sizes might not be worth the initial material savings because you will need more inventive labor to fit everything in.

In a large kitchen, extra depth or high ceilings give you an opportunity for additional storage and functionality. Non-standard cabinet heights and depths can bring value to your renovation and re-sale value. Multiple corners, awkward niches, and unusual footprints can be tough to outfit. Stock and pre-fab cabinets in standard sizes may force you to spend money on filler materials, wasted space, and labor for semi-custom adjustments.

“If you have a kitchen with corners or small spaces or an awkward layout, you may not actually save money on the total because you end up paying for filler materials and extra work to pull everything together.” – Sweeten contractors

Custom cabinets in Eric’s kitchen designed and built by his Sweeten contractor.

Custom cabinets might be worth extra money if you plan to stay for years, have kids or a high-traffic kitchen, or want personalized support.

Semi-custom and custom cabinets offer higher quality materials in sturdier thicknesses that last longer. Particle board and MDF, two common materials for stock cabinets, are susceptible to water and have a shorter life span than plywood and wood. 1/2” particle board will not last as long as 3/4” or 1” furniture-grade plywood cabinet bases, and solid wood doors and drawers will endure tougher handling over the years.

Custom cabinets also typically use sturdier construction and joinery methods. Custom cabinetmakers will often use dovetail joints that interlock pieces of wood to distribute weight and stress more evenly, whereas stock nut, bolt, and nail methods isolate wear on a few points. They also offer options for tougher hardware elements like hinges and drawer sliders. In addition, custom cabinet makers generally provide a higher level of design support and customer assistance. They will do site visits, re-designs, and get a real person on the phone with you when you need it.

You might be absolutely fine to handle the ordering and delivery of a stock system, but if you hit a roadblock, custom cabinet companies expect to support you and respond personally.

“Once you order the IKEA materials and you pay for assembly and installation, you’re not far off from a custom option that would last longer and provide more options – for a few extra thousand dollars, you may actually get a much better deal. Each time you take one of these steps up in material quality and thickness, you have a corresponding price and life span increase.” – Sweeten Expert Alan

IKEA cabinets with custom doors by Semihandmade in Becky and Sarah’s kitchen.

Cost aside, pre-fabricated cabinets might work best for you if your renovation timeline is speedy or you feel overwhelmed by choice.

Custom cabinets have lengthier lead times. If you’re gearing up for a renovation in the next two months, you can get your hands on pre-fab cabinets in-store on a same-day basis, or delivered within two or three weeks. And, a perceived weakness of pre-fabricated cabinets is actually a real strength: for many homeowners, unlimited choice is not necessarily desirable. Many homeowners go with custom cabinets because they think they want options and then end up feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed. Pre-fabricated cabinets offer a pick-and-choose experience that requires less homework and decision fatigue.

“Many clients ask us what styles we offer and it can be hard to explain that it can be anything they imagine. Shops like ours provide personalized design as part of the overall service to build features for individual clients.” – Sweeten Experts Paulina and Albert

Still having trouble deciding? Go for a hybrid!

Combining a pre-fab kitchen with custom pieces can lower your cost without compromising on quality.

“Combining a pre-fab kitchen with custom pieces allows for lower cost and uniqueness. Companies like Semihandmade and Kokeena make door and drawer faces for stock cabinets so you’re not limited to IKEA’s palette. In addition, there are endless options for shelving, countertops, and cabinet pulls allowing for individuality while using inexpensive pre-fab cabinets.” – Sweeten Experts Lauren and Adam

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Learn about the costs involved in your kitchen remodel and try the budget estimator tool in our post Budget Basics: Kitchen Renovation Costs.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

How to customize kitchen cabinets

The most common ways to customize kitchen cabinets include changing out the knobs and drawer pulls, repainting or restaining the cabinets, and replacing the cabinet door with a different style of panel, like Shaker, glass, or flat-front. For more modern kitchens, a matte-finish knob or pull is an easy way to customize cabinets. Repainting with a calming neutral or a bold jewel tone can refresh a kitchen without requiring demolition.

The post The Surprising Truth About IKEA vs. Custom Cabinets appeared first on Sweeten.