The average cost of remodelling a small kitchen can vary quite a bit, depending on your location, kitchen size, materials, and whether you hire out the labor or DIY. With a lot of planning, you can upgrade your kitchen easily. We'll break down everything you need to know, and we'll answer the biggest question: How much does it cost to remodel a small kitchen?

Checklist for Remodelling a Small Kitchen

Before you start pulling out your hammer, there are a few things you'll want to do.Think about the layout of your current kitchen, set your budget, choose your fixtures, and decide which projects require a professional. We recommend that you start with a physical mood board, as it will allow you to see all your ideas and thoughts come together. It is easier to visualize your plan and keep your remodel organized with a physical board.

Finally, make a list of what services or contractors you need to hire. Be sure to get quotes from a variety of sources, or ask friends and family for recommendations. If you can work with your current kitchen layout, you may not need to hire professionals.
This list may include:

• Painter
• Plumber
• Tile installer
• Fabricator for countertops/backsplash

What This Kitchen Remodel Cost

Our sample house is located in a small town in Tennessee. The kitchen is quite small and approximately 100 square feet. Much of the labor was done by the homeowners, which certainly helped maximize the budget. The total cost of this kitchen remodel, including any labor that was hired out, was approximately $11,025.
Below is the breakdown:

• Cabinetry/Hardware: $3,650
• Appliances: $3,300
• Granite Countertop, Sink & Backsplash: $2,850
• Lighting/Electrical: $475
• Paint/Contractors: $750

Tips to Save Money

Set Your Budget & Plan Ahead

One of the best ways to prepare for such a project is by setting a budget and planning ahead. Planning ahead, even months before the beginning of the project, will give you breathing room to budget and gather all your materials before you begin. A budget helps you set realistic expectations, separate your needs from your wants, and ultimately determine where your money will be best spent. On average, remodelling a small kitchen costs $3,000 – $50,000. The total expense varies depending on the size of your space, quality of materials, and whether you change the layout of the space.
Likewise, labor costs account for approximately one-third of kitchen remodel costs. If you have the time, tools, and knowledge, tackling some of the projects yourself certainly helps stretch the budget further.

Choose Your Materials Carefully

Remodeling your small kitchen and making it luxurious on a budget is definitely a possibility. Start by finding affordable options that look luxurious while optimizing your small space. Selecting products that look more expensive than they actually are and choosing unique items that also suit your small space are great ways to achieve this.

One of the biggest kitchen remodeling costs is the cabinetry. The most cost-effective option is to resurface existing cabinets and update the hardware. If, however, new cabinets are a must, consider alternatives that are already fabricated or ready to assemble. Likewise, stone countertops don’t have to break the bank either. These homeowners used Luna Pearl granite. What’s special about this particular granite is that it has pearlescent accents that add a luxurious look without the luxurious price tag.

To minimize the cost of new countertops even further, consider buying a remnant piece from a supply yard. This approach is especially ideal for small kitchens with limited countertop space, since it doesn’t require the use of full slabs.

Layout Considerations

Evaluate your current layout: What works? What lacks functionality? Consider how you use the kitchen, visualize the traffic flow, and eliminate any unnecessary steps while maximizing convenience. The most cost-effective layout option is the one you already have, because the labor needed to change the location of appliances can be quite costly. However, if the existing layout lacks functionality as it did for these homeowners, you have the option of reconfiguring the layout while staying within the existing kitchen footprint.
Maximize vertical space by eliminating the gap that is typically found above upper cabinets in older kitchens. Opt for built-in pantry cabinets for extra storage. Doing so will elongate the room, tricking your eyes to think it’s bigger than it really is.

Appliance Haul

Similarly, keep an eye on the kitchen appliances you need and buy them on sale. If you're looking to add a new refrigerator, dishwasher, and stove during your kitchen remodel, you just might see them go on sale at the perfect time!
Another idea to consider: open shelving. Upper cabinets tend to add a lot of heft to a small kitchen. Eliminating some or all of the upper cabinets makes a small kitchen feel much bigger. Not only does open shelving create visual interest, it also saves money.

Oksana Strelkova is a passionate blogger who writes about intentional living and design. She has been featured on Domino.com, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, and many others. A wife and mother of two darling girls, when not designing or blogging, she’s usually redecorating their home or daydreaming of their next trip abroad (she and her husband have visited nearly 30 countries together). Follow Oksana's latest house flip on FOXYOXIE.com and Instagram.