6 Simple Ways to Cut Costs on a Kitchen Remodel

Remodeling a kitchen can be a fun project, but the costs can quickly add up. The good news is that with some clever tricks kitchen remodels don't have to cost an arm and a leg. By make some simple substitutes and smarter choices with your materials you can still get the kitchen of your dreams but for a fraction of the price. Here are 20 easy ways to save on your kitchen remodeling project.

1. Use cheaper wood. Opt for building your cabinets out of MDF or inexpensive pine. With a coat of paint no one will know what kind of wood is underneath and it can save you a bundle.

2. Buy tiles at a salvage store. Check around in your area for a building salvage store. You can often find beautiful and unique tiles to build a custom backsplash for a fraction of the cost of buying new. Not only that, but many times your backsplash will be truly unique and one of a kind.

3. Convert old furniture into functional kitchen pieces. Take an old dresser, make some simple modifications and use it for storage or even as a unique kitchen island. Hit thrift stores and flea markets to look for furniture that could be used as counters, cabinets or storage. Paint, refinish or redesign the furniture to fit your space and your needs.

4. Make your own concrete countertops. Making concrete countertops doesn't take a lot of technical skill and homemade pieces can come out beautifully. Buy a DIY book with instructions and make your own to save loads of money over buying custom countertops.

5. Do a lot of the work yourself. You might surprise yourself with how handy you really are. Sign up for free classes at your local home improvement store and learn some new skills. Or, rent DIY videos and books from your local library or video store and study up on new techiniques. Doing thigns yourself can save you a ton of money on labor costs.

6. Consider just modifying your current cabinetry. Could you cut out the center panels from your cabinet doors and replace them with glass? Add new cabinet hardware? Keep your cabinet bases but buy new doors? If you can update the look of your cabinets without replacing them you can save thousands of dollars on your remodel.

As you can see there are plenty of ways to cut costs and save lots of money on remodeling your kitchen. You don't need a huge budget to make a huge change. Use your imagination and some elbow grease and before you know it you'll have the kitchen of your dreams.