A few months ago, one of our pro interior design contributors Daniela Benloulou gave us the skinny on where to spend your money in a bathroom remodel. We thought her advice was so invaluable, we had to bring her back for more! That said, she’s back today to share part two of this concept—or in other words, where to spend your money in a kitchen remodel. The kitchen has been touted as “the heart of the home” and we couldn’t agree more. It’s where we spend much of our time on a daily basis, so it makes sense that it should be pretty stunning, right? But of course, pretty comes with a cost. So, to get the most out of your kitchen remodel, keep reading below and take Daniela’s tips and tricks to heart…

SPEND:

Backsplash. Since the backsplash is at eye level, it needs to sparkle (not literally, though some sparkle could be fabulous). A stunning ~$20+/sqft mosaic would really bring some personality into the space. Or continuing a veiny marble from countertop to backsplash. If, however, you prefer the look of timeless white subway tile (a huge money saver), make sure you have good under-cabinet lighting, as it’ll make that tile feel more like a showpiece.

SAVE:

Flooring. If you’re doing new tile (vs. hardwood throughout an open floor plan), it may be worth not pouring all your funds into flooring. That amazing cement tile gets trashed very quickly! Since kitchens are the heart of the home, put a durable material here. Keep your budget at $15/sqft max.

SPEND:

Faucet. Drop at least $500 on your faucet. Get a good one, since it’s like jewelry for the space. Also, you use it so much, you want it to feel solid. Make an extra effort to match your water filter, air gap, and other accessories to be the same brand and finish as the big faucet.

SAVE:

Countertop. Especially if you choose quartz. The off-brand quartzes are just as good as the Cambrias and Caesarstones, at a fraction of the price.

SPEND:

Decorative lighting. If you have a focal point line of pendants, or a stellar sconce situation, take the opportunity to install something amazing. Fabulous lighting will really bring a kitchen to life. Aim to spend at least $300 per fixture.

SAVE:

Cabinets, especially if you’re getting white shaker panel. If what you want is that ever-popular shaker panel, seen in both traditional and modern homes, it’s not worth spending money going custom. You can get solid wood pre-fabricated cabinets for about 30% or less than the price of custom cabinets. If you’re going for the stunning flat panel wood veneer look, you can get cabinet fronts especially made for Ikea cabinets. Custom cabinets are great, but so pricey.

SPEND:

Hardware. Knobs and pulls need to be extra special and high quality, especially to elevate your money-saving cabinets. Aim to spend at least $10 for a 6-inch pull.

SAVE:

Window treatments. If you have amazing linen Roman shades chosen for above the sink, abort the plan! Kitchen splatter will affect your windows. Get a moderately priced, easy to clean treatment, or at least a busy and colorful pattern that will mask splatter. :)

SPEND:

Sink. If you want that luxurious single basin and/or farmhouse sink, be prepared for the price tag! A good sized one, about 33” wide, will start around $700. White sinks are amazing, but definitely stash Ajax under the sink because it’ll stain!

TOSS UP, DEPENDING ON LIFESTYLE:

Appliances! Ok so many people “need” their $10K+ stovetops to cook food appropriately. Personally, I feel my food is delicious regardless of the brand of cooktop I use. I definitely feel that the super low-end appliances lack in aesthetic, so, for that reason alone, I’d spend at least $2K on a range. If you can integrate your dishwasher and refrigerator to look like cabinets (called “panel ready”), that’s the ultimate touch in making a kitchen seamless. This will cost more, so it’s all really up to you!

ALLOCATE SUFFICIENT TIME TO SOURCE:

Display accessories! Whether they are hand towels, cutting boards, fruit bowls, food canisters, or anything else, put thought into what you display. It should tie in with your new kitchen, and tell a story about your personality. Be consistent, and don’t skimp.

Do you agree with these tips? Are you going to use them for a kitchen refresh of your own?

We’ll take these tips and put them in our back pocket for safe keeping, thank you very much… Thank you again Daniela for sharing your insight and tricks of the trade with us!

Follow along with her work at her website and @danielabenloulou on Instagram.

Xx Team GM

Photos: Daniela Benloulou Interiors, GrayMalin.com