Photography courtesy of Denash Photography
In the Kitchen
Kitchens and baths are big business—to the tune of $130 billion spent on remodeling projects last year, according to data by the U.S. Census Bureau. While homeowners, armed with shelter magazines and sites like Pinterest.com and Houzz.com, may be savvier now, the return on investment remains the driving force. So when working with a budget—and everybody has some kind of budget—where are the best places to save, and when should you splurge?
Chris Berry of brooksBerry & Associates (751 Old Frontenac, 314-872-7720, brooksberry.com) says a new trend in kitchen design is also proving to be cost effective. Long rows of upper cabinets are being replaced with more spare spaces and just a few rows of open shelves. “There is more emphasis on livability,” she says.
“People don’t want to put cabinets everywhere, so it has allowed people to buy higher quality materials for the same budget. It’s more about quality and less about quantity.”
Simple classic cabinets also save on the bottom line. “The detail and specialty finishes can really start to add up in cabinetry pricing,” says Jenny Rausch of Karr Bick Kitchen + Bath (2715 Mercantile, 314-645-6545, karrbick.com). “Using a quality cabinet with simple details that are pulled together the right way makes a bigger impact.”
The construction of the cabinet can be another area to save on cost. “Not every cabinet needs to be constructed of plywood,” says Julie Baum of BaumHouse design (11 Vance, Valley Park, 636-225-9000, baumhousedesign.com). “Furniture-board construction with all-wood doors and frames are just as beautiful, and they save on cost.”
So where should you splurge? Berry says, “We’ve had a big run on people wanting to do that special statement appliance,” like a French range, a big commercial refrigerator, or a high-end wine fridge.
The workhorse of the kitchen, the countertops, is another spot to splurge. “It is one of the largest pieces in the kitchen, so be sure you know the maintenance of the material before you buy,” Baum says.
Chances are that material will not be granite. “Polished granite is going out of style, and textured stones are becoming far more popular,” says Berry.
In the Bath
Bathrooms are also becoming more streamlined and simple in their design, leaving more room to save on cost. “Work with things where they are, and put more emphasis on the quality of the items you are putting in,” Berry says. Forgoing the large bathtub is another way to save. “There is a big emphasis on showers,” Berry says. “We are doing a lot of baths that don’t even have a tub.”
Baum recommends splurging on the details to get that aah-spa feel. “A great shower with a seat and beautiful plumbing fixtures are places to spend,” she says. Another place to invest in a bathroom is on the lighting. “Don’t save on task lighting,” warns Baum.
Or on the finishing touches: “I love to use beautiful hardware and backsplash tile,” Rausch says. “They go a very long way to make a bath special.”
