How to Save $20,000 on a Custom Kitchen Renovation

Andrew had managed to give his dated home a DIY makeover, but when it came to the kitchen, his skills (and budget) fell short. His dated kitchen needed an open concept layout, custom cabinetry, new flooring and bigger and better appliances, all ringing in at $65,000 ($20,000 over his budget!). Enter Sebastian Clovis and Sabrina Smelko of Save My Reno. Here’s how the duo took inspiration from Andrew’s style and turned his kitchen into an open concept, entertainer’s dream, all for $45,000.

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Before: Vintage and Tight

Andrew’s bachelor pad kitchen didn’t exactly flow with the rest of his space. Between the terrible backsplash, dated floors and ill-conceived layout, it was an island of a room that didn’t even begin to match the rest of the home’s decor.

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After: A Pop of Colour

Sabrina was able to get custom cabinets at a whopping $10,000 off by going for a set that was used as floor models. Sure, they weren’t exactly Andrew’s ideal colour, but that was nothing a little blue paint couldn’t fix. Meanwhile inexpensive backsplash and some recycled appliances really helped save even more money in the long run.

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After: An Open Concept Space

Andrew wanted the kitchen to flow into the rest of his bachelor pad, so Sebastian knocked down those walls and left a support beam in place instead. Now the area is structurally sound, but didn’t cost thousands of extras in ceiling supports.

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After: An Entertainer’s Dream

Not only is Andrew’s new sink modern and large (large enough for all of those extra dishes) but Sabrina and Sebastian were also able to give him a small bar area in the dining room. And let’s be honest: what bachelor pad is complete without one?

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After: A Breakfast Bar

Sabrina wanted to create extra space for Andrew and his entertaining needs, so she and Sebastian divvied up the kitchen and dining spaces with a functional breakfast bar. Inexpensive stools add extra seating while the countertops offer loads of extra prep space.

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After: Expanded Dining

Before, the sad little table in the old kitchen sat only one person. Now, thanks to a repurposed area Sabrina and Sebastian were able to give Andrew a whole dining room: perfect for entertaining friends and family members alike.

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After: A DIY Wall

Andrew’s sister Courtney lent her hand to the renovation by helping Sabrina to create this ship wheel from an old chair. It’s a fun homage to Andrew’s childhood at hundreds of dollars less than what they would have spent to put a decor wall like this together had they simply purchased it.

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After: Some Personal Touches

Sabrina proved that staging a space doesn’t have to be expensive either; some fresh flowers and inexpensive fruit in a bowl can always made an area feel loved and lived in, while fresh bread or buns always adds that homely touch–and smell!

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After: Modern Space

Andrew had the rest of his home pretty much under control with some modern updates, which meant that Sabrina had tons of inspiration to draw from. One such design element was industrial piping, which she incorporated with these fun lights.

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After: A Unique Chandelier

We love this chandelier, which is the perfect mix of rustic and industrial modern thanks to the log structure and wrapped lights. That, coupled with the barn-board posts are the perfect finishing touches to the space. Now the kitchen flows into the rest of the house, and makes for a memorable bachelor pad indeed.