Gordon is one of many designers who've recently maintained, installed, or simply noticed a trend in their kitchens, incorporating finishes that are typically considered lower quality into their kitchens. When you're on a budget, simple, basic materials look more luxurious than fancy, cheap options, yet are more durable and long-lasting. “Since labor costs are generally fixed, you can save money by opting for more affordable materials,” says Houston-based designer Mary Patton.
Here, designers share some budget-friendly materials that can make all the difference when used right.
Laminate Countertops and Cabinets
Laminate countertops may conjure up images of the orange and avocado-green prep spaces of The Brady Bunch, but the latest models are a departure from that image. “Formica just launched their new collection for 2024, Living Impressions,” says Hannah Goldberg of Washington, DC-based Hannah Charlotte Interiors. “They've really upped the ante on the beautiful images they can print on laminate, and they've just launched a whole collection of edge profiles.” Stone-imitating options include Fractured Marble, Prosecco Quartzite, and Hazelnut Travertine.
With its laminate, Formica also solved a long-standing aesthetic problem: “Before, you always had those square beveled corners with little brown edges made from laminated brown paper, and now you don't have that at all,” says Goldberg. Designers also appreciated that it's an antimicrobial surface, noting that “it's been used in doctors' offices for a long time.”
Jennifer Gilmer of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath in Chevy Chase, Maryland, has used this new generation of laminate for some of her client projects, and notes that laminate cabinets can cost 10 to 15 percent less than real wood veneers. “It's much higher quality than traditional laminates,” she wrote in an email. “Because high-pressure laminates use many layers in their manufacture, they can create a texture that mimics the feel of real wood.” While it's not more durable than stone for countertops, she adds, it's more durable for vertical surfaces such as cabinet fronts. “It's very impact resistant and stain resistant.”
This cool panel can be used for more than just chair rails. “You can always use beadboard as a backsplash,” says Gordon. “It can be painted, sealed with a semi-gloss or gloss finish, or stained. It's a timeless, classic look that works well with any kitchen style.” Bonus: It adds both texture and architectural lines. Home Depot currently has MDF beadboard on sale for $27.98 for an 8-by-4-foot panel, or just 87 cents per square foot.
Jean Barber of Camden Grace Interiors, a West Hartford, Connecticut, firm, likes Silgranit sinks. They're not cheap, starting at $500, but Barber claims they're one of the best bargains because they're so durable. Regular porcelain sinks are about the same price, but unlike Silgranit, they risk chipping and discoloring.
“I love introducing these sinks to my clients,” Barber writes via email. “The Blanco Silgranit Sink is a dream product: it won't stain or scratch, and it's affordable.” Barber loves that the granite composite surface is non-porous (which makes it less likely to scratch or stain, and more hygienic) and leaves no marks, even when you place a hot pan on it. “I have a farmhouse-style sink in my kitchen and chose the anthracite color to match my soapstone-like countertops,” she says. “There are zero drawbacks.”
If you're interested in premium stone slabs such as Calacatta marble imported from Italy, engineered quartz countertops can offer many of the same benefits at a lower cost (i.e. made primarily from stone). “Quartz has been around for a long time, and it's still the best value solid-surface countertop that's closest to real stone,” says Gilmer.
That said, designers have some suggestions for making the most of the look. Tami Ramsay, a designer with Cross + Kind, which has offices in Athens, Georgia, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, avoids surfaces that mimic real stone, such as veined marble. “I really don't recommend it,” Ramsay says, because she finds veining difficult to replicate realistically. “The secret to making something that you don't want to spend a lot of money on still look high-end is to stick with the simple stuff.”
Gilmer paneled the refrigerator and the surrounding cabinetry in a shiny metallic laminate that looks luxurious without being pricey. (Stainless steel wall panels can be purchased for $13.46 per square foot, while satin-finish laminate stainless steel sheet is $3 per square foot.) “I use laminate,” Gilmer says. [from Chemetal.com] “Some have a stainless steel look,” Gilmer says, “while brass and bronze are popular right now and are great for backsplashes.”
Ramsay especially recommends Wilsonart metallic laminates: “There are many different metal finishes we use for commercial countertops, and they are very durable and the surface is very easy to clean, even with harsh cleaners. The finish looks almost zinc-like.”
“I'm embarrassed to say it's been used so many times, but honestly, it's subway tile,” Ramsay said when asked about affordable alternatives for kitchen remodels. “Subway tile from Home Depot is like $1.27 per square foot, so it's incredibly affordable, and it's available in so many different patterns and colors.” Patton often looks for glass options. “A really great hack is subway tile that's clear glass with a white backing,” she says. “It adds another dimension.”
In her Decatur kitchen space, Gordon turned to a more affordable version of zellige for the backsplash. “I'm far from a chef, so it wasn't a space I wanted to splash out money on, but I wanted something that would last and look great,” Gordon says. “So I went for a super-cheap version that I jokingly call 'Weebbledy Wobbledy White Tile' from Floor & Decor.” Like handmade Moroccan zellige, it has an uneven, light-catching texture, but it's a fraction of the price, at 99 cents for a 3-by-12-inch piece. By comparison, genuine zellige from Zia Tile is $1.51 for a 2-by-6-inch piece. That can add up quickly.
Catherine O'Shea Evans is a design and travel writer living in Colorado.
