The Smartest Way to Spend Your Remodel Budget
Every kitchen and bathroom remodel involves dozens of decisions about where your money goes. The difference between a renovation that feels luxurious and one that looks like a missed opportunity often comes down to strategic spending rather than overall budget size. After years of remodeling kitchens and bathrooms across Chicago, from South Loop condos to Lincoln Park greystones, we have seen what delivers lasting value and what wastes money.
The principle is simple: splurge on the things you touch, see, and use every single day. Save on the things that deliver the same visual impact or function at a lower price point. A well-planned $50,000 kitchen that allocates budget strategically can look and function better than a $70,000 kitchen where money was spread evenly without a plan. Here is exactly where to put your dollars and where to hold back.
Where to Splurge in a Kitchen Remodel
These are the areas where spending more delivers a noticeable difference in how your kitchen looks, functions, and holds up over years of daily use.
Cabinetry Construction and Quality
Cabinets are the single largest investment in a kitchen remodel, typically representing 35 to 40 percent of the total budget. This is one area where quality genuinely matters. Well-constructed semi-custom or custom cabinets with solid wood frames, dovetail drawer joints, soft-close hinges, and durable finishes will last 20 to 30 years with minimal maintenance. Budget cabinets made from particleboard with laminate surfaces look similar at first glance but begin to show wear within a few years, especially in Chicago kitchens where humidity fluctuations between our hot summers and dry winters stress inferior materials.
You do not necessarily need the most expensive cabinet line available. What matters is solid construction, quality hardware, and functional features like pull-out shelving, soft-close drawers, and well-designed interiors. In Chicago condos where kitchen space is limited, investing in cabinets with smart storage solutions like pull-out pantries, deep drawer organizers, and corner cabinet lazy susans makes a significant difference in daily function.
Countertops
Countertops are one of the first things you notice in a kitchen and one of the most heavily used surfaces in your home. This is a place to invest. Quartz countertops ranging from $50 to $120 per square foot installed are the most popular choice in Chicago kitchen remodels for good reason. They are durable, low maintenance, and available in a wide range of colors and patterns. Quartzite and marble cost more but deliver a natural stone character that many homeowners find worth the premium.
A quality countertop elevates the entire kitchen visually. It also adds measurable resale value. Buyers in Chicago neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, West Loop, and Lakeview expect stone or quartz countertops as a baseline in updated kitchens. Laminate countertops, no matter how well they mimic stone, read as a budget choice to informed buyers and can limit your return on investment.
Plumbing Fixtures and Faucets
Your kitchen faucet gets used dozens of times every day. A high-quality faucet with solid brass construction, a smooth pull-down sprayer, and a durable finish will perform flawlessly for a decade or more. Budget faucets made from zinc alloy or plastic components tend to drip, stiffen, and corrode within a few years, leading to replacement costs and frustration.
The price difference between a quality faucet and a budget one is often only $150 to $300. Relative to your total kitchen budget, this is a small investment that delivers daily satisfaction and avoids the hassle of premature replacement. Brands known for quality construction and strong warranties are worth the modest premium.
Task Lighting
Proper lighting transforms how a kitchen looks and how well it functions. Investing in a layered lighting plan with under-cabinet LEDs for task lighting, recessed ceiling fixtures for ambient illumination, and pendant lights over islands or dining areas is one of the highest-impact upgrades you can make. Good lighting makes countertops look better, cooking safer, and the overall space more inviting.
This does not mean you need to buy the most expensive fixtures. It means investing in the right plan and placement. Dimmer switches on all circuits allow you to adjust lighting for different times of day and activities, which adds both function and ambiance at minimal additional cost.
Where to Save in a Kitchen Remodel
These are the areas where you can reduce spending without sacrificing quality or visual impact.
Cabinet Hardware
Beautiful cabinet knobs and pulls are available at every price point. You can find clean, stylish hardware in brushed brass, matte black, or satin nickel for $3 to $8 per piece that looks nearly identical to designer options costing $15 to $30 each. Over 30 to 50 knobs and pulls in a full kitchen, that difference adds up to $500 or more that can be redirected elsewhere. Hardware is also one of the easiest things to swap out later if your taste changes.
Backsplash Tile
A striking backsplash does not require expensive tile. Classic white subway tile installed in a herringbone or stacked pattern creates a timeless look for $3 to $8 per square foot. Porcelain tiles that convincingly replicate the look of marble, zellige, or natural stone are available at a fraction of the cost of the real material. Because the backsplash is a vertical surface that does not endure the same wear as countertops or flooring, using a more affordable tile here makes practical sense.
If you want a premium look on a moderate budget, consider using one row of decorative accent tile within a field of less expensive subway or large-format tile. This creates visual interest and a custom feel without the cost of tiling the entire backsplash in a premium material.
Appliances That Are Not Your Workhorse
Not every appliance deserves a premium price tag. Your range or cooktop and your dishwasher are worth investing in because you use them heavily and quality directly affects performance. But your microwave and basic refrigerator do not need to be professional-grade to serve you well. A reliable mid-range refrigerator from a reputable brand will keep food cold just as effectively as a model costing three times as much. Allocate your appliance budget toward the items you interact with most.
Flooring
Luxury vinyl plank flooring has improved dramatically in recent years and offers a waterproof, durable, and attractive option for Chicago kitchens at $3 to $7 per square foot installed. It resists the moisture and temperature changes common in Chicago homes and comes in wood-look patterns that are difficult to distinguish from real hardwood without close inspection. Porcelain tile in wood-look or stone-look patterns is another cost-effective option that delivers high style at a moderate price point. Save the real hardwood or premium natural stone for spaces where it makes a bigger visual statement.
Where to Splurge in a Bathroom Remodel
Bathrooms are smaller spaces where strategic splurges make an even bigger impact per square foot.
Shower and Tub Installation
The shower or tub area is the centerpiece of any bathroom remodel. This is where proper waterproofing, quality tile installation, and well-constructed fixtures matter most. Skimping on waterproofing behind shower tile can lead to mold, structural damage, and costly repairs down the road. Investing in a properly waterproofed shower with quality tile, solid fixtures, and correct drainage is the single most important splurge in a bathroom remodel.
In Chicago's older condos and buildings, this is especially critical. Moisture problems in a high-rise unit can affect your neighbors below. Experienced contractors who understand the waterproofing requirements for Chicago buildings protect both your investment and your relationships with your neighbors and condo association.
Vanity and Countertop
The vanity is both a functional workhorse and the visual anchor of your bathroom. A well-built vanity with solid wood construction, quality drawer hardware, and a stone countertop elevates the entire space. Look for vanities with smart storage solutions like drawers sized for bathroom essentials, integrated electrical outlets, and soft-close hardware. Quartz and granite countertops are durable, moisture-resistant, and signal quality to anyone who steps into the bathroom.
Fixtures and Faucets
Just like in the kitchen, bathroom faucets and showerheads are items you interact with every single day. Solid brass construction, ceramic disc valves, and quality finishes mean your fixtures operate smoothly and look great for years. Budget fixtures with plastic components corrode quickly in the humid bathroom environment, especially given Chicago's hard water. The modest premium for quality fixtures pays for itself in longevity and daily satisfaction.
Where to Save in a Bathroom Remodel
Strategic savings in the bathroom allow you to redirect budget toward the areas that matter most.
Toilet
A clean, functional, water-efficient toilet does not need to be expensive. Standard comfort-height toilets from reputable brands like Kohler or American Standard perform excellently and cost a fraction of high-end designer models. Dual-flush water-saving models are worth the small premium for utility bill savings, but beyond that, a toilet is a practical fixture where brand prestige adds little real value.
Wall Tile Above the Splash Zone
Full-height luxury tile in areas that never get wet is a cost you can often reduce. Consider tiling the wet areas of your bathroom, including the shower enclosure and the area directly above the vanity, with your preferred tile, and using a quality paint or a less expensive tile for the remaining walls. This approach can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars while maintaining a polished, cohesive look.
Accessories and Mirrors
Towel bars, toilet paper holders, robe hooks, and mirrors are areas where affordable options look just as good as premium ones. Simple, clean-lined accessories in a consistent finish pull a bathroom together without the cost of designer brands. Frameless mirrors or simply framed options deliver a modern look at a fraction of what custom mirror work costs.
Bathroom Flooring
Porcelain or ceramic tile is the practical and affordable standard for bathroom floors. You can achieve beautiful results with tiles in the $5 to $12 per square foot range that replicate the look of marble, slate, or natural stone. Because bathroom floors are relatively small in square footage, even modest per-square-foot savings add up. Save the premium tile budget for the shower walls where it makes the biggest visual statement.
The Bigger Picture: Budget Strategy That Works
The best remodels are not necessarily the most expensive ones. They are the ones where every dollar is working toward either lasting quality or strong visual impact. When you splurge on the things that affect your daily experience, like cabinetry you open 20 times a day, countertops you prep food on every evening, and faucets you use dozens of times daily, you feel the investment every time you walk into the room.
When you save strategically on items where a more affordable option delivers 90 percent of the same look and function, you free up budget for the areas that truly matter. That balance is what transforms a good remodel into one that feels considered, intentional, and worth every dollar. If you are planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel in Chicago and want help prioritizing your budget, we are always happy to walk through the options with you during a consultation.
