Average Kitchen Remodel Costs in New Jersey in 2023

What is The Average Cost of a Kitchen Remodel in New Jersey?

The average cost of a kitchen remodel in New Jersey ultimately depends on the size of your kitchen (square footage), scope of the changes, and whether or not you choose to hire professionals or complete it as a DIY project. 

Here are the costs organized by the scope of average kitchen remodeling projects:

• Minor Kitchen Remodel: A homeowner’s goal in a minor kitchen remodel is simply to give their kitchen a refresh. This might include updating kitchen cabinets, painting walls, scouring or repairing a tile backsplash, and replacing a few appliances with energy-efficient models. The homeowner will likely make decisions that follow a light design theme, but price will weigh more heavily on decisions than commitment to a theme. According to Home Advisor, the average cost of a minor kitchen remodel in New Jersey is $13,648. The average price was $13,498 in 2022.
  
  
• Major Kitchen Remodel: In a major kitchen remodel, homeowners want their kitchen to evoke a completely different feeling than their previous kitchen did. They will likely make choices that pursue specific themes, such as a beach house theme. This major remodel estimate includes mid-range updates like custom cabinets, new countertops, lighting that requires professional rewiring, flooring installation, and a fresh coat of paint on the walls. The 2023 average cost in New Jersey is $25,647, which is a few hundred dollars more than the average cost in 2022 of $25,409.
  
  
• Complete Kitchen Overhaul: Kitchen overhaul remodels go beyond changes that follow a theme. Homeowners who complete an overhaul have likely made changes to the blueprint of their home, requiring the hire of plumbing, construction, HVAC, and electrical contractors. Non-load bearing walls may have been demolished, or a large kitchen island equipped with a major appliance might have been added. The new lighting, custom cabinets, or countertops installed are state-of-the-art, and their placement was probably suggested by a design professional. (Note: Due to the variety of customizations a homeowner can pursue at this level, average costs are listed as ranges.*) The average cost in New Jersey is $37,647 to $60,000 in 2023. Last year’s average was $37,505 to $60,000.

*Check out Sweeten's renovation cost guide if you want to learn more about the costs of customizations for a complete kitchen overhaul in New Jersey that includes general contracting services.

How to Upgrade Your Kitchen Without a Full Remodel

If you don’t have room in your budget to cover kitchen remodeling costs, don’t worry! Here are a few upgrade ideas that will reduce your costs without cutting corners.

Cabinet Refinishing

Some experts estimate that replacing cabinets can take up at least 25% of a kitchen remodeling budget. Instead of replacing or refacing your kitchen cabinets, you can save money by refinishing them. 

Refinishing is the process of chemically stripping the old color or stain from your cabinets, making small repairs as needed, and painting your kitchen cabinets with the new stain or color of your choice.

Replace the Countertops, Sink, Refrigerator, or Cabinet Hardware

Depending on what you choose, replacing a fixture, appliance, or hardware piece can change the look of your kitchen.

If you’re replacing an appliance with an energy-efficient model, you also have the potential to save significantly on your utility bills.

Add or Replace Lighting

Many houses are built with overhead kitchen lighting that doesn’t fit the homeowner’s preferred aesthetic.

Consider changing the overhead light or adding fixtures to your kitchen with tones that compliment the flooring, countertop, and cabinet color.

Transform a Kitchen Desk into a Coffee Bar

Kitchen desks once might have been used to write out grocery lists, keep track of recipes, or pay bills, but now they tend to collect clutter and take up a lot of room. You can give your kitchen a whole new look on a budget by cleaning up the space and turning it into a coffee bar.

If your kitchen desk has an outlet, arrange your coffee maker, supplies, and favorite mugs on the counter. You can store extra supplies in the desk drawers and place a few trinkets or photos that match the theme or mood of your kitchen.

We wrote an entire post about repurposing your kitchen desk here.

Have All Tile in Your Kitchen Professionally Cleaned

Some tile cleaning agents might not help clear away all the dirt and grime that builds up in tile grout. Getting your tile backsplash or flooring cleaned by a profession can brighten up your kitchen significantly.

If you want to make the space even brighter without spending a lot of money, consider adding cabinet lighting, as mentioned above. 

Hang a Few Pieces of Artwork

No matter what style of kitchen you have, the right piece of art can add elegance and charm to any room. If your kitchen is more traditional, consider hanging posters or paintings with brushstrokes.

For more modern or contemporary kitchens, look for pop art, collages with natural elements, or geometric shapes that match your kitchen’s color scheme.

Add a Kitchen Rug or Upholstered Furniture Pieces

Rugs and upholstered furniture immediately make a room feel warmer and cozier. Find an interesting rug or seat cushions that you can install without a lot of hassle.

If you have the space, place a cushioned chair or bench where family and friends can sit comfortably after a meal to chat or play games. 

Cover Clutter or Old Appliances with a Fresh Linen Curtain

With a simple linen curtain and a dowel rod, you can hide open shelves that contain everyday cooking supplies or clutter. Putting a curtain below eye level can soften the look of your cabinets, especially if they are painted or stained a darker color.

You can also hang a fresh linen curtain in front of appliances, like an older dishwasher, that you don’t want to replace yet. Then, pull back the curtain while the appliance is running and replace it when it’s not in use. 

Invest in a Pan Rack to Display Cookware as Décor 

If your kitchen has a homey feel and you have room on the wall, buy a few new pots and pans in this year’s most popular finishes (warm finishes like copper and gold are in).

Then, hang them on a pan rack. Whether you use them or not, they’ll help create the feeling that your kitchen is a place where friends and family are always welcome.

Make Quality-of-Life Improvements No One Else Will See 

One reason why kitchen designs start to look cluttered is that they take much work to maintain. For example, open shelves are beautiful, but they require extra cleaning time to keep away dust and clutter. 

You can give a tired kitchen new life by making it easier to use. For example, you could install easy-to-maintain pantry organization tools and expandable cookware organizers.

No one else will notice these changes, but you might start to see your kitchen design in a different light.

Save Money on Your Kitchen Remodel with Oceanside Painting & Refinishing

If you’re a homeowner looking to create your dream kitchen without breaking the bank, the team at Oceanside Painting & Refinishing can help. 

We specialize in one of the most cost-effective kitchen remodeling options available: cabinet refinishing. When you call us, we’ll listen to your vision and goals, answer your questions, and offer painting and refinishing services that meet your needs and your budget. 

Call Oceanside Painting & Refinishing today at 732-818-0092 or fill out the quick form below for a free estimate!