Magnify a space on a tight budget

You have started renovations, but rising prices force you to make choices? Seta Marachlian, designer of high-end properties, and Geneviève Simard, stylist specializing in customizing condos, offer their advice on creating a luxurious design without blowing your budget.

The kitchen in the foreground

Heart of the house, the kitchen remains the space to renovate in priority; on the one hand to maximize day-to-day comfort and on the other hand because it is a safe and recoverable investment in the event of resale. It is better to restore or renew cabinets, counters, plumbing and flooring and not change appliances if they work well, because they represent a big budget.

The cabinets

If the layout of the space suits you, the cabinets are in good condition but outdated, a resurfacing will give them a new look through color. It is best to hire a professional to ensure a flawless job.

The good tip: use the same shade of paint to refresh the walls and the moldings to create a uniform whole and a feeling of grandeur.

If the doors and drawer fronts are damaged but the cabinets are in good condition, only change the fronts.

Finally, if you need to replace all of the kitchen cabinets, you can select melamine interior shelves and drawers, as it is an affordable and easy-to-maintain material, but opt ​​for a maple finish for a luxurious look.

The counter and the backsplash

More affordable than granite while being made with natural stone, quartz and quartzite come in many colors and textures, notably imitating marble. White always remains elegant and also has the advantage of brightening up the space. Choose the coordinating backsplash, even if it’s a big investment, because it will add a lot of chic to the room. To compensate, you can select door handles at low prices.

Create an accent wall

A partition dressed in wallpaper, a mural or painted black gives presence to an interior. From the entrance to the bathroom, through the stairwell and the bedroom, it’s a great way to transform an ordinary decor. You just have to stay consistent in the choice of colors and patterns to keep a common thread from one room to another.

golden touches

The gold or golden brass finish infuses a rich, joyful and warm ambiance. Declined in these tones, the kitchen and bathroom cabinet handles embellish the room in the blink of an eye. You can choose a beautiful object or golden fixtures, but be careful not to overdo it, because this finish should just enhance the decor.

A walk-in shower

Even if it means redoing the bathroom, opt for a walk-in shower, the cost of which is no higher than a model with a tray. Large tiles generate a sleek and elegant look.

be bold

Your favorites reflect your personality, so they will fit naturally and elegantly into your decor. Witness this portrait of Roger Moore, an actor of undeniable elegance.

Inviting curves

A few pieces of furniture and curvaceous objects bring a lot of softness, especially in recent condos that are generally impersonal. The addition of rounded furniture makes circulation more fluid and breaks up the often rectilinear volumes.

Bespoke window dressing

Geneviève Simard stresses the importance of tailoring window coverings, because they fit impeccably and their cost price is not excessive. “You just have to find the right fabric and get advice; it makes a big difference. »

Outsmart construction problems

Drop ceilings, wall recesses and columns abound in condos. Very architectural wooden slats can fill in these unsightly elements without touching the structure, as can wallpaper. It’s an interesting way to enhance the space inexpensively and forget about small flaws.

Uniform illumination

Downlights provide discreet general lighting. Be sure to use identical lights throughout, ideally 2700 Kelvin warm white to create an enveloping ambiance.

A wooden floor

Timeless, a wood floor brings nobility to the house, including in the kitchen, where it adds a warm touch. You can make big savings by keeping your old parquet, because even if it needs to be sanded and treated to be refurbished, it will remain beautiful for a long time and its renovation will cost you much less than a total repair.

Valuing beautiful objects and memories

On the decorative side, do not clutter your spaces. Prioritize a few beautiful objects, memories that you can collect on a shelf and beautiful books.

Anticipate and consult a pro

It is essential to establish a budget before undertaking the work and not to look for the different products at the last moment. “By shopping in advance, you will undoubtedly have the opportunity to find bargains,” notes designer Seta Marachlian. She also suggests commissioning an interior designer to verify the choices. “A consultation of one or two hours can be really effective in giving ideas and avoiding mistakes. »