What has the price increased
Evgeny Koblov, the leading architect and managing partner of the A + A architectural firm, explains to socialbites.ca that the prices for materials and products needed to renovate the kitchen are rising, but mostly within the limits of annual inflation.
“[За границей] we mainly buy finishing materials: tiles, parquet and paints. Only the armature prices of the products purchased from abroad increased. But even last year – 60%. The price of everything else went up 12-15%, as every year due to inflation,” says the architect.
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However, the equipment – faucets, lamps, etc. – The increase in prices is already quite significant. The same goes for household appliances. “For example, refrigerators have doubled in price,” says the architect.
How to save
Experts say that it is still possible to equip the kitchen on a budget. In their view, Western building materials are being replaced by domestic and Chinese materials. Alternative materials for coarse and fine finishing are offered on the Russian market.
According to Yevgeny Koblov, for the sake of economy, when designing a kitchen it is worth focusing only on the minimum set: stove, sink, faucet and refrigerator. The facade of the kitchen should be selected from available materials, and the countertop and apron should be made of artificial stone.
“The most expensive thing in a kitchen set is the facades. They are intricately painted in a special way, have carved details or some kind of design,” says the architect.
The architect explains that the prices for MDF kitchens have increased the most – the cost of the material itself has increased. But headphones made of laminated chipboard (this is ordinary chipboard covered with a special film) have grown the least in price. “Such kitchens do not last long, but they are also inexpensive,” explains the expert. Yevgeny Koblov does not recommend choosing kitchens made of solid wood.
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Interior artist and designer Marina Putilovskaya adds that it is better to look for sets from large sellers. “Kitchen furniture in large chain stores will cost much less. If you want to save money, it is better to take products of standard sizes, ”says the expert.
According to him, you can significantly save not on kitchen furniture, but on floor and ceiling materials. “The most popular material for the floor in the kitchen is linoleum, which is perfectly washed, easy to fit on its own. Thanks to this, you can save on installation and do not require additional costs for underfloor heating, ”says the expert.
As for the ceiling, here it is worth giving preference to tension structures. On average, their cost is 350 rubles per square meter. Stretch ceiling is an affordable option for apartments in panel houses. Installation will only take one day.
Budget decoration
When decorating a house on a budget, it’s worth taking a closer look at the decor items. They can hide the flaws remaining after the repair and add stylish accents.
“It will help update textiles, towels, table linens, flower pots, storage systems, cutlery and crockery. Of course, we should not forget about the general decor in the form of vases for fresh flowers or aroma diffusers that will fill the kitchen with your favorite aroma. In the stores, all collections are updated once a month, so you can find the necessary products at the lowest price, in good quality and in affordable style,” says Maxim Kiryanov, Director of Marketing and Communications of the Modi brand.
Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.