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This is a question that I had prior to taking on our kitchen remodel. We were moving into a new house with a very dated kitchen and were planning on doing a full gut remodel, so we needed to figure out a budget for a kitchen with the modern rustic style we were going for.
So how much does a modern rustic kitchen cost? The average kitchen remodel costs about $19,000, ranging between $13,000 and $23,000. To be on the safe side I would aim for a modern rustic kitchen to come in slightly higher at around $25,000. There are however a wide range of variables that affect the price of a unique modern rustic kitchen.
Because you are aiming to design a contemporary yet rustic kitchen, by default you are breaking the cookie cutter mold of standard kitchen units. This could end up being a little more expensive than a one-stop shop big box store unit, but not necessarily. By spending more money on a unique handmade item, for example, you can get away with a more simple and basic product somewhere else.
I recommend first looking at the 6 main areas involved in a kitchen renovation: countertops, cabinets, flooring, sinks, lighting (electric and natural), and appliances. Decide which areas you are going to go for that more original, handmade, or unique look. Aim to spend a little bit more in maybe 2 of these areas, while going for a cheaper, simpler, and practical look in the other areas.
· Kitchen Countertop Costs
I started my rustic modern kitchen search with the countertops. I went back and forth on whether to go with a concrete countertop ($50/sf~) or a wooden countertop ($30-60sf~). I was leaning toward this being one of my highlighted spots so I wanted this to be more on the unique side.
If you are interested in taking on a DIY project there are many resources for doing your own concrete top, which would drastically lower the cost. In the end I went with a wooden countertop, which takes a little more work lightly oiling it from time to time, but that original wood pattern is a one of a kind and well worth it. If you are interested in butcher block and wooden countertops check out this article.
That being said, the 2 most common types of countertops are quartz ($50/sf~) and granite ($45-100/sf). They are durable, can handle heat and stains to varying degrees, and offer you a huge range of color and pattern options.
Corian and solid countertops ($40/sf~) oppositely could give you a very sleek modern look if that is the area you are aiming to highlight as contemporary. That with natural wooden cabinets can be a great combination, or vice versa.
The most cost effective countertop would have to be tile ($6/sf~). If you are aiming to highlight another area a solid white or black tile could blend in well, saving you a lot of money.
Check out my recommendations for the DIYer if you are the kind of person who likes to tackle projects and get your hands dirty.
· Kitchen Cabinet Costs
The cabinets are one of the more pricey areas of the project but are also quite visible. They must be functional as well as appealing. Budget for about $2,000 - $5,000 for the kitchen cabinet unit. However, this is an area that you could save big in if you merely repainted the existing cabinets. Often changing the handles to a more modern straight bar, for example, can drastically change the look of the existing cabinets, saving you a lot of money on installation as well.
A more modern style of cabinets you can see more of recently are handleless, flat cabinets that really have a minimalist image to them.
· Modern Rustic Flooring Costs
The first thing you have to decide is whether you are going to have your floors installed, install yourself, repaired, or replaced. The size of the area and the material you choose will also greatly affect the overall price.
I have to say a hardwood floor ($10/sf~) may be the easiest way to achieve that modern rustic look you are going for. There is a warmth and softness, although it’s a hardwood, that can really create the atmosphere for the room. On the other hand this type of flooring is also one of the most expensive. A close second to this type of look could be bamboo flooring ($4/sf~), which is growing in popularity and color and pattern options. Be careful though, some are more durable than others.
Although this could be the perfect look we opted to go with a tile floor($3/sf~) . Tile floors had previously been the favorite go to but hardwood has now taken the lead. Nevertheless, we decided to go with a dark, solid, unassuming tile because the rest of the house is hardwood and we thought this would be a good place to break up that continuous look.
Laminate and Vinyl Flooring ($3/sf~) are also options but I really can’t recommend them. Yes you are paying a lot less for them but the look and durability is just not there and will most likely need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
· Kitchen Sink Costs
There are a variety of sink options out there and a few styles that could be appealing for a modern rustic look. In general, new sink installation is going to cost around $500 and maybe only $200 if you are just redoing the faucets. If you have a basic sink only switching to a more modern faucet could be enough of a change that you need to enhance the area.
If you are looking for a modern look there are many stainless steal sinks that could give you that sleek contemporary look, especially if natural wood is used somewhere else nearby. I would probably opt for a brushed metal as opposed to a shiny because it would better blend with the rustic look.
A very popular and perfect design theme for us is the farmhouse sink, or apron front sinks ($600~$1,000). My wife loves the larger non-separated types of sinks so this look was very appealing. They have both undermount and drop-in, with undermount being a little more difficult to install but have a great custom and seamless look to them. With the undermount though they need to be able to support the weight of probably 300 pounds with water, as well as have the countertop cut just the right size. Top-mounted/drop-in styles are often less expensive and easier to install but are a little harder to find.
· Kitchen Lighting Costs
One area often overlooked is the lighting in the kitchen. The costs here are really all over the place in terms of style. Recessed lighting is always a nice subtle thing to go with and it averages about $100 a light to have an electrician wire them into the ceiling. You could also add some under or over shelf lighting for open shelves. Track lights ($100-$250) are another option if there are a few areas you wish to highlight.
The larger the windows are in the kitchen will dramatically change the overall brightness of the room. Large picture frame windows never hurt or possibly a skylight. If you would like to read more about some modern rustic lighting options you should check out this article "Back to Basics in Modern Rustic Lighting Ideas."
· Kitchen Appliance Costs
Again there is a wide range of appliances and prices to choose from here. I would urge you to make sure that you are getting Energy-Star rated appliances though because in the long run they will save you money on the electric bills.
As far as the color goes you are most likely limited to black, white or metallic. There are however black stainless steel appliances that are proving to be a breathe of fresh air. White can fit the clean look you are going for but there are some people that still think they are dated, and spills are more noticeable.
By breaking down these 6 areas and defining what areas we wanted to have done custom we were able to figure out how much our modern rustic kitchen was going to cost. We still had a few questions when we started out, such as if there was a standard kitchen unit out there that would give us the look and feel we desired.
How Much Does an IKEA Kitchen Cost?
We were kicking around this idea as well when we first started out because we thought they would be able to provide a contemporary look that we could blend in some rustic elements to. The problem is they make it seem like you are getting a $5,000 kitchen in their 10x10 plan when in reality it will probably cost $25,000. The labor, delivery, and installation fees add up quite quickly. So in the end we opted to save in other areas and get the custom rustic pieces we wanted instead of a standard kitchen set.
Are Kitchen Remodel Costs the Same in Different Regions?
This was a question we asked because a lot the national averages don’t always reflect our local prices. I think the price in different areas can change dramatically based on the materials you choose. Especially if you are going for a modern rustic look you can aim to find a local material like a type of wood or stone that is abundant in your area and highlight that item.
For our kitchen table we went with a large 5’x5’ granite top and bought stainless steel brushed metal legs online that would support the weight. Granite is usually considered one of the most expensive stones but in out area of the northeast there are local quarries nearby so the shipping costs severely lower the overall prices you can find around here.
Talking with a local lumber store may be a good place to start as well. They can tell what types of wood are locally sourced and can be found in large amounts, lowering the cost, or possibly where to get locally reclaimed wood.
If you’d like to read more about our experiences with modern rustic home and garden designs then check us out at ShizenStyle.