So you’ve decided to remodel your kitchen–but you’re cost-conscious as well. You’re not alone. Many of those who choose to remodel a kitchen worry about their wallets. Here are the essential elements of a kitchen remodel–things you can do and forget the rest.

The Importance of Cabinetry

You need somewhere to put your dishware, right? Where are your mugs and bowls going to go? That’s right: the cabinets. So when you remodel your kitchen, your cabinetry is one of the most important elements of the process.

There are many options when it comes to cabinetry, ranging from the inexpensive to the luxury choices. When you remodel, carefully consider the function of your cabinets, your personal preferences, and your budget as well as the size of your kitchen.

Consider your unique needs: do you have a ton of wine glasses? A collection of china you want to display? Cabinets are highly customizable, and you can likely find a style that fits exactly what you’re looking for.

Appliances: Backbone of the Kitchen

Since your cabinetry needs to be built around your appliances, you need to consider your choices of appliances at the same time as you’re thinking about your cabinetry. Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to buy top-of-the-line appliances, particularly if you’re working off a limited remodeling budget. Instead concentrate on the appliances you need–for example, if you do a lot of complex stovetop cooking, you may want to spend more money on a six-burner gas range than if you’re a fan of the built-in microwave.

Also, consider the “choreography” of your cooking. Do you often have multiple people helping around the stove? Is there a lot of foot traffic going to and from the fridge? You don’t want your whole family underfoot on one side of the kitchen, and the other half of the room empty!

Purchasing and Placing Your Refrigerator

Of course, you’ll need a refrigerator when you remodel your kitchen. The same rule applies here as with the other appliances in your kitchen–you don’t necessarily need a top-of-the-line model when a regular one will do just fine. In addition, carefully consider the features that you would like to use most. For example, if you don’t need a built-in icemaker, you may be able to save money on your refrigerator of choice by getting a model without that option.

Seeing the Light

Another important part of a kitchen remodeling job is windows–not appliances nor are they storage devices, but essential nonetheless. Why? Good light is crucial in a kitchen, not only for the practical elements of cooking, but for the emotional resonance of having a bright, inviting kitchen in which to gather and socialize.

However, good windows need not be expensive. Talk to your designer about the options that are right for your household budget. Good light can be vital, but at the same time you don’t want it to break your wallet.