Keep reading there are lots of "regular people" here. If you have questions or want help planning a kitchen. Post it here, many nice people with different price ranges of kitchens will respond.

Hmm, I don’t get that impression at all. Most of the kitchens posted on here seem to be middle-of-the-road or budget-minded. Lots of Ikea fans here. For appliances, some people are all about Subzeros, etc. but many more talk about Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, Bosch. I think your eye is catching just on the expensive kitchens, but if you spend more time on this forum you will see lots and lots of kitchens from “regular people”.

There are also people who have learned from this forum how to make their kitchens appear expensive by shopping carefully, and having a great layout.

The definition of regular is something subjectif. If your family has an annual income around $100 K, people are going to consider $100 K people as regular people, and for the most part, they are. This does not mean that what they can afford is going to be more than a family that earns the median income (about $ 61000 in 2018).

https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/09/us-median-household-income-up-in-2018-from-2017.html

Also, costs are different in different parts of the country and it seems that a majority of people here come from large cities (which is not exactly surprising either).

You can build or upgrade a kitchen for less than 60 K. Obviously, you will not get the same result as if you spent $100 K, but it is doable and can be very nice. You just have to have the right expectations. This said, I agree with you that, when you look at Houzz forums for the first time, the superficial look is going to be that average income people are not welcome (and this is not helped by a couple pros -- not the majority -- who will put you down if you dont have a ton of money available. But persevere, learn how to avoid people who are not going to be helpful, and you will get great advice.

Jar G, it does seem most kitchens are high end. Those seem to get the most discussion.

But, there are middle and low budget too. If you post, we will come!

I've seen plenty of renovations on here for $50K or under.

I think there are all levels of budget here but I do agree that the high end kitchens get the most discussion. I have been reading this board on and off for 17 years and it has always been the case. I do agree that all should post questions and kitchens pics - it benefits the whole community. Good luck.

We did an ikea kitchen (most expensive of their cabinets), flooring for kitchen, 2 hallways, powder room and laundry room, $3000 in new appliances (all but fridge), painting all areas, demolition, wiring work, Ikea assembly and installation, backsplash, new toilet and pedestal sink plus light and mirror in powder room. For just a hair under $30K.

Evidentially she missed my budget kitchen where I did a lot of the work myself for $10,000

Lots of people doing regular kitchens on this site. I think though, you'll find that "regular" costs around $50k for a typical sized kitchen - even with fairly budget materials. That's assuming you don't DIY and assuming you are fully redoing your kitchen (i.e., new cabinets, new counters, new backsplash, new lighting, moving and upgrading some electrical, maybe new floors, plumbing, sink, hardware, middle of the road appliances, plus paying 20% to a contractor). There are also lots of projects on here where people spend under $25k by either DIY or "only" doing some upgrades of their existing kitchens (i.e., some combo of painting cabinets, new counters or backsplash or hardware, maybe even new floors, new lights, new appliances, etc).

But like some other posters noted, there are a handful (two regular posters in particular) of people who are crazy snotty about kitchens and are insanely rude to a lot of posters. Someone asks: Here's a pic of my kitchen and i'd like to redo it for $45k, is that possible? And these two posters inevitably respond that you have to plan on spending at least $80k. Or someone asks about DIY painting their cabs and a few other changes for $10k in total, and they always respond that if you're not paying a professional to paint your cabinets for a cost greater than new cabinets, then it's not worth it. At least one of them is a "pro", and therefore works on commission, so i think has drunk the koolaid that the only kitchen reno worth doing is an expensive one. Just ignore them. But also don't be offended if you come on here expecting to spend $25k for a total new kitchen, and people tell you your nuts. Because while you don't need to spend $80k for a new kitchen, you haven't been able to get a totally new kitchen for $25k since 1995.

@sushipup1, I remember your kitchen because it was so beautiful. The soapstone, slate floors (?), and all those windows - the skylights were painting the lilly a bit. It has always been amazing to me how much you did, and how well, with a modest budget. Would that I had the structural freedom to create such a light, airy, and functional space. I’m not sure that makes you regular. You are a bit of an overachiever.

eam44, that was in the house that we sold in California 4 years ago. We're now in a typical center-hall colnial in the Philly burbs.

Thanks for the kinds words. I miss that kitchen as well, but we made a new one quite liveable!

@sushipup1 I live in a center hall colonial in Cleveland now, so I’d love to see pics of your current space. I’ve had such difficulty designing around obstacles here. I miss suburban Philadelphia! I went to college on the main line.

I am probably the most normal person ever on here and everyone has always helped me with my projects and believe me i am somewhat quirky, unconventional and inexperienced and i think everyone knows it takes me for ever to complete something and have a teensy budget. And, i get confused and sat things wrong a lot, trying to explain myself and it’s all taken in stride. There is so much information on HOUZZ to look through, read and get inspiration from. Pros from all over the world come in on here and not pros too. I follow quite a few bc i value their decor senses and their personal touches. I LOVE HOUZZ! I tell people i meet all the time with dilemmas about HOUZZ and bought my new living room rug that i love from HOUZZ for a really good price and i shop and compare a lot!!! Even when a responder gets a little fussy or negative or doesn’t like where i’m going with something, i take it all as constructive criticism for sure. I really sometimes wish i could meet some of the folks here just bc i feel like i know them, OK that is all!!!!lmao

Sometimes I get depressed seeing all the "outdated", "orange", "ugly" kitchens on here that I would give my eyeteeth for!

My budget is small, and I will enjoy a new wonder kitchen with laminate counters, 4" molded backsplash, no dishwasher, and "gasp!", diagonal corner cabinets!

Any regular people here?

🙄

with laminate counters, 4" molded backsplash, no dishwasher, and "gasp!", diagonal corner cabinets!

wash your mouth out! laminate counters and 4" backsplash? sounds like the sin of death here.

but then I'm always for laminate and that 4" backsplash edge myself. the pros sure don't seem to like them. nothing wrong with either. I've had a dw for 7 yrs now (after 20 some yrs without one). I've used it twice. lost my dishes in it the 1st time. I knew I unpacked those dishes but didn't find 'em again for months. Still in the dw! the 2nd time I used it was after finding the dishes that sat in it for several months. Haven't used it since.

Fun thread. i think I’m a normal person too. Bought a house (era 1985) in nov. needs a massive kitchen overhaul Tearing down walls, new windows , move plumbing, electrical, new appliances, floors etc. Got estimates 80-120k cdn. One estimate wanted 1,000 just to take down 2 walls. Cabinets 30k. Hired designer but folks on this forum came up with much better design.

Decided to go with Costco kitchens via ray wall cabinets 15K. DH and I just took down the walls, doing all our own plumbing and electrical. Purchased Frigidaire wall oven and induction cooktop (4K). Would love quartzite counters but getting Hanstone Whistler Quartz.(6k). New windows 8k. With new floors added 8k, hoping that we will not spend more than 50k. I will be posting before and after when All is done. Cheers and thank you forum members, stay safe!

I agree with you, Jar. Also how people will ask for design advice and it's pretty clear they don't have a huge budget and they'll get suggestions, including from pros for a renovation that probably costs half of what their house is worth. My husband and I bought a fixer upper so we're definitely sinking more money into it than we usually would because it goes beyond just making it "pretty" I think our new kitchen will cost us roughly 3k but it's a total gut job, house has barely changed from 1972. New dishwasher, stove, fridge, all new cabinets and we decided on formica laminate cause I just can't justify quartz right now. We do a lot of work ourselves too but we will have to hire someone for the popcorn ceiling (asbestos) and laying concrete on the back patio. All in all we're probably going to end up spending 30-35k on the whole house redoing all bathrooms, tearing down walls, the kitchen, paint, floors but we the house will be worth 50k more than we paid for it when we're done so that's our justification. I'm a bit obsessed with researching and finding good deals so if you ever need any information I'll be happy to share my knowledge.

I’m a regular person, but I am at a different stage in life. We moved 15 times the first fifteen years and I became an expert at making a useful kitchen out of horrid spaces and an empty wallet. Our first kitchen was so small, I could touch both walls if I stood in the middle with my arms outstretched. The oven door would only stay closed if I propped a dining room chair against it, blocking the doorway. In our next apartment, we saved up ( out of the $180 a month military pay) to buy a sheet of pegboard, 2quarts of paint ( blue and white), and pegboard hooks to attach to the wall and hang all my pots, skillets, utensils-years before I saw the same thing in Julia Childs’ kitchen. The first house we bought, way over our just-out-of-college budget had only a wall hung cast iron sink and no cabinets! The former owners took out literally everything but the kitchen sink because , 30 years earlier, they had ants! My husband, after working 10 and 12 hours a day, would go down into our dark and damp basement and built cabinets, laminated Formica onto a countertop, and made me a kitchen. In a tiny house with five of us, a golden retriever, and two cats, I looked at my inadequate kitchen and figured out that by adding additional shelves to the cabinets I could stretch their capacity. My mother mentioned what a shame the little pantry hadn’t been built out from the wall to give us more food storage space. She and my husband jumped up from the table to discover that was just a cabinet so it could be removed and a new frame could be added behind it. DH built it, built five drawers to fit the new space, et viola! A pantry twice as big! I drooled over decorating magazines at things I only dreamt of having and stored up ideas. Finally our 17th move was to our custom built house! Even that, five years later, saw my husband tearing out the small, inadequate center island and building a new one complete with bookcase, 13 drawers, specific storage for all our cooking tools. I antique shop and found a wonderful kitchen hutch for $400 which had tons of storage and, when you-guessed-it, DH built me a custom buffet for that area, I gave the hutch to our daughter. I designed and he built shelves to display glass cake plates, wooden ware, yellow ware, not only for display but for storing these bulky items. In this, my 18th address, I finally took one year to plan, comparison shop, and dream. We finally had a custom cabinet maker build beautiful cabinets designed by me to store everything we need to cook. I have my Thermador all gas six burner (no chair needed to prop the oven door closed), my soapstone counters ( not the hideous orange Formica of the third house we owned), undercounter lighting, I only set a budget because I like the challenge of wringing every last dime from a project. I didn’t go for the under counter microwave ( love it at my daughters) because I needed the drawer space for all my planned storage. I didn’t buy the SubZero fridge ( my other daughter has one and we love it) because I chose to not spend the money. I think being on a tight budget actually increases creativity and satisfaction. My cabinet maker seemed surprised when I asked for one extra shelf in every cabinet, but with adjustable shelves I have great flexibility.

And for the record, just because someone's budget might be larger than yours does not mean that they're not "regular". It just means they have a larger budget. What does "regular" even mean?

Every post? Are you sure it was every post?

Some of the posters I "know" here have worked hard for 20+ years and saved their money to build their dream house/kitchen. Yes, they are "regular" people who plan and save to achieve their dreams. Some have had good timing (and planning, foresight or just luck too) in making money as they've sold/bought real estate over the years. Others have stayed in the same house for years and can now afford that dream kitchen. Others have moved from very expensive areas to cheaper areas and been able to use their profits/savings to buy that dream home. Some do a lot of DIY and others don't.

Some people are into their homes, others into designer clothing/purses/shoes, cars, vacations or whatever they choose, or do not choose, to spend their money on. Some choose to live in a cheaper town and spend money for private school for their kids. Some choose to pay more for a house in a town with top rated public schools. Some home school their kids.

Lots of people here who volunteer and give to those in need.

Mostly, people come here to get the best results and value for their project, whatever their budget may be.

So yes, lots of regular people here.

Trying to decide which is worse, those who shame the ones with small budgets, or those who shame the ones with large ones. Regular people, indeed.

I think the OP is a troll flyby. Insulted someone else on another post about their large fridge choice as if Jar G knows better what another family’s fridge needs must be. I think it’s funny that someone has the hubris to think he can judge how strangers on the internet are spending their money.

This clearly hit a sore spot for some of you. I take the "regular people" comment as people making about the median income in the U.S. The number of people on Houzz who can drop 50k+ on a single room are overrepresented vs the number of Americans who can afford to do that. If you can afford to, congratulations, why get offended and play the victim? I've seen way more shady and judgemental comments towards lower income people's design dilemmas than people shaming those who can afford a large renovation budget. (like someone asking for advice to fix up a room for under 1k and commenters will suggest a 10k overhaul and criticize other parts of the room that the person never asked about) Though I will say for the most part people genuinely try to be helpful and offer practical advice.

I think it’s funny that someone has the hubris to think he can judge how strangers on the internet are spending their money.

and some on here think that a person can't fix up their kitchen (or whatever room) without spending 10s of thousands of $s. A lot can be done with less. We've had posters on here over the years who have proved that.

Not to say that some of the kitchens shown on Houzz aren’t far out of my range in terms of materials, budget and size, but so are the culinary temples featured in _House Beautiful_ or AD. But each of us has the same goal - to come up with a design that is functional, pretty and appropriate to the architecture of our home while also being within a set budget.. There are materials available at all price points to achieve this. This is a wonderful site for asking questions about products you are interested in, or solving layout issues or getting advice on where best to spend your dollars. It doesn’t matter if you have 10k to spend or 100k. You might start with presenting a floor plan/layout and pictures of your current kitchen along with a bit of info - how long will you be staying in that house, large or small family, are structural changes needed? Anything you want to keep? Amount of natural light? and so forth. You can ask if some components can be done in stages too. And maybe note style as well - light and airy or warm and cozy. You will likely get lots of ideas - which is probably what you are looking for at this point.

I don’t post much as not quite ready to plan my kitchen, but I would say that I am probably less than a regular poster. I live alone in the UK and earn the equivalent of $12k so no $50k kitchen in my future. My budget will be “as little as possible to get the best kitchen I can afford” which for me means laminate counter tops, Ikea cabinets but I will get as many drawers as possible. I will invest in a good sink and faucet which will be a large single bowl stainless steel sink and large semi pro spray faucet.

Although the kitchens here are way beyond my means I still love reading about them and seeing them. I am so grateful to everyone who gives their time and advice on here. There is so much wisdom and support here and so much to learn. Mainly drawers, drawers, drawers.

Generally speaking, most Houzz is like "home porn" -- the stuff of most people's fantasies, and not reality. And, just like porn, over-consumption changes one's view and expectations away from realistic options to chasing a dream. And their advertisers want it that way (remember, we are the product that Houzz is selling to their advertisers).

Now, dreaming and fantasies are OK, and it's OK to be sales fodder to advertisers if we get something worthwhile in return. And I'm here, so obviously I think it's an OK deal. But I agree some (many) thread seem to get carried away, and some posters have unrealistic "rules" that they try to imply should apply to everyone -- and it's up to us to resist their ideas of how things "must" be -- to take the helpful information and disregard the rest.

There are posters on here with small spaces and small budgets; Ikea kitchen cabinets are well regarded for their quality and warranty. But sometimes you have to find them through the trees of all the sparkly distractions.

Nope not a drive by troll, just interested in the fact that when it comes to discussions here it is either a lamentation about with $6,000 fridge or $8,000 range to buy or a discussion of how to stretch a small budget as far as possible. There seems to be very little discussion of something more mid-range. Of course a lot of this is very geographically based as the dollar goes a lot further in the mid-west where I am located compared to those of you on the coasts.

I'm really surprised by all the vitriol by people who are offended by someone thinking spending 60k+ or even 6 figures on a kitchen makes them not normal. Sure you might be a down to earth person but when you're talking about the average person in the US, spending that much money on a kitchen is not doable. I'd say more, but Christina expressed my thoughts perfectly. Sorry to offend all the well off people here, but lets be honest when it comes to luxury appliances or cabinets you don't pay 3, 4, or 5+ times the price of more "ordinary" options for 3, 4, 5+ times the performance. You do so because it is a luxury item with the feelings of exclusivity that come with owning something that others cannot afford.

I don’t perceive any “judging” or “shaming” in the original post. It’s been explained, but it seemed more like an expression of frustration over the underrepresentation of lower/moderately priced kitchen renovations. I do think the negative reactions may be a reflection of the privileged fragility that permeates these forums.

I buy nice things within my budget. There is reverse snobbery involved when someone says I should be satisfied with a $800 appliance instead of the $8000. You can buy a suit for $179.00 or $1790. I don’t judge anyone else’s budget, I only am concerned with mine. I like to look at things above my budget for ideas. I can look at the $200000.00 kitchen, not with envy or derision, but with the hope of getting a good and useful idea. I grew up with “money shaming” because we had things some of my cousins didn’t. Funny thing, their mothers didn’t work, but my mother worked seven days a week as did my father. There is a reason for “ Thou shalt not covet....”. It damages relationships and the coveter. It’s not healthy.

@Rob Peralta: You claim no “judging” or “shaming,” and then immediately cite "the privileged fragility that permeates these forums."

@Jar G: You presume to know why folks here consider expensive kitchens: "You do so because it is a luxury item with the feelings of exclusivity that come with owning something that others cannot afford.

The impulse to acquire a fine kitchen is identical to the impulse to become a "connoisseur" in any arena. People obsess over anything--Reddit, right? They obsess over technical climbing pants, orchids, foiling monohull sailboats, vintage Martin guitars, restomodded 1970 Datsun 240Z's, 19th century stereoscopic photographs, or Picasso lithographs. In every case, motivation is complex. For some, is it "snob appeal"--I have it and you don't. But to deny that there can be personal pleasure from knowledge, and possibly, ownership, that is not driven by the need to belittle others, seems like the reverse snobbery that remodelling1840 perceived.

There can be great joy in holding and playing a vintage Martin guitar even if stranded alone on a desert island. Similarly, kitchen obsessors can derive great pleasure when cooking on a wonderful LaCanche range even when there's no one else watching. And I think that many posters here who own high end kitchens are equally happy to help with suggestions for others doing much more modest kitchens. You automatically conflate love of wonderful things with being a snob. I think that's wrong in many, though not all, cases.

@clinresga you didn’t read my post correctly. I said I didn’t perceive any “judging” or “shaming” in the original post. But your response proves my point completely. Thank you.

"You do so because it is a luxury item with the feelings of exclusivity that come with owning something that others cannot afford."

No, not all purchases of those items at higher cost are made for the "feelings of exclusivity" that come from owning a luxury item. I'd say that's the reason for a sizable minority, but not for most. Most of it comes from the "luxurious" feeling of getting what you want. Period. Of getting an item that fits your preferred aesthetic, or fits your preferred location. Or getting an item with an (expected) longer lifespan so it will outlast your family or still be attractive on resale, or getting an item with better efficiency to save energy (electrical or human). That's the "luxury" - having the disposable income to spend it on something that you want, with as little compromise as possible. If someone wants a big blue stove because they think it looks cool and matches their wallpaper, and they're willing to pay 3x as much for one, why not? If someone wants a combination steam oven because they like the way it proofs bread and they do a lot of baking, whether or not others can afford it doesn't function into their purchase.

It's really no different than someone spending 3x or 5x more for a vehicle than the "average" person -- some do it for exclusivity, but most do it to get what they want: more space, more comfort, more efficiency. Or someone who spends 3x or 5x more than "average" on their backyard - some do it because it looks fancy, but most do it because they get what they want: more recreation, more utility, more comfort. Yes, not everyone can afford those things, but that exclusivity to have something others can't isn't the reason.

Regular person here. If I told you how much I spent on my backsplash, or showed pictures of my almost-finished kitchen, you'd probably think I was not a regular person at all. (But DANG I love that backsplash!)

And then if I told you how little I spent on my cabinets, counters, and appliances, you'd think I was a cheapskate (and you'd be right). I splurged where I wanted to and could afford it, and then scrounged and DIYed the rest. I made the cabinets myself but researched all the high-end fittings - not because I have anything to prove on a home-remodeling forum but because I was going for functionality.

I think most people on here face similar tradeoffs. Most of them seem to land somewhere else than I did - but I've read enough here to know that it's not safe to make assumptions about how much people spend and why.

Here are a few threads on lower cost kitchens.

Show us your 'under $20K' kitchens!
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2680410/show-us-your-under-20k-kitchens

Show us your 'under $20K' or so kitchens - 2018 version
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5082180/show-us-your-under-20k-or-so-kitchens-2018-version#n=71

{Thank you to Lisa A who mentioned it on this thread:
https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5073628/quarter-sawn-oak-painted-uppers-yay-or-nay

New construction and spent about $40k on my kitchen. Could have spent a bit less but did custom cabinets [$22k]. Remodeled existing kitchen back in 2010 and spent <$10k.

I've done 2 budget kitchens, and refreshed an old farmhouse kitchen, each for less than 10K and heavily dependent on my and hubs' DIY skills. I'm currently planning for what I hope will be my last kitchen renovation. It too will be a DIY IKEA kitchen.

“Any regular people here?”