Though there are do-it-yourselfers who spend $25,000 on a kitchen, most people working on a mid-range kitchen makeover use professional installers. In the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s annual survey, about half of all kitchen projects completed last year cost $20,000 to $50,000, which makes this a sweet spot and means you’ll have plenty of materials and appliances to choose from.

Where to Start

At this price range, you can afford the guidance and expertise of a certified kitchen designer, whose fees will be about 5 percent of the budget. Find one through the websites of the National Kitchen & Bath Association or the American Society of Interior Designers. Shop at dedicated kitchen and bath showrooms, which have a more curated range of products and offer more handholding than mass-market home centers. Ferguson, for instance, has 270 retail outlets nationwide.

What’s Trending

The secondhand market for kitchen materials no longer means second-rate. Green Demolitions in Fairfield, N.J., for example, salvages about 600 kitchens per year from luxury homes, high-rises, showrooms, and more, and ships them to clients all over the U.S. “It’s not for everybody,” says its president and co-founder, Steve Feldman. “But if you’re into the thrill of the hunt and you can be patient and flexible with your design, it’s a way to get a kitchen that might be worth $100,000 for as little as $25,000.” Check out greendemolitions.com for more information. You may also have luck at salvage shops in your area.

1. Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR7[5]UC, Score: 81, $700.
2. KitchenAid Classic K45SS[WH], Score: 78, $250.
3. LG LPXS30866D four-door refrigerator, Score: 82, $3,100.

Appliances and Accents

There’s a market for secondhand appliances, but we recommend buying new to take advantage of the latest features, including ones that let you achieve a luxury look for less. For example, we’re seeing more freestanding refrigerators in the $2,000 to $3,000 range with paneling that can match your cabinets and create an integrated look. That’s a feature previously available only on built-in models costing several times more. Slide-in ranges also deliver a commercial-grade look for thousands less. And spending an extra $100 or so on a double-bucket undermount sink makes hand-washing dishes easier, as will an upgrade to a pull-out faucet with an integrated sprayer.

Cabinet Decisions

You can upgrade to semi-custom units from $150 to $250 per linear square foot. They come in more sizes, meaning they will fit your space more precisely, and offer a wider array of storage options, such as tiered drawers and pullout spice racks.