We remodeled our own personal kitchen on a below-average budget ($119/sqft) using IKEA cabinets and Walnut Studiolo leather drawer pulls and handles. During the process, we learned that a few big design compromises kept us on budget and schedule, while freeing us up to splurge on a few important design details (that are now our favorite features!). We also share a few tips we learned to make DIY kitchen planning easier. All in all, we managed to come in under budget and on schedule thanks to careful planning and a willingness to compromise. Here's how: