Remodeling your kitchen can cost you tens of thousands of dollars. However, there few simple projects you can do, even on a tight budget, to bring life into your aging kitchen. Your kitchen is an important part of your home. It is the place where family comes together, where you create masterful meals and where you entertain guests. A little kitchen makeover can also increase the value of your home if you are considering selling it.
Here are a few low cost suggestions to help you spruce up your kitchen:
Declutter your kitchen. Before making any changes, it is best to remove as much clutter as you can from your countertops. This may require further reorganization of your kitchen cabinets, pantry or nearby closets, but removing the clutter will open up your kitchen space considerably. This process may even identify some kitchen items or small appliances that you no longer use and can be discarded.
Clean your cabinets, countertops, sink and backsplash well. Over the years, dirt, grease and grime can build up, dulling your kitchen’s finishes. If you are not sure which products work best, consult your local hardware store professional for specialty cleaners that work best for the surfaces you are cleaning.
Paint your kitchen a new color. Painting your kitchen cabinets can bring a new, fresh look to your room. If you are a little more ambitious, you can go a step further by refinishing your solid wood cabinets. This will take a little more effort and some consultation with a paint supply professional, like your local Benjamin Moore dealer, however, the results could be astounding. Your dark and dreary cabinet faces can be transformed with the use of some trending brighter colors that match your existing countertops and floors. Or you can take a plain wood cabinet and bring in some richness with a new colored stain.
Purchasing a few new colorful dish towels can also add a bright touch to your kitchen. You may even want to consider some new low cost window treatments or seat covers to add to the beauty of your newly redecorated room.
Change the hardware on your kitchen cabinets. A simpler upgrade to your kitchen cabinets would be to replace the hardware. This is an easy way to freshen up your kitchen without a lot of time or a big expense. Installing new knobs, pulls and in some cases, hinges, can take as little as a day to complete and can cost less than $100. With today’s wide variety of pulls, cup pulls, knobs, handles, latches, etc. there is no end to the combination of hardware you can use to give your kitchen a new look.
Change your countertops. When considering a low cost facelift for your kitchen this may not be one of the things to consider. However, if your kitchen cabinets and floors are in relatively good condition, a new countertop can change the way your kitchen looks and is utilized. By upgrading your Formica countertop to granite or a synthetic product, like Corian or Quartz, you can literally change the way your kitchen functions. Consult with a kitchen retailer to assist you with selecting just the right product for the way you want to use your kitchen.
Replace your inefficient and aging appliances. Although this not the least expensive option to spruce up your kitchen, the energy savings that a new refrigerator or dishwasher may provide, is sufficient enough to be worth the initial investment. Manufacturers of kitchen appliances are always looking for new ways to provide consumers with innovative technology and greater energy efficiency when researching new appliances for their homes.
Homeowners can capitalize on this opportunity by purchasing “last year’s” model at a discounted cost. It may not be the newest appliance available on the market, but it is certainly an upgrade in efficiency from a 15 to 20 year old appliance, whereby making the investment a smart choice. Replacing your older, inefficient refrigerator, dishwasher, oven or range will save you money on your gas, electric and water bills, whereby making the replacement of your kitchen appliances not only a visual upgrade, but also worthwhile investment.
Replace your light fixtures. Replacing an existing light fixture or adding a decorative one can completely change the appearance of your kitchen or dinette area. With so many different options in the lighting industry, you can bling out your kitchen with a crystal chandelier, hang a pendant light over your island, install a ceiling fan with a light kit, or even install under counter lighting to provide your dark and dull kitchen with a new look.
Many homeowners today are replacing their existing inefficient recessed lighting with newer dimmable LED retro kits which provide flexibility in the way light is used in the kitchen, and at the same time provides a modern, clean look without having to change the housing and trim. You can consult with a lighting professional to assist you in creating just the right look for your spruced up kitchen. Consultations are typically free and can be full of useful information about lighting options for your home.
In general, updating your kitchen can be one of the best investments of time and resources in your home. You do not have to invest a lot of money to achieve results, and may be able to complete most of the projects on your own. You will create a more comfortable place to live, a nicer environment to entertain your guests and best of all, increase its market value.
Should you decide that your kitchen remodel requires a little more effort, you should consult with a local licensed, insured and qualified home improvement contractor. These professionals can provide you with some cost effective options for a kitchen renovation that can change the way you live, entertain and enjoy your home.
Jon Adamo – President Phase One Construction
(718) 554-6565 [email protected]
