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Kitchen

Redecorating Your Kitchen On A Budget

by Debra on Monday, September 14, 2009

redecorating your kitchen

Are you one of those people who at the thought of redecorating their kitchen it sends chills down your spine? And not the good chills.

Some people start thinking that they need to replace everything in order to get a whole new look. But that’s just not true.

Just by following a couple, or all, of the tips provided below, you should be able to create something new for next to nothing. And who doesn’t like to get something new when it doesn’t cost very much?

1. Instead of replacing the cabinets in your kitchen, why not repaint them? There are lots of techniques around that are easy to learn and will create a cool designer look. Techniques as crackling, faux finishing and glazing are not only simple to do, but will save you lots of money.

If you need help on looking for ways to up date old and tired kitchen cabinets, just take a look at this article:

How To Paint Veneer Kitchen Cabinets

2. Dreary, tired looking kitchen? Give your kitchen walls a new look with a coat of paint. By painting your walls in warm and inviting colors, you will make the room even more of the hub of the home. Plus, if you have good quality wooden cabinets, a new coat of paint will help the wood to appear richer.

3. Why not spend a little of your budget on purchasing some new hand towels and potholders that will match the color of your new décor?

4. Another simple and really REALLY easy tip for redecorating your kitchen (and it’ll cost you nothing) is to get some of those beautiful dishes (serving bowls, platters, soup tureens, etc. ) and glassware you have out of the cupboards, and use them to accentuate the kitchen.

  • Use the soup tureen for a cookie jar.
  • Hang a large platter on the wall.
  • Use a beautiful glass pitcher as a vase.

5. A great way of changing the whole décor of your kitchen is just by putting up new curtains! Really. Curtains in a fresh new pattern or color will make the whole room look different. You could try this first before you do anything else.

New curtains certainly will not break the bank. Plus, you may well find that just making this one change will give your kitchen a completely different look.

By changing your curtains, you could actually bring out the personality of the kitchen with little or no effort on your part. Try avoiding those cute little curtains made specifically FOR kitchens and instead try some that are more for bedrooms or dens. Something heavier and “richer” looking.

6. Why not consider replacing the cabinet doors. Just the cabinet doors, not the whole cabinet. There are lots of companies around that have many different designs, colors and shapes of kitchen cabinet doors. Light, dark, glass. You pick. This is a much more cost effective way of giving your kitchen a whole new look without actually having to replace the whole cabinet.

7. A bit less expensive option to replacing the cabinet doors… is to just replace the wood insert for glass. This can be done by a medium skilled DIY’er and a fairly small budget.

8. Even easier than replacing the kitchen cabinet doors? Replace the hardware! Get new knobs or put on handles instead of knobs. Just by doing this you will be giving your kitchen a whole new look.

9. Another affordable way of making your kitchen look different is by adding a kitchen island. They not only provide you with more counter space, but they provide a place where people can gather.

However, for those of us on a budget, instead of getting a permanent one, why not instead consider getting a kitchen cart? Because they are on wheels, when not being used they can be put away.

You can make an island out of an old table by adding wheels! Use larger wheels (3″ or 4″ in diameter) to lift the table higher and make it a better work surface.

10. Finally, even if your kitchen redecorating budget is small think about replacing the backsplash. Just by doing this, you can really dress up that drab and dull kitchen that you have.

The great thing about backsplashes is that they now come in a variety of different colors and materials, as well as styles. But how much you spend on this will depend on what material you pick.

So there you have it. Simple and easy ways to revitalize a kitchen. Redecorating your kitchen on a budget can be as simple as giving the walls a new coat of paint, or changing the doors on your cabinets or just the existing hardware. Just by making one little change to your kitchen you can give it a whole new look.

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Finding The Best Kitchen Cabinets?

by Debra on Monday, August 24, 2009

RTA (ready to assemble) cupboards are an affordable way to have that designer kitchen without breaking the bank. I will tell you step by step the way to do the kitchen of your dreams or real close too it. Remember, there are several different kitchen cabinet styles to match your unique personality.

IMG_8598Creative Commons License photo credit: TonyOlsen

Step 1 : Create a budget, you want to know exactly how much you’ve got to spend, Lower it by 2 hundred for just in case you want it for overages.

Step 2 : Select colours, for instance if you are doing a total remodel you will need to pick Wall colors, Cabinet Colors, Floor color & type, Counter top color and type. This can seem to be an overwhelming task but you can do it. Go to the book shop look thru all of the magazines and look at all the color mixtures. Buy the book or mag which has your colors. Remember way out colours are not good if you are planning to sell your home in a few years.

Step 3: The subsequent item on our list is design. It all starts and ends with the right kitchen cabinets plans. Most RTA (Ready to assemble ) cupboard outlets have design services that you may use for free, you will have to provide measurements and other information requested by the retailer. An alternative way is buy some graph paper and put a little design together yourself, play with it and have fun, have a blank slate. The web has great self-help areas.

Step 4 : A few Items you need to consider. Appliances, lights, Sinks, Taps . This usually is part of the design phase. Occasionally you are not replacing these, just reusing.

Step 5 : Once you’ve got a design all your colours and a cupboard style it’s time to start., Order your cabinets, Flooring etc. You will need to remove all of your cupboards. counter tops, and anything else you are replacing. Get your walls painted any electrical or plumbing moved and so on. Install Floors and than you are ready for cupboard installation.

Step 6: RTA cabinets are the best bang for the buck. You can get an all wood designer cupboard for thousands less. You have to do a bit more work but it will save you in the long game. If assembly and installation are just out of your league, hire an installer. Get a few quotes ask for references. Don’t be afraid to check out wholesale kitchen cabinets as well for more potential savings.

Step 7 : Counter tops, Laminate is the best priced followed by granite, solid surface and Quartz. If the budget is tight choose a HD laminate with a special edge until you can afford the real stuff.

Step 8: The Home Stretch. Install sink dishwasher, all other appliances. Touch up paint or add an ornamental tile back splash. Now set back and look at all that you have accomplished and pat yourself on your back.

Building Kitchen Cabinets


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I love this kitchen.Creative Commons License photo credit: melloveschallah

Have you ever wanted to change your kitchen just a little bit without having to do a total room makeover? There are many ways to do this but one of thebest ways is to change your countertops. There aremany ways to do this, some are simple, lower cost do it yourself projects and others are more expensive professionally installed items. granite for countertops is the perfect addition to create a great looking kitchen. granite kitchen countertops can transform a room from dull to bright and beautiful.

Let’s begin with the DIY projects. Not only can this be a enjoyable thing to do, but the options all depend on your creativity and what look you would like to achieve. There are a few options that you can do right on top of your current counters. Depending on the material of your existing countertops, you can paint the existing tile or even paint over some laminates. Another idea is to put tile on the present kitchen countertops. One creative project for counters is to use either wallpaper or fabric and place it completely on to the counter. Then get a piece of glass cut to fit on top of the paper or fabric and this makes for a distinctive very personalized look. If it is a small kitchen island, it would be great to put family photos then cover those with the piece of glass as well.

Travertine BacksplashCreative Commons License photo credit: avidtile

The more popular option is to buy a specific particular type of countertop and have it installed professionally. It might be a good idea to go to a kitchen shop or home improvement store to see the different types of surfaces available in a model kitchen. This way you can feel the texture of the surface as well as visulalize it paired with different colors of cabinets to get a better idea of what it may look like in your own kitchen. Today there are several different types of products for kitchen countertops. Laminate, ceramic and glass tile, butcher block, concrete, stainless steel, corian, marble and granite for countertops are all surfaces homeowners use for their counters in their kitchens. Presently, granite seems to be the most popular choice for people changing out their counters. It is very strong as well as beautiful. Many people enjoy that they can put a hot pan right open the granite without damaging it like other surfaces. Granite can come in more affordable tiles or the seamless style of a slab. Once you determine what type of granite would look good in your kitchen, have a professional come to take the measurements. You do not want to mistake the measurement on such a nice piece of stone. Once you have detailed measurements you can order the style and color of granite from a store or even online website that may offer deeper discounts.

Before you begin either your do-it-yourself project or a professional job, make sure you find a financial plan that works for you and includes both the materials and the labor costs. In the end, whether you spend $100 or $10,000 simply transforming your countertops will make you feel like you have a brand new kitchen that you can enjoy for many years.

Concrete Countertops: Design, Form, and Finishes for the New Kitchen and Bath

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