Mini Makeover Ideas For Your Kitchen
Note: You might also enjoy watching the home decorating video at the bottom of the page, or our other home decorating videos.
If you dream of an updated, upgraded kitchen, don’t feel guilty about
it. Kitchens sell houses, as any real estate expert will tell you.
They’re also the heart of the home, where we spend most of our time,
studies show. So improving this important living space is a sound
financial investment, and an investment in your family’s happiness.
You don’t need to spend a lot to create a dramatic difference in your
kitchen. A mini-makeover may be all that you need to turn that blah
kitchen into the showpiece of your home.
“When people think of kitchen renovation, they usually think of the
expensive ventures, like replacing cabinets, countertops and
appliances,” says Dan Auer of Faucet.com, a leading online retailer of
decorative home products. “But starting small - with easy yet dramatic
changes that can be done in a weekend - can make a big difference in the
appearance and value of your kitchen.”
Auer offers a few tips for getting started on your kitchen’s
mini-makeover:
* First, pick up some home magazines or visit some model homes in your
area to get ideas. Pay close attention to the projects that will make
the most impact but will be easy to accomplish, like wall color, sinks
and faucets, lighting fixtures, cabinet knobs and accessories.
* Forego the frustration of home improvement stores, where what you
want may not be in stock, or where you can spend hours looking for
someone to answer questions or get the product you want. Take advantage
of online resources, like www.Faucet.com, where you can see exactly
what’s in inventory, and shop by style, finish brand or price range from
a selection of more than 50,000 sinks, faucets and accessories all with
just the click of a mouse.
* A new faucet can vastly improve the look and usability of your
kitchen. Installing a new one is a basic improvement within the
abilities of the average homeowner. When choosing your new faucet, keep
in mind both the look you want to achieve and how you will be using the
faucet.
For example, if you’re often trying to regulate water temperature with
one hand (while the other handles 10 other tasks), a single-hand faucet
offers easy control. If you’re creating a traditional or period-style
look, consider a two-handle faucet. Serious cooks may consider adding a
pot-filler faucet, which mounts on the wall near the range to allow you
to fill a pot that’s already on the stove.
* “Sinks are an important factor in a kitchen’s overall appearance, yet
many people overlook them completely,” Auer says. Stainless steel, cast
iron, single bowl, double bowl or even triple bowl – kitchen sinks now
come in styles, sizes, colors and features to fit virtually every décor
and work space.
The number of bowls you’ll choose will depend on your personal
preferences and how you use your sink. Heavy food prep use may call for
two or even three bowls, while use as a rinsing station may require only
one bowl. The material you choose should complement the overall look of
your kitchen. If you need help deciding which sink is right for you,
Faucet.com offers a Kitchen Sink Buying Guide.
* Next, look up – at your lighting. While kitchens in some high-end new
homes may already be decked out with the latest in lighting, chances are
if you’re in an older home you have some very basic overhead lighting.
While this lighting might be functional, it’s not always visually
attractive. Fortunately, it’s an easy job for a do-it-yourselfer to
replace a basic overhead fluorescent fixture with something equally
bright but more visually appealing. Under-the-counter task lighting is
also a must for a well-lit modern kitchen. And a few artfully placed
pendant lights over a breakfast bar or kitchen island can impart
elegance and practicality.
When you’re ready to start shopping for your mini-kitchen makeover, log
on to www.Faucet.com
for more ideas, inspirations and easy shopping. - Courtesy of: ARA Content
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