Read This Before Remodeling your Kitchen

Thinking of kitchen remodel?

Small details can make or break your kitchen renovation. Avoid stress by going through this list before you start making purchases.

  1. Measure Everything

This extra step will save time, money and headaches in the long run. The last thing you want is the refrigerator or dishwasher not opening all the way because the island ended up being too close.

  1. Choose a Timeless Backsplash

It may be tempting to choose a trendy tile layout, but you may quickly become bored with your decision. You’ll also have difficulty selling later on if your kitchen looks outdated due to a very specific design choice. Stick to classic white coloring. White is always on trend.

  1. Decide if a Splurge is Worth it

Sometimes spending a little more now will save you in the long run. If an energy efficient appliance is a little more expensive, it might be worth it to upgrade so you have lower energy bills every month. It’s important to prioritize needs over wants, but sometimes a want is worth the happiness or convenience it will provide.

  1. Consider Open Shelving

A few rows of open shelving can help break up the “boxy” feel of some kitchens. Even an addition of a few shelves can help the kitchen feel more open and also offer you the opportunity to show off some photos or nice dining ware.

Not sure how much upgrading to make to your home before you become the most expensive house in the neighborhood? Ask a Mel Foster Co. agent for comparables in your neighborhood.

Add A Little Bling To Your Kitchen

A $40,000 kitchen makeover is out of your reach, but there are small things you can do to update your kitchen and give it that fresh, new look.

Replace your pulls and knobs. It’s like jewelry for your cabinets. You can get something whimsical and fun or go with something traditional to change the style of your entire kitchen. Count up how many pulls and knobs you’ll need and hit the home improvement store. If you can’t decide which style you like best, buy a few and see how they look with your cabinets. If you are adding hardware to cabinets without pulls or knobs, purchase a drilling template for a few dollars to make sure you position the hardware in the right spot.

Paint your cabinets. This might be a job better left to the professionals if you have lots of cabinets. All cabinet fronts will need to be removed, sanded, and painted with several coats of paint. Accounting for drying time, this project may take several weekends. The work can be tedious and a professional may be the right answer. It’s still an inexpensive way to update your kitchen, as cabinetry is typically a major expense in a renovation project.

Change your light fixtures. Colorful pendants or a craftsman style chandelier can change the personality of your entire kitchen. You can pick a single style and get matching light fixtures or go for a more eclectic feel by picking what you like and mixing and matching. Be sure to shut off the power at your electrical panel before you install new light fixtures. If you don’t know where your electrical panel is, or have no clue what that means, call an electrician or a friend with the right experience.

Paint the walls. It’s cheap and almost everybody can paint successfully. Consider a paint specially formulated for kitchens and baths. They are often easier to clean and can withstand grease and grime that can accumulate around the stove. Take the time to wash the walls first and tape the edges of your cabinets to avoid mistakes. A good paint job starts with good preparation.

Get new window treatments. Curtains, blinds and shades all work well in a kitchen. If your kitchen opens to a family room or dining room, replace all of the window treatments to create a cohesive look among the connecting rooms.

If you need to start your kitchen renovation small, remove all the clutter from your refrigerator and invest in a good degreaser for your stove. These easy and cheap steps might inspire you to tackle more in your kitchen. If you have a little money and time, consider installing a tile backsplash, replacing your faucet or selecting a new countertop. These are not first time DIY projects and you’ll want to call in reinforcements.

Shedding Light On The Situation

That gold chandelier above the dining room table and the globe light bulbs around your bathroom mirror need to go. Breathe some new life into your home with updated lighting fixtures. Over a weekend your home can go from frumpy to fabulous.

Kitchen
Think about some funky colored or shaped pendant lights above the island or sink. Pendants give you a chance to bring some personality into your kitchen. Don’t get hung up on how many inches your light needs to be from the surface. Just eyeball it with somebody’s help and do what looks right to you.

Living Room
The track lighting that accents your fireplace can be replaced with recessed lights, angled to still cast light on your artwork or family photo. Recessed lighting bulbs are much smaller now and LEDs are efficient and long lasting.

Bathroom
Who says a chandelier only belongs in the entryway or dining room! Add some bling to your bathroom with a sparkly chandelier. Options that are glass or even plastic are less expensive than crystal options and much lighter.

Bedroom
Install a dimmer on your main overhead light to set a romantic mood or help you unwind before bedtime. A light with an adjustable level is also great in the morning so you aren’t blasted with bright light as soon as your day begins.

If you’ve never installed a light fixture, count on a friend to show you the way or read the instructions all the way through before taking down the old fixture. And always be sure to shut off the power at the electrical box before you start.


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