It's definitely a cliche that the kitchen is the heart of any home, but that doesn't make it any less true. Observe any gathering of friends and family and you will notice that the kitchen is the favorite place to congregate. Unless, of course, that kitchen is small, awkward, dingy and dreary. And if this is a description of YOUR kitchen, here are some kitchen remodeling ideas that will transform your space and make it the place where everyone wants to be.
Kitchens and bathrooms are very expensive to remodel and families save for years to afford an update. But if you are willing to do a lot of the work yourself, you can save a huge amount of money and still produce a dramatic and spectacular room.
1. The quickest, cheapest and most fundamental way to dramatically change any room is by altering its color. Just like the fashion world, wall coverings are trendy. Sometimes wallpaper is in, sometimes it's out. But paint is always in style and can quickly cause a room to look larger, more cheerful, more dramatic or to be a backdrop for interesting art or furniture.
And paint today is more fascinating than ever. Stenciling is currently out of fashion but there are a myriad of other effects available to a DIY homeowner. For instance, you can color wash, sponge on different colors, achieve "rag rolling" effects, do pouncing, dragging or Striee glazing. There are even techniques that make a wall look metallic or as though it has been brushed with sand. By carefully considering the look you wish to achieve, you can dramatically update your kitchen in a day. And do it cheaply.
2. All rooms have two basic ingredients: the walls (which includes the ceiling) and the floor. Now that your walls suit your fancy, it's time to consider the floor. It's true that some projects, like installing real hardware floors, are beyond the skill set of most home owners. But there are a vast number of options that are DIY projects.
The easiest kind of flooring involves tiles, ranging from simple linoleum to elegant marble. All that's really needed for this project is a level to ensure that your tiles are straight and a way to cut them. For most projects, directions and equipment rental are easily available in stores like Home Depot and Lowes.
3. While you're tiling your floor, consider a tiled backsplash. If you execute these two projects together you will be able to choose co-ordinated tiles at the store and can have any necessary equipment on hand. Small glass tiles, for instance, are very popular and they catch the light and may add amazing "sparky" to any room. They come in large sheets and are not that difficult to install, although it is easier if there are two people available for this project. An interesting backdrop will instantly remove any home from the 'cookie cutter' class.
4. New appliances aren't cheap but nothing screams out-of-date and dowdy more quickly than ancient appliances. Although these aren't strictly a DIY project, neither will you have workmen hanging around your kitchen for days. And a simple purchase like a sleek glass cooktop is surprisingly inexpensive and very modern. Stainless steel appliances are very popular now so consider the effect of replacing one of the old avocado green refrigerators with a sleek stainless steel side-by-side.
And don't forget to shop the sales to save money. January, for instance, is a popular time for appliance sales as is Black Friday.
5. The biggest expense in any kitchen is the cabinetry. Top of the line, installed cabinets can cost tens of thousands of dollars. However, there's a lot you can do for yourself in a much cheaper way. For instance, you can sand down your current cabinets and update their color. Or, by sanding even more thoroughly you can get them down to bare wood and then stain and cover with a coat of heavy-duty gloss. If you buy unfinished cabinets you will save a good deal of money and if you install them yourself you will save even more.
And don't forget to add new hardware that suits the style of your kitchen. In fact, if you can do only one thing to update your cabinets, hardware should be your first choice.
6. New lighting can transform not only the appearance but also the mood of an entire room. If you have an island in your kitchen, replace that fluorescent tube light with several hanging lights mounted at different heights. Dump the dated chrome monstrosity that hangs over the kitchen table. Add under-counter lighting, which is easy to install. And if you have a seating area in your kitchen, consider a lamp that is part of a ceiling fan.
What's great about all these fixtures is the great variety in price. Often you can buy attractive lighting for very little money.
And don't forget natural light. If you have dark shutters or heavy curtains hanging over your window, lighten up! You can use shades, blinds or lightweight fabric curtains that can be closed at night for privacy, yet allow lots of light during the day.
Some kitchen remodeling demands professionals. Installing countertops, for instance, is definitely not a project for the average homeowner. But if you are willing to exchange your hard work for money, you can have a dramatic remodel for a fraction of the cost of hiring the experts. Most of the changes are definitely DIY projects and it's not hard to create a room that will cause you to fall in love with your brand new kitchen.
Related posts:
- Painting Kitchen Cabinets: Choose Paint Colors For Your Kitchen Cabinet
- Kitchen Wall Clocks: Wall Clocks Combine Practicality & Beauty In The Kitchen
- Kitchen Hardware: Correct Hardware Is A Necessity For The Perfect Kitchen
- Kitchen Island Design: Design Your Kitchen Island For Work Space & Storage
- Kitchen Cabinet Hardware: Four Kinds Of Hardware For Your Kitchen Cabinets
