house and home by ari clare
The best investments in a home remodel are the kitchen and bathrooms
for a return on your dollar. However, during these crazy economic times
many of us find ourselves still wanting to change things up a bit, but just
cannot do it to the magnitude we may have thought we could.
With Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approaching and the desire to
get your kitchen ready for all the feasting, here are a few major, yet more
cost—effective approaches for a nicer looking kitchen…some that will be
ready for guests and family soon. Refacing is an amazing way to add a fresh
look to your kitchen cabinets without completely gutting and having cus-
tom cabinets made. Cabinets can become one of the most costly areas in a
kitchen remodel. This solution will typically work out to about a fourth of the
cost of replacing the actual cabinets. Modern day technology has brought
the old school stigma of refacing to new levels. Now many more hip choices
and perfectly acceptable options are available. I promise. Unless you choose
the white washed oak then you’re on your own!
A fresh countertop and/or back splash does not have to cost you a left arm
and it won’t force you to switch from Grey Goose to Smirnoff vodka. Con-
sider all of the competition among stone yards, big box retailers, tile stores.
You can find some great steals. You may need to go with a close-out lot of
tile or granite as opposed to the hot topic of the moment to get the best
value. Yet, in the end you will get a great result at a real value. Granite slabs
have come way down in price lately. Ikea has great values on quartz counter
surfaces and to go even lower in price for a fresh look, the kitchen ceramic
tile is a fine choice. The back splash craze has hit…allowing costs to come
down. In addition, these can often be found in close-out or sale batches for
an incredible steal.
The mosaics, glass tile sheets and smaller ceramic tiles all make great
options for a backsplash. So many choices exist in the market. Styles to
choose from such as country, contemporary, Mediterranean or classic are
readily available. It will be extremely easy to find coordinating countertops
and backsplash tiles for the right price.
kiTchen rescue
Small changes like a new color of paint can be dramatic in a kitchen space.
Many times people forget how small a kitchen can be and paint it a super
dark color which makes the space cave-like. Instead, give it that Zen or spa
feel with a shade of light blue, light beige, or sage tones. Those are all good
choices with some personality. Be sure to use a washable paint for those
cooking spills and splatters!
Change up some lighting! Kitchens are notorious for old and outdated
lighting. Find an inexpensive yet clean, light and bright fixture that will help
brighten up the space.
Appliances are another major expense in the kitchen, however, some if
in the position to do so, can capitalize on these times with huge appliance
package sales being offered by vendors. If this is out of reach for your
budget, some manufacturers offer face kits of stainless that can be added
to the good old white or almond—please hide it. These kits are extremely
affordable and will make a dramatic difference in updating the look of your
kitchen area.
To summarize your inexpensive kiTchen “re-do”
- REFACE
- SEARCH THE CLOSE-OUTS FOR TILE AND COUNTER SURFACES
- SLAP SOME NEW PAINT ON THAT WALL
- LIGHT IT UP House Boi is located at 1435 University Ave. in Hillcrest between Ichiban Sushi and Baja Betty’s.
- STAINLESS KITS FOR THOSE OLD SCHOOL APPLIANCES Now showing more home accents and furniture than at the previous location.
62 RAGE monthly | OctOber 2009
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