Kitchen Renovations That Won't Break the Bank
Are you ready to take your kitchen to the next level but don't want to spend a small fortune on upgrades? Good news: you can make big improvements to your kitchen with fairly minimal effort and cost. We've got the inside scoop on kitchen renovations that will save you time and money, and make your kitchen the ultimate gathering place in your home.
Modernize Your Appliances
Contemporary appliances – while often pricey – can really transform your kitchen. Stainless steel appliances are popular for a few reasons: they last a long time, they're easy to clean, they're germ-resistant, and they also match nearly any existing décor. Start with the bigger appliances, like your refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, microwave, and washer-dryer, if you have one in your kitchen. Also consider replacing your smaller appliances like your toaster, slow or pressure cooker, mixer, blender and coffee maker for a seamless, matching, modern look.
Refresh Your Cabinets and Hardware
The bad news: after appliances, cabinets are the most expensive items to replace in your kitchen. The good news: you might not need to replace your cabinets after all – they might just need a refresh. If your wood cabinets are in decent shape, just give them a fresh coat of paint, and give white a try. To brighten the whole room, wash, prime and paint your cabinets with white, high-quality semi-gloss. To enhance the brightening effect, add new hardware with a satin or brushed finish, which will avoid showing fingerprints.
Go for Hardwood Floors
If you still have vinyl or tile floors, it's time to say goodbye to them. When it comes to kitchen floors, wood is king. Hardwood floors are easier on your feet, warmer, less expensive, easier to install, and easier to clean than vinyl or tile ones. They can also make your kitchen space appear larger than it is, and they can create an easy, natural flow from and into adjoining rooms.
Upgrade Your Kitchen Sink and Faucet
Your sink is the most used item in your kitchen, so upgrading to a better, newer model can pay off big time. Stainless steel is the most popular sink material due to its durability, with excellent resistance to both heat and stains. However, stainless steel sinks can scratch more easily, and they tend to show more water spots than composite sinks with quartz or granite. Even if you don't go for a whole new sink, be sure to at least get a new faucet – replacing one is easy, fast and affordable.
Install Marble Countertops
While they tend to look quite expensive, marble countertops are usually much more affordable than their quartz or granite counterparts. Available in a wide range of colors and hues, marble is beautiful, durable and heat-resistant, and when properly installed and maintained, it will also last for a long time.
Add Better Lighting
How well can you see your kitchen countertops? If your work surfaces are constantly covered in shadows, install under-cabinet lighting to ensure that you'll have light in the spaces you need it most. Choose from a wide variety of lighting styles – from puck lights and fluorescents, to LED fixtures and strip lights, to full systems that include additional outlets, Bluetooth speakers and more.
Create Visual Interest with Color, Patterns and Texture
Is your kitchen too dark? Too white? It's time to change up your colors. Replace dark walls with lighter ones. To make a monochromatic kitchen more interesting, add a pop of bright color to one wall or to several smaller spaces. To make a small kitchen appear bigger, arrange your wall or backsplash tiles in a diagonal pattern. Mix and match multiple materials and textures for a visually striking look – and don't be afraid to play around with new materials, like wood, soapstone, terracotta, brass and more.
Good luck, and have fun!
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