Last week I gave you some tips on ways to spruce up the look of your kitchen without much investment of time and money. This week, I’m going to offer you a few more tips:
Image: Susan Serra / Flickr
1. Reface Cabinets
Getting new cabinets can cost a lot, and can entail a lot of hassle – what if you order the wrong size or amount? But most likely, your cabinets are fine, but could just do with a little refinishing. If you have wood cabinets in good condition, you might want to consider just stripping any of the paint or stain and refinishing it in a new colour or finish.
If the doors of your cabinets are just beyond repair, another possibility is to just reface the cabinet with a new piece of wood. This gives you a blank canvas to work with.
Changing the knobs and hinges of your cabinets will also help update the look of your kitchen without much expense.
2. Change the Lighting
Changing the lighting of your rooms will definitely have a big impact on what the room looks like. Adding lighting to an area of your kitchen that was always too dark will make you feel more comfortable working there. And adding some recessed or track lighting can be done for relatively little expense.
The only problem with lighting is that you might want to call in an electrician, at least to finish off the installation. As with anything electrical, being careful is always a good idea.
3. New appliances
Getting new appliances may not sound like one of the most cost-effective ways to fix up your kitchen, but if you are thinking about long-term expenses, it might make the most sense. Usually, when people redo their kitchens, they update all of their appliances at the same time. A better option might be to choose the individual appliances that are the least functional, and replace it as you can afford it. You might also use this as a chance to get energy efficient products.
4. Adding Storage
It’s not very sexy – storage! – but it is probably the best reason to do a kitchen remodelling. Adding some cabinets or an island will cost less than replacing the whole kitchen, and if you are like most people, it will make your life a hundred times easier.
Hopefully I’ve given you some good pointers, and good luck in your next kitchen reno!
Heleen Jacobsen
Broker of Record with InfoMarket Group GMAC Real Estate
www.infomarketgroup.com
