Mini-makeover Ideas
for Your Kitchen
If
you dream of an updated, upgraded kitchen, don’t feel guilty about
it. Kitchens sell houses, as any real estate expert will tell you.
They’re also the heart of the home, where we spend most of our time,
studies show. So improving this important living space is a sound
financial investment, and an investment in your family’s happiness.
You don’t need to spend a lot to create a dramatic difference in
your kitchen. A mini-makeover may be all that you need to turn that
blah kitchen into the showpiece of your home.
“When people think of kitchen renovation, they usually think of the
expensive ventures, like replacing cabinets, countertops and
appliances,” says Dan Auer of Faucet.com, a leading online retailer
of decorative home products. “But starting small - with easy yet
dramatic changes that can be done in a weekend - can make a big
difference in the appearance and value of your kitchen.”
Auer offers a few tips for getting started on your kitchen’s
mini-makeover:
* First, pick up some home magazines or visit some model homes in
your area to get ideas. Pay close attention to the projects that
will make the most impact but will be easy to accomplish, like wall
color, sinks and faucets, lighting fixtures, cabinet knobs and
accessories.
* Forego the frustration of home improvement stores, where what you
want may not be in stock, or where you can spend hours looking for
someone to answer questions or get the product you want. Take
advantage of online resources, like
www.Faucet.com, where you can see exactly what’s in inventory,
and shop by style, finish brand or price range from a selection of
more than 50,000 sinks, faucets and accessories all with just the
click of a mouse.
* A new faucet can vastly improve the look and usability of your
kitchen. Installing a new one is a basic improvement within the
abilities of the average homeowner. When choosing your new faucet,
keep in mind both the look you want to achieve and how you will be
using the faucet.
For example, if you’re often trying to regulate water temperature
with one hand (while the other handles 10 other tasks), a
single-hand faucet offers easy control. If you’re creating a
traditional or period-style look, consider a two-handle faucet.
Serious cooks may consider adding a pot-filler faucet, which mounts
on the wall near the range to allow you to fill a pot that’s already
on the stove.
* “Sinks are an important factor in a kitchen’s overall appearance,
yet many people overlook them completely,” Auer says. Stainless
steel, cast iron, single bowl, double bowl or even triple bowl –
kitchen sinks now come in styles, sizes, colors and features to fit
virtually every décor and work space.
The number of bowls you’ll choose will depend on your personal
preferences and how you use your sink. Heavy food prep use may call
for two or even three bowls, while use as a rinsing station may
require only one bowl. The material you choose should complement the
overall look of your kitchen. If you need help deciding which sink
is right for you, Faucet.com
offers a Kitchen Sink Buying Guide.
* Next, look up – at your lighting. While kitchens in some high-end
new homes may already be decked out with the latest in lighting,
chances are if you’re in an older home you have some very basic
overhead lighting. While this lighting might be functional, it’s not
always visually attractive. Fortunately, it’s an easy job for a
do-it-yourselfer to replace a basic overhead fluorescent fixture
with something equally bright but more visually appealing.
Under-the-counter task lighting is also a must for a well-lit modern
kitchen. And a few artfully placed pendant lights over a breakfast
bar or kitchen island can impart elegance and practicality.
When you’re ready to start shopping for your mini-kitchen makeover,
log on to www.Faucet.com for more ideas, inspirations and easy
shopping.
Courtesy of ARAcontent |