Steps for Brightening your Kitchen - For Any Budget

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With the warm spring weather approaching, this is the time to open the discussion on upgrading your kitchen area. Whether you like it or not, your kitchen is the interior focal point of your home. With open floor plans promoting the integration of the living room, dining room and kitchen area - your family and friends congregate in your kitchen when entertaining. The kitchen is the dirtiest area in the house. Food preparation, cleaning dirty dishes, cooking grease and pet’s food bowls constantly create a mess that builds up over time. So let’s clean it up! This most used space generally needs attention every few years in varying degrees. Here are some renovation ideas in varying magnitudes ranging from a light upgrade to a full overhaul.

LOW COST & IMPACT IDEAS

If a full-blown kitchen renovation is not in your budget or timeframe at this time, here are suggestions on low-cost lighter impact ideas that will change the look without all the dust. The touch factor….there are very few places in the house that you and your family directly interact with and actually touch on a daily basis. Examples are faucets, cabinetry knobs, door handles and appliances. All of these items are in your kitchen! Some low cost low impact kitchen renovation ideas are replacing cabinet door handles, installing a new kitchen faucet or installing new electrical switches or dimmers.

FOR MID RANGE BUDGETS

We have options available for homeowners that are looking for a little more ‘pop’ on top of their
current kitchen design. These changes do not carry a high price tag.

1. Install a tile mosaic backsplash under the wall cabinetry. These areas of the kitchen show dirt and wear the most. A new tile mosaic backsplash will cover the bad caulk lines on the countertop, grease from the stove and grime above the kitchen sink on the wall.

2. Install a new kitchen sink and faucet. A new self rimming or under-mount kitchen sink and faucet can improve the functionality of your workspace.

3. Replace sections or all of your countertops. Countertops come in all sizes and materials these days. Granite and laminate tops are most popular. Green options are Quartz and Bamboo. If a full countertop replacement is not an option, consider replacing part of the workspace with a butcher-block top. Reconstruct a new kitchen island. Removing and replacing your existing kitchen island with a newly designed island will bring that custom look to your kitchen area. New island options include a different stain color on the cabinetry, chopping-block countertops, accent lighting, drawer bank cabinetry storage, etc.

FULL KITCHEN RENOVATIONS

Homeowners who are researching options available for their complete kitchen renovation can take advantage of new and cutting edge installations. The National Association of Home Builders constantly promotes the latest ideas in kitchen design. Here are just a few of the cutting edge concepts and ideas for new kitchens:

1. Install a professional slide-in or over-sized gas range. The sleek looking professional ranges add a distinct look and functionality to kitchens.

2. Install dual dishwashers. Larger families all know how quick you can be outnumbered by your dishes. Installing two dishwashers is an effective way to keep your daily kitchen workload to a minimum. The dishwasher is the least expensive appliance in a new appliance package purchase.

3. Upgrade your kitchen lighting. While the walls and ceilings are open, adding additional lighting to your existing electrical circuits is very easy. You perform different tasks in the kitchen so different forms of lighting are essential. Task lighting and accent lighting include recessed can lights, pendants, under-cabinet lighting, indirect lighting and interior cabinet low voltage lighting.

4. Include a mobile storage hub. Everyone is wired with mobile phones, PDA’s and I-Pods these days. Make certain when designing your new kitchen you include an area with additional countertop space, electrical outlets and / or cabinetry cubby holes for the storage of chargers and these devices. We all know how quickly outlets disappear when everyone has a charger for a portable device plugged in!Include an adjacent work area. Most new kitchen floor plans are incorporating a small work area directly part of or adjacent to the kitchen for children to work on homework or a spouse to plug in a laptop and not be in another room when their significant other is working in the kitchen area.

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