Author: Jason

An attractive kitchen island can be the focal point of your entire kitchen, welcoming visitors, friends, and family. It can also add resell value to your home should you decide to sell. Kitchen islands have something in common with kitchen cabinets and kitchen countertops; they come in a wide variety of materials and pricing options, whether you build it yourself or purchase one readymade. That means you should easily be able to design or purchase a kitchen island to match the rest of your décor if that is the only project you are currently working on. Storage You want to make every bit of your floor space count so build or purchase a kitchen island with plenty of storage. Alternate between shelf space and drawer space so you will have a variety of storage options. You might even consider installing deep drawers or pull out shelves to maximize your storage options. Look at several types of kitchen islands before making your final decision so you will be aware of all your options. Workspace Kitchen islands provide added workspace so it is ideal if you plan your storage around the activities you will be doing at the island. If you will be preparing food, this would be a good place to store cutting boards and small appliances. Also, make sure your island contains plenty of electrical outlets. It’s also important to consider the surface of your island in relation to the type of work you will be doing. For food prep, choose a flat, smooth surface that is moisture and heat proof. Also, consider surfaces that resist stains and bacteria for optimum functionality. Gathering Place Will your kitchen island be a place for people to hang out, eat, do homework, or work on the computer? If so, you will want to install the right kind of top surface that hangs over the edge and will accommodate barstools. Here again, you want to choose the type of island that will serve your needs well and look good at the same time. Other Options Some people choose to include a sink or a cooktop in their kitchen islands. Whether or not you choose to do so depends on your individual needs and budget, of course. But that’s why it is important to think about your needs in advance so you can plan accordingly. Including a cooktop would drastically cut down on the available workspace your kitchen island would provide, although including a small sink would still leave you plenty of room to prepare and serve meals. Lighting is another option you may want to consider for your kitchen island. You want to have plenty of light for various activities so you may want to consider installing lighting over the island, perhaps even a dimmer switch so you can control the amount of lighting depending on what you are doing. Plan your kitchen island to suit your needs and the needs of your family. Also, consider how the island will merge with the rest of your kitchen and your home and how it will add resell value to your home in the event you decide to sell one day. […]

Read More… from Benefits of a Kitchen Island

Kitchen renovation can be expensive at best, and messy and life interrupting at worst. That being said, if you’re going to go through all the trouble and expense to renovate your kitchen, you might as well do it with resell value in mind, even if you don’t plan to sell anytime soon. Kitchens are a big selling point for prospective buyers and your kitchen could someday make the difference between your house sitting on the market for months or years and selling it in a relatively short amount of time, perhaps at a profit! With that in mind, let’s look at some kitchen remodeling projects that will add resell value to your home. Go Green Energy saving appliances and eco-friendly fixtures and materials attract eco-conscious buyers, which are growing in numbers. Not only will green remodeling add substantial resell value to your home, but energy efficient appliances will save you money while you are still living in your home. Consider installing countertops and cabinetry that are manufactured from natural and renewable materials or that at least incorporate some recycled materials. Even minor renovations can pack a big punch, such as energy efficient lighting and ceiling fans. Install a Kitchen Island Kitchen Islands appeal to home buyers for a variety of reasons. They offer extra meal preparation and workspace room, they are great for storage, and they offer extra seating options when you add barstools. Adding a small sink will increase the functionality of the island as well. Attractive islands are the focal point of many kitchens and you could add considerable value to your home by building or installing a beautiful kitchen island. Add or Remodel a Pantry Space is key in kitchens and plenty of storage space is important to many home buyers. For this reason, a walk-in pantry would offer even more resell value to your home. Adding or remodeling an existing pantry that features plenty of shelves and room to store brooms and mops and the like will not only help you to streamline your kitchen and keep things neat but will bring added incentive to future home buyers. Revamp Your Appliances If you’re not yet ready to replace your appliances, consider installing stainless steel appliance panels to coordinate all of your appliances to one modern and trendy look. Appliance panels are designed to fit a variety of kitchen appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, and more. You might also consider colored panels or even appliance paint. Bottom line is you can upgrade your kitchen appliances without replacing them and give your kitchen a fresh new look at a fraction of the cost. Whenever you work on kitchen remodeling projects, be sure to keep in mind the future resell value of your home and ask yourself what you can do to be sure and increase that value while at the same time doing home improvement projects that you will enjoy too. […]

Read More… from Design Your New Kitchen for Resell Value

You don’t have to embark on a huge kitchen renovation project to make a big difference in how your kitchen looks. There are many small things you can do to update the look of your kitchen that are affordable and quick and easy. Even if you have company coming in the next day or two, you can easily implement these changes to give your kitchen a facelift. Update Switch and Vent Covers While it’s true that switch covers and vent covers are not very exciting, they are a part of almost any kitchen and if they are going to be there, they might as well look attractive. Removing them is simple; just use a screwdriver to do the job and you can either clean them and paint them or replace them altogether. Vent covers are pretty much the same; you’re not going to make a statement with them so the best thing to do with vent covers is to make sure they attract as little attention as possible, which you can do by ensuring they are clean, new or freshly painted, and free of dust. You can get a little more creative with switch covers, though. You’ll find a wide variety of them online and at home improvement stores or you can update the old ones yourself by painting them or covering them with wallpaper or even fabric. Switch covers come in a variety of finishes and you can even find themed ones to match your décor if you like. Update Cabinet Hardware Updating kitchen cabinet hardware is an easy and affordable way to add a splash of color or elegance to your kitchen and only takes a few minutes to install. Here, again, you have a wide variety of choices, but for quick fixes, be sure and get the type that will fit where your existing ones are or you will turn a small job into a much more complex one. Alternatively, you can simply remove existing hardware as long as it is in good condition and give it a fresh coat of paint for an updated look. Matching Small Appliances While it costs a pretty penny in the best of circumstances to replace major kitchen appliances, replacing the countertop variety with a matching set won’t set you back that much and will make a big difference, especially when coordinated with the other small changes we have discussed. You don’t need very many small appliances; in fact, less is better. Try to choose the kind that can do double duty, like food processers. Also, where possible, opt for under cabinet varieties, such as can openers. While you don’t want your kitchen counters cluttered, color coordinated small appliances can add a splash of color and instantly update a tired kitchen. […]

Read More… from Kitchen Design on a Shoestring

Everyone has to start somewhere and if you have never completed a remodeling project before, it can be intimidating at first to get started. The best thing to do is to just get started; start small at first and as you gain experience you’ll be able to take on more complicated home improvement projects. It will help if you are already familiar with using power tools and if you own any already, then you will be another step closer to being able to perform your own kitchen remodeling jobs. There are some things you should know, however, before you begin a remodeling project. We’ll briefly look at some of the things you need to know before you get started. Know When to Get Help One of the most important things to know is when to hire a contractor or someone else to help you. Knowing when a job is too big for just one person or too complicated for your skill level is important. It’s better to put off a project or get some help with it than to start tearing into something you have no idea how to finish. This could be a costly mistake. Budgeting for Your Remodeling Project Decide how much you can afford to spend and then start gathering material estimates to see if you can afford the project you have in mind. Material estimates can vary widely so you will need to have exact measurements and decide exactly which kind of materials you will be using. Even then, you will have to be precise. Suppose you are using wood. You will need to nail down exactly what kind of wood you are using and how much as different grades of wood vary widely in price. You want to make sure you can afford all of the materials before you start your project or you’re liable to find yourself living in a mess halfway through. Often, new do-it-yourselfers don’t realize the magnitude of the project until they get halfway through it and then realize they can’t afford it. Don’t let this happen to you! Plan for the entire project before you get started. Read While it’s true that most of us learn by doing, it’s also true that we learn by others’ mistakes. Check with your local library or bookstore for guidebooks on kitchen remodeling or even remodeling in general so you will be more comfortable with the entire process. There are also numerous articles and videos online that provide guidance about choosing materials, negotiating with service providers, and many other aspects of home and kitchen remodeling. For example, there are some materials that are easy for the do-it-yourselfer to install while other materials are best left to professional installation. Before you actually purchase materials for your kitchen remodeling job, you will want to know whether or not you can install them yourself or whether you will need to hire a contractor. […]

Read More… from Kitchen Remodeling for Newbies

Kitchen remodeling is one of the most expensive remodeling jobs you can undertake. If you find you can’t really afford a full-fledged remodeling job right now, there are still things you can do to update your kitchen and make it more attractive. Doing nothing is depressing and there are low costs things you can do that will make a world of difference. You may not tear out the floors or walls, but you can have a newly updated kitchen with a minimum of expense if you take advantage of your own creativity and ideas. Freshen Up Your Kitchen With Paint Paint is a miracle worker and can give your kitchen a facelift without draining your budget. Get creative and combine paint with wallpaper borders or stencil designs. Consider painting in more than one color with bold colors that complement each other. Look around at the accessories you already have to help you decide which color or colors of paint to use. Consider how sponging or texturing your painted walls will look. Browse the paint department of home improvement stores and look online to get ideas. You can also watch videos online to get directions on specific painting techniques that can liven up your kitchen walls and make them look like you had them professionally done. Redo Your Kitchen Floor Remodeling kitchen floors can be expensive but it can also be one of the most affordable remodeling jobs. Laminate flooring is inexpensive and comes in a variety of colors and best of all, it is easy for do-it-yourselfers to install. If you don’t want to put in cheap flooring, consider covering the old flooring with rugs that match your new paint job. Get the kind you can throw in the washer because kitchen rugs tend to catch food spills and grease easily. Fabric Updates New curtains and chair pads can breathe new life into a stale kitchen with splashes of color and are inexpensive ways to coordinate with the rest of your kitchen. You can either make these yourself or pick them up at a discount store. By coordinating your walls, flooring, and window treatments, you can make an old kitchen look new again and spend no more than two or three hundred dollars. Then when you’re ready to take on more expensive kitchen remodeling jobs, you can tackle one at a time until you have the kitchen you truly want. You can also look around thrift stores and centers that recycle building materials to see if you can find affordable fixtures for your kitchen remodel job. Often, you can find new flooring and even paint for up to 50% off what you would pay at a home improvement store. Look online or check your phone book for the nearest building materials recycling center near you. […]

Read More… from On a Tight Budget? You Can Still Update Your Kitchen

Kitchen cabinets are an integral part of any kitchen and a big part of kitchen remodeling. If your cabinets are still in good condition but you would like to update the look of them, you might want to consider refacing your existing cabinets instead of spending the money and effort building or purchasing new cabinetry. Refacing can make old cabinets look new again and costs only a fraction of the cost of replacing your kitchen cabinets. New Paint and Hardware New paint and new hardware can breathe new life into your kitchen cabinets at a fraction of the cost of new ones or even new refacing materials. If your wood cabinets are still in good condition but have suffered from years of grease and grime, you can make them new again with a fresh coat of paint and new hardware. Preparing the cabinets for paint is a lot less work than completely refacing them too. You will want to remove the cabinet doors first and then thoroughly clean them with a mild detergent and a soft rag. Also, clean the facings. This would also be a good time to clean out the cabinets themselves and clean the interiors as well. Before you prime and paint the cabinet doors and facings, you will need to sand them. Once sanded, apply the primer and wait for it to dry. Make sure that the room you are working in is well ventilated; open a window and use a fan if possible. Be patient when you are painting and allow the paint to thoroughly dry between coats. You will want to apply 2 or 3 very thin coats of paint for best results. Once the paint is dried, you are ready to attach your new hardware. Most home improvement stores have a wide variety of attractive kitchen cabinet hardware to choose from. Now you have new cabinets you can be proud of and it took a fraction of the time and money. New Faces Suppose you don’t want to paint or you need entirely new faces for your kitchen cabinets. You can either build the facings yourself or buy new doors and hardware. Then you’ll have to decide on the finish you want as well, especially if you are building the new facings yourself. If you are purchasing new cabinet facings, you can get them finished or unfinished and then do the project yourself. Refacing cabinets is a great way to update your kitchen and add value to your entire home. There are so many choices available to you when it comes to refacing options that you can make it as affordable and easy and you want by simply painting or applying new finish or you can opt for entirely new faces. Whatever option you choose, take your time to prepare your cabinets and faces before you begin so that you will have a smooth and clean finish. […]

Read More… from Kitchen Cabinets: Don’t Replace, Reface!