Showing posts sorted by relevance for query home improvement. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query home improvement. Sort by date Show all posts

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

Kitchen Improvement Hollywood Style


Leave it to Hollywood to make something as serious as home improvement into a laughing matter. Home improvement woes are a perfect plot for television, comedy and movies. In fact, in recent years, home improvement topics have done quite well in Hollywood and have made many people big stars.

Home improvement is such an interesting topic because it is usually something complex that rarely goes off without a hitch. It can make for some humorous situations. You can think of it as a situation comedy. Lucille Ball would have fun doing a skit with wallpaper. Imagine just what she could do with the paste flying, ripping paper and the many other humorous situations that could happen. Home improvement just has what its takes to create a funny and humorous situation.

Comedy teams were quite popular in the Depression and during World War II. Comedy teams like the Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy often had audiences rolling with their humorous takes on home improvement. They would take a simple task and somehow turn it into a huge mess. Many people could relate and it was fun to laugh at their antics.

A popular television show called Home Improvement, made men everywhere start getting a little respect fort their work in the home. Tim Allen's clumsy and accident prone character could make the average guy look like the worlds best handyman. He covered a wide range of home improvement projects on the show and everyone ended with a laugh and usually, a little pain for Tim 'the tool man' Taylor.

Even on the big screen, actors such as Tom Hanks made their mark with a home improvement theme. In the Money Pit one poor man's struggle with home improvement is chronicled. As he and his wife dream big about planning the remodeling of their dream home, they come face to face with home improvement nightmares.

Maybe Hollywood pokes fun at home improvement to help lighten the mood. Maybe they just do it because it is easy. Whatever the reason, the attempts at humor are often hilarious and relatable. Perhaps it is good to laugh about something that can be so frustrating. The old adage - better you than me - seems to be working for Hollywood as they show viewers that it can be funny to laugh at another mans home improvement woes. So many are laughing, too. These shows and movies are often top sellers.

Greg Hansward writes articles almost entirely for http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/ a web publication with topics around wall mount faucet , kitchen faucet and other issues. You might discover his work on wall mount faucets over at http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/faucets.html and other sources for wall mount faucets tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_K._Hansward

Wednesday, 22 July 2009

Kitchen Remodeling - Think Before You Act

Many people, without thinking, want to initiate the process of kitchen improvements primarily to achieve a more comfortable and welcoming home. Convenience, style and elegance are the most important objectives in any kitchen remodeling endeavor. A trip to your local library's home improvement section can be worth a million dollars. It will provide an opportunity for you to think before you act. In addition, most home improvement magazines will, without a doubt, prove to be an invaluable source of information for you to consider before starting your own home improvement project.

A kitchen home improvement project can easily become overwhelming to an inexperienced homeowner who has not taken the time to think before he acts. It is difficult to envision everything that might be affected by changing one simple element in your kitchen. For example, you may decide to simply repaint your walls. That's it! Project finished. Or is it? Now the color of the floor tiles clashes with the color of the walls. Ok, we will go for a new floor. Whoops, we damaged the cabinets while installing the new floor. And on and on and on we go. In other words, a homeowner who is embarking on a kitchen improvement venture MUST first participate in a great deal of investigative planning prior to the start of construction. Or, he might have to face the possibility of being thoroughly disappointed with the outcome of his kitchen improvement venture.

Therefore, the investigative time you devote to your kitchen improvement project can definitely be correlated to the degree of your satisfaction with the end results that you were able to obtain. No one wants to invest a huge amount of money, time and effort only to be disappointed with the outcome. It is always better to think before you act.

Tuesday, 2 September 2008

Kitchen Remodeling - Add Value and Life to Your Home

Kitchen Remodeling is the single most popular home renovation. Kitchens and Baths are often combined in a single project, but according to Michigan Contractors, kitchen remodeling is the most common request. Kitchen remodeling is certainly a very enticing project, but make sure you go about it with a mind to keeping the costs in check; the potential expense involved frightens some people before they even start. Kitchen remodeling costs are always likely to be an obstacle to getting the dream kitchen you have always wanted. Kitchen remodeling is the home improvement job that adds the most value to your house.

It can convert an old fashioned, dated kitchen into the showpiece of your home. The method of how to change the design will depend on your lifestyle and budget. Kitchen remodeling is the home improvement job that adds the most value to your house. In fact, you'll recover 80-90% of your kitchen remodeling costs in the added value to your house - more if you're handy enough to do the work yourself.

Kitchen remodeling is something that needs to be carefully planned using the size and configuration of the room. With this one room being the hub of the home, it needs to be designed with the triangle concept, which allows a person cooking to have easy access to the sink, refrigerator, and stove. It's one of the most common home improvement projects in the U.S. When asked which room in their house they would most like to remodel, Americans overwhelmingly chose the kitchen. Kitchen remodeling is one of the best investments when it comes to both everyday use and increase in resale value. In addition, you might be able to save on energy as well by choosing energy efficient kitchen appliances.

It is without a doubt one of the best investments you as a homeowner can make. For most homeowners, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. Kitchen remodeling is a good way for you to increase the value of your home and to put a new spin on your old living areas. It is much more than choosing a paint color and cabinet style. The kitchen is the heart and soul of any house, so it's important that your kitchen remodeling project results in a space that is functional, comfortable, and beautiful to take in all at the same time. Kitchen remodeling is one of the most intensive remodeling projects you can undertake in any house. The process involves important design decisions about cabinets, counter tops, lighting, appliances, layout, and finish treatments.

Whether your remodeling project will encompass a total tear-down and rebuild or a change of cabinetry, counter tops and major appliances, you will find yourself paying top dollar for remodeling this most important room in the house. Kitchen remodeling is also an investment in ongoing personal pleasure, increasing connectedness between all members of the family and easing the effort (while increasing the joy) of meal preparation. More homemade meals mean less fast food. Kitchen remodeling is a tricky job that requires taking into account existing architecture, plumbing and wiring, structural elements, and many other important aspects. For a project with so many considerations, it is crucial that you receive a kitchen remodeling professional who can care for all the things affected by the project, in accordance with your vision and budget. Kitchen remodeling is no small decision, so we're more than happy to answer any and all of your questions to help you feel comfortable with yours.

DiCicco Building Company has been a Michigan Remodeling contractor for over 20 years. We are also leaders in Kitchen and Bath Remodeling along with being an award winning custom residential home builder. We also specialize in Finished Basements and home additions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_DiCicco

Saturday, 16 July 2011

Add Value to Your Kitchen and Home at a Low Price

Finding ideas and ways of improving the value and comfort of your home is relatively easy nowadays with dozens of home related magazines, television programmes demonstrating interior decorating and the thousands of home improvement websites.

In our towns and cities, we see an increasing array of home decoration shops, unique furniture shops and just looking in the DIY store this morning, I was amazed at the amount of home products and paints that can be purchased readily.

However, there is a slight drawback to all of this - Money. Buying comfortable or luxury home items will make us happy and feel good and of course, if you move home, you will take these items with you, including those lovely light fittings you spent out on and the beautiful garden furniture made from oak.

But what about the expensive home fittings that you need to replace but either can't afford to or just worried that this expense will be lost when you sell your house.

Of course, I am talking about replacing that poor, tired old kitchen of yours and those shabby looking windows and doors. Two of the most expensive home improvement jobs you can undertake when refurbishing your home.

Well, let me tell you a little known secret I use when refurbishing property to sell with my limited budget and limited time:-

I have my kitchen cabinet doors, drawers, end boards and kick boards Spray Painted to any colour of my choosing! Yes you did read that right, I have my kitchen cabinets spray painted.

This is such a major cost saving over replacing a perfectly normal but ugly kitchen and it is so much quicker too. Did I also say less messy!

First I choose a colour of my liking and to blend in with the house design. I then contact my local spray painting company and book the work in, advising them of my colour choice (which can be any RAL or Pantone colour). They then visit my home, remove the kitchen doors and drawers and take back to the factory for spraying. Within a few short days, they return and fit the doors and drawers and mask up the remainder of the kitchen for spraying the end boards etc.

For extra impact to my kitchen design , I also have my appliances spray painting in a matching colour to colour coordinate everything the kitchen has to offer. Bang, you now have a stunning, unique kitchen that nobody else has and at a fraction of the cost of replacement.

I do tend to colour code the walls, kitchen cabinets and appliances in different shades of the same colour just to break up the mass of colour. Next time, I aim to use different colours around the kitchen to see how this works.

So at this point, I guess the question you are asking yourself is "How long does the paint last?"

Well that is a great question. As long as you choose a professional spray painting company your paintwork will last for 10 years without fading, bubbling or minor scratches. Obviously, if you are heavy handed with the paint, it will scratch. Unlike hand painted kitchens which fade and scratch quickly, a spray painted finish is far more professional looking and much better quality.

Now for my next money saving trick...

If the property I am renovating has either aluminium or UPVC windows, doors and conservatory, I use the same spray painting company to mask up and re-spray the windows and doors, again in a colour of my choosing. This is normally a bright, clean white. But sometimes, I am a little braver and use a lovely contemporary colour to make the property really stand out.

Just be careful about requesting colours other than white. Not every home buyer likes non white windows and not many people know they can have them resprayed at a very little price.

Finally, also think about other areas of your home which could also be spray painted:-

Garage doors

Guttering

Soffits

Down Pipes

Radiators

Gates

Conservatories

Swimming Pool Covers

Weather Boards

And so on...

Good luck with your home project and I hope the above has been useful.

Friday, 23 December 2011

Find Kitchen Remodeling Contractors

Sometimes, before you even hire home improvement contractors, you need to know the type of renovation in which you are interested. You need to figure out whether your project requires home repair contractors or other services, or whether it is a do-it-yourself endeavor. You may also find information on all different types of home services from architect reviews to home repair contractor reviews, so if you have a job that requires professional assistance, you may locate the best people for the task.

For example, if you are interested in remodeling your kitchen, you may be able to do some aspects of the project yourself and require the assistance of kitchen remodeling contractors for other aspects. If you have a small kitchen, there may be certain remodeling and design techniques that enable you to better utilize what space you have.

The major components to kitchen remodeling are storage, lighting, and appliances. Budget and space limits do not need to hamper your kitchen redesign. You may transform your small kitchen into a room that is warm and efficient.

Since you have a very specific amount of available space to work with, you should look into purchasing compact appliances. For example, a refrigerator that is 24 inches deep, rather than 30 inches deep, saves you some space. You may also be creative regarding where you store these appliances, such underneath or above cabinets.

You may ask the home improvement contractors to create an island in the center of your kitchen so that you may use it for storage. Its convenient location will ensure that you may access the appropriate cooking and baking tools from anywhere in the kitchen, even when you are in the midst of preparing a meal or baking a dessert.

To maximize counter and cabinet space, you may store your pots and pans by hanging them up. Doing this leaves additional storage space and gives your kitchen a homey look and feel. Another remodeling option is to invest in a galley kitchen design, which incorporates cabinets and appliances that line up on different sides of a corridor. This design may give your kitchen an added depth.

You may also create the illusion of more space with clever, creative lighting. Light under the cabinets or counters to give your kitchen more dimension and to make it appear bigger. You may also install deep counters and cabinets to increase available work space and accommodate more appliances.

Do your research to determine the type and level of help you may need for your kitchen remodeling project. You may want the assistance of an architect or designer, or you may feel comfortable simply relying on the advice of home improvement contractors. When you decide your best course of action, you will be able to effectively transform your small kitchen into an efficient work space.

Thursday, 31 July 2008

Home Remodeling to Increase the Resale Value

All of us need change from time to time at various levels. These changes bring new energy into our life and they take the boredom out of our lives. One of the areas that all of us love to see some change is our home. Home improvements and remodeling not only will bring in a new look to your house but it will also dramatically increase the resale value of your house. By remodeling a house that you are planning to sell you will not only recover the investment that you made on the home improvement, you can also increase the value of your house from anywhere between 25% and 30%.

One of the things that come first to our mind is kitchen remodeling and this is one of the most popular remodeling areas. So much can be done to improve your kitchen and it depends on the budget and the size of your kitchen. For example, you can think of changing the entire kitchen cabinetry. By approaching a good home remodeling products company you can get a lot of remodeling ideas for your kitchen. By sending the measurements of your kitchen you can get your cabinet design layout at a nominal fee and once you order the remodeling products from them many companies will give a total refund of the design fee. It is important that you express your expectations clearly so that the layout developed can meet those requirements effectively. You can also view the photo gallery of kitchen cabinets online to get some design ideas.

Another area that you can consider for remodeling is your bathroom; you can add glass block showers that will give a facelift to your bathroom. One of the areas the buyers pay attention when they want to invest in a house is the bathroom; people are really fuzzy about this particular area of the house. So by going in for a simple remodeling like glass block showers you can attract buyers.

Mantles and shelves take the monotony of the plain walls from your house. They give the required projection for the walls and an expensive look. You can go for pre-made mantle designs or custom designs to suit your taste and budget.

If you want to give some improvement to your home exteriors, you can go for vinyl shutters. Vinyl shutters are replacing wooden shutters these days because they do not have the danger of warping or rotting so it is long lasting. You also do not have to worry about any further maintenance of your vinyl shutters unlike the wooden shutters that require regular treatments and painting.

So when you are planning for your home improvement or remodeling invest wisely so that you can enjoy giving your house a whole new look and at the same time you can increase the value of your house. Depending on your budget and taste you can remodel your house in phased manner so that you do not have to invest a lot of money at the same time. The investments can be spread across over a period of 3 to 6 months depending on the resources available.

Tommy Smithson is author of this article on mantel shelves

Find more information about kitchen cabinets online here.


Wednesday, 23 July 2008

Good Tips For Economic Kitchen Renovations

Kitchen renovations can be one of the most expensive home improvement projects a homeowner will ever undertake. But, updating this space not only makes the room more enjoyable for cooking eating and socializing. It also adds to the resale value of the property.

To get the most for your money, there are many creative ideas for remodeling a kitchen without spending more than your budget can handle. Here are some methods for bringing a new look to your kitchen for less cash than you might have thought possible.

Paint: A Budget-Conscious Way to Achieve a New Look

Paint is a very economical method for giving a room a quick facelift and can be done in just a couple days, perhaps just one day. Whether you choose to pain the walls or opt to refinish a cabinet, pain allows you to add back color and charm to an otherwise boring room.

When it comes to kitchen remodeling on a budget, paint turns into the magic wand of home improvement. However, before painting your kitchen cabinets, first make sure they are in good condition by inspecting them for any separation between the walls and cabinets and for any drawers and doors that do not work properly. Cabinets that are in good condition qualify as candidates for the effort and time you will spend painting them.

Do Not Start Big, Think Small

Oftentimes, the smallest and least expensive changes to your home result in the greatest impact to the home's overall look. If you are considering kitchen remodeling on a budget, start with your lighting and fixtures. For instance, adding lighting above or below your cabinetry will give the kitchen an entirely new feel and look and provide you with a new area to display your favorite collectibles. Or, maybe changing the handles or knobs on your cabinets will be a simple, cheap change that will be just enough to change the room's appearance. There are many choices available for pulls and knobs that come in a variety of décor and prices for any kitchen remodeling plan and budget.

Hit the Floor Without Falling

If you need to replace your kitchen flooring which is sometimes necessary, do not despair at the thought of how much it will cost you. Sometimes, you can replace your flooring on a budget with DIY options using flooring designs that are now discontinued and, typically, offered at a discounted price. There are many options in tile or linoleum, for instance, that can be purchased at a great price and installed yourself. But, before you travel to the local home improvement or flooring store, take a quick look at what lies beneath your current flooring. Many homeowners have found a wood floor underneath that may be worth the effort and money refinishing it to its once inimitable hardwood finish. Oftentimes, the best kitchen remodeling is to use what you already have. With times the best method of kitchen remodeling on a budget is to use the assets that you already have. As you see, remodeling your kitchen does not always require an expandable budget. With planning and creativity, you can do a kitchen remodel project on a budget and finally have the kitchen of your dreams.

The author John Bakers is really passionate about subjects similar to remodeling kitchen and kitchen cabinet parts. From his detailed writings like http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/remodeling.html, the columnist established his depth of understanding on information corresponding to how to change kitchen cabinets and kitchen cabinet parts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_J._Baker

Friday, 20 February 2009

Add Color Accents to Your Kitchen

When it comes to kitchen layouts, contemporary designs typically call for plain, mundane styles and arrangements. Why not kick up your kitchen design a notch by incorporating color? Appropriately mixing and matching elements of color with your current kitchen appliances and eating areas will instantly give your home a boost in energy and brightness no matter how cold or dreary the weather.

Decorate the Appliances

If you have purchased your home or apartment within the last two decades, chances are your kitchen includes all or mostly stainless steel appliances. Or, maybe your home features all black or off white fixtures. By replacing some of your home hardware, such as oven door handles or microwave frames, you can create a truly unique style of your own. If you do decide to pair your otherwise boring appliances (sinks included), be sure to select a few colors that match an overall theme. Otherwise, you can easily get carried away; you do not want your home hardware project looking like a rainbow exploded!

Trim the Countertops

Whether laminate, wood or metal, your countertop is an easy area to incorporate color. Unlike your appliances, however, using subtle hints of color to match your already existing materials is wise. Often, simply refinishing the wood or relaying a more decorate laminate top is all you will need. Speckled, multi-colored laminates work best as they look and match practically any color scheme as well as disguise burn marks and grease stains that can make wooden counters look messy and warn.

Similarly, your coffee bar or eat-in area should be consistent with your countertops. It is crucial that you consider your color palette prior to purchasing and renovating any aspect of your kitchen!

Get Fancy With the Flooring

As a child, it is endlessly entertaining to sprint full on into your kitchen and zip across the floor in your socked feet. Ensure that your flooring is safe and installed correctly to avoid any permanent water damage (critical around the dishwasher if you have one). What many homeowners make the mistake of doing is simply overlooking your flooring, erring on the side that plain is enough. Wrong! Simply replacing a few feet of your kitchen floor near the eating area will instantly add character to your room. Accent tiling that matches your overall style is uncommon and sophisticated, instantly transforming your room.

Wallpaper & Curtains

While many homeowners choose simple floor patterns, they conversely go overboard with loud, oftentimes obnoxious wall paper and curtain patterns. Keep it simple! By limiting the number of colors and bold designs (note: never choose checkers) used, you allow the eye to travel around the room instead of focusing on one area. This is crucial, as wall paper can easily become an eyesore competing with your kitchen cabinet hardware.

Dress the Door Knobs

What is a cabinet without proper door knobs and pulls? Again, as you paired your appliances with matching plastic frames or other drawer handles or pulls, do the same courtesy for your cabinets. Keeping the same colors consistent on varying eye levels will again help any onlooker's gaze move throughout the room, noticing how well the colors of your cabinet knobs compliment each other instead of how they compete for your undivided attention!

Accessorize With Pizzazz

Last but certainly not least, any properly decorated kitchen must include the proper accessories. From utensils to copper pots, you should again be consistent, especially if you plan to utilize any of these elements as decorations. Additionally, towel racks should match the same metal and finish as your cabinet knobs. If you think your kitchen colors are too bland, add an instant splash of color with bright, cheerful pot holders and hand towels. If you can't decide whether to add more color or not, slightly close your eyes and notice the overall colors, they should all mesh and blend to create a soft look, not a glaring reminder of the once popular neon colors!

Tori works for Your Home Supply (YHS) t

When it comes to kitchen layouts, contemporary designs typically call for plain, mundane styles and arrangements. Why not kick up your kitchen design a notch by incorporating color? Appropriately mixing and matching elements of color with your current kitchen appliances and eating areas will instantly give your home a boost in energy and brightness no matter how cold or dreary the weather.

Decorate the Appliances

If you have purchased your home or apartment within the last two decades, chances are your kitchen includes all or mostly stainless steel appliances. Or, maybe your home features all black or off white fixtures. By replacing some of your home hardware, such as oven door handles or microwave frames, you can create a truly unique style of your own. If you do decide to pair your otherwise boring appliances (sinks included), be sure to select a few colors that match an overall theme. Otherwise, you can easily get carried away; you do not want your home hardware project looking like a rainbow exploded!

Trim the Countertops

Whether laminate, wood or metal, your countertop is an easy area to incorporate color. Unlike your appliances, however, using subtle hints of color to match your already existing materials is wise. Often, simply refinishing the wood or relaying a more decorate laminate top is all you will need. Speckled, multi-colored laminates work best as they look and match practically any color scheme as well as disguise burn marks and grease stains that can make wooden counters look messy and warn.

Similarly, your coffee bar or eat-in area should be consistent with your countertops. It is crucial that you consider your color palette prior to purchasing and renovating any aspect of your kitchen!

Get Fancy With the Flooring

As a child, it is endlessly entertaining to sprint full on into your kitchen and zip across the floor in your socked feet. Ensure that your flooring is safe and installed correctly to avoid any permanent water damage (critical around the dishwasher if you have one). What many homeowners make the mistake of doing is simply overlooking your flooring, erring on the side that plain is enough. Wrong! Simply replacing a few feet of your kitchen floor near the eating area will instantly add character to your room. Accent tiling that matches your overall style is uncommon and sophisticated, instantly transforming your room.

Wallpaper & Curtains

While many homeowners choose simple floor patterns, they conversely go overboard with loud, oftentimes obnoxious wall paper and curtain patterns. Keep it simple! By limiting the number of colors and bold designs (note: never choose checkers) used, you allow the eye to travel around the room instead of focusing on one area. This is crucial, as wall paper can easily become an eyesore competing with your kitchen cabinet hardware.

Dress the Door Knobs

What is a cabinet without proper door knobs and pulls? Again, as you paired your appliances with matching plastic frames or other drawer handles or pulls, do the same courtesy for your cabinets. Keeping the same colors consistent on varying eye levels will again help any onlooker's gaze move throughout the room, noticing how well the colors of your cabinet knobs compliment each other instead of how they compete for your undivided attention!

Accessorize With Pizzazz

Last but certainly not least, any properly decorated kitchen must include the proper accessories. From utensils to copper pots, you should again be consistent, especially if you plan to utilize any of these elements as decorations. Additionally, towel racks should match the same metal and finish as your cabinet knobs. If you think your kitchen colors are too bland, add an instant splash of color with bright, cheerful pot holders and hand towels. If you can't decide whether to add more color or not, slightly close your eyes and notice the overall colors, they should all mesh and blend to create a soft look, not a glaring reminder of the once popular neon colors!

Tori works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of matte black cabinet knobs and matte black door knobs. Visit them now to see their selections. With a wide range of finishes and styles Your Home Supply can help you add color accents to your kitchen.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tori_Spade

he definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of matte black cabinet knobs and matte black door knobs. Visit them now to see their selections. With a wide range of finishes and styles Your Home Supply can help you add color accents to your kitchen.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tori_Spade

Sunday, 1 February 2009

Old-Fashioned Family Kitchen

So you've finally decided to take the plunge and redesign your kitchen. Before you take your hatchet to your door frames or rip up the flooring, you'll need a thorough plan of what and how you'd like to reinvent the home's most valuable room. While contemporary kitchens may be ideal for the trendy thirty-something, a cozier, old-fashioned kitchen design is ideal for almost any home.

First things first: you must consider what aged style kitchen is right for your home. The general rule of thumb is to consider safety first; many styles are not conducive to homes with children or pets. Secondly, estimate the functionality of the style. A busy chef might need more space than some vintage remodeling allows. Finally, choose a style that fits the first two criteria and is aesthetically pleasing; chances are, your home improvements will increase your home's overall worth.

1950's: Vintage and Inviting

The 1950's kitchen designs epitomize the "comfort" kitchen. The color scheme includes soft, light colors such as pale blues, yellows and neutrals. Since most homes were much smaller, the colors are inviting, bright and open up smaller spaces. Contrarily, the cabinet knobs in this vintage décor were typically adorned with dark finishes. A focal point of any 50's design, however, includes properly showcasing your odds and ends. Everything from cookbooks, vases and empty milk jugs to even a classic bread box was put on display in open cabinetry units.

Tip: Put a modern twist on this design in your own home and include authentic pop art that emerged during this decade.

1960's: Swinging With Style

Known mostly for Woodstock and Vietnam, this decade's color scheme is quite different from the previous decade. Many homes featured bright blues, deep reds and vibrant yellows, often on tiling that surrounded the waist-high, wall-mounted oven unit. Home hardware typically included either tin cabinetry and matching cabinet handles or oil rubbed wooden cabinets that nicely complemented the influx of stainless steel appliances.

Tip: As a tribute to the beginning of rock and roll, add an mp3 player unit and of course, add songs from legends such as Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Janis Joplin, The Who and Bob Marley.

1970's: Progressive and Comfortable

This decade ushered in the hippie culture, the civil rights movement and the landing on the moon. As for design elements, the 1970's featured a relaxed feel, similar to that of the 1950's. However, colors were either more muted or the brightest colors in the spectrum. Designs often resulted in entirely white or neutral colored kitchens (including the floor!) with contrasting shockingly bright bedrooms and living rooms. And did we mention animal print? That's right. During this decade, bean bag chairs and shag rugs in faux animal print was the grooviest accessory. Kitchen cabinet knobs and cabinetry were primarily wood accented by bold tiling on the backsplash and walls between countertops and shelving units.

Tip: Accessorize by placing various sized candles around the kitchen-- it adds instant ambiance and is less tacky than the ubiquitous lava lamp.

1980's: Big and Bold

Believe it or not, many stylistic elements of today's modern kitchens include a few features that popped up during this decade. Wallpaper was preferred over wall paint, but the cabinetry was quite modern for the time. Made of dark wood, these cabinets are accented with dark stone (often granite) countertops and French country cabinet knobs in rich finishes such as oil rubbed bronze or antiqued chrome. Additionally, many 1980's light fixtures are similar to today's contemporary models that create a focal point in your kitchen. The dramatic lighting combined with the dark countertops and dark wood created a striking, bold kitchen.

Tip: Install a single hanging light fixture or recessed can lighting to create the desired effect. As a bonus, add a dimmer switch to vary the intensity level in your kitchen.

Amanda works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of home hardware and kitchen cabinet hardware products to help customers with decorative accessories for the home. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Bashore

Monday, 25 August 2008

Home Repair - Kitchen Cabinets And Kitchen Renovations

One of the most important rooms in your home is your kitchen, and nowadays it is much more than simply a place to prepare and cook food. Today most people use it for relaxation, eating and entertaining, a major reason why most opt for home improvement and home repair by using kitchen remodeling and utilizing the various options of ideas and designs. Kitchen remodeling lets you get the fresh look you want, and dependent on your budget and personal needs, you will be able to make a marked difference to your special room. Redesigning a kitchen can be a valued form of home improvement that benefits you two ways: you have the pleasure of using it while you live there; and your home’s value increases. Most buyers do put great weight on the kitchen on the list of their most important needs, and so making improvements to your kitchen can increase your home’s salability if you opted to move or sell at some point in the future.

Whatever option you choose for a kitchen, it will be greatly dependent on your personal needs, saving you a fortune in money, especially is your choose to reface your kitchen cabinets and countertops. However, if your kitchen cabinets and furnishings were not salvageable then you would be surprised at the fantastic deals you can choose from in regards to kitchen fixtures, cabinetry and furnishings. You may even choose to make additions, and if you do not presently have one, you could opt to install an island, adding needed workspace, extra storage, and a stylish new look. Whichever option you go for, installing new kitchen furnishings and cabinetry or simply refacing existing ones, you can access some amazing deals and also an excellent range of choices. This will enable you to find the best look for your kitchen. You can choose from a broad selection of finishes as well, meaning that whatever theme or look you want to get for your kitchen, you will avoid all the problems of finding the best answer to that needed look.

Setting up your kitchen with new furnishings and cabinetry can sometimes be expensive, but if you look around in the correct places, you can cut your costs dramatically. One of the best places to begin is on the Internet, letting you access a broad range of super choices, plus good value for your money regarding your kitchen needs, from accessories and furnishings to fixtures and whatever you may want to get your kitchen looking perfect. You should make comparisons between each product and prices first, as you can locate some amazing options from the varied range of both top quality and reputable manufacturers, who endeavor to assist all their customers in achieving the best final look for their revamped kitchens.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=129376&ca=Home+Management

Monday, 2 February 2009

Kitchen Update in Old World Style With Cabinet Knobs

If you're nostalgic at heart or just want your kitchen to feel trendy but aren't ready to take the stainless steel plunge, you should consider updating your kitchen with older, classic architectural elements. Decorating your kitchen combining your modern appliances with a rustic style will transform your kitchen overnight and create a comfortable, cozy atmosphere instantly for any home.

The Must-Have Antique Essentials

No matter what style kitchen you have, adding a few dated furniture or accent pieces will give any home a warm, old-fashioned feel. The essentials to creating an antique look revolve around attention to detail. Old world styles, whether Greek, Roman or Old English, focus on craftsmanship.

Most traditional kitchens feature elaborately designed woodwork and cabinetry with equally intricate cabinet knobs. Woodworking styles include raised panel doors, inlaid beaded panels, distressed wood, hand-hammered drawer pulls and even copper, peg and tin drawer handles.

Choose Your Style

Depending on your tastes, you may want to research the possibilities of old styles to determine which suites your home the best. Traditional Greek and Mediterranean kitchens incorporate earthy tones and materials such as clay and ceramics. To incorporate this look in your home, consider adding accent tiling or mosaic pieces to your otherwise plain walls. A perfect area to try your Greek style is the backsplash of your stovetop range.

The Roman style kitchens focus on the fireplace. Most modern homes no longer have fireplaces; instead, ovens and stovetops do all the baking and cooking. However, it's still possible to incorporate the Roman theme in even the most contemporary kitchens. Romans utilized clay bakery and cookware. Why not apply the Roman theme to your home? Choosing a few decorative clay pieces to hang above your countertop, island or stove top immediately adds an authentic touch to your otherwise ordinary kitchen style.

Another traditionally styled kitchen comes from the Old English. English cabinetry features open display racks, so you can display your china dishes. For a modern twist, install a backlight behind the cabinet to really vamp up the spotlight. Other cabinet options include wood cut outs with dark finishes such as bronzes and oils.

Finally, French country kitchens focus on the natural. It's not uncommon for French-styled kitchens to feature bare materials, especially on the walls and ceilings. So if you've got beams in your ceiling, show them off! By coating your existing materials with a dark finish, you can instantly create a rich accent to your kitchen. Be sure that your French country cabinet knobs match the finish of your ceilings or complement your wall palate. Additionally, French kitchens focus on colors. Typically, most kitchens incorporated light hues of off white, ivory, taupe and beige to complement the natural woodworking and tiles.

Match the Accessories

Once you've chosen the style of your liking, be sure to coordinate all aspects of your kitchen with this theme. For instance, a Greek influenced kitchen will not mesh with bright yellow paint. Elements to consider are your cabinet hardware, backsplashes, wood elements and even bar stools or seating areas. Match wood and cabinet finishes with complimentary drawer pulls to create a seamless style.

Light It Up

After you've completed the hard work of redesigning your kitchen into a classically adorned eatery, the proper lighting will showcase your efforts. Most commonly, track lighting is used to highlight accent pieces such as pottery, hanging cookware or ceramic tile work. Other options include tear drop or hanging light fixtures that provide dramatic shadows on your antiqued cabinetry.

Try the Cuisine

With all the hard work behind you, it's now time to host a debut for your new kitchen! Gather friends and family to show off your traditionally infused kitchen design. Whether your kitchen is Greek, Roman, English or French, to really boast your efforts, cook an authentic cuisine that matches your design.

Amanda works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of home hardware products to help customers with common household repairs, as well as decorative accessories for the home. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Bashore

Sunday, 24 August 2008

Kitchen Cabinets - Save Money With Kitchen Designs

The variety of kitchen designs is so broad that home improvement projects for kitchens can improve their overall atmosphere and appearance by the simple addition of kitchen cabinets and other furniture. First though, it is imperative to plan your designs and project first to make sure the final result is what you really want. It is vital to consider everything before making a final design decision, and consider all the different design ideas available. Initially you can draw ideas from the many home improvement television shows or magazines, the Internet, or even go to some home and garden exhibitions or shows to get some idea of what is available and the general costs. If you exercise your creativity you can ultimately formulate a unique design from nothing, making your kitchen truly personal and greatly improve your property simultaneously.

To begin with, you should account for certain factors when searching for the right kitchen design for you. Start with evaluating your budget requirements and make yourself stay within that budget as best as you can. The best way to do this is to make sure that the design you choose can be achieved through the budget you have set for the project. Another way is to consider the common theme that you have currently for your home as the one for your new kitchen, but this is only a choice, not a necessity. You should also take into consideration family size and the numbers of people that will probably utilise your kitchen. For example, bigger families or those with younger children may need to consider a different design type than couples or single people.

The next step is to plan the equipment and item purchases you will need to do your home renovation and create that dream design for the kitchen. Money can be saved easily and the best way to do that is to shop online, whereby you can save a lot using discounts and deals on things like cabinet doors, furniture, cabinets and other items. Consumer choice is best online, so you improve the chances of locating the design you want and the means to implement it. By re-designing your kitchen you will have a refreshed room that is a pleasurable workspace, a delightful relaxation spot, and will add to your home’s value should you consider selling it as some point.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=129372&ca=Home+Management

Friday, 12 December 2008

The Rules of Kitchen Interior Design

Many new homeowners are overwhelmed with excitement and joy at the thought of moving into their first house. Now that is the house is officially theirs, they are free to make as many changes that they want to make. So instead of that cast iron sink and boring counter, you can put in one made of soapstone to go along with a new soapstone counter.
The rules of interior design aren't always as free as whimsical as your new kitchen ideas. The entire idea behind kitchen interior design is to make your new home's kitchen your very own through specific and distinct changes. It stands to reason since you are living in a home built by a stranger that their style may not be yours. A new kitchen design filled with a soapstone fireplace or a soapstone stove is the way to go.

Many new homeowners I've talked to think of home improvement to be a daunting task. True, it can be for those who attempt to completely renovate their entire home at once. They are often faced with a number of different problems all at once dealing with having to move furniture and other items out of the way so the renovation can take place. For smart homeowner, a kitchen redesign is easier since they choose to only do a little bit at a time. Completing each project, such as adding soapstone stoves or a soapstone counter, one project at a time avoids many of the everyday hassles and interruptions of daily life.

To start with, you will want to plan the remodeling out in advance. This ensures you have all that you need on paper, work on a schedule, and that your estimate for the remodeling is within budget. Try to also leave some room for un-expected issues such as running out of soapstone for the soapstone stove. This is just one or two potential issues so it is wise to always be prepared. Kitchen remodeling design is not too tough, as long as you plan in advance.

Most counters vary from soapstone, granite and marble type to laminate, which is usually your least expensive. A soapstone counter works well in conjunction with soapstone stoves or a soapstone fireplace. Many homeowners are adding bars to their soapstone counter in place of the wall. This look adds eating and visiting space and gives the illusion of a larger kitchen space.

Choosing the perfect kitchen counter is almost as important as the installation process. The installation of the counter or any other kitchen improvements depends on the amount of your remodeling budget. It's always a smart idea to shop for sales and always negotiate prices whenever possible.

Anne has worked on many home improvement projects with a soapstone fireplace. Her specialties are redesigning ordinary kitchens into the extraordinary using a soapstone stove and a soapstone counter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Harvester

Tuesday, 20 January 2009

Granite, Quartz, and Stone Countertops Bring New Life Into Tired Kitchens

Have you been cooking on the same boring Formica countertops for 20 years? Are you considering putting your house on the market? Is your kitchen drab and tired-looking? If you're ready to give your kitchen a new lease on life, consider installing stone countertops. The renovations are relatively minor-quick and hassle-free-and the results are fabulous. You'll be amazed at how different your kitchen looks by simply switching to granite or quartz countertops!

The truth is that laminate countertops are a thing of the past. In the last decade or so, stone countertops have shifted from a luxury item available to the elite few to the industry standard. Laminate simply looks dowdy and old-fashioned when compared with the sleek, satiny look of stone. Having stone countertops installed in your kitchen is a great way to bring your home up to date and into the 21st century.

You may be surprised to learn that stone countertops are available in a wide variety of price ranges. You'll pay a premium for specialty natural stone like exotic marbles, but more common natural countertop materials such as granite and soapstone are less expensive. Also, consider that materials like quartz counters can easily last the lifetime of your house; even though such stone countertops are more expensive than laminate would be, they're a better value since they never need to be replaced!

And, speaking of value, investing in quality solid-surface countertops is a fantastic way to add value to your home. Regardless of whether you're planning to sell your house in the short term, stone countertops are an enduring investment in your home. Especially if you're planning to enjoy your home for years to come, now is the best time to install granite countertops; you'll have plenty of time to benefit from your attractive, functional stone counters before you eventually sell the house. And when you do sell, the purchase price will invariably be higher than if your kitchen had worn Formica counters. In fact, because the appearance of your kitchen is usually the single room that makes or breaks a sale, stone countertops may be the difference between selling your home or not.

With all of the great reasons to install stone counters in your kitchen, there's no point in waiting! Visit your local stone counter showroom to see samples and talk to knowledgeable sales staff about the various benefits provided by different types of stone. Regardless of what type of stone counter you select, you will be adding beauty, durability, and class to your home.

Matt Gallo is a home improvement hobbyist and the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius, a leading online provider of local advertising solutions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Gallo

Thursday, 9 April 2009

Finish Your Kitchen Remodeling With Satin Nickel Door Knobs

Have you undertaken a kitchen remodel project and are not sure if it is complete? Do you feel like despite the new pots, pans, fancy gadgets and new appliances, something is still missing? You are probably correct! One of the most overlooked aspects to most in-home renovation projects includes removing and replacing door handles. Check out the following tips to finally give your kitchen that finishing touch.

Tip 1: Choose Your Color and Finish
Once you have begun your kitchen remodel, the thought of entirely repainting the walls or tearing down the hand-hung wall paper may seem too daunting to even begin. However, with the proper door hardware accessories, you can change your style-without the added stress, hard work or additional finances. Typical door hardware materials include: nickel, chrome, brass, stainless steel, iron and copper. Depending on your kitchen's style, you need to determine what material will work best. For homes with smaller children, generally installing stainless steel hardware parts works best; these pieces are easily cleaned to reduce germs. However, if you like the look of stainless steel but are looking for a more affordable price, choose satin nickel door knobs; they compliment any style and are also easily cleaned.

Tip 2: Create a Unique Style
If you are concerned that your style seems mundane or run of the mill, try to incorporate unusual yet trendy aspects to your kitchen accessories. Door handles are available not only in just round knobs but also in drawer pulls and pull tabs. But, believe it or not, door hardware is also available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Why not try to weave your family's hobbies and extracurricular into your decoration? By choosing door knobs that match your hobbies, you'll create a truly unique kitchen design. This is a great solution to getting children involved. However, if you do have children, avoid shapes that have sharp angles or edges that can cause accidents.

In addition to fun shapes, why not consider alternating the size of your cabinet door knobs? Depending on your height, certain cabinets - either extremely high or low - can be difficult to reach; by replacing certain levels of knobs with larger handles will enable you to quickly navigate throughout the kitchen and cook meals faster!

Tip 3: Choose the Placement of the Door Knob
Similarly to the size and shape of your door hardware, installing the door handle in a different location may make life easier as well. Especially for those hard to reach areas, reaching for the corner of a cabinet close to the ceiling can be next to impossible. By reinstalling your new knob in the center of your cabinet, you and your family members will access your pots, pans and dishware much more conveniently.

Tip #4: Don't Forget the Extras
While you are installing new kitchen hardware, be sure to keep your themes consistent. Floor registers, hinges and screws should all be purchased in the same or similar material and finish, unless you are aiming to produce an eclectic theme. To accentuate your style, choose the appropriate lighting fixtures that best suite both your style and your needs. If you are a busy home, a single hanging fixture over the center of your room might not be the most practical choice. Similarly, having multiple racks of track lighting may be excessive for single or small family-sized homeowners.

Tip #5: Show it Off
There's no better way to show off your newly renovated kitchen design than by throwing a party! Gather friends, family, neighbors or just your immediate family to come to your home. Whether intentionally or not, congregate in the kitchen. You'll be instantly rewarded with the compliments you receive for your unique, complete kitchen style. You'll probably even be asked to divulge some of the home renovation tips you've employed in your design-it's a sure sign of success!

Tori works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of satin nickel door knobs and cabinet hardware

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tori_Spade

Saturday, 17 May 2008

Popular Kitchen Brands For Your Projects

When you get ready to make updates to your kitchen, whether you need a new dishwasher or a new kitchen sink or faucet, you often turn to your home improvement store. You have many different choices in all of these products. They come in so many different styles and colors, but did you know that many different companies also make them as well? Just like anything else that you can buy for your home, there are some products that are better made than others. Here is a look at the top companies that make kitchen appliances and products for your kitchen.

Kohler: Kohler is one of the biggest names when it comes to your kitchen and bathroom. This company makes it all and does so with beauty and style. You will be able to choose just about any style you want when it comes to a new sink or faucet for your kitchen. They make everything from contemporary styles to very traditional styles and they are widely available and affordable. Faucets and sinks are their specialty and everything they make is backed with product guarantees and warranties. You can find out more information about the company on their website or your local home improvement store.

American Standard: American Standard is a company that is often used by many homeowners because the product looks great and is cost effective. They also specialize in kitchen sinks and faucets, but also sell kitchen accessories to help you keep your kitchen organized such as sink racks, cutting boards, drains, mounted colanders, air gaps, and kitchen sprayers. Many professional contractors count on the American Standard brand when they complete kitchen products and renovations.

Wilsonart: You probably first think of countertops when you hear the brand name Wilsonart. While this company does specialize in all types of countertops. You can also rely on this company provides you with other products that you need for your kitchen. They make solid surface kitchen sinks that are very popular in today's decorating. This is often marketed as the Gibraltar brand, but it is made by Wilsonart. The Wilsonart sink will cost you anywhere from $500-$1000 depending on the specifications.

These are just a few of the many brands that made popular products are commonly used in household kitchens. If you are looking for the best products for your home, then research these brands and find out what each one has to offer.

John Bakers pens normally for http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com, an internet site on the topic of kitchen furniture , equipment and other subjects. You can come across his observations on kitchen tables at various other sources for kitchen tables information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_J._Baker

Tuesday, 4 November 2008

Design Your Dream Kitchen

You've probably been fantasizing about redecorating your kitchen for a while. It's tempting to run right out and start buying items, but planning and organizing your ideas are important steps of the design process that you should not neglect.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Start collecting some photos. Clip pictures from magazines, or print out pictures from the Internet. Keep your photos together. Put them in a notebook, folder, or binder. This way, you can refer to them easily later with anyone helping you, including your contractor. If you have access to the Internet, check out the website for a home improvement or appliance store. You may be even able to find free planning resources such as 3-D layout software.

Decide on an objective and define your goals. Do you want a cozy, comfortable place for friends and family to gather and hang out? Do you need a modern, updated look that will help to increase your home's resale value? Perhaps you have special needs such as having space for more than one cook, or a separate sanitary area for preparing medications or baby formula.

Of course, you will need to keep your budget in mind. Be realistic. There are items you truly need, such as childproof cabinet fixtures, and nonessential items you may want, such as granite countertops. Make a list, and then do some research on prices of the items on your list. How much will the "must haves" cost? What can you live without, and can you afford it, or should you cross it off? Some home improvement stores will have handy worksheets for you to use for planning your expenses.

How soon do you need the project completed? Keep in mind your family's calendar of events, and make sure remodeling doesn't conflict with people come to visit, or any special occasions that will be held in your home. Will you need to bring in outside help? Let them know your schedule as well, and make sure they can commit to it. Interview contractors and remodelers early enough to get an accurate estimate of how long it will take.

Talk to everyone involved and see what their thoughts are. Make sure everyone is aware of the budget and goals. Talk to friends who have redecorated before. They may be especially helpful when recommending professionals to hire.

The three biggest things to change in a new kitchen are the cabinets, flooring, and the appliances. Refacing the cabinets can give the kitchen a whole new look. When you think about flooring, consider whether your kitchen will be a high traffic area. He served the function works for you, as well as the style.

By now, you're probably ready to start flipping through books and magazines, or searching store websites. Keeping track of your design ideas, and the progress you've made, will help you keep track of changes along the way. The right approach will soon turn your kitchen into a welcoming, new environment.

Friday, 15 May 2009

Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware - Trends in Kitchen Remodeling

When you buy a house, chances are there are going to be some much needed improvements whether it is in the kitchen, bathroom, living room or bedroom. There are always ways to improve different rooms in the house whether it is to increase the value of the house or to simply add comfort to the house. There are many different home improvement ideas out there that are sure to satisfy any homeowner's need for remodeling. One area that many homeowners find the need to remodel is the kitchen.

Creating the perfect kitchen in a house is a big task that many homeowners undertake when they purchase a house. The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in any house therefore it is important to take a lot of consideration and time into the planning process before you start kitchen renovations. There are numerous trends and fads when it comes to kitchen remodeling, so it is important to do your research before you start to work on anything.

One trend that is becoming more and more popular is creating a "green" environment in a particular room. This trend is not only popular when it comes to remodeling a kitchen, but it is also popular in other rooms throughout the house. By creating a green environment, homeowners are taking the environment into consideration by finding environmentally friendly alternatives when renovating. Often times finding environmentally friendly alternatives is not very difficult and can save the homeowner money in the long run by cutting down on electricity and gas bills, especially in the kitchen.

One way to go green in the kitchen is by installing energy efficient appliances. While these particular appliances may be more expensive then regular appliances, it will save homeowners money in the long run. Having a refrigerator or stove that does not take as much energy to run will cut down costs when it comes time for the electricity or gas bill. Therefore, buying energy efficient appliances not only helps the environment, but it also helps the homeowner when it comes to utility bills.

In addition to installing energy efficient appliances in the kitchen, there are other ways to incorporate the green trend in the kitchen. One way is by updating the kitchen cabinets. While this may not seem like a green project, it actually is if you do it correctly. When it comes to updating the kitchen cabinets, many homeowners simply discard their current cabinets and purchase new ones. However, this is not very environmentally friendly, and there is an alternative to buying brand new ones that will save money and the environment.

Instead of installing new kitchen cabinets, homeowners can update their existing cabinets with a fresh coat of paint. If the cabinets are sturdy and in good shape, there is no reason to discard them and let them go to waste. In addition to a fresh coat of paint you can also install new cabinet hardware such as draw pulls and cabinet knobs to give them a fresh new look.

Jim is the Vice President of Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of oil rubbed bronze cabinet hardware and kitchen tools to help customers keep up with kitchen trends while remodeling.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Richardson

Thursday, 19 June 2008

Low Cost Kitchen Makeovers

The Kitchen is the room in a home most frequently used by family members, and therefore should be an inviting space. Kitchens are also the most expensive room to remodel and update. Do not be discouraged by the high cost of a Kitchen renovation as there are many inexpensive updates that you can do to freshen your Kitchen on a budget.

Paint the Cabinets: If your cabinets look dated and old, yet new cabinets are not in your budget, paint them for brand new look. You can use a color to match your trim color in your home, such as white, or venture out with a bold color such as a green or yellow.

Take Off Cabinet Doors: If your cabinet doors are so bad that even a new paint color will not help, you might want to take them off entirely. This will create an open and airy look in the Kitchen. If you consider this idea, keep in mind that you will need to constantly keep your dishes neatly organized in order to have this open look be a good one.

New Cabinet Hardware: Changing the knobs on your cabinets updates the overall look of a Kitchen. New hardware typically costs a few dollars each at a home improvement store and entire sets of hardware can often be found at flea markets, garage sales, or even posted on eBay.

New Faucet: Plumbing fixtures in a Kitchen are like jewelry on an outfit. Most women understand that one well chosen piece of jewelry can make an outfit. The same is true for a faucet; a sparkling clean, new and modernized faucet can instantly improve a Kitchen. Those of us skilled at home improvement projects will find installing a Kitchen faucet a relatively simple task and can save the cost of hiring a plumber.

Flip Appliances Panels: Did you know that a large number of dishwashers and other appliances installed in a Kitchen have removable panels on their face? Most of these panels are one color on the face, such as white, and another on the back, such as black. Check out your appliances to see if any have panels that can be flipped to change the color without spending a dime.

Install Vinyl Floor: If your Kitchen floor is in need of some help, you can install adhesive vinyl floor tiles yourself. The project can be completed in a weekend with the cost of the individual tiles as low as a dollar each. For a little work, and very little cost, you can have a new Kitchen floor.

Paint the Walls: This most basic of all budget decorating fixes can not be overlooked in the Kitchen. A new wall color will instantly change the look of the Kitchen. Consider using a paint color inspired by food such as a chili pepper red or eggplant purple.

Remember, there are lots of ways to improve your Kitchen without breaking the bank. Often, small decorating changes can result in a transformed a room. Your much used Kitchen can become your much loved Kitchen with some budget friendly improvements.

Michelle Davidson
Interior Design Service Online
http://www.interiordesignserviceonline.com
The affordable way to get the look your want without the high cost.


Thursday, 15 January 2009

Kitchens - Top Tips For Remodeling Your Kitchen

For those who live in the state of Minnesota, home improvement is an important topic, just like it is everywhere else in the country. Of course one of the rooms in homes that most often ends up needing a face lift is the kitchen. After all, in many homes, the living is all centered around the kitchen. If you are planning a kitchen remodel in your Twin Cities home, then you are probably interested in some kitchen remodeling ideas and tips. Here are some tops tips that will help you out when remodeling your kitchen.

Look for Some Inspiration for Your Kitchen Remodel
The first thing you'll want to do when you are planning a kitchen renovation is to look for some inspiration for your kitchen remodel. This is one of the best and easiest ways that you can get a good start on this project. It's extremely easy to find inspiration for your kitchen. Although it used to be that you had to spend time in home improvement stores or time collecting a variety of magazines and brochures, with the internet it's much easier. You can easily and quickly browse through many different photos of kitchens on the web that will give you the inspiration that you need for your kitchen remodel.

Come Up with a Remodeling Plan
Making a plan is also important when it comes to remodeling a kitchen. You can choose the way you want your appliances, counters, and cabinets all laid out. It's actually very easy to create your plans. There are even some programs, such as SmartDraw, that will help you to design your own kitchen.

Make Sure You Keep Your Budget in Mind
If you're doing a kitchen remodel, it's imperative that you keep your budget in mind. Make sure that you know how much money you have to work with before you begin your remodeling project. This way you can budget it out accordingly. Instead of spending 50% of your budget on cabinets that are brand new, consider refinishing the ones that you have. They'll look great and you'll spend a whole lot less money this way.

Use Some Paint for a New Look
In order to get a great new look, use some new paint. Believe it or not, changing the color of the kitchen walls can make a huge difference in your kitchen without you having to spend a huge amount of money. If you want a look that is cozy, reds and yellows are great choices. Light colors will help to make the room look like it is bigger, which is great for smaller spaces. Blues can make your kitchen look elegant and sophisticated as well. Of course when you are considering the right colors, make sure that you consider the rest of the elements in your kitchen as well as the general décor of your home.

Update the Kitchen Details for a New Look
To make your money go a long way while still giving your kitchen a great new look, consider updating the details in your kitchen. If you have an older kitchen, you can do a whole lot by purchasing new details, such as handles and door knobs for the kitchen that are actually updated. There are so many different options to choose from when it comes to fixtures and handles as well, which means you can get details that will go with just about any type of décor you have in mind for the remodeled kitchen.

Consider a Variety of Textures for the Counters
When it comes to kitchen designs, you should consider a variety of textures for the counters when doing a kitchen remodel in the Twin Cities suburbs. Colors and textures can both be used together to provide your kitchen with a great look. There are so many different types of textures that can be used for your counters, including marble, granite, and even wood.

Take the Lighting to a New Level
Take the lighting in your kitchen to a whole new level when you are remodeling it. Having a lot of lighting the kitchen is very important. You can used under the cabinet lights to make it easy to work in the kitchen. Recessed lighting is a great idea and you can add a few pendant lights that are task specific to make sure that you have great light in key areas as well. There are many excellent lighting choices that will allow you to have a very dramatic difference in your kitchen.

Organize and Schedule the Entire Project
When you are doing any remodeling project, such as a kitchen remodel, it's important that you organize and schedule the entire project carefully. If you take the time to get organized and to come up with a schedule, you'll find that the project is not near as stressful for you. Come up with a timetable for when you want certain parts of the project to be done. You can come up with tool lists, supply lists, and more to help you stay more organized throughout the entire project.

Always Keep the Big Picture in Mind
You are always going to want to keep the big picture in mind when you are doing kitchen remodeling in St. Paul or Minneapolis. When you come up with choices for the textures, colors, appliances, and more, then you can bring everything together in your mind. As you go through all the stages of a remodel, it will really help you out if you keep the entire picture in your mind.

Visit http://www.remodelminnesota.com to learn more about remodeling a home in MN. John Mazzara is involved with financial services in the Twin Cities, MN. Officing out of Edina, Minnesota-John is centrally located within the 7 county MN metropolitan area. John owns three separate businesses-a licensed real estate broker associate selling Minnesota real estate since 1986-affiliated with RE/MAX Associates Plus http://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com, an independent CFP-certified financial planner since 1989 with an independent Minnesota financial planning firm-Financial Planning Associates and the owner of a Minnesota mortgage broker firm-Venture Development Inc-specializing ins residential, commercial and investment mortgages If you are looking for someone to help you in the areas of real estate sales/purchase, mortgages, or and/or financial planning and insurance you should call John for a free 1 hour consultation to see if he can meet your needs. 952-929-2577. RE/MAX Associates Plus and Venture Development are located at 7300 France Ave S, Suite 410, Edina, MN 55435

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Mazzara