Your New Kitchen

Kitchen is one of the most important element of a house.

Whether it’s a minor cabinet shuffle, wall-to-wall paint job or complete renovation, any upgrade to your kitchen is sure to raise the market value of your home.

Regardless of size, today’s kitchens are no longer merely places to cook a meal. Instead, most new kitchens are bright, airy and sizzle with all kinds of activity. They are often extensions of family rooms, dining and other living areas.

With the variety of materials, unique design ideas, colour choices and modern appliances available today, you can transform almost any kitchen into an attractive, pleasant and efficient hub of activity.

Improving a kitchen can, however, be costly and time-consuming. A kitchen is typically the most expensive room in a house to remodel - appliances, cabinetry, counters, floors, walls, plumbing and wiring - it all adds up!

The key to spending your money wisely when contemplating a complete kitchen renovation - or even just some upgrades - is planning.

Begin by taking an inventory of your present kitchen - what do you like and dislike about it? Is it too dark, too big, too stale-looking, too small to work in or eat in? This list will quickly give you a good idea of what you want in a new kitchen.

Next, ask yourself how your present kitchen fits in with your family’s lifestyle. Do you want your kitchen to be the hub of your home? Do you want to look up recipes on the Internet when you cook, or entertain friends as you chop vegetables? Or do you like to cook alone, away from the noise? If you don’t want people migrating to the kitchen, you may not want to knock out walls and extend the existing space into other living areas.

Also consider the time of year you plan to start remodeling. If you are going to be knocking down walls and windows, stay away from cold months like January. As well, you should avoid remodeling before many family or holiday events.

Finally, decide what kitchen style you like most. The old-fashioned country kitchen is one of today’s popular designs, but you may prefer something more contemporary, or even a combination of styles. If your budget is tight and bite-sized projects are what you are aiming for, here are a few ideas:

Resurface or repaint old cupboards

Paint is inexpensive and can transform wooden cupboards in a matter of hours. Try a new painting technique, a textured look or a zesty combination of colours. You can also resurface old cupboards with wood laminate or one of the new, non-traditional plastic-based materials that resist chipping, denting and staining. Formica counter tops, for example, provide the look and feel of expensive solid surfacing at about half the cost.

Use more glass Replace a few cabinets with glass ones. Glass and mirrors in a room add the illusion of more space, as well as glamour - especially if you add interior lights to your new cupboards. Go ahead, display that 18th century tea set you inherited from your great grandmother.

Say it with hardware

It’s amazing how new cabinet and drawer handles can change the look of a kitchen! With the many choices in colour, size and style of drawer knobs and handles, there is no limit to what you can achieve.

From gleaming chrome to floral ceramics to unique designs in the shape of spoons, forks, roosters and rabbits, you can easily find something that will give your kitchen that personal touch.

Floor and wall facelifts

Paint, wallpaper and flooring in a variety of textures, styles, colours and patterns can easily spice up a bland kitchen. Add a matching border around a window, below a ceiling or between the cupboards and the counter tops and you can change the mood overnight.

Flooring options feature a wide variety of colours and styles in do-it-yourself, easy-to-install linoleum sheets and tiles, or trickier ceramic and wood floor applications. Be careful not to go overboard. Too much contrast in a small kitchen can make it appear even smaller and more cluttered.

Be innovative

• Vary counter heights to suit the task and the person. Dough-kneading and pie-crust rolling need a special height; so do eating and cooking areas.
• Whenever possible, incorporate counter space next to each appliance.
• Try to achieve a “work triangle” where the stove, refrigerator and sink/dishwasher are within easy reach of one another.
• If you are replacing cabinets, go for the “custom” approach, even if this costs a little extra. Under the customized approach, cabinetry is designed and built specifically to fit your particular kitchen space.
• A good kitchen should not only look great but stand up to daily wear and tear. It should function well and enable people to move freely between it and related areas of the house.
  .If you plan to completely remodel the kitchen, be honest about your ability. You may want to leave this important job in the hands of an expert who can do the work quickly and professionally.
• If you plan to completely remodel the kitchen, be honest about your ability. You may want to leave this important job in the hands of an expert who can do the work quickly and professionally.
• A kitchen designer/contractor can suggest unique ideas and come up with creative solutions to particular problems. Be sure to get at least two quotes on the work you plan to do and compare them carefully.

Kitchen Renovation

 

Lets get started with your kitchen renovation

A Kitchen renovation can take approximately eight weeks to complete, but of course that is if everything goes as planned. If you know anything about Murphy’s Law then you know that something may not go as it was planned. Each kitchen that needs rejuvenated varies with the extent of the project, the age, and condition of the house. The older the house, the most likeliness that there will be a few problems that go along with the remodeling. This reasoning can go with any kitchen remodeling design.

The items that follow will give you a short breakdown of what to expect from your kitchen renovation idea.

Before starting, you might need a building permit. Check with your local government.

1) The Demolition - This is where some project experienced homeowners will save money by doing the tear down themselves but it is not a very fun job. It can also bring a scare to the homeowner because it is always possible to find a “small leak” beneath a sink that reveals rotten floor boards or something worse as the sink base comes out. It’s also possible to find out that the wiring is not up to code. The good news is that it is better to fix it now than later. Be sure to have a large trash bin to dump your waste.

2) The Preparation - The very good do it yourselfer can save quite a bit of money by painting or putting up drywall. If wiring or pipes need attention, you might have to hire a certified electrician or plumber depending on you building permit codes in your area.

3) The Installation - Always check your products for any damage that might have occurred during transportation from the store/warehouse to your home. Your installers should use padded equipment when moving appliances or other items around and use wooden clamps for your cabinets. If you decide to install yourself, you should read up on some home improvement manuals before making any major decisions on installation. For flooring, if you are using sheet vinyl, it goes in easier before your cabinets arrive but tile and wood floors are usually installed afterward to save on labor costs.

4) The Completion - This involves installing the counter tops, sinks, faucets and lights. Then comes the minor but certainly not forgotten kitchen details such as light covers, decorative hardware (knobs, handles), switch plates and trim. This can all become a little tiresome but if you keep your focus, you will finally complete the final touches. When all is done, it is time to decorate it to your liking and call the kitchen your own.

Examples for Kitchen Renovation

Just an idea for you to design your kitchen

Kitchen Lighting

There are several ways to improve the lighting situation in a kitchen, with most resorting to the style called glare lighting with one central light kitchen designers often call “glare lighting” for it casts an ugly glare on everything and everyone in the kitchen. Three basic lighting style in your kitchen that can be cheaply achieved if they are made during a retrofit or re-make of the said space, ambient, task and accent lighting. Task lighting being the most important for it gives you the necessary light for your kitchen work allowing safe and ample light. This may seem over but it gives you light where you need it thus eliminating the need for one very large fixture for the whole space often casting shadows making it difficult to work.
Ambient lighting is the purpose of that central light but it can be divided into several small ones that would be enough to light the whole space making it warm and enticing to work in. Accent lighting, brings your kitchen’s hidden yet wonderful features to light which more often than not can be achieved with track lights giving you the flexibility to change their focus thus keeping the kitchen in different lights.

Home Renovations - Remember the Kitchen Cabinet Knobs

When it comes to kitchen renovations, people tend to forget to put in the kitchen knob selection into their list

Contrary to what you may think, installing knobs and pulls doesn’t need a cavalcade of tools. In fact, you could get away with doing the whole job with just your screw driver. You don’t require to glob on messy glue or pull out your hammer and nails. The procedure of removing your old knobs and installing your new ones shouldn’t take you more than an hour.

That’s right, new kitchen cabinet knobs are an unbelievable option for improving the look of your cabinetry. The cause they carry so much decorative weight is because they are crafted out of a wide variety of materials that can be finished in a number of lavish, eye-catching ways, creating selections that are extremely pleasing to the eye.

The best thing about installing new cabinet knobs is that you can provide your kitchen a brand new look in less than an hour. Without the back breaking work that a lot of home hardware installation needs, you can add unbelievable detail to your kitchen.

When you have big kitchen cabinet knobs, they will fit seamlessly into the room’s dcor and accentuate the design and care you’ve taken with the room. But when your drawer pulls are old, shabby, or not in keeping with the design scheme of the rest of the kitchen, they will just drag down the whole appearance at best and stick out like a sore thumb at worst.

You can obtain ones that have a simple round shape, others that are in the shape of a mushroom, and some that feature very unique shapes like ovals and even squares. For a stress free way to check out all the kitchen cabinet knobs obtainable, forget about going to your local hardware store. Instead, just turn on that family computer of yours and do a little online shopping. Browsing through the different online stores and their products is a synch and when you do come across something that you really like, it usually is listed at a pretty reasonable price.

One thing that you really require to keep in mind when purchasing your kitchen cabinet knobs is to get ones that nicely complement the dcor of your space. If you don’t, then your kitchen will have a very mismatched look in the end, which will leave the feeling that you have no sense of style. So, make certain what you purchase match. For instance, if you have a modern looking kitchen, then go with modern looking knobs. The same rule holds true if your kitchen has an antique appearance and so on. In the end, if you desire to improve the look of your kitchen cabinets, a wonderful way to do it is with new kitchen cabinet knobs. There are a lot of options to choose from, which will all have your cabinets looking awesome and stylish as soon as you install them.

Installing a Kitchen Sink Faucet

Installing a sink faucet is made simple by following the steps below

1. Step 1

   Assemble the new faucet according to the package directions.

2. Step 2

   Clean the sink, paying particular attention to the area where you will mount the faucet. You may have to use a small plastic scraper to get all the residue and old plumbers putty off the surface.

3. Step 3

   Apply plumber's putty to the underside of the new gasket that you will install between the sink top and the new faucet. Plumber's putty is fairly solid and not very sticky, so roll it into a thin bead between your palms and then mash it around the perimeter of the gasket, making sure to leave no gaps in the putty.

4. Step 4

   Lay the gasket over the pre-drilled holes for the faucet in the top of the sink, and press it down firmly.

5. Step 5

   Place the assembled faucet tubes through all three holes in the gasket and the sink at the same time and hold it in place firmly.

6. Step 6

   Slip the threaded plastic or metal nuts over the ends of the faucet on the underside and hand tighten. Then, use a basin wrench or a large pair of pliers to snug them down, taking care not to break them.

7. Step 7

   Reattach the water supply lines and drain.

How to Choose Between New Kitchen Cabinets and Re-facing Your Old Kitchen Cabinets

 

Some tips to assist you in making those decisions

Of all of the rooms in a house, the kitchen is the place that many people invest the most time and cash. This is why, even if you are planning to sell the home in the near future, the kitchen is a great place to do some updating that buyers will pay for. The kitchen cabinets are an essential ingredient of the kitchen because they affect the overall look of the kitchen more than any other single item. If you are thinking about updating the cabinets, many homeowners are not sure whether it is better to refinish the cabinets presently in the home, or buy a new set of cabinets. There are several different things to consider when making this choice.
The elements you need to think about when making this decision are how much you have available to spend on the entire project, whether or not your existing cabinets are in good condition, and if you reasonably have the time to complete the undertaking. If you have the money to invest in your kitchen and feel like the cabinets need to be replaced anyway, having new cabinets installed is the way to go. Another thing to think about is whether or not the current cabinets are providing enough storage area for what you require. If not, that is another reason to go for the replacement option. If you do have a small amount of money that you can spend on this project, then you can still do a great job of updating your kitchen by doing some re-finishing your self.
Three Guidelines for Choosing New Kitchen Cabinets
If you decide to install new kitchen cabinets, three significant tips can help you head to your local home improvement store prepared.
1. Browse home improvement magazines and websites for images of updated kitchen cabinet styles. These resources will help you determine what styles, sizes, colors and materials are best for your needs and your kitchen’s décor. You may even want to bring along paint samples to compare with the colors of the various cabinets at the store.
2. Know how much room you have available. If you are planing to install new cabinets of the same size and shape of your old cabinets, you are in the clear. Simply tell the store assistant the current cabinets’ measurements. However, if you want to install different cabinets, you will need to let the assistant know how much space you have available. The store may even send an expert to assist you in measuring your available cabinet space.
3. Know, and accept, your cabinet-installation skills. DIY home improvement is a huge market, but not everyone can do demolition and installation. That’s all right! If you need someone to remove your old cabinets and install your new models, look into recommended remodellers or find out what services your home improvement store offers.
Steps to Re-facing Your Current Kitchen Cabinets
Re-facing your old kitchen cabinets may require more time and elbow grease, but it is an excellent way to save money and rejuvenate your kitchen. Plus, it is a doable home project. Most home improvement stores, magazines and websites provide thorough instructions on how to reface kitchen cabinets, but the scope of the project can be narrowed down to a few easy steps. First, take off the handles, hinges and doors from your cabinets. This will make it much simpler to work with all parts.
Next, take off the finish that your old cabinets have. This is best accomplished with sandpaper or an orbital sander. You will need various grades of sandpaper and you will also be able to eliminate any scratches that the cabinets have. If you have a deep mark, you will have to use wood filler. With a cleaner that is safe for wood, carefully clean all of the dust off the cabinets before you go to the next step.
Now the cupboards are ready for the stain and sealer so be put on. Some DIYers prefer to use paintbrushes, but others opt for soft rags. Make sure you adhere to the specific application instructions, and make sure you permit each application to thoroughly dry. Finally, put on your cabinet doors and hardware.
You can truly give your cabinets a new look by changing the hardware of the doors and drawers.
Have a look at kitchens in Whitesboro, TX real estate. Another great area is Granbury, TX real estate for some very nice homes for sale.

Make your small kitchen look bigger

 

You can follow these steps to make your kitchen look bigger. Happy trying

1. Step 1

   ORGANIZE
   It may be helpful to take the drastic step of take everything out of all your closets and drawers and putting them on a kitchen or dining room table. You can then see clearly what you have. Sort your items according to use and then place them back in the closets in a spot most convenient to their purpose. Stop by Lowe's or Target and pick up some organizers to help you fit more items in your cabinets. They have an organizer for everything! The more efficient you can make your cabinet space the more you can keep in your kitchen. But you want some extra space left when you're done minimizing and organizing to accommodate the next step. If you need some help with this step visit some of the many web sites, e.g. www.onlineorganizing.com.

2. Step 2

   

   EMPTY COUNTER TOPS
   Your counter tops should be empty. I know you think that's impossible, and it is a challenge, but you will feel your kitchen grow by leaps and bounds if you avoid cluttering your counter tops. Even your toaster and coffee pot can go in an easy to get to space in your cabinets. You can invest in a slide out drawer to place them on to make them easier to get in and out. If you can't imagine doing this, invest in small duplicates for everyday use. Store your large coffee maker in a cupboard for when you have company and buy one that's just big enough for your every day needs.

3. Step 3

   DECORATE
   To make your kitchen look larger paint with a light color and avoid wallpaper. A patterned print will make your room look smaller and busier. You want to keep things as simple as possible. Leave the window over the sink curtain-less or use a rod sleeve made of a fabric with a very open print or a solid preferably lighter than your walls. When choosing the color for your walls, a very soft, buttery yellow is perfect if it is a color you like and goes with the rest of your houses' color scheme. Avoid putting anything on the walls but if you must, use only small, light colored items.
   If your cabinets are dark, consider painting them white. If they have not been painted before, hire a professional painter or research the procedure, as they must be done properly to hold up under normal kitchen wear. Light colored cabinets will make your room look much larger. If you can afford it and your cabinets are in good basic condition you can have them refaced. Check out Sears for an estimate. They do a great job and have many color options.

4. Step 4

   FLOOR
   To make your kitchen appear larger, a light color floor will also do wonders. If you choose ceramic, go with something without a pattern and use a matching grout color. If you like linoleum, again minimize the pattern and design as well as the color. If you can't afford to re-do your dark floors, try covering them with light colored throw rugs.
   A small kitchen does not have to be a problem. If your space is efficient and organized think of all the steps you'll save while you're working! You won't have to walk miles for each activity like you do in a large kitchen!

Reuse & Recycle for your kitchen

 

This could be one of the ways to reduce cost on your kitchen renovation. Using reuse and recycle item does help to ease the burden on your pockets.

 

 

If you look from a different point of view, you can see a sign of creativity and artistry here on this kitchen design..do you see it?

How you can Choose the Right Kitchen Countertop at the Right Price

 

There are a few points that you should take into consideration when choosing your kitchen countertop just for the right price

 

1) Consider Durability
Natural stone style countertops are, by far, the most durable of choices. Specifically, granite is resistant to scratching and heat and leads the pack for architects counter of choice. Quartz counters are also very durable due to their non-porous nature but they are not as scratch or heat resistant as granite.

 

2) Consider Bacteria Resistance
Quartz, as pointed out earlier, is non-porous. For this fact, quartz counters are more bacteria resistant and may be a good choice for homes where health is their top priority in counter choices. Corian is also a good choice for bacteria resistance. Though corian counters are susceptible to surface damage, they are easy to refurbish due to having the same pattern all the way through the depth of the piece.

 

3) Consider Price
Natural stone counter surfaces are costly upfront but due to their durability and beauty, they will not only last longer and hold less risk of costly upkeep, they also add equity value in your home. If short term cost is your concern, a nicely made formica counter may be worth considering. I would suggest you aim for counters with built in backsplashes as two piece units often have issues earlier on due to moisture getting between the joints. Another choice would be to construct your own concrete countertop. They are terribly heavy, of course, so you will need a lot of manual labor help and really well constructed counters.

SOLID WOOD KITCHEN CABINETS FOR A LOT LESS

A good option for your kitchen cabinet. Quality shouldn’t be compromised

HIGH QUALITY SOLID WOOD KITCHEN CABINETS IN 20 INSTOCK MODELS THAT CAN BE CUSTOM ORDERED AND DELIVERED IN 2-3 WEEKS ANYWHERE IN CANADA!
Whether you are considering a kitchen cabinet replacement, kitchen remodelling or a whole kitchen renovation our solid wood cabinets offer the absolute best in value for your money. Our Cabinets offer the very best in home improvement value as you attain high end quality cabinets without spending a fortune.
Cabinet Construction Features include:
solid natural wood doors, face frame & drawers with dovetails. Only Furniture Grade Plywood is used for the cabinet body and shelving. *Interior colour matches exterior
**Hardware included (6 way adjustable concealed hinges and on most models full extension glides with soft-close feature
NO MDF, particle board or melemine used anywhere on any cabinet
3D COMPUTER DESIGN SERVICES & FREE ESTIMATE
SEND KITCHEN MEASURMENTS/DRAWINGS­ TO:
E-MAIL: SALES@LANXININC.COM­
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Kitchen Renovation Ideas

 

Do take into account of several ideas for your kitchen renovation before you decided to commence with the renovation work

Many would agree that the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house because the whole family uses it everyday. Therefore, it is important that it is designed to be comfortable and welcoming. Here are some helpful kitchen design ideas that may help you improve your kitchen and turn it in to the ideal place to enjoy time with family and friends.

The Shortest Way To One’s Heart Is Through Their Stomachs

A famous saying did imply just that and, even if we don’t always agree, it is a fact. For instance, every time one plans an event, it revolves around food. For example, all holidays have specific food dishes, which are usually homemade and that is why they are famous; birthdays, anniversaries and calling friends over for a meal or getting together with family members will almost always involve a meal or at least some snacks.

Most of the food preparation goes on in the kitchen and, therefore, it is important that the kitchen be designed according to the cook’s likes and dislikes. In a family, usually everyone has a say in kitchen or home renovation ideas because, even if they don’t cook, they will spend time in the kitchen eating breakfast and other meals if the dining table is placed in the kitchen

An Inviting Kitchen

A kitchen remodeling idea that the whole family will agree to is that it should be inviting and comfortable. A modern kitchen remodeling idea is to place the dining table in or close to the kitchen, especially if you have a large family, so it will be easy to serve the meals.

Another modern kitchen renovation idea is to have an opening from the kitchen directly into the living room where you have the dining table set and, in that way, when you have guests, you can entertain while cooking or prepare snacks without making your guests feel left out.

Try and design your kitchen in such a way that you have access to natural daylight, which naturally lifts your spirits; and what better way to start your morning then by a natural mood lift from the nature?

If you don’t have natural daylight available, a great kitchen remodeling idea is to install bright, but not too bright, light; light has a natural mood lifting effect on our system and it is recommended, especially in places like the kitchen where you deal with yet another natural mood lifter, which is food.

The right way to plan your kitchen renovation for great resale value

With proper planning and consideration, kitchen renovation could increase your house resale value..check it out

Planning to sell your house? If you watch carefully, you’ll see that it’s the women who influence the house buying decision of the family and most women begin by evaluating the kitchen. So if you wish to get maximum resale value for your house, which is normal, renovate your kitchen before you put it on the market. Roughly speaking the cost of renovating a kitchen can be anything between $6,000 and $30,000. Of course one is looking at maximizing the returns on investment and therefore outgoing costs will be given preference in the renovation decisions – but remember, as with any investment, you’ll usually make your money when you buy (not when you sell), so, in this case you’ll be making your money when you renovate your kitchen – not when you try to sell the house. The renovations of a kitchen range from the cosmetic appeal of the kitchen to the appliances. However when looking at maximizing resale value, the designers at Urban Key recommend that you concentrate on the kitchen features primarily, before moving onto the appliances.

1. Doors – Opt for the melamine covered doors which are cost effective and durable too. Choose bold dark colours since they’re not only lower in cost but also hide stains which are common in a kitchen. Of course if you are looking at high end renovations then, you could go for solid timber, 2 Pack or vinyl wrap doors and gables, but remember that they could put costs well above your benchmark cost. For timber also, the matt look is much lower in cost while the satin look costs more. If opting for the high gloss look, remember that defects show up clearly here and therefore the high gloss is a high maintenance finish.

2. Shelves – Don’t bother breaking down the entire shelf structure, but on the contrary redo the face of the shelf to match the doors finish. You could opt for a repaint job or change the edging on these structures, or just replacing the bare essential carcasses. Remember here the cost of the labour is sometimes even higher than the raw material so if you have any skills on this front, now would be a good time to show them. Also if you are hiring labour, it’s advisable to hire either local cabinet-makers or cabinet-makers who offer a warranty for the job since you could always ask them for repairs later if things do go wrong.

3. Benchtops – Kitchen splash backs and counter tops form a large part of the physical outlook of a kitchen and therefore feature high in the renovation list. There are suppliers, such as Surface Dynamics, who will just resurface your existing benchtop with a granite overlay, and have carved out a niche in doing just that, but this does not mean that you should rule out any local supplier you know. Undertake some extensive research before choosing your bench top. The most commonly used bench top is the granite 20-40 mm thick slab, or the overlays are about 7mm. While a laminated top is of course a much cheaper option, it is advisable to go in for the granite or engineered granite, such as CaesarStone for your home. Not only is granite chip and scratch resistant but you can chop and cut on it (highly not recommended) without having to bother about the surface being porous. Also, consider how the kitchen might be used by the new owner, so as to ensure the layout is workable for someone else – we often compromise our own comfort in our own homes, but this is the time to change anything which has been niggling at you. Also note that the recommended depth for the bench tops is no more than 900 mm (should not exceed 300mm overhang) while the minimum length could vary from 900 mm to 1500 mm depending on the number of people cooking. So if looking at a kitchen bench for two cooks working side by side, the length is better if closer to 1500mm. Note that the maximum sizes of granite slabs changes with different products, so ensure that the layout dimensions work with the size constraints.

4. Flooring – The flooring of a kitchen also forms an integral part of the look of the room. So consider the pros and cons of the material used before taking the plunge. Cork tiles cost roughly $90 per square metre and feel warm and soft as opposed to the often cold and slippery tiles, although anything cooling is often good in Australia. Cork floorings last 10 to 20 years depending on maintenance. But they stain fast and in a kitchen where spills are common one would need to clean these quickly or else bear with a stained look for a long time. The linoleum tiles and Vinyl sheet floorings cost less (about $50 to $60 laid), but can damage easily and some people may think they look cheap. There are stone, ceramic and terracotta tiles, which are easy to maintain but are heavy. If possible, hardwood is a great choice, working in well with Aussie building and fashion trends, but if you don’t already have a timber floor, you’ll need to be willing to spend somewhere near $130 per square metre.

As a tip, and I would love to get feedback from you if you’ve tried this, get an appraiser to value your house and offer suggestions to better the value (most often these will involve the kitchen), and after the renovation is done, have them back again to reappraise. Or another idea is to have an open house, advertised just privately in the paper (no need to get a real estate agent yet) and take the vistors around asking them what changes, especially to the kitchen, they would like to see – you’ll get some great ideas from the sort of people who are currently in the market!

How you can afford to make a great kitchen renovation without spending too much

We can always make our kitchen renovations affordable.

The kitchen is fondly known as the heart of the home. It is the room where people usually gather to talk, and eat, and it is normally used very often. Because the kitchen is the central point of a home, you will want it to be attractive, warm and inviting. When you want to give your kitchen a makeover, it need not be exorbitantly expensive. There are affordable ways to create the kitchen of your dreams.

There are many ways to create a completely different look for your kitchen, without changing any of its existing structure. If you have wallpaper on the walls of your kitchen, then tear it down. There are many beautiful colors that you can paint your walls with, even of different textures. A glaze could give the walls a gorgeous finish. Remember to try and match the color of your walls to your cupboards or at the very least the floors. Even just giving your kitchen walls a fresh splash of paint will make a big difference to the look and feel of the room.

In addition to painting the walls of your kitchen, you could consider repainting your kitchen cupboards. You can paint over old wooden cupboards, but preferably only ones that are not varnished. If your cupboards are varnished, it is a good idea to sand them down before you paint them. Alternatively, you can also sand your wooden cupboards down and re-varnish them. This will give them an attractive, new look.

The floors of your kitchen can make a drastic difference in the appearance of the room. There are cheap ways to redo your floor, and the cheapest are those that you can do yourself. If you want beautiful wooden floors, but can't afford wood, there are lovely wooden laminated flooring options for you to choose from. These laminated wooden floors look exactly like wood, but with a warmer, softer feel. You can choose from a variety of different wood variations.

To give your kitchen the most drastic change of all you can apply stainless steel PVC contact paper onto your appliances to make them appear as good as new! The same can be done for your countertops with stick on tiles or wooden laminate. You will be amazed at what a difference these cheap substitutes can make to your kitchen.

You may not have enough counter space, or enough space to store things in your kitchen. There are affordable wooden floating shelves that can be bought and installed into the walls of your kitchen. You will see the difference in having more space to store attractive things to display such as tea sets or coffee mugs. Bringing an old cabinet or cupboard into the kitchen, with a newly painted surface will also offer you new space for storage, as well as giving the kitchen a new look!

As you can tell, there are many interesting and effective ways to make a difference in your kitchen, the heart of your home. Depending on your budget, you can make the changes gradually, and slowly watch as your kitchen transforms.

What Should You Consider When Renovating A Kitchen?

It is very important that you take serious considerations when renovating your kitchen

Find out more about the initial considerations, common pitfalls and experts you may require when renovating a kitchen. The kitchen is often the most expensive room to renovate in the house and requires extra care to get it right. Read on to find out more about what you should consider and common pitfalls to try and avoid.

Plan well and consult the professionals to avoid these common kitchen renovation problems and pitfalls.. Source: Mark Cranitch

Initial considerations

Will a kitchen renovation specialist manage the entire project, or will you engage an independent builder or project manager?

Will you be restructuring the space: altering floor or ceiling; removing walls; resiting or resizing doors, windows or skylights; or adding a pantry? If so, allow for extra time and cost. Do the same if altering the existing plumbing or wiring.

Is the kitchen to be part of a larger living or dining area or a self-contained space? Will it incorporate an eating area or a pantry?

If you are incorporating imported and custom-built fittings/appliances order these well ahead to ensure their timely arrival.

• Determine what appliances, bench and storage space you require.
• Determine whether you will be installing new lighting, power outlets or switches.
• Do existing wall, floor and ceiling cavities allow for the plumbing, lighting, ventilation and water-heating options and cabinetry you plan?
• Will you be replacing or resurfacing existing flooring?
• Determine whether you will use any existing fixtures, fittings or finishes in the new design.
• What colours and styles suit your taste and lifestyle?
• How can you best plan around ongoing work? For example consider creating a temporary kitchen, eating meals out or renting a serviced apartment.

Expert advice

Your kitchen renovation generally requires help from some or all of these professionals:

• Architect and interior designer
• Environmental designer
• Kitchen renovation service or builder/project manager
• Plumber
• Electrician
• Carpenter
• Tiler or benchtop/splashback specialist
• Flooring specialist
• Painter

Can I do it myself?

• Major structural work and most plumbing and electricals must be performed by licensed tradespeople.
• Constructing or installing cabinetry, flooring and benchtops also need to be installed by skilled professionals.
• Tasks suitable for the skilled home renovator may include: removing existing fittings; constructing and/or installing cabinetry; fitting appliances installing cabinetry, storage units.
• Keen amateurs might assist the designer with layout and finishes; source fittings and appliances; install simple fittings (hooks, shelves, etc); paint; sand, surface or seal cabinetry and flooring.

Common pitfalls

Plan well and consult the professionals to avoid these common kitchen renovation problems and pitfalls.

• Failing to accurately measure your kitchen fittings, then finding your desired floorplan isn't functional, appliances don't fit, or your plan leaves insufficient space for working effectively.
• Underestimating the complexity, time and costs involved.
• Scheduling tradespeople in incorrect order or allowing insufficient time for each to complete their stage (especially with structural alterations or new plumbing).
• DIYing complex jobs such as removing load-bearing walls.
• Wishful thinking in kitchen layout: underestimating the dimensions of cabinetry or appliances, failing to account for the 'sweep' of doors, skimping on work surfaces or storage, allocating insufficient space for 'incidentals' such as waste disposal.
• Purchasing fittings or fixtures without first consulting trade professionals.
• Failing to consider hazards and workflow when planning kitchen layout.
• Choosing unsuitable appliances and materials, skimping on quality or failing to maintain them (wood degenerates unless properly sealed; stone and concrete require maintenance; cheap stone benchtops chip).
• Thinking you'll upgrade again soon generally, this is the kitchen you'll be using for the next decade, so plan it accordingly.