Date Posted: 2012-08-08 03:02:07
Site Posted: Myproperty.ph
A kitchen is said to be the heart of one’s home, seeing as this is where family members often congregate and spend some much-needed quality time together. Hence, it’s perfectly understandable that you’d want to remodel it to make sure it fits your standard of practicality and style. The trouble with this is that not everyone has the money for a major kitchen overhaul; renovations usually have to take the backseat after considering all the other household expenses that you have to prioritize.
The truth is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a kitchen renovation to ensure that it promotes family togetherness; the key is concentrating on the seemingly little things that make the biggest impact. Here are some renovation tricks that are easy on the eyes as well as on the pocket.
Color
A new paint job is the easiest and fastest way to change your kitchen’s ambiance, especially if you’re on a shoestring budget. Choose light colors to keep the place looking bright and airy. Kitchen walls often get dirty with stains that are hard to wipe off, so be sure to use semi-gloss latex paint to make cleaning trouble-free.
Clearing the clutter
One of the biggest problems in the kitchen is clutter, what with all the utensils, appliances and cookware that you normally find lying around. If this is your main concern, reorganizing is a big step towards obtaining a new look for your kitchen. Affordable storage items like bins and racks will ensure that everything is kept in their right place, making the kitchen appear bigger and a lot tidier. Don’t just focus on improving storage on your kitchen counter; wall shelves and racks are great for storing and organizing things, too.
Storage: to replace or not to replace?
Before removing your cabinets or drawers and installing new ones, inspect your old ones closely first. Replacing them completely can cost a lot of money, so if they don’t show obvious signs of damage, keep them. A little bit of wear brought about by years of use can be easily fixed with just a bit of refinishing or repainting. You can create a new look by replacing old and broken pulls and handles, preferably with ones that have interesting shapes and designs.
Improving the lighting
Proper lighting has a way of drastically changing the overall atmosphere of a kitchen. A very cost-effective way of making improvements is by striking a balance between natural and artificial lighting. Enhance artificial lighting by replacing incandescent bulbs with halogen lights, which last for a long time while using less energy. To let more natural light flow into the room, declutter the window sill and remove dirt or decals from the pane before hanging up sheer curtains.
Planning a renovation, especially for older houses, is essential if you want to make sure that you don’t exceed your budget. By following these tips, you’re guaranteed to enjoy the experience as well as the fruits of your labor, knowing that you were able to spend as little as possible. Happy renovating!
Jillian Cariola, Writer
(cover image by Bilal Aslam)
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