Dramatic Kitchen Upgrades For Under $500

Everyone wants to have a gorgeous kitchen, but not everyone can afford to invest in their kitchen during today’s economic downturn. Likewise, most people are not lucky enough to be contestants on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. But luckily there are many ways in which savvy consumers can enjoy dramatic kitchen upgrades for under $500. Consider the options below and discover how you can create a beautiful, more efficient kitchen at a reasonable price.

1- Update your kitchen lighting. Not only is a new kitchen light fixture a great decorative detail, but it’s also critical to maximize the efficiency of your kitchen because food preparation will become instantly easier with proper lighting. When upgrading your kitchen light fixtures make sure to choose models that can accommodate energy efficient light bulbs, which will provide wonderful lighting and reduce your electric bill. Additionally, energy efficient light bulbs are designed to provide years of reliable usage, so that consumers will not need to worry about changing their light bulbs frequently.

2- Purchase a new dishwasher. In November 2009, the US government should be instituting a plan through which consumers can receive a rebate when exchanging their older appliances for new, energy efficient models. As is the case with energy efficient lighting, energy efficient kitchen appliances can reduce electricity costs while significantly impacting the look of your kitchen. Choose a modern stainless steel design or a dishwasher with a front panel that can be easily integrated with your existing kitchen cabinetry.

3- Change your faucets. Many of today’s kitchen faucets are designed for fashion as well as functionality. If your old faucet doesn’t work properly or is outdated, exchanging it for a new one will give your kitchen an instant facelift. For the most dramatic look, choose a faucet that extends well above the kitchen sink. If you’ve never tried a faucet with a retractable hose now may be the perfect time to enjoy the practicality of this feature. Gorgeous kitchen faucet designs start well under $200 and are sure to increase your enjoyment of your kitchen.

4- Try pull out shelves instead of stationary shelves. Perhaps the most practical upgrade that you can make in your kitchen is to replace your standard kitchen shelves with pull out shelving. You won’t believe how much easier it can be to access your pots, pans and pantry items. Rev-A-Shelf is a leading manufacturer of kitchen organization products, and they offer a fantastic line of products for well under $500 that will revolutionize the efficiency of your kitchen.

5- Replace your kitchen cabinet hardware. kitchen drawers and cabinets are opened frequently, they demand cabinet hardware that will be comfortable to grasp, wear well and look fabulous. Starting at around $1 per piece consumers can find brand name cabinet hardware for any room of the home. This may be the most affordable way to upgrade your kitchen, and you won’t even need to worry about electrical malfunctions, burned out light bulbs or plumbing problems.

Kitchen upgrades need not cost a fortune to make a dramatic difference. With a bit of research, creativity and perhaps some government rebates, you can enjoy the kitchen upgrades of your dreams without spending a fortune.

Article Source: Sari Holtz EzineArticles.com

www.LKNcabinets.com

Easy and Affordable Steps to Add Life to a Dated Kitchen

Is your kitchen looking a little tired and dated? Kitchen cabinets take a lot of abuse throughout their lifetime, with lots of banging and closing of doors and drawers. And, just like any other room, kitchen decorating has trends and phases. What was hot 10 years ago might seem a little common place. If your kitchen needs a new look it may be time to think about kitchen cabinet resurfacing.

It’s expensive to completely replace your old kitchen with kitchen cabinets. But kitchen cabinet resurfacing is an affordable way to completely change the look of the kitchen, without ripping cabinets of the wall and disrupting your kitchen for months.

Resurfacing is a fairly simple process. You choose a kitchen cabinet look – the type of wood or material, the color or finish, and style of the cabinets and doors. You replace your old cabinet doors and drawers with the new style, and you trim the exposed surfaces of the cabinets – the framework with a veneer in the desired style. Instead of replacing the old doors and drawers, you can also apply the same veneer to the surface of the drawers and doors.

This option is both easy-to-do and affordable. You spend a fraction of a kitchen-remodeling budget when you opt for kitchen cabinet resurfacing. The team that resurfaces the cabinets can usually finish in one or two days – compare that with weeks of a torn up kitchen for a major remodel!

Sometimes a good update for a kitchen starts with the countertops. Just like cabinets, kitchen countertops can become quickly dated and worn looking. Both the kitchen cabinet and counter can become stale looking, or less than fashionable.

Some kitchen cabinets and counters really show the decade of their installation. For instance, Formica countertop material is one of the least expensive countertop options. Unfortunately, it’s one of the surfaces that show its age quickly. It’s easy to burn or scratch, or simply wear after years of use. Another popular surface was manufactured counter tops that resemble stone. These days it’s almost the same price to get granite countertops as manufactured stone – but you get that natural beauty.

There are a lot of other popular kitchen cabinet and counter styles to change your kitchen looks. Natural stone is very popular – with granite taking the lead as one of the most coveted surfaces. Polished concrete, stainless steel, and glass tile are also popular options to update a kitchen look.

If the current economy makes you think you’ll stay in your home for a while, give some thought to updating your kitchen. Kitchen cabinet resurfacing, or changing the kitchen cabinet and counter will make your home feel fresh and updated, without a big investment. It will make a huge difference to the value of your home, and you get the satisfaction of a beautifully updated kitchen.

Affordable Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

By applying some affordable bathroom remodeling ideas, want to tear out and go for a complete itching of your old bathroom? Then instead of spending handsome money and breaking your bank, go for these few tips. You will surely bring some drastic change in your bathroom every now and then.

Accessories

Visited any bathroom store these days? If not please go and see so many trendy small knick- knack items are available these days at such affordable ranges, say towel bars, cup holders, medicine cabinets, etc.

Start choosing the ones which may go well with your bathroom. These tiny stuffs can surely bring a drastic change to your boring bathroom. After all, this is the part of your house which actually provides you all the positive vibrant energy you may need to start a day afresh.

Depending on your budget and your bathroom remodeling ideas, choose the items. You may choose some exotic items that way and few cheaper ones as well. Buy out such items which are cheap and you can just change those in every three months gap without affecting your bank balance. Find few more accessories which can actually bring a dramatic change in your bathroom.

Shower Curtain and towel

Buy out a unique pastel colored, floral printed or a funky patterned shower curtain and a towel which just compliments the color of the shower curtain.

Rug

Changing the flooring of the room every now and then may seem an impossible task. Then why not change your bathroom rug on regular intervals? Buy out colorful water mats and rugs and give an entire new look to the bathroom in a negligible amount.

Mirror, Vanity Light and Vanity

Vanity light, mirror and vanity are such items which you can replace quite often. You may buy out a chic cabinet pull. Go for such eclectic stuffs like canisters, mint julep cups, and trays that can both be used as a soap dispensers and toothbrush holders. Another good idea! Buy out a cute funky toilet box for keeping the toilet paper rolls or your towels.

Right kind of light in your bathroom may act as a positive mood lifter. Instead of using the same old light shades try out some unique stuff. Put a chandelier or a lantern in the middle of your bathroom. Try out these few bathroom remodeling ideas and see how you can give that extra elegance to your bathroom instantly!