How To Give Your Kitchen The Best Visual Impact
Kitchen makeovers can be very expensive but they don’t need to be if you know where to focus first. This article highlight one aspect of a kitchen makeover that is both affordable and can give your kitchen a fresh and stunning look.
Kitchen renovations not only help to enhance the family’s enjoyment, but also are an excellent way of increasing the overall value of your home. While there are many aspects of the kitchen that can be given a makeover, installing a new kitchen worktop is one that can give immediate visual improvements and can also totally change the ambience of the kitchen too, so this is always good place to start.
An excellent way of getting your creative juices flowing and an excellent source of inspiration is all those lovely house and home magazines that are readily available. Another great tip is to get online and have a look at some of the homes for sale as many may have been improved prior to sale or may have had kitchen improvements only a few years ago, so this is a good place to start.
Any time spent in the planning stages will be well rewarded as this will give you time to try different combinations resulting in a kitchen plenty of visual impact.
When it comes to your worktop you will be confronted with a diverse selection of materials but ultimately it will come down to your budget, that said though you would be well advised to investigate the pluses and minus of each type in relation to the wear and tear your kitchen comes under.
A classic mistake here is choosing a high gloss work surface for a busy kitchen for example. They look fabulous when first installed but are more prone showing the marks that most kitchens get along the way. Ask your supplier for advice before making your final purchase.
Be warned though that some kitchen worktops are very expensive and depending on the size of your kitchen will set you back a small fortune especially for the higher grade countertops. High end work surfaces are often used in stylish gourmet kitchens or are found in lavish luxury homes where money is no object even in today’s trying economy.
This should not present you with a problem though as there are many very fine laminate worktop materials that will look just as good and last as long, but at the same time are still very affordable, durable and come in very attractive styles.
If you are lucky enough to afford the highest quality worktops for your new kitchen or kitchen makeover then you will most probably look at natural stone, in particular marble and granite. The beauty of marble and granite countertops is of course that they are available in large slabs which means that joins will be minimal.
Another great advantage you have when working with natural stone is you are not restricted to standard sizes and shapes so if you really need a bespoke design then check with your supplier as many will have cnc machinery and will be able to cut the stone to all sorts of shapes.
Make sure you get your measurements right though as bespoke stone cutting can be very costly.
Although granite seems to be the favorite choice in stone worktops probably due to its longevity and coupled with the fact that the natural color sits well with many design styles, there are other choices of stone you can use as well for example soapstone and slate. These are ideal for that weathered look kitchen but a word to the wise, slate and stone are not as hard wearing as granite so if you do happen to drop the odd pan then don’t be surprised if you chip the surface.
If natural stone will take you beyond your planned expenditure but you still want the aesthetics that stone worktops bring then
technology has supplied an excellent alternative which is composite stone. Composite stone worktops have the look and feel of natural stone but are in fact man made. Not only are they extremely affordable and visually pleasing but they last well also.
Due to costs many people ultimately end up choosing a laminate worktop in preference to the more expensive options. Fortunately laminate kitchen worktops come in an absolute plethora of styles and colors too so it is almost impossible not to find one that is ideal for you. Today’s choice compared to not so many years ago means that you can still get that luxury look for your kitchen at an affordable price and quite often off the shelf in you are in a hurry.
Whatever style of kitchen worktop you ultimately choose make sure you make your choice earlier and do not leave it until last as your kitchen work surfaces are normally the most noticeable visual aspects of kitchen design, and your choice of color and material often dictates other aspect of your kitchen design too.
Dave Talbot specialises in article writing for many market sectors including the house improvement sector. To find out more about Composite stone kitchen worktops visit=>http://www.blingyourkitchen.co.uk
Watch the video related to kitchen improvement
Hi, everyone, This is a video of my kitchen counter extension, and washing machine counter top. I found a kitchen counter in recycling in front of someone’s house in my neighbourhood. After inspection, I realised that it was almost new, save a small cut in the middle if it to allow a pipe to go through. In the space of 10 minutes I designed the area where I wanted to put it and cut all the pieces to make them fit the way you see them in this video. With the remaining part, I made a …
Help answer the question about kitchen improvement
Im planning to do some improvements in my kitchen which one should i do first.?I will be refacing my cabinets, changing countertops,floorings,backsplash.
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Tags: diy, handyman, home, how, improvement, kitchen, sink, tips, to, worktop, worktops
I figure….there are only so many things these sorts of shows can show and about only so many ways to do them, because their audience base is your average Joe, by and large.
At big box stores you can find black insulation tubes– made to insulate refrigerated air condition piping I think. I would measure the pipe length– some good idea of the diameter then get the insulation and put it on the pipe. You may need some duct tape. This is safety for you. Now, measure for the type cabinet space– go to a big box store to get the cabinet– use a jig saw to cut out the place in the shelves for the pipe.
Be sure and measure how much you need to cut out– you can use paper and make a template– or one of those metal things that give you a negative and positive of a door jamb– This is definately a DIY thing– the hardest part probably will be finding the studs the cabinet will need for attachment. Cabinets and their contents are really heavy.
good luck
Any expense you put into the house is an expense as it is added to the basis of the cost of the house. The house basis is what it was worth the day that you inherited it. If you put paint roof drive kitchen or anything into the unit to improve it. then it is an expense…. I doubt that you will have to worry about it being worth more now than it was worth a year ago,, Find an appraiser that will give you a high appraisal for last year, and then sell it for less will make it a loss, and no taxes paid at all. Most property is not worth what it was last year according to so many pundits on TV.
I would suggest the following brands:
>American Woodmark at Home Depot
>Shenandoah at Lowe's
They're actually the same product from the same firm, just branded differently for the two chains. I have them in my home and have been quite satisfied with the quality. Both also have a nice selection of finishes, trims, door styles and accessories.
Good luck with your remodel.
How extensive a "fixup" were you going to do? Check your lease first to see what you're allowed to do without prior written consent from the landlord. Most residential leases, at least in my market, limit tenant alterations to reasonable changes that can be easily restored to their original condition when the tenant leaves (e.g. painting, hanging shelving and pictures).
Major renovations, such as replacing cabinets, tile, appliances, must only be done with the landlord's consent. He'll be living with your choices long after you move out, so HE has the right to say no, or, if he says yes, to approve styles and materials. Also, all improvements belong to the landlord, so unless he's cut you a deal where you fix the place up in exchange for much lower rent, you're losing money on the deal.
That being said, there are plenty of things you can do to fix the place up. Paint is the easiest way to liven up the kitchen and bath. Even if you're not up to decorative painting, a good fresh coat of paint will brighten any room. For kitchen and bath, make sure to use a semi-gloss paint (there are some that are specifically for kitchens and baths)–this will hold up to the moisture, dirt and grease and be easier to clean.
Use baskets or boxes covered with cloth or contact paper to corral small or oddly-shaped items in kitchen and bathroom cabinets or shelves. Cheap and decorative way to increase storage space and keep the place looking neat.
If you need more cabinet space in the kitchen or bath, try to find old dressers, china hutches, bookcases or cabinets on Craigslist or your local freecycle–these can be cleaned, painted, and moved around to suit your space. I used an old 1940's metal dresser for years as a kitchen island/storage for pots and pans. Dressers with missing drawers make good deep shelving for large pots and baking sheets: just cut plywood to fit where the drawer bottoms would sit.
With your landlord’s permission, you can paint or reface existing cabinets. If not, you can usually cover objectionable cabinets with contact paper or starched fabric without permanent harm to the surface. (Contact paper has gotten a lot cooler–it now comes in all sorts of styles, including faux leather, faux granite, real cork, brushed aluminum and copper, etc.).
Also, you simply must check out Craftster! It’s not a home improvement site, as such, but it has every sort of craft and DIY project you can imagine, from what to do with old light bulbs to decorative painting, furniture design and complete room makeovers, in every style from classic to gothic and back again. And if you ask nicely, the members will often give you a free tutorial.
The Government has created a portal to help individuals who need benefits because of life events. Visit http://www.govbenefits.gov
Use the drop down button
DO YOU NEED BENEFITS BECAUSE OF A LIFE EVENT?
Choose the life situation best applicable to you and then see if you qualify for the available government assistance.
As for grants, if you live in a rural area, you can apply with the Dept of Agriculture for Grant #10.417 VERY LOW-INCOME HOUSING REPAIR LOANS AND GRANTS http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.PROGRAM_TEXT_RPT.SHOW?p_arg_names=prog_nbr&p_arg_values=10.417 Here is how this grant should be used:
"USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS
Loan funds may be used to make general repairs and improvements to properties or to remove health and safety hazards. Grant funds may be used only to pay for the costs for repairs and improvements that will remove identified health and safety hazards or to repair or remodel dwellings to make them accessible for houshold members with disabilities. Loans and grants are typically used for repair or replacement of heating, plumbing or electrical services, roof or basic structure as well as water and waste disposal systems, and weatherization. Loans bear an interest rate of one percent and are repaid over a period up to 20 years. In addition to the above purpose, loan funds may be used to modernize the dwelling. Maximum loan amount cannot exceed a cumulative total of $20,000 to any eligible person and maximum lifetime grant assistance is $7,500 to any eligible person. The house must be located in an eligible rural area which does not exceed 10,000 population. Some places with populations between 10,000 and 25,000 may be eligible if not within a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Assistance is available in States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana's and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands."
You can also check with HUD who are the recipients of Grant 14.181 SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.PROGRAM_TEXT_RPT.SHOW?p_arg_names=prog_nbr&p_arg_values=14.181 . This grant is given to non profits "to construct, rehabilitate or acquire structures to be used as supportive housing for persons with disabilities." Check if you can be a beneficiary of this grant.
You can find other home improvement grants at the the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov . Here is a list of home improvement grants available http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.PROGRAM_TEXT_RPT.SHOW?p_arg_names=prog_nbr&p_arg_values=14.181
To apply for grants, go to Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov . They have everything you need to apply for grants.
probably $400 or so, if you want the old sink pulled out and a new installed with a garbage disposal.
That of course does NOT include the costs of the materials.
I prefer oil stain ,Two coats and usually mix whatever color that I am using (4 parts color to one part natural) with natural"clear" stain of the same brand. It seems to make the grain a little deeper. A trick an old floor refinisher showed me years ago and seems to work well.
As far as the finish. I also prefer oil polyurethane, Three coats ,sanding between #2and #3 coat. I use high gloss for my first two coats and whatever gloss is required (flat,semi,satin, or gloss) for the final coat.(The higher the gloss the more durable the finish)
Water based polly is fine for the insides of the cabinets as it is much easier to apply but tends to be a little "chalky" looking and does not hold up to cleaning solvents as well. It is great for closet built-ins , and other household furniture
Whatever you use ,take your time and be as neat as possible ,Letting each coat dry and lightly sanding with fine sandpaper between coats. Dust or vacuum constantly and use a tack cloth before coats. Your efforts will be their own reward.
Good luck.
(1) Kitchen more visible, more use
(2) Bathroom (needed especially if there are more than two in your household
(3) maybe rethink fireplace, little known fact sometimes your house insurance will go up cause of a fireplace, or you might not find an insurance that will insure a house with a fireplace