This is a figurative and literal complaint with tenants and homeowners alike. The kitchen is the most used room in the house and wear and tear is evident on cabinetry, countertops, walls and floors.
It also appears as the most substantial room in the house; it is designed to be so.
Other rooms have walls, windows, a floor and perhaps a door.
Your kitchen comes equipped with walls covered in cabinetry, appliances and a design you did not choose unless you designed the home or remodeled it to your taste. It is also the one place in your home when a deciding on a new design is sure to cost plenty.
Let’s assume you don’t make that decision. Remodeling your kitchen is an expensive proposition.
Homeowners dream about it and plan for it; tenants attempt to shrug it off, believing there is nothing they can do about it.
Worse, many people assume their own style in a home is defined by the cabinetry.
If you are a homeowner review these potential solutions for Cabinetry:
Painted cabinets
a) The most obvious fix is painting the cabinets. If this is the choice you are making you may be surprised at the myriad of paint treatments available. Study them carefully and choose one that fits your new design plan. These pictures represent a before and after preview of a kitchen. The angles are different but you can easily see they are the same kitchen. While working with one couple we decided to paint the cabinetry and switch the hardware and add new appliances; their completed design appeared to be a brand new kitchen. The savings on this room alone was $29,000.00.
b) To get a good finish that you will be proud of, plan on removing all the cabinet doors and hardware.
c) The hardware can be sprayed in a color or finish that compliments your cabinet paint selection.
d) If your cabinets are wood you can rent a small hand sander and rough up the existing finish and smooth out any blemishes.
e) If your cabinets are plastic coated (this is another shocker, a lot of the newer cabinets are coated with plastic to appear wood) look for the application that will adhere to the smooth finish allowing your paint to adhere to the current finish.
f) Primitive and Country designs look great with the bases painted a dark or neutral color; then add barn siding with adhesive and change out the hardware to match.
g) Cottage designs work perfectly with the bases painted white and bead board adhered to the doors.
h) Southwestern designs look great with the spray on treatment that looks like sandstone. Just apply and then spray the poly as a top coat.
i) Budget permitting, you can purchase new doors and finish them with a stain or Min Wax. You will need to sand the bases and apply the same stain treatment or purchase the covers for the bases when you buy the doors.
This process will produce an entirely new kitchen when it is completed.
If you are ready to tear out walls and redesign the kitchen;, you will want to get bids and consult with at least two contractors, including the stores who sell cabinetry or appliances They all offer ideas and suggestions.
If you have the space, look for a table with drawers, a buffet that is substantial or prep table and paint it a contrasting color to create an island.
Add wood or Plexiglas chopping blocks across the section you want to use for food prep and dramatically increase your counter space.
Take a look at the trim pieces that Lowe’s and Home Depot feature.
The best rule of thumb abut arranging cabinets is this; Walk through your kitchen and imagine preparing a meal, making and serving coffee or snacks and all the activities you do in your kitchen. Without thinking, go to the cabinet where you would expect the items necessary to complete that tsk would be, not where you have them, but where you expect them to be without thinking. This is where they go!
Cabinets should be arranged so that glasses, coffee cups and the items most used are around the sink area.
Plates, serving bowls and other place setting dishes and the larger bowls used for food preparation should be near the stove.
The base cabinets should be used for canned goods, each placed near the area where you keep the proper bowls to prepare or serve the items.
Small appliances and pans should be stored in the base cabinets near the area where they will be used.
The ideal kitchen sports a triangular layout with the sink at mid point, the range and refrigerator across from the sink to complete the triangle layout. This is a step saving and time saving layout.
Your ‘Plain Jane’ cabinets become rich, new and can even appear Tuscan by adding the corner trim pieces to the base of your cabinet corners and the edges of your upper cabinetry.
They appear to be deep and thick but actually adhere to and wrap the corners of the cabinets; this completely alters the appearance of the cabinets making them appear far more substantial.
Purchase the trim pieces that extend to the floor for Tuscan, Spanish and Mediterranean designs. The wood is intricately carved or super simple; choose the one that works with your design plan. These are all available in faux wood with a foam backing to save money.
Matching decorative trim pieces can be used to replace the tiny one inch trim at the tops of the cabinets.
Trims To Change Your Style
a) Take a long, close look at the toe kickboards (the trim at the bottom of the cabinets by the floor). If yours are wood, paint or touch up the stain if they are scuffed.
b) If your kitchen cabinets are finished with the rubber trim that has been used for many years in less expensive cabinetry, tear it off and replace it.
c) Home improvement stores all offer this very affordably. Pick up a can of adhesive while you’re there. You need it in your ‘tool kit!’
d) You must have your own tool kit!
e) If you have more than ample base cabinet space think about leaving the doors and hardware off of one set of strategically placed base cabinets; fill the screw holes with wood filler, sand and paint or stain to match the cabinets and add decorative baskets that hold vegetables and fruit.
f) This also works if you have located that perfect accessory table to use as an island (one with a shelf). Look for baskets or containers that compliment your style.
g) This is a space and time saver, providing easy access for food preparation.
h) If you have open wall space that does not offer anything you are interested in using consider this option to add storage and interest to that area.
Check your favorite thrift stores and Craig’s List for a hutch that compliments or contrasts with your kitchen design.
Another storage solution:
Search thrift stores and yard sales for a hutch that is no more than 48″ wide; find one that fits the style you have chosen. Anchor the hutch to the wall with screws and add trim boards that match your kitchen trim. Presto! You have a gorgeous new addition to your kitchen. You can paint or finish this in a contrasting color or match to your cabinets with stain.
Adding an eating area:
If you have a ‘breakfast nook’ or eat in kitchen consider using a contrasting or matching base cabinetry as your table base by simply adding a piece of glass to the top.
This also works with pieces of furniture such as accent tables if they are the correct height. If you can imagine it, you can make it happen!
Find seating that compliments your design and works for your family at thrift stores.
Adding an office area to your kitchen:
If you have extra wall space in your kitchen, usually near a corner, and need a computer workspace or small office; look for base cabinet drawers or upper cabinets that add a look you want in your kitchen.
Measure the height! Too low is a back breaker and too high will make your arms so tired you never want to come back.
Place one cabinet at each end of the space and anchor them to the wall.
Call local cabinet installers and granite shops and ask about remnant pieces and go out to check them out. They can cut it down for you to fit your space; granite remnants are available in the $100.00 price range.
Use adhesive to anchor the top to the bases.
If granite is not your style, look for glass pieces or narrow table tops that can be disconnected from the legs and anchor the top to the cabinets.
If your desktop is long enough, look for matching or contrasting upper cabinets and anchor them at each end to complete your private office with loads of storage.
If not, look for the compartmentalized shelving units typically used for display and anchor them to the wall above to maximize the use of space and increase storage!
You can utilize an unused closet with these same tips.
Countertops:
Countertops are at the top of the list of things people hate about their kitchens. They are either worn, burned, dated or just plain ugly.
Consider the following solutions; if these do not seem feasible you may at least have expanded your idea of what changes can be completed easily. If so, apply a fix that feels right to you.
If you are planning a complete remodel of your kitchen all of the tips and pitfalls, including pricing and arrangement, take the time to get quotes and ideas from contractors as well as the home improvement stores. Knowledge is power and will save you money!
a) Solid surface and granite countertops are the most desirable. If you want them, then spend some time pricing and budgeting for the installation.
As a rule of thumb; light cabinetry goes will with darker surface countertops; dark cabinetry is compliment by lighter surface countertops. The exception to this rule is when you want to create a white on white kitchen. White granite is rare and expensive but there are solid surface solutions that work nicely.
b) Formica is glued onto plywood to create your countertops. The Formica can be removed and replaced with a new color and design that compliments your style.
Just measure and head back to your favorite online search engine and look for the best pricing. The adhesive is sold at hardware and home improvement stores, typically the same stores that offer the Formica.
c) Stainless steel is sold in rolls. If this is your choice, use adhesive to attach it to the wood that is exposed from removing the Formica.
If you choose not to remove the Formica, you must sand the existing Formica countertop before applying adhesive. If you fail to do this it will pop up in the heated kitchen and become a dismal failure.
d) Strip off the old Formica and install a tile that makes your statement. If you use tile don’t leave off the sealer coat when you are finished.
If you fail to follow this advice you will soon notice grout that lifts and falls out or changes color, giving your new countertop a completely different look.
e) Tiling a countertop is not a new idea; however, you can also use 20″ pieces of marble and install exactly as the tile is installed.
Pick a complimentary grout color, seal and you have marble countertops.
f) Contemporary and a few other design styles work well with concrete countertops.
While this is more typical for lofts and very contemporary spaces, concrete comes in colors now and a whole new set of design ideas spring from that change. This also requires a sealant.
g) Whimsical designs and cottages work nicely with mosaic tiles on the countertops. Again, peel the Formica off and then buy scraps of colored tiles that match your décor. Break the tile pieces with a hammer (cover tile with plastic and wear goggles when you break the tiles). Lightly sand the rough edges. These pieces can be randomly placed and glued onto the Formica, if it is sanded first to create a rough surface for the glue to adhere to.
Finish with a complimentary grout color. This process is less expensive due to the opportunity to purchase remnants of tiles rather than a large group of matching tiles.
Mismatched appliances draw attention to, and age the entire look of the kitchen.
Appliance spray paint is inexpensive and the easiest way to match the appliances.
If you are feeling particularly creative you can purchase sheets of stainless coating with peel off backs. Remove handles and anything that protrudes and use a box cutter to cut the sheets to the proper size. Finally, peel off the back and apply carefully, avoiding pressing unwanted seams onto your ‘new’ appliance.
Or, budget permitting head back to your favorite new shopping spots to steal good deals and to pick up appliances that are well loved and slightly used. My best bargains come from Craig’s List; which is probably obvious by this point!
Many builders remove these packages from model homes and offer them on Craig’s List.
If your refrigerator currently looks like a scrap book think about moving the catch all magnets and pictures to the side; or purchase an inexpensive small bulletin board and frame those ‘special’ pieces to really showcase them. There are a variety of options but some popular ones now are faux stainless covered range and refrigerator and dishwasher.
Fixtures:
Lowes and Home depot offer repair kits for porcelain sinks that can make yours appear new. They store the sinks that customers refuse in their back room. You can get a great price from them.
They also offer plastic sinks that are very pretty and appear porcelain and are heavy duty. I found this shocking the first time I discovered these! The prices, styles and overall look will amaze you. It’s not nearly as big an issue as it appears to be.
Last but not least, head to Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store, yard sales, the trusty Craig’s List and call local plumbers to see if they have what you need in their back room.
Faucets speak volumes about kitchens. Try all of the above to locate one that does not break your budget and compliments your kitchen. It is the finishing touch. I much prefer repairing or picking up a vintage faucet in lieu of a $20.00 want to be faucet found in every discount department store.
From blight to a beautiful sight:
If you have a kitchen from the late 70’s and 80’s that features a ceiling that is intended to mimic a ‘cove’ ceiling graced by fluorescent lights hidden behind Plexiglas pieces, you should be more than ready for a change.
These kitchens do not have a soffit (the drywall above the cabinets) as this is replaced by the lighting design.
If your budget does not accommodate a complete change or you do not have help to tear it out; or, even if your are renting, give some thought to taking down the Plexiglas and covering it with decorative film that matches or compliments your theme. This has peel off backing, is see through and yet offers a design that will appear to be a part of your plan. This is inexpensive and easy to install. Your home improvement stores sells many varieties of the film.
Removing all of it and just changing out the lighting to used chandelier is equally beautiful and inexpensive. You will be surprised to learn that in spite of the big long light fixture that you see, the hole in the ceiling is the same 4″ used in all overhead lighting!
You can use your search engine to look at the many styles offered.
Online shopping will bring them straight to your door. If you prefer an up close and personal approach head to the nearest Lowes or local home improvement store.
A rental will require prior permission or your willingness to replace the dreaded Plexiglas with new when you leave. I am willing to bet the owner will much prefer your look to their previous look so fear not!
You can also use spray paint designed to cover plastic and get rid of those ugly tracks that define and hold the sections of Plexiglas.
This is a beautiful fix to affordably update a really dated idea. Make sure to purchase the transparent version of the film; it is offered in several varieties.
Otherwise you will be looking for your light through a dark cover. This is amazingly affordable!
Backsplashes:
Every kitchen needs a backsplash! They protect the walls from grease damage and provide the perfect opportunity to give your kitchen a final treatment that projects your style and design.
Tile is the most common backsplash. It is durable, comes in many sizes, shapes and designs and lasts a lifetime if maintained properly.
If you have granite countertops you will typically have marble tiles to match.
Marble tiled backsplash is beautiful with any kind of countertop; however, it is an expensive solution.
The simplest tiled backsplash for a novice to install is the 1 inch squares that come with on a 12 x 12 inch mat. Still, you must be prepared to cut tile.
A side grinder is a handheld tool that is capable of performing most tile cuts simply. If you’re thinking of the cumbersome wet saws for this job I encourage you to try this first. It is one of those miraculous tips you never want to forget!
Let’s examine a few others; Spend some time online with your favorite home improvement store and look closely at the picture they provide.
Notice tile designs and how they make you feel. Choose a look that you love and that inspires you.
This is a good test to see how it will make anyone who enters the room feel. Some feel commercial and busy, some cozy and some simply beautiful! Find the one that suits your personal taste.
Hammered tin
Hammered tin is a quick, decorative and inexpensive fix that can be anchored to the wall and removed when leaving if you are renting your home.
Something new and even less expensive is the faux metal surfaces created as backsplashes and ceiling covering available at your local home improvement store.
Whatever ideas you decide to use, and whatever you may change in your kitchen décor, you can rest assured the only beef left will be served at the dinner table!
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