Seven ways to facelift your kitchen
Nothing dates a house more quickly than a kitchen that time has forgotten. Yet any drab or outdated kitchen can be dramatically revitalized with some simple updates.
Consider your budget and answers to the following two questions to help you determine the direction to start:
1. Many homeowners want the kitchen to be strictly utilitarian, but others want it to be the social center of the home. How about you?
2. Do you want to work within the existing space of your current kitchen? Do you want to expand by taking room from somewhere else, or would you rather build an addition to house your new kitchen? All of these are options and all vary greatly in cost. Working within your current space will usually be the least complicated and the least expensive.
Before. Photo by DreamMaker Kitchen and Bath.
Here are ideas to change the look of your kitchen by giving key areas a quick facelift:
The sink — What is the condition of the sink and faucet? If it’s an older single-handle faucet, or chipped and cracked porcelain sink, consider replacing it with a beautiful double handle faucet or a thicker gauged stainless steel sink.
The lighting — Think about the lighting; is it sufficient enough for tasks, like reading a recipe? If not, add some xenon under-cabinet lights with high and low settings, or replace that dated ceiling dome with an adjustable track system.
The floor — Does the vinyl floor have wrinkles and
After.
gouges in it? Replace it with 20-inch-by-20-inch tiles to make the kitchen feel larger, or with pre-finished hardwood for a quick, easy solution.
The counters — If the laminate counter is suffering the effects of years of heavy use, switch it out. Consider an eco-friendly slab quartz top that uses old bottles and pieces of seashells.
The backsplash — If the backsplash is a short 4-inch splash that doesn’t protect much of the wall, install a full-height tile splash with some natural stone or glass tiles for accents.
The walls — Many older kitchens have several layers of wallpaper clinging to the walls. Peel them off and start with a clean slate. A fresh coat of colored paint can make a world of difference.
The cabinets — If a different layout or new cabinets are needed, contact your local design/build contractor. They can also help coordinate any and all of your other facelift needs.
Today’s kitchen can be all you want it to be. Enjoy the opportunity to explore the variety of materials, styles and colors available to you. In the end you’ll reap the pleasures afforded you in the new look and style of your kitchen.
— By Kristen Sotelo
Sotelo is a designer with DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen of Boulder and Broomfield. Contact her with home decor questions or to set up an appointment at 303-404-3625 or Kristen@DreamMakerBBCO.com. Visit www.dreammaker-remodel.com.
