These are projects any do-it-yourselfer
can accomplish on a barebones budget and still end up with a dynamite result.
Some of these projects can even pull together a rented apartment kitchen without
sending your landlord through the roof.
Get started in the morning and be
finished in time for dinner guests!
1. Think Paint.
The first and primary hint: Paint works miracles on everything. If it holds
still, paint itneatly, inside and out. Don't think colors; think shine and
texture. Old wood tone cabinets spray-painted very glossy white or hand painted
with oil-base in creamy white provides yards of look for very little cash.
Then repaint the walls with latex satin
enamel in soft sheen or no sheen. Use a color to contrast with your "new
cabinets." Feeling adventurous? Paint pulls and hinges, too. If you have poor
cabinetry, this technique can really pull it together.
2. New Pulls.
When renovating cabinetry, new pulls add punch. In a small kitchen, put money
into pulls and hardware. Expensive pulls can make the worst cabinets sing.
Consider vintage pulls.
3. Remove. Less is more! Look at the
cabinets and consider which doors could be removed to expose the shelving. Open
shelving helps a kitchen look bigger. Display your favorite dishes, baskets and
what-have-you for a new, updated look. Paint the inside of the cabinets the same
as the outside or an opposite, bright color for snap and speed.
4. Replace. Replace solid cupboard doors with glass fronts. The glass can be
clear or frosted or you can get vintage doors and master them to fit. Showcase
dishes, glassware, silver, anything displayable. You can also line the inside
glass with sheer fabric. And if youve removed some doors to create open shelves,
the glass fronts add to the look beautifully.
5. Lighting.
Track lights brighten up any kitchen. Wire suspension lights can make the space
look contemporary and new. Paper lanterns add life and freshness. All three
types of lighting put light where you need it, create space or raise the
ceiling. If you have a very small kitchen, make a box or rectangle of lights
with extra small halogen bulbs.
6. Easy Tile.
Have new countertops in a day. (Heres when it pays to have a small kitchen.) If
the counter space is not expansive, go ahead and splurge on expensive tile. It
will make the entire kitchen look luxurious. Or, with small counters, you may be
able to buy vintage tile. Tiling a small countertop is simple. Dont be afraid of
irregularities.
7. Quick Floors.
Today there are countless self-stick tiles that can be added for a quick revamp.
(Hint: Think contrasting black and white.) Floating wood floors and wood tiles
can be done in an afternoon. Paint the floor a dark color such as black. To tie
in the wall or cabinet color, use that paint to rag or faux finish over the
darker color.
8. Flashy
Faucets. Heres another feature to invest in. A
flashy new faucet can make an old sink fade back. New faucets in white or chrome
with pull-out sprays look great and, for the money, say "new kitchen."
9. Reflections.
One of the best ways to add space without permanent alterations is to attach a
glossy white-framed mirror to the wall at the end of a galley kitchen. It will
add dimension and space. Place one above the refrigerator, hang one on a cabinet
for drama or even set one on the floor.
10. Window
Covering. A new window covering makes the window and the wall look fresh.
A matchstick blind cut to size or a metal-tone mini blind add texture and light
control. Small shutters loosely fitted into a window frame can be installed in
an afternoon and are readily available in white or natural. Paint them,
faux-paint them, stain them or leave them alone.
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