Make Over A Kitchen

Ordering new kitchen appliances and installing new fixtures and floors is extremely expensive and most of us cannot afford to complete this task without a hefty loan. Whether you are planning to renovate, or just add color, these ideas can help you add new life to a kitchen on a budget and make the most of your kitchen space.

Always keep a file of pictures you see in magazines of your dream kitchen. This will save time when you are ready to makeover your kitchen. Remember, if kitchen cabinets are made of real wood, it might be best to paint instead of replacing them. Older cabinets usually have more character than new cabinets, and they are usually well made.  If your cabinets need to be totally replaced, you can save money by ordering kitchen cabinets that are unfinished. You can paint them yourself, and paint your cabinets the color of your choice. If your old kitchen cabinets are made of laminate, they also can be painted. When choosing a paint, just ask your local paint store for a primer that sticks to a laminate surface. After your painted cabinets dry, maybe its just not the color you thought it would be, relax,  you can always use your painted color as your first coat, and another hue for your second coat.  Maybe you just prefer a new look altogether.  You can give kitchen cabinets a new face lift by facing them with paneling from your home improvement store. Decorative crown molding can give drab kitchen cabinets a polished look. Don't forget to cover that unsightly old dishwasher with a cabinet panel.  Replacing cabinet hardware will spruce up your drawers. Hardware comes in so many unusual and unique designs that one will surely to fit right in to the design you have in mine.

Sometimes old kitchen furniture can be difficult to paint. You can solve this problem with decoupage. Cover an old cupboard in a sheet of printed music, or your favorite fabric, then varnish the completed work. The varnish will not only protect the surface, but it will give the cupboard an antique effect.

Floors in kitchens are subject to a lot of wear and tear over the same area. Wood floors are a plus in a home. Sanding and stripping can help floors look beautiful again especially after painted with high gloss enamel. The gloss enamel will will give the wood a bright new finish. Imperfections on old wood floors that simply need to be replaced can be covered with a lovely rug.  The Linen Locker offers you hundreds of decorative kitchens rugs by Home Comfort rugs, Homefires rugs and Veratex Rugs that will not only hide imperfections, but bring color to a kitchen.

Install new window curtains to warm up the look of a kitchen. The Linen Locker sells many ready made kitchen curtains by Arley and Heritage Lace, Croscill Window, Thomasville Window and Charles Curtains on our website that will add new light and color to a kitchen. Any fabric that is hung in a kitchen will need to be durable and machine washable. Items in kitchens need regular cleaning.

Change your lighting. By changing the ceiling fixtures it can create a whole new look. Carefully placement of light fixtures can even make a kitchen look larger. A arrangement of recessed light could make a narrow kitchen look wider if place in a square. Under wall units of light adds to a preparation area. A stove light is also a plus.

A kitchen which most of the family visits frequently is the ideal place for a message board. Where space is at a premium, look for creative storage.  An under sink storage unit can be mounted on cabinet doors and everthing you need is at your fingertips when it's cleaning time. A kitchen table can also serve as a kitchen island.  The top can be replaced with a layer of butcher flock or slate. By installing your microwave under your stove, will allow more counter room and leaves less counter clutter.

A easy way to brighten a kitchen is with a display of your favorite collectibles. Dishes and glassware are visually appealing and always practical and affordable. Open shelves not only display lovely dish collections, they are often much less expensive to install. Open shelving can be colorful yet practical.  A kitchen space always seems larger when cabinets have glass or are made with an open design.  To reflect light, display silver platters near a wall that you want to reflect light. Another idea for drawing color and displaying your collections is to display china plates where they will be admired daily.

The best kitchens are the ones we look forward to spending time in.  Creating an atmosphere in which conversation flows, and tasty treats are made will cost you a little more that your imagination when using these few ideas to update your kitchen.