subject: Five Easy Remodeling Ideas To Update Your Kitchen [print this page] Are you living with a kitchen that feels out-of-date, is small, or inefficient? Even a rather small kitchen remodeling project can make a big difference in bringing the room into the 21st century. Here are five strategies for updating your kitchen:
1.Change the Cabinets: A lot of times older cabinets have a dingy or outdated appearance, but that doesn't mean you have to replace them entirely. Consider refinishing or refacing them with a modern color. Not only will it give your kitchen a new look, different colors can affect how big your kitchen feels. While you're at it, update the drawer pulls, cabinet handles, and hinges. Hardware is one of the primary features that dates a kitchen.
2.Install New Flooring: Nothing makes a kitchen look older than worn linoleum. Today's homeowners can use updated hardwood floors or a laminate that resembles wood. If you want to go green, bamboo is a durable and sustainable choice. Cork is also popular.
3.Increase the Lighting: Dim lighting can add years to your kitchen and make it a less pleasant place to hang out. See if you can enlarge windows or add skylights to create a bright new look. Think about installing new lights. While older kitchens tend to have one central ceiling fixture, today's kitchens often have several sources of light, including pendant lamps over the eating area, task lighting under the cabinets, and soft ambient lighting above the cabinets.
4.Buy New Appliances: If you haven't looked at appliances for a while, you'll find that newer models will save you money on your energy costs. New stoves and ovens also cook more quickly and are easier to clean than older models. Refrigerators make better use of space - a replacement fridge might occupy the same square footage, but hold more inside.
5.Add Some Color: You might be living with an outdated color scheme. Consider what a good coat of paint will do to enliven the room. If you want a brighter, more spacious feeling, use a light color. Alternatively, darker colors will make the room feel cozier.
