Thursday, September 27, 2007 8:33 PM
Need a quick kitchen fix?
In my house everyone “hangs out” in the kitchen. That’s one reason why I want it to be beautiful and comfortable. Even though I am not a great cook, investing in my kitchen is a smart financial move since I can get back between 85% and 150% of what I put into it if I ever sell my house. Yet, not everyone can afford to undertake a major kitchen redo, which can cost a bundle. The average price of a kitchen renovation can cost $30,000.
If you’re short on funds, or are selling your place and don’t have time for a major redo, don’t despair. There is a lot you can do to revamp the room without busting your budget or using up valuable time. Start with your cabinets -- improving them gives the greatest impact, even in small spaces.
Consider changing the knobs on cabinet doors. For instance, gold and brass pulls are old school – brushed nickel and stainless steel handles are sleek and modern. All you need is a screwdriver (or a power screwdriver for even faster work), a little inspiration, and an hour to make the switch.
If your cabinets are dark and dreary paint them a crisp white or French blue. Make sure to wash the cabinets thoroughly with a degreasing cleanser, remove the doors (number them to correspond to the cabinets so reinstalling is easier) and sand them and the cabinet fronts lightly. Remove the dust with a tack cloth, prime with an oil-based primer and let it dry overnight. The next day, get painting with a semi or high gloss paint (depending on your preference). You might need to give the cabinets two coats. Let them dry for 48 hours, then reinstall.
If you don’t have time to paint the doors, you can send them to a pro and for about $15 per door they will give your doors a professional spray with a color of your choice. You will still have to paint the cabinet fronts – but it takes far less time than painting everything yourself.
Finally, if your cabinet doors are really out of date, consider changing them. Replacing doors costs about 75% less than buying new cabinets. And the result is dramatic. Google “cabinet refacing” to find dealers in your area.
Then order your favorite takeout and invite your friends in to admire your handiwork.