November 2007 - Think you need to hire a TV crew to help transform the look of rooms in your home? Think again. Leslie Segrete, star of While You Were Out and Trading Spaces, says it is possible for anyone (even without a crew) to make major home improvements with a small budget and a little elbow grease.
When it comes to choosing which rooms to fix-up, the kitchen is a great place to start. "The kitchen should be the hub of your home and a place where you can feel comfortable spending quality time with family and friends," says Segrete. "However, if the thought of your kitchen makes you want to dine out - it's time for an update."
Adeline Faucet in Chrome
Here are Segrete's tips for projects that will make your kitchen comfortable and inviting while also achieving the best bang for your buck.
Freshen Your Flooring
Today there are a variety of easy-to-install, inexpensive and great-looking flooring materials available. Laminate floors offer a variety of looks that can replicate wood grains, natural stones and tile, and are easily installed in large sections. Engineered hardwood flooring is also a great choice for a kitchen since it can stand up to wear and tear and moist environments. Plus, with new, innovative locking systems, this can be an easy DIY project.
Complement the Cabinets
As one of the largest components of your kitchen, updating the look of your cabinets can be the ideal starting point for a fresh look. Begin by removing all the cabinet doors, drawers and hardware. For solid wood cabinets, strip, sand, repair and clean the wood to create a clean surface. Then, apply a new stain and urethane top coat. For a completely different look, replace the cabinet doors for a refreshing style. Laminate or wood veneer cabinets can easily be updated with a fresh coat of paint. For the final touch, replace your knobs and drawer pulls with new, updated finishes.
Accessorize at the Sink
Installing a new faucet can add updated style and enhanced functionality. Faucets today come in a wealth of designs. For your kitchen update, you may want to add one of the most popular styles, a high arc faucet, such as Moen's Adeline™ faucet. This style offers practical ease for tasks such as filling large pots or pitchers and its prominence makes it a design focal point. Or you may want to try a highly functional pullout faucet such as Moen's Renzo™ faucet. Featuring multiple spray settings at your fingertips, these faucets make everything from watering plants to cleaning veggies a breeze. Both faucets are available at The Home Depot and Menard's and feature some of the most popular finishes such as Chrome and Stainless. Renzo is also available in Matte Black and Glacier.
Create Lovely Lighting
Accent your current lighting with stylish, new pieces. Swap out the basic light fixture from above your kitchen table with a beautiful chandelier for a great focal point. To aid in tasks, pendant lights can be added above prep areas to highlight the spots you use most often. For an ambient glow, vintage wall sconces work well as a great addition to an Old-World kitchen or contrast in a modern kitchen.
"With these updates," says Segrete, "your kitchen will soon be transformed and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you did it yourself and without spending a fortune."