Cooking Up Change by Nancy Boughton
If you are like most homeowners, you spend a good chunk of time in the kitchen. Whether you are creating home-cooked masterpieces, pressing the time button on the microwave or savoring a warm cup of tea, the kitchen is truly the heart of your home. Do you love hanging out in the kitchen but secretly wish a makeover team visits while you are sleeping? Do you dream of glossy new cabinets adorned with smart hardware? Many homeowners are desperate to change their kitchens, but fear the cost and time involved is prohibitive.
I have good news for those of you looking to change your kitchen without breaking the bank. Refacing a kitchen can give your current kitchen a spruced up transformation for a fraction of the cost of a new kitchen. In my experience, a homeowner can get a completely remodeled kitchen for about a third of the cost of a new one. The end product can be spectacular.
Walk in your kitchen right this minute and take a look at your kitchen. Imagine it outfitted with new countertops, cabinets and flooring. Think of how a fresh coat of paint and new hardware would change the energy in the kitchen, especially in the glow of new kitchen lighting. Here are five affordable ways to spruce up your kitchen this spring.
Cabinet doors – Whether you want to go from one wood to another, completely change the style of the doors or go from natural wood to white, changing your cabinet doors can upgrade the look and feel of your kitchen.
Hardware – Simply changing the hardware on your cabinet doors can add s fresh feel to your kitchen. There are infinite fashionable and functional styles to select from.
Countertops – If your original laminate countertops are making your kitchen feel dated, swap them out for stone, ceramic tile, wood or recycled materials. Why not prepare and enjoy food on inspirational surfaces?
Flooring – Kick off your shoes and see what it feels like to stroll around your kitchen. Changing the flooring to wood, ceramic tile or a green option like bamboo or cork can add a whole new look and feel to your kitchen.
Lighting – Lighting plays a critical role in creating an ambiance in the kitchen. Adding a few task lights, track lighting or decorative kitchen pendants can light up your kitchen.
Nancy Boughton is an interior designer based in Andover.