The kitchen is often the most used room in the house, which means it’s likely the most visible, too. As such, even the smallest changes can have a big impact.
If you’re looking for ways to give your kitchen an upgrade without spending a great deal of time or money, check out these cheap and easy kitchen DIYs below for inspiration.
1. Replace The Faucet
One of the easiest upgrades that make a dramatic statement in your kitchen is to replace the faucet with something sculptural-looking and high-tech. The upgrade will make your kitchen seem more high-end almost instantly.
To complete this DIY, simply turn the water off underneath the sink and detach the hot and cold hoses from the old faucet. Remove the old faucet and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the new faucet. Once everything is in place and tight, turn the water back on and check for leaks.
2. Redo The Backsplash
A backsplash redo is easy to do and can change the look of the room without changing anything else. A modern choice in kitchen backsplashes is self-adhesive metal tiles. Just cut the tiles to the correct size and shape for the space, then apply them using the pre-applied adhesive on the back.
3. Update The Lighting
One of the most dramatic and effective changes you can make in any room is to update the lighting. Add some under-the-counter LED lighting using double-sided tape or small screws – if you can hang a picture on the wall, you can do this – or change out your old light bulbs for smart bulbs you can control with your phone. This will allow you to change the ambiance in the room to suit the mood with just a touch.
4. Replace The Drawer And Cabinet Pulls
One of the most cost-effective changes you can make in your kitchen to make a big impact is to replace the old drawer and cabinet pulls with new ones. It’s as simple as unscrewing the old hardware and turning in the new ones, so there’s really no excuse not to make this upgrade, especially when most hardware and home improvement stores carry a wide selection of handles and knobs to fit any budget.
If you’d like to give your kitchen an updated look without spending a great deal of time or money, try one or all the ideas mentioned above.
Rental apartments aren’t known for having large, spacious kitchens. In fact, they usually have barely enough counter space to prepare a sandwich on. If your rental kitchen is on the small side, the following tips will help you transform that limited space into something reminiscent of a well-designed, functional kitchen.
1. Get Rid Of Stuff You Don’t Use
As you pack up to move into your new apartment, get rid of all the kitchen appliances and gadgets you don’t use. For example, when’s the last time you used that panini maker? Or what about that espresso machine? If you haven’t used it in a year or two, donate it to the thrift store. Doing so will free up valuable real estate in your new but tiny kitchen.
2. Store Things Vertically
In a small kitchen, every inch of space is valuable, so get creative and store things vertically. The walls in your kitchen hold lots of storage potential if you use your imagination. Things like magnetic knife strips, hanging pot racks, dish-drying racks installed above the sink, and hooks for hanging aprons, potholders, and small tools all help you make the most of your limited space in a small kitchen.
3. Decorate With Everyday Items
It just makes sense to leave things you use every day out for easy access. For instance, brooms, dish brushes, and soap dispensers can all be used to “decorate” in a small kitchen. Look for a wooden broom, glass soap dispenser, or a natural fiber dish brush to soften the look of your kitchen while still getting the job done.
4. Light It Up!
Good lighting can make even the smallest of spaces seem bigger and brighter. Invest in new light bulbs that provide plenty of cool light that’ll wake you up in the morning and get you going.
Your home’s pipes have a very important job. They carry fresh water in and carry waste out. Here’s how to deal with slow-moving or clogged drains and pipes and keep them in tip-top shape.
Be Careful What You Put Down the Drains
One of the biggest culprits of slow-moving and clogged drains and pipes is not being careful of what goes down them. Grease is probably the most problematic substance people allow to go down the drain. While it’s easy to assume the liquid goes through the pipes as water does, the reality is it actually solidifies quickly and collects in specific spots along the way. As it builds up, it causes problems.
Luckily, grease is the easiest drain problem to deal with since you have total control of whether it goes down the drain or not. Rather than pour grease down the drain as you’re cooking, collect it instead in an old coffee can that you throw away once it’s full.
Run Hot Water
One of the easiest ways to help your drains stay clear is to get in the habit of running hot water down them after each use. While oils and other substances can settle, hot water keeps things moving along nicely. All you have to do to ensure your drains stay clear is turn the hot water on and let it run in the sink for a moment or two.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
If you have a slow-moving drain or there’s a foul odor coming from the pipes, use vinegar and baking soda to clear it up. Simply pour a quarter-cup of baking soda in the drain and follow it up with a cup of white vinegar.
The combination creates a volatile reaction that foams inside the pipes to clear the offending clog or buildup. Let the combo do its job for 15 minutes and then run hot water down the drain for a few seconds. This natural drain cleaner can be used regularly to keep your pipes clean and fresh.
Your home’s pipes are very important. When they don’t work as they should, it’s very inconvenient and unhealthy. Use the tips mentioned above to keep your drains and pipes in tip-top shape.
The kitchen is often the most-used room in the house. In many cases, it is a multi-use room where not just cooking takes place, but eating, homework, office work, and more are common activities.
So when it comes to remodeling your kitchen, you have a lot of options in terms of layouts and features. It can seem overwhelming, but below, we discuss several layouts and what you can expect with each so you can choose one that suits your needs best.
The Island
Islands in kitchens are popular as they not only add interest to the room but also functionality. They work well in large kitchens with plenty of space to maneuver around. Kitchen islands can be stand-alone versions where food prep takes place or part of a bigger unit such as a wall or half-wall for additional vertical storage and interest.
Single & Double Galley Kitchens
Galley kitchens are known for their compact layouts that put everything within easy reach. In a single-galley kitchen, the cabinets, appliances, and countertops are all strategically placed on one wall. In a double-galley kitchen, all the elements of the room are placed on two walls that run parallel and opposite each other.
If space is a concern, the single-galley kitchen works well, while a double-galley kitchen is best suited for rooms that are longer than they are wide.
An L-Shaped Kitchen
L-shaped kitchens feature the sink and cooking areas on different sides of the “L.” This design is especially great in smaller kitchens where family members love cooking together as it gives ample space for everyone to work.
U-Shaped Kitchen
Common in open floor plans where the dining room and kitchen are one big space, the U-shaped kitchen helps divide the area into two separate rooms. The U-shaped kitchen can also be used in smaller kitchens to provide ample storage and workspace, but it can also give a feeling of being closed in. In this instance, open shelving helps reduce the closed-in feeling.
You have many options when it comes to kitchen layouts, so if you’re planning a kitchen remodel, be sure you understand the differences between them so you can choose the one that works best with the space you have and your particular needs.
If you’re looking to increase the value of your home and bring it up to date at the same time, remodeling your kitchen is a great choice. The kitchen is the heart of most homes, and as such, it should convey a welcoming, functional atmosphere.
Today’s kitchens are more advanced and sophisticated than ever, so the task of remodeling can be a bit challenging. You have to pay close attention to the functionality and efficiency of the changes you make, as well as the attractiveness of it all. Whether you go for simple surface changes or an entirely different look, it’s important to stay true to your lifestyle and budget.
Here are five kitchen remodel ideas to consider if you’re in the market for a new kitchen.
1. Cabinetry
If your budget allows, replace all your old cabinets with new ones, opting for solid oak, cherry, or even stainless-steel varieties. Darkly stained cabinets add a touch of warmth and hominess to any kitchen, so keep that in mind as you’re browsing the options.
If your budget isn’t forgiving enough to allow for new cabinets, you may want to think about revamping your old ones. Reface the old cabinets to freshen their look, and then rearrange their placement to give your kitchen a whole new feel. Changing the hardware as well will make it look as if you spent a fortune on remodeling your kitchen.
2. Make Greener Choices
Green living is the going trend these days, so why not instill that same thinking in your kitchen remodel? Choose things like recycled glass or concrete countertops, which are available in an array of designs and colors or opt for something a little more maintenance-free by choosing quartz instead.
3. Open Kitchen Concept
Open, airy spaces are very appealing to homeowners, and the open kitchen concept is one of the most popular. With nary a wall separating the kitchen from other rooms like the dining room or living room, it gives a feeling of openness that many people love.
If this appeals to you, be sure to check your home’s blueprints to make sure the walls you want to get rid of aren’t of the supportive variety.
4. Kitchen Islands
Adding a kitchen island is a great way to increase usable space in your kitchen as well as increase the value of your home. Kitchen islands are very popular among homebuyers, which is a plus if you’re thinking of selling your home in the near future.
5. Add Backsplashes
If your kitchen sink doesn’t already have a backsplash, consider adding one. Not only are they a great way to add pizzazz to your kitchen décor, they are quite functional as they protect the wall behind the sink from moisture.
Backsplashes come in a variety of sizes, designs, and colors, so choose something that coordinates well with the countertops in your kitchen.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to remodeling your kitchen. From surface changes such as adding a backsplash behind the sink to more dramatic renovations like knocking out walls, remodeling your kitchen adds appeal to your home and increases its value at the same time.
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