Finishing What You Start: Kitchen Home Improvement Projects That You'll See Through To The End
The kitchen is the most popular area of the home to renovate, primarily because home owners typically get back a lot of the money that they put into the space when it comes time to sell. However, many families that start this type of project have difficulty seeing it through to completion, and the renovation winds up take several years to finish. Money is the largest factor in this delay; it is not uncommon to go over budget and to have to wait to until the funds come in to finish a project. This article will give you a few ideas on kitchen home improvements that you can afford and that will look great in your space.
Particularly if you currently have laminate flooring, replacing the floor of your kitchen is a great way to increase its style and help it appear more attractive to buyers. However, traditional hardwood floors can be very expensive and may not leave you much money for other projects. Look into cork or bamboo instead. These materials look great and they are durable and long-lasting. Be careful, though; you may want to wait until the end of your renovations to install new flooring since some of your other projects may inflict some wear and tear. For example, if you are installing new appliances, the process of taking out the old ones and putting in the new ones could cause some scuffing or other visible defects in the floor.
Another good project for your kitchen is installing new lighting. If you have the ability, or if you are willing to hire someone to do it for you, putting in a skylight is a great idea. Over time, you will save money on the cost of running daytime lights, and a skylight is also an attractive feature that others will admire. If you plan to install lighting, turn your attention away from recessed lights. They are expensive to put in and you generally need more of them to generate the same amount of light that a ceiling mounted fixture would give you.
Finally, appliances are a big deal in any kitchen. If you have old, outdated ones, or if your current appliances do not match each other in color, it is time for an upgrade. Ideally, you want to select energy efficient machines. They are not much more expensive than their counterparts, and they can save you a lot of money over time. However, you may find it difficult to afford all new appliances for your kitchen. If this is the case, consider going on to a site like Craigslist and search for dishwashers, refrigerators and even stoves that other families are selling. While it isn't always easy, you can find some great deals if you are persistent.
Many families are interested in renovating their kitchens, but a good number of them run into financial trouble during the process. By using the tips in this article, you can make your kitchen look great all while staying on a budget.
