If you ever look to sell your home or just brighten it up a bit, you know that the kitchen is truly the heart of a home. Any real estate agent will tell you that home buyers will be looking at the quality of the kitchen to determine how they feel about a house. The following article will give you some quick tips that can help you give your kitchen a makeover!
In the past decade, stainless steel appliances have gained popularity. You may instantly think that stainless steel is much more expensive, but in most cases, you're wrong. Stainless steel refrigerators for example, only cost a few dollars more than their simple black or white counterparts. If you manage to get a good sale, you can even snatch stainless steel appliances cheaper than the white or black appliances.
Granite countertops are the ultimate must-have for the high-end kitchen. It is not a cheap addition to a kitchen, but it is one that adds the most value. However, that doesn't mean you have to spend insane prices for purchasing granite. You can accomplish a similar look in your kitchen by choosing granite tiles and laying down the tiles on top of your older countertop. If you can't afford granite in any shape, form or size, stick to tiles. Tiles are a good way to create a simple, yet effective design that's easy to clean.
Kitchen cabinets should always be in good shape. It is not cost effective to throw out old kitchen furnishings, but it can be helpful to give them a makeover. Kitchen cabinet painting kits are available for an affordable price at your local home hardware store. Keep in mind, laminate furniture requires specialty painting and care. If you have invested in solid wood kitchen furniture, you will have a much easier time giving your furnishings a makeover. However, the painting kits stores offer work for laminate cabinets as well.
Choose lighter colors for a cramped kitchen. Unless your home has a golf course sized kitchen, dark colors on the wall or on the cabinets can make a space feel cramped. Claustrophobia is more than likely going to set in when you spend hours each day in a dark cherry furnished kitchen that is much too small. Choose light oak cabinets with dark hardware as opposed to the other way around. This will create a feeling of open space.
Hardware on the kitchen cabinets can either make a kitchen look trendy or simply outdated. If you can't afford to repaint your cabinets, at least consider investing in some new hardware. There are literally thousands of different designs to choose from, but that gives you the freedom to create an entirely personal feel to your kitchen.
Window treatments are important in the kitchen. Without treatments, a kitchen window feels deprived of personality and it doesn't look very inviting. Choose a curtain set to match the look and feel of your kitchen. Lighter colors are less likely to block out the natural light in the kitchen. Lace curtains are probably the most optimal choice if you are looking to preserve the light, but still get a personalized look.
Focusing on your kitchen is always a good idea. Even if you don't spend a great deal of time in the kitchen, it is still one of the best investments you can make to add value to your home. Follow the advice from this article for achieving the ultimate kitchen!