By Alicia Malone
Hip-Home Columnist
A kitchen makeover is one of the best home improvement projects because
of all the different possibilities it presents. Don't let the kitchen
you have keep you from having the kitchen you want.
M is for Materials
For each element in your kitchen that you decide to remodel, you are faced with
a choice of materials. For example, for the floors you can choose
tiles, vinyl, wood, or a number of other materials. For countertops
you can choose marble, wood, laminate, tile, and more. From wallpaper
to window treatments, you have a number of material choices, each
with their own benefits and drawbacks. Two important factors to
consider are cost and longevity. Cheaper materials may seem more
practical financially, but in the long run, the more expensive
ones may end up costing less overall.
N is for New
When you are working on a kitchen makeover, don't be afraid to invest in some
new key pieces. While not everything you do in a home improvement
project must be completely replaced, you may want to invest in a
few larger pieces, such as a new stove and countertops or a new refrigerator
and flooring, and leave the rest of the projects for renovation or
restoration in the hands of a contractor or other home improvement
professional. This gives your kitchen a 'new' feel without having
to replace everything in the room.
O is for Options
Your kitchen makeover is an opportunity for you to try out your creative wings.
One good way to approach your options is to say to yourself, "If I had a million dollars, I would…." Make a wish list of everything you want for your kitchen makeover if you knew
you could obtain it and then use that list to help you reach for
the sky.
Sources:
Consumer Reports
About the Author
Alicia Malone lives in upstate New York in a house created
with elbow grease and more than a little determination.
She is a regular columnist sharing tips and ideas on
how to create the ultimate hip home.
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