By Andrea Davis
Your kitchen is the heart of your home — and a major selling point. Given its importance, you might consider investing in a remodel to keep your kitchen functional and up to date. Of course, there’s good news if you don’t have that kind of budget: There are lots of cheap, effective ways to improve your kitchen’s appearance. Here are a few to consider.
1) Remove, recycle and refresh.
If the doors on your cabinets are old and ugly, take them off and create an open shelving option for the room. This is also a good opportunity to update the hardware on your drawers and cabinets. What’s worn down in the kitchen can usually be painted or refinished to give it some modern appeal.
2) Add more storage.
If you’ve got more stuff than space, you have two options. The first is to declutter, which will free up space. The second is to add more storage options — including hanging racks, open shelves and cabinet organizers — to store the essentials.
3) Change out lighting.
Depending on the age of your kitchen, you most likely have pendant lighting or fluorescent overhead fixtures. To bring your kitchen into the modern age, consider replacing some of those fixtures with recessed alternatives or LED/CFL lighting. The latter is cheap and easy to install, and it pays back on your investment. Recessed lighting can be expensive; depending on your electrical wiring, installation may require an electrician.
4) Upgrade your faucet.
Do you have an old-fashioned faucet? You know, the kind that delivers water at lightning speed? If so, you’re probably getting a higher water bill than necessary. Think about energy-efficient alternatives like low-flow faucets and adjustable, restaurant-style varieties for cooks.
5) Hide your counters.
Old countertops can suffer from a lot of scratches, dents and burn marks. If you have worn countertops but don’t have the budget to replace them, find a creative way to hide their blemishes. Add an element like a cutting board, hide them under standing appliances, or apply a fresh coat of paint.
6) Paint your cabinets.
If you have a small budget and a distaste for the open shelving look, think about painting or refinishing your cabinets. It’s less expensive than buying new ones. Plus, it refreshes the appearance of your entire kitchen. Don’t paint them any weird colors though, and avoid especially bright hues at all costs.
7) Add a backsplash.
Backsplashes can be customized based on the color scheme of your kitchen. It’s as easy as buying tiles at a local home improvement store and using caulk and grout to install them in the design or style you want. It’s a quick do-it-yourself project that can significantly improve the appeal of your kitchen.
This post was originally published on RISMedia’s blog, Housecall. Check the blog daily for winning real estate tips and trends for you and your clients.
Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.
