Another holiday season has passed, and with it the marathon cooking sessions and baking. The hours spent using all kitchen appliances and inch of counter space had a potential benefit more durable than a good meal: When we actually use our kitchens, we discover what it does and does not work in this important environment.
Remodeling a kitchen can be expensive and difficult, but it can make substantial cosmetic changes only with the help of a painter and electrician, says interior designer Betsy Burnham Burnham Design in Los Angeles. And if you're ready for even bigger changes, you can still stay on budget and create a beautiful kitchen with a minimum of stress.
The first step is to decide what you really need to do. Can you work with appliances and cabinets you have, or is it time for a large-scale remodeling?
The second step is the budget, comes with a realistic estimate for each expense, says designer Brian Patrick Flynn of Flynnside out Productions.
Then, the fun can begin. Three areas in which a small improvement can go a long way:
STORAGE
A smoothly functioning kitchen has space for everything that is stored within a reasonable distance. Can you get with your current cabinets? If so, Flynn suggests them to maintain and simply replacing or refinishing the doors. "Installing cabinets add much to a budget," he says, "so the savings simply by reusing what you can be a massive help."
If your cabinet doors are stained wood, consider painting them. Then change the hardware. Handles and cabinet door handles "can make or break the look of the space," says Lee Kleinhelter Design Company based in Atlanta Parts. Take time to choose new.
Flynn agrees: "I always use high-end hardware regardless of how high or low my budget is," he says. "Adding an interesting metal and finished its doors really adds character and uniqueness. You can never go wrong with black pulls matte and knobs, and I'm also a big fan of antique brass. When it comes to silver tones, treatment be classic and go with polished nickel. "
If you need to add or replace cabinets, Burnham suggests have them custom. Can be expensive (Flynn estimates prepared cabinets cost about a third as low-end custom designs). But it is worth the investment, Burnham says. "As you well-made pieces, built to their needs that will last over time, children and a lot of use."
Instead of adding cabinets with doors, we suggest installing drawers. "Deep drawers provide excellent storage for pots and pans, and even large plates," Burnham says, "and the banks of drawers just look cool."
COLORS AND MATERIALS
Painting kitchen walls can be "a quick and economical solution to remodel a kitchen on a budget," Kleinhelter says, and "any color can work." But she advises customers that the decor of the kitchen "must work with the rest of the house." Bring on the colors that appear in nearby rooms or adhere to a neutral palette.
If you are trying to update the look of your kitchen, Burnham said that "there has been a change from the ubiquitous former kitchen cabinets painted entirely white to gray, and we found ourselves experiment with color." His office is currently designing one kitchen "which is predominantly a sophisticated cream, and one that will, cabinets dark olive green and texture, black-granite stone."
The owners are also becoming more creative and save money with materials such as concrete. Concrete tile is "an inexpensive material that comes in an incredible variety of colors and patterns," says Burnham, and "works for dashboards or kitchen floor, and really makes a statement."
Try mixing elements with affordable higher end "basic butcher block countertop is my favorite because of its classic appeal, and incredibly affordable by juxtaposing a unique splash guard, as a mosaic of marble or stone. Paperback, seems more high-end, "says Flynn.”My greatest waste in kitchens usually my lighting and dashboards."
And choose colors and materials that happy long term, rather than something trendy. "Classic and Simple is where it is," says Burnham.
SEATS
A new table and chairs can update the look of a kitchen and make it more comfortable. But it is tempting sacrificing style function. Do Not.
"We all live in our kitchens," says Kleinhelter, "so it is important to have comfortable seating and durable."
The stools are very popular, and Burnham says in his office designers love the simple look, clean a row of stools arranged along a bar or kitchen island. But, he says, comfort is key: "We find most customers like seats with backs and arms."
Also, choose seats which is easy to clean and durable. "I love using vinyl or leather imitation," says Kleinhelter, "because it is very easy to clean, but still looks bright."
Burnham favorite for the seat: the natural texture and style rattan.
Whether you are just buying a new table and chairs or starting to plan remodeling a kitchen, Flynn offers one last tip: Take time to choose the things you really want, and be patient, if the project takes longer than you expected. What matters is the end result, not many weeks or months it took to get there.
Remodeling a kitchen can be expensive and difficult, but it can make substantial cosmetic changes only with the help of a painter and electrician, says interior designer Betsy Burnham Burnham Design in Los Angeles. And if you're ready for even bigger changes, you can still stay on budget and create a beautiful kitchen with a minimum of stress.
The first step is to decide what you really need to do. Can you work with appliances and cabinets you have, or is it time for a large-scale remodeling?
The second step is the budget, comes with a realistic estimate for each expense, says designer Brian Patrick Flynn of Flynnside out Productions.
Then, the fun can begin. Three areas in which a small improvement can go a long way:
STORAGE
A smoothly functioning kitchen has space for everything that is stored within a reasonable distance. Can you get with your current cabinets? If so, Flynn suggests them to maintain and simply replacing or refinishing the doors. "Installing cabinets add much to a budget," he says, "so the savings simply by reusing what you can be a massive help."
If your cabinet doors are stained wood, consider painting them. Then change the hardware. Handles and cabinet door handles "can make or break the look of the space," says Lee Kleinhelter Design Company based in Atlanta Parts. Take time to choose new.
Flynn agrees: "I always use high-end hardware regardless of how high or low my budget is," he says. "Adding an interesting metal and finished its doors really adds character and uniqueness. You can never go wrong with black pulls matte and knobs, and I'm also a big fan of antique brass. When it comes to silver tones, treatment be classic and go with polished nickel. "
If you need to add or replace cabinets, Burnham suggests have them custom. Can be expensive (Flynn estimates prepared cabinets cost about a third as low-end custom designs). But it is worth the investment, Burnham says. "As you well-made pieces, built to their needs that will last over time, children and a lot of use."
Instead of adding cabinets with doors, we suggest installing drawers. "Deep drawers provide excellent storage for pots and pans, and even large plates," Burnham says, "and the banks of drawers just look cool."
COLORS AND MATERIALS
Painting kitchen walls can be "a quick and economical solution to remodel a kitchen on a budget," Kleinhelter says, and "any color can work." But she advises customers that the decor of the kitchen "must work with the rest of the house." Bring on the colors that appear in nearby rooms or adhere to a neutral palette.
If you are trying to update the look of your kitchen, Burnham said that "there has been a change from the ubiquitous former kitchen cabinets painted entirely white to gray, and we found ourselves experiment with color." His office is currently designing one kitchen "which is predominantly a sophisticated cream, and one that will, cabinets dark olive green and texture, black-granite stone."
The owners are also becoming more creative and save money with materials such as concrete. Concrete tile is "an inexpensive material that comes in an incredible variety of colors and patterns," says Burnham, and "works for dashboards or kitchen floor, and really makes a statement."
Try mixing elements with affordable higher end "basic butcher block countertop is my favorite because of its classic appeal, and incredibly affordable by juxtaposing a unique splash guard, as a mosaic of marble or stone. Paperback, seems more high-end, "says Flynn.”My greatest waste in kitchens usually my lighting and dashboards."
And choose colors and materials that happy long term, rather than something trendy. "Classic and Simple is where it is," says Burnham.
SEATS
A new table and chairs can update the look of a kitchen and make it more comfortable. But it is tempting sacrificing style function. Do Not.
"We all live in our kitchens," says Kleinhelter, "so it is important to have comfortable seating and durable."
The stools are very popular, and Burnham says in his office designers love the simple look, clean a row of stools arranged along a bar or kitchen island. But, he says, comfort is key: "We find most customers like seats with backs and arms."
Also, choose seats which is easy to clean and durable. "I love using vinyl or leather imitation," says Kleinhelter, "because it is very easy to clean, but still looks bright."
Burnham favorite for the seat: the natural texture and style rattan.
Whether you are just buying a new table and chairs or starting to plan remodeling a kitchen, Flynn offers one last tip: Take time to choose the things you really want, and be patient, if the project takes longer than you expected. What matters is the end result, not many weeks or months it took to get there.
