No matter if you're an aspiring chef or TV dinner connoisseur, if the look of your kitchen makes you want to dine out it may be time for an upgrade. The kitchen should be the heart of your home where you entertain, hold family meetings and even pay bills. So why not take it from make-do to magnificent?
Nothing reinvigorates a home like a newly remodeled kitchen, but it's true that the costs to completely renovate this room can add up quickly. In fact, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), kitchen projects can range from less than $20,000 to more than $100,000, so it's best to think of renovating this space as an investment. Here are five “must-do” updates that ensure your remodeled kitchen will earn compliments from anyone who enters.
1. Faucet Facelift
The sink area is among the most hardworking of kitchen spaces, and the faucet in particular, gets the most grueling daily workout. Because of its constant use, updating the faucet will immediately improve the function and look of your prep space.
To easily obtain a contemporary look in the kitchen, the new Tilt pullout kitchen faucet from Moen is the ideal choice for homeowners wanting to create a sleek and chic statement at the sink. Tilt offers compact, modern styling that works well in any size kitchen. It's also offered in two on-trend finishes: Chrome and Spot Resist Stainless, which helps the faucet stay visibly cleaner, longer.
And don't just stop with the kitchen faucet. Fixtures such as built-in soap dispensers or beverage faucets can further the functionality and improved styling at the sink. In fact, research shows that more than one-third of homeowners remodeling their kitchens are interested in beverage faucets with filtration systems, as well as matching soap dispensers. Moen points to its line of soap dispensers, plus its Sip beverage faucets. Each is available in traditional, transitional and modern designs in matching finishes, elegantly coordinating with the rest of the space.
2. Amp Up Accessories
Much like fashion, accessories can make a room. Think of hardware as the finishing touch to make your space feel polished, but also serve a purpose. To start, easily answer the age-old question: “Where's the dish towel?” Most homes don't have a convenient place devoted to hanging this commodity in the kitchen. For a stylish solution, install accessories such as hooks, towel bars or towel rings on the side of an upper cabinet, the end of the island or in other work areas. Next, think of the sink: accessories such as colanders and cutting boards can now fit seamlessly into the sink to help make meal prep and clean up a breeze.
3. Enhance the Lighting
Lighting is a critical element in kitchen design, both for its decorative and functional benefits. But not all lighting is created equal; the best way to enhance the room is to install custom lighting to suit your kitchen's needs. It can also make the space look roomier and more elegant. With styles ranging from incandescent bulbs with vintage glass shades to ultra-chic halogen cones, hanging pendants are popular ceiling fixtures for the kitchen. For an instant update, install pendants over an island or countertop where the low-hanging fixtures won't interfere with traffic flow.
4. Add Personality
After tackling your kitchen updates, be sure to treat yourself and your kitchen to something nice. Adding something pretty like a bouquet of flowers, new linens, or a bright new tea pot will bring life into the space. You can also jazz up your kitchen with lively artwork. Whether it's a professional painting or fun vintage posters, artwork helps complete your renovation. For a more personal touch, hang a grouping of family photographs, or frame some of your children's more colourful artistic creations for a vibrant and charming display.
Before starting demolition on your kitchen remodel, make sure the design is a reflection of you. By following these five steps, not only will you have a kitchen that complements your lifestyle, you will also draw plenty of compliments from family and friends.
Contact your VERICO Broker for details on how you could win $5000.00* to renovate your home! You could be the next winner of the VERICO Purchase Plus Improvement Contest!
*Purchase Necessary. Residents of Quebec are excepted from this contest.
