[T1183]Tough Times Tough Choices

These days, homeowners may be resistant to sink as much money into their kitchens as they were during the boom. But while Americans are losing their appetite for costly kitchen makeovers, businesses that concentrate on fixing up and refurbishing existing kitchens, are thriving. The fact that a good-looking, updated kitchen sells homes, remains constant. The current market doesn't yet have everyone throwing in the proverbial kitchen towel, but it has convinced many homeowners that it's important to update their kitchens, at least somewhat, to preserve resale value.

If you're reluctant to dump money into more substantial improvements, consider hiring a company that specializes in refurbishing, or refurbish your kitchen yourself.

Kitchen Cabinets and Counter-tops: Revisited.

A new and updated color scheme for your entire kitchen can be a great place to start. Once you've decided on color, you can transform your cabinets, counter-tops, and kitchen walls.

To paint, begin by removing your cabinets and give them a good scrub with cleaner. First, lightly sand them and fix any breaks, cracks or holes with putty. Sand your cabinets, even and level. When the cabinets are clean and fixed, prime your cabinets. For kitchens, oil based paints and primers are generally superior choices. They cure to a hard, sleek finish that lasts longer and provides easier maintenance. You might also, look for special mold and mildew resistant paints and primers that are formulated especially for kitchens.

Once you are "primed, and ready to roll", paint to your heart's content, with a color scheme that will refresh your kitchen cabinets, and add extra value to your home.

Another option for cabinet re-facing is pressure sensitive veneer. It is made of cabinet grade wood and gives cabinetry an instant face lift. Veneer is available in many types of wood and in different colors and finishes to complement your design plan. While it does take some time and precision, it is far less time consuming, labor intensive, and costly than replacing cabinets.

Wood veneer can even be applied to fiberboard cabinetry to give it a high quality appearance. Edge banding, or strips of veneer can be purchased, to cover exposed edges. Although the cost will be far less than a renovation, you will still add great value to your home with these products.

New Hardware Can Make All the Difference!

You can really change the look and feel of your kitchen with something as seemingly small as new hardware for your cabinets. The punctuation of gleaming and updated hardware against your freshly painted, or veneer re-faced cabinets, will be surprisingly effective in creating a new look for your kitchen. Select knobs, bars and pulls that offer something distinctive, while complimenting your cabinets and other fixtures in the space.


Tip-Top Counter Top

As a short term solution, you can opt to repaint the surface of a laminated counter top. Thanks to the new paints available, you can now paint all surfaces, laminates included. There are market products that provide a granite, concrete, or even stainless steel imitation, all for an industrial look.

If you want to splurge a bit, once you've re-done your cabinets, consider replacing the existing counter tops. This is generally not too complicated. Various counter tops are available, in stainless steel, granite, Corian, quartz, ceramic and laminates. Look for easy maintenance, durability and something that compliments your cabinets and the kitchen color scheme, in both color and texture.

Some other elements that can add value to your kitchen include new appliances and upgraded, efficient lighting. Depending on your budget and the current state of your existing lights and appliances, you may want to consider re-placing these as well.

And remember, when times are tough, the tough refurbish their kitchens!