Refresh your kitchen without breaking the bank

With the economy still on shaky ground, many homeowners are a little uneasy about putting money into their homes. Fortunately, there are ways to refresh your kitchen without doing an entire remodel that can make a big impact. I like to refer to hardware as the jewelry of the kitchen. You would be surprised how much of a difference it makes to do a simple hardware upgrade. Ranging in price from $2-$12 it is a project that can be done in a few hours. Hinges don’t match? Those can be swapped as well as they come in many finishes. New or additional lighting can really brighten up the place as well. Adding undercabinet lighting accents your backsplash while providing much needed task lighting while working at the countertop. Replacing your single ceiling mount fixture with a beautiful track lighting system can add light with very little electrical/ceiling work. Want something more dramatic still? Replacing your flooring and countertops can bring your kitchen up to speed and change the feel of the space. Depending on your use of color and patterns in both, you can make a room look larger or smaller or change the mood completely. Have a boring set on backsplash? Replace it with a tiled backsplash for anywhere from a few hundred dollars to around $1000 and up depending on the tile and add a new dimension. Finally, add a fresh coat of paint to the walls. Paint is rather inexpensive and will no doubt freshen up a space. See my entry below about choosing the right paint for your space. Here at Northfield Kitchen Concepts and Olson Brothers Construction, no job is too small. We'll help you design your space for your budget and can help you plan your remodel in stages rather than all at once.