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Luxurious Kitchen in a Few Affordable Steps

A recent Better Homes & Gardens article gives several easy and affordable ideas to transform your kitchen. You can tackle all of them or you can only tackle the ones that strike your fancy – it’s your choice!

1. Beautiful floors. You can create the look of a parquet wood floor with the help of a decorative painter. It won’t be cheap (these painters average $45 to $50 per hour and can run much higher in urban locations), but it will be much cheaper than the real thing.

2. Fancy faucets. You would be surprised at how a new faucet can transform the look of your kitchen. Buying a $400 or so faucet can provide a richer look and make everyday tasks much easier, as expensive faucets often come with upgraded features.

3. Fresh backsplashes. Consider using art tile sparingly to upgrade the look of a mundane or dated tile countertop. Tile patterns designed by artists can be expensive, but you can create your own look from several tiles found at home centers for about $70.

4. Chic stools. If you have a kitchen island or a breakfast bar, a few stools can make a big impact. Designer stools often cost $400 or more, but you only need a few to make a statement. Alternatively, stores like Cost Plus World Market, Target or Pier 1 Imports often have interesting designs for low prices.

5. Fantastic pulls. You don’t have to rip out your cupboards to create a new look. Think about buying new pulls and handles instead. A number of different and interesting designs using a multitude of materials are available in home design stores.

6. Creative cabinets. Can’t afford to replace your cabinets? Create a new look and show off beautiful china, pottery or collections by replacing doors on upper cabinets with glass panels. Etched or smoked glass creates a contemporary look.

7. Lovely lighting. Dramatic lighting under cabinets or inside glass-front cabinets is practical and aesthetically pleasing.

8. Parading pots. Make your pots easily accessible, create a new look and open up space with a custom-made pot rack. Usually $400 to $800, a custom pot rack can be a work of art. You should allow about 42 inches between the countertop and the bottom of a rack. Keep in mind that most pot racks will require at least an 8-foot ceiling.

9. Contemporary coffee. Think of the money you would save without your morning trip to the coffee shop! A small commercial coffee machine runs about $1,500 and allows you to brew coffee and steam milk simultaneously and create interesting espresso drinks.

10. Terrific twofers. One of the hottest kitchen trends today is twofers: two dishwashers, two ovens. A kitchen island plumbed for a prep sink is a perfect place for an additional, simple dishwasher (about $300).

11. Wonderful wine. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or just interested in the wine trend, it is now easy to create a mini-wine cellar in your kitchen. Freestanding and undercounter refrigerated wine cabinets are now affordable at about $400.

12. Warm cuisine. The ability to keep a meal warm comes in handy with today’s chaotic schedules. Warming drawers start at about $800 and can become invaluable.

You can spend thousands of dollars completely upgrading your kitchen.  Contact your local realtor to find out what buyers are looking for in kitchens.  Your realtor can help you avoid costly upgrades that buyers aren't interested in.  Granite or Corian countertops, stainless steel appliances, and ceramic or wood floors are the most called for upgrades buyers want.  Cabinet refacing is a cost effective alternative to replacing cabinets.

Contact me if you need any assistance in remodeling your kitchen or help in locating a qualified contractor.