Budget Kitchen Makeover Ideas
by Pamela Cole Harris
Description: Tips for re-decorating your kitchen on a budget.
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If your house is like mine, your family spends a lot of time
in the kitchen (you remember the kitchen? The room where you
microwave those TV dinners, pop the popcorn and open soup cans?)
Contrary to what those up-scale style magazines say, you don't
need to spend a fortune to update the look of your kitchen
(unless you won the lottery, in which case, you are more than
welcome to come update mine!). Here are a few simple and
inexpensive ways to give your kitchen some pizzazz!
1. If you have solid wood cabinets, strip the color or finish.
Then apply a new stain with a couple of drops (or squeezes!)
of yellow or green oil pigment (available at your local
craft store) added. The color will have more depth and
more drama!
2. Experiment with molding from your local home improvement
store. Use different types of molding to create interesting
effects. Don't confine yourself to the expected - a rectangle
in the center. Try a narrow strip across the top or bottom -
or for a dramatic effect, try a diagonal strip with the
handles attached at the same diagonal.
3. Try adding beadboard as a backsplash for a traditional or
country kitchen. Be sure to cover with a quality paint that
can be scrubbed!
4. Want a Tuscan look? Mount terracotta or stone pavers as a
backsplash! Apply matching or contrasting mortar to customize
the look.
5. For an even more inexpensive look, use vinyl floor tiles in
a stone or mosaic pattern as a backsplash. There are some
wonderful vinyl tiles available today! You can create a
whole new look for under $30!
6. Try replacing your conventional doors with window shutters
for a plantation look.
7. Try adding color to white cabinets by painting small frames
red. Ask your children to paint flowers or scenes on white
paper. Then mount the paintings in the small frames and
attach two or three (depending on the proportions of your
cabinets) to the front of each door. Voila! Your own art
gallery! (And you can change the paintings anytime you want!
8. Glue inexpensive rectangles cut from woven grass placemats
to your cabinet doors. Frame with strips of molding to
simulate grass or rattan inserts.
9. Cork squares can also be used as dramatic interest when glued
to the front of bland cabinets. And the cork is useful! You
will have message boards on each cabinet!
See? A dramatic makeover in your kitchen takes just a few
inexpensive touches! Now, if only I could get a cooking
makeover that easily, my husband would be a happy man!
Pamela Cole Harris has been a writer for over 35 years (Yikes!
Has it been that long? Her fun, tongue-in-cheek approach to
decorating has made http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com one
of the most popular décor sites on the net. She brings the same
spirit of fun to cooking at http://www.thewellfedtraveler.com
and running a home business at http://www.pajamabusinesses.com.
Related articles:
Choosing Countertops for Your Kitchen
Country Home Accessories
5 Best Budget Kitchen Decorating Ideas
