Practical Tips For DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodeling

One of the most distinctive and important elements of your kitchen is probably the cabinetry. Not only do the kitchen cabinets help bring out the overall style and theme of the kitchen, they also serve a significant functional purpose. The cabinets are where we put many kitchen must-haves and also serve as a pantry where we place many packaged grocery items.

Kitchen cabinets are also a great way to assess if the kitchen is up-to-date which is why remodeling your cabinets may be a good idea if you feel they are too retro and in need of upgrading. The costs of kitchen remodeling often makes homeowners slightly anxious and provides sufficient reason to postpone any renovation effort. Fortunately, you can remodel your kitchen cabinets by turning it into a DIY cabinet remodeling project.

Lowes Build

First, sit down and think about the best choice of wood stain or paint color for your kitchen cabinets. If you feel like you are capable of handling the job on your own, there are many helpful home improvement stores such as Home Depot or Lowes that can be of great assistance both before and during the project. These stores have helpful staff that are ready and willing to help and can guide you toward selecting the right cabinets, refinishing stain or paint color to coordinate with your existing kitchen décor and style.

You can visit their websites at homedepot.com and lowes.com to check out their products and any great deals available to help you save even more money on your remodeling project. This also allows you to get an idea as to how much your new cabinets will cost if you have opted to replace them completely and also choose the style that is best for your kitchen.

If replacing your old cabinets is not an option, repainting them is a good alternative to give them a new look. Having a kitchen theme in mind will help in determining which color to choose. For example, if you have a cherry themed kitchen, you may want to paint the kitchen cabinets red. Or, if you will go with an ocean theme in your kitchen, perhaps you could paint the cabinets a light blue to imitate the color of the ocean. These are only two of the many great ideas you could have for remodeling your kitchen cabinets and surely, whatever your theme may be, you will want to find the perfect color to instantly give a fresh new look to your kitchen.

For more information as to what type of paint to use on your cabinets, take the time to visit your local home improvement stores as mentioned above. Their friendly staff can help you choose the right paint for your project. Their online stores at the links mentioned above are always available to provide you with an estimate as to how much the pain itself will cost as well as any supplies you need to apply it.

Practical Tips For DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodeling

Lowes Build

Turn Your Kitchen Renovation Into a DIY Project

You only want what is best for your home, and the most important area in the house is probably your kitchen. This is the case for most homeowners. It is the favorite, most used area where families and friends gather to socialize and eat. Of course, since you only want what is best in your house, you want to fill it with the most comfortable, best looking interior. If the budget allows, you would also prefer state of the art appliances available to you.

But, if you are looking to remodel your kitchen on a tight budget, there are so many ways in which you might upgrade the look and convenience of it. Many home stores exist that provide corporate help to you if you are thinking about how best to change the look of your kitchen for less.

Lowes Build

DIY: On Your Own

One of the greatest ways to save cash when you are thinking of how to remodel your kitchen is to do it all by yourself with the help of dutiful family members and willing friends who you know would be willing to help you through the process. Doing the entire job, even the unpleasant tasks, will not only provide you a new look in your kitchen but will also give you plenty of time to bond with those you care about.

When you think of how you can update the look of your kitchen without much money, what you should do first is take the time to write down all the improvements you have in mind for your new kitchen. Think about what you would like to see in it when a project is finished. In doing this, you can then decide what appliances would best complement the updated look of your new space. Also, you should then decide if you want to replace your old cabinetry or simply renovate your existing cabinets with a fresh coat of paint. You could freshen things up with a new color that could make the room more inviting.

Another thing to consider in kitchen renovation is that plumbing costs a lot of money to replace. If you go with a design that allows you to keep your old plumbing as it exists, you will not have to hire a professional. By cutting costs here, you will not only save money on materials and labor: you will save a lot of time, hassle and effort that comes with tearing up your home.

Finally, make full use of your neighborhood Lowe's or Home Depot. These stores are there to help you and give you ideas as to what would be best as you are trying to figure out how to budget your time, money and materials. For some helpful information, and to get you started with a list of the materials you will need for your project, go to their websites: http://www.lowes.com and at http://www.homedepot.com.

Turn Your Kitchen Renovation Into a DIY Project

Lowes Build

Money Saving Tips For Kitchen Remodeling

There's no doubt kitchens are one of the most important rooms in any home. They can also be one of the most expensive to remodel. Estimates for overhauling a kitchen usually start in the ,000 range and can skyrocket from there. But if you are willing to do some research and are flexible about your options, you CAN have a great new kitchen for about ,000 to ,000. At the same time, you'll likely be increasing the value of your home by more than double the amount!

To begin, consider the overall look and feel you want to achieve and then decide how best to accomplish it through the five main elements of kitchen design:

Lowes Build

o cabinets

o counter tops

o appliances

o fixtures

o the finishing touch  

Find the Best Deal on Cabinets. Cabinets set the tone for the entire kitchen. They are also one of the most expensive items of a kitchen remodel. So determine if your cabinets truly need to be replaced. If they are in good working condition, refinishing or painting them might be all you need to create the look you want. For example, if you have white cabinets now but prefer a cherry wood finish, consider matching a paint color to the desired wood finish and painting them instead of replacing them. You'll save thousands. If the cabinets must go, then some comparison shopping is in order. First, check out the major building supply warehouses geared towards do-it-yourselfers (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.). Among the many cabinet options offered, most carry their own discount lines with some that require assembly. These cabinets often look and function just like their more expensive counterparts but at a much lower cost. Next, call several local builders and ask where they buy their cabinets. Sometimes, these cabinet shops will sell direct to homeowners. Check out prices online as well. You can often find a cabinet manufacturer you like at a showroom and then do an online search for the cheapest price. Finally, if you are buying new cabinets, compare the wood grades and finishes carefully. You can often achieve a very similar look with a less expensive wood grade and save big. Focus more on the overall look you are trying to accomplish, rather than bragging rights about the rare "Wollemi pine" wood that costs a fortune.

Save on Counter Tops and Back Splash Options. Solid surface counters, like granite, are becoming more and more prevalent and they can be very expensive. But there are ways to achieve the popular look for less. First consider using granite tiles rather than custom measured and cut slabs. The granite tiles have the same look but are substantially cheaper. Another option is using a granite slab on an island and then going with coordinating ceramic tile for the rest of the tops. Further, some of the new laminated tops have the look of granite at about 75% savings over the real thing. Again, focus on the overall look you want to achieve, rather than using the most expensive materials available. If you decide to go with granite slabs, check around with several suppliers. Some have sales or deals on pieces that have not sold or that were remnants from a larger job. You can sometimes pick up a bargain that way. Just ask! Another place to save is on back splashes. While a full height tile back splash is certainly luxurious, you can save money by using a single four or six inch tile and then painting the rest of the wall a similar color to get the overall look for less. Tile is also relatively easy to install (even a full height splash), so you might consider installing it yourself. If you go this route, choose a tile that is easy to cut (just ask at the tile store).  

Be Careful When Selecting Appliances. Appliances vary widely in price. Don't spend up for top of the line products unless you are a professional chef. A 00 stove will most often NOT add ,000 to the value of your home! Go with a mid range product line and look for sales and close-outs at your local supply house for deals. Then compare prices online. There are many manufacturers now that offer products with some of the more elegant finishes and features but at a "builder line" price. Stainless steel appliances are very popular, for example, and many of the manufacturers offer several grades of finishes. Consider looking at a stainless faced appliance rather than a solid one.

Don't Get Fooled by Fancy Fixtures (Lighting & Plumbing). Light fixtures can either end up being one of the most expensive elements in a kitchen, or one of the least. Once installed, it's hard to tell the difference! A wide array of light fixtures can be found at the national building supply warehouses or at local lighting specialty stores, but be sure to ask for their builder pricing. Fixtures are not a place to spend up. Many low cost fixtures look very similar to the more expensive products. Ditto faucets. There are many lower priced facets that offer the same look and feel of the higher priced products and function just as well.

Don't Forget the Finishing Touch. It's often the details that make the biggest impressions. Such is true for kitchen remodeling too. Cabinet hardware can make a huge impact and can be purchased for a nominal amount. Of course, you can buy super expensive knobs, but why? If you have used your old cabinets and want to install new hardware, look for either a finish similar to the cabinet hinges (if they show) or replace the hinges to match the new hardware. Either way, the hardware is the final touch to set the mood for your new kitchen.

Money Saving Tips For Kitchen Remodeling

Lowes Build