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Give Your Old Kitchen a New Look
Updates that Won’t Sink Your Budget
Think you need to hire a television crew to help transform
the look of rooms in your home? Think again. Leslie
Segrete, star of “While You Were Out” and “Trading
Spaces,” says it is possible for anyone (even without a crew)
to make major home improvements with a small budget and
a little elbow grease.
When it comes to choosing which rooms to fix up, the
kitchen is a great place to start. “The kitchen should be the
hub of your home and a place where you can feel comfortable
spending quality time with family and friends,” says
Leslie. “However, if the thought of your kitchen makes you
want to dine out, it’s time for an update.”
With a limited budget, here are Leslie’s tips for projects
that will make your kitchen comfortable and inviting while
also achieving the best bang for your buck.
Freshen Your Flooring
There are a variety of easy-to-install, inexpensive, and
great-looking flooring materials available today. Laminate
floors offer a variety of looks that can replicate wood grains,
natural stones, and tile and are easily installed in large sections.
Engineered hardwood flooring is also a great choice
for a kitchen since it can stand up to wear and tear and
Due West Magazine • Page 31 • Spring 2008
moist environments. Plus, with new innovative, locking systems
this can be an easy project.
Once you’ve chosen your flooring material, remove all
furniture and appliances, and create a level sub-floor by
installing a layer of 0.6-centimetre (1/4-inch) plywood over
your existing surface. Install your flooring material and
enjoy the beautiful new foundation to your room.
Complement the Cabinets
Do your cabinets need a facelift? As the largest component
of your kitchen, updating the look of your kitchen
cabinets can be the ideal starting-point for a fresh look.
Start by removing all the cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware
— but be sure to label each so that you can easily
reassemble. For solid wood cabinets, strip, sand, repair,
and clean the wood to create a fresh surface. Then, apply
a new stain and urethane top coat. Or for a completely different
look, replace the cabinet doors with a refreshing
style. Laminate or wood veneer cabinets can easily be
updated with a fresh coat of paint; use high-gloss paint for
a sleek modern finish, or try a faux-finish technique, such
as distressing, for a more traditional look. Be sure to clean
and prime the surface well before you add a new colour.