Kitchen Refresh - Quick Tips for an Update

Stainless Steel Appliances

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Swapping to stainless steel appliances can drastically update the look of your kitchen. This is by far the largest investment of our kitchen update tips but it is one that will not only make your kitchen look beautiful and updated, it would also be a HUGE selling point when it comes time to sell your house. 

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Cabinet Hardware Update

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One of the simplest and most affordable ways to quickly update your kitchen is by updating the hardware on your kitchen cabinets. Whether that means switching from brass to brushed nickel or bronze, or simply updating the style of your handles it can make a big impact with little investment. 

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New Backsplash

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Another large impact that can be made in your kitchen is by adding or updating the current backsplash. The backsplash can truly set the tone for the rest of your space whether you want it to be clean and simple like a subway tile, or make a statement with something like a Moroccan tile. Making this update will change the entire look and feel of your kitchen! 

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Spring Spruce Up - Quick ways to Freshen your Kitchen

As we continue our Spring Spruce Up series, we move right along into the kitchen. This is a place where we spend so much of our time, yet somehow it can turn into the last place we think about when it comes to updating our decor. Below are few quick ways you can freshen up your kitchen’s decor!

Countertop Accessories

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Your kitchen countertops are crucial workspaces that need to be functional and left mostly open and clean. This is not to say that your functional items like fruit/bread baskets and other containers shouldn't reflect the design style that runs through the rest of your house. These are items that can make a huge difference in your space once you update them!

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Art Work

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Art is another thing in your kitchen that can stay the same for years on end while you walk past it everyday not thinking twice about the impact that changing it would make. There are so many different directions you can go with the art you choose for your kitchen. If you are one who likes for your art to have a kitchen like feel, there are so many fun updated options out there that can be just what your kitchen needs to add a little spark of interest. We do suggest sticking with pieces that are easily cleanable for any possible messes that may occur. 

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Cabinet Hardware Swap

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Lastly, a quick and inexpensive way to spruce up your kitchen is by swapping out your cabinet and drawer hardware. This swap could be from an outdated brass to a clean brushed nickel or a standout oil rubbed bronze. Or maybe you are happy with your current hardware’s finish but want to switch up the style, this is a great option as well!

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How to put Together a Kitchen Renovation Timeline

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There is no “standard” kitchen renovation timeline simply because every kitchen is a different size and renovation needs vary.  You have to factor in the availability of the sub-contractors (electricians, plumbers, etc). Ideally you can line them up back to back, but it rarely works out perfectly, so expect a couple days of downtime where no work is being done on your project. 

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If you have all your selections made and materials ordered before demo begins, a project could be completed in as little as 6 weeks. If there are a lot of custom elements, walls torn down, plumbing moved, or hiccups in the project it could take as long as 3 months. 

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Typically, cabinets take 4 weeks to manufacture.  When having custom cabinets made, the timeline can increase to 12 weeks or more, depending on the workload of the carpenter.

Most materials, such as tile, take 3 weeks from order to delivery, assuming the stock is good.

Granite takes 2-3 weeks from template to installation. The template cannot take place until your cabinets have been installed.

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When talking with your contractor about the timeline of the project, add 2 weeks to the total timeframe.  This is simply to offer a buffer in case of any surprises found along the way.  Surprises could be anything from materials being backordered, to discovering the wall you want to tear out has an HVAC vent running through it, to ripping up the floor and finding rotten floor joists. Building codes also offer challenges in the renovation process. What may have been up to code when your house was built, may now be out of date and require some changes while you are renovating (think plumbing and electrical).

Kitchen Redo 101: How to Update Cabinets

Least Expensive Option: Update your Hardware 

Updating the hardware in your kitchen can be an inexpensive fix that can make a world of 

difference. This is something that can be done when you first move into a new place, for example, and would like to make the house match more with your personal style. Even just changing the finish on your hardware, like what was done on the navy china cabinet pictured, can be all you need to make a big change. Updating your cabinets can get quite costly depending on the route you take. If you are looking to update your space without diving into a full renovation, updating your hardware first is the way to go!

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Midrange Option: Update the Color

If you are happy with the current style of your cabinets, a simple paint color update can work wonders! Some classic paint colors for cabinets include white and cream, while newer more trendy colors include navy and greige (a mix of gray and beige.) These photos show how the color of your kitchen cabinets can be vital to the overall look of your space.

White 

lilblueboo.com

Cream 

bhg.com

Navy 

callierandthompson.com

Greige 

diyyourcrafts.com

High End Option: Change the Style

On the other hand, if you are not in love with the current style of your cabinets, updating the style all together can be the way to go. Some of the most popular cabinet styles include shaker, flat, inset, and beadboard. The style you choose depends completely on your design preference. Flat cabinets for example can give your space a very contemporary feel, while shaker and inset cabinets lean more toward a transitional vibe. 

  Shaker

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Flat

apartmenttherapy.com

Inset

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Beadboard 

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Click the link below where Liz is talking about the three main ways to update your cabinets!

http://bit.ly/1PWLILv