If you are keen to spend some of your hard-earned cash on home renovations, what better place to start than your kitchen? In the twenty-first century, our kitchens have become the heart of the home. This is where we can chat with friends over coffee, spend some time watching the kids do their homework, and enjoy cooking up some gastronomic taste sensations. Kitchens are no longer the domain of the woman of the house to slave over a hot stove. They are highly social living spaces that allow your family to spend quality time together. If you’re keen to bring your kitchen into the twenty-first century, read on to check out these renovation essentials.
Cabinets
The most important part of any kitchen is the cabinetry you choose. This will dictate the style of your space. If you are after an ultra-modern look, a high gloss gray or white finish might exude the minimalist style you crave. If you prefer something a little bit more traditional, opt for the country kitchen look with wooden shaker style units and glazed fronts. Your worktop could be a linseed oiled wooden affair. Also, consider how you will configure your kitchen. The cabinets you choose might allow you to select integrated appliances, wine racks, or pull out carousels for tins. These efficient storage solutions can make your kitchen easier to use and a more pleasant space to spend time in.
Walls
If you want to go simple, opt for a sleek white matt emulsion. Always opt for paint that is kitchen-proof and wipe clean to account for spillages and stains. If you are after a more unique look to go with your stainless steel or perspex splashbacks, think about something a little more modern. Sparkle wall panels can be used in more than just the bathroom as they can match the quartz in the worktop of your kitchen. They add decoration to your space while remaining practical as they are wipe clean and resilient.
If you prefer the more conservative option, go for a classic tiled splashback. Choose the colour scheme you want and go to town on your wall decor. You could put up some wall art, family photographs, or knick-knacks to give your kitchen the homely feel that you are after. Remember, this isn’t a show kitchen, but the heart of your home.
Flooring
When considering the flooring of your kitchen, think about how much money you have to play with. If you are watching the purse strings, a cheap but well-made lino could suffice. Vinyl flooring used to look terrible but is now highly sought after for its realistic look. You can purchase wood effect or tile effect rolls that exude style but don’t break the bank. If money is no object, you could head to a reclamation yard to pick up some old red Victorian tiles. This would look incredible if your property is of the period. Alternatively, wooden floorboards can look elegant. However, you will need to treat the wood to ensure that it doesn’t rot if moisture from cooking and washing up sets in.
Money
If you are looking to stay in the black and not overstretch financially, take a trip to your local kitchen showroom. Here, you will be able to investigate the latest in ex-display kitchen configurations. If you aren’t too picky about the style and look of your kitchen, you could pick up an off the shelf ex-display model for up to half the original retail price. The drawers may have been opened a few thousand times but the finish will remain near perfect and there will be no flaws in the product. This will give you more money to spend on kitchen gadgets and gizmos. If you are after a sleek granite worktop, you could be forking out thousands. Instead, consider a manmade engineered laminate alternative. It looks the part but doesn’t carry the same price tag.
To save even more money, consider fitting your own kitchen. There are plenty of vlog tutorials online that instruct you how to fit cabinets and even hook up the plumbing. Make sure you still employ the services of an electrician or gas engineer to install your oven, hob, and fridge freezer. These tradespeople are highly qualified and legally you need gas safety registered specialists to give your kitchen a clean bill of health.
Kitchens are becoming the main living spaces of our homes. Many now include eating areas and sofas to kick back and relax. Utilise these essentials to inspire your kitchen renovations.
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