Villadom Times Weekly Local Newspaper

Page 26 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II & IV • April 14, 2010 Spring Home Improvement (ARA) It can cost $15,000 or more, on average, to update one of the most important rooms in the house: the kitchen. If you don’t have a big budget, you can still have a great kitchen. Updates that will help you love your kitchen don’t have to come with a heart-stopping cost, or involve tearing out cabinets and replacing countertops. In fact, it’s possible to seriously improve the livability and lovability of your kitchen with some designer tricks that each cost $150 or less. Here are five do-it-yourself ways to give your kitchen a whole new look without breaking the bank. The softer side. Never underestimate the power of fabrics. The softer side of your kitchen decor can have a big impact on its overall look. The right window treatment on that utilitarian window above the sink can really make it pop. New cushions can punch up the appeal and comfort of mundane chairs, and the right tablecloth or placemats can hide a multitude of flaws in your kitchen table. Take it to the wall. Another powerful and budget-friendly way to upgrade your kitchen is to give it a fresh coat of paint and a designer-inspired wallpaper mural. A gallon or two of paint will cover most kitchens, and with some very good brands selling for less than $30, that leaves you plenty of money left over for a mural. Use your mural to create a focal point in the room, draw attention to an architectural feature, or make a windowless space feel more open and airy. Wallpaper murals are easy do-it-yourself projects, so Five $150-tricks to make your kitchen look new Decorating & you’ll also save money on installation. Metal magic. Turn your attention to some of the easy-toreplace metal accents in your kitchen that might be looking worn or dated. These items could include cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, electrical faceplates, even the kitchen faucet. All are easy enough to change for most do-it-yourselfers, and you can easily replace all these items -- including the faucet -- for less than $150 if you shop wisely. Remember: To improve the look of a kitchen, these accents don’t need to be pricey designer name-brands, they just need to be new. New items will look better than old ones, even if they don’t cost a lot. Furniture fix. If your old kitchen set just isn’t doing it for you anymore, there are a few things you can do to make things better. If it’s a good quality set that has just seen better days, consider refinishing it yourself to remove the scratches, dents, and scrapes of age, or search for a newer set that may be in better condition, or of better quality, than what you have. Another option is to check out stores that sell new, unfinished furniture and do the finishing yourself -- which brings the bonus of allowing you to have complete control over the color and look of the finished product. Appliance magic. Your old washer may do its job just fine, but may have some scratches in its finish from heavy use. Consider painting it. Check with your local paint store to find new, high-tech paints that bond perfectly with the metal or enamel on appliances to make them look like new. If your old stove can still cook up a storm, but has some stubborn stains and scratches on the top, or has grills that have seen better days, consider replacing grills and drip pans, or adding decorative covers. Got Water? NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME TO APPLY THESE SCOTT PRODUCTS Contains essential nutrients and a crabgrass prevention ingredient for a stronger, greener lawn. Kills grubs before they destroy your lawn. 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