A kitchen redesign or makeover nowadays can cost you a few thousand dollars depending on the materials, project scope, labor, and other factors. Now, some kitchens really do need a complete facelift as they have endured much wear and tear over the years. But if you do not have the funds available yet for a full kitchen makeover, there are affordable, cost-effective and easy-to-accomplish kitchen updates that you can opt for. These simple techniques can transform your kitchen’s look and feel, making you feel like you are in a brand spanking new kitchen all over again.

• Shake up the storage spaces. Kitchen cabinets are not the only storage options for your kitchen utensils, pots, pans, and other items. Shelves above the sink or in other free areas of your kitchen also provide needed storage space; bright-colored storage boxes stacked on top of each other can be stocked under counters or in corners, clearing space and adding some color to the kitchen.

• Fresh paint for a fresh perspective. Paint is relatively affordable, and you may not even have to hire someone to do it for you, so that’s additional savings on labor costs. A fresh coat of paint can breathe new life to your kitchen, and also hide any damage or ugly spots on the walls. Use white or neutral colors such as pastels, beige or light shades for a more subdued, peaceful ambiance; for a more exciting, vibrant kitchen feel, orange, red, or yellow hues are recommended.

• Look outside from new window treatments. A lot of kitchens look dreary because of a lack of natural lighting, but this can be changed using the right window treatments. Look for curtains that are bright, airy and let as much natural light in while still providing privacy. Experiment with different materials for window treatments, such as bamboo or roman shades.

• Treat yourself to a new kitchen sink faucet. Your kitchen is where you spend a lot of time cooking great meals for you and your family, so this is an area where you want to be as comfortable as possible. A new kitchen faucet that blends modern design and thoughtful user-friendly features can make your food preparation more enjoyable, and the new faucet would also look great as the focal point of your kitchen. 

Kitchen sink faucets may be used primarily for food preparation, washing dishes and silverware, and for washing hands, but they are also quite visible in the kitchen area. As a focal point, they can add value and personality to your kitchen’s look and feel. If you go to your local home improvement stores, or browse catalogs on the Internet, the selection of kitchen faucets available can appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and kitchen themes.

Choosing the right kitchen sink faucet is important because it is something that you and your family will be using on a daily basis. If it looks nice, but does not really fit in with your needs or is quite inconvenient to use, it becomes a hindrance instead of a helpful tool. Selecting the right kitchen sink requires looking at the differences between the different styles and features, and finding one with a healthy balance of form and function that’s perfect for your kitchen needs.

Mounting

Kitchen faucets are generally mounted in one of these three ways:

Deckplate – A deckplate mount means both the spout and the handles are in a single mounting plate, covering up to three holes in the sink. A sidesprayer can be conveniently placed on the remaining area, or a dispenser for soap or lotion. Most sinks come with three pre-drilled holes, so deckplate-mounted kitchen faucets are quite common.

Non-deckplate – A non-deckplate mount fills up to five holes in the sink. The spout, handles, sidesprayer and dispenser are all mounted separately on the sink.

Wall-mount – This kitchen faucet is mounted on the wall directly above the sink; it is more industrial in appearance, and also makes cleaning the sink easier, as well as giving more space for larger pots and cooking equipment to be washed. For sinks that are not pre-drilled, wall mounted faucets are a good option.

Handles

Generally, kitchen sink faucets are equipped with either one or two handles. The single-handle faucet is either a stand-alone or attached to the faucet base. To adjust the water temperature, you simply need to turn the handle to the left or right side.Meanwhile, the double-handle faucet separates the handles for hot and cold water. As far as adjusting water temperature, single-handle faucets are slightly more convenient to use.

Spouts

High-end kitchen faucets with very unique-looking spouts are quite popular these days. But more importantly, the height of the spout should be proportionate to the size of the sink. An average-sized sink would need a spout between 8”-10”; for multiple bowls or larger sinks, you may need a spout between 12”-14”.

When you’re planning a kitchen renovation a budget can be a hard thing to set. After all there are so many unknowns to the average home owner, such as:

• What does countertop cost?
• What do faucets and sinks cost?
• How much are kitchen cabinets?
• What about new flooring and installation?

It usually makes the most sense to speak with a professional(s) about what you would like to do rather then try to plan the entire project on your on. Sometimes you can find a full service business such as kitchen cabinets Halifax who offers countertop installation, sinks, back splashes and of course kitchen cabinet refacing and modifications. Dealing with a business like this means you can get one quote for much of your renovation job and also save yourself time from going to multiple businesses.

What I wanted to do in this post however is give you an idea of how much your budget should be and where you might be able to save a few bucks on certain parts of the project.

Let’s start with the cabinets since these are most often the most expensive part of a kitchen update.

You have a couple of alternatives when it comes to cabinets. You could deal with a custom cabinet designer and manufacturer, or you could reface your current kitchen cabinets.
Refacing is far more cost effective then working with brand new cabinets, but there are times when buying new cabinets is the right decision. Especially if your old cabinet are worn out and falling off the wall.

Here are some before and after images of kitchen cabinet jobs.

You can expect to pay about 50% less to reface then buying new. As en estimate refacing your average kitchen will be $2000-$4000 while new cabinets will likely be $3000 – $8000.

Kitchen Countertop

The material you choose for countertop is what will really determine the cost of this part of the update. If you decide to go with stone, cement or granite you’ll end up paying about 200%+ more then if you go with laminate. However, for anything other then stone, the install time is about the same. If you go with a nice laminate countertop I’d suggest budgeting around $1500 dollars.

Sinks and Faucets

LIke countertop, a lot of the cost for this part of your update will come down to the materials you choose to use. A stainless steel sink and a nice faucet will run your around $500 bucks, but if you get into under mount granite sinks and fancy faucets it doesn’t take long to double or even triple that amount.

Spend a bit of time at your local hardware store to get some ideas of what the different styles of sinks cost. I know when we did our upgrade I was surprised at the cost of the sing we decided on.

Flooring

While there is a trend for hardwood in kitchens, using a cushion floor is still not a bad idea. You can get an attractive design and warmth under the feet for a lot less.

Other options are cork floor, which is very popular these days, as well as a click style floor that resembles ceramic tile, but isn’t as cold to the feet or as harmful to glasses and dishes that fall.

Flooring will end up being about $1000 so budget that unless you’re thinking hardwood.

Choosing the design of your kitchen faucet can be just a little tricky as you attempt to create a balance between functionality and design. A kitchen faucet, after all, is an essential part of the everyday meal preparations, cooking, and cleaning dishes and silverware; but as a homeowner, you also want your kitchen faucet to fit the overall theme and design of the space, and to show off a bit of flair and creativity.

These days, the choices for kitchen faucet designs range from the simpler two-handle or single-lever chrome or brass faucets, to an array of contemporary, high-tech kitchen faucet designs made of different materials and drawing from a variety of influences. According to Susan Serra, a kitchen designer and blogger from New York City (www.thekitchendesigner.org), “There’s been an explosion of kitchen faucet offerings, with all kinds of new styles, features and finishes.”

Minimalist trends

Most displays at home improvement stores and bathroom or kitchen showrooms showcase sleek, minimalist designs popular with contemporary homeowners emphasizing simplicity and the basic essentials. Christine Dillon, the kitchen category manager at Home Decor Products, says “Minimalism is the new buzzword — it’s all about simple lines, chrome and stainless finishes, and a sleek look.”

High-tech kitchen faucets

With technology changing every aspect of modern society, kitchens are also undergoing a technology revamp of their own. Kitchen faucets are going beyond just the automatic sensors to temperature sensors, LEDs, and even touchscreens and icons for controls.

With consumers getting used to smartphones that require light touches for controls and options, the technology has spilled over to kitchen faucets as well, such as this example:

HGTV has listed and posted some of the most popular kitchen faucet trends today. You can find the full slideshow over at http://www.hgtv.com/kitchens/kitchen-faucet-trends/pictures/index.html.

Are you looking for an exclusive touch to your kitchen? Do you like style and elegance and want to reflect that in your furniture and accessories? A great way to decorate your kitchen is with a help of a stylish kitchen sink faucet. You can find many faucets for all sorts and tastes but only one truly stands out as a luxury item. Introducing the Delta Faucet 980T-SS-DST Pilar Touch 2O!

We found Amazon.com to have the best prices on the Delta Kitchen Sink Faucet 980T-SS-DST. Click here to check it out now.

How is this faucet special? What makes it so much better than the others? First of all this is a stainless steel faucet and stands out with a very elegant and stylish design. The official name of the color is brilliance stainless. Even the name reflects the quality of this wonderful piece. While the price tag of $339.48 might seem costly at first, let’s take a look what it encompasses and you will clearly see that it is definitely worth the price.

The most magnificent property of this device is not its looks or design. No, it‚’s something more. It is the functionality. The flow of water starts once you tap anywhere on the spout or handle of the faucet. You stop the flow the same way, by tapping the handle. The exclusive magnetite spray head docking ensures a very comfortable fit of the wand. Furthermore, the faucet is designed in a way to help prevent the spread of bacteria.

Not only you will be able to enjoy the great design and functionality of this toy, but your guests will be pleasantly surprised as well. This is something not every other household has and incorporating originality of design and functionality is a great way of saying‚ I have style and class.

Product Features and Specifications

• Part Number: 980T-SS-DST
• Color: Brilliance Stainless
• Finish: Stainless
• Item Package Quantity: 1
• Number of Handles: 1
• Batteries Included?: Yes
• Technical Details

• The Pilar design was inspired by a fusion of technology and nature
• Saves water and energy
• Start and stop the flow of water with just a tap anywhere on the spout or handle
• Exclusive MagnaTite spray head docking ensures a snug fit of the wand
• Helps prevent the spread of bacteria

Reviews

If you still aren’t convinced, just read the customer reviews. Tons of satisfied customers agree that this elegant faucet has been a great choice as an addition to their kitchens. Customers advise to save the batteries that come along with for power outages and attach the faucet to a low voltage wall unit.

This kitchen sink faucet is not only flashy but handy as well. Customers admit that it is very functional as well, since at any time you can quickly stop the water flow just by a slight tap. This is very handy when you want to soap your hands or face and do not want the water to get wasted down the drain.

If you are getting your kitchen redesigned, this can add a nice finishing touch to the whole look. Buy it on Amazon to save money, amaze yourself, your family and your friends!