Remodeling Lite

A kitchen remodel might not be on the minds of many of us in this down economy. But in fact there are many ways to refresh and add punch to your kitchen without spending a lot of money. We asked some experts to weigh in with their ideas on how to do just that.

“Once you start opening up walls, more inspections are involved, and labor is more costly,” says Lisa Jasper, co-owner of Jasper Construction and Design in Alameda. Adding flair to your kitchen can be as simple as replacing the old fluorescent box in the kitchen ceiling and treating it out with moldings, new paint, and new lighting.

Removing the fluorescent lights creates a coffer, or a space, that lends a sense of height to the kitchen. Customizing that space can give a 1960s kitchen a whole new decorative look at low cost, says Lisa. Architectural moldings, in particular, can really lift a room, she says. “Otherwise a room is just a box.”

For a country look, a simple option is to stencil or paint a wood floor. A shelf high up—a foot down from the ceiling—adds some visual interest and functionality when books, accessories, or ceramic pottery are added. Undercabinet lights and a new backsplash are other ways to give your kitchen some sparkle.

REVIVING AND REFACING

There are several options for updating your cabinets. Least expensive is reviving, in which the existing finish is kept on but a professional livens it up. You can’t change the wood or door style, says Andrea Burton, owner of Kitchen Solvers of the Valley in Danville, but you can go a little darker, which softens the way the grain looks.

Next in line of expense is painting cabinets. Andrea advises the homeowner get a professional for this project. “I don’t recommend painting cabinets yourself,” she says, as a professional will be able to maximize the life of the paint job and prevent chipping.

Lastly is refacing, in which existing doors and drawer fronts are replaced and the cabinet boxes are veneered to match the new wood. The cost of refacing is about 30 percent less than replacing cabinets, says Andrea. Refacing is more environmentally friendly than replacing cabinets as well, as much less goes into the landfill.

A very inexpensive way to dress up your cabinets is to add new hardware. Companies have wonderful hardware available, says Lisa. Pull-out and lazy Susan systems, roll-out trays and tray dividers are great ways to make older cabinets more usable and to create more space.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Many options are available for making kitchen energy use more efficient, thereby allowing the homeowner to save money on his or her electric bill. “There are some beautiful new faucets” that will help he homeowner save on both the water and electric bills, says Andrea. New appliances can also provide energy efficiency.

Point-of-use water heaters only draw energy when the water is needed, in contrast to tank units. Newer lighting such as LED lighting uses much less energy than conventional lighting. Convection ovens cook faster than regular ovens and therefore save energy. Induction cooktops put the majority of the heat directly into the pan, says Mark Karas, president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

LET THE SUN SHINE IN

Consider increasing the size of your kitchen window to make the kitchen seem larger. Andrea created a bay window in her kitchen with a seat, and added several feet to her kitchen. Finally, you may want to consider hiring a professional organizer, who can come to your home to help you get rid of what you don’t need and clean out, says Andrea. 

Kitchens and bathrooms are the most expensive rooms in the house to remodel, says Lisa, because electrical, plumbing, and venting are all involved. But a little creativity on how to maximize the use of kitchen professionals can take the homeowner a long way. There’s no need to quell that urge to remodel with the plethora of affordable options available.