Weekender Alicante South Issue 106

Facebook: @TheWeekenderSpain
FRIDAY 30TH AUGUST 2019 19
Home&Garden
SMART MONEY
SAVING TIPS ON A
KITCHEN REMODEL
Sponsored By
REFINISHING, REFACING,
OR REPLACING CABINETS
Kitchen cabinets can be
one of the most expensive
items to replace in a
kitchen.
To the naked eye, most
people can’t tell the difference
between a solid wood
cabinet and one that has
a veneer front. Instead,
splurge on functionality.
Soft close drawers, a wellplaced
pantry, and solid
sides and shelves are a few
items that will pay off on
resale and make a kitchen
function better.
Instead of replacing the
cabinets, look into refinishing
or replacing cabinet
doors. Refinishing involves
sanding or stripping the
old doors and cabinet faces,
a timely job that then includes
repainting to bring
a fresh new look to the
kitchen.
Refacing a cabinet means
to actually replace the
before
“face” of the cabinet (doors
and drawers) with new
ones. While this option is
more expensive than refinishing
it is a much better
job and has a completely
different end result. If cabinets
are solid wood, this
might save thousands of
euros over replacing cabinets
entirely.
STONE,
LAMINATE
OR CERAMIC
COUNTERTOPS
This area is where prices
can skyrocket. However, if
given the budget, a stone
countertop can add endless
beauty and resale value to
a home. Ceramic counters
can also make a bold statement.
Just remember, style
is subjective, so for resale,
stick with a more neutral
palate. If a budget is tight,
consider adding a less expensive
laminate and add
colour and style with stools,
furniture, or a backsplash.
CABINET
HARDWARE
Cabinet handles, pulls,
and knobs are known as the
“jewellery” of the kitchen.
These inexpensive items
can make a real change in
a kitchen that needs a little
facelift. Changing out cabinet
hardware is a fast, easy,
and often less expensive solution
that can change the
look of a kitchen in a few
hours.
BACKSPLASHES
With ceramic tile stores
now carrying thousands of
varieties of tiles, a kitchen
after
can come to life and make
a statement with a well
thought out backsplash.
Style, variety, and cost can
vary greatly, so remember
that when choosing and installing
a backsplash.
Keep the budget and priorities
in mind when deciding
where to spend renovation
money.
Expensive items such
as structural changes to
walls or relocating plumbing
or mechanical systems
can quickly add up to thousands.
Be firm when deciding
which changes are being
made; endless changes
can cost extra money. Finally,
go visit showrooms
to get a sense of the style
wanted for a kitchen.
The kitchen is the heart
of the home, so taking some
time to do research before
making any changes can be
a smart move.
DIY AND HOME
IMPROVEMENT
5 kitchen styles
you will want in
your home
The kitchen has grown from being little more than a place
to prep food, to a fully fledged space you want to spend
time in entertaining and eating. Those in doubt should
consider the fact that Britons now dedicate more hours per
annum to this corner of the home than any other.
Few want to walk into a space that feels uninspired and
lackluster, though. With this in mind we’ve had a think
about five kitchen styles that will ensure walking out the
door is the last thing on your mind. From the exotic to the
ultra-modern, then, take a look below and see if you don’t
hit on the perfect idea for your own home.
THE BLANK CANVAS
Opting for simple, non-statement fixtures and fittings in
a neutral shade is far from boring; you can stamp some
personality on the place through decorations, artwork,
soft furnishings and products. This also means that, if you
ever want to sell, there’s less chance the estate agent will
recommend ripping the heart out of your address to appeal
to the mass market.
THE HOLIDAY HOME
Considering how well traveled us Brits are these days, and
how wildly varied our palettes have become, it’s no surprise
that more and more people are opting to style corners of
their home on their favourite global destinations. Popular
choices include Moroccan and rustic French. There’s no
reason these ideas can’t be applied to the kitchen, either,
and given most of them rely more on little details, rather
than wholesale installations, it doesn’t cost an arm or a leg
to make the transformation.
SCANDINAVIAN CHIC
From Norway to Denmark, the
Scandinavians can teach the
world plenty about interior design.
Although hard to pull off on a
budget, with simple wood finishes,
clean lines and very well made
fixtures you can guarantee that,
if done properly, your kitchen will definitely look the part,
meaning you’ll probably start having to ask people to leave
when they come round for a nosy.
THE TRADITIONAL COTTAGE
Again, this is never going to be the cheapest option, but by
buying in some larger equipment such as an Aga or similar
oven, opting for darker pine or oak finishes, and getting
yourself a large dining table made from natural materials
you can easily bring some of the countryside into the city.
Or, if you live in the country already, ensure you’re in tune
with the aesthetics of the area outside your front door.
THE ULTRA-MODERN
Although ‘shades of grey’ calls into mind something a little
(read: a lot) more erotic than your kitchen, dark marble,
themofoil and melamine- either in grey or black- are
definitely en vogue right now. And, if you invest in quality,
there’s little chance they will start to look outdated as the
years roll by- a major factor to consider whenever you’re
forking out for new cupboards.