You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Facebook: @The<strong>Weekender</strong>Spain<br />
FRIDAY 30TH AUGUST 2019 25<br />
Home&Garden<br />
SMART MONEY<br />
SAVING TIPS ON A<br />
KITCHEN REMODEL<br />
Sponsored By<br />
REFINISHING, REFACING,<br />
OR REPLACING CABINETS<br />
KITCHEN cabinets can be<br />
one of the most expensive<br />
items to replace in a<br />
kitchen.<br />
To the naked eye, most<br />
people can’t tell the difference<br />
between a solid wood cabinet<br />
and one that has a veneer<br />
front. Instead, splurge on<br />
functionality. Soft close drawers,<br />
a well-placed pantry, and<br />
solid sides and shelves are a<br />
few items that will pay off on<br />
resale and make a kitchen<br />
function better.<br />
Instead of replacing the<br />
cabinets, look into refinishing<br />
or replacing cabinet doors.<br />
Refinishing involves sanding<br />
or stripping the old doors<br />
and cabinet faces, a timely job<br />
that then includes repainting<br />
to bring a fresh new look to<br />
the kitchen.<br />
Refacing a cabinet means<br />
to actually replace the “face”<br />
of the cabinet (doors and<br />
drawers) with new ones.<br />
While this option is more<br />
expensive than refinishing it<br />
is a much better job and has<br />
a completely different end<br />
result. If cabinets are solid<br />
wood, this might save thousands<br />
of euros over replacing<br />
cabinets entirely.<br />
STONE, LAMINATE<br />
OR CERAMIC<br />
COUNTERTOPS<br />
This area is where prices<br />
can skyrocket. However, if<br />
given the budget, a stone<br />
countertop can add endless<br />
beauty and resale value to a<br />
home. Ceramic counters can<br />
also make a bold statement.<br />
Just remember, style is subjective,<br />
so for resale, stick<br />
with a more neutral palate.<br />
If a budget is tight, consider<br />
adding a less expensive<br />
laminate and add colour and<br />
style with stools, furniture, or<br />
a backsplash.<br />
CONTINUED NEXT PAGE<br />
DIY AND HOME<br />
IMPROVEMENT<br />
5 kitchen styles<br />
you will want in<br />
your home<br />
The kitchen has grown from being little more than a place<br />
to prep food, to a fully fledged space you want to spend<br />
time in entertaining and eating. Those in doubt should<br />
consider the fact that Britons now dedicate more hours per<br />
annum to this corner of the home than any other.<br />
Few want to walk into a space that feels uninspired and<br />
lackluster, though. With this in mind we’ve had a think<br />
about five kitchen styles that will ensure walking out the<br />
door is the last thing on your mind. From the exotic to the<br />
ultra-modern, then, take a look below and see if you don’t<br />
hit on the perfect idea for your own home.<br />
THE BLANK CANVAS<br />
Opting for simple, non-statement fixtures and fittings in<br />
a neutral shade is far from boring; you can stamp some<br />
personality on the place through decorations, artwork,<br />
soft furnishings and products. This also means that, if you<br />
ever want to sell, there’s less chance the estate agent will<br />
recommend ripping the heart out of your address to appeal<br />
to the mass market.<br />
THE HOLIDAY HOME<br />
Considering how well traveled us Brits are these days, and<br />
how wildly varied our palettes have become, it’s no surprise<br />
that more and more people are opting to style corners of<br />
their home on their favourite global destinations. Popular<br />
choices include Moroccan and rustic French. There’s no<br />
reason these ideas can’t be applied to the kitchen, either,<br />
and given most of them rely more on little details, rather<br />
than wholesale installations, it doesn’t cost an arm or a leg<br />
to make the transformation.<br />
SCANDINAVIAN CHIC<br />
From Norway to Denmark, the<br />
Scandinavians can teach the<br />
world plenty about interior design.<br />
Although hard to pull off on a<br />
budget, with simple wood finishes,<br />
clean lines and very well made<br />
fixtures you can guarantee that,<br />
if done properly, your kitchen will definitely look the part,<br />
meaning you’ll probably start having to ask people to leave<br />
when they come round for a nosy.<br />
THE TRADITIONAL COTTAGE<br />
Again, this is never going to be the cheapest option, but by<br />
buying in some larger equipment such as an Aga or similar<br />
oven, opting for darker pine or oak finishes, and getting<br />
yourself a large dining table made from natural materials<br />
you can easily bring some of the countryside into the city.<br />
Or, if you live in the country already, ensure you’re in tune<br />
with the aesthetics of the area outside your front door.<br />
THE ULTRA-MODERN<br />
Although ‘shades of grey’ calls into mind something a little<br />
(read: a lot) more erotic than your kitchen, dark marble,<br />
themofoil and melamine- either in grey or black- are<br />
definitely en vogue right now. And, if you invest in quality,<br />
there’s little chance they will start to look outdated as the<br />
years roll by- a major factor to consider whenever you’re<br />
forking out for new cupboards.
Change language