Mom23boys
12-08-2002, 09:33 PM
You?ll improve both the appearance and efficiency of your kitchen with these cost-conscious ideas.
By Julie Eakin
* When freshening the kitchen, sometimes the power of a few simple gestures is enough. As these examples suggest, a little can go a long way toward transforming the most lived-in room of the home.
* Display pretty serving dishes on a ceiling-level plate railing.
* Install a few lazy-Susans in often-used cupboards.
* Tie a window into the cabinetry by bridging the opening with a fly-over valance.
* Paint the back wall of an open shelf to give it visual presence-perfect for displaying collectibles.
* Hang a pendant light fixture over the kitchen table.
* Add a drawer with a self-contained cutting board.
* Upgrade the cabinetry hardware with quality handles, pulls and hinges.
* Replace a hanging cabinet with a tier of open shelving.
* Coordinate dish towels and potholders to a pattern or color in the wallcovering.
* Start a cook?s herb garden in a window box.
* Add a wooden chair rail around the seating area to better delineate a separate space-and help protect walls.
* Wallpaper a border just below the ceiling.
* Hang a mirror to reflect the light and view.
* Embellish filler spaces in cabinetry runs with metallic or carved wood decorations.
* Convert fixed pantry shelves to rollout trays to access dry goods more easily.
* Install low-voltage undercabinet lighting to improve work space visibility.
* Use an artistic wine rack to display choice bottles.
* Replace decorative plumbing on the sink with a more ergonomic style.
* Glue colorful tiles in the center of the kitchen table to accommodate hot dishes.
* Tile a backsplash behind the sink or stove.
* Increase efficiency with an undercabinet power strip.
* Stencil a canvas ?rug? for the floor in front of the sink.
* Tile a single wall three quarters of the way up with white subway tile; the reflectivity will increase light in the room.
* Conceal bulky counter items in an appliance garage for an uncluttered look.
* Add lengths of crown or shoe molding around the edges of cabinet doors to create a more traditional character.
By Julie Eakin
* When freshening the kitchen, sometimes the power of a few simple gestures is enough. As these examples suggest, a little can go a long way toward transforming the most lived-in room of the home.
* Display pretty serving dishes on a ceiling-level plate railing.
* Install a few lazy-Susans in often-used cupboards.
* Tie a window into the cabinetry by bridging the opening with a fly-over valance.
* Paint the back wall of an open shelf to give it visual presence-perfect for displaying collectibles.
* Hang a pendant light fixture over the kitchen table.
* Add a drawer with a self-contained cutting board.
* Upgrade the cabinetry hardware with quality handles, pulls and hinges.
* Replace a hanging cabinet with a tier of open shelving.
* Coordinate dish towels and potholders to a pattern or color in the wallcovering.
* Start a cook?s herb garden in a window box.
* Add a wooden chair rail around the seating area to better delineate a separate space-and help protect walls.
* Wallpaper a border just below the ceiling.
* Hang a mirror to reflect the light and view.
* Embellish filler spaces in cabinetry runs with metallic or carved wood decorations.
* Convert fixed pantry shelves to rollout trays to access dry goods more easily.
* Install low-voltage undercabinet lighting to improve work space visibility.
* Use an artistic wine rack to display choice bottles.
* Replace decorative plumbing on the sink with a more ergonomic style.
* Glue colorful tiles in the center of the kitchen table to accommodate hot dishes.
* Tile a backsplash behind the sink or stove.
* Increase efficiency with an undercabinet power strip.
* Stencil a canvas ?rug? for the floor in front of the sink.
* Tile a single wall three quarters of the way up with white subway tile; the reflectivity will increase light in the room.
* Conceal bulky counter items in an appliance garage for an uncluttered look.
* Add lengths of crown or shoe molding around the edges of cabinet doors to create a more traditional character.