One of the newest home improvement trends for the kitchen is the mini makeover. Replacing some of the smaller, older fixtures in your kitchen with newer ones can rejuvenate the entire living space.

Do you cringe at the very thought of the money you’ll shell out to an entire kitchen remodel?

According to a 2010 survey in Remodeling magazine, the average price of a major kitchen remodel in the Sacramento, Calif., area costs more than $67,000—with a resale value of just over $50,000. That’s a lot of cabbage. Add the fact that homeowners NOT in the construction or building industries can underestimate the makeover’s cost by as much as 40 percent, the total price tag can quickly spiral out of hand.

One of the newest trends in home remodeling is the mini-remodel—moving away from the full treatment and keeping the focus on separate updates one at a time. So, instead of gutting your entire kitchen and starting from scratch, consider the smaller projects that can rejuvenate this living space without breaking the bank—or your spirit.

Faucet

This is arguably your home’s most used plumbing fixture and updating it can yield wonders for the entire kitchen. Today’s kitchen faucets are efficient, hard working and durable. A pullout faucet simplifies prep and cleanup, and a bar faucet gives you an additional option.

Sink

This might be the most involved of all the simple kitchen updates. Once you’ve chosen your new kitchen sink, surrender your kitchen counter for a day or two. But that’s it.

While your head’s in the sink, what about the garbage disposal? While some households actually function without one, installing one simplifies post-meal cleanup.

How about a coordinated lighting system to brighten up your kitchen?

Lighting

Talk about a change of scenery. An updated light or lighting system can change the way you see your kitchen—literally. Never underestimate the power of proper lighting anywhere in your home—particularly in the kitchen.

Cabinets and cabinet hardware

Let’s not forget about your home’s smallest doors. Kitchen cabinets are essential for storage, and installing new hardware can give your entire kitchen a new look.

This is the simplest of all the kitchen updates. Just unscrew the old cabinet pull or knob and replace it with the new one. ‘Nuff said.

The kitchen remodel doesn’t have to be daunting. Sure, improvements like hauling in a new fridge or installing a new stovetop and range can be game changers, but even a small update can work wonders for your home’s favorite meeting place and most popular room.

Until next time, Happy Home Improving!

Popularity: 2%