5 Easy and Cheap Ways to Improve your Kitchen

Improve your kitchen without breaking your wallet.

1. Pull-out Shelves
   Anyone who's ever gone rooting through the back of their kitchen knows a thing or two about the convenience of pull-out shelves. Pull-out shelving not only provides ease of access, but also organization and additional storage space. This one from ShelfGenie includes multiple shelves for easy storage of small kitchen accessories and appliances.

2. Under-Cabinet Lights 
    It's hard to slice and dice your dinner preparations when you're working in your own shadow. Under-cabinet lights shed some light on the subject, putting an end to the dark days of squinting to see what you're cooking. They also produce a brighter and more polished presentation of the kitchen for potential buyers.

3. Flexible Faucet
     In order to stay within budget, you don't have to improve everything but the kitchen sink. Installing a  flexible faucet seriously improves an old sink's functionality and refreshes its look with modern style. Of course, a good looking and highly functional sink is sure to impress any potential home buyers focused on the kitchen.

4. Knobs, Pulls, and Hinges
     For another quick, inexpensive way to add creative accents to your kitchen, replace the knobs, pulls, and hinges on your cabinets. There's a limitless array of options, and you can finish the job in a weekend.
   
5. Hooks
     Hoe many different things can you hang from a hook? Pot holders, mugs, cooking utensils, recipe clips ... the options are endless, and a hook can be placed just about anywhere.


Interested in working with a Realtor who puts you first and cares about saving you money? Call me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium. 

Source: Houselogic.com

Kitchen Remodeling: What’s IN this 2012?

We all want to make our kitchens look like a Chef’s haven but the underlying costs of overhauling one of the most expensive sections of our home seems to hold us back. Here are the top options that would keep our expenses at bay.

Trend #1 MAKE A STEP BACK.

It’s nice to buy new, expensive things but with our current economy it’s nicer to fix what you already have. Take care of your current appliances, you’ll be amazed at how good safekeeping and maintenance can save you a lot of money. Instead of deciding on a new purchase, a presently working model still bakes the cake and obviously keeps you from hemorrhaging money from unnecessary buys.

Your cabinetry is an integral part of your kitchen, almost always these things were made as an immovable part of it so the best way to save is to work your way around it. Always choose functionality over design, invest on practical stuffs like roll-out drawers which you actually use on a daily basis rather than decorations which, in time, get outdated.


Trend #2 LEAN ON SIMPLER, WARMER STYLES.

Be a minimalist. Choose monochromes of dark or Earthy palettes over fussy hues. These designs present timeless taste and value-conscious style.

The trend of warmer styles will go on for years, darker hues will be in for a long time that will feature natural Earthy and stained woods. Walnut, in particular, is growing in steadily as one of the more popular choices.

If what you have in mind is contemporary, laminate countertops will continually surge in popularity for the kitchen aficionados. In the recent years, we have seen great improvement in laminate finishes especially those European-inspired designs. It is apparent that exotic kitchen furniture is out of most homeowner’s reach because of their price range; glossy, laminate-versions are the answer and can be had for much lower prices.


Trend #3 EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY.

Technology is everywhere. Soon enough your regular kitchen appliances will be equipped with USB sports so you can digitally display family photos, reminders or your kids’ artworks.

You may also have the chance to operate appliances with built-in cooktops which can remember your cooking temperatures while you move around your kitchen doing other things, very time-efficient.

Standard cabinet kitchen doors are fast becoming outdated in your techno-filled kitchen. You’ll opt for remote controlled cabinets which you can control with one-light touch. You’ll start paying 40-70% more for electronically-controlled cabinets than the standard ones.

Smartphones and tablets will soon become your kitchen assistants. You can control your appliances using them anywhere you have a hotspot Wi-Fi connection. You can also shop online from major manufacturers.

Regulars lights will soon be out and LEDs will be dominating your kitchen space. You will start opting for LEDs for your recessed light, under-cabinet task and color-changing accent lightings.

What will also come out for your purchase are affordable microwaves with convection and steam control that give owners with smaller kitchen spaces a more high-end cooking experience.

Are you ready to make your kitchens look hip?

If you are interested to work with a realtor who knows a great deal about kitchen remodeling, its trends and current market situation, contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda, and Whitehall Condominium.