Elegant kitchen with open cabinet space and glass cabinets opening up the room.
The kitchen and bathroom are usually the most important rooms in the house, not to mention being the busiest rooms. It's important to create a space that is both functional and comfortable, as well as being stylish and up-to-date with the rest of your home. Small design and decor improvements can, in essence, create an entirely new and fresh bathroom or kitchen.
Kitchen Design Ideas
Refinishing, painting or replacing your cabinet doors and drawer faces will give your kitchen a complete makeover. Paint over old, outdated wood or painted finishes. Refinish wood cabinets that you fell in love with, but have lost luster through the years. Another option is to remove some cabinet doors to create an open display area, or add glass or tile inserts into the existing doors. Remove the middle of the cabinet doors, creating a small lip or edge on the inside of the door, and secure glass or tile (cut to fit) into the space with heavy duty glue.
Change the cabinet hardware for an even easier new design. Knobs, handles and hinges can easily, and inexpensively, be changed. Incorporate crown molding into the existing cabinet layout for an elegant and expensive look.
Countertops can be resurfaced or refinished for a fresh look. If you want something entirely different, consider adding a decorative backsplash. Another option is to place tile over the existing countertops or paint over them. Of course you can purchase new countertops in granite, marble, concrete or any other material that appeals to you if you have the budget for a major change.
Replace old, worn appliances with newer, energy-efficient models that are the same size. This will cut down on any major remodeling costs because you won't have to make room for larger appliances or have any plumbing work done.
Bathroom Design Ideas
Change the bathroom mirror and lighting fixtures for an instant new look. Bathrooms should have soft lights, or feature a dimmer for basic use or relaxing baths. However, bright lights should be in place for grooming and other detailed tasks, such as putting on makeup.
Replacing old sink and bathtub faucets and the shower head is another fast fix that can be relatively inexpensive as well. Updating faucet hardware occasionally is also a good idea to help prevent leaks.
Consider swapping the tub for a newer model that will easily fit in the same space and utilize the same plumbing and pipes. Likewise with the toilet. Simply replacing the toilet seat and shower curtain rod may freshen up the space enough for your current needs, again with virtually no time and little money spent on the project.
Basic for Kitchens and Bathrooms
Paint is usually one of the least expensive remodeling or design elements you can update. This can typically be done in a single weekend for less than $100, depending on the size of your kitchen or bathroom. Experiment with faux finishes to give the room texture and substance. Create a mural or vertical stripe pattern in the bathroom. Design a tile mural for the walls in the kitchen or bathroom that coordinates with the color scheme. Wallpaper can also be an inexpensive addition or change.
Floors can easily be updated by adding small accent rugs to either space. Refinish wood floors to recapture the charm they once represented, or redo the floors completely. Updating the floor with new tile, even heated tile in the bathroom, will make the space feel completely new. Stick-on square vinyl tiles are a simpler, less expensive option although they may ruin the floor underneath them.
New accessories can completely change the look of the room. For example, changing your white coffeemaker for a stainless steel or red replacement will brighten up your countertop space. Add new cookie jars, sugar and flour canisters, candles or other decorations for a fresh look. Curtains can add texture and give the room a more welcoming look. A small potted plant or cactus on the windowsill will brighten up the room.
Coordinate a new shower curtain, toothbrush holder, soap dispenser and towels for a new look in the bathroom. Roll matching towels and place them in a basket on the counter or a corner on the tub or in front of it. Add a plant, even if it's silk, to incorporate a lively feel. Hang decorative towels and pictures depicting serene scenes. Candles that match or complement the other design colors will pull the look together, creating a relaxing ambiance.
Tags: Design Ideas, cabinet doors, kitchen bathroom, Another option, Bathroom Design Ideas