Cooking Up A K itchen Makeover On A Budget (NAPSA)—Having to exercise some caution when budgeting for a kitchen makeover does not mean doing without beautiful things. With some budget-conscious choices, a kitchen makeover can be a cost-effective yet personalized improvement, which can ultimately increase the value of your home. Here are some simple tips for a do-it-yourself (DIY) customized kitchen makeover that won’t break the bank: 1. Remove old fluorescent lighting that reminds you of your third-grade classroom and replace it with recessed lighting to add elegance and extra height to the kitchen. 2. Painting cabinets can completely change the feel of the room. If color is what you’re looking for, painting an accent wall rather than the cabinets can create a bold statement and a nice backdrop for artwork. 3. Replace the hardware on your kitchen cabinets. This is inexpensive and easy for DIY beginners. 4. Swap out your old featureless faucet with a new one that will provide greater functionality and add a sense of style to the room. The new Avanti Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet from Pfister is the first pull-down from the company designed on a smaller scale for homeowners who desire the style and functionality of a pull-down, but don’t want something that appears awkward and oversized in a more modestly sized sink or kitchen. It features stream and spray modes, as well as a curvature that starts at the base and twists its way up to the spout,giv- ing a bit of contemporary flair Today’s faucet designs serve as a centerpiece for your kitchen and are a reflection of your personalstyle. while remaining traditional enough to coordinate with virtually any style of dcor. 5. The area between the bottom of the cabinet and the countertop is known as the backsplash. Customizing this blank canvas with textured materials rather than paint is an easy way to per- sonalize the kitchen and add a sense of style. Whether you go modern with glassor slate tiles or more eclectic and ornate with a custom mosaic, the possibilities are virtually limitless. 6. Add crown moldings to the kitchen. Crown molding is now available in much-less-expensive fiber composite materials. Not only are these materials going to save on overall costs, they are also easier to work with. 7. Bring wall dcor from the living room into the kitchen to integrate the spaces and make them more continuous and con- nected. This is a valuable tip for small living spaces as it makes the layout feel more open. 8. If you have a small, cramped kitchen, open it up by removing the cabinets and replacing them with shelves or pot racks to show off your fabulous cookware. 9. In need of some fabulous cookware? Restaurant supply stores have great deals on appliances such as ovens,refrigerators, rolling carts, shelves and sinks, as well as cookware. 10. Last but not least, don’t for- get the kitchen sink. Vessel sinks, which have become very popular in the bath, are gaining popularity in the kitchen. If you love cooking as a group with your family, a trough sink, which is long and can accommodate multiple faucets, might be the best choice for you. For more DIY design ideas, visit www.pfisterfaucets.com or follow Pfister on Facebook.
