PROPERTY NEWS - Kitchens are the heart of a home but more than that, they are a commodity - they add value and as a rule they come with a big price tag!
This is not a room in the house that you can keep changing as trends come and go - annual impulse updates are just not affordable.
That said, according to Arnold Jardim, managing director of bespoke cabinetry company, Dezign A Door, if you plan and budget before embarking on a kitchen makeover, you can make sure you get the best value for money without cutting corners and quality.
Evaluating what you can save from your existing kitchen is another smart way to minimise the bottom line, freeing up budget for other improvements.
Keep your carcasses
"If your kitchen cupboard carcasses are still in a good nick, consider simply changing the doors, reworking your colour scheme and fitting funky new handles. You can even do the installation yourself. Installing doors doesn't require a degree in DIY - it's actually quite simple," says Jardim.
Should you decide to simply replace the doors, it's a good idea to take the old ones in to ensure the dimensions for the new doors are hundred percent accurate. Alternatively, use a measuring tape with 1mm increments and measure the reverse of the doors; they normally have square edges which makes them easier to measure more precisely.
Although you might be trying to keep costs down, be sure you don't cut costs when it comes to your hardware. Only use high quality runners and hinges; they work hard and if the average lifespan of a kitchen is 15 odd years, you want these parts to last. There's nothing more frustrating than constantly replacing hardware and the joy you will experience from a marginal saving will quickly be replaced with disappointment.
Jardim's advice on hardware is to purchase a quality hinges, including a baseplate with either 8mm grommets or euro screws as they won't pull loose or rip out of the carcass sides as easily as the cheaper alternatives. He says that the modern hinges allow for up to 3mm adjustment - up and down, in and out. "It's advisable to get your door supplier to pre-drill the hinge holes though, so enquire about this service. Handle positioning is a personal choice, so this must be done on site," he adds.
Door to drawer ratios
If your current kitchen isn't outfitted with many drawers, Jardim says, you should review the door-drawer ratio before you begin your kitchen makeover.
"While it's all about personal preference - it goes without saying - drawers are much more practical and it's advisable to have as much as 60% of your floor units as drawers. With cupboards you have to get on your knees to look for items stored at the back, while drawers provide access to the contents without having to unpack them first."
Doors in vogue vs personal preferences
When selecting your new doors, go for styles that are timeless yet classy. One of the most popular cupboard choices currently is doors with integrated handles - or handless options.
"Don't be swayed by popular opinion though - you need your home to reflect your personality and if the rest of the house is more traditional, this change could look out of place. The same applies to the current on-trend finishes: white oak, with a natural effect paint gives an "unfinished" natural feel and is great when combined with grey. It's true - two-tone oak and colour combining is stylish and in vogue, but if this doesn't resonate with you, don't do it. The same holds true if your home is open plan; make sure your new kitchen will work with the room it flows into," advises Jardim.
Final effects
A kitchen can also be transformed by adding a coat of fresh paint to the walls - an accent wall goes a long way towards a new look without a hefty price tag. You can also consider introducing a new splashback with a funky tile to mix things up.
Purchase some new bar stools (or use what you have but paint half of the legs in the colour of your new cupboards) to tie the new look together. New taps, light fittings and countertops are more options.
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