Tag: kitchen

Update Your Kitchen Cabinets

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Kitchen cabinets can really be the thing that make or break a house.  If yours are in need of an upgrade, but you don’t have the money to replace them, consider refacing them instead.  When you reface cabinets you replace the cabinet doors and fronts but keep the frames intact and just refinish any showing pieces, such as end pieces to match the new cabinet doors.  Refacing takes less time and is less expensive than a complete replacement.  Even less expensive, is refinishing all of the cabinetry yourself, although this is not a project for those with little patience.  Refacing or refinishing cabinetry won’t do anything to improve the layout or functionality of your kitchen, but it can be a good facelift for a tired, but otherwise useful kitchen.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Save Money on a Kitchen Remodel

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Last week I wrote about tips for budget friendly makeovers.  All of those still apply here, but there are also some specific tips that apply only to kitchen remodels that can be of use if you are trying to stick to a budget.

First, in addition to prioritizing, make sure to consider your culinary needs when choosing appliances.  If most of your cooking consists of reheating or calling for takeout, then choosing an expensive, top of the line stove just for looks is not your best use of money.  Another way to save money on your appliances is to skip options and extras that aren’t necessary for your needs.

Additionally, rather than focusing on buying things such as a light fixture or faucet at a discount, do your best to take advantage of savings on your big-ticket items such as cabinets, counter tops, and appliances to get the most bang for your buck.

Another great tip is to mix and match high and low end products for an affordable blend.  For example, affordable cabinets with decorative high end hardware can have the look of custom cabinets, or since the eye is drawn up rather than down, put your money into a beautiful backsplash and scale back on the countertop material.

Another way to save on cabinetry is to forgo custom and retrofit the cabinets that you choose with roll-outs, dividers and other similar items from storage shops for a far less expensive solution than custom work.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

Tips for Keeping Countertops Looking Brand New

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Whether your countertops have seen better days or you’ve got new countertops that you want to keep in good shape, here are some tips for caring for different types of counter surfaces to keep them looking great!

  • Laminate:  You can keep laminate looking good with a thick paste of baking soda and water.  Leave the paste on stains for 3-5 minutes and most stains will disappear.  For tougher stains rub household bleach into the stain with a cotton ball until clean and then rinse with soapy water and rub down with a clean, damp rag.
  • Granite:  If your granite is properly sealed all you need to do is wipe it down regularly with a wet cloth.  To find out if your granite is sealed, splash some water on it and wait for 10-15 minutes.  If  the water is still beaded, you’re good to go.  If it has soaked in head to the hardware store to purchase a do-it-yourself sealer which is pretty easy and inexpensive.
  • Marble:  Food stains can be removed with a thick paste of water, baking soda, and dish soap.  Oil stains can be removed with hydrogen peroxide or mineral spirits.  Etching and corrosion can be buffed away with marble polish.
  • Wood/Butcher Block:  The best way to care for wood counter surfaces is to apply mineral oil on a monthly basis.  Stains can be removed with lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide.
  • Quartz:  Quartz countertops are made to take a beating, however if stains do happen they can be taken care of with a paste of flour and hydrogen peroxide.  Apply the paste and allow to sit for 24 hours then wipe away and clean the surface with water.
  • Stainless Steel:  Stainless steel scratches easily, but these scratches can be buffed out with an abrasive pad.  Rust stains can be cleaned up with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda, but it is best to avoid rust altogether by not allowing pots and pans to touch counter surfaces directly.
  • Solid Surface:  Buff scratches out with a mild abrasive and take care of stains with a paste of baking soda and water or lemon juice.
  • Ceramic Tile:  The best way to keep tile countertops looking new is to care for the grout regularly with a toothbrush and mildew-fighting solution.  Stains can be cleaned up with a toothbrush and diluted household bleach and then wiped up with soap and water.

Hopefully these tips will help you keep your kitchen looking shiny and new for a long time to come!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Real Estate Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

5 Simple Tips to Maximize Kitchen Storage

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No matter how large your kitchen is, it always seems that every kitchen needs more storage.  Here are five tips for maximizing the storage your kitchen already has:

1.  Corral your lids.  By mounting a drawer for pot lids directly under your pot shelf you will be able to corral your lids and create a more efficient kitchen.

2.  A second utensil drawer.  Utensils drawers tend to be a deep jumbled mess of interlocking utensils and other handy tools.  By building a sliding tray that creates two shallower spaces in one drawer you can organize your utensils more efficiently.

3.  Add upright storage.  Keep baking trays, cutting boards, and other difficult to store items that take up a lot of flat cabinet space upright by adding a divider to one of your cabinets and creating an upright storage space.

4.  Add shelves.  Take a look in your kitchen cabinets… is there a lot of wasted space?  If so, add an additional shelf to your cabinet by cutting some plywood to fit and purchasing a bag of shelf supports.

5.  Utilize cabinet doors.  Your cabinet doors offer many storage options such as a built in knife rack, hooks for storing measuring cups or spoons, narrow racks for storing spices, and more.  Depending on what would best suit your space, a quick internet search is bound to bring up many suggestions for cabinet door storage that I would recommend taking a look at.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

3 Kitchen Trends To Avoid

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If you are redoing your kitchen, or even just thinking about it, you may be tempted to update this popular room with some of the current trends.  Some trends, however, should be avoided so that your kitchen will age well and not be outdated in just a year or two.  Here are five current trends to avoid in order to add years to the life of your kitchen:

1.  Farmhouse Sinks.  These popular sinks are beautiful and all over design shows and floor rooms, but these trendy sinks may be outdated in just a few years.  For a sink that will stand the test of time go for something deep and stainless.

2.  Colorful Appliances.  White appliances are trending right now, but stainless is what will last forever.  Because stainless goes with every décor from country to contemporary to traditional, it’s really the best bet for anyone.

3.  Decorative Range Hoods.  Although still trendy, range hoods as a kitchen focal point is waning in popularity.  Avoid it to help your kitchen stand the test of time.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Things You Should Have In Your Kitchen

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If you’re looking for a quick update in your kitchen, look around and consider which kitchen essentials are missing and then work around that to add what you can to create a more inviting space.  Start by looking for ways to maximize natural light in your space.  You can do this by eliminating cabinets near windows, perhaps opting for open shelving instead.  Using materials that reflect light will also help.  Adding texture also gives the kitchen a welcoming look.  The woods, finishes and countertops work together to set the mood of the kitchen.  So mix it up to create the personality you’re looking for and add a welcoming vibe.  If your space allows it, an island is essential, especially if you want your kitchen to be a social hub in your home.  Finally, add a great sink with some killer accessories to your kitchen to make it both stylish and efficient.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

5 Quick Kitchen Updates

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Freshen your kitchen with one of these relatively quick and easy updates:

1.  Open it up.  Add some open shelving, which can be as simple as removing the doors from a few cabinets and show off your colorful, collective, or otherwise interesting or beautiful dishes.

2.  Go glamorous.  Add a beautiful or interesting chandelier over an island or kitchen table too add some architectural interest to the room.

3.  Add some red.  The color red is known to enhance the sense of smell, sensitize the taste buds, and stimulate appetite.  If your kitchen is neutral, add a splash of this appealing color to the room’s palate.

4.  Organize.  Fit your silverware drawer with dividers, add a pot rack, and fit disorganized cabinets with wire shelving to clear the clutter and keep things neat.

5.  Add an artful touch.  Tile a backsplash for a simple, relatively inexpensive custom touch.  To keep costs down choose a simple tile and throw in just a few accents.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

5 Quick Fixes For Your Kitchen

Yesterday we looked at some quick fixes to update your bathroom, and today we tackle the kitchen!

Yesterday we looked at some quick fixes to update your bathroom, and today we tackle the kitchen!

1.  Switch your faucet.  There are many styles of faucet on the market, so replacing your old one can quickly up the style factor in your kitchen.  Choose a faucet with the personality you want, but be sure that it will run well with your existing sink so you don’t have to change everything!

2.  Replace an appliance.  If it’s in your budget, replacing an old refrigerator or dishwasher can instantly update your kitchen.  And, replacing an old appliance with a new energy efficient model can save you quite a bit on your utilities, almost paying for itself.

3.  Replace your hardware.  If your cabinets are in good condition, you can give them a whole new look by replacing the handles and pulls.  Hardware stores, home improvement stores, and even antique shops have an unlimited variety to choose from, so you can pick the style that fits with your vision for the room.  Depending on how many cabinets and drawer you have, replacing everything should only take a couple of hours, if that.

4.  Add lighting.  Replacing existing light fixtures with a more sophisticated model can quickly give your room new life.

5.  Dress it up.  For a more time extensive project, consider replacing your backsplash.  Many companies make tiles that come in sheets but look like individual glass tiles.  With unlimited style and color options, the sky is the limit!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Update Your Kitchen This Weekend

I’m tired of my kitchen! But, since I don’t have the budget to redo my entire kitchen, I’ve been looking for some smaller scale ideas. Here are a few of my favorites:

Fix a leaky faucet. Okay, this isn’t really an update, but leaky faucets are annoying, so it’s nice to know they are an easy diy fix! Once you turn off the stop valves to the faucet in question remove the handle by unscrewing it. After the handle is off remove the chrome cylinder and the nut that holds it in place. Pull out the stem, replace the washer, put everything back together and voila! the leak is gone! If you have a newer faucet, you will need to purchase a “seat” which is basically a special washer specially made for your particular faucet.

I’m tired of my kitchen!  But, since I don’t have the budget to redo my entire kitchen, I’ve been looking for some smaller scale ideas.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Fix a leaky faucet.  Okay, this isn’t really an update, but leaky faucets are annoying, so it’s nice to know they are an easy diy fix!  Once you turn off the stop valves to the faucet in question remove the handle by unscrewing it.  After the handle is off remove the chrome cylinder and the nut that holds it in place.  Pull out the stem, replace the washer, put everything back together and voila! the leak is gone!  If you have a newer faucet, you will need to purchase a “seat” which is basically a special washer specially made for your particular faucet.

Install a new faucet.  Purchasing a new faucet for your kitchen sink can instantly change the look of your room.  Just make sure it matches your sink unless you want to replace the whole thing!

Update your cabinets.  If you’re looking for an easy way to dress up your cabinets, try swapping out the door inserts.  Glass, tin, painted or stained wood, and stainless steel just begin the list of options.  Replacing just some of the cabinet inserts is also a good option if you don’t want to go all the way.

Update your hardware.  Another way to breathe new life into your kitchen quickly and for relatively little money is to replace the hardware on your drawers and cabinets.  With virtually limitless options this is somewhere that you can really let your personal taste shine through.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associate and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Tricks To Make A Small Kitchen Seem Larger

In keeping with yesterday’s topic, let’s continue to talk about kitchen remodeling! If you are like me and have a small kitchen, it may seem like kind of a drag to spend so much time there. If you’re thinking of remodeling, consider some of these tricks for opening up the space and making it seem larger.

In keeping with yesterday’s topic, let’s continue to talk about kitchen remodeling!  If you are like me and have a small kitchen, it may seem like kind of a drag to spend so much time there.  If you’re thinking of remodeling, consider some of these tricks for opening up the space and making it seem larger.

Bleach It.  Okay, not literally, but I’m sure you’re probably tired of hearing me say that paint is a great solution for everything!  By going for an all white kitchen (walls, countertops, cabinets, etc.) you are tricking the eye into thinking the room is much larger than it is.  Of course, if you’re going to go all white, be sure to choose a variety of textures and beautiful fixtures to keep your room from feeling bland.  You’ll also want to throw in an accent color or two through the use of accessories to create interest.

Let In The Light.  As I’m sure you know, natural light makes any space seem more open.  Of course, adding windows or a skylight may not be an option for you.  If that’s the case, keep any windows you do have clean and use minimal window treatments.  Valances and sheers work well to dress up kitchen windows without blocking light.  If it’s privacy you’re after, consider splurging on a shade that will block prying eyes while still allowing the light in.

Go For Open Concept.  If your budget allows it, knocking down a wall or part of a wall that separates your kitchen from the rest of your house will make the room appear much larger without actually increasing the size at all.  If a wall isn’t in the budget, consider creating a pass through, which will have the same effect on a much smaller scale.

Clear The Clutter.  If your small kitchen lacks storage space you probably use a lot of counter space for storage.  (I know I do!)  Consider installing an appliance garage in the corner of your counter to hide all that clutter (but still keep in close at hand) and your space will seem instantly larger.

Simulate Height.  By adding decorative molding around the tops of your cabinets, or displaying colorful pieces that mesh with your kitchen décor around your soffit, you can draw the eye upward, giving your ceiling the illusion of height, thus making your room feel larger.  If you have dead space between the tops of your cabinets and your ceiling, consider a cabinet design that extends all the way up.  This gives you valuable extra storage without taking up any added space.

Use Glass.  Consider changing out solid cabinet doors for glass.  Of course, if you use glass for your cabinets you will need to keep your cabinets neat and organized!  If you don’t think you can keep clutter-free, consider using glass in some, but not all cabinets.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Tips for Remodeling Your Kitchen

It’s no secret that one of the rooms homebuyers focus on most is the kitchen. Whether you are thinking of remodeling to sell or remodeling to enjoy, money spent in the kitchen is almost always wisely spent. If you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen, here are some design tips to keep in mind.

It’s no secret that one of the rooms homebuyers focus on most is the kitchen.  Whether you are thinking of remodeling to sell or remodeling to enjoy, money spent in the kitchen is almost always wisely spent.  If you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen, here are some design tips to keep in mind.

Conserve Energy.  Your energy, that is.  Think about the layout of your kitchen before you do anything.  For example, storing cutlery and dishes near the dishwasher will make unloading a breeze.  Similarly, placing the dishwasher near the sink is much wiser than placing it halfway across the room!  Another great tip is to put your refrigerator in a space that is open to both the cook and anyone who may wander in looking for a drink.  This way, someone grazing in the fridge won’t block valuable work space during hectic meal prep time!

Clear Space.  Make sure the walkways through your kitchen are wide enough.  Consider whether you want a one or two cook configuration and plan your space accordingly.  You don’t want anyone bumping into a hot stove when you’re hanging out in your new kitchen.

Think Counter Space.  Any cook will tell you that counter space is a necessity, but not all counter space is created equal.  The most important counter tops are those on either side of the stove and refrigerator and the space near the microwave.  Make sure these areas have plenty of work space.  In addition, people who spend a lot of time in the kitchen will want a good range of space in between the sink and cook top.

Consider The Details.  Little details such as multiple outlets along your backsplash or in your island make plugging in small appliances a breeze whenever you need them.  A pot filler installed near your cook top eliminates the need to lug heavy pots back and forth from the sink.  Shelves near your cook top can hold oils, spices, and other often grabbed ingredients.  You get the picture.  Think of things that will make your life easier and strive to build them into your new kitchen.  Many of these ideas do not cost very much money, but they all add great value to the space.

When done well, remodeling the kitchen can add a lot of value to your home.  Make the process as stress-free as possible by considering the way you use your kitchen and designing around your needs.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.