Spring Cleaning - How simple upgrades can help you love your current kitchen longer.

You may have been thinking about a kitchen or bath remodel but experienced the same sticker shock as when you checked out of the grocery store. Let me assure you that there are plenty of affordable, or even free, ways to enjoy your space?a little?better or live in it a little longer.

FREE! ?

If you're one of those folks giving your house a good spring cleaning, let me encourage you to dig deeper and unload all your drawers. You will be amazed at how much space you can find by reducing duplicate and low-use items. How many spatulas do you?really?need? I know your bread maker is full of good intentions, but?it might be better used?by someone who ….uses?it.

Alton Brown, chef, TV host, and outspoken food critic, coined the phrase "uni-tasker" to help define those as-see-on-TV wonders with only one purpose that tend to clutter up kitchen drawers.? Search your soul and?your?memory to consider the last time you used that nutcracker.? Could you buy those macadamia nuts already shelled?? If yes, toss that gadget into your donate box.? If crab broils are part of your summer, the nutcracker can stay.? Sometimes, having a critical friend give you?"must?keep" pile a final review is helpful to ensure you have also let go of all the extra bread twist ties, overused hand towels, and to-go condiment packets.

EASY AND ACCESSIBLE

Now that you have your drawers?neat and tidy?work to keep them that way with drawer organizers and roll-out trays.? Modular systems the "straightline" system from Richelieu. It includes interchangeable components, including knife blocks, spice organizers, and plastic wrap dispensers.?

Roll trays added to the lower level of base cabinets and inside deep pantry cabinets will ensure you can always see what you have. You can trim your grocery bills just by knowing what you have.?

Overcome your fear of what hides in your dark corners with the help of an easy-to-install swing-out unit engineered for blind base cabinets by companies. ? Available in various configurations, these units feature swing-out trays or baskets that can eliminate diving into dark corners. Measure carefully and check for surrounding clearances, but once you have one, you will wonder how you lived without it!

For more troublesome upper areas like hard-to-reach upper corners, consider the "Twister" unit. While old lazy susans were notoriously rickety, a brilliant design allows full tray access and excellent stability.?

Pull-down units can also bring the whole shelves to easy eye level. These are ideal for hard to reach spaces like above the fridge!

Once you start to explore the organizational offerings featured by Rev-A-Shelf and similar companies, I promise you that even the stingiest buyer will find something they can't live without.? From pull-out cleaning caddies that fit below the sink to pull-out drying racks that tuck away inside a top drawer and multi-layered craft organizers that pull out like tackle boxes.

One of my favorite easy upgrades is the Blade Docking Drawer .? This in-drawer outlet?is engineered?to control cord clutter safely.? Many versions are available with different amperage for heavy-duty items such as blow dryers in bathrooms or lower-use areas like offices and mud rooms.? Most also include USB ports for charging electronics.? This item requires professional installation, but many other items can be quick and easy to self-install.? It's always best to check with a kitchen and bath professional to confirm that your upgrades will fit and function as you intend.

QUICK FACELIFTS?

Consider switching out your decorative cabinet hardware for a new color or shape to give your space a quick facelift.? Using a backplate can be an easy and on-trend way to accommodate a slight change in size or wood that has mellowed over time.? If you are planning on converting your knobs to pulls, measure twice (or three times) before you drill.? Also, purchase a template from a local wood shop (or online) to save time and frustration.? Using painter's tape over the drill site is also a great way to prevent old finishes from chipping when drilling for new hardware.

For a more dramatic refresh, consider updating your backsplash or countertop.? A countertop can usually be removed and replaced on the same day with minimal disruption to your space. ?Installing a tile backsplash tile will take 2-3 days longer but is worth the wait! Tile now comes in a wide range of high-fashion colors, shapes, and textures, perfect for showcasing?your?individuality.? Hand-glazed tiles are?very popular?and have a unique look. They have wide tone variation that carries across the wall, creating a textured effect.? Some tiles come in unique shapes like arabesque, fish scale, picket?or?penny round.? It's also easy to add patterns to simple tiles by changing the layout.? Chevron and basket weave layouts are classic, while a straight lay pattern can feel crisp and modern.?

?Kitchen renovations can upend your life for months, but a kitchen refresh can be as simple as upending a few drawers! Easy additions can add accessibility and organization, making your existing space more accessible and enjoyable?to live in. A new coat of paint or installing trendy tile can create that big reveal moment without a big hit to your bottom line. Savings for future projects or needs may be the best feature included in these minor, simple upgrades.

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