Where to save - and where to splurge - on your kitchen remodel

It can be hard to know where to begin when you are first starting a kitchen remodel. The first thing you should figure out is a budget. Where are you going to try to save money, and where can you afford to splurge a little bit? 

Some things, like a built-in espresso machine, are going to depend entirely on your budget and your priorities. Things like appliances, cabinetry, and flooring are necessities in a kitchen, so you will need to know how they rank in your project. 

Where should you save, and where should you splurge, in your kitchen remodel?

1. Appliances

There are hundreds of refrigerators, ranges and dishwashers, among many other kitchen appliances, available on today's market. How can you narrow down the options? 

Save: Trendy Colors, Styles

 

Are you designing your kitchen around a vintage style? There are some very nice appliances available in numerous colors from past decades, and they are becoming popular in today's design industry. However, you should be careful when you are choosing appliances in trendy colors. If you choose colors that are sure to go back out of style, look for ways you can save money on them. 

Splurge: Energy-Efficient Appliances

 

Most appliances available today are energy-efficient and are not outrageously expensive. If you are going to splurge on appliances, they need to be energy-efficient to ensure you will save money on future energy bills. Plus, they use less energy, so they help in preserving valuable resources. Look for the Energy Star logo on your new kitchen appliances. 

Splurge on energy-efficient appliances in your kitchen remodel

2. Cabinetry

 

Cabinets are a large part of a kitchen remodel budget. When buying cabinets, should you save money or should you splurge? 

Save: Standard Cabinets for Rental Property

 

You should try to save as much money as possible on cabinets for a rental property, while making sure they aren't going to fall apart with the first tenants. Solid wood or laminate doors are going to be your best bet; I have seen all too many broken door panels that renters had put holes through. Standard hardware - hinges and pulls - is best for a rental property in case you need to replace them, which is very likely in a home you are renting out. 

Splurge: Custom Cabinets for Long-Term Home

 

If you are planning to live in this home for a long time, you might want to consider splurging on custom cabinetry. If you have to live here, you should like the place. A cabinet designer will help you determine which color, style, etc. best suits your needs, as well as any extra amenities that might prove to be worth the splurge. 

Splurge on custom cabinets for your home's kitchen remodel

3. Flooring

 

Flooring material can be cheap, but should you splurge on something you really like? 

Save: Patterned Vinyl Flooring

 

Do you like to change up the look in your home every 10 years or so? Vinyl flooring is cheap, and can be very durable. However, it is easy and inexpensive to replace when you get sick of it. If you want patterned flooring right now, vinyl might be a good option for you. 

Splurge: Rapidly Renewable Materials

 

Are you worried about harming the environment with plastic laminate or wood flooring? Splurge on something that is rapidly renewable, such as bamboo or cork. Another thing to consider is locale; how far will that material have to travel to be installed in your home? If it comes from overseas, you might be better off looking locally for wood flooring that does not have such a big impact on your environmental footprint. 

Splurge on sustainable flooring for your kitchen remodel

If you are planning a kitchen remodel, consider the areas where you should save and where you can afford to splurge a little. Keep the above tips in mind, but ultimately, the allocation of your money is up to you.

Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

Visit my main blog for more home improvement ideas.

*Photos courtesy of Flickr:

Sitka Projects / https://www.flickr.com/photos/sitkaprojects/

Susan Serra, CKD / https://www.flickr.com/photos/kitchendesigner/

designbuildinhabit / https://www.flickr.com/photos/designbuildinhabit/

Non-Tacky Ways to Decorate Your Home for Fall

Has tacky fall decor turned you off the season for good? We've all seen them: Homes that are so overly decorated in autumn colors - red, orange, and yellow - and silly figurines that you quickly become overwhelmed. Don't let these houses stop you from decorating for the entire season. It is possible to decorate your home for fall in non-tacky ways. 

Keep the decorative fall figurines to a minimum

As they say, "less is more." Rather than pulling out every fake pumpkin and tacky fall figurine, carefully select a few decorations and strategically place them around the home. It is better to have one large focal point, instead of a dozen small decorations that litter the coffee table and shelves. Keep it classy; overdoing the decorative fall figurines is just the opposite: tacky. 

Choose colors that complement existing decor

Perhaps your current color scheme doesn't exactly welcome the addition of fall hues - or what you think of as fall hues. Decorating for fall doesn't necessarily mean adding tacky colors to your carefully selected interior color scheme. Complement your home interior with neutral fall accent pieces, or fall-inspired pieces in non-traditional fall colors, such as teal or plum. 

Seamlessly incorporate fall accents

Too many people simply drop their fall decor into any open space they can find. This can look incredibly tacky, especially when these people have too many fall decorations in the first place. It's called clutter. Instead, seamlessly incorporate fall accents into your home interior by removing existing pieces to make room for them. You don't have to remove every single non-fall decoration from your home, and these pieces can be replaced when fall is over. 

Temporarily replace un-autumn-like artwork

Any paintings or photos that resemble other seasons may be removed and replaced with fall-inspired pieces. This is a non-tacky way to decorate your home for fall without taking up valuable floor or shelf space. Choose paintings, sculptures, or other types of wall hangings that both complement your decor and remind you of autumn. 

Don't let tacky fall decor turn you off the season for good. Avoid doing the things that make fall decorations so tacky: cluttering a space, overdoing the accents, and choosing colors that don't work with your interior. 

Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

Visit my main blog for more home improvement ideas.

*Photo courtesy of Flickr / Wicker Paradise

Five Color Mistakes to Avoid in Home Decorating

Ultimately, your interior color scheme is your choice. It should consist of colors you love that work well with your home's architecture, its period style and your personal decorating style or theme. However, there are a few mistakes that you should avoid making, if at all possible. First of all, most of us can tell with one look that a color scheme just isn't working. But how can you avoid making a color mistake in the first place? 

The below picture is the office in a house we used to rent; the room was already painted in this pink and blue color scheme, yellow polka dots included, when we moved in. I didn't bother with re-painting, which is lucky because we moved out a year later! 

Example of a color mistake to avoid in home decorating

Consider these five color mistakes to avoid in home decorating.

1. Don't use too many colors

 

Choose a color palette of three to five colors. This may be a monochromatic scheme of several greens, or it may be a few complementary colors that you love. Then stick with that color palette. Once you start adding too many colors to your home decor, it can get to be very confusing to the viewer. Avoiding too many colors in one room is just the first rule to avoid making a color mistake in your home decor.

2. Don't try to match colors

 

No matter how hard you try, you will never be able to "match" a color exactly from one surface to another. This is one of the first things I learned in school for Interior Design. When you have a piece of fabric and want to find a carpet to match the exact color, you will find it an impossible task. Instead, look for colors that complement your fabric or a similar color that is a couple shades lighter or darker. 

3. Don't use the wrong colors

 

This may be wondering how you can avoid using the wrong colors. Some palettes just work better in some rooms than in others. This doesn't mean you can never use yellow in a bedroom, but you just might not get the calming effect you were hoping for. Bedrooms benefit from cooler, more soothing hues, while warmer, more bold colors might better suit the kitchen.

4. Don't choose "safe" colors

 

Don't choose them just because they are safe. While working in a paint store, I helped many customers choose very boring, light neutrals just because they were "safe". They also had very similar color choices for their carpeting and other finishes throughout the room. Choose a color because you like it, or because it helps you achieve the overall atmosphere you want in a room. 

5. Don't ignore the lighting

 

Lighting plays a huge part in your interior design. The exact same lighting design can enhance one space, while ruining another. The types and amount of lighting you need varies from one room to another. For example, one room might call for plenty of cool, bright, general lighting throughout the entire space, while another would benefit from softer, layered lighting with warm undertones. 

Have you ever decorated a room with a color scheme you were sure you'd love, only to end up hating it? Share your experience in the comments below. 

*Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

Visit my main blog for more home improvement ideas.

Psychology of Color in the Home Interior

How do the colors in your home interior make you feel? 

How do you feel when you step into your bedroom, living room, or kitchen? Do you feel happy, excited, sad, or angry? The colors in your home interior have a huge impact on how you feel every day. "Color psychology refers to investigating the effect of color on human behavior and feeling (Wikipedia)." 

Black: Black is one of the neutral colors. It absorbs all of the light in the color spectrum (Van Wagner), so if you want a room to feel like a cave, paint it black. It can also look very sophisticated if you use the right amount of black accent pieces in a room; black leather furniture, for example. 

White: White is also a neutral color. It is the opposite of black; it reflects all of the light in the color spectrum. A white room feels spacious, but it can also feel cold and sterile. As an accent color, like black, white can also create a sophisticated feel. 

Red: A primary color, red is a warm hue that is associated with excitement (Van Wagner). Red is a common color for an accent wall in homes because it draws the eye to the wall; be careful of how much red you use, however, because color psychology suggests that it is also associated with anger. 

Orange: Orange is a secondary color that is a combination of red and yellow and it also draws attention. It is commonly used in the interiors of fast-food restaurants because it is known to cause hunger and, therefore, more profit. 

Yellow: Another primary color, yellow, is bright and cheery. As Vincent Van Gogh said, "How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun." Yellow is also fatiguing to the eye, can cause feelings of frustration, and babies tend to cry more in yellow rooms (Van Wagner). 

Green: Green is a mix of yellow and blue, another secondary color. It is often associated with nature and enhances the feeling of tranquility and calm. It works well as a source of stress relief. Researchers have also found that green helps to improve reading ability (Van Wagner). 

Blue: As the third and final primary color, blue is also associated with calmness and serenity. Blues and greens are often used to create a spa-like atmosphere is bathrooms. Blue is associated with feelings of sadness, as well. The complementary color to orange, blue is actually a known appetite suppressant. 

Violet: Violet is a secondary color that is the combination of red and blue. When you think of this color, you may think of royalty, wealth, and perhaps wisdom. 

Colors I have not yet mentioned are: gray, which is a combination of black and white; browns and tans, which can be a mixture of all of the primary colors; and pink, which is a tint of red (red mixed with white). Grays, browns, and tans are all neutral colors. Neutral colors are often popular as the main wall color in home interiors. 

I recommend using black and white in small doses as a wall color in your home to prevent it from feeling like a cave or a hospital room. These colors work well in accent pieces, however. Use red sparingly, as well, as it is generally not a very soothing color to look it. Try not to use a lot of orange in a dining room unless you are trying to gain weight; on the other hand, if you are trying to lose weight, you may want to try blue. 

However, if you or someone in your family is prone to depression, I would suggest using blue in small doses, perhaps as a centerpiece on your table or as the color of your dishes. If you have a baby, avoid bright yellow in the main part of the house and save it for a workout room. Color psychology suggests that green is good for those of you who have children who are learning to read. 

References:

Kendra Van Wagner, "Color Psychology - Black." About.com

Kendra Van Wagner, "Color Psychology - Red." About.com

Kendra Van Wagner, "Color Psychology - Yellow." About.com

Kendra Van Wagner, "Color Psychology - Green." About.com

Wikipedia, "Color Symbolism and Psychology." 

*Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

Visit my main blog for more home improvement ideas.

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Capture Queen

Summer Paint Color Trends for the Kitchen

Summer is just around the corner. Is it time for a fresh coat of paint on your walls? Summer paint colors are refreshing and rejuvenating, and the kitchen is a place where families spend a lot of their time, so this is a good place to start when you begin your summer painting. Here are a few kitchen color trends to consider. 

8 Late-Summer Decorating Ideas for Your Home 

Teals & Grays

Both teal/gray and teal/white color schemes are cool and refreshing to look at in the midst of the hottest part of summer. Teal walls with a white, painted trim work well with a beachy theme. Pratt & Lambert Tampico 1411 is a pretty, teal color for your kitchen. 

 

Susan Serra, CKD / https://www.flickr.com/photos/kitchendesigner/

Earth Tones

Earth tones are rich colors from nature: deep browns, burnt oranges, watery blues, and ruby reds are all examples of earth tone colors. Try Benjamin Moore Merlot Red 2006-10 for an energizing and invigorating accent in your kitchen this summer. 

williamskitchenbath / https://www.flickr.com/photos/williamskitchen/

Blues & Greens

Blues and greens are often associated with nature (water, grass, sky). If you are someone who likes to be outdoors during the summer, why not bring the outdoors in so you can enjoy them while you are cooking? Check out Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue HC-147 for a soft, sky blue. 

outreachr.com / https://www.flickr.com/photos/109249103@N05/

Sunny Hues

Looking for something to remind you of sunny California? Nothing says California like a golden yellow, so bring the sun indoors with your paint. Benjamin Moore Golden Honey 297 is the perfect choice for those of you who enjoy spending time under the sun. 

wonderlane / https://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderlane/

Keep it Natural

Sherwin-Williams Whole Wheat SW6121 is sophisticated, but it doesn't detract from the rest of the room's décor. Neutral is a good way to go if you are someone who likes to change out the décor with every season, but don't like to repaint four times a year. 

Ines Hegedes-Garcia / https://www.flickr.com/photos/miamism/

If you didn't get a chance to repaint your kitchen this spring, summer is the next best time to do so. Do you want to recreate the feel of a beach house? Or are you looking to bring the sun inside? Remember, whatever you decide on, choose your kitchen's colors this summer according to your personal preferences, not just what is trendy at the time.  

*Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

Visit my main blog for more home improvement ideas.

8 Late-Summer Decorating Ideas for Your Home

It's late summer and your house is in desperate need of a pick-me-up. How do you decorate the home this time of year? This is the time when summer is nearly over, but it isn't quite Autumn yet. So, do you decorate early with fall accents, stick with summer hues or just leave your house as it is until autumn finally arrives? Try some of these decorating tips for your home when we are in-between seasons. 

1. Decorate with yellow during any season. You don't need much--a little yellow will go a long way. Recently, I placed a cream candle with a sprig of yellow flowers on my dining table. It is small, simple, but it provides a cheery pop of color to the otherwise-drab dining room. 

2. Bring a little glamour to any room. Something sparkly, for example, freshens and brightens the bedroom, or even the bathroom, but it doesn't necessarily represent either summer or autumn (or any other season, for that matter). A simple silver picture frame amongst darker, earthier colors creates drama. 

3. Take a piece of nature inside the house. Who says nature has to remain outdoors? Branches are just one way to change things up in the summer and in the fall. Vases work great for holding them, as well as rocks, pine cones and anything else you can find to bring inside. 

4. Bring plant life to a stale interior. Flowers and greenery can lift the spirits, while bringing in fresh, clean air. Get a plant at the end of summer and learn how to make it thrive, so it can provide happiness throughout the following seasons. Do you have allergies? Get an artificial plant, and make sure to keep it dust-free. 

5. Create interest with contrasting textures. Decorating with black and white  is not the only way to create contrast. Of course, you can do so using colors, but you can also achieve an interesting interior with textures and patterns that contrast with one another: rough textures with smooth, large patterns next to small. 

6. Go against the flow. Contrary to common belief, black and brown can work together--quite well--if done properly. And you most certainly do not necessarily have to stick with one decorating style throughout the entire house. There are some decorating rules you should just ignore (and others you should not). 

7. Read up on feng shui for the home. This is an ancient Chinese practice related to interior design that will help benefit many areas of your life. By decorating your home with feng shui in mind, you can clear a pathway on which your chi, or life energy, can flow more easily. 

8. Start fall cleaning early. Just by sorting through stacks of mail and decluttering the home, you will have a blank slate from which you can begin your fall decorating when the time arrives. Doing so will give you extra free time in the autumn for other things.

Visit my main blog for more home improvement ideas.