Costco Connection - February 2012

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Installing an attractive backsplash, such as the one shown here, is a simple way to freshen and upgrade your kitchen’s look.

the Internet,” says Mc Taggart. “Get the look of a more expensive kitchen by checking with stone dealers to see if they’ll sell you a small remnant slab that can be cut to fit your island.” Pricey kitchens often have expensive appliances or distinctive architectural features that capture the eye. “You can get a similar effect with an interesting bowl or platter that you display or something that makes someone say ‘wow,’” says Maria Stapperfenne, Costco member, certified kitchen designer and owner of Tewksbury Kitchens & Baths in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.

COUR TES Y OF J. SONIC SERVICES INC.

Kitchenmagic
Ideas for updating your
kitchen on any budget

By John Morell

AN ATTRACTIVE, functional kitchen that everyone in the family can be happy with: Yes, it can become a reality, and no, you don’t have to wipe out what’s left of your home’s equity to make it happen. The first task is to figure out what’s wrong.

“Take a look at the layout, since those changes are usually the most expensive,” says Costco member Keith Mc Taggart of Benross Home Services Ltd. in Calgary, Alberta. “Most people find that the best arrangement is a V-shape where, whether you turn left or right, you’ve got sink, range, oven, refrigerator, counter space and room for people to move around.” If your current layout seems functional or you don’t have the funds for a full-scale remodeling project, you may be able to add

Dropping some dollars

If you’re thinking of putting a little money into a kitchen project, you’re probably looking more closely at the cabinetry. “Cabinets can be repainted or refinished to match what you’re trying to do with the rest of the project,” says Mc Taggart.

Consider installing slide-out shelves that help you access heavy items from the bottoms of cabinets. “This idea really increases your cabinet space, since you’re making areas that may have been hard to reach easily accessible,” says Denker.

If changing the counter surface is a priority, granite and fabricated stone are still the most popular looks, although some people use granite tile in order to save money. “You get that granite feel, but it’s a tile, so if you have extras you can easily replace any broken or discolored pieces,” says Mc Taggart.

some simple upgrades to brighten your
kitchen and bring its look into the 21st cen-
tury. “Little details can make a kitchen more
inviting,” says Mc Taggart. “And they don’t
have to be expensive.”
Here are some kitchen upgrade tips from
the pros for all budget levels.

The Costco Connection Costco offers a variety of warehouse, kiosk and online options for kitchen remodeling, including countertops, flooring, cabinetry, appliances, range hoods and more. The backsplash pictured above (Item #616673) is available now.

Doing it on a dime

“In the same way you accessorize clothes,
you can do that with a kitchen,” says Robin
Denker, principal of Kitchens by Design
Gallerie in Westlake Village, California, and a
Costco member. “You may hate your cabinets
now, but think about how they’d look with
new knobs, pulls and hinges.”
New faucets can also be a moderately
inexpensive spruce-up, Denker continues.
Some finishes, such as polished chrome or
polished black nickel, may be more upscale in
price, but also offer just the right amount of
bling, if that’s what you are looking for.

If there’s some floor space, consider adding a small island. “You can find these preassembled, or there are do-it-yourself plans on

The big fix

When there’s a big remodeling project
ahead, the first change many homeowners
want is new cabinets. When shopping for
them, the experts say, it’s best to stay away
from what’s fashionable. “Don’t think about
what style is trendy now; think about how
your cabinets will look in 10 years,” says
Denker. “Consider classic cabinetry with
stained wood, or even painted wood in shades
of white, cream and gray.”
The next big-ticket item is usually appli-
ances. Even people who don’t cook much like
the look of large stainless-steel ranges.
Designers often recommend a unique hood
to complement the range. “The hoods have
become almost like works of art for the
kitchen,” says Stapperfenne. “A nice one can
really complete a great kitchen and become a
true focal point for the room.” C