Affordable Upgrades Put Your Home's Best Face Forward

Affordable Upgrades Put Your Home's Best Face Forward

(ARA) - Buying a home is often the largest single purchase you'll ever make. But after investing all that hard-earned money just to get inside the door, how can you add value to your investment without breaking the bank? Whether it's customizing to fit your personal style or adding to its durability for years to come, choosing a few affordable upgrades will help you put your home's best face forward.

Homeowners are expected to spend nearly $233 billion on home remodeling this year, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Kitchens are popular for upgrades because they tend to incorporate multiple functions, from cooking and entertaining to homework spaces and leisure activities, allowing homeowners to make maximum use of their remodeling dollar.

"Cabinetry is one area that allows you to customize your home and deliver upscale looks with relatively little investment," says Jodi Sigley-Schoenfeld, vice president of interior design for Woodsman Kitchens & Floors in Jacksonville, Fla. "For example, in new home construction, you can arrange to roll the upgrade costs into your monthly mortgage payment -- this allows you to enjoy a dream kitchen right away for just a few dollars more per month, while ensuring resale value."

Here are some affordable cabinetry upgrades to add the "Wow!" factor to your home:

Go Glam with Glazes and Finishes: There's more to cabinetry than door styles and wood choice. Adding a glaze finish can create the look of more expensive cabinetry. You can find glazes in a variety of shades to enhance the beauty of wood. For example, use a toasted antique glaze for an elegant ambiance. Or, for a high-end look, Aristokraft offers the appearance of deep, rich cherry with its delicious Rouge finish on lower-cost maple doors.

Get a Handle on Hardware: Installing new hardware is one of the simplest and fastest upgrades. Choose brushed nickel, antique copper or stainless steel looks to match the finishes on your appliances or complement high-end countertop mixers and blenders. Or, use white porcelain knobs and pulls to bring a crisp white accent to your color scheme.

Relish in Embellishment: Use details such as mouldings and trims to give your kitchen a custom feel without the custom cost. "Finishing touches are a great way to put your own style into the overall kitchen design," Schoenfeld says. "For example, use top cabinetry with crown moulding for a stately, more traditional appearance, or try a streamlined countertop moulding to bring a refined simplicity to the kitchen. You can even add elegance at the floor level by adding French legs to your cabinetry."

Add Quality Construction Upgrades: Just as you'd incorporate design touches into your cabinetry, consider upgrading the quality of the construction as well. For example, in addition to countless exterior cabinet styles and finishes to choose from, check out cabinetry options related to shelf thickness and drawer construction to enhance the quality and durability of your cabinets. For example, increase functionality by installing drawer stop mechanisms. The stops ensure a smooth, quiet close, while preventing drawers from slamming.

Opt for Organization: As in kitchens and in life, it's what's inside that counts. Organization-related items are among the most desired home cabinet accessories, and manufacturers are creating innovative new solutions. For example, Aristokraft offers the Pegged Dish Organizer, a drawer with a removable pegboard and adjustable posts that can be arranged to hold plates securely in place. Other options include the Base Roll-Out Tray Divider with a sturdy wood roll-out tray and removable dividers that can house anything from cutting boards to fragile ceramic platters.

Furniture-like Looks: A big trend in cabinetry is a move toward furniture-like looks that blend with the overall design and furnishings throughout the house. One way to achieve this look is with Rooms Solutions, a line of modular cabinetry pieces including entertainment centers, hutches, wet bars and desks. The pieces look like furniture but are actually optional built-in upgrades. They are available in multiple combinations to fit a variety of functional uses. It's another easy way to lend great living -- and great value -- to your home.

For more information and ideas from Aristokraft Cabinetry, visit www.aristokraft.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent