Kitchen cabinets are one of the most prominent features in your kitchen. If your cabinets are looking worn or drab, it affects the whole look and feel of your kitchen.

The good news is there are several options available to you that can easily update your kitchen with a modern look. Some options are expensive and others are more economical.

If you like the cabinet layout and the cabinets are in good condition, refacing or resurfacing your kitchen cabinets may be a good choice for you.

Refacing or resurfacing consists of replacing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts with new ones and then treating the cabinet frame with a matching veneer. There are many types of woods and plastics available for this, so your options are virtually unlimited.

To get the best results, it’s always best to hire a professional to do this work. It can be quite expensive, though, ranging anywhere from $3500 to over $10,000. The work usually takes 2-4 days, depending on how many cabinets and drawers are involved.

If your cabinets are weak or damaged or you just want to change their design, replacing them entirely is another option. Replacement cabinets may not cost much more than refacing/resurfacing them, either. Brand new cabinets can add more usefulness to your kitchen and increase the value of your home, as well

If resurfacing or replacement of your kitchen cabinets doesn’t fit your budget, there are much less expensive alternatives.

My first choice for renewing the look of kitchen cabinets is paint. What a difference a coat or paint can make!

For a retro look you can use splashy colors such as pink, turquoise or orange. Be brave and paint designs on the cabinets or use stencils or a faux finish. Add some matching hardware and you’ve got new cabinets for less than $300!

Another idea is to permanently remove all the cabinet doors. This wouldn’t be appropriate or even functional for every style of kitchen. It might work well for a cottage kitchen design or even an antique Victorian design. You could line the shelves with lace or doilies that flap over the edge to add to the look.

An alternative to completely removing the cabinet doors is to replace them with old windows that are the right size. You could also create new doors from different types of materials such as bamboo or fabric.

Another idea for resurfacing kitchen cabinets is to wallpaper them or apply contact paper. A plain pattern is best and, of course, make sure it is washable. You don’t necessarily need to cover the whole surface. You could cut out different shapes or patterns and apply them to the cabinet surface. This would be a good short-term solution to freshening up your kitchen.

So there you have it. There are many ways to make your kitchen cabinets look great without breaking the bank!

When choosing a washing machine many people look for the “cheapest” option assuming that all washing machines are the same. After all, they just wash clothes don’t they? Well, it’s true that they all wash clothes; but how they wash them differs, how long the machine will last differs, and how much they cost to run differs. We all want clean clothes but we don’t all have the same needs from a washing machine. There are literally hundreds of options available so how do you choose? I have listed three questions that you need to consider and given my views as the answers to help you make your decision. At the end of this article I have given a short summary to use when actually shopping for your new machine.

Q1. Is the cheapest washing machine really the cheapest?

A1. The cheapest washing machines available generally have fewer features and are lower rated than more expensive models. Ok, so most of us don’t use all the features and programs anyway but if you make use of quick wash and half load programs when necessary you will reduce your running costs and a cheaper machine might not have these options available. The ratings on a washing machine refer to water consumption, energy efficiency and drying efficiency. With more of us on water meters and constant increases in electricity bills the benefit of a good rating on water and energy consumption is obvious but what benefit is a good drying rating? Well, if you regularly use a tumble dryer you will find that a good drying rating and a high spin speed on your washing machine can reduce drying time by up to 30 minutes on a full load, thus saving on running costs for your dryer. So in answer to question 1, the cheapest machine to buy is probably not the cheapest to run and the savings you make initially will be used up in running costs for the life of the machine.

Q2. How do I know how much to spend?

A2. Washing machines range from under £200 to over £1000 so knowing what is most suitable is very important. In answer 1 we covered the basics about cheap machines, so why not look for the cheapest machine that still has the programs I most use and good ratings? Generally this is a good point but there are a few other factors involved. If you live alone and use the washing machine perhaps once a week then do go for the cheapest with the right programmes and best ratings, but if you are a family of 5 and all play rugby three times a week the machine is probably going to get a lot more use. The life expectancy of a washing machine is calculated on amount of use and purchase price, therefore if you use the machine a lot you will probably get a longer life from one that cost a bit more. As a guide normal use is usually based on two full loads a week one on a hot temperature and one on a warm temperature, and washing machine life expectancy is 2-8 years (2 years being for lower priced machines, 8 for higher priced machines). Using this as a basis consider how often your machine will be used and if you expect 4 washes a week reduce the life expectancy by half etc. If you do four or more loads a week or particularly dirty or heavy loads you probably need to go for a more expensive machine or accept that it will need replacing every few years. Quite often you will find that a more expensive machine will include a longer warranty, take this into account when looking at the price. A five year warranty could cost you anywhere between £100 and £200 so deduct that from the price of the machines offering a free 5 year warranty when comparing, or add it to the cost of the cheaper machine and then take out a warranty separately.

Q3. Is the look of the machine important?

A3. It is surprising how many people buy washing machines based on what they look like. The look of a washing machine is of little importance if it is in a laundry room where it is rarely seen but it is important if it is in the kitchen on constant display. If you are going to have to look at it all the time buy one that you do like the look of, but bare in mind that whether it works and saves you money is far more important that how “pretty” it is. If you really hate the look of a washing machine in your kitchen go for a fully integrated model that can be hidden behind a false door to match your kitchen units, but this option will cost more with no benefits other than the cosmetic affect on your kitchen.

Summary:

Choose a machine that has good ratings (Triple A or A+AA) as this will save money on running costs (and protects the environment which benefits us all). Buy a machine that can handle the amount and type of use you will put it to (use price as a guide to build quality but always have a look at the specifications). Take extended warranties into account when comparing prices. Decide if the look of the machine is important and if it is dismiss all the models you don’t like the look of. Finally ask the sales person their opinion only after you have narrowed it down to a few choices. The sales person can’t possibly know how often you will be using the machine and for what type of loads or whether you will like the look of the machine so you need to narrow the possibilities down first. The sales person will be able to discuss the differences between 2 or 3 machines and give you some advice on whether the machine really is suitable for you, even when shopping online don’t be afraid to email the retailer with your final selections and your expected usage and ask their advice.

Finally, shop around. Here are two places I find to be helpful and carry a good range of washing machines:
Direct Electricals
and
Home Product Shop

It wasn’t that long ago, sometime in the 1950’s, when dishwashing machines emerged as the dish cleaning staple in the kitchen of most homes. At the time, however, variety was limited and getting dishes clean was still a kink manufacturers had not quite worked out.

Fortunately, much has changed since then. If you’re out looking for a new machine you can choose from a high end model that fully integrates into your kitchen cabinetry and has whisper quiet operation so that you don’t hear it running; or choose an economical dishwasher, one without the bells and whistles, but that has the ability to clean very well.

Basically, there are several types of dishwashers; however we’ll stick with the most common type, the traditional 24” built-in model that fits beneath your counter. These models are broadly manufactured. In fact, appliance manufacturers such as: Miele, Bosch, Maytag, Whirlpool, Kitchennaid, Kenmore and Jenn-Air often make several lines or 24” dishwashers to choose from.

For example, Miele has Incognito, Touchtronic and Novotronic; KitchenAid has the I Series, P Series, S Series, U Series; and Bosch has the Integra and Evolution line.

While it is useful to know something about the various lines, it is not the only approach to selection. Instead, you can determine which features are most important to you: top rack adjusts for loading flexibility, stainless steel tub, delay start time option, half load option, and so on. Of course, if you like the manufacturer, knowing that Novotronic is Miele’s most affordable 24” machine, whereas Incognito is Miele’s top of the line, is helpful.

What’s remarkable about today’s dishwashers is that most perform very well at the job of cleaning. What you’re paying then, are for features and technology. Features that will cost you more: quiet running (and there are different levels of quiet!), adjustable racks, cycle options and integrated design.

To shop, consider your lifestyle and the features that you need. You can buy a dishwasher for as little as $300 or you can spend $1500; not much when you consider the cost of a kitchen remodel!

Keep in mind the dish cleaning space you need inside the dishwasher. Many machines offer a half load run cycle which can be extremely useful when you’ve got a smaller dirty-dish load.

Also, you will find plenty of space in many machines. Jenn-Air and Maytag offer a model with 3 racks. Keep in mind capacity. Some machines wash 10 place settings, others wash up to 14. And finally, having flexible dishwasher racks can be extremely useful, especially for dinner parties, where large size platters and dinnerware need space to get clean!

What Are The Reasons You Would Want To Buy A Compact Refrigerator?

You may need one to put in your new wet bar or den. You may have a son or daughter who is heading off on their own for the first time to a new apartment or to college. You may even want to put one in your office. Whatever the reason, you will want to do some shopping around before you make the purchase to make sure that you are getting the best compact refrigerator to meet your needs at the best price to fit your budget. Once you are armed with the information you can walk with confidence into any department store, home improvement store, or appliance store, or even to go online and buy a refrigerator.

Assess Your Finances

The first thing that you will need to do as with any big ticket purchase is to assess your financial situation. This will help you to determine not only the size, but also the brand and features of the compact refrigerator that you will choose. You may opt for a fridge that is bigger but does not have the brand-name recognition, or you can go with a smaller model that is a well-known reputable brand-name. This is where comparison shopping before you go to buy the compact refrigerator can help. A consumer website or magazine may have ratings that will help you to narrow down your choices even further.

Where Will You Put Your Purchase?

One key factor in choosing your refrigerator will be the location. Make sure that the fridge you are choosing will fit where you are going to put it. Take out a measuring tape before you even look at a compact refrigerator and measure for the height, width, and to make sure that the door can open easily. Do you want a fridge that will fit under your counter top (a built-in model) or do you want a compact refrigerator that will fit easily on top of the counter or concealed in the corner of the room or in a supply closet? Do you want shelves just in the fridge or do you need them in the door as well? How about a freezer compartment? Is that something that you will need in your compact refrigerator? All of these things have a bearing on the price of the fridge that you will want to buy. The more features it has, the higher the cost. You will also need to choose the manufacturer based on the products that they offer.

Capacity Requirements

The capacity of a compact refrigerator typically runs from 1.5 cubic feet to 5.5 cubic feet, give or take a little. If you are only using it for holding drinks in your den your needs will be different than if you were to use it as the sole refrigerator in a studio apartment. These measurements are as important as the ones you took for the location.

The Allure Of Extra Amenities

Your compact refrigerator could have an ice maker or an ice dispenser. If that is important to you, then you need to consider that and budget for it. Most have some type of removable shelving, but do you want it to be adjustable as well? Do you need shelving in the door? If it has a freezer compartment is it frost-free? You need to make sure that it has everything you need when you buy it, because it will be impossible to do it later without buying another fridge.

There are many manufacturers who offer compact-sized refrigerators and many of them are high-quality. A good refrigerator can give you many years of service without problems. Shop around and you probably won’t be disappointed.