Getting The Best Results With Do It Yourself Kitchens

Picture
A do it yourself kitchen can be the best solution for renovating an old, worn out kitchen – especially if you are on a limited budget. The useful tips in this article should help you to obtain the best possible results out of a do it yourself kitchen project. Minimal renovations such as repainting existing kitchen cabinetry can go a long way to refreshing your kitchen, and these you can easily do yourself. Other changes you may want to incorporate (installing additional cabinets, sinks, light fixtures or changing cooker positions) may require hiring professionals who are knowledgeable about electrical regulations for kitchens and plumbing and gas installations.

Before you start working on your cabinetry, always use a protective covering to avoid damaging your kitchen floor. Masonite sheets are an excellent option. To make sure the sheets stay put, remember to tape them together before you lay them down on the floor.

If your plans include replacing existing kitchen floors, check to see what is beneath the present flooring. In some cases, you’ll find wonderful hardwood floors beneath a tiled floor. You can choose from literally hundreds of kitchen flooring colors and materials. Non-slip, durable tiles are very popular for kitchen floors because they are easy to keep clean.  Using rugs and mats in kitchens is not recommended since they tend to cause to slip, and they are difficult to clean. If you need additional countertops - and your kitchen is spacious enough - consider adding a kitchen island.

Lighting makes an enormous difference in how a kitchen looks and functions. If your kitchen is only equipped with a main ceiling light, you should definitely add additional lights in well-chosen locations. Sconce lights installed above the sink add an elegant touch. Light up the shadowy spaces on worktops by installing slim light fixtures beneath the upper cabinets. This type of lighting is hardwired, so a junction box needs to be installed inside the cabinet. Drill a hole through the cabinet for the light plug and the electric wires leading from the switch to the cabinet. For safety purposes, cover all the wires in your kitchen using special covers made for this purpose. Rope lighting (to illuminate the interior of kitchen cabinets) and pendant lights are easier to install and very useful.

Whatever lighting system you decide to use, make sure to abide by the electrical regulations for kitchens in your area. If you are not a qualified electrician yourself, hire one to install the lighting. Use the Yellow Pages to locate qualified electricians who are licensed to practice in locality. Hiring professional help will cost you more, but it guarantees that you and your family (as well as your new kitchen) will be safe from fires and other accidents.

Safety is a major consideration in any do it yourself kitchen project. In addition to lighting installations, the correct positioning of cookers and refrigerators is very important. Improper placement of these appliances is a major cause of kitchen fires, and it’s very important to be aware of and to respect all gas and electrical regulations for kitchens. To protect your refrigerator, don’t position it too close to a source of heat, which will eventually affect the motor. Try not to put your stove directly beneath a window since you may lean over it to look out – and burn yourself. By following the simple advice above, you can use a do it yourself kitchen to create the kitchen of your dreams.