09.02.2021 / Homeowners

3-Hour Renovation Can Make a Big Difference in Any Kitchen

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A kitchen renovation ranks as the most popular home improvement project Canadians hope to take on—and it’s also the most expensive. The average kitchen redo runs about $25,000 (or $150 per square foot) according to Home Advisor. Knockdown a few walls to enlarge the footprint and factor in luxuries like custom cabinetry, high-end appliances, and stone countertops and the job could cost upwards of twice as much. Just the thought of the time and money involved is enough to make many homeowners put the project on the back burner.

But not all renovations require tens of thousands of dollars and months of messy construction. In fact, interior designers know that one of the simplest, smartest ways to upgrade the kitchen is to replace the faucets and fixtures—the pieces that the pros call the “jewelry” of the room. Just as a little black dress or your favourite jeans-and-tee combo can be gussied up with the right accessories, a faucet and fixture refresh can add texture, dimension, personality, and shine to a kitchen, and increase its functionality too.

Homeowners can pull together these high-impact changes in a matter of hours, and they’re also typically DIY-friendly.

Use Accents to Inject the Top Trends 

Sinks and faucets are fundamental in the kitchen, but when you consider their sculptural, stylish nature, you realize that they’re works of art as well. As such, these components go a long way toward expressing your style, whether it’s cool and modern, warm and welcoming, or anything in between. To help you decide what to incorporate into your kitchen transformation, here’s a rundown of what’s trending in faucets, fixtures, and finishes.

Mixed Metals

Eclectic is a big design buzzword for 2020 and beyond, and mixing metals is a great way to nail this trend in the kitchen. These days it’s passé to match metal fixtures to the appliances and cabinet hardware, so you’re free to combine your favourites however you fancy—a brass faucet and nickel drawer pulls, for instance.

Creative Contrasts

Pale and dark tones together make a striking statement in the kitchen, and black is especially on-trend now, with the growing popularity of black stainless steel appliances.

That Vintage Vibe

While modern design still has a place in American kitchens, designers are touting vintage-inspired styles now, particularly for clients who are inclined toward country chic. 

A Warming Trend

The kitchen is truly the heart of the home, so it’s about time that softer, warmer colours and finishes have arrived to make it as inviting as possible. Replace bright and shiny finishes—which tend to read as cold—with rose gold, gunmetal gray, and brushed brass. These softer hues give even minimalist fixtures and faucets a gentler touch. 

Select Small Fixtures That Work Harder

Renovations are about more than just good looks, of course; advanced functionality is key to a kitchen that’s a pleasure to cook, dine, and entertain in. Fortunately, faucets are keeping pace with technology, bringing innovation to the way we use water. For the greatest ease of use, look for touch, hands-free activation. Other worthwhile features include smart spray patterns, faucets that swivel 360 degrees for convenience, and magnetic docking that ensures stability. Delta, for example, developed ShieldSpray Technology, which delivers a concentrated jet spray to power away stubborn messes while containing splatter, all of which means you’ll spend less time soaking and scrubbing and more time enjoying friends and family.  

Don’t Be Intimidated by Installation

Are you ready to tackle a quick kitchen makeover without calling a plumber? Installing a new faucet is a fairly simple job, even for beginners. All it takes is a few basic tools and supplies, including Teflon tape, plumber’s putty, and a wrench, preferably a basin wrench. First, shut off the water supply to the faucet. Then, as most faucets attach to the sink with a single plastic nut, you’ll need to take that off to remove the old faucet. To install the new one, you’ll first create a seal between the faucet and the sink with a rubber or plastic gasket. 

If you’re feeling even more ambitious, why not replace the sink? A handy homeowner with a helper nearby can install a kitchen sink in a few hours. Make sure your new sink is the same size as the one you’re replacing so it will fit in the countertop opening. After removing the existing sink, clean the new one thoroughly and attach the faucet. In only a few hours and with just one or two carefully chosen upgrades, you’ll have amped up your kitchen’s beauty and functionality, and you’ll have the pride of knowing you did it yourself.

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