(ARA) – There’s nothing quite like the look of a new counter-top to give DIY kitchens style and personality. Perhaps that’s why countertop replacement ranked second only to cabinet replacement when homeowners considered a kitchen renovation project.

Unfortunately, with counter-top prices at $10 to $30 per square foot for laminate and up to $200 per square foot for high-end granite, counter-top replacement can be a real budget buster. But what if you could transform your outdated laminate counter-top without the time, mess or expense associated with replacing it? Now, it’s easy thanks to innovative, do-it-yourself coating systems like Modern Masters Countertop Transformations.

“Homeowners today are looking for counter-top materials that are durable and functional, yet appeal to their sense of style. Since the kitchen occupies a highly visible space in most homes, some homeowners would rather delay replacement than settle for anything less,” says brand manager Ashley Lehrmann. “Fortunately, now there’s an affordable alternative that gives old laminate counter-tops a premium designer finish without the expense or mess associated with replacement.”

Countertop Transformations replicates the look of today’s most sought after counter-top materials – like natural stone – and gives old laminate counter-tops a durable finish in less than a weekend – for less than $275. And, the system is so easy to use that anyone who can paint can get beautiful DIY kitchen results in three simple steps. Read the rest of this entry

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(ARA) – We turn to technology to make many aspects of our lives easier – from traveling with a GPS to staying connected with loved ones via social networking Web sites. It’s no surprise, then, that DIY kitchens, the most-used room in the home, are becoming increasingly high tech.

A study commissioned by a leading kitchen appliance manufacturer showed that a third of respondents spend three to four hours in the kitchen each day, and 20 percent spend five or more hours. The survey also showed that Americans are embracing technologies in this room, with nearly half of the respondents reporting they want a state-of-the-art kitchen.

Responding to the demand for technology, manufacturers are offering new gadgets and products designed to make kitchen tasks easier, faster and more energy-efficient:

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(ARA) – Painting is one of the fastest and most affordable ways for diy kitchens. A fresh coat of paint can give new life to a dull kitchen, or a completely different color can add personality and pizzazz throughout your kitchen space. To ensure a professional-quality job, take the appropriate preparation steps.

“To achieve great painting results that last a long time, it’s crucial to prep the surface thoroughly and get the right tools,” says Anne Horst, customer service manager at Wooster Brush, a company dedicated to producing quality painting products. “Surface preparation is key for getting expert-looking results.”

Preparing the surface is the most important part of any kitchen painting project. If the paint doesn’t have a smooth, clean surface to adhere to, the result will be a poor-quality job that doesn’t last very long. “You should spend at least as much time on surface prep as you will be painting,” advises Horst.

Follow these seven steps to ensure a professional-level prep job and beautiful painting results: Read the rest of this entry

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(ARA) – A disorganized home wastes time, and time is money. It can be frustrating if you’re constantly misplacing items, throwing out spoiled food that went missing in the kitchen and paying surcharges for unpaid bills that got lost in the shuffle.  But it’s easy to put a little happiness back into your life if you just get organized. Here are some tips for getting your diy kitchen – and your life – back in order.

Get organized

Tackle one room at a time to get a sense of accomplishment right away. The kitchen is a logical place to start since it’s typically the landing place for all things that get dropped while passing through, from cell phones to car keys to school notes. Get rid of visible countertop clutter. Throw out what you don’t need and corral small items in great-looking woven baskets or pottery bowls.

Next, de-clutter behind the scenes in the drawers and cupboards.  A few well-chosen cabinet accessories can help you here. A wood cutlery divider added to a crowded utensil drawer will keep your flatware in place, and give you a fighting chance at locating the pie server or pizza cutter. One option is Diamond Cabinet’s easy-access, Wood Tiered Cutlery Divider, which has a top tier that slides back so you can organize more items.  And, if you can’t open a lower cabinet without a pile of pots and pans clattering to the floor, find your headache prevention in the Utility Storage Cabinet With Pot & Pan Pull-Out, featuring both a pot and pan rack and pantry pull-out within one cabinet. Read the rest of this entry

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You can have that classic antique look without going to a great expense if your thinking of a DIY kitchen renovation. Many people believe that you need new cabinets to get that old time charm. This is simply not the case. With some paint, sandpaper and an antique glaze, you can easily create the same look for your kitchen cabinets.

Your local home improvement store carries a vast array of different glazes to assist you with you antique endeavor. An acyclic water based glaze is the easiest to work with as you can use a wet cloth to wipe off any areas that you mess up. Glazing is a pretty easy process, but you want to be careful how you apply the glaze.

Follow along as we explain how to achieve the look in the picture to the right. Read the rest of this entry

Technorati Tags: DIY Kitchen Renovation, DIY Kitchens, Kitchen Cabinets Design, Kitchen Renovation