Buying the Right Countertop

Image credit: Granite Countertops

Finding the right countertop can be easy. Below is some points to think about when deciding on what surface is right for you and your home within budget. 

Granite Countertops are crafted from beautiful, durable, natural stone. They’re extremely smooth, visually rich and dynamic, heat-resistant and can stand up to stains and bacteria when sealed properly. However, be cautious around stress points as the stone can split.

Quartz Countertops are created from another natural stone. They are the most durable that is resistant to heat, liquid, bacteria and stains but it is easier to maintain. Quartz countertops never have to be sealed. They are available in more consistent colors than Granite.

Solid Surface Countertops are made of an acrylic material for a visually seamless appearance.  There are a variety of colors and patterns. Solid surface countertops are low in maintenance and will resist liquid, stains, and bacteria as well. However they’re less heat resistant to Granite or Quartz.

Laminate Countertops are when sheeting is glued to particleboard or plywood. It’s affordable, durable and visually looks nice. Laminate comes in many colors and styles, and is easy to clean and maintain. Laminate is the least heat resistant out of the above materials. 

6 Kitchen Ideas on a Budget

Image credit: Formica

We have comprised a list of six budget friendly ideas to brighten up your kitchen.

1. Makeover your kitchen with paint. The walls, cabinets, and floors can all be painted to change the look and feeling of your kitchen.
2. Reface kitchen cabinet doors. The cabinets can be painted or you can resurface them to give texture or replace with glass.
3. Update countertops. A low-cost alternative is laminate. Wilsonart and Formica brand laminate can give the same look of granite or marble at a lower cost. It’s available in a wide variety of colors, textures, and patterns. Ceramic tile is another affordable option for countertops, with a range of colors and finishes available. 
4. Replacing cabinet hardware. A simple change in handles can give it a new look. Some knobs and handles can be very pricy keep in mind your budget.
5. Replacing cabinets with open shelving. If you like the open look, you can remove your cabinet doors and create an open shelving look.
6. Refresh the flooring. Replacing your floor all together is one alternative. However, if you have wood floors consider painting or resurfacing. Vinyl tile is another flooring alternative

Appliances to Fit Every Budget

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Luxury Appliances

(more than $2,000)

Priced at $10,499

Viking professional 7 Series Gas Range is from the Viking Professional product line. This product is perfect for the chef in your family. It’s used to create a restaurant quality range that delivers power and precision to your home. 

Kenmore French door bottom-freezer stainless steel refrigerator has lots of storage. It offers a unique and innovative design with the easy access, tilt drawers, specialty lights and sliding shelves.  Not to mention it's Energy Efficient!

Priced at $8,599

Priced at $4599.99

This Professional full-height 30” wine cellar provides horizontal storage for up to 150 bottles. Three separate temperature zones are available with a special temperature controlling storage system. Full-width shelves pull out for easy access for all different size bottles.  

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Moderate Appliances

($1,000 to $2,000)

Priced at $1,399

According to Bosch.com their compact washing machine can wash 5 men’s dress shirts in just 15 minutes and their compact dryers can dry 5 men’s dress shirts in 15 minutes! Bosch offers the fastest washing and drying cycles on the market.

Kenmore French door bottom-freezer refrigerator has a lot of storage available for all your necessities. There are adjustable shelves, humidity controlled crisper drawers, multiple size drawers and a pull out freezer. This is an energy efficient product as well. 

Priced at $1,879.99

Priced at $1,449

KitchenAid 5 element electric cooktop is designed to provide heat evenly. With a sleek design, it will easily fit with in anyone’s kitchen design. 

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Budget Appliances

(Less than $1,000)

Bosch pocket handle dishwasher offers three areas for loading dishes with the possibility of different rack positions. With a sleek stainless steel design, it can fit into any kitchen design and budget. Bosch dishwashers are known for their quietness.

Priced at $899

Priced at $899.99

Kenmore front-loading washer and dryer are energy efficient products. They offer multiple cycle options, different speeds and temperatures to accommodate any wash load. Not to mention they are extremely quite.

Bosch ventilation for under a cabinet has a professional design and stainless steel finish. It has easy to use controls and the mesh filters are dishwasher safe.

Priced at $949

Tips on the Best Practices to Reduce the Amount of Energy Your Refrigerator Uses

Image Credit: Whirlpool

According to EnergyStar these five tips will help to reduce the amount of energy your refrigerator uses:

1. set the appropriate temperature. keep your refrigerator at 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. place your fridge in a cool place. position your refrigerator away from a heat source such as an oven, a dishwasher, or direct sunlight from a window.
3. allow air circulation behind the fridge. leave a few inches between the wall and the refrigerator, and keep the condenser coils  clean if you ave an older model. read the users manual to learn how to safely clean coils. coil cleaning brushes can be purchased at most hardware stores.
4. check the door seals. make sure the refrigerator seals around the door are airtight. if not, replace them.
5. keep the door closed. minimize the amount of time the refrigerator door is open

Benefits of Remodeling an Old Kitchen

The greatest benefit to having your kitchen remodeled is the increase in your home's value. Most of the time remodeling projects will increase your home's value, however, it depends on the quality of the remodeling done. If poor quality work was completed then it may lead to future problems, which in turn will lead to spending money to repair. Also take into consideration what other neighbors in your area are doing. If they are not upgrading or remodeling, then your home value may not increase to its highest potential. 

After Remodel

Another benefit of remodeling is now you have control to design your dream kitchen. Of course the possibilities depend on your budget and the space available. You may be able to de-clutter and create more of an open floor plan, which can make a room feel bigger and more spacious than it once was. A kitchen remodel is a great place to start before remodeling other areas of your home. 

Here are the top three benefits of remodeling your old kitchen:

1. Increases home value
2. It's a brand new kitchen!
3. Designing your new kitchen

Before Remodel