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Remodeling a kitchen
takes
a
serious
investment
-
in
time
as
well
as
money.
There
are
a
number
of
small
improvements,
however,
that
can
make
a
big
difference
without
breaking
the
bank.
Labor
is
a
major
component
of
renovation
costs,
so
one
way
to
save
some
money
is
to
choose
projects
that
you
can
complete
yourself
(or
partially
by
yourself).
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Paint
the
Cabinets
Older
kitchens
often
have
dark
and
dated
looking
cabinets.
A
quick
paint
job
can
really
brighten
things
up
and
have
a
dramatic
impact
on
the
room.
Cabinets
can
be
painted
any
color
-
white
is
a
popular
choice
-
or
you
can
try
out
a
special
painting
technique.
You'll
probably
want
to
replace
the
hardware
as
well.
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Replace
the
Countertop
Installing
a
new
countertop
can
make
a
big
difference,
especially
if
the
old
one
is
dated
or
worn.
There
are
many
choices
in
today's
market,
including
laminates
(e.g.
Formica),
ceramic
tile,
solid
surface
materials
(e.g.
Corian),
granite,
and
marble.
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Other Options
There
are
a
lot
of
other
things
you
can
do
-
all
for
a
far
lower
cost
than
a
serious
kitchen
remodel.
·
Repaint
è
Replace
wallpaper
è
Refinish
wood
floors
è
Replace
tile
or
linoleum
floors
è
Replace
stained
or
discolored
sinks
or
faucets
è
Replace lighting fixtures
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Depending upon your
skill
level
you
may
be
able
to
handle
some
of
these
yourself;
others
are
probably
best
handled
by
professionals. |