Homeowners often think of remodeling a kitchen as an expensive, high-cost project. It certainly can be. However, a few small changes can make a big difference. Here are some affordable suggestions from our real estate agents. 

• Paint Your Cabinets
  A coat of paint can give your cabinets a whole new look! It's usually easiest to remove the doors before painting them. Use a degreasing agent to remove any residue, and then apply a coat of primer. This will ensure your new paint color sticks to the existing cabinet paint, which tends to have a glossy texture. 
  
  You can paint over stained cabinet doors. However, you should roughly sand them first. This will remove most of the stain and give you more even results.
  
  
• Declutter and Organize
  This one doesn't require any tools. Empty everything out of your cabinets. Then, get rid of expired items, tools you no longer use, and duplicate items. Donate items that are in good condition to a local charity or thrift shop.
  
  Once you're rid of the clutter, put everything back in your cabinets, but in a more organized way. Use drawer dividers for silverware and utensils. Consider putting a spice rack in one of your cupboards, too. Generally, you want to put the items you use less often on higher shelves and those you use more often on lower shelves.
  
  
• Update Your Lighting
  A new light fixture can give your kitchen a whole new look. If you currently have a simple overhead light, try swapping it out for a chandelier. Or, if you have a more traditional chandelier, swap it out for a modern fixture.
  
  You may also want to add some under-cabinet lighting to illuminate your work surface. If you don't want to run wires or call an electrician, battery-powered tap lights are a good alternative. Stick a couple to the underside of your cabinets. You can turn them on when you're prepping food or when you want a glowing ambiance. 
  
  
• Replace Your Faucet
  Is your kitchen faucet spotty, covered in mineral deposits, or simply outdated in style? Replacing a faucet is not very hard as long as you buy a faucet with the same setup as your existing one. For instance, if you have a three-hole faucet, replace it with another three-hole faucet.
  
  You'll need to turn off the water valves, undo a few bolts and fasteners, and then put your new faucet into place. Most faucets come with installation instructions that are fairly easy to follow.
  
  
• Deep Clean
  Maybe all your kitchen really needs is a deep clean. Take a scrub brush to the corners of your floor. Empty the cabinets, and wipe off all of your shelves. Empty out the fridge, and give it a good wipe-down.
  
  You can combine deep cleaning with a thorough decluttering and re-organization project. It's pretty easy to clean out your cabinets and fridge when they are already empty for re-organization. Just make sure you let everything dry before putting items back inside. You don't want mold growth from the moisture.

You don't have to spend a fortune to give your kitchen a fresh, new look. Instead, rely on the strategies above. Feel free to contact us if you're still looking in Albany or Corvallis for a new home with the perfect kitchen for you. We're happy to assist in your home search!