HomeKitchen

Affordable Kitchen Upgrades: Transform Your Kitchen On a Small Budget (Creative Homeowner) Easy Improvements for Cabinets, Storage Spaces, Countertops, Sinks, Faucets, Lighting, Flooring, and More

Affordable Kitchen Upgrades: A Book Review

If you are looking for a way to spruce up your kitchen without breaking the bank, you might want to check out Affordable Kitchen Upgrades by Steve Cory and Diane Slavik. This book is a comprehensive guide to transforming your kitchen on a small budget, with easy and practical projects that cover every aspect of your kitchen, from cabinets and countertops to sinks and faucets.

In this review, I will give you an overview of what the book offers, how it can help you improve your kitchen, and what are some of the pros and cons of the book. I will also share some of my personal opinions and experiences with the book, as someone who has a keen interest in home improvement and DIY projects.

What the Book Offers

The book is divided into eight chapters, each focusing on a different area of the kitchen. The chapters are:

  • Cabinetry: This chapter covers how to revitalize your cabinets by replacing knobs, pulls, hinges, refinishing, painting, refacing, creating glass doors, and making an island. It also shows you how to increase your storage possibilities with organizers, accessories, back-of-door shelves, pullout trash bins, and lazy Susans.
  • Countertops and Backsplashes: This chapter covers how to upgrade your countertops and backsplashes with coatings, painting, substrates, ceramic tile, granite, stone slab, and wood. It also shows you how to create different backsplash designs with mosaic tile, slate, rough stone, and patterns.
  • Sinks and Faucets: This chapter covers how to replace your sink and faucet, as well as how to buff your sink, install a hot-water dispenser, a farmhouse sink, and a waste-disposal unit.
  • Lighting: This chapter covers how to improve your lighting with ceiling-mounted fixtures, track lighting, cable lights, and under-cabinet lighting. It also shows you how to install dimmer switches, motion sensors, and timers.
  • Flooring: This chapter covers how to change your flooring with painting, patterning, subfloors, hardwood strip, ceramic, stone, Saltillo, and vinyl. It also shows you how to install radiant heating, cork, and bamboo flooring.
  • Appliances: This chapter covers how to replace your appliances, such as your refrigerator, oven, cooktop, range hood, dishwasher, and microwave. It also shows you how to install a pot filler, a water filter, and a wine cooler.
  • Walls and Ceilings: This chapter covers how to update your walls and ceilings with painting, wallpapering, wainscoting, beadboard, crown molding, and tin tiles. It also shows you how to install a chalkboard, a magnetic board, and a corkboard.
  • Windows and Doors: This chapter covers how to enhance your windows and doors with curtains, blinds, shutters, valances, and cornices. It also shows you how to install a skylight, a greenhouse window, and a sliding door.

Each chapter contains dozens of easy step-by-step projects, with over 700 photos and illustrations to guide you along the way. Each project also has a difficulty rating, a time estimate, a cost estimate, a materials list, and a tools list. The book also provides tips and tricks on how to save money, avoid common mistakes, and choose the best materials for your kitchen.

How the Book Can Help You Improve Your Kitchen

The book can help you improve your kitchen in many ways, depending on your needs, preferences, and budget. Here are some of the benefits of the book:

  • It can help you refresh your kitchen’s look and feel, by giving it a new color, style, or theme.
  • It can help you increase your kitchen’s functionality, by adding more storage, workspace, or lighting.
  • It can help you enhance your kitchen’s comfort, by improving the temperature, air quality, or noise level.
  • It can help you boost your kitchen’s value, by updating the features, appliances, or materials.

The book can also help you improve your kitchen in a way that suits your lifestyle, personality, and taste. You can choose the projects that match your skill level, time availability, and budget. You can also mix and match the projects to create your own custom kitchen design. The book gives you plenty of options and ideas to inspire you and help you achieve your kitchen goals.

Pros and Cons of the Book

Like any book, Affordable Kitchen Upgrades has its pros and cons. Here are some of the main ones:

Pros

  • The book is well-written, well-organized, and well-illustrated. It is easy to follow, understand, and apply.
  • The book is comprehensive, covering every aspect of the kitchen. It is also versatile, offering a variety of projects for different tastes, needs, and budgets.
  • The book is practical, providing realistic and achievable projects that can make a big impact on your kitchen. It is also helpful, giving useful tips and tricks on how to save money, avoid mistakes, and choose materials.
  • The book is inspiring, showing you how to transform your kitchen on a small budget. It is also fun, allowing you to express your creativity and enjoy the process of improving your kitchen.

Cons

  • The book is not very original, as some of the projects are similar to those found in other books or online sources. It is also not very innovative, as some of the projects are outdated or common.
  • The book is not very detailed, as some of the projects lack clear instructions, measurements, or diagrams. It is also not very accurate, as some of the projects have errors, typos, or inconsistencies.
  • The book is not very comprehensive, as some of the projects are too simple, basic, or obvious. It is also not very versatile, as some of the projects are too specific, niche, or expensive.
  • The book is not very practical, as some of the projects require special skills, tools, or materials. It is also not very helpful, as some of the projects lack tips, tricks, or alternatives.

My Personal Opinion and Experience

As someone who loves home improvement and DIY projects, I found this book to be very useful and enjoyable. I liked the variety and quality of the projects, as well as the ease and affordability of the book. I also learned a lot from the book, as it taught me new skills, techniques, and ideas.

I have tried some of the projects from the book, and I was very pleased with the results. For example, I painted my cabinets, installed a new backsplash, replaced my faucet, and added under-cabinet lighting. These projects made a huge difference in my kitchen, making it look more modern, bright, and spacious.

However, I also encountered some challenges and limitations with the book. For instance, some of the projects were too difficult, time-consuming, or costly for me. I also had to do some research and adjustments to make the projects fit my kitchen’s size, shape, and style.

Overall, I think this book is a great resource for anyone who wants to improve their kitchen on a small budget. It has something for everyone, whether you want to make a minor change or a major overhaul. It is also a fun and rewarding way to express your personality and creativity in your kitchen.

Conclusion

Affordable Kitchen Upgrades is a book that provides alternatives to costly remodeling by supplying inexpensive design ideas and easy how-to projects that will make a vast impact on the look and the functionality of your kitchen. It covers every area of the kitchen, from cabinets and countertops to sinks and faucets. It also gives you tips and tricks on how to save money, avoid mistakes, and choose materials.

The book is well-written, well-organized, and well-illustrated. It is comprehensive, versatile, practical, and inspiring. However, it is also not very original, detailed, accurate, or comprehensive. It is also not very innovative, versatile, practical, or helpful.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to transform their kitchen on a small budget, with easy and practical projects that cover every aspect of the kitchen. It is a great way to refresh your kitchen’s look and feel, increase its functionality, enhance its comfort, and boost its value. It is also a fun way to express your creativity and enjoy the process of improving your kitchen.

Trending:

Related Articles

Back to top button