Home Tips

While we all might have visions of our dream kitchen dancing in our head, or multiple images pinned to a Pinterest board—doing a full-scale renovation might not be in the budget at the moment. But that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing you can do. Here are a few easy ways to update your kitchen—no remodeling necessary.

Introduce Open Shelving

If you’ve got a massive blank wall to fill, you might want to consider adding some shelves. They’re a great way to show off your beautiful glassware, a collection of serveware, or gorgeous cookbooks—and they’ll give the room even more storage space. Add sculptural or minimal brackets for that extra touch of elegance.

Paint the Cabinets

Yes, painting your cabinets is quite a bit of work, but it’s incredibly affordable! It’s the cost of a can or two of paint (plus primer!) and some elbow grease if you’re doing it yourself. Whether you opt for a dramatic black or a soft dove gray, a couple coats of paint will completely transform the look of the entire space.

If you want to transform the entire look of your kitchen without starting from scratch, invest in a new backsplash. For a luxe
look, consider the Painted Marble series from Formica Corporation.
Install White Painted Marble or Black Painted Marble
throughout your kitchen, or even just behind the sink for an affordable statement backsplash.

Swap Out the Hardware

You won’t believe how quick and easy it is to give your old, outdated hardware a refresh. Warm up your finishes with a brass option in a sleek, modern shape. This will instantly make your kitchen look on-trend, but it won’t cost a fortune to achieve.

Add Under-Cabinet Lighting

Give this space some drama while showing off pretty display pieces. You can find a bunch of options, including LED battery-operated versions that just stick on. It’s a softer lighting option than overhead lighting—and it creates a warm ambience at night.

Paint the Walls

Maybe you love your cabinet color but the rest of the kitchen is feeling a little blah. Punch it up with a new color on the walls. Whether you opt for a bright white or a darker hue, just make sure to pick a color that complements your cabinets.

Rethink Your Cabinet Space

If the main reason you’re wishing for a reno is to gain more storage in your current space, reconsider the cabinets you currently have. Double your cabinet space by purchasing graduated shelving inserts, dividers, or a turntable. Just assess your storage needs before going nuts at The Container Store.

Cover Your Countertops

Unfortunately, we don’t all have the countertops of our dreams. A quick way to refresh is by covering a section of your counter with an oversized cutting board or a slab of marble. This idea works especially well if you’d like to camouflage a spot with damage until you’re ready to redo the countertop entirely.

Real Simple | By Caylin Harris Updated January 29, 2021

Filed under: Home Improvement, Home Tips by Olga Gilmore

Cold weather in Central Texas gives homeowners an unusual opportunity to use our fireplace. While a fireplace can be a treasured feature in many homes, they can also pose a potential hazard. Check out this Fireplace Safety Checklist for some handy tips!

General Fireplace Safety

• Don’t leave a fire unattended. Make sure that the fire is out before you leave your home or go to sleep.
• Clear away the Decorations, don’t have paper, plastic, fabric, or other flammable items near a lit fire.
• Keep children and pets away from burning fire or hot surfaces near the fireplace.
• Proper ventilation is a must! Make sure you know that the fireplace is properly ventilated and clear of debris and wildlife.
• Check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector and use the test button to make sure it is working properly.
• Don’t use chemicals or oils that leave residue to clean any part of the fireplace.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in a place that is easy to access quickly.
• Do not use your fireplace to burn paper, plastics, metals, or other substances can that release toxic fumes into your home.

Gas Fireplace Safety

Natural gas fireplaces are more energy efficient and considered safer than traditional wood burning fireplaces. However there are a few safety recommendations that should be observed with a gas fireplace specifically.

• Be able to recognize the smell of a gas leak*. Although natural gas is a colorless and odorless gas, sulfur gas is added to help you detect a “rotten egg” scent when there is a leak. *Gas leaks are rare in newer and well maintained fireplaces.
• Know where the emergency gas shut off is located in your home.
• Mind the pilot light. Turn off the gas to the pilot light in the months with warmer weather. Learn how to properly light the pilot light as the weather cools.
• If you smell gas in your home… turn off the gas and open the windows to allow fresh air to circulate throughout your home.

Wood Burning Fireplace Safety

Many older homes have traditional wood burning fireplaces.. Burning wood is a chemical reaction that produces heat and other by-products like ash, soot, creosote, and other potential airborne chemicals. It is important to know the extra fireplace safety measures required for a wood burning fireplace.

• Keep your fireplace clean, removing the ashes after every extinguished fire. This allows the fire to burn cleaner and reduces the particulate emissions in the air in your home.
• Mind the soot and creosote. Have the fireplace and chimney professionally cleaned annually to prevent chimney fires.
• Use clean-burning wood. Avoid woods from pine or evergreen trees that are not dried properly because they can release high amounts of creosote.
• Always open a window or the flue to prevent the house from becoming smokey, the chimney should pull the smoke up to properly ventilate your home.
• Use a dry kindling or organic fire starter. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or lighter fluid to light the fireplace.
• Remember that a slow burning fire is much safer than a big roaring fire.
• Store your wood properly to avoid moisture build-up that causes mold and fungus growth.

** In addition to these safety tips, please read the safety manual to your fireplace model.

We encourage you to talk to all children and family members in your home about fireplace safety. Fireplaces can bring warmth and set the stage for building memories in your home. Keeping fireplace safety in mind should be part of the fun.

Filed under: Home Tips by Olga Gilmore