The Cost of a Kitchen Make-Over; Priceless!!

The Cost of a Kitchen Make-Over; Priceless!

Dear Friends:

This week's Zone is the kitchen, what we here at FlyLady call the Heart of our Home. This is the room that so much unspoken love and nurturing comes from and gives so much.

I have heard from several members that have said that they don't like their kitchens very much and that it is hard to give love and feel love from a part of their homes that they just don't like. Add to that feeling a lack of additional funds to "re-do" their kitchens, they are sad and frustrated. I am sure that they are not alone. I have moved a lot in my life and with my husband we have moved 8 times in 16 and 1/2 years and these moves have included apartments and rental homes that we did not own so we were limited in what we could do with those homes. In most of the lease agreements we were not allowed to paint the walls and of course we had no choice in counter tops, types of appliances and sinks. We had what was there and had to figure out a way make it ours. If you find yourself not liking your kitchen because it is not what you chose it to be or do not have the money to make it what you think it should be, I have a few things that you can try that have really helped me always have a kitchen that was loving and comforting even if it wasn't a kitchen that would make the pages of Architectural Digest!

1. Go and stand in the kitchen and really take a look at what you have in there. Look at the walls and the top of the refrigerator. Look at the counters and stove. Look at the kitchen table. When we look at these areas we have a tendency to not see the things that are really cluttering up the spaces. Next to the sink we have dish detergents, soap containers, hand lotions, etc. Because we think of them as tools we keep them there, but it contributes to the overall feel of the kitchen seeming too cluttered. The top of the refrigerator is a real spot that we seem to take for granted, that since it is tall we can toss things up there and if it looks kitchen related it is ok. The cereal boxes, pitchers, appliances etc. For some odd reason we always seem to want to fill up a space because we think it has to be that way. I was able to stop cluttering up the top of my fridge by placing a large pasta bowl that I use at least once a week and then a large container of Olive oil that I also use frequently. The overall theme of decorating that I have chosen for my kitchen is Italian and the pasta bowl and olive oil fit that theme and they are things that I use all the time. By having these items up there I can't stash anything else because things would fall on my head! LOL! The counter tops seem to multiply items faster than you can put them away! Look and see the vitamins, medicines, napkin holders, spices etc that we think NEED to be there, this does not even include the mixers, fryers and bread machines that we do not use enough to warrant keeping them taking up valuable space. Reassess the counter tops and see if there are not some things that you can relocate or get rid of . When you free up space on the counter tops it gives the kitchen such an open feel. Look at the walls and the decorations that you have placed there, these are items seem to be contagious and we are always adding more. Whether it is bunnies, cows, apples or even Italian we can get carried away and put up way too much when LESS IS MORE!! See if there are some things that you can let go of to add to the more open and less cluttered feel of your kitchen.

2. The front of the refrigerator! This required a separate section all on its own. While it is nice to display children's artwork we tend to keep piling on and soon it is completely covered and after a while we don't even see it. Then add the appointment cards, reminder notices and the multiple magnets. Oh the magnets!! For some odd reason when we receive magnets in the mail from our local businesses we seem to think that we have to keep them and then there are the magnets that people give to us as souvenirs from the places that they have been to! Ay yi yi! LOL! Again we feel obligated to put those on the fridge as well. I challenge you to remove everything from the outside surfaces of your refrigerators and leave it that way for a day. See if you don't agree that the kitchen just takes on a whole new feel. Use a trash bag to get rid of the things that you don't need and find a new home for the artwork.

3. The sink area - take a look at your dish drainers and sink "accessories". Sometimes we feel the need to overdo this area. We have cute things that hold our sponges or soaps. We have too many sponges or dish rags. We get wrapped up in the maintenance of keeping the dishes taken care of and the sink shining that we think we need to have these extras. See what you can get rid of and relocate to the cabinet under the sink. If you like or need to keep your dish drainer/rack on the counter or in the sink take a look and see if maybe you need a new one. These are very inexpensive and maybe a new fresh color will make a difference.

4. The stove area - take a look and see if you have stockpiles this area with spices, utensils and cute things. Does your tea kettle need a little shining? See what you can relocate or get rid of. Again this goes back to that whole feel of open space.

5. Once you have done what you can do with the surface areas, you can set your timer for 15 minutes and wipe down the counter tops, the stove, the refrigerator and shine your sink. Step back and take a look at what you have done and reassess your kitchen. I bet it feels better already.

6. The floor - do you have cute rugs or mats that maybe have seen better days but yet you leave them because you are used to them? Either wash them or toss them. Set a time when you can really clean the kitchen floor, not a maintenance mop but a detailed cleaning. Get up against the baseboards and the corners. Do not kill yourself with this but take your time and shine it up! Once again the kitchen will feel more open and friendly.

7. Whew! Now I hope you have realized that these are things that should be done in baby steps! Set your timer and do things one a time! Even if you hate your cabinets or counter tops they are worth cleaning and shining because you and your family are worth having the heart of your kitchen shine! A cloth and some windex or polish will take care of this. Take care to use products that are safe for your cabinets and counters.

8. The Walls - Sometimes our walls are just in need of cleaning. Now to some of you this may sound silly but if you have vinyl wall paper or wall paint that you can wash, then get a white cloth and a mild cleaner and wipe them down. You may need to have some help with this but it is worth doing. Make sure you test wipe in a small inconspicuous area to make sure that your walls are washable. If you really feel that it is necessary than look in to painting the walls. Figure out the square footage of the kitchen and cost out what the paint and rollers will cost. Maybe you can make this a priority even if you have to use white it will brighten up the room. Don't forget to wipe down the areas above the counter tops and below the cabinets. The back splash area always gets messy and we don't realize it.

9. The kitchen table - are your place mats or tablecloths in desperate need of washing then go for it! Set a time to take care of these. If you need new ones then check your linen closet for some that you have been saving or forgotten about! If not then check your local discount stores and see if you can find some inexpensive replacements. You do not have to break the bank for something clean and pretty. Wipe down and polish your kitchen chairs and table. It always amazes me how much stuff gets in the rungs of chairs and the edges of the table. Once again we get so used to the way things are that we don't even see things anymore. Check what you have on the table top. Do you have too many condiments and napkin holders? Plants, mail and newspapers? Clear those off and let your eating area SHINE!

10. The windows - if you have a window or windows in your kitchen, take a look at the sills and the glass. Shine those babies up! Look at the curtains or blinds. Do they need to be washed. I washed my kitchen curtains recently that I thought I hated but once I washed, ironed, tightened up the rod, replaced the hooks and re- hung them I was amazed at how pretty they were. If you have mini blinds that are beyond dusting you can try cleaning them. In the past I have taken them down and put them in the bathtub with some general purpose cleaner and hot water, let them soak and then use the shower to rinse them. Left them there to dry and then re-hung them. Amazing what a difference this makes.

11. Now you know there had to be 11 things to do as this is FlyLady's favorite number. Treat yourself to a small bouquet of flowers for your kitchen. Place them on your table or window sill and sit down and enjoy!!

These are all things that will take time but not a lot of money! The cost of a shiny and fresh spacious kitchen? Priceless!! Some times just some baby steps, elbow grease, trash bags, and moving a few things will make a huge difference. You do not have to fill all the empty spaces with stuff remember Less is More in 2004!

You can set your timer and bless the heart of your home with a positive outlook and love! Have fun and remember to take babysteps - do not do this all at once!!

Love to you all!
Kelly

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