Woodcraft Offers Tips for Kitchen Update That Requires No Major “Discards”

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Save countertop space with an undermount knife block like this one built by Woodcraft product development manager Ben Bice. (Photo by Jim Osborn, Osborn Photographic, Williamstown, WV.)

It’s amazing the difference you can make with just a few functional and decorative changes to your home’s kitchen area.

Parkersburg, WV (PRWEB) August 22, 2014

A lot goes on in the kitchen: preparing food, sharing meals, helping children with homework, baking for holidays – and much more. If your kitchen could use an update to become an easier-to-use, more pleasant room, Woodcraft has some ideas and products to help you get started and avoid major expense of time and money.

“It’s amazing the difference you can make with just a few functional and decorative changes to your home’s kitchen area. Most of these projects can be completed in a weekend. If you live close to a Woodcraft store, the staff will be happy to help you match products to any home improvement job you plan to do – and offer knowledgeable how-to advice for using the products,” Darin Lawrence, Woodcraft director of product development, said. “For more project ideas, check out Woodcraft on Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/woodcraftsupply. Woodcraft also offers how-to video, articles and instructions at http://www.woodcraft.com/search2/learn.aspx.”

Cabinets
Give your kitchen cabinets a “like new” look by changing the color and hardware. Since the current trend is for darker cabinets, select an easy-to-use dark General Finishes Gel Stain, such as the popular java or antique walnut. If you choose to remove some doors for an open-shelf look, consider using a General Finishes Milk Paint shade for the interior to complement the exterior color.

For easier door opening and closing, choose a Salice Hinge in the darker titanium finish that will complement the darker cabinets. Add Hickory Hardware Door Knobs or Pulls that come in several styles and finishes. For kitchen drawers, upgrade the slides, changing from side mounts to undermount slides with Blum Tandem Plus Blumotion Concealed Drawer Runners.

Reface the face frames and cabinet ends with Sauers & Co. Wood Veneer backed with 3M Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) that is pre-sanded and ready to finish to match the cabinet doors. To add or replace decorative molding for your cabinets and/or walls, cut perfectly mitered corner joints with the EZ Pro Crown King Crown Molding Jig. The handy SharkGrip 8" Bar/Nail Puller can pry in a tight spot with little damage to molding and has curved blade that lifts molding easily. To help with molding installation, use the 3rd Hand’s articulating foot to support crown molding at an angle.

Say goodbye to constant searches for items in cabinets with a DIY 22"-24" Pullout Shelf Kit. The shelves are easy to measure, cut, assemble and install. Or custom build your own pullout shelves using the Pre-cut Prefinished Drawer Side and Drawer Bottom material with the easy-to-use KREG Micro Pocket Drill Guide.

Countertops
For cluttered countertops that are home to too many small appliances and other items, consider storing ones used only occasionally elsewhere, perhaps in cabinets.

To protect your valuable kitchen knives and save counter space, follow Woodcraft product development manager Ben Bice’s example and build a knife block to mount underneath the kitchen cabinet. Bice designed the block to hold his high quality ZHEN knives. See “Woodcraft Magazine” Issue 60 (Aug/Sept 14) for Bice’s step-by-step directions to make your own knife block – and knives, if you are interested.

Furniture
General Finishes Gel and Milk Paint are also good choices to recolor your wood furniture in shades that match or complement the new cabinet look. Milk Paint offers an opportunity to add a splash of color on a small piece of furniture, shelving or a plant stand to brighten the look but not overpower the kitchen.

If your wood cabinets and/or furniture only need a cover-up for nicks, scratches and other damage, the Touch-Up Pens, Fill Sticks and Burn-in Sticks from Touch-Up Solutions may be the answer. They come in ten colors, ranging from light oak to black.

Lighting
Add subtle lighting with Häfele 12-Volt Loox LED Strip Lights in cool or warm white. Ideal for background lighting, use under or around cabinets, around doorframes, and pretty much anywhere you want. Strips are flexible, easy to install and can be cut to size. LED lighting generates very little heat, uses less energy, and has a long service life.

For more information about Woodcraft products, contact the store nearest you, visit http://www.woodcraft.com or call (800) 535-4482.

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