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Do-It-Yourself Kitchen Projects

There are a variety of kitchen projects that only require a basic level of skill, common tools, and a little bit of planning.

You might want to install a new sink. Don't call the carpenter. Do it yourself! Your kitchen might get a whole new look from a lighting redesign. No need to spend a lot of money on a professional lighting designer. With a little bit of creativity and some minor homework, you can get just the look you want.

These are only two examples of kitchen projects that really only require a basic level of skill, some common tools, and some planning.

Anyone who has lived in a home a while - or who has acquired a fixer-upper - will need to tackle replacing a countertop sooner or later. It just takes some careful measuring, a lot of patience to remove the old countertop, and some basic instruction on how to install the new one.

With the range of choices available today, this project is not only within reach of any competent do-it-yourselfer, it's also great fun! There are laminates galore. They run the gamut from simulated marble to faux wood that are practically indistinguishable from the real thing.

Contemporary built-in appliances are now offered in designs that would once have been considered science fiction. An induction stove, for example, can heat pans without producing any heat at all at the burner or stove top. They're ultra-easy to install, since that basically only requires laying a 2-inch thick device on an island countertop and plugging it in.

Even mundane projects can be very fulfilling. A new dishwasher can do more than replace the old one that has started to leak. It can be an opportunity to really spruce up the kitchen. Contemporary styles offer such innovations as a dishwasher in a drawer that are worth looking into.

Repairing a stove may not provide a lot of creative outlet, but doing it yourself can save tons of money. Coils on electric stoves are super easy to replace. Gas burners sometimes stop working solely because they're dirty. Re-wiring an infinite switch doesn't require a professional electrician, once you've done a little reading.

Even venting can be replaced with only a modest amount of knowledge and a willingness to exert a little extra effort. Installing behind-the-wall vents, for example, requires only a masonry drill bit powered by a good power drill and a bit of care and patience.

Getting started requires a little self-confidence, the key to any successful project. That comes from doing some research, getting a little practice with common tools, and then just committing to a do-it-yourself project.

The rewards are big savings, a beautiful kitchen, and the pride of accomplishment. That's a pretty good combination of values for such a small investment.

Getting started with diy kitchen projects

One of the hardest things about do-it-yourself kitchen projects isn't the skills required. There are some, but they can be learned by just about anybody. Nor is it the need to acquire some good tools. Those have become affordable by anyone who thinks they'll use them at least a few times. Getting started is mostly about overcoming a lack of self-confidence.

Imagine that you'd like to install some new cabinets. It looks like a job for a professional and you reach for the phone. Even the most reluctant can easily discover that installing cabinets is actually quite simple. Staining cabinets is even easier.

You'll need some tools to carry out just about any kitchen do-it-yourself project, of course. But, fortunately for your budget, they are the same ones over and over again. Unlike, say, repairing cars, there is rarely a need for that one special tool that you will use only once.

A pair of screwdrivers - flat head and Philips head (or a power drill with screwdriver add-ons), a hammer, a level, and a hand power saw will be enough for 90% of all projects. That entire set can be purchased for under a hundred dollars. Much more than that amount would be spent on just one visit from a professional.

Next, some patience is required. There's a reason that good professionals get paid well, and it isn't just because they have experience. They have the patience to do the job right. They know that it's better to take a little more time to find the right materials, develop a good design, and make the right plans. Careful execution lowers costs and minimizes unsightly mistakes. As the old carpenter's saying goes: 'Measure twice, cut once.'

Some knowledge is needed to install a countertop or create an island, it's true. Some, but not a college education's worth. A short time spent on tutorials online and you'll find the basic information needed to do the job right.

You'll also soon learn that many do-it-yourself projects don't require making things from scratch. Countertops are pre-made by the manufacturer. They require only installation, which is as much a matter of care and patience as it is any specialized ability.

Islands, cabinetry, and more all come pre-made. Staining isn't just easy, it's fun. An assistant can hold up anything that requires a second pair of hands. Anyone who can put together a bookcase or a TV stand can do most do-it-yourself kitchen projects.

Of course, like anything, to produce a truly outstanding result requires some creative vision. Remodelers and design consultants really get paid mostly for that. But even that can be built-up with a little practice, assuming the do-it-yourselfer has at least some creativity to start with. Luckily, that covers just about everyone.