Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The cooler temperatures are a reminder that the holidays will be here, which means you'll be spending a lot of time in the kitchen. But before you call the family over, there are a few simple things you can do to spruce it up.

Consider remodeling the cabinets and shelves. It's a lot cheaper to remodel than to replace.

Also think about updating your faucets and sink. It costs about $150, and in exchange, you create a whole new look.

Also, don't forget about the magic of good lighting.

"A trick at making your kitchen appear larger is lighting. Swapping out fixture lighting for recessed or track lighting can help you highlight particular features in the kitchen," said Angie Hicks of Angie's List. "Adding lighting underneath your cabinets can make dark areas lighter and appear larger."

Adding a garbage disposal or trash compactor can also go a long way in making a kitchen more modern and practical.

Your kitchen is in the heart of your home. The great news is that you can get up to an 85 percent return on your investment with a good remodel job.

So, Santa, you can add that to my list!

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