Deb writes:
Diva, I am so tired of my kitchen I could scream. It’s large, yet somehow lacks countertop space. I wish I had granite instead of black laminate countertops. I’m renting so I can’t make any permanent changes but is there anything I can do to class the place up?
Deb, I know how it feels to hate your kitchen, but don’t despair there is always something you can do to make it better. For example, have you ever thought about adding a kitchen cart with granite top? This way you get more of the countertop space that is needed, as well as, the granite you’re wishing for. And since you’re renting, a kitchen cart is something that you can take with you when you move later on. Add to that the fact that kitchen carts can get as cheap or expensive as your budget can afford and you’ve got a viable option for any modern household! Here are a few things to keep in mind before you purchase your kitchen cart.
Size Matters: The key to picking out the perfect kitchen cart is to make sure you consider the flow of your kitchen. You don’t want a cart that is too large or bulky and just gets in your way. This is why, in my opinion the most important aspect is to make sure that the cart will fit well within the classic kitchen triangle. The best way to do this is to open the doors of the oven, dishwasher and refrigerator and measure from the edge of the open door, instead of the edge of the appliance. Otherwise it could get annoying if you have to move the cart out of the way every time you load your dishwasher or take something out of the oven, let alone have to put something away in the fridge! So by choosing something that fits well within those guidelines, you’ll be preventing a size issue from occurring later on down the line.
Wear and Tear: Another thing to be wary of is whether or not the granite countertop part of the cart has been pre-sealed. This is especially important if you are going to use it for food prep because you’ll want to protect the granite from staining. I recommend getting a good food grade quality penetrating sealer. This way you’re prepared for food handling right from the beginning. Then depending on how often you use the kitchen cart, I would recommend re-sealing it every one to two years.
Make your Own: If you can’t find one that is the right color or has the right type of granite consider making your own kitchen cart. You can make it as challenging or easy as you like. If you don’t want to have to build the cart from scratch, consider getting one that is unfinished wood and painting it the color you want. I did this in my kitchen about two years ago and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. The best news is that the unfinished “wood block” looking ones are pretty cheap, too. I think the one I purchased was around $60 or $70 from IKEA. I used mosaic tile on the top of my kitchen island, but you can use 12×12 granite tiles or go to a fabricator. Most stores selling countertops will sell their small scraps cheap and if you pay a little extra, they can finish the edges so it will fit to your new kitchen cart.
The bottom line here Deb, is that you are not completely stuck with the kitchen you hate. There are “little things” you can do that may not change the entire look of your kitchen, but they will give you something to look at and be proud of everyday! Especially considering that you brought in something that is actually made of the material you love! And if that’s not enough, I’m willing to bet that kitchen cart with granite top will become the new focal point for that area!
Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog.
