A Complete Kitchen Makeover For Under $500

(NAPSI)-The kitchen has always been the heart of the home -a place where the family socializes and entertains friends. It's no wonder a kitchen remodel occupies first place on many homeowners' wish list, especially at a time when families are spending less time dining out and more time at home. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most expensive and time-consuming home improvement projects a family will undertake, ranging from $17,000 to $20,000 for a basic kitchen remodel.

"Since the kitchen occupies a highly visible space in the home, it's understandable that families want it to reflect their style and personality. But unfortunately, a traditional kitchen remodel can mean a bigger investment of time and money than many families can handle," says Ann Gearty, Rust-Oleum senior brand manager. "Fortunately, now there's an affordable alternative. For less than $500, homeowners can update their old, outdated cabinets and countertops and make them look brand new thanks to breakthrough coating technologies." Here's how:

Start with the cabinets: They are the focal point of any kitchen and will set the tone for the look and feel of the entire room. Instead of replacing or refacing, it's easy to transform worn, outdated cabinets to the look of beautiful handcrafted cabinets with Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations. The refinishing system provides you with all the tools you need to give your cabinets a fresh, new look for under $150-without the stripping, sanding or priming associated with cabinet painting. It works on all types of cabinets-wood, melamine, laminate and more. Plus, it is available in 70 beautiful finishes and is guaranteed to last for years to come.

Rethink your current countertop: You don't have to replace your countertop to get a sleek new look. With new Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformations, you can transform your worn or damaged laminate countertops at a fraction of the cost of replacement. Available in a convenient kit for $250, the innovative coating system comes with all the tools needed to transform your outdated countertops to mirror the look of natural stone-like granite. The coating was put through extensive testing to ensure it could stand up against daily wear and tear. It's available in five different colors, and is so easy to use, the entire project can be completed in less than a weekend.

Don't forget the details: It's easy to make your old cabinet knobs and pulls look brand new with a few coats of spray paint. Try a spray paint such as Universal Oil-Rubbed Bronze to mimic one of today's hottest metal finishes.

For more information on alternatives to the traditional kitchen remodel, visit www.rustoleumtransformations.com.

You don't have to replace your countertop to get a sleek new look.

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Drowning, falls, burns, and electrical shock are all dangers your family can come across in the bathroom. There are many ways to make your bathroom safer, some of which are easy and others a little more involved. You should consider the ages of the people living in the home to determine which safety precautions to take.

Protecting the children in your home from bathroom dangers is pretty easy and simple.

*Don't let children take a bath without help.

*Keep all medications, cosmetics and cleaning supplies out of reach and locked up.

*Set your water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, or just below the medium heat setting. Many times, children don't realize just how hot water can get and can burn their sensitive skin.

*And always be sure to unplug appliances after use and store them out of children's reach.

The bathroom can be a dangerous place for elderly or those who are not able to move around easily. There are many things that can be done to make a bathroom more accessible and safer. First, you will want to make sure the floor of the bathroom next to the tub has a non-slip bath mat and that the floor is always kept dry. In the tub itself, you will want to install a grab bar along the wall of the bath. Make sure this is a horizontally placed bar of appropriate length. Angled bars are not suggested, as they can allow your hands to slip in trying to support your body weight and may lead to a fall. The bar should be long enough for use from anywhere in the tub and also be strong enough to support your weight. Other ways to decrease the chance of falls in the tub is by placing a non-slip mat in the bottom of the tub or buying a folding seat to wash from. A single-lever mixing faucet can control temperature and flow of water better than dual controls and a flexible shower arm can help direct water where needed.

You can also consider replacing your current tub with a tub that has a walk-through insert or doing a complete tub-to-shower conversion. A tub-to-shower conversion is the removal of the existing tub and installation of a shower base. Acrylic liner systems are best for tub and shower conversions. The acrylic liner systems come with molded, slip resistant bottoms and the ability to place grab bars and accessory trays in any location. To maximize safety you can place a folding seat or seated shower base in the shower. You can modify the system to suit your needs, including color, design and accessories. The acrylic bath and shower liner systems are easy to install so you won't be without a bathroom for very long. There are no grout lines to clean and will not crack, chip or peel, meaning little to no maintenance.

As with any remodeling projects in your home, you want to make sure safeguarding your bathroom is done completely and properly. Be sure that your bathroom contractor has a good reputation, professional certification and great references.

About the Author: My family business, New York Sash of Whitesboro, are experts in bathroom remodeling and would love to take care of your family. Visit www.newyorksash.com or call (315) 624-7344 for options and more information.

Kathryn Reilly is a Production and Marketing Assistant for the television show CNY's Open House. Contact her at kreilly@newyorksash.com.