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Contact: Ginny Long FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Director of Public Affairs

Moen Incorporated

(800) 321-8809, Ext. 2019

Jennifer Allanson or Kristi Stolarski

Robert Falls & Co. Public Relations

(216) 696-0229

jallanson@ or kstolarski@

Give Your Old Kitchen a New Look

Updates that Won’t Sink Your Budget

North Olmsted…Think you need to hire a TV crew to help transform the look of rooms in your home? Think again. Leslie Segrete, star of While You Were Out and Trading Spaces, says it is possible for anyone (even without a crew) to make major home improvements with a small budget and a little elbow grease.

When it comes to choosing which rooms to fix-up, the kitchen is a great place to start. “The kitchen should be the hub of your home and a place where you can feel comfortable spending quality time with family and friends,” says Segrete. “However, if the thought of your kitchen makes you want to dine out – it’s time for an update.”

With a limited budget, here are Segrete’s tips for projects that will make your kitchen comfortable and inviting while also achieving the best bang for your buck.

Freshen Your Flooring

There are a variety of easy-to-install, inexpensive and great-looking flooring materials available today. Laminate floors offer a variety of looks that can replicate wood grains, natural stones and tile and are easily installed in large sections. Engineered hardwood flooring is also a great choice for a kitchen since it can stand up to wear and tear and moist environments. Plus, with new innovative, locking systems this can be an easy DIY project.  

Once you’ve chosen your flooring material, remove all furniture and appliances and create a level sub-floor by installing a layer of ¼-inch plywood over your existing surface. Install your flooring material and enjoy the beautiful new foundation to your room.

Complement the Cabinets

Do your cabinets need a facelift? As the largest component of your kitchen, updating the look of your kitchen cabinets can be the ideal starting point for a fresh look. Start by removing all the cabinet doors, drawers and hardware – but be sure to label each so that you can easily reassemble. For solid wood cabinets, strip, sand, repair and clean the wood to create a fresh surface. Then, apply a new stain and urethane top coat. Or for a completely different look, replace the cabinet doors with a refreshing style. Laminate or wood veneer cabinets can easily be updated with a fresh coat of paint; use high-gloss paint for a sleek modern finish or try a faux-finish technique, such as distressing, for a more traditional look. Be sure to clean and prime the surface well before you add a new color. For the final touch replace your knobs and drawer pulls with new, updated finishes.

 

Accessorize at the Sink

While changing out a sink might be more than you’re willing or able to do, installing a new faucet can add updated styling and enhanced functionality. Faucets today come in a wealth of designs and even feature coordinating accessories, such as soap/lotion dispensers. For your kitchen update, you may want to add one of the most popular styles, a high arc faucet, such as Moen’s Adeline™ faucet. This style is not only beautiful, but offers practical ease for tasks such as filling large pots or pitchers, and their prominence makes them a design focal point. Or you may want to try a highly functional, pullout faucet, such as Moen’s Renzo™ faucet. Featuring multiple spray settings at your fingertips, these faucets make everything from watering plants to cleaning veggies a breeze. Both faucets are available at The Home Depot and Menard’s and feature some of the most popular finishes, such as Chrome and Stainless.

Create Lovely Lighting

Lighting can totally change the look of the kitchen.  While you may be tempted to overhaul the fluorescent ceiling fixtures, you can instead simply accent your current lighting with stylish, new pieces. Swap out the basic light fixture from above your kitchen table with a beautiful chandelier for a great focal point. To aid in tasks, pendants lights can be added above an island or prep areas to highlight the spots you use most often.  Or for an ambient glow, vintage wall sconces work as a great addition to an Old-World kitchen or contrast in a modern kitchen.  For the final step, install a dimmer for each of your new lighting options to provide the perfect amount of light no matter what your activity.

Seats for Socializing

The final step in creating a comfortable and inviting kitchen is to add a seating area. When evaluating seating options, start by measuring the area where the table and chairs will be placed and be sure that your selection has at about three feet on all sides to allow for room to move. Next, depending on the style of your kitchen, you may choose a solid wood set to create a warm, homey feel, or add a marble or glass table to complement a more modern décor. Once you have made your decision, add a beautiful centerpiece for a unique decorative accent and be sure that you have comfortable, upholstered seat cushions to encourage hours of chatting with friends, dining with family or a comfortable spot for kids to color, craft or do homework.

“While home improvement projects do involve dedication and patience, they pay off when you can enjoy your beautiful new room,” says Segrete. “With these updates, your kitchen will soon be transformed and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you did it yourself without spending a fortune.”

For information on Moen products, visit , or call 1-800-BUY-MOEN (1-800-289-6636).

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Timeless designs that reflect good taste. Faucets and fixtures that are livable and enduring. These are just some of the reasons why Moen® is the #1 faucet brand in North America. In addition to stylish and affordable faucets, Moen also offers residential and commercial sinks and a full range of tub and showering packages. Moen brands include ShowHouse® by Moen, Creative Specialties International® and the Cleveland Faucet Group®. ShowHouse offers high-end, luxury faucets and accessories to consumers with discriminating tastes. Creative Specialties International offers complete suites of decorative bath accessories, including innovative bath safety products that are fashionable – not institutional. The Cleveland Faucet Group manufactures affordable, durable faucets for the multi-family housing market.

Moen is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO, ), the consumer brands company that includes leading home products brands such as Aristokraft®, Omega®, Diamond® and Schrock® cabinetry, Therma-Tru® door systems, Simonton® windows and Master Lock® security products.

With Moen, you’ll always find the perfect balance between styles you’ll love and innovation you can live with. Buy it for looks. Buy it for life®.

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