Saturday, 12 September 2009

Hardware Isn't Just For Blacksmiths Anymore

By Christine Carrier

Most of us don't think about hardware around the home unless we are looking for a nail or a screw to hang something on a wall. Truth is, home hardware is all around us but most of it is so boring that we never give it a second look.

Upgrading the hardware in your home may not seem like much. However, according to recent articles in national publications, the places where home hardware is most prominent - kitchens and bathrooms - also are places where renovations and improvements will provide the most resale value. So paying attention to hardware and fixtures could be that extra flourish of detail that clinches a home sale.

Start the project by replacing the handles of the drawers in your kitchen and bathroom. Go all the way and include the handles of your furniture, especially the bigger ones.

In relation to handles, do the same with the door handles. The easier the handles are for people's grasp, the better and more convenient.

Rather than keeping towels in cabinets, install stainless steel racks in both bathroom and kitchen. Racks in the kitchen probably will have to be shorter than those in the bathroom, but make the best use of whatever space is available. Using stainless steel racks means that they won't tarnish or otherwise discolor, and they provide a focal point to display some of your prettiest linens.

Lighting fixtures are also part of a home's hardware "section." Lighting now goes far beyond the simple fluorescent or light bulb. Shapely lights, embellished fixtures and colorful ones are a common sight in home decor and hardware stores. Make your lighting equipment interesting and fun.

While they are not strictly hardware, the tiles in kitchen and bathroom are another upgrade that pays big dividends. A good option is to replace outmoded wallpaper in kitchen and bathroom with tile. Again, this is probably the kind of job that requires an expert, but don't let that stop you if your budget can afford it. Don't be shy about trading out the boring old traditional styles for something trendier, like bright ethnic designs. After all, if you can't take some heat in the kitchen.

Finally, what about those old aluminum blinds on the windows? Isn't it about time those Venetians passed into history? Definitely replace old-style blinds or traditional curtains with new styles, such as wood horizontals or acrylic verticals. You just might see your home in a whole new light! While you are at it, don't forget area rugs for the floors. They add color and texture to any room they are placed in and tie in all the other decor elements in the room.

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