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7. Replace Cabinet Hardware
A subtle and simple way to give your kitchen a fresh look is to replace the cabinet handles and knobs. You can make a traditional kitchen feel a bit more contemporary by opting for a sleek, modern pull, for example, or a sterile-feeling kitchen feel warmer with brass or wood. If the new hardware has different dimensions than the old hardware, just add backplates to cover the previous holes. Whatever you choose should be durable, feel comfortable in your hand and be properly proportioned for your cabinetry (no dinky pulls for wide, heavy drawers, please!).
If you’re concerned about having to change out your plumbing fixtures, appliances and lighting to match your new hardware, rest assured that mixing those metal finishes is not only OK but recommended by many designers. When in doubt, stick to a single color and finish in each category. For example, designers often choose stainless steel and chrome for plumbing fixtures and appliances but opt for unlacquered brass for the cabinet hardware. That said, given how high-touch and visible a faucet is, if yours is just “meh,” consider upgrading it to a beautiful new model anyway.
How to Mix and Match Your Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
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4. Roll Out a New Area Rug
It’s a rare living room that doesn’t call for an area rug. Even in a carpeted room, an area rug helps to define a seating area and make a room feel complete. So if you don’t already have an area rug, or the one you have doesn’t reflect your current taste, this is a good opportunity for a refresh.
If you’re trying to make a formal living space feel more casual, consider a flat-woven or natural-fiber rug (such as jute). Tufted rugs with asymmetrical patterns or high-low textures are good bets if you’re looking to add a contemporary element to your room. Color-wise, light colors tend to make a room feel larger while darker colors make it feel more cozy. And the busier the patterns of your other textiles, the simpler your rug can be, and vice versa.
At least as important as the style of your rug is its size. A common recommendation is that all of the legs of your furniture — or at least the front legs of your seating — should be on the rug. If you love your current rug but it’s too small or irregularly shaped, you can layer it on top of a larger one. Natural-fiber rugs or solid, neutral-toned wool rugs are often good, affordable choices as base layers. A small, vibrant but well-worn antique Persian or Moroccan rug can look gorgeous over a large jute rug, for example.
All of that said, the “perfect rug” isn’t a specific size or style. It’s the one that most appeals to you and fits your lifestyle and budget.
11 Area Rug Rules and How to Break Them
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12. Designate a place for drinks. Borrow the idea of a bar cart for your outdoor space. You won’t want to keep the drinks there full time, but having a set location and a few accoutrements handy, including a tub for chilling drinks and bar tools, will mean you’re ready to go when it’s time to bring things out. A bar cart also can do double duty as a table or counter when not in use for drinks.
Closed cabinetry will let you keep some glassware and cutlery as well as any bar tools outside. To make juggling everything you’ll be bringing out from the kitchen even easier, consider having a weather-friendly tray on hand.
If space is tight, look for other possible options when it’s time to entertain: the end of a counter, the top of a storage cabinet or even a potting bench.
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Lighting is often called the jewelry of a room, but given its functional importance, especially in a bathroom, that analogy might be selling it a bit short.
One easy way to improve the functionality, safety and look of a bathroom through lighting is to add hidden LED strips. They can be placed under toe kicks, shelves and cabinets, boosting ambient light during the day and providing soft illumination at night. Waterproof versions can illuminate your shower niche or threshold, improving visibility. The strips can be hardwired by an electrician, but they’re also available in plug-in and rechargeable versions.
Some light fixtures are designed to be virtually invisible. The rest, including your vanity sconces, should work hard and also look great. The easiest approach is to keep your new sconces in the same locations as the old ones, but if your vanity sconces are overhead, you may want to hire an electrician to move them to either side of your mirror. This will provide more even lighting and an up-to-date look.
Tip: Be sure to check whether fixtures are damp- or wet-rated and to adhere to local code when replacing or moving fixtures.
Your Guide to Perfect Bathroom Vanity Lighting
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