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If youre thinking about updating your kitchen, the cabinets are most likely one of your top priorities. Many homeowners think they need to replace worn-out cabinets, but that isnt necessarily true. Its often possible to save money by simply refacing them or replacing the doors.

Reasons to Reface Your Kitchen Cabinets
Refacing is popular with homeowners who want to beautify their kitchen while sticking to a budget. New doors, drawer fronts, hinges and pulls can be installed to update the appearance of a kitchen at a fraction of what it would cost to install new cabinets.

Cabinet refacing requires much less work and is much less disruptive than replacing entire cabinets. If you reface your kitchen cabinets, you would not need to have appliances removed. That means your family would still be able to use the kitchen while contractors were working on the cabinets. If you were willing and able to tackle a DIY project, you could replace the cabinet doors yourself to keep the overall cost of the kitchen remodel down.

If you decide to reface the cabinets, you can choose from a wide range of styles and colors. You might install new doors made from a different wood species or you might choose glass doors that would allow people to see the cabinets contents.

When to Replace the Kitchen Cabinets
Sometimes it makes more sense to pay for new cabinets than to reface the existing ones. If the kitchen cabinets are old and worn out, or if they were not of good quality to begin with, new doors wouldnt do anything to address structural problems. It would be better to remove them and install new, higher-quality cabinets.

If your existing cabinets are in decent condition, but their size and layout dont suit your needs, it may be a good idea to replace them. You could choose new cabinets based on how you use the kitchen so you could utilize the space more efficiently. If youre planning a major kitchen renovation, you may want to completely rethink the way the room is designed and make changes to match your familys lifestyle.

Replacing the old cabinets would cost a lot more than refacing, but its not a project you should try to handle yourself to save money. The old cabinets would need to be removed carefully to avoid damaging the counters and floor. If you didnt have the necessary training and experience and you made a mistake, it could dramatically increase the overall cost of your kitchen remodel.

When to Try a Combination of Approaches
Some of your kitchen cabinets may be in better shape than others. If that is the case, your best option may be to replace some and reface others. A contractor can inspect the condition of each cabinet and make a recommendation.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

With the warm seasons in full swing, it comes as no surprise that gardeners and green thumbs out there are ready to pick their plants. For those who have a furry friend at home, you want to be sure that each and every ingredient to make its way into your garden is safe for your pet, as warmer weather means more time spent outside. Heres how to make your garden a safer place for your pets.

Research Pet-Safe Plants
If your pet is a digger, or simply likes to eat anything growing out of the ground, you want to ensure that anything they can get to is non-toxic. Harmful plants, like lilies, tulips and irises, can cause vomiting, drooling and, for those who really like to dig deep, the bulbs of these flowers can even cause kidney failure. Check with your local veterinarian or garden store, or visit the ASPCA website, for a complete list of poisonous plants.

Fence Off Vegetables
For those who like to cultivate their own vegetables and herbs, be sure to put your edible garden behind a fence or in a raised bed, out of reach for your pet. Edible plants, like garlic, chives and even onions, can be harmful to animals. Even tomatoes, a seemingly non-toxic plant for pets, can cause heart failure. Hanging planters is also another great option to keep your fur babies away from danger.

Avoid Cocoa Bean Mulch
When deciding on which type of mulch you want in your garden, consider the damage certain ingredients can cause to your pet. Cocoa bean mulch, much like chocolate, is incredibly dangerous for dogs to ingest. Because of its appealing scent, many animals will be attracted to this sweet choice. However, it can cause seizures, heart failure and even death when ingested. Look for an all natural, pet-safe option at your local garden store.

Keep Pets Away From Fertilizers
If you choose to fertilize your yard, keep your pet inside during this process. Always be sure to read the label and follow precise watering and care instructions. Even organic fertilizers can be hazardous to pets. Ingesting the ingredients, such as blood and fish, or a compost of toxic food like onions and grapes, can cause your pet muscle and joint pain as well as clogging up their gastrointestinal tract. Be sure that when it is time to let them out, the treated area is safe.

Avoid Rodent Poison
Even if your lawn or garden suffer from an infestation of moles or mice, steer clear of any poisonous bates. It will be just as easy for your pet to ingest or inhale these products, as they too are close to the ground and will usually eat anything they can find. Find natural remedies for dealing with rodents. Also be sure to keep your pets out of neighbors yards, as you never know what sort of rodent treatment they may be using.

With careful research and a smart gardening plan in place, you can ensure that your pets will stay safe and healthy while enjoying the beauty of a landscaped garden.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre planning to remodel your master bathroom, you may be thinking about installing a double vanity. It might make it easier to get ready and prevent some arguments with your partner, but it might also take up too much space or be too expensive.

What is a Double Vanity?
A double vanity usually consists of two sinks placed side by side. In most cases, each sink has its own cabinet or drawers for storage. Each sink may have a separate mirror or one long mirror may extend above both sinks. You could choose a prefabricated double vanity or have one custom made to suit your preferences and your bathrooms design.

Pros and Cons of a Double Vanity
A double vanity can be helpful for couples who get ready for work at the same time, who get frustrated taking turns in the bathroom or who get in each others way when both are in a hurry. Having separate areas can also be a good idea for couples who have different standards in terms of cleanliness. If each person has multiple hygiene and grooming products, having individual counter and storage space can make it easier to stay organized and prevent clutter.

Two sinks take up a lot more space than one. Depending on the size and layout of the bathroom, a double vanity might work, or it might make the bathroom feel cramped and leave you with too little counter space. If there was not enough space between the sinks, you and your partner might bump elbows.

Having two sinks could limit the amount of storage space available. Two drain pipes would take up twice the amount of cabinet space, which would mean less room to store toiletries and other items.

Cost is another important factor. The price tag for two sinks, counters and cabinets, plus the additional cost to hook up plumbing for both sinks, might be prohibitive.

Other Options to Consider
You might want to install two separate pedestal sinks. They could be placed side by side or put on separate walls, depending on the layout and dimensions of the master bathroom. The downsides of pedestal sinks are the lack of counter and storage space.

Another possibility is installing one long sink with two faucets. That could allow you and your partner to use the sink at the same time, but you would only have to pay for plumbing for one drain. With a single drainpipe, you would have more storage space than you would if you were to install two separate sinks. You would also have more counter space with one sink, and cleaning one sink would be easier than cleaning two.

Talk to Your Contractor
A double vanity sounds ideal to many couples, and it can be in some cases. For many homeowners, however, space and financial constraints make it impractical. You have numerous options when it comes to designing your master bathroom. Discuss your needs and goals with your contractor so you can choose the right design for you.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Looking to attract homebuyers? Boost your curb appeal.

The first thing buyers see is the yard, so spruce up the landscaping and make necessary repairs.

Prune overgrown bushes and trees to avoid looking neglectful.

In flower beds, remove weeds or dead plants, add flowers in sparse areas, and apply fresh mulch.

Line your walkway with potted plants to make the property feel more inviting.

Ensure water fixtures, such as fountains, ponds and sprinklers, are clean and operating properly.

Have your patio and walkway power-washed to get rid of any dirt or grime.

As they say, first impressions are everything, so put your yard to work for you.

Published with permission from RISMedia.