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Kitchen facelift or kitchen remodel? What to keep in mind

By WTOP Staff

Cindy Beyer Design Tips

This is a sponsored column by Cindy Beyer, a Reston-based interior designer and Reston Now Best Reston Business Award winner. Find her online at www.CindyLBeyer.com.

I have heard many people say “I HATE my kitchen!”

How many of you have looked at your kitchen and said the same thing? There are multiple options to consider before committing to a total kitchen replacement.

The first option and lowest cost is to repaint or re-stain the existing cabinets and swap out the hardware with new updated pulls, hinges and knobs. There are several d0-it-yourself videos online that can help you with this process. Any good painter can also handle the job for you.

The second option is to reface the cabinet fronts and doors with updated styles. Your doors should be a standard size that any re-facing shop can handle. The frames are kept intact and can be refaced with a wood veneer or painted.  Swap out the old hardware with new styles. This is a viable option for a fraction of the cost of replacing. If your floor plan still works for you, I would suggest this route with new appliances, countertops and a fun tile backsplash.

The third option is a total kitchen remodel.

When considering a kitchen plan, it is wise to consult with a designer. You will be surprised at how a kitchen project can impact other rooms of the house, so it would be a good idea to use a professional designer with skills beyond just kitchens and cabinets. I use a software program that is aligned to my cabinet shop sources. Once finished, I have a complete list of all pieces needed as well as perspective drawings and floor plans to show my client.

Designing the perfect kitchen takes time and knowledge. I work with industry guidelines including The  National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).  The following are a few important items I like to stress to my clients:

  • Workspace triangles ( the path from your sink to refrigerator to stove top) must not exceed 9 feet for any single leg and not exceed 26 feet total.
  • Traffic patterns should not interfere with the workspace.
  • Clearance from the front of the counter to the front of the back counter should be at least 42 inches if one person using the space and 48 inches if multiple people will be using the space.
  • Cabinet doors, as well as functional doors, should not interfere with the operation of appliances. I can’t tell you how often I see an oven door or dishwasher door not able to open fully. This is often the case in tight spaces where the builder just threw together a plan. That is one of my biggest pet peeves.

Once the plan is finalized, the fun really begins!  There are hundreds of cabinet styles and finishes to consider. I don’t recommend more than two cabinet finishes in the room. Center islands are a good place to change the cabinet finish and work surface material.

Picking a material for your countertop can also be exhausting. There are many surfaces to choose from such as: quartz, stainless steel, butcher block, marble, concrete, granite and pressed glass, to name a few. Some surfaces will need to be sealed and maintained, so keep this in mind while making your choices.

The backsplash material is also an area that can make a big kitchen statement. Keep in mind that the more intricate the design, the more costly it will be — so also be smart when choosing your backsplash material.

The same goes for hardware. If your current appliances are older than 10 years, then it is a good idea to replace them with new up to date technology.

Have fun — and happy cooking!  If you would like help with your new kitchen, feel free to email me at cindylbeyerdesign@gmail.com.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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