All You Really Need To Know About Kitchen Remodeling!

All you really need to know about kitchen remodeling, you will find here! Many homeowners engage in renovating the kitchen area annually. There are many different reasons for this. One of the main reasons is that it actually increases the overall value of the home as a whole. In addition to this, it has been found that the kitchen is one of the main rooms in the home with the highest amount of traffic. If you are looking to take on a home remodeling project, but are unsure of where to start, why not start with the kitchen? Here, you will learn several different things, such as:

• You will be provided the basics regarding kitchen design. There are several different elements that go into this type of design. You must decide what it is that you want to accomplish, and then work to prepare yourself for the project. This means acquiring the proper tools for the position, as well as the materials that will be needed in order to complete the design project. Here, you will learn important information regarding all of these elements to the design projects that can be completed in this room of the home.

• Are you in the market for a kitchen fix such as making more room? Installing updated appliances? There are many kitchen fixes that can be performed in this room. Throughout the pages of informative guides and articles on this website, you will learn about many of them!

• Are you looking to make kitchen renovations? If so, you will find a wide range of ideas in the area of renovations throughout this website. You can information on how to install new cabinets, put in that new sink, how to revamp the walls and freshen them up, and even how to install new flooring!

• Many homeowners find that they need basic kitchen help. This is not an unusual occurrence. There are many different things that can occur in the kitchen that need to be dealt with. For example, the kitchen sink may clog up. The faucets may stop working like they should. A leak may develop in the water pipes that run to the sink. There are several different things that may happen in the kitchen area that you may find yourself stumped over. Throughout the pages that we have here, you will learn all about how to tend to the most common issues faced by homeowners.

• In many cases, it may be necessary to hire a professional to assist you in tasks that are necessary when it comes to the kitchen area. Here, you will be able to learn when it may be necessary to hire outside help, and how to find the right professional for the job that you need completed.

If you are looking to add value to your home, or enhance the appearance of your home, the kitchen is a great place to start. There are several different projects that can be performed in this particular room, including but not limited to:

• Repairing water damaged areas around the sink and pipe areas in the room

• Removing and replacing the flooring in the room

• Removing old appliances and replacing them with new appliances

• Refinishing appliances to provide a fresh, new look

• Repairing and/or replacing the walls in the room

• Adding new lighting, or making old lighting a bit more modern

• Adding decorative items to the room

• Improving ventilation in the room

As you can see, there are many different kitchen remodeling projects that you can pursue. We have made it easy for you by researching these projects and creating information that you can really use at this website!

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Basic Kitchen Remodeling Planning

There are some basic steps you need to take when you decide to remodel your kitchen. Here I will present to you a quick overview of what you need to do when remodeling your kitchen; you will find more details throughout this website.

The first step is, of course, deciding on your goals for the kitchen. What do you want your remodel to accomplish for you?

You'll want to do some research even at this early stage. What kinds of materials will you want to use for countertops? Granite is hugely popular, as is Silestone, which is made from natural quartz and comes in a huge range of colors. What kind of wood do you want for your cabinets, and how light or dark should they be? What about flooring? Then you have to consider which appliances will need to be replaced, how you want the room painted, lighting and any major changes in the layout of your kitchen.

Of course, there's one more very important goal for you to consider - your budget! How much will you want to spend? Will you want to get a home equity loan for your remodel or have you saved money up for this project?

Now you will want to start sketching out your ideas. You don't need to be a great artist; just get some graph paper, pen or pencil and a ruler and start mapping things out. Of course, if you are more technologically inclined, you can do this on the computer as well if you have the right software.

Generally speaking, you will want your refrigerator, stove and sink to form a triangle in your kitchen. Include plenty of walking space and room for eating. Will you want an island in your kitchen or will that just be in the way? How will the table fit? You'll also want to look at where outlets are, keeping in mind where you plan on placing your appliances. You may have to move outlets or plumbing if you're rearranging your layout. Don't forget to consider installing extra outlets.

Make sure your sketches include dimensions. Whether you're doing it yourself or hiring professionals, accurate dimensions will help you plan well and give the best feel a paper sketch can give for how your kitchen will look.

Many home improvement stores will have kitchen designers on their staffs, and this is a resource you should take advantage of. They'll go over your plans with you and possibly have ideas you haven't considered.

When the time comes to place your order, make sure your measurements are very, very accurate or you will have a terrible time with your kitchen remodel. You can have professionals come out and do the measurements for you. In fact, if you are having your cabinets and countertops professionally installed, you WILL have professionals out taking measurements. If your measurements are accepted by the store without question and without sending out their own people, you will probably want to shop elsewhere. You're spending too much money on remodeling your kitchen to take that kind of chance.

Your cabinets will, of course, be installed before your new countertops. In fact, until your cabinets are installed, they can't even start work on your countertops if you have chosen granite or Silestone (or other stone) countertops because they need to make a template. Ask for temporary countertops and a sink to be installed so that you aren't eating out the entire time you're waiting for your countertops to be cut. It might take weeks.

Appliances such as stoves and refrigerators can be installed whenever convenient. As most dishwashers are installed beneath the countertops, you'll want to ask about the best time to replace your dishwasher.

Perhaps the most important aspect of planning your kitchen remodel. This is one of the most inconvenient rooms to remodel, so you'll want to do it at a time when you will have the time and patience to deal with it. Your kitchen will be marginally useable for weeks during the remodel. However, the beauty of your new kitchen should more than make up for the inconvenience.

How to Design a Kitchen

Basic Tips for Kitchen Remodeling
Kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, which accounts for a lot of their challenge -- and a lot of their appeal. The same cabinets, appliances, and surfacing materials can look entirely different in someone else's home than in yours. Stock cabinets can be given a unique look with virtually unlimited specialty finishes and a change of hardware. If your budget can accommodate custom cabinets, your choices are even greater. Countertop materials already come in a great array of choices, but they can be customized even further with special routing or inset bands of another color or material. The same goes for flooring, walls, and in-kitchen dining furniture. So even if your kitchen is small and ordinary, it's not hopeless!

You can transform it into a remarkable space unlike anybody else's. Manufacturers and designers have seen it all, and the end result is that you can have all the amenities you want and need, even in a tiny kitchen. Savvy, space-saving products are available for the owner of the apartment-size condo, co-op, or townhouse kitchen. You'll find that convenience doesn't have to come only in the large economy size.

To create a distinctive space, your first move is to look at your kitchen with an eye to what might serve as a focal point. A large window, alcove, or long wall can be the start. Take advantage of a bank of beautiful windows with an eye-catching counter that runs the length of the window wall. If you love to entertain and are lucky enough to have ample space, consider setting your room up to include two back-to-back kitchens; one with a full-size range, a fridge, ovens, and a sink, and the other with an ice-maker, a wine chiller, a second sink, a mini-fridge, and a microwave, plus an abundance of storage. Pretty much anything you dream up can be executed with the help of a talented design team. It's up to you!

Whether your space is large or small, and whether the end result you want is pretty or pretty wild, you'll do best if you stick close to the following basic recommendations.

Try to keep the straight-line distance between the sink, fridge, and cooktop between 12 and 23 feet.


Position the sink between the other two appliances, since it's used most often. (The sink's location may depend on pre-existing plumbing lines.)


Allow for 36 inches of counterspace to the right and 30 inches to the left of the range and sink if at all possible; if not, allow a minimum of 24 inches and 18 inches.


It's tempting to place a tall fridge and built-in wall oven next to each other, but try not to; each needs its own landing space on both sides of the appliance for safety.


Try to include a minimum of 10 linear feet of both base cabinets and upper cabinets.


Utilize lazy Susans to make potentially wasted corners fully functional.


Use pull-out drawers rather than reach-in, conventional cabinets for greatest convenience. If you're retro-fitting existing cabinets, have pull-out trays installed.


Consider barrier-free design and products. They make life easier for children, pregnant women, and seniors as well as individuals with disabilities. They'll also add to the longevity of your kitchen.
The biggest factor influencing what type of kitchen you come up with will be the shape of the room itself. In the next section, we will explore some kitchen-shape considerations.

The Kitchen Sink

Hard-Working and Durable, the Sink Can Also Be A Thing of Practical Beauty

When I was growing up, the kitchen sink in my home was dark brown enameled steel. It chipped easily and, because it was thin, it was noisy. Not a great sink, but it probably fit my parents’ budget. In those days, choices were few: enameled steel, cast-iron or stainless. How things change: Today the choices are so many that they’re overwhelming--you don’t just choose the sink material, but its style, type, color and bowl configuration.

The high-end farmhouse sink above was carved from a single block of limestone. The manufacturer recommends that all stone sinks (or natural stone tiles and countertops) be sealed with a penetrating sealer. Even then, acidic liquids such as lemon juice or vinegar may etch the stone surface.
(Photo compliments Walker Zanger)

Oh, and the sink has to accommodate the type of faucet you want, plus add-ons like sprayers and soap dispensers, so whichever sink you choose has to have enough cut-outs to accommodate the accessories.

Depending on your budget and your taste, a new kitchen sink can set you back anywhere from $50 to several thousand dollars. For instance, a low-end home center stainless-steel model can be yours for about $50, whereas a high-end stainless sink can cost more than $1,600. Get into more exotic materials, and the cost can go even higher. A one-of-a-kind hand-made copper sink (double bowl with backsplash, from Dino Rachiele, can cost about $4,000. A German Silver Sink Co. fixture can run $4,200 or more.

The more you know your taste and budget, the better decisions you’ll be able to make when choosing your sink.

Here’s something new and unusual, a sink/cook center combination. Made of 18-gauge stainless steel, it includes a standard sink plus includes an integrated cooking vessel for steaming, boiling, poaching and blanching.
(Photo compliments Kohler Co.)

The Most Likely Suspects

Odds are, you’re not in the market for a kitchen sink that costs as much as a semester in college. If you’re like me, you want something that holds up to heavy use, looks good in your new kitchen, is easy to maintain and doesn’t cost a small fortune. Fortunately, there are lots of good sinks out there that fit several or all of those criteria. You just have to choose the type that’s right for you.

Stainless Steel: Stick with High Quality

If put to a vote, stainless steel sinks would top the popularity list, followed by solid surface (Corian, etc.) and composite sinks, with cast-iron coming in third. The reason that stainless sinks are so popular is that they’re affordable, durable and work well when mounted under the countertop (called an undermount sink).

Here’s an interesting variation on the farmhouse --or "apron-front"--sink, a high-grade stainless-steel version.
(Photo compliments Franke)

Bryan Farrow, with Kitchen Designers Inc. in Marietta, Georgia, says his clients use undermounted stainless steel sinks "because the majority of countertops are granite and most people are using good-quality stainless steel undermount sinks because you need the rim strength to give extra strength. Everything’s held to the countertop by the rim. In fact, most of the inexpensive sinks don’t even come as undermounts."

When it comes to choosing a stainless steel sink, you want to look at several things. Look for the highest-grade stainless, which is known as Type 302 (18/8). This kind of steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel for a really durable, rust-resistant finish.

You also want to look at the gauge, or thickness, of the stainless steel sink, because a thicker sink is less likely to dent than a thinner sink, plus the thicker sink won’t be as noisy as the thinner, tinnier one. So when you’re looking at the gauge, just remember that the lower the gauge number, the thicker the steel. While most sinks come in 18 to 20 gauge, sinks in 14 and 16 gauge steel are available on the high end, as well as 24 gauge on the lower end.

Although stainless sinks of the past were quite noisy--even the expensive ones--improvements in sound deadening technology have virtually eliminated the noise problem. Now, all but ultra-cheap stainless-steel sinks are sold with a factory applied undercoating that greatly reduces the sound of pots, pans, dishes and silverware banging against the sides of the sink.

This two-bowl undermount stainless-steel sink is one of the most popular sink types installed in new homes today. Good stainless steel, such as this 18-gauge stainless, resists dents and staining and its heavy undercoating reduces noise.
(Photo courtesy Kohler Co.)

Solid Surface: The Seamless Material

In popularity, solid surface sinks rank in second place. And when it comes to solid surface materials, most people think of DuPont’s Corian, which is the oldest (having debuted in 1969) of the non-porous, acrylic brands used in creating countertops and integral sinks. But other solid surface manufacturers include Gibraltar, Avonite, Surell, Swanstone, Fountainhead, and Wilsonart.

The beauty of a solid-surface sink is that it’s fused with the solid-surface countertop to form one seamless piece, which means easy cleanup and low maintenance.
(Photo courtesy Corian)

A huge benefit of an integral solid surface sink is that it’s pretty much seamlessly joined to the solid surface countertop, which means no little crevices for moisture and grime to build up.

Amy Sussek,a kitchen designer and one of the hosts of AsktheKitchenDesigner.com, suggests to her clients that, if they want a solid surface countertop with an undermounted sink, they get an integral solid surface sink as well.

" If you do use an undermount sink, the (solid surface) fabricator charges a couple hundred dollars to do the sink cut-out, then you still have the price of the sink to consider," according to Sussek.

"If it’s an integral sink (basically a one-piece, solid-surface sink-countertop combination), you don’t have that extra cost, just the cost of the sink added to the cost of the counter."

Sussek says that integral solid surface sinks are at the top of her clients’ lists and many choose Swanstone. "It’s easier to take better care of the Swanstone sink. You clean with Ajax and a Scotchbrite pad. One client has one that still looks good after five years."

"A huge benefit of an integral solid surface sink is that it’s seamlessly joined to the solid surface countertop, which means no little crevices for moisture and grime to build up."

Farrow also likes solid surface sinks, especially Corian. "Corian is a great product. You can do anything you want with solid surfacing material. What you get is only limited by your imagination."

Cast-iron: The Heavy Standard

A perennial kitchen favorite going back to the 19th century is the porcelain-coated cast-iron sink. Although it’s still a great value, it’s mostly relegated to use in kitchens that use laminate or some other type of countertop that requires a so-called drop-in sink (as opposed to undermounted or surface-mounted).

I’ve always been partial to big, heavy cast-iron kitchen sinks despite their drawbacks. In my opinion, they have no match when it comes to depth of color and beauty of finish. I also like the solid, substantial feel I get from cast-iron. And the thickness and density of the cast-iron makes it very quiet to use, which is something I appreciate.

This classic two-bowl cast-iron sink comes from the factory with an unsurpassed gleaming finish and a deep, rich color. When choosing cast-iron, don’t skimp; buy from a quality manufacturer.
(Photo courtesy Kohler Co.)

Cast-iron does have its critics. Some homeowners have complained that the porcelain coating over modern cast-iron sinks chips more easily than it used to, because, they say, the sinks aren’t made as well as they once were. However, the porcelain coating will chip on even the best and most expensive cast-iron sink if you’re not careful--just like a Rolls Royce will dent if you carelessly back over the neighbor’s mailbox.

I haven’t found excessive chipping to be a problem with my sink, although I do take care to avoid chipping. I use a plastic-coated wire rack on the bottom of each bowl and I’m careful when washing heavy pots to avoid banging them against the sides of the bowl.

Both kitchen designers and plumbers recommend that you stick with name-brand manufacturers when you buy a cast-iron sink. And before it’s installed, make sure to check it for chips, especially around the rim, which is subject to regular contact with water.

What Else Is Out There?

From high-end to low-end, the world is full of other types of sinks. At the least-expensive level, there are enameled steel sinks, which, thanks to heavy spray-on undercoatings, perform much like cast-iron sinks but at a much lower price.

Composite sinks are another type on the market that are giving the solid surface sinks a run for their money.

Composites are often made from quartz or granite mixed with an acrylic binder. These sinks are fairly hard, scratch resistant and good values for the money.

This beautiful fireclay sink is durable and actually has a harder surface than even porcelain-coated cast-iron, which means it’s less likely to chip. The apron sink style requires strong support and careful detailing to avoid water damage, especially in this application where it’s surrounded by wood.
(Photo courtesy Kohler Co.)

On the high end are a gamut of sink types from fireclay to copper to soapstone to, believe it or not, carved granite. It’s probably unnecessary to remind you of this, but anything out of the ordinary--especially anything hand made or created custom or in small quantities--costs more than the mass-produced sinks you’ll find at home centers and kitchen and bath shops.

Margaret Clarkson, a kitchen designer at Walker Zanger Inc. in Atlanta, sells an imported limestone farmhouse sink that’s carved from a solid block of limestone.

"Our business is tile and stone," she said. "And this sink, which retails for $2,400, is absolutely beautiful." Needless to say, they "appeal to the high-end user," according to Clarkson.

Other high-end types of kitchen sinks include soapstone, marble, fireclay, copper and German silver, which is a copper, nickel and zinc composite.

One of the more popular and at the same time traditional high-end sink is soapstone, which is created by joining slabs of soapstone with epoxy to form the sink basin. One complaint about soapstone is that the bottom of the sink is so perfectly flat that anything on the bottom of the sink such as like crumbs must be manually swept toward the drain. Otherwise, it’s a beautiful material and ages gracefully.

Relatively new on the scene are so-called composite sinks like this undermount sink made of Silacron, which is 70% quartz and so very resistant to scratches and stains and is heat resistant up to 446 degrees. This model includes a waste-chute system accessory, a large bowl and a smaller prep-sink bowl. (Photo compliments of Blanco America)

Fireclay sinks, which have probably been around longer than even cast-iron, are one the newest trends in kitchen fixtures. Made by pouring liquid clay into a mold, then removed form the mold and sponged to a slick finish, fireclay sinks are then allowed to air dry. Later they’re sprayed with a ceramic finish and fired in a kiln. Fireclay is very hard and durable and reportedly doesn’t chip nearly as easily as cast-iron. It can be pricey, though, costing hundreds of dollars or more depending on the finish and any decoration.

Keep in mind, though, that many of these high-end sinks require wall-mounted faucets, which are expensive and often hard to find in just the style you want for your kitchen.

Bowls and Holes

Bryan Farrow says that most of the sinks his firm installs are "double-bowl, but big bowl-little bowl-often one decent size bowl and a bigger bowl. Most kitchens have that type or two sinks. They’ll come in with a vegetable or prep sink, often on an island."

Amy Sussek says her clients like "deeper bowls--and two different size bowls at that."

Brookwood Kitchens’ Thomas Caswell says his Atlanta clients are "always looking for something new and different" when it comes to kitchen sinks. "We’re doing a triple-bowl stainless right now. Most of our kitchens have two sinks: the main sink and a smaller sink on an island, which is sometimes a full-size single-bowl sink."

Fraser, Colorado, kitchen designer Jim Barna says his firm is "doing a lot of two-sink kitchens that include a vegetable prep sink on an island. These island sinks tend to be smaller, 15 in. by 15 in., as opposed to the 3 ft. by 2 ft. deep main sink, which people want for big pots."

"It’s important to know the kind of faucet and other features you want before buying a sink."

Cutouts are the holes created in the rear of the sink to accommodate faucets, sprayers and soap dispensers. Some sinks, such as undermounts, don’t need cutouts. Others, like the large farm sinks, require wall-mounted faucets, so they also don’t need cutouts.

Most ordinary sinks come with cutouts, but it’s important to know the kind of faucet and other features you want before buying a sink--unless you fall so madly in love with a sink that has four cutouts that you’re willing to fill the holes with just anything.

Some sinks come with only one cutout; these are for the newer all-in-one faucets that contain hot and cold controls as well as a pull-out sprayer.

According to Barna, most homeowners are "moving away from the huge number of hole cutouts. Grohe has one-hole faucet that has a number of different functions. No separate hole for hot, no separate hole for cold and no separate hole for spray arm."

Three Ways to Mount A Sink

1. Undermounted



The most popular method of mounting a kitchen sink today is undermounted, which means the sink literally is mounted beneath the counter. An advantage to undermounting is that crumbs and food trash simply can be swept into the sink. A disadvantage is expense: Most undermount sinks are a bit costlier than comparable drop-in or surface-mounted sink.

2. Drop-in



This is the traditional way of mounting a sink in which the sink is literally dropped into the cut-out in the countertop. Drop-in sinks are often cast-iron and are ringed by a large, raised lip, which rests on the countertop surface. An advantage to drop-ins is that they’re preferable for use with laminate countertops, which aren’t suitable for undermounted sinks because of potential water damage to the laminate substrate.

3. Surface-Mounted



Although very popular in past decades, the surface-mounted sink is probably one of the least popular sink installations today, especially since the rise of the undermounted sink. The surface-mounted sink comes with a metal rim that attaches to the countertop. The sink is then attached to the rim using screws. Although it’s nearly flush with the countertop, a standard complaint is that grime and moisture get trapped on both sides of the metal rim.

By Harriet Reasoner

Top Five Tips for Enhancing Your Kitchen Without Remodeling

You Can Increase Your Cooking and Storage Capabilities -- Without a Major Remodel!
TIP #1: Upgrade. Trade in your microwave for one that also offers convection capability. This will give you a second oven this season for all those pies and desserts you'll be making. Microwave/convection combos are available in countertop, built-in and over-the-range formats.

TIP #2: Put your backsplash to work. Take advantage of untapped wall space for spice and utensil storage capacity convenient to your cooktop or range. There are terrific wall systems available on the market that can free up drawer and shelf space and vastly increase the workability of your kitchen.

TIP #3: Roll out new shelving. If your base cabinets offer only an adjustable half shelf in the middle, trade up to full-depth roll-outs. While you lose a few inches on the side, you gain far more in convenience, comfort and extra capacity. You can order custom-sized wood roll-outs online or at home center stores.

TIP #4: Organize your drawers. Look for drawer organizers available in houseware sections that separate your dinner forks from your salad forks and your wisks from your spatulas. There are drawer organizers made for knives, as well.

TIP #5: Relocate. Consider the drawers and shelves in your work triangle - those cabinets and countertops between your refrigerator, range and primary sink - to be sacred ground. The only items that should be stored in this area are those used for everyday food preparation, clean-up, consumption and serving purposes. Move the once-every-few months items to other storage spots, so that it's easier to find what you need when you need it.

Remodeling Your kitchen with Contemporary home decorating style

Remodeling Your kitchen with Contemporary home decorating style

The Contemporary home decorating style ought to instill sleek and stylish design to any kitchen. Maybe one of the most captivating facets of this decor is the beige tones with black and white which work with the minimalist accessories for sizeable effect. Get the feeling of modern design with contemporary decorating no matter where your dwelling is.

You can spruce up your kitchen with area rugs. Don�t forget that your floor decor is part of your decor, so be positive to shop for a design that coordinates or matches with both the colors and also the room design. Choose white, black or beiges with your short pile or shag rugs and these should improve the style favorably.

Obtaining window treatments for your kitchen is an important mission due to the fact that the wrong style can really diminish your interior decorating scheme. You want to consider an ambiance which is minimalist in for your curtains or sheers. For a pleasing design buy some simple blinds.

While you are shopping for kitchen chairs and tables for your wonderfully decorated kitchen, you want to be sure to shop for items that add appeal to the design theme. For the most part, pieces which are sleek steel look the best. Types of pieces to think about include sleek linear style items.

No decorating scheme would feel put together without the suitable decorative items, so try decorating with some pottery and dish towels. The minimalistic feeling of this decorating approach should be mirrored in the accessories. Making the most of accessories could add your own diverse touch on the design approach.

Lights could be expensive, but then if you do your shopping at consignment stores, you can get suitable lighting fixtures to suit Contemporary home decorating style. Your room design should look perfect if you buy lighting fixtures simple. Consider decorating overhead lighting that add interest to this kind of contemporary decorating.

Making use of Contemporary home decorating style in your kitchen is a pleasing way to have a fine design in your home. Make time to use the appropriate furniture and accessories and you have an interior decorating scheme you will be proud of.

Kitchen Design Plans, Tips On Small Kitchen Designs

The kitchen is often the focal point of any house, as well as a place for cooking and eating it is often a meeting place where the whole family gather. Therefore it is important to have a kitchen that is both functional and pleasant to be in. If you thought that it was too difficult to design your own kitchen, then think again. There are many different kitchen design plans and with a few tips you can have the kitchen that you have always wanted.

SMALL KITCHEN DESIGNS
If you have a small room for a kitchen it may at first seem to be very difficult when you want to design your own kitchen to your personal preferences. But remember that a functional kitchen does not rely just on the kitchen floor design, where everything has to fit into tight corners to make the most of the available space.

One simple but effective idea is to put an island in or near the centre of the room. These provide great storage as well a convenient and handy workspace. Kitchen island designs automatically create more space, as they are usually placed in the centre of the kitchen it also gives you easy access all the way around.

With a little thought you could even incorporate something like a breakfast bar as part of your kitchen island design. And don't forget that you are not just limited to a square or rectangle for your kitchen island, it could be round or oval or any shape that will fit into your kitchen floor design.

As well as the actual design there are also many kitchen appliances available these days that come in smaller sizes, especially designed for the smaller kitchen. Things like refrigerators are available that are only twenty four inches deep as apposed to the usual thirty inch deep models. And don't forget things like microwave ovens that will fit easily onto a worktop below overhead cabinets.

Also think about hanging your pots and pans on a rack over your kitchen island. This not only makes them more accessible and easier to get at when needed but will also drastically cut down on the amount of cupboard space that they take up. And its not just pots and pans that can be hung on racks, you can also hang up things like cooking utensils, oven gloves, and anything else that you use often. This way you don't have to go searching through cluttered drawers just to find one item.

Lighting is another important part of the décor to think about when you design your own kitchen. With the proper kind of lighting it can create the illusion of a bigger room. There are lots of different types of lighting available these days, so you no longer have to put up with a fluorescent strip light or glaring 100 watt bulbs. The simple use of dimmer switches can give you a greater flexibility for different lighting moods.

These are just some of the basic tips for small kitchen designs. When you come to design your own kitchen make sure you think it through properly so you get exactly what you want. Whether you want an old world kitchen design, or if you are after a great island kitchen design, remember that its your kitchen so its worth getting it right, as its you who will be using it.

3 Kitchen Organization Tips to Get You Started the Right Way

3 Kitchen Organization Tips to Get You Started the Right Way

Kitchens are one of the most difficult areas to organize because they are quite often the central hub of the home. Not only is it where we cook meals but it is also often where mail, backpacks, schoolwork, keys and anything else that we drag in the door with us often ends up. So in addition to organizing everything in the kitchen cupboards, you also have to think about all of the other "stuff" that collects in your kitchen. Where do you start with this whole kitchen organization project? Here are a few kitchen organization tips that can help.

Start small
Since getting the kitchen organized is one of the biggest organizational challenges in your home, start with a small area that is going to have the biggest impact on how you live. This can be a stumbling block for many people so let me explain what I mean by this. If the part of your kitchen that drives you crazy is the table or counter where all of the mail, schoolwork, etc gets dumped, then focus your kitchen organizing efforts on that area first. If this is the area of the kitchen that you are going to organize first, then also make sure that this area of your kitchen stays organized before you move onto something else.

Because it is not just about getting your kitchen organized one time, it is about keeping your kitchen organized. That is where the real challenge lies. So if you just organize the paper that comes into your kitchen one day but by the next day it is already a mess again, you have not really accomplished anything. One of the most helpful kitchen organization tips I can give you is to keep working with organizing one area of your kitchen until it stays organized. Do not move on to another area until the one that you are working with has stayed organized for at least a week.

Too much stuff
As with any other home organization project, getting your kitchen organized means getting rid of the things you no longer use and the things that are unsafe for you to use. So if you can't remember the last time that you used that dust-covered appliance in your cupboard or if you can't even remember what it does, it is time to get rid of it. Look at every pot, pan, dish and utensil in that kitchen and make a note of when you used it last. You need to get rid of it if it is not something that you use frequently. The only exception to this is anything that you use seasonally.

The other important thing that you need to look at as you do your kitchen organization is all of your canned goods, spices and packaged foods. This is an important kitchen organization tip because if it is expired, you need to throw it away. If you do not use it or like it, throw it away or donate it to your local food shelf. This is especially true of spices. We tend to gather and collect spices that we never use.

Counter space is not storage space
When you organize your kitchen, keep stuff off of your counters. It will make your kitchen look and feel cleaner. The kitchen counter in your home is not another cupboard so don't act like it is one. Any appliances that you are not using daily should not be on your counter. This is more of a diet tip than a kitchen organization tip but also keep food, especially snacks, off of your counters. It will help to keep you from snacking. Out of sight, out of mind!

Ideas for Major Kitchen Remodeling Projects

Ideas for Major Kitchen Remodeling Projects

Are you tired of your outdated kitchen? Frustrated by a poor layout, aging appliances and a lack of modern conveniences? If you are, it may be time to consider some ideas for major kitchen remodeling projects. A kitchen remodel can increase the value of your home, but major kitchen remodeling projects are both expensive and time consuming, so think carefully about ideas for major kitchen remodeling projects before you begin your remodel.

1. Finding Ideas for Major Kitchen Remodeling Projects
Where can you look for ideas for kitchen remodeling? You have a lot of choices, and simply looking around is the best place to start when you are planning kitchen remodeling projects. You may want to visit home improvement centers or kitchen design specialists early on in the planning process. Even if every model kitchen is not right for your space, you may see things you like about each. There are also many publications and websites devoted to kitchen remodeling. You may even find web possibilities that allow you to input specifics and design your dream kitchen online. This can be a good way to work out ideas for kitchen remodeling.

All of these can help you get ideas for kitchen remodeling. You may also have ideas based on your own needs. Perhaps you need more counter space or need to modernize a very outdated kitchen. You might even be changing or altering your home's floor plan to integrate a more open kitchen. You may even want to start a file of ideas for kitchen remodeling when you begin to consider planning a kitchen remodel, with notes of what you like and do not like about each kitchen design possibility. 2. Starting a Kitchen Remodeling Project
How do you begin the process of remodeling your kitchen? First, you need to determine exactly what you want done in your kitchen. Do you need new countertops, floors, appliances or cabinetry? Are you going to change the fundamental layout of your kitchen, or simply improve what is there? You may want to start by dreaming big, then adjusting as your budget allows. Consider prioritizing your goals, so you can choose what is most important to you in your kitchen remodeling plans.

Once you have some idea of what you need to do, after consider your ideas for kitchen remodeling, you will need to assess the available funds. Minor kitchen remodeling projects may be do it yourself options that can be done on a reasonable budget, but you may well need to consider a home improvement loan for a major kitchen remodeling project. You may want to consider consulting a kitchen design studio, home improvement center or contractor for estimates at this point. In many cases, you will find that you may need to downgrade your kitchen improvement plans to meet your budget.

You will have many decisions to make as you begin considering remodeling your kitchen, ranging from flooring and appliances to counters and finishes. Your kitchen should fit in with the style of your home, your lifestyle, and even whether or not you particularly enjoy cooking. Do integrate items that you know you will use into your new kitchen, whether that is a wine cooler or space for the kids to have an afternoon snack.

3. Planning Your Kitchen Remodel
You have several options when planning your kitchen remodeling project. You may want to talk to several contractors and designers before choosing the one that is right for your kitchen design needs. You can use a professional kitchen designer, and some retail outlets even offer free kitchen design services if you purchase your cabinetry and appliances through them. Some contractors, particularly those specializing in kitchen remodeling may also offer kitchen design services. Even if you have a good idea of what you want in your kitchen, a professional may have some helpful design ideas that you had not considered.

If you are planning a smaller kitchen remodeling project, you may plan to do it yourself. In that case, be certain that you have all the necessary skills, and carefully consider what aspects of the project for which you might need professional assistance. Plumbing, electrical and carpentry work may well require professional assistance. On the other hand, if you are fairly handy around the house, refinishing cabinetry, adding a ready to assemble island, or tiling a backsplash can all change a kitchen quite a lot with just a reasonable budget and a few weekends worth of your time. Some small kitchen remodeling projects can be done by your average homeowner, but many cannot, and you should consider this when planning your kitchen remodel or looking at ideas for kitchen remodeling.

4. Total Kitchen Renovation
Many people with older homes may find themselves considering totally remodeling their kitchens. A total kitchen remodeling project will often involve replacing all of the cabinets, appliances, and flooring. In an older home, it might also include modernizing wiring or plumbing. Some people may also want to open the kitchen up to other rooms of the home to modernize the layout. Be certain that you choose a good and reputable contractor if planning this sort of kitchen remodeling project.

Ideas for kitchen remodeling projects of this scope are often easy to find. You may well be able to create your dream kitchen. You should also consider what aspects, if any, of your current kitchen you may want to keep. Beautiful cabinetry should be kept and preserved, or original floors refinished in an older home. While no one wants that dark and dated 1970's kitchen, if you live in a much older home, consider trying to retain the character of your home and kitchen while planning your kitchen remodeling projects.

Expect a total kitchen remodeling project to take quite some time, often as much as several months. It will be costly, and in many cases quite inconvenient. You may even want to spend some time away from home while the work is being done to reduce the stress of the remodeling project.

5. A Major Kitchen Remodel
Major kitchen remodeling projects are not so different than a total remodel. You may well be replacing cabinets, flooring and appliances; however, you may not be changing the basic structure of your kitchen in a fundamental way. As with a total kitchen remodeling project you will need a good contractor, and may need the services of a kitchen designer.

Ideas for kitchen remodeling of this scope include replacing cabinetry, adding a custom island, bringing in new appliances or flooring or having your kitchen cabinets refaced. Refacing your kitchen cabinets is one great way to change the look of your kitchen and keep your budget intact. If you have a well laid out kitchen and good quality cabinetry, consider investigating this option when planning your kitchen remodeling projects. Opting to reface rather than replace your cabinets may allow you to upgrade other appliances or countertops.

While a major kitchen remodeling project will not render your kitchen unusable for as long as a total kitchen renovation, you should still be prepared to use a microwave and crockpot, and eat quite a lot of takeout for the time that the kitchen is undergoing remodeling.

6. Smaller Kitchen Remodeling Projects
A variety of smaller kitchen remodeling projects can change your kitchen in big ways. These smaller projects are often quite affordable and can be done by many homeowners on their own. What are some ideas for kitchen remodeling projects you can do yourself?

Paint can dramatically change your kitchen, and is a very doable and affordable change. Whether you paint just the walls or opt to prime and paint your cabinets, this option is one of the best ways to remodel your kitchen on a tight budget. Many types of flooring, including some laminate possibilities and tiles of various sorts can be done by a handy homeowner. If your flooring is dated and worn, this can be another kitchen remodeling project you may want to consider. Tiled backsplashes are also a popular choice when you want to add color and style to your kitchen without a big investment.

Countertops, while not a major remodeling project, may well require the assistance of a professional installation service. Many stores offer installation if you purchase appliances from them, so a new stove or dishwasher may be a remodeling project that is easier than you might expect.



7. Tips and Tricks to Survive Remodeling Your Kitchen
Remodeling your kitchen can be stressful. While there are many magazines offering ideas for kitchen remodeling, often no one tells you how to survive the remodeling process. First, expect that one member of the family will need to be in close, regular contact with your contractor about how the work is progressing and what remains to be done. This will help your kitchen remodeling project stay on task and on budget.

Daily life will also be substantially impacted by your kitchen remodeling project. Obviously, during much of the process, your kitchen will be unavailable for daily use. You may need to designate an area as a substitute kitchen. A buffet in the dining room may work well, if equipped with a microwave, toaster, coffee pot and other necessities. You may find that it is easier to use paper plates and cups to avoid having to wash dishes in the bathroom. In some cases, you may even want to move into a suite-type hotel for a few weeks, during the worst of the kitchen remodeling to avoid living with dust and risking the children getting underfoot.


8. How to Choose a Contractor for Your Kitchen Remodel
Choosing a contractor for your kitchen remodeling project can be one of the most challenging aspects of this whole process. Needless to say, it is critical that you hire a reputable contractor. Be clear with the contractor about your budget, timeline and needs.

If you know friends who have recently remodeled their kitchens, talk with them about who they used. If you know skilled trades people, such as home builders, they may have suggestions as well. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to locate reputable business people.

You might also consider using the installations services available through your local home improvement center for your new cabinetry, flooring and appliances; however, this may require you take an active role in organizing your kitchen remodeling project. Kitchen design centers can also offer recommendations for good contractors in your area. Keep the specifics of your kitchen remodeling project in mind when choosing a contractor for the project. If you are changing the structural layout of your home, an expert in that may be best, whereas custom cabinetry requires different skills.

9. The Benefits of Remodeling Your Kitchen
Remodeling your kitchen can improve the overall value of your home. While many home improvement projects will net you a minimal change in the value of your home, modern kitchens are critical to most home buyers today. An investment in a kitchen remodeling project is generally a smart one. If you do expect to sell your home, choose neutral colors and high quality materials when planning your kitchen remodeling project.

A remodeled kitchen, particularly if you make smart choices during the design process, is a center of your home. It is a lovely space in which to live with your family or entertain guests. A well designed kitchen includes ample storage and workspace, and may even integrate space for a home computer, television and other needs. Remodeling your kitchen may also allow you to choose and install more energy efficient appliances, thus saving you money in utility costs over time.

As you look at ideas for kitchen remodeling, think carefully about how you use your kitchen, and your long term plans for your home, whether you expect to stay in this home or move in a few years. Design a kitchen that appeals to you and a possible future buyer for the best return on your kitchen remodeling investment. While remodeling your kitchen is certainly challenging and stressful, this is one of the most rewarding of all remodeling projects, both in terms of daily use and home value.

Ideas for Minor Kitchen Remodeling (part 2 )

5. Space Saving Tips for Minor Kitchen Remodeling
Another area that you might want to consider for your ideas for minor kitchen remodeling is space saving. Many people embark on minor kitchen remodeling because they need more room, especially in small kitchens. Many kitchens were built simply to cook food, and many people want to use their kitchens for much more. Often, you cannot expand your kitchen but you can do things in it to save space.

Installing a bar type seating area is often a great space saving minor kitchen remodeling project. You can sit up to eat at the bar, instead of having a big and bulky kitchen table. Another great space saving project is putting a kitchen island in, which doubles as a work space and an eating area. This can eliminate the need for a table and give you more space to work with at the same time. Therefore, it is a very popular kitchen remodeling project.

Another space saving minor kitchen remodeling project might include installing a pot-and-pan storage device to hang from your ceiling. This can be a great way to save on space, and also to create a unique look for your kitchen. It can also help you open up more storage.

6. Creating Storage With Minor Kitchen Remodeling
Storage is a major problem in many kitchens, which is why creating storage is often the goal of minor kitchen remodeling projects. Creating storage can be quite difficult, but it can be done. Projects that you can do to create storage include installing deeper cabinets, which will hold more, or installing more cabinets. A great kitchen remodeling project that creates storage is to install floor to ceiling cabinets along one wall of your kitchen. You can give these cabinets a fresh and unique look, and use them to store just about everything that you need to store in your kitchen.

Many times, ideas for minor kitchen remodeling projects might revolve around rearranging the areas that you have in order to create more storage. You might replace your kitchen table with a kitchen island, which has storage compartments all along the bottom. You might also install storage where there was none before - such as under counters or above the sink.

Storage projects can also help the overall look of your kitchen. For instance, if you install brand new cupboards that are deeper, you can also get lighter colored cupboards that will brighten up your entire kitchen. The same technique can be used with a kitchen island, because it will often be brightly colored.

7. Lighting and Minor Kitchen Remodeling
The lighting that you have in your kitchen is often one of the biggest things to think about when you are getting ideas for minor kitchen remodeling. Many people update their lighting during minor kitchen remodeling projects, because this is the best way for them to lighten and brighten their kitchens.

If you are looking to do so with your own project, a good thing to consider is a brand new light fixture, or new sconces that you can put on your walls. Remember that it is important to get lighting that is both brightening to your space, but also warm for the kitchen. You want your kitchen to be a well lit and bright place, but also one that is warm so that your family will like to spend time there. There are many fixtures that you can get that will help you do both of these things at once.

8. Flooring and Minor Kitchen Remodeling
Many people choose to do minor kitchen remodeling projects that revolve around flooring. If your floor is dingy and dark, replacing it with something brighter or softer is often the way to go. Also, some older homes have carpet in the kitchen, and replacing the carpet with tile or wood is one of many ideas for minor kitchen remodeling projects. However, these types of projects can often turn out to be more than you bargained for.

Replacing flooring is often something that people think will be a minor project, but it turns into a major one. Therefore, before you begin your flooring project, you should be ready to complete it, even if it turns into a much larger project. You should also be sure that you know how to install your new flooring, and that you won't end up needing more help.


9. Decorating and Minor Kitchen Remodeling
Sometimes, a minor kitchen remodeling project can be a simple as decorating your kitchen in a different way. It might be that all of your appliances are in good working order and look fine, and that your cupboards and drawers are exactly what you want them to be. However, it might be that your kitchen simply does not look as you would like it to, and that some updating is in order.

There are many decorating projects that you can do when this is the case. Many people like to change the color of the walls in the kitchen. If your kitchen walls are white but you feel that your kitchen looks too sterile, try doing your walls in a grey or tan color instead. This will add more depth to your kitchen and also make it look updated. You might also want to add trim or paint your cabinets. These are all ways to use paint when you get ideas for minor kitchen remodeling projects.

You might also consider simply installing new blinds, or adding rugs and other fixtures in order to import a brand new color scheme for your kitchen. Often, this can be the best way that you have to do kitchen remodeling, especially if you live in a rental home and can't do a full remodeling project. Even something as simple as rearranging the way that your kitchen is set up can be a great small remodeling project that can change the entire look of your kitchen and make it feel brand new and updated. If you feel that you need a new kitchen, but don't have the time or money for a full remodeling project, think about smaller things that you can do to make the kitchen seem like a brand new place.

Ideas for Minor Kitchen Remodeling (part 1 )

There are many different things that you might do to your home to spruce it up or to brighten up the atmosphere. Minor kitchen remodeling projects are projects that you can do quickly and easily, and that will help you create the kitchen of your dreams. Many of these projects can be done in a couple of days, or even over a weekend. A lot of them can also be done without much training. Many minor kitchen remodeling projects are also projects that you have been putting off because you think that they will take more time than they actually will. Therefore, if you have ideas for minor kitchen remodeling projects in mind, it is always a good idea to see if you can get them accomplished. You might be surprised at how much better it can make your kitchen look and feel.


1. Minor Kitchen Remodeling Projects
There are many projects that are considered to be minor kitchen remodeling projects. Most of the time, these projects include replacing or repairing something that just isn't working for you any more. It might not be that you want to create a brand new kitchen - you might simply want to replace the flooring or the lighting, or even replace the window.

Many ideas for minor kitchen remodeling projects include installing a dishwasher or a new set of cupboards to make your life easier or to brighten up the kitchen. A minor remodeling project might also include painting the walls, or hanging a new kitchen light. In short, minor kitchen remodeling projects are projects that take just a couple parts of your kitchen and change them. These projects are usually something that you can handle on your own, in a small amount of time. However, you must be careful because often doing a minor kitchen remodeling project can lead you to more projects that you feel need to be done. Therefore, it is often a good idea to make a list of what needs to be done, and make sure that you stop when you are finished!

2. Do It Yourself Minor Kitchen Remodeling
Do it yourself kitchen remodeling has been around for many years. There are hundreds of books, DVD sets, or television shows that you can check out in order to learn how to do these projects. Do it yourself kitchen remodeling is something that you can also explore by visiting a hardware store or a home supply store. The people who work at these stores are well versed in how to do these projects, and part of their job is to tell customers how to do them as well.

If you are considering do it yourself kitchen remodeling, the best way to go about it is to do research before you start. You need to check out books or look on the Internet to figure out the exact steps you should take to finish the project that you would like to finish. Looking up information and doing research is a very important part of do it yourself kitchen remodeling. Many people believe that they do not need to do research first because the project appears to be so simple. However, if they do not do research, they often end up with parts that are broken, faucets they don't know how to work, and a major mess on their hands. Many times, do it yourself kitchen remodeling projects turn into nightmares because the person has not done their research first and, therefore, does not know what to do. Do your research first, and then you can buy the supplies and have a good idea of the steps that you can take for your project.

3. Minor Kitchen Remodeling Requiring Outside Help
There are some projects that you will need outside help with, no matter how simple they seem. Unless you are an electrician, you are going to want to get outside help if you are doing rewiring projects. Doing rewiring without any electrical knowledge is very dangerous, for yourself and for your home. If you put up a lamp or change the way the outlets work in your home without help, and you do something wrong, you can be at risk for electric shock, or for fire. Both of these things would lead to far more work and money. Therefore, it is always a good idea to seek professional help if you are dealing with lighting.

The other area that you might want to seek professional help in is going to be plumbing. Often, hooking up water and other pipes can get very confusing. One simple mistake with a pipe can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs or damages. It can also lead to many hours of work for you or a professional plumber, and to other problems in your home, which you will then have to deal with. Therefore, plumbing is an area where you might want to seek professional help.

4. Brighten Up Your Kitchen With Small Projects
A kitchen should be a room in your home that is very bright and welcoming. However, many times a kitchen is built onto a home in the darkest or dingiest corner. You have probably seen many tiny kitchens, and you might even have a small kitchen yourself. However, no matter how small your kitchen is, there are always ways to brighten it up.

Many of the ideas for minor kitchen remodeling projects are projects that you can do to brighten up your home. They are projects such as replacing the smaller window over your sink with a much larger one that will help let in light and make the kitchen area seem bigger. They also might be projects such as replacing an old lighting system with a newer and brighter one, or installing different countertops to brighten up your kitchen. Using brighter colors, newer materials, and new appliances can all be ways to make your kitchen more welcoming and brighter.

Guide to Remodeling a Kitchen

A kitchen remodel can be an exciting and creative activity for a homeowner; as with every remodel it is advisable to start with a budget in mind and work according to a plan. There is a lot you can do with a kitchen remodel; kitchen cabinets, sinks, exhaust fans, sinks, kitchen islands, curtains, lighting, countertops, backsplash, faucets, furniture, tiles, etc can be replaced or repaired to give a whole new look to your kitchen. You should get an idea of the costs involved in a remodel and then plan the remodel to fit your budget.


Before starting a remodeling project, it is important to obtain a building permit well in advance because municipalities may take time to process the permit application.
Kitchen roofs can be kept a little higher so as to give the kitchen a different feel from the rest of the house and the kitchen can be moved adjacent to the dining area so that service from the kitchen is made easy.


In kitchens, where space is a constraint a remodel offers the opportunity to remove items and accessories that are rarely used and create some space. The kitchen space can be made more appealing visually by varying the height of the countertops and using cabinets of different sizes with different styles of doors. Contrasts can be achieved by using light wood stains for the islands and darker ones for the cabinets. A remodel is also the time to hide unsightly appliances by installing panels that can cover or disguise ovens or refrigerators. Another way to make appliances blend with the surroundings is to install stainless steel appliances; this is because stainless steel reflects the colors of its surroundings and is therefore not very noticeable.
The space to be allocated for counters can be a tricky decision; ideally you should allocate sufficient space for the counters and the counters should have enough width and depth to provide working space as well as space for appliances. The cabinets should be so placed that the contents of the cabinets are accessible from the place in the kitchen where they are likely to be used most often.


Traditional kitchen cabinets come with raised panels and in a range of finishes and wood choices. Contemporary kitchen cabinets offer an uncluttered look with well-defined lines; the building materials include wood, glass, plastic, and other materials. Kitchen sinks are mostly made of stainless steel which is a resilient and inexpensive alternative. Enamel covered cast iron sinks provide a traditional look. Quartz composite and granite-based sinks offer a high shine and are durable.


Kitchen islands can be added to spacious as well as not-so-spacious kitchens; with smaller kitchens, an island provides added countertop space for placing cooking pots and cutlery. Kitchen islands also offer space for a small family to gather, a kitchen island on wheels enables one to move the island around and alter the space settings. While remodeling, one can try to alter the lighting if required so that it illuminates the stove, countertops, cabinets, sink and other work areas.

10 Kitchen Design Ideas

If you’re looking to spruce up a kitchen without huge projects like replacing large appliances like the range, refrigerator or dishwasher, here are ten ways to get a nicer looking cooking space.

Sinks: A new sink installation can make a kitchen shine. Find the sink you want, whether it’s ceramic/porcelain or traditional stainless steel kitchen sinks, and renovate your cleaning space.


Faucets: If you’re not up to replacing the entire sink, try a stylish faucet fixture that will give a sink a new look. Check out these fashionable kitchen faucets installations to give your kitchen a classy appearance.


Light fixtures: Hanging or wall-mounted light fixtures comes in a variety of styles, from traditional chandelier type fixtures to modern track lighting

Soap dispensers and cleaning supply holders: Get new accessories like these in vibrant colors and give your kitchen a new look. These days, lots of buyers are choosing to add soap dispensers into the sink or counter fixture. Use models like these sink and counter integrated soap dispensers to get the look you want.

Pot racks: You can find some great designs in metal or other materials to hold large kitchen tools while giving your room a distinctive appearance. Look for solutions like this Kalco pot rack with Satin Nickel Finish for holding all of your large pots and pans and providing a bright design in your cooking space.

Spice racks: Keep your herbs and spices in order and contribute more to a kitchen work space design. These great kitchen installations help alleviate the clutter of a room without sufficient storage for small objects.

Floor mats: Runners and colored mats can brighten your space and protect linoleum or other flooring from the wear and tear of daily cooking.

Garbage disposals: Installing one of these handy tools in your kitchen will cut down on the disposal process for all compostable waste.
Fans: Install a small venting or cooling system in your kitchen and get both style and comfort.

Decorative gear: Wall hangings and other decorations give a kitchen its own unique flair. Anything from found objects to woven or ceramic wall décor build a more specialized ambiance in a kitchen.

Color of kitchen and appetite

Psychologists have for a long time tried to study the influence of color on the behavior, mood and appetite: different colors differently influence not only our mentality, but also our appetite. Let’s find what color to choose for kitchen that everything that you will prepare on it was tasty. And, the main thing, it did not allow us to overeat.
Grey color will help to grow thin
Are you going to loose some kilograms? Color kitchen in grey-pink tones: such combination muffles appetite and even causes disgust for meal! Grey color does not cause irritation, but thus it calms and muffles anxiety, and together with it and appetite.
Pink color (only not bright, but pale) makes the impression of some mystery, in a combination with grey it promotes self-scrutiny.
Orange and turquoise colors stimulate appetite
Orange and turquoise shades, and also their combinations concern to “tasty” colors. If you even will hang up a picture of these colors on kitchen and will look at it during meal you quickly will get rid of excessive leanness.
Orange color acts excitingly, thus it is very warm and vital color and it adds optimism.
Turquoise and blue-green colors muffle irritation because these are natural colors.

Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling

Kitchens and bathrooms are distinctive rooms that see a lot of routine. Functionally, they serve the same purpose everywhere. It is our personal touches that make them unique, so that their routine does not have to include their decor. If you are tired of the scenery in your kitchen and/or bathroom, maybe it is time for a makeover. Here are a few creative, cost effective ways to make a new style statement.

First, give those walls a new look. Flat walls are too often plain walls. One way to transform a wall is to add depth. This is easily accomplished with a paneled wall treatment. This treatment gives the wall an interesting dimension, with vertical boards two-thirds of the way up the wall. They visually lift the ceiling, which is aesthetically pleasing.

Creative painting can also leave a great impression on a wall. Instead of one or two primary colors, try painting on a decorating theme. For example, paint a colorful tent room which features vertical stripes that climb up the side walls and meet at an angle on the ceiling, cabana style.

However, don’t stop at the ceiling. No more is creative painting just for the wall and the ceiling, but it is making quite a splash on area rugs. Painted-on area rugs are a nice way to change the look in a room. Start this project with a design written out on graph paper, adjusting the dimensions. Before transferring the design, clean the rug and paint it with a base color. The design should be finished with several coats of polyurethane.

The window shade is also a good candidate for creative painting, but if you want to brighten up the window, try a touch of tile. Simply frame your window with a border of 4×4 inch ceramic tile, alternating colors work best. This eye-catching alteration does not take a lot of time or money. Furthermore, it does not have to be a permanent change. Tile adhesive can be used if you want a permanent look, if not, you can Velcro the tiles in place.

Tile still works wonders in the bathroom, regardless of the size of the bath. A simple design can create great impact. To avoid a flat, sterile look, select tiles that vary in color, texture and even size. Tile showrooms are a good place to get a variety of styles and sizes of tiles which are leftover from their inventory and often discounted.

Finally, always remember the little things that say a lot. Look for decorative pieces that can dress up an old area, like a new sink, a glass shelf, a vase made from a Cobalt blue glass bottle, and/or bathroom containers that look like pharmacy canisters.

Simple to Remember Guidelines to Choosing Colors for Kitchens

How do you choose what colors will work for your kitchen design?

It’s easier than you think. Once you eliminate what won’t work, you are left with a simple palette to choose from. So here are a few ways to filter out colors from your kitchen.

Color for Small Spaced Kitchens

Don’t use dark timbers and colors that will make the space appear smaller. So avoid dark reds, purples, dark blues and greens.

Look for clear crisp colors or whites with a tint of blue, green or yellow for a subtle background of color. Keep cabinetry simple and unadorned and avoid clutter as it will create chaos in a small kitchen.


Color for Large Open Plan Spaced Kitchens

Don’t make a huge contrast in color to the remainder of the décor in your home unless you want your kitchen to visually dominate the living space. Choose a color that flows with the single open plan space. Generally open plan living uses one color for the walls and has small pockets of color to define specific areas within this.


Open plan spaces predominately use white as a wall color and then add color and texture to that. So colors that would work in a large open plan spaced kitchen are mottled, textured neutrals, whites, grays, black and silver metallics, materials like Corian, granite, laminates, stainless steel and tiles.

Then use color in accessories, flowers, jars, vases, pendant light shades, bar stools, pictures etc to provide focal points and pockets of color.


These kitchens are small functional and compact. They generally aren’t a feature of the home simply a necessity and often use colors and textures to blend into the space and encroach as little as possible.

Most apartments are strapped for space and don’t have an abundance of natural light so bright light and clear colors tend to work best. Once again neutrals, whites and grays with accents of clear crisp colors, teal, apple green, hot pink, citrus yellow in small forms. Therefore the timeless all white kitchen works well with white appliances or for a modern look, soft metallic gray with stainless steel appliances is sleek and functional.



Color for Standard Typical Spaced Kitchen

Yippee!! Anything goes…. Obviously as long as it suits the style of your home and kitchen you can use any colors you like. The only thing to be weary of is lighting.

If you have a lot of natural light and well planned task and feature lighting then the colors you use can be strong and bold and you will still be able to see and the kitchen will be highlighted but if you have little natural light and poor lighting then either upgrade it or choose lighter more light reflecting colors.


Color for Outdoor kitchens


Yes the latest fad – not only is it trendy, but a fun way to use color outside. Think about the plantings that you have. Add some panels of bold colors to contrast. For example red flowers add a purple panel behind them to highlight the flowers and greenery. Add fun colored upholstered squabs or cushions to outdoor seating – hot pinks, burnt oranges, teal and crisp green apple.

For more color ideas for your kitchen look at the specific style of kitchen that you have, traditional, contemporary, country.

Make the most of color, use it, don’t get obsessed with it – step back and visualize your kitchen and how it will look, use brush outs (large cards of paint colors) to hold up in the space to see how the color works at different times of the day with different light. Start gradually and build up color.

If you are in doubt, stick to neutrals and layer gradually. Add color until you get the look you want. After all haven’t we been told for generations from the real estate agents that white is best in the kitchen as it is the color of purity and cleanliness and the most versatile and the best kitchen color for resale!

Contemporary Style Kitchens

Contemporary styled kitchen’s characteristics are their efficient use of space, their simplicity of form and openness.

The cabinetry is simple with little or no decoration; it is often made of prefinished board like laminate, a pale timber veneer, or a lacquered paint MDF board.

The use of glass in overhead cabinets is common and lighting plays a major role.


Cabinetry lighting is a feature especially in glass-fronted cupboards and under overhead cupboards to allow light to fall on the counter top.

Halogen is the preferred type, as the fittings are small and provide a lot of light and they literally make everything sparkle. Pendants over breakfast bars or islands are popular.




Windows in the kitchen are functional and generally not decorated unless with a functional blind to reduce the direct sunlight or provide privacy. Color is what makes contemporary style kitchens popular, reds, blues and bright colors. The color is often in the decoration, not the cabinetry. The walls are painted, colored tiles used as a splash back behind the sink or behind the cook top. Accessories are colored and can be changed regularly to create a new look.

The contemporary kitchen is functional and versatile. The appliance colors can be selected from white the most traditional, to black the most sophisticated or stainless steel for a clean hygienic modern feel.


The contemporary styled kitchen is a low fuss easy care kitchen that has products specified for easy cleaning and low maintenance. Vinyl flooring is popular for it’s easy clean and hygienic properties as well as cost effectiveness. Tiles are popular and new eco flooring options are creeping in for example laminate timber flooring strips, they look like timber but they’re not!

Contemporary styled kitchens covers a vast array of looks, it works well in most modern homes today and is an ideal style for remodeling and renovating your kitchen as it can be changed to create different looks with a minimum expense through colored accessories.

Country Style Kitchens

Country styled kitchens are difficult to define exactly as they have an eclectic feel, which means that they have all sorts of bits and pieces from differing styles and periods combined to create the country look.

There are also regional styles that are probably more well known like French Provincial Country Style or Old English Country Style, Colonial American Country Style. They all bring a similar feeling to the style, that of a safe, warm and comfortable homely ambience to the kitchen.


Generally timber is a major feature either in the cabinetry and or the flooring and the furniture.

Timber counter tops are popular or simply a mobile timber island or cutting block.

The finish to the wood is simple and often a white wash or distressed look is used over the wood to create a weathered or aged feel.

Most country styled kitchens have room for a kitchen table and chairs.

Usually in timber or wood, with a plaid or checked upholstery.

The preferred timber types are pine, maple or the local wood in plentiful supply.



Pot racks – generally metal, and timber chopping blocks are features and numerous other forms of display for cooking utensils and jars of sugar, flour, salt and condiments etc.

The country kitchen lacks order and symmetry but it does possess visual movement and controlled clutter. The style allows for combinations of accessories and wrought ironware, copper pans, ceramic plates and jugs, different patterns in fabrics and collectables. They are functional and homely. Many finishes are different, combining timber with painted tiles, metal work and ceramic, as long as there are no high contrast clashing combinations – the country feel exists.


The prevalent colors are creams and whites combined with natural timbers and light browns. Highlight colors are dependant on which country style you follow but in general, reds, earth greens, blues are popular and common colors in plaids and checked fabrics.

The American Country Style is typified the the colors of sun aged barn reds and dusky blues, patchwork upholstery and painted floor boards, floor cloths and matchboard wainscoting, stenciled motifs and artwork and simple rag rugs.

French Country Style or Provencal or French Provincial is defined by the Provencal print of fabric which features warm sun drenched color schemes of bright yellows, pinks, reds and blues. The walls are often white washed or color washed in natural tones of ochre, russet, honey or rose. The flooring is predominately terracotta tiles and the use of timber is prolific with simple functional, rustic designed furniture. Metals feature in accessories, wrought iron cabinetry handles, pot racks, plate holders and candelabra and shutters to the windows.

English Country Style is a weathered and well-used look. An elegant yet old and faded look, still homely with the generational comfort of unchanged history and style. Worn floor rugs, needlework cushions and upholstery on timber kitchen chairs, faded floral chintz drapery at the windows. Soft subtle mellow colors, creams, pinks, generally warm colors as kitchens were often in colder areas of the house. Display of condiments, preserving jars and always some sort of flowers, either wild flowers in a vase of flowers and herbs hanging over the stove to dry.

Styles of Kitchen - Which One Suits You?

Kitchen styles - sleek and industrial, rustic and homely, crisp and fresh, which one suits you?

There is an expression for all the differing kitchen styles available, but they all have one thing in common.

They all have a sink, oven and refrigerator!

Most have many more appliances and this makes the kitchen the most expensive room in the home to equip.


So careful planning and attention to detail for every aspect is essential from electrical power point placement to light fittings; the kitchen is a complex space to design.

The kitchen is the hub of the home as we all have to eat regularly and it is always a constant buzz of activity. Kitchens are therefore one of the major area home buyers look at along with bathrooms when purchasing a house.



The first consideration whether remodeling your existing house or starting out with a new home is the current style of your home and your furnishings. The kitchen is often placed centrally in the home and therefore visible from most rooms, the decoration and style should flow harmoniously throughout.


Imagine how crazy a sleek single line, white marble top, lacquered cabinetry with stainless steel appliances would look in a country cottage. An exaggeration of concept but crazier style combinations have been seen, unfortunately most of them fail as the contrast is too great and the detail of the styles is broken and lost with the jolting differences in a small space.

In this area of the website we will outline the features of different kitchen styles and allow you to decide which style reflects your home and your lifestyle best.

Traditional Styled Kitchens – Timeless and versatile.

Country Styled Kitchens – Relaxed and Comfortable.

Contemporary Styled Kitchens – Sleek and Streamlined.

Choosing Colors for Kitchens - Find some easy to remember guidelines.

So follow through and find out which style of kitchen fits the look of your home.
To learn about which type of kitchen layout best suits you visit Kitchen layouts.

Remember that there is a style of kitchen out there for everyone, when you add your decoration to the space you completely create your own unique sub style of kitchen design.

Stylish Kitchen Cabinet Renovation Guide on a Budget

To update the carcass of existing kitchen cabinets, you only need to replace the countertop and the cabinet doors to refresh the look of your kitchen. Using low-cost materials like paint, zinc sheeting or wood-veneer, the cabinets can be transformed into designer-look pieces at cost-conscious budget. The key is to match the color and look to a theme. For example, old cabinet doors can be replaced with MDF doors which can be customized by spray-painting them in tones to complement the color scheme of the kitchen.


If you’ve got a bit more money to spare, you can go for trendy brushed steel doors and a stainless steel worktop to go with white or pale wood laminate cabinets. A darker wood tone can be matched with a white postformed laminate countertop and matching doors for a brighter, airier look.

For either wood color, using sleek metal handles add an edgy accent to the cabinets. The mix of steel with wood ensures that the kitchen looks contemporary but does not end up feeling too cold.

However, you can’t assume that the cabinet’s structure is still sound. Often, wooden structures that look pretty good from the outside can be rotting in areas you can’t see. This is especially true of kitchens which are perpetually damp; the humidity as well as frequency and the way which kitchens are cleaned (soap plus lots of water) affect the degree of dampness.


To confirm that you’ll be able to re-use the cabinet bodies, you need to get a reliable contractor/carpenter to check the back and the internal structure. To be thorough, you should remove whatever you have inside the bottom cabinets so that he can do a proper inspection. If they are all right you can update the interiors by fitting them out with the latest wire shelving and pull-out racks to make them more efficient and to improve ventilation inside.