Showing posts with label remodeling kitchens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label remodeling kitchens. Show all posts

Monday, 22 November 2010

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas


Some people dream of sugar plums dancing in their head; some dream of myriads of flowers blowing in the wind, and others dream of completely renovating their kitchens. Does that sound weird? Anyway, all of the real cooks in the world would rather cook the sugar plums, use the flowers for decorations for their table, and have a kitchen that only appears in their wildest fantasies.

Since the beginning of time, the kitchen has been the center of the home. The kitchen provided warmth, food, and fellowship. Even in the tiniest hut, the kitchen is still everyone's favorite room. Because the kitchen is the heart of the home, it should also be the best decorated and perfectly equipped room in the house. Unfortunately, most men build houses and have no idea what should really go into a dream kitchen. Women, of course, have input if they are buying a new home, but few if any women really know what they want in their new kitchen until they start cooking and realize what they are missing.
T
he Food Network had a few episodes about remodeling kitchens. Some of their superstar chefs were paired with homeowners who really needed a kitchen remodeling. I mean these kitchens were a real mess. All of these homeowners wanting their kitchens remodeled submitted video tapes which were judged.

For instance, Paula Deen was paired with a couple who had a kitchen remodeling plan that was just a little bit country just like Paula. The completed kitchen remodeling design had elements of a modern kitchen with modern equipment with added touches to add that country look. The finished kitchen remodeling project was incredibly lovely. The kitchen was not the true center of that home. From a kitchen that was almost useless, this kitchen was now both useful and gorgeous.

If you are like most people and you don't have a Food Network Superstar designing your kitchen, you should first do your homework. You might start with watching some of the Food Network shows. I am, among other things, a Food Network junkie. I love, love, love to watch cooking shows. Anyway, look at the kitchens used in the shows. Paula Deen's cooking show is now filmed in her own kitchen in her new house. She created a kitchen that, not only fulfilled her needs as a Food Network cook, but her needs as a home cook as well. She has a built in deep fryer, an inside grill, and many other goodies we ordinary kitchen owners can only dream about.

There are many magazines dedicated to house design and kitchen remodeling. The Home and Garden show also helps people with their kitchen remodeling ideas. Of course, unless you are incredibly wealthy, you have to figure in your kitchen remodeling cost budget. You have to create a wish list for your kitchen remodeling dreams. You might have to do your kitchen remodeling piece by piece. Draw your dream kitchen, your kitchen remodeling floor plan, and write your kitchen remodeling plan. Then you can decide what changes you can make and what kitchen remodeling ideas you can begin with.

If you like a retro look, you might want to check out antique shops for your kitchen remodeling ideas. There are many stores that completely refinish old kitchen equipment so that you have some actual antique stoves, fridges, and other kitchen appliances. Of course, for people who like a more modern look, most any store will have what you want for your kitchen remodeling ideas.

If you have a small house, you can still remodel your kitchen. Focus on planning your kitchen remodeling ideas to fit your small kitchen needs. You might even want to buy smaller appliances to give you more room for kitchen cabinet remodeling. Most builders do not configure kitchen cabinets the same way a good cook would. For instance, why do they build kitchen cabinets so high? Most women never use the top cabinets for anything but items they never use. These top cabinets are wasted unless the cook is seven feet tall. When you do your kitchen remodeling, plan your cabinets to make them useful.

Unless you never cook, you probably walk into your kitchen every day and see what you would like to change. Change is possible if you create a kitchen remodeling plan, create a kitchen remodeling cost structure, and dream big. Make your kitchen inviting and a reflection of your personality.

Frances Coleman

Monday, 1 November 2010

Your Complete Kitchen Planning Guide

Your Complete Kitchen Planning Guide
By Kathyrn Dawson


Knowing how you want to use your kitchen, the features you would like to have in it, and defining priorities that fit your budget can make your dream kitchen a reality. With that in mind, you can minimize the anxiety and the potentially daunting task by building a complete kitchen design plan that helps to ensure getting the most value from your investment. Kitchen planning for your new or remodeled space will be easier to understand if you follow a few of the guidelines discussed below:

Your Kitchen | Your Domain
The kitchen is the heart of your home and has long since been more than just a place to prepare, cook, serve, and eat meals. Modern designer kitchens should be the ultimate representation of your lifestyle yet provide compete functionality in a sometimes very limited space.

When we say ‘lifestyle', we really mean how will the kitchen be used and by whom? How much time do you typically spend preparing meals, what type of meals…gourmet or fast food? How are your meals prepared…made from scratch or pulled from the freezer and placed into a microwave? Are your meals eaten in the kitchen, a formal dining room, or in front of the television? Do you have pets to be considered in your new kitchen design? Do you have hobbies which also are done in the kitchen?

Lifestyles, when it comes to designer kitchens, will fall into the following categories:

Chef Lifestyle
Entertainer Lifestyle
Family Lifestyle
Urban Lifestyle
Accessible Lifestyle

Depending on your lifestyle, you will probably want to consider the most common space planning requirements for your designer kitchen. The best kitchen designs are laid out with work zones in mind. Using what's called "the work triangle," kitchen designers place everything from ovens and cooktops to sinks and refrigerators — as well as the cabinets themselves — within various zones. Space planning or work zones should be driven by your needs to maximize storage, accessibility and comfort in your kitchen.

Storage Space – Is there enough? Storage should be accessible to people of all ages and it should accommodate work needs and storage preferences. Don't overlook the important needs of handling your refuse, garbage, and recycling bins. Well designed storage spaces provide enhanced functionality for your kitchen.

Work Zones – The basic work stations in your kitchen include a) storage for refrigerated and non-refrigerated items, b) cooking and/or heating, and c) meal preparation. Each work station must complement the other and the distance between each station should be as short as possible and without impediments.

Open Floor Plans – Reflecting today's more informal living; open floor plans are very popular in new and remodeled kitchens. Typically a kitchen will now open to adjoining spaces like the family room, a great room, entertainment areas, expanded dining space, and/or computer workstation. Open floor plans create new design opportunities and can help you eliminate bottlenecks, improve traffic flow, and even create a perception of more overall space within your home.

Your Kitchen | From Floor to Ceiling
With a foundation of space within our grasp, let us now discuss the key components necessary to plan compete kitchens. Depending on your budget for a new kitchen or the extent of your kitchen remodel, either all or selected components will be considerations in your planning and budget.

Cabinets – There are literally thousands of options to consider when choosing kitchen cabinets. Your task can be made easier by narrowing your options using these five things – Price, Material, Type, Color, and Style.

Counter Tops have an enormous importance on the look and feel of your kitchen. The many choices available offer varying aesthetics, cost, weight, durability, and upkeep.

Sinks – Material for your sink should blend with your décor; options include stainless steel, composite granite, cast acrylic, cast iron, and copper. The size of your countertop may limit your options for size and number of bowls within your sink. Drop-in or dual-mount sinks work well with existing countertops while undermount sinks offer a clean and stylish look with replacement countertops.

Appliances are the workhorses in your kitchen. Appliances should be attractive, powerful, quiet, easy to clean, and safe. If buying new, look for super-high energy efficiency ratings to guide your choice.

Flooring – The best time to lay a new floor is immediately after your old kitchen has been stripped out and your plumbing and electrical work has been completed. New flooring should cover the entire area, as the additional cost is negligible compared to the time it takes to cut around cabinets. Like your countertops, kitchen flooring should be durable, stain resistance, and complimentary to your overall décor.

Lighting – Given the plethora of functions your kitchen performs, sufficient ambient and task lighting is critical. You need to have the correct lighting at all the conceivable spaces for whatever task may be done at that spot. The type of surface, which is being lit, will also have an impact to the lighting choices you need to make. Colors also play an important role in your lighting selections.

Other Considerations – In addition to the key components listed above, you should also make note of other budget considerations in your overall kitchen planning. They include and are not limited to, Decorative Hardware – Faucets - Paint and/or Wall coverings – Ventilation - Electrical Outlets – Windows and Window Treatments.
Your Kitchen | Delivery and Installation

Consult skilled experts in a variety of fields, especially if you plan your kitchen remodel as a ‘Do-It-Yourself' project. Since a complete kitchen makeover can be a fairly expensive undertaking, it is recommended that you seek and use skilled professionals with design and installation expertise. If you do not select a full service company with this capability as your source, you must be prepared to serve as your own 'scheduling contractor' and perhaps, even purchasing agent. Consider these final tips to get the most value from your investment:

1. Put your plan to paper – draw a plan and make a list to help you determine costs.
2. Hire a reputable contractor experienced in complete kitchens. Get references and a timeframe in writing. Labor costs can be estimated at approximately 30% of the total remodeling job.
3. Do it yourself – coordinate with your contractor for the pieces of work which make sense based on your skill and experience in remodeling. Unless you are licensed, hire reputable plumbers and electricians.
4. Keep at least 10% of your budget for unexpected costs. Who knows what lies beneath those old walls or floors?

Buying a new kitchen is not something you do every day; plan wisely to ensure getting the most for your investment. Remember that fitted kitchen products and services are not ‘off the shelf' items so make sure your plan also includes the delivery of items so installation is not stalled. A ‘build your plan' and ‘follow your plan' approach will ultimately save you money and provide you with the kitchen of your dreams.

Thursday, 7 October 2010

Remodelling Kitchens - Kitchen Remodelling Ideas

Remodelling Your Kitchen? All You Need To Know About Designs  

Gone are the days when the kitchen was a dingy room tacked away at the back of the house. Kitchens have stepped into the limelight and are at centre stage in modern homes. With a variety of exciting designs to choose from, which includes French country to New York loft cheek, you can be as creative as you like with your new kitchen. In this article we will be looking at some different designs and great ideas for kitchens.

Country-style kitchen
If you like the cosy feeling of country style living then this type of design is for you. With solid wood tops, white or blue washed cabinet doors. Freestanding gas cookers with canopy extractors all lend to the country feel, and using a painted tiles on the certain areas of the walls bring this look together. If you have the space then a kitchen island in a granite completes this look.

Funky contemporary kitchens
In this type of kitchen the focus is on the linear lines and using contemporary colours on the tiles or cabinets to brighten up the kitchen. Clean lines give the modern feel with concrete surface tops and stainless steel appliances. Splashes of colour can be added in the flooring or cabinets.

Ultra modern kitchen
When trying to envision an ultra modern kitchen think sleek minimalistic look, clean lines, uncluttered surfaces, aluminium and steel fittings, stainless steel appliances, stone or steel tops and sandblasted glass doors on cabinets. Colours are kept neutral in shades of cream, white, sand, black or grey. High gloss tiles reflect the cheek light fittings making this kitchen seem like one of those designer kitchens seen in show rooms.

These are just three of the many designs in kitchens and one can literally spend hours looking around at all the designs in a showroom or on the various design websites. But sometimes the task of choosing a kitchen style from amongst the many different designs can be daunting. Always take your time and come up with solutions for your available space and layout of your kitchen as good layout is key when designing your kitchen space. Here are two key elements that can instantly change the look of your entire kitchen yet are often overlooked.

The proper light fittings in your kitchen can make a huge difference and give an instant facelift to a kitchen. Step away from the florescent lighting and choose from some of many down lighting and spot lights.

Flooring is another key element in a kitchen that is often overlooked. The type of material used, the colour and the texture can make a huge difference in the overall feel of the kitchen so take your time when considering which one to choose and buy some samples to take home and try on your kitchen floor. This goes for the tiles on your kitchen wall too, high gloss big tiles make spaces modern whilst hand painted tiles can be used to get the country effect.

Let your kitchen take centre stage in your home and let your imagination and creativity run wild!

by Verne Eliasov