| No other room of the house works harder, is used | | | | accomplishing other tasks; such as homework, family |
| more frequently, or is more versatile than the | | | | discussions, entertaining, or paperwork. A work |
| kitchen. It serves multi-purposes and is the heart of | | | | triangle at one end of the room with a corner |
| the home. Just one reason why a kitchen remodeling | | | | breakfast nook or kitchen table at the opposite end |
| project is among the most popular type of home | | | | will work best. Any outside entryway should open at |
| renovation. Another reason why homeowners are | | | | the opposite end of the kitchen. Not in a location |
| willing to invest substantial amounts of money in a | | | | where persons entering would have to pass through |
| kitchen makeover is because it increases the real | | | | the work triangle area to access other areas of the |
| estate market value of their property. This is | | | | kitchen. The same is true for entry ways that lead |
| especially true when remodeling is to update and | | | | from other rooms in the house into the kitchen. |
| modernize the kitchen. Even if updates are purely | | | | Meal Preparation and Clean-up |
| aesthetic, features such as a natural stone custom | | | | When more than one person handles meal |
| kitchen counter top or custom kitchen cabinet design | | | | preparation and after meal cleanup at the same time, |
| using quality oak, maple, or an exotic wood will prove | | | | the following might be considered. More than just one |
| a good marketing investment. | | | | sink; a second located outside the work triangle, to |
| A More Professional Kitchen Design | | | | avoid traffic jams. Consider a kitchen island design, |
| Perhaps your kitchen renovation idea is a do it | | | | for instance. One that includes a small food rinsing |
| yourself project. Or, you may plan on hiring a home | | | | sink, butcher block top for cutting foods, and storage |
| interior designer or kitchen and bath contractor for | | | | cabinets below. Kitchen remodeling tip: an undersized |
| the job. Regardless, why not consider the following | | | | round design works best for a small kitchen |
| tips and ideas for a more efficient, innovative kitchen | | | | makeover. If you opt to omit a sink in the small |
| design? One with multi-purpose features to save | | | | kitchen island design, consider having the island built |
| space and make your kitchen even more efficient | | | | on locking casters so it can easily be repositioned, |
| and versatile. | | | | according to need. A separate cook top and oven, |
| Kitchen Cabinet Remodeling: | | | | with an additional two-burner cook top located |
| Whatever your budget, always opt for the best | | | | outside the work triangle might prove helpful. |
| quality cabinetry possible; whether factory or custom | | | | Consider a stationary kitchen island that includes a |
| made. This includes drawer runners made from metal | | | | rinsing sink and a small cook top. |
| instead of plastic, drawers with closer dampeners | | | | Cut Down on Kitchen Remodeling Cost |
| (preventing drawers from forcefully slamming shut), | | | | There are ways to cut down on overall kitchen |
| quality wood cabinet doors instead of laminated | | | | remodeling project cost. One way without |
| materials or engineered wood, etc. Select a style that | | | | compromising on best-possible features such as |
| compliments your new kitchen design - which should | | | | kitchen counter tops, flooring, and new appliances is |
| compliment and fit in with the rest of the house | | | | to handle some of the work yourself. Read the |
| décor. When it comes to custom built | | | | following article for DIY kitchen remodeling tips and |
| cabinetry, have the kitchen cabinet contractor | | | | ideas; Kitchen Renovation Design. Also note links at |
| incorporate as many space saving and ease-of-use | | | | the bottom of the page to other related articles. |
| features as possible. Including wall cabinets with doors | | | | Another way to cut back on costs without |
| that lift up instead of opening sideways, swing out | | | | compromising on quality is to hire a professional |
| base cabinet doors that open to reveal additional | | | | kitchen design expert or kitchen and bath contractor |
| shelving on the inside of the doors, corner lazy Susan | | | | for other aspects of your project. This will insure the |
| components, drawers with sectioned components | | | | best kitchen design and workmanship possible. |
| that lift out, cupboards with vertical stacking slots for | | | | Instead of new cabinetry, however, opt for do it |
| plates, saucers, and bowls, and butcher block-type | | | | yourself kitchen cabinet refinishing; updating the |
| cutting boards located by the sink area that pull out | | | | appearance of existing wood cabinets; whether |
| from under the counter. | | | | refacing to bring back the natural beauty and luster |
| | | | of the wood, painting, or sanding and re-finishing using |
| The Work Triangle | | | | a different color stain. Crown molding added to the |
| If designing your own kitchen, incorporate into the | | | | tops of soffits or the cabinets themselves can |
| plan the basic work triangle - a design that sets the | | | | drastically change their appearance; giving them |
| sink, cooking area, and refrigerator at the tips of an | | | | stunning design appeal. Especially when the molding is |
| imaginary triangle. Saving steps and time when | | | | painted a complimentary contrasting color or a shade |
| preparing foods; preventing "traffic jams" when more | | | | slightly darker than the cabinetry. |
| than one person uses the kitchen at the same time. | | | | © 2007 HandyAmerican. |
| Many times the kitchen also serves as space for | | | | |