E HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> Revamping the Heart of Your Home: Kitchen Remodeling Basics
Revamping the Heart of Your Home: Kitchen Remodeling Basics
Whether it's the aroma of simmering stew, the easy access to refreshments, or the colorful array of fruits and vegetables, there's something about a kitchen that draws people like a magnet.
Think back. Remember all the heart-to-heart conversations and silly stories told over a glass of wine or cup of coffee at the kitchen table? The kitchen is a casual, central gathering place full of something everyone loves--food! For many families, though, food is not the only thing made in the kitchen--memories are made there, too.
If, however, you find your kitchen memories clouded by images of dust-laden blinds, cracked tiles, crooked cabinets, or pantries stuffed to the brim, it's definitely time to revamp this important room.
Where to begin?
You may need to completely
remodel your kitchen, or there may be one or two areas that could be improved to alter the entire room. Start by realistically assessing your kitchen. What do you like, what do you hate, and what do you absolutely have to have?
Let it shine
Look to your windows and light fixtures first--lighting makes a huge difference in any room. Kitchen lighting should be somewhat flexible. For family dinners or appetizers with friends, you'll want the room to glow with cozy light. When it comes to dinner prep time, or Saturday morning pancakes, a bright kitchen is best, preferably with some natural lighting.
Pick light bulbs that shine as bright or soft as you like, and consider wiring your kitchen for dimmers. You may need to replace dusty, outdated light fixtures, or add new light fixtures here and there.
If your kitchen's windows are small, dingy, thin, or ill-placed, look into window replacement. This might mean a huge picture window over the sink, with a view of your garden, or maybe a skylight. Window replacement is also a good idea if your windows are of poor quality. Thoroughly cleaning your existing windows might work wonders as well.
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replacement windowsDelightful details
New curtains, blinds, shades, or other window treatments can dramatically change your whole kitchen. Take a look at your current window dressing. Do you have dirty metal blinds? Flimsy shades? Dark, heavy curtains? Nothing at all?
Contact a window-treatment specialist to see the wide variety of window treatments available, and choose something that brightens up and modernizes your kitchen. You'll be amazed at the difference these affordable details will make.
Store it in style
Cabinets typically dominate half of at least one or two walls in every kitchen. First and foremost, these cubbies should be spacious enough to fit nearly all your dishes and glassware. You don't want to have to go to the basement to get your party platters or food processor, so some extra room is essential.
If you need more cabinet space, talk to a contractor or cabinet specialist about how to add cabinets to your kitchen. Sometimes, though, your cubbies just need a makeover. They may be made of low-quality wood or other materials, or have faulty shelves and handles. In this case, cabinet refacing is your best bet.
Cramped pantries can also cramp your kitchen's style. No one wants to dig through stacks of soup cans and piles of cracker boxes for a snack. You don't want to forget about foods stuck in the back, either. Try cleaning out your pantry first, but if you can't find a way to organize, you'll need to build a bigger one.
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kitchen cabinetsA grand entrance
A cozy kitchen should be easily accessible to everyone. No narrow doorways or particle-board doors should hamper the entrance to this gathering place. Perhaps the threshold of your kitchen is misplaced, or you'd like it to open onto your living room. Think about what works best for you and your family, and talk to a contractor if remodeling is necessary.
You might also consider adding a new dimension to your eatery by constructing a door that opens onto your patio or backyard. Let your imagination be your guide, and the possibilities are endless.
Kitchen 101
Before your kitchen can become your family's favorite room, the basic components must work to serve their purpose. In other words, the refrigerator, sink, garbage disposal, dishwasher, stove, microwave, and other appliances must be in working order.
If you're constantly dealing with a clogged garbage disposal--or if you have no disposal at all--contact a plumber and remedy the situation. The same goes for the rest of your kitchen hardware. From weak refrigerators and faulty stoves to leaky faucets and rust-ridden sinks, a plumber or other handyman can help.
If you've always dreamed of having a dishwasher, six-top stove, or industrial-strength blender, this would be the time to shop for new appliances, too.
Make it yours
Whether the heart of your home needs a complete remodel, or just some new curtains and light bulbs, improving this area will not only improve your family's day-to-day living, it will also increase the value of your home as a whole. Whatever you do, use your imagination to make it the kitchen of your dreams. After all, if you build it, they will come.
Talk to a
kitchen renovation professional
