Archive for the 'Kitchen Remodeling' Category

Mar 10 2010

Simple Kitchen Cabinet Decorating Tips

Kitchen cabinets are one of those things that can be expensive to replace, or sometimes you simply want to hang on to them. If you have older kitchen cabinets that you want to look a whole lot nicer, there are several ways to update them to fit the style of your kitchen décor. Here are some easy ways to update your kitchen cabinets without having to commit a lot of time or money to the project.

Add New Hardware to the Kitchen Cabinets
If you’re looking for a simple and inexpensive way to update your kitchen cabinets, install some new hardware. By adding new pulls or handles, you can really change the look of a cabinet. Cabinet hardware doesn’t cost much, and it may only take you an hour or so to complete the change. Unique handmade or hand-painted cabinet pulls will really spruce up your cabinets and add a creative touch to your kitchen décor.

Paint the Kitchen Cabinets
It’s not as difficult as you might think to paint your kitchen cabinets. Depending on the style and color of your old cabinets, it may not even be necessary to sand them before painting. To get the best coverage and make the job easier overall, be sure to remove the doors and paint them on a flat surface.

If you’re looking to completely change the look of the room, go with an entirely new color. For instance, by painting the cabinets a particular shade, you can turn a country kitchen into a modern-style décor. Since painting usually only takes a weekend, by Monday morning you can sit back and enjoy a kitchen that looks brand-new.

Take the Doors Off the Cabinets
Taking the doors off some of your cabinets is another quick way to update your kitchen. With the doors removed, you can either show off what’s inside or display a collection that adds to the kitchen décor. You don’t have to take off every cabinet door; even just two open cabinets can change the entire look of the kitchen. Before you remove the doors, however, be sure that you are committed to keeping the inside of those cabinets clean and organized, and are comfortable displaying the items inside. For example, a collection of plastic cups will not make as wonderful of a kitchen accessory as antique china.

Replace the Cabinet Doors
A great way to update your kitchen and have cabinets that fit with the style you’re going for is to replace your kitchen cabinet doors. These days, there are many different types of kitchen cabinet doors available. For instance, you can find doors that have designs built in to them. There are also doors that have windows. By finding cabinet doors that match the theme and style of the kitchen, you can help the entire décor of the room look much more cohesive. Be sure to measure your cabinets properly before selecting your doors, as this will ensure that they will fit.

Any of these ideas for updating your kitchen cabinets can help take your kitchen from old to stylish and new. While none of these renovations will cost you thousands of dollars, they can all drastically change the look of the room. Once you decide which option will work best for your cabinets and your kitchen, you can start updating your look.

About the Writer…
For over 40 years Leon Tuberman has helped people with their furniture and interior design needs. He is the owner and operator of popular furniture store in California. They carry a large selection of American made solid oak furniture for your living room, dining room and bedroom. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for a dining room table for your master dining room or a wood filing cabinet for your office then they have everything you need.

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Feb 14 2010

How to Decorate Your Kitchen

Your kitchen is just like the heart of your house where meals are prepared and served. Even while purchasing a new house, the kitchen is the most important room that buyers consider. Your kitchen is your home’s top-selling attraction which can really impress all your guests and visitors. It is very crucial for your kitchen to have a good layout and ambiance where your guests can feel comfortable while dining.

If you have a large budget for kitchen decoration then you can even consider architectural designs, fixtures and drawers, changing the cabinets, modular kitchen fittings, crown molding and installation of the latest kitchen appliances. So, now let me tell you about some great ways through which you can decorate your kitchen in an elegant manner.

1. Add decorative paintings in your kitchen area
Decorative artwork can really give your kitchen an attractive look. If you are an ardent fan of good paintings and artwork then you can even consider decorating your kitchen with them. You can buy decorative items such as flower vases, bowls and table mats that can be decorated on your kitchen table. You can get photographs of your family members framed in order to decorate them on the kitchen walls. A bowl full of fruits can also add a special feature to your kitchen.

2. Good color paints
Some people prefer soothing wall paints while some opt for vibrant colors. The wall paints that you choose for your kitchen should depend on your choice and the all over decor of the kitchen. If you want you can either choose only one color for painting the kitchen walls or you can even consider painting all four walls with different colors. If you can not choose particular wall paint then you can consider putting patterned wall papers on the walls of your kitchenette.

3. Consider new flooring and kitchen rug
Flooring is one of the chief factors that can change the whole appearance of your kitchen. These days there are various materials like hardwood, tile and laminate available in the market from which you can easily choose the material most suitable for your kitchen. If you do not wish to change the flooring then one other very good option for you is to change the rug or the floor mat. The rug should go well with the other mats or rugs that you have used under your kitchen table, oven or sink.

Decorating your kitchen can really make your room look attractive and appealing.

For quality RTA Cabinets visit the Used Kitchen Cabinets warehouse

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Feb 13 2010

L-Shaped Kitchen – A Space Friendly Affair

Are you a home maker? Do you want to get a stylish makeover of your kitchen? Are you really sick of cooking in to the boundaries of your kitchen? Do you want to enjoy cooking while taking to other family members? Do not worry we have planned something unique for you. Yes the magical solution is an entirely different kitchen lay out that will allow you enjoying while cooking for your dear ones. So are you ready for it?

There are a number of variations available in the kitchen lay outs like- U shaped, Double-L Shaped, Corridor layout, L-shaped, Galley, G-Shaped, Island Kitchen and Single Wall Kitchen that help you make the most efficient and space friendly use of your workspace. Amongst all the existing ones the L-shaped lay out is quiet proffered and admired by the people. This shape is constituted with two sides that are united at a single corner perpendicularly and form a shape like – “L”.

An Introduction To L- Shape

It is very much suitable where you want entertainment to be mingled with cooking. To make your kitchen L- shaped you need to have just two adjacent walls placed on a corner. The shape permits a very less amount of traffic that can stroll in to the kitchen. You can place a separate sink at the corner and you can place the countertops between the cooking range and the refrigerator. Both are the rows are diagonal with each other so as to form L. It allows to make the working space in to a corner and thereby results in to a large free area.

The Key Advantages Of L-shaped Kitchens

This type of kitchen offers a lot of benefits and a few of them are enlisted as:

1. This allows you to keep the traffic out of the work triangle easily.
2. The design is very compact and space friendly.
3. You can place dining table and chairs behind the area that is plotting L.
4. Using this kitchen you can interact with the other persons, watch TV and play game as well.
5. It can work as an eat-in kitchen.
6. The kitchen allows you not to have a separate dining room in your house.
7. This shape takes a very small place and can also be combined with your dining.

As there are benefits associated with L shaped kitchens so the drawbacks are also here. The biggest shortcoming is that if the shape of the L becomes bigger then it results in to a larger area to walk on. An d the other issue can be with the corners that where to keep refrigerator, cooking range and where to install the sink?

For quality RTA Cabinets visit the Used Kitchen Cabinets warehouse.

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Feb 12 2010

Make Fullest Use of You Space With U-Shaped Kitchens

Kitchens are a pivotal place of any house as it is the prime important space where you see the maximum number of people everyday. It is a room with maximum traffic so it becomes utmost important that the lay out of the kitchen is well thought of and as per the specific needs of the homeowner. There are some kitchens that are more open to the living areas and are interactive giving an opportunity to you to be socialized. Contrary to that some people prefer a more secret and closed kind of kitchen so as to avoid extra traffic.

Before planning any layout you should think properly about the cooking style that you choose to cook and estimate the number of persons that can come in the kitchen area. Considering the different set of needs there are various kitchen layouts that are prevalent but amongst the huge variety of options the U-shaped kitchen lay outs are enormously popular.

Introduction To U – Shaped Kitchen Layouts

As the name suggests there are things that are arranged in U shape. All the kitchen stuff such as- cooking range, sink and refrigerator is placed in a way that forms U. This format is a good alternative for the situations where there is less space in the kitchen area and it is really convenient while using.

Benefits Offered By U – Shaped Kitchen Layouts

The key advantages that we can obtain from this type of format are explained as under:

1. This lay out is well appreciated by the culinary experts.
2. It is an ideal layout for small kitchens.
3. This is a very user friendly lay out that supports increased traffic.
4. The available worktop is bigger made by using three full walls.
5. It allows maximum storage space.
6. You can take out so many uses from this kitchen.
7. It needs to have a larger space to deal with.
8. You can allocate different types of spaces to different kitchen tasks.
9. This is most commonly preferred by the larger families.
10. The foodie people who take food preparation very seriously always chose this design.

The U-shaped kitchens are very well-organized due to their unique designs that allow you to have all the stuff handy with a great space to scatter down the traffic present in the four walls of the kitchen. There are two different corners that are present in the kitchen area.

For quality RTA Cabinets visit the Used Kitchen Cabinets warehouse.

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Oct 19 2009

Learning How To Install Countertops Easily

There are not many among us who have not – at some time or another – tackled a home project ourselves in order to save money and maximize our renovation dollars. In some cases, this may have been a wise and successful decision that stretched our budget and allowed us to get the materials that we wanted at a fraction of the cost because of money saved on installation.

In the kitchen especially, there exists a bevy of opportunities for do-it-yourselfers to save money while still having the materials that they desire. Countertops, especially, offer a tool savvy homeowner the opportunity to tackle installation themselves – often saving thousands of dollars. Learning how to install countertops, of course, is the first step in a successful do-it-yourself project of this kind.

Any motivated do-it-yourselfer can learn how to install countertops in a short period of time. Luckily, the rise in comprehensive home improvement stores has given way to the in-store workshop where a number of projects are presented in a step-by-step instructional format.

It is always a safe bet to start here; not only will you learn from professionals about how to get the job done safely and right but you can be walked through the materials that you need to purchase to prepare for the job.

Working with laminates is the easiest countertop installation with which to begin. Flexible and easy to handle, laminates are the most commonly used countertop material in kitchens across the nation. Consumers often choose laminates for their cost, versatility, and durability.

In essence, laminates are a thin material made from plastic that is simply glued to a piece of plywood or particleboard. Laminates today come in an extensive variety of colors, styles, and textures; some styles are even made to replicate more expensive materials such as granite and ceramic tile.

The drawbacks to laminate include the material’s vulnerability to moisture, heat, and scratches. Because the material adheres to plywood, any moisture that collects within it can cause warping and irreversible damage. Further, cutting directly on the surface is not advised as scratch marks can easily result; as can burn marks from placing hot plates or pans directly on the surface of the laminate.

Installing a laminate surface is the best way to learn how to install countertops as such installation can be accomplished quickly and easily. First and foremost, the existing countertop must be removed, cleaned, and dried thoroughly. Following this, the countertop must be properly prepared for a new laminate.

Sanding the existing countertop will “rough up” the material and provide a good surface to which the new laminate can adhere. Laminate glue is then applied to the surface of the countertop; this must be done as evenly as possible as any uneven glue will result in bubbling and a less than flush countertop surface.

The last thing you will learn in how to install countertops is the application of the laminate itself. Because the first contact is critical in obtaining the maximum adhesion, it is very important to make sure the laminate and the countertop are perfectly aligned. Using ¼” wooden dowels and at set intervals may prove to be helpful when properly lining up the laminate to the countertop.

Still looking for the perfect counter tops? Try visiting http://www.typesofcountertops.com – a website that specializes in providing counter top advice, tips and resources including information on formica countertops

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Oct 18 2009

Using Contemporary Decorating Throughout the Kitchen

Most home decorating booklets tend to have kitchen which appear to be sleek, stylish and minimal. This is what is known as a contemporary design and it has become extremely popular over the past few years. Creating an uncluttered, stylish environment, contemporary style kitchens are a pleasure to relax and cook in and they are quite easy to achieve too.

Creating a Contemporary Kitchen

When you are looking into creating a contemporary kitchen you will notice that there are a number of factors which you really have to keep in mind. The main one is that everything should be simplistic yet elegant and there really should be no clutter anywhere at all. Organization is a must and you really will need to stay away from things which are too fancy in design such as floral patterns.

The window treatments in contemporary style kitchens generally consist of light wooden blinds and plain curtains. Some people prefer to leave the curtains out of the look completely and they just stick with the blinds and perhaps a valence instead at the top.

Kitchen furniture should also balance out the look of the kitchen and ideally it should be a simple and elegant style. Dark wood usually goes well with black and white coloring on the walls. One thing that you should remember with contemporary design is that it needs to look minimalist and everything should be modern looking. Chrome in particular goes really well so when it comes to accessories you may want to think about anything metal or chrome.

One thing which people worry about when creating the contemporary look, is how expensive it is going to be. When it comes to lighting if you do not shop around then it can cost you quite a lot of money. However, if you shop in many outlets you should be able to find discount lighting to suit your needs. Overhead lighting in the kitchen tends to go quite well and recessed lighting is more commonly used in contemporary design too.

When thinking of the flooring you will need to make sure that it is fairly easy to clean as the kitchen can tend to get quite messy at times. Hardwood flooring is a good choice and a mahogany or birch staining would be particularly effective. If you want to you could also choose to use tiles for the flooring but you really do have to be careful that you do not choose a design which has a lot of pattern on it. If you want to liven up the floor a little then adding area rugs is a good idea though again try not to choose anything too patterned. Bamboo mats make a really good option for the kitchen so pick one of those up if you are stuck for ideas.

Overall creating a contemporary style kitchen can be fun and it is all about simplicity. Do not go overboard and just try to create a nice relaxing, uncluttered atmosphere where you and your family can simply just relax.

Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on this subject for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com

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Oct 17 2009

Planning and Installing a Kitchen for the Small Home

When planning and installing a kitchen for the small home, some questions to ask first are:

1. How important is the kitchen?

2. How frequently do you cook?

3. How many children do you have?

4. Is it the focus for family activities?

With this, you’d be able to shape and plan the kitchen into your lifestyle needs.

If the kitchen is rarely used, it need not be bigger than a cupboard. In fact, it could be in a cupboard and when the doors are closed, it’d be completely concealed. This way, the cupboard can stretch along the wall to give plenty of storage space while keeping the kitchen invisible when the doors are shut.

Alternatively, you can conceal a small cooking area in one corner of your living room behind a folding screen or angled sliding or folding doors. Or you can tuck it behind a ‘floating’ wall constructed across one end of the room. This is a solid wall which finishes short of the ceiling and walls of the room, creating a screen to which the kitchen work surface and equipment can be attached. One advantage is that when working in the kitchen you can hear and talk to other occupants while they cannot see you nor the clutter of preparing food. A similar screen which stops at shoulder height would give you some above-counter storage on a shallow shelf while not excluding you from the rest of the room’s activities.

Another suggestion is to dispense with the concept of a separate living room and make the kitchen the household’s living room. All you need is a small sofa and a table as big as the space allows. This makes sense if you have children as they usually gravitate to the kitchen and play there, even in a large house and even if there is another room officially designated as a playroom.

To increase the sense of space, replace the centre part of the cupboard doors with a screen of mesh wire or glass (translucent or otherwise). If not, use shutter doors or folding doors which does not take up as much space. Should this become a nuisance, remove the door altogether and stay with open shelves.

Another trick is to dispense with wall-mounted cupboards since they create a solid block at eye level which makes the room appear smaller. Instead, put up open shelves so that the back wall is in view. Use hooks and square storage jars and canisters to maximize the limited space effectively.

Lester Fong

http://www.unique-home-decor-ideas.com

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Jul 27 2009

Discover More About Commercial Kitchen Supplies For Your Food Business

Restaurant owners and other food establishment owners like you, should be concerned of the supplies that you have on your kitchen. If you would like to obtain the public’s trust when it comes to the food that you are serving, then you have to provide your customers high quality, delectable food, that your patrons will surely enjoy.

Don’t you want to see your customers leave your food house with a satisfying smile for every meal that they have consumed themselves? I’m sure you do. So, to make sure that they will leave your premise with a smile on their face, you have to assure them that what they are eating is made from the finest ingredients and were prepared with the help of the high quality commercial kitchen supplies that you have.

It is true that if you have high quality equipment, you will definitely be able to prepare superior grade food for your customers. Not only will your kitchen crew spare too much time fixing things at your back-kitchen area, they would enjoy using those new supplies which makes them more productive than they were before.

If you consider replacing those old kitchen supplies that you have, you must make sure that your replacements are better than before. This time around you are aiming for gaining high quality performance from your kitchen crew, as well as to preparing excellent food for your customers. You must understand that your kitchen supplies are what your crew members are relying on when it comes to quality, so these supplies must meet the demands of your business.

These commercial kitchen supplies usually are composed of compartment sinks, sandwich tables, under counter refrigerators, dough rollers, al dente pasta sets, cake stands, stockpots, pizza cutters, counter type fryers, sandwich press, apple peelers, slicers and corers, and many more supplies to mention. These supplies would depend on the business that you have, however it is not necessary that they all should be brand new, but as much as possible, they are made of high quality materials and are durable enough to withstand time.

If you would like to know more about the availability of these kitchen supplies utensils and equipment, you may try searching the net for further options. You would definitely find a company online that can provide you the supplies needed by your food business, and have them sold to you at a reasonable price.

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Jul 26 2009

Kitchen Canisters For Accentuation and Storage

People who may want to cook in a place that is both attractive and functional will really go gaga over kitchen canisters. They do not merely give you extra storage for your condiments, food, and other paraphernalia, but also serve as accents. Because of this, you are sure to see your space spiced up while eliminating the problem of having additional cabinets installed for safekeeping.

The said containers are usually put up for sale in sets. A single piece is rarely found, and if you find one, most probably you might have obtained that from a flea market or a garage sale. These specific products also have racks where you may line them up, making them nicer to look at for most people.

They are also more often than not sold in the same sizes. Nowadays, however, you will find products that have different measurements per set, particularly from biggest to smallest. When displayed in either a descending or ascending order, these may have added charms.

You may find them made out of different materials like ceramics, glass, and even those made from plastic. If you have kids, choose an array that will be more durable and can withstand the test of time such as stainless steel and acrylic. If you want them to become more of an adornment, you may procure those that are transparent or see through so that you can place colored crystals, painted marbles, etc. for beautification.

There are a lot of designs to choose from as well as an assortment of colors and shapes that makes it impossible for each and everyone not to get a hold of a collection that they like. You may select from printed to classic series, hand painted to engraved varieties, and a lot more. Find pieces that will match your liking as well as the theme in your home.

Though you will be able to come across these particular items in department stores, you may be able to acquire cheaper options in online shops that can deliver to your doorstep for a very small fee. Whether you’ll be shopping locally or over the Internet, make sure that you canvass and look into the quality above everything else.

What may be considered as the most affordable kind are those that are plastic-made while the most expensive may be the hand-embossed and the hand-finished stuff. Bear in mind that when making a purchase, you should not only consider the aesthetic appeal of the items, but also how handy and practical they can be.

There are so many varieties of kitchen canisters that are available in the market today. They were made especially for homeowners who may want to get rid of clutter and make the room more appealing. If you are one of them, make sure too that what you have bought will match the ambience of the area as well as the other embellishments found there. If your goods do not blend together agreeably, you may end up with a destroyed look instead of an enhanced one.

If you want to learn more about kitchen canisters, visit http://www.kitchencanisters101.com

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Jul 25 2009

Design Ideas For a Green Kitchen

In this article, we give you some basic design ideas for your green kitchen. Firstly, bring in some warm color by painting it. You can go for stimulating colors like reds or yellows. Unfortunately, however, most paints contain heavy volatile organic compounds, which are known to cause health problems like dizziness, and even nerve damage. They might even have toxic fungicides and biocides, and chemical pigments for the color. So for your green kitchen, go for less-toxic paint. Look for natural paints which are made from milk protein (“casein”), these come in various colors, so the options are yours!

When it comes to flooring, you should get rid of that wall-to-wall carpeting. Even though they look extremely elegant, they harbor allergens and trap toxins and pesticides. They’re just not practical in homes, least of all your kitchen! in fact, some synthetic carpets contain volatile organic compounds as well. So you should ideally go for a sustainable hard floor, made from good quality wood, renewable bamboo, or even cork. If you want, you could put a few natural rugs (wool, organic cotton, or hemp) around in the kitchen, these are easier to clean than wall-to-wall carpeting and are part of the green kitchen design.

Do think about the functionality of light and energy in your green kitchen. A good decorating tip for your updated kitchen is to balance it out. For instance, make sure all the furniture isn’t towards one side. This gives an unwanted tilted effect. Use low or possibly no-volatile organic compounds finishes and paints for your wood furniture (cabinets, etc.) in the green kitchen. If possible, keep a plant or two – not only does this beautify the room, but it also cleans the air indoors by trapping the carbon monoxide and releasing oxygen into the local environment. In fact, plants like bamboo palm, gerbera daisy, chrysanthemum, peace lily and English ivy are especially beneficial in removing toxic formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and benzene from the air.

Another great decorating tip for your design is to go green wherever possible. Don’t always go for the swanky new furniture, if possible, scour your local shops, yard sales and the thrift markets – you might be able to pick up some really great stuff. The second-hand furniture works, and you are helping to recycle what may have been thrown out and wasted! Go for sustainably made wood, and environment-friendly upholstery, and don’t encourage the treating of toxic chemicals, like flame retardants and stain-resistant sealants. You could also buy Fair Trade baskets and housewares for your kitchen.

When it comes to recycling from your kitchen, stop using plastic, as it not only clogs drains, but is also non biodegradable. Try to find a spot around the yard where you can compost house waste. A great tip is to get an Insinkerator Household Disposer, which is located right underneath the sink. Here, you can compact food wastage. It’s up to 70% water, so grind it up, and send it to the municipal waste water treatment plants. In fact, most updated plants are using ethane (created during the processing) to generate renewable power. The biosolids creates are processed, packaged, and sold as fertilizer. Go for an Insinkerator disposal system, it’s convenient, it’s ecologically friendly, and can be purchased just about anywhere and is another way to show your friends and family that you are trying to live a green style life.

Choosing to live your life in a modern eco-friendly way includes your kitchen – which is the most used room in the house. To get some great Green Kitchen Design Tips you can go to the GreenKitchenDesignGuide.com website for more information.

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