August 1st, 2010 by nedmarx
Approximately eight years ago, I remodeled my kitchen. I had waited a long time for this, but finally all the things I’d been dreaming of were going to become reality. The two things highest on my wish list were more storage and more counter space. A kitchen island would give me both. I wanted to include an overhang for seating and eating, so the island would be the center of activities.
You can easily add an island to some kitchens without enlarging the room. Unfortunately, I wasn’t so lucky. I was forced to knock down a wall between the combination dining room/family room, which was L-shaped. The former family room then became the formal dining room, and this area became our informal eating area/great room.
If an island is in your future, consider the following planning ideas I used in building my own kitchen island.
Countertop: We…
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July 30th, 2010 by nedmarx
If you are beginning to notice that your kitchen is in lack of something or has just completely fallen out-of-date you can change the look of it in several ways without breaking your bank. The floor plan of your kitchen is probably something that you will keep unless you have the money to completely remodel the whole kitchen, but you will still be able to bring out the positive aspect of the kitchen you are working with.
Add New Cabinet Hardware
Though it sounds very simple, a lot can be accomplished by simply adding new cabinet hardware. Adding new cabinet handles and removing the old ones will help bring style to the kitchen. If you are going for a contemporary look in the kitchen, use silver or brushed nickel handles.
You can buy cabinet pulls in various prices staring from around $.50 for a pull to upwards…
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July 13th, 2010 by nedmarx
What is the main thing most women want in a kitchen remodel? Probably ninety-nine out of a hundred would say, “Absolutely more storage!” Totally redoing your kitchen may not be feasible for you right not, but there are several simple options available for adding storage space.
Perhaps all you need to do is give your cabinets a good cleaning out. Get rid of all that stuff you don’t use anymore! Then you’ll be able to free up all kinds of space. Whether you choose to weed out those cabinets or not, following are a few other places where you may be able to create more storage options.
Look to the Ceiling
Are your cabinets overflowing with all the pots and pans you can never really seem to fit in? Why not get them out of the cabinet and hang them up? Following is an easy, inexpensive idea for…
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July 13th, 2010 by nedmarx
When you’re home, which room do you always seem to find yourself in? Like most families, the answer is probably in the kitchen. When the kitchen becomes the center of the home, no matter how large that space might be, it never feels big enough.
Finally, after completely redesigning the floor plan, several years ago I was able to remodel my kitchen. The first renovation we did was to knock down a wall (we had the best time doing this). We then installed a garden window over the sink, lowering the bottom of the window to be even with the countertop. Finally, we added an island with an overhang, with room for three or four stools, and a food-prep peninsula at table height, which has an overhang with room for three or four stools.
Here are several ideas for you to consider that will make your kitchen feel…
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June 30th, 2010 by nedmarx
If you want to update your kitchen to give it a modern new look, it can end up costing you a fortune. Items like counter tops, cabinetry, and flooring can be very expensive, yet it’s updates like these that add the most to the value of your home. Fortunately, there are ways to give your kitchen a facelift, completely transforming the look, without investing an exorbitant amount of money.
Many families spend the majority of their time in the kitchen and dining areas. You want a kitchen that’s as warm and appealing as possible without spending a lot of money to do it. If you want to refresh your kitchen on a budget, here are several easy ideas to get you started.
Refresh Your Cabinets
Depending on your budget, you may not be able to afford to buy all new cabinets. Instead, make them look brand-new yourself. One option is…
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May 16th, 2010 by nedmarx
One area of you home that everyone enjoys is the kitchen. Family, friends, and relatives all enjoy congregating in this comfortable space. For centuries, kitchens have been the room where everyone gathered, the heart of the home. Whether the family was enjoying a great meal, visiting at the table, or playing board games, the kitchen brought a family together.
With all this activity, it’s little wonder that your kitchen looks dated! Fortunately, it’s not difficult to give it a fresh, updated appearing, increasing the value of your home at the same time.
Certain Things Give Away the Age
Certain things will instantly give away the age of your kitchen. Are your kitchen appliances still avocado green? If you’ve answered yes, then it’s time to get rid of them. Of course, replacing appliances may not be in your budget, but you can certainly give them a facelift. Appliance paint is…
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April 13th, 2010 by nedmarx
The recent economic downturn have left most families with little, if any, extra money. The kitchen is often the most expensive room in the house to remodel, so what do you do if it’s in desperate need of a facelift? But there are so many things that are affordable that you can either do yourself or have done at a reasonable price. Try transforming the look of your kitchen with these few easy steps that won’t blow your budget.
Start by painting your walls and ceiling. You can really make a difference in the room by changing the colors around. A soft yellow or pastel peach, for instance, won’t be overbearing but will still add color and vibrancy to the décor. Or to really make the look pop, paint the baseboards a contrasting color.
- Look at your cabinet and drawer pulls to see if they need
…
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