How to choose Your Kitchen Remodeling Designer

English: FusionDesign Kitchen Concept

English: FusionDesign Kitchen Concept (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Renovation Progress

Renovation Progress (Photo credit: devilarts)

There are lots of options for updating your kitchen, starting from quickly accomplished, affordable budget projects, to a full kitchen remodel.  So if you decided at last to commit to that long-delayed kitchen renovation and you don’t know the first thing about how to begin that this is a very good time to call in the help of professionals.

Here are two phases of a kitchen remodel for which you might need some help: planning and execution.  Many remodeling firms will handle both aspects of your kitchen remodel, with interior designers and a list of skilled professionals such as electricians, plumbers, floor layers and cabinet makers to call.  Or you can subcontract all the services out yourself, hiring a designer or decorator for the first phase, and finding your own contractor for the final phase of the kitchen remodel.  Some people prefer the convenience of only dealing with one company, but others prefer a hands-on approach and don’t mind the legwork and research it takes to hire many separate workers. You will find, in many cases, that professional decorators can offer you workers suggestions or recommendations.

One of the great methods to find a designer is word of mouth.  Request information from friends and family whose renovation you have admired.  The structure of a kitchen remodel project is a delicate process, with the designer needing to be mindful with the client’s preferences as well as how they generally use the space.  A good starting point is to identify in general terms what sort of design you think you might like. To start with, look through magazines and tear out photos you like, and then look for a designer whose tastes match your ideas.  If a designer specializes in contemporary spaces and you live in an historic home, it is not going to be a good match for your kitchen remodel design.  Another thing you can do is do searches on the internet.  Many sites have lists of local designers they work with.

Once you’ve found a designer and decided on a plan for your kitchen remodeling, it’s time to find a contractor.  A thing that could definitely work out to your advantage is the fact that a designer may be able to point you in the direction of a supplier because they tend to develop contacts along the way.  If not, internet research is a good place to start.  Many a website maintains lists of kitchen remodel contractors.  Be sure to check references and see an example of your chosen contractor’s work, if possible. Check the local site of the Better Business Bureau to make sure your contractor has no complaints against him. One safe method to proceed is to go via a home improvement company.  They have a list of different providers and cannot afford to associate with others than experts. To protect yourself against unexpected facts, check references and ask to see examples no matter who you are working with.

Even if one of the hardest parts about getting your kitchen expert in renovation is working a reliable individual or company to do the job for you, the relevant thing is to obtain an impressive final result that gets you satisfied. And if you follow a few simple guidelines before you know it, you’ll be surveying your brand-new, remodeled kitchen!

Basic Tips to Design a Kitchen Remodel

3D interior design of a kitchen

3D interior design of a kitchen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Are you thinking about a kitchen remodel?  Perhaps  you are able to design a breathtaking, unique kitchen by yourself, but you can also be interested to hire an expert to help you with this kind of project. In relation to assistance for your home design, there are various advantages of looking for help from a professional decorator. An expert can come with many creative ideas and present to you new products while staying true to the spirit of your original design vision. Whether you choose to do all the design work yourself, or maybe hire an expert, there tend to be a few things to consider that will definitely get you launched on the right track for your kitchen remodel.

“Form follows function”, said once the great architect Louis Sullivan and while most of us no doubt start our dreams of a new design for our kitchen with visions of a specific look in mind, space planning is equally important. A correctly planned kitchen remodeling project will contain all of these functions: storage, food cooking and cleanup.

The kitchen is also the family gathering place. Many of us undoubtedly consider the kitchen the main focus of the home. You may regularly lounge with a cup of coffee and the morning newspaper, or feed the family breakfast before they dash away.  Your children may choose to do the homework while you prepare dinner, or perhaps you and other member of the family share cooking duties.  Perhaps  you frequently organize big gatherings, or maybe cook for intimate dinner parties. Some of these different activities will determine your kitchen design, and it is important to pay more attention to them as you begin planning.  Also, as you plot your design don’t forget about the storage space.  Is frequently hard for you to find space for all your pots and pans? Do you consider that there is enough room for each member of your family to sit around the nook?  Notice all these things and maybe you will also decide to talk to each member of the family and see what their concerns about using space are.

Once you’ve got an idea of what to correct in your new plan, the fun part of kitchen remodel design begins, as you make choices about cabinetry, countertops, flooring and lighting. These design details work together to develop an ordered design, but that’s not difficult to accomplish with the huge variety of products available today.

There are a lot of cabinet designs, for example: made of wood or laminate.  If wood is your choice, you have to see what kind will be: oak or cherry or birch?  And then there are door styles-plain, curved, recessed panel, arched?  With flooring you need to consider not only looks but durability and ease of cleaning. With the variety of natural and synthetic choices today, countertops can get their sturdy and durable features. This is just one method of how your design can pair beauty with easy maintenance.  Lightning must also be considered in your new design. Are there places in your current kitchen where you need more light?  Is the preparation area currently too dark?  Perhaps you want recessed or track lighting to increase the brightness, or maybe you prefer an elegant chandelier.

Begin with these considerations of space and use as you wish your kitchen design and the rest will naturally walk into place.  Then you’ll see how the kitchen is not only a thing of beauty, but it is also a practical space.

 

How to Increase your House Value with a Kitchen Remodeling Project

Many people decide to renovate their kitchen because of their wish to upgrade one of the favorite spaces in the house. Beside this is very relevant to realize that a kitchen remodel is a good idea to increase your home’s value.  In accordance to some reports, such investment for a kitchen remodel project can return 80 to 90 percent range. That’s a big return on your home value!  Whether or not you planned to sell your home, doing a kitchen remodel now makes good sense.  Enjoy the benefits of a home with a remodeled kitchen now, and get the profits when you are ready to sell.

English: A fitted kitchen

English: A fitted kitchen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Even experts agree the benefits of home remodeling in the context of increasing the sell value.  The kitchen area is a great start for a home improvement, because there is such a range of options, from simple to extensive.  In case you decide for a fast upgrade to your home, perhaps because you do want to put it on the market, you might consider refacing some elements from the kitchen or replacing hardware.  Or what about selecting new elements of lighting which will not only brighten but enhance the work areas of your kitchen? ( This is an easy fix for other rooms in your home, too.)  For homeowners planning to move soon, these quick kitchen remodel ideas are affordable, easy options.

For those homeowners desiring to stay in the same place for some time, a full scale home improvement like a kitchen remodeling can also be a huge increase in how much you enjoy your home.  The kitchen is frequently mentioned as the center of the home, and for good reason – it is where so many family activities take place.  So much more than cooking goes on in most home kitchens, why not make the most of yours and turn it into a room you love to be in?

A kitchen upgrade requires an awesome project.  Begin by getting enthusiast and catching the vision of what you want yours to look like.  Make some research in magazines and visit home sites on the internet for ideas.  Next, visit a home renovation store and talk to them about your ideas.  They can recommend products, proffessionals, contractors and give you good advice on all aspects of home remodeling-because, who knows, after you complete your kitchen remodel you may be ready to continue by renovating other rooms in your home.

You should keep in mind the home’s value incresing no matter when you are planning to sell your house.  Until then, consider the style of your home as you plan your kitchen remodel.  It’s not recommended to install a country kitchen in a modern home, for instance, and vice versa.  Choose kitchen elements with your home’s feeling in mind and you will be pleased with the results, not only fast, but for long time, when you will decide to sell your home.  With a new kitchen remodel, your home will be ready for your family to enjoy or for you to sell at an increased price-whatever your choice.

 

Pullout shelves help you to add value to kitchen

 

Pull out shelves are simply designed and usable. They help you to keep a lot of organized items in the kitchen at a time. It helps you to increase the storage area for your kitchen. All sorts of kitchen storage items are helpful for organized people, who have a lot of items to keep in their kitchen. To avoid relocating items to other storage areas, you can easily use and install pull out shelves in your kitchen. They help to make your kitchen look attractive. Pull out shelves are the kitchen organizers that help you to keep all items at one place.Base Double Pull Out Shelf

The installation of  pull out cabinets in the kitchen requires very little effort and time. The pull out shelves can keep all the things likes: bottles, jars, plates, and other kitchen accessories easily. They make it easy to see the things stored on these shelves when they are needed. You can find the items from the pull out shelves at any time. Thus, it is easy for people to use them.

They tend to provide a lot of benefit to people. With the changes in technology, people have begun to make use of such shelves. The shelves are of different sizes and shapes. You can select  from a variety of styles that can be found on www.OrganizationAccessories.com.Door Mounted Pull Out Pantry Unit 3-6 White Baskets A variety of sizes are available to meet your specific sizing requirements. The shelves are responsible for providing you with a greater amount of space in which you can store as much of things you want to. You can have any number of pull out shelves in your kitchen; no restriction is imposed on the installation of shelves.

The pull out shelves is of different forms that you are offered with pantry shelves, kitchen cabinets, and roll out shelves, slide out shelves and many more but in the form of pull outs. The shelves are used for providing you access from the cabinets. You can pull out the shelf and then place items in it. Pushing it back in the cabinet will help you to lock the shelf in and hence you would not be able to place anything else there. The pull out shelf is locked once you close the cabinet door. Chrome DividersHaving the proper accessories works best for organizing your kitchen.

 

Place Waste bins in kitchen to avoid dirt

A trashcan at a food court in Salt Lake City, Utah

A trashcan at a food court in Salt Lake City, Utah (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Finding the best kitchen refuse container is one of the best ways of getting the entire kitchen clean. It helps you to put each and every wasteful item in the bin and then throw it away (Wouldn’t it be nice if the counters just cleaned themselves off). Most household waste is found in the kitchen, so it is always perfect to put them (garbage containers) in the kitchen. Placing of the Waste binsin the kitchen will not const of anything fancy and no large place will be taken by it. It is always best to place the bin in the corner of the kitchen so that it does not create any problem. The bins are responsible for collecting the entire waste and then using it for some recycling purpose. Not all the wasted items in the bin are recycled. The style of pull out waste bin that is installed inside a cabinet often has a second container intended for recycling.30 QT Waste Bin

The trash containers are effectively used to throw items like: garbage and peels of fruits, vegetables or other wrappers etc. it is not always good to keep such garbage on the kitchen shelves or on the floor. It can at times be harmful for you. It does create problems for many people. Moreover, there are different sizes of Waste bins available. It is up to you that what sort of bin you want to put in the kitchen. A bin that is pressed from the foot and opens automatically is the good one, which you can place in the kitchen or even an open faced bin is also useful. For both these you do not have to put in any effort for opening and then throwing in the waste. The bins are also available in different colors. You can get that bin which goes perfect with your kitchen area.

On the other hand, the Waste bins used in kitchen are easily available in the market. They are of different designs and styles. With the passage of time, it is becoming an online purchase for most of the people. It is preferred for those who want to keep their kitchen clean, so that it can give an attractive look to other. Using bins in the kitchen does provide beneficial and fruitful results. It is one of the best way to deal with waste or rubbish in the kitchen. Along with the work, you can easily throw away the garbage and then further keep the kitchen clean.

It is always perfect to have the right Waste receptacle used in the kitchen. Kitchen bins are different from those used in other areas. Kitchen bins are designed in round and rectangular shapes. You can choose from them the best one that entirely goes with your kitchen. The waste bin must be stylish and attractive too. Moreover, it is perfect to have a closed faced bin so that no hygienically problems are incurred once you place the bin in the kitchen and throw garbage in it. It is always good to have the bin attached with the cupboard so that all the waste remains in the bin, the entire day you are working in the kitchen. Overall, garbage containers are very much helpful in removing wastage from your kitchen area.

6 Tips For Selecting The Right Range Hood For Your Kitchen

The right range hood can save space and be an eye-popping element in your kitchen. Every cook top or stove should ideally have a range hood to provide ventilation for unwanted cooking odors, smoke, grease, etc. If you are in the market for a new range hood, there are several factors to consider in choosing one that would be the best fit for you. The following are 6 tips will help you with this choice.

Tip 1 – Determine Where the Hood is to be used before you begin shopping for a range hood, you must decide where the hood will be used. Is your range in an island in your kitchen? Will you need a wall-mounted range? There will be several different styles available to meet any of these needs.There is no such thing as a perfect product—this truth extends even to range hoods and vents. Any consumer who wants to own one should understand the pros and cons first to know which type would work best for his or her needs. Cabinet Range hood also known as the under-cabinet range hood, this has been one of the best-loved and most reviewed hoods for several years. During installation, the range hood is intended to be attached on to the bottom of a wooden cabinet, hence the name. Pros: It is one of the least expensive hoods in the market today, yet it is highly technological, replete with fan tray slides made of stainless steel. It does not eat up a lot of space and can work very efficiently. You can set it up yourself to avoid spending money on installation costs. More modern designs include stainless steel, making the modern under-cabinet range hoods sturdier.Cons: You needs a cabinet first before the hood installation is possible. If the hoods are not used during cooking, the heat from the range can destroy the wood cabinet.  Island range hoods are easy to spot as they hang straight from the ceiling. They look massive or sleek, depending on the design or the material used.Pro: If you want your kitchen to be the height of design and style, get island range hoods. They come in a variety of types. Minimalist homes can use stainless steel island hoods while country-style houses can pick those that are made of bricks.Cons: It will cost you a lot, perhaps because of the size and the design. It also does not work as effectively as the other types of hoods and vents. It is too far from the kitchen walls, which is supposed to prevent the escape of heat. Wall-Mounted

Classic Valance Range Hood

Classic Valance Range Hood 

Premium Decorative Curved Range Hoods
Premium Decorative Curved Range Hoods

range hood; as its name suggests, this range hood is attached directly to the kitchen wall. It does not need any type of cabinet to hide it.Pros: It is one of the most effective range hoods in the market today. As mentioned, one does not have to build more cabinets, so there is no need for extra cost. Although it is very visible, there are several stylish designs available, adding more kitchen value. Cons: Though not as expensive as the island range hood, it still costs a lot as compared to other types of range hoods. Downdraft Vents: the fans of the downdraft vents are found at the cook top surface. It has the ability to push smoke, steam and grease down and into

Classic Valance Wood Range Hood

Classic Valance Wood Range Hood

the base cabinet or underneath the flooring.Pros: One can use the vents to an island installation since it is completely unobtrusive and does not interrupt in the kitchen plan. This is the ideal solution if installation of other hoods and vents are not possible in the present kitchen layout. It also comes in different types such as flush mount and counter-top level.Cons: It seldom works and costs a lot to purchase and install. There is also the tendency that light smoke and fumes do not reach the downdrafts and are not pushed out. Rather, they stay in the kitchen area.

Tip 2 – Decide Which Features You Want The main purpose of a range hood is to filter and remove smoke, grease, steam, etc. When looking for a range hood, you may find other features you may feel could contribute to your choice of a hood. For example: lights, a timer, hooks to hang your cooking ware on, etc. When choosing your range hood, also check out the fan carefully. Some fans are more high-powered than others (also noisier), some have a multiple speeds and some are quite noisy, although you can often find fans that come equipped with sound buffers.

Tip 3 – Choose a Range Hood that Vents to the outsideyou may be happier with a range hood that vents to the outside of the house vs. a hood that filters cooking exhaust but does not vent outside. The reason for you may prefer the outside vent is it will help keep the air and surfaces in your home cleaner.

Tip 4 – Consider Your Cooking Frequency if you will be cooking on your stove top on an average of once each day, you might want to consider purchasing a hood with a fan that can move the air at a rate of 200 to 300 cubic feet per minute. If, however, you plan to cook more often, then a fan with capacity of 250 to 400 CFM would be a better choice. If your cooking area is somewhat drafty, you should consider an extra 100 CFM. Consult your stove operation manual to decide how many CFM’s are recommended. (all Hoods display are above 800 cfm but calculations are done from the length of your vent pipe and the number of corners to determine the number of CFM;s you will benefit from.)

Tip 5 – Measure Your Cooking Range Size before purchasing a range hood, measure the top of your range. The ideal size of a range hood extends three inches beyond both sides of the range, itself. In addition, the hood width should match the width of the cooking surface. The distance from the bottom of the hood to the surface of the stovetop should be 18 to 24 inches for maximum ability to capture.

Tip 6 – Improve the Ventilation by Other Means. Another thing to consider is whether your home is constructed tightly. If it is, even with a range hood, you will need to also open doors and windows to prvodie additional airflow to replace the air that is typically exhausted from the house by the hood range fan. Some of the higher end models have so many CFM’s that they reccomend additional air intake at the furnace to counter it.

Plan Kitchen storage to achieve maximum space and efficiency

 

Kitchen storage space is an important factor taken into account by people, when planning to bring about improvements in the kitchen. It provides you with various services and benefits. It is always helpful for people to install and keep as much of stuff as possible in it. Kitchen organization can also take place at that time when you want to add some additional features in it. 3 Tier Spice RackIn remodeling of the kitchen, such aspects are preferred. It is best to improve your kitchen based on some genuine needs. It makes your kitchen look organized and clean and hence lead to efficiency and effectiveness of keeping the things in kitchen.Chrome Plated Pantry Organizers - Adjustable

Moreover, Kitchen organization Accessories can at times cost of more but the development of the kitchen organization is always dependent upon you. It beings about an increase in your expenses and as a result, it does provide fruitful results to you. There are different ways through which you can to have organized Kitchen storage for your kitchen. The storage area can range from keeping items like: spice racks, knives, spoons, folks, plates and many more. It depends upon you that how you want to use the storage space. Effective results are achieved from the building of storage space in the kitchen.

On the other hand, the Kitchen Accessory planning is done in different ways. First of all, it is important to take measurements of your cabinet and then decide upon what type, material, color and quality you want. The higher quality expectations you have, the more prices you have to pay, and hence it is entirely up to you. If quality items for kitchen storage are selected then it will make the kitchen look attractive and beautiful. The measurement you take for the cabinets must be of the same size as the original ones.

Premium Wood 2 Tiered Cutlery Insert Once you have taken them, you are required to remove all the items from the previously built cabinet. The new cabinets to be installed in kitchen are thus known as the kitchen organizers. It will allow you to organize the kitchen properly and keep each and everything in place.

The Kitchen storage will help you to keep all the items in it. No restrictions for the placing of items are made. Items ranging from small to big size are easy to place in it. When planning, all the details for the making of the new cabinets and removing the old cabinets must be taken into account. In this way, you can only device the actual budget plan. However, it is the best way of maximizing the kitchen cabinet storage area. There are different sizes of kitchen storage cabinets that you can purchase from the manufacturers. These cabinets will give a new look to your entire kitchen and thus will make it look beautiful. If you want to give a more better look to your kitchen, then it is always good to consult a kitchen designer how will guide you the best about where to install the kitchen accessories and how exactly will then the kitchen look like.

 

Organizing Your Kitchen Pantry

We consider the history, return and rebirth of the kitchen pantry when we plan a kitchen layout. The first

Photo of a chrome Plated pantry storage unit.

Accessories help keep a kitchen organized because they allow you to see and reach items that you have stored in the back of your cabinets.

step to organizing your kitchen pantry is to remove clutter. Remove items from your pantry and categorize the items you use ‘always’, ‘sometimes’, ‘rarely’ and ‘never’. Dispose of everything that is stale or expired. Review your ‘rarely used’ pile if you really want to keep items and you plan to use them, if your answer is no, you will not use it then give it away. You may try breaking your usual kitchen routine and make it a priority to use the unique items. You might find a new favorite dish this way.

Your next step will be to estimate your pantry space if it is adequate for your needs. You might find that after de-cluttering and organizing your pantry, you have enough space after all, with little room needed for adjustments in terms of shelving. After you’ve surveyed your space, decide where you want to keep your supplies. Using the old saying “a place for everything and everything in its place,” Place your ‘always used’ items where they are easily visible and accessible. Put small bottles and spices on a lazy Susan or door mounted utility rack or spice rack for easy access. Put your ‘sometimes used’ supplies as secondary priority in terms of visibility and access. Rarely used supplies should go to the bottom or top of your pantry.

There are many ways you can go about organizing your pantry . If you think your current pantry is not enough, there are many ways you can enhance your existing storage. You can opt to put in an entire pantry shelving system if you have a big, bare pantry cabinet. You will most likely find what you are looking for at OrganizationAccessories.com; your online kitchen pantry shelving units store. Their kitchen pantry shelving units come with a satisfaction guarantee to make sure you receive only the finest quality products. OrganizationAccessories.com works with reliable suppliers with dedication to customer service and excellence. Additional shelving will let you separate and organize your supplies. If your pantry already has adequate shelving’s and racks, then perhaps all you need to do is add some minor enhancements such as hanging racks or utility trays just to further help you segregate your supplies. You can also further de-clutter your kitchen by utilizing the top part of your cabinet by installing a hanging pot and pan organizer. Smaller pantries benefit from multi-level pull out shelves or baskets; allowing you to double, even triple your storage space without ‘cramming’ you supplies together. You simply pull out the rack or shelves to see all your supplies.

You can find a way to place a pantry into any home. No kitchen is complete without a pantry. Organizing your pantry may be very rewarding and will ultimately help you run this important room. Shop with OrganizationAccessories.com. confidently.  Remember that after taking the effort to organize everything, you must make a disciplined effort to keep up your new system. Organizing your pantry will greatly benefit your kitchen by allowing it to run smoothly and efficiently. The last thing you want in your kitchen is a disorganized pantry.

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Why Remodeling Your Kitchen is Necessary

The roasting spit in this European medieval ki...

The roasting spit in this European medieval kitchen was driven automatically by a propeller the black cloverleaf-like structure in the upper left. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Being a homeowner, it is very unsettling for us to decide whether to have it remodeled or not. Since there are many complications during the decision-making wherein most of these problems occur during the budget or the extensive expenses that we might meet in the future. Some of the main reasons why remodeling our kitchen is necessary is because we might find it disturbing enough to find different things scattering around the cabinets, unorganized kitchen and have a limited space to work on. Since the kitchen is where we spend most of our time, we might value it a little more by having it remodeled bit by bit starting off with the drawer organizers to lessen the expenses that we might expect in the future.

Since there are many complications about the remodeling process, the most common reasons for it is because we just find it interesting to the mere fact that we want to see and feel a more comfortable ambiance when we stay in the area. But since most of us find it expensive to fulfill the needs to have the kitchen remodeled, there are a lot of tips and instructions on how to slowly cope with the budget to have a great kitchen through searching the internet or magazines. Kitchen remodeling may indeed be expensive but there are a lot of ways that we might join during the remodeling process by using different items in our kitchen where we can still use as a decoration or a much useful space or cabinet.

Indeed, there are many of us who are still unaware that such remodeling can happen and can give us a lesser expense compared to purchasing a new home when we feel uncomfortable with the present one. Thus, this process has always been expensive and unnecessary. So before we buy a new home, we might think again about the uncertainties and the extensive budget that we can get. Buying a new home leads to more cost since we always make renovations to the different rooms and areas of the house that we feel that we are not comfortable.

Another reason for kitchen renovations is the need for repair in the different areas or space. Some areas like the countertops, the ceiling, the sink leakage and the cracking or breakage of the cabinets needs immediate repair to avoid complications during daily use. We should also take note of the unwanted mold and algae formation in some wooden or cemented areas in the kitchen where it is exposed to moisture to avoid health problems or symptoms that we may acquire to such. We will find different materials or ready-made products that we can replace on the existing items in the kitchen with lesser price.

In conclusion, reasons for kitchen remodeling doesn’t always have to be based on the mere fact that we want to but also the needs of the kitchen in certain areas that needs replacement or organization of some items that allows us more comfort. Kitchen remodeling budget may depend on the type of items and areas that you wanted to remodel and the type of materials that we are going to use. Hence, if we wanted to save more time and effort by doing so and might feel uncomfortable in doing the deed our self, we can always hire a professional to do the job but expect the budget to be more than what we expect it to be but nonetheless, we are sure that we can get what we want the most for our kitchen.