Kitchens

With Thanksgiving and Christmas mere weeks away, chances are your kitchen is soon to become a highly trafficked area. I don't know about you, but in my family, someone's kitchen inevitably turns into a proverbial restaurant over the holidays. It turns into the main intersection of the house with everyone buzzing through to grab a drink or snack and sneak a taste of what's cooking.

Before hiring any kitchen contractor to turn your kitchen renovation plans into a dream come true, protect your kitchen remodeling investment. Your best protection, aside from thorough research for the right remodeling contractor, is a detailed contractor contract. Or, in the very least, a completely filled-in standard work contract form. Signed by both parties, of course.

Many homeowners familiar with the term kitchen contractor may find themselves a bit mystified by the role played by a certified kitchen designer. Even though there exists a job description overlap between skilled kitchen remodelers and kitchen designers, there are notable distinctions between the two. Before taking a look at the differences, however, let's acknowledge the similarities between regular kitchen remodelers and those with the benefit of certified kitchen designer training.

Bathroom and kitchen remodeling tips number 1 through 22. To help your home sell faster, and for more money.

As the heart and soul of the home, the kitchen is one of the two most important rooms in a house to keep updated; the bathroom is the second. Why? Not only because of the amount of daily use, but because a quality kitchen renovation can increase the real estate value of the home. And almost guarantee a high percentage of renovation-cost recoup when selling. Plus, an updated kitchen remodeling as beautiful as it is functional can improve chances of a quick sale - saving time and $$.

The size and scope of your new kitchen design layout will depend largely on personal preference and available funds. Whereas a kitchen renovation checklist that itemizes the type new kitchen design ideas to include usually begins with an assessment of the family needs and lifestyle. As well as an evaluation of the present kitchen floor plan design.

Kitchen remodeling has its favored icons such as cabinets, islands, countertops, lighting and appliances. As for the kitchen sink, however, many kitchen designers treated it as an afterthought. In fact the sink has been moved about the kitchen from its traditional place under the window, out to the island and, for the most part, wherever it fitted in. But recently, following in the footsteps of its bathroom cousin, the kitchen sink no longer is on the wrong end of the saying, everything but . . .

Long before decisions are made as to type of kitchen counter top or brand name of stove, kitchen renovation design and new kitchen floor plan decisions must be made. Whether or not the services of a home improvement contractor are required is another consideration.

No other part of the home gets so much attention as the kitchen. This is because no other area in the home provides so many important functions while carrying a lot of social activities as well. Besides food preparation, cooking and utensil cleaning much of the family meeting time takes place in the kitchen. In the 1980's it was the breakfast nook and now the kitchen layout includes a cooking island with stools and a side desk with computer.

You might be retired before you can afford to build your dream kitchen, and if that is the case, you'll want to prepare for the coming years. Senior citizens have special needs, and catering to these needs can help you create a functional kitchen that is used more often. Let's talk about some ways to remodel your kitchen if you want to optimize it for your twilight years.

Your kitchen is one of the most dangerous places in your home. With its hard surfaces, equipment, and sharp corners, the kitchen is especially unsafe for children. If you have a family that includes little ones, remodeling your kitchen with the kids in mind can help you avoid injuries in the future. Here are some tips for creating a safe environment for your children.

No other area in the home gets so much traffic as the kitchen. Whether it's snacking, food preparation, answering the phone or having family discussions the kitchen is the nerve center for most of the activity in daily life. So its no wonder that kitchen remodeling contractors report that the kitchen joins bathroom remodeling as the most requested renovation in the home.

Not so many years ago kitchens were isolated places where food was prepared unnoticed by the family and guests. Swinging doors were popular and some galley kitchens had portals to pass the food into the dining area. But most of the food preparation area was covered up. This was in contrast to the first half of the 20th Century when the area was the nerve center of the home. Since the late 1970's the kitchen has taken steps back to the days when the stove was one of the main heating sources and therefore a place where family and guests gathered. With the modern demands made on food preparation the area has increased in space and pushed into the main living area of the home. To add more storage and counter area kitchen designers moved a section from against the wall and made an isolated space that added both food preparation area and storage. Thus was born the island.

Kitchen Remodelers are highly skilled at kitchen remodeling and kitchen floor plan design. A kitchen contractor has the expertise required to weave magic into your small kitchen remodel or upscale designer kitchen remodel ideas.

Certified kitchen designer training is required in order to become a certified kitchen Designer CKD. This usually begins with completion of formal kitchen contractor carpentry classes; most often through a vocational school or collage. Or else by completing another type carpentry or kitchen construction program internship.

Do you have a tiny budget for your kitchen remodel? Some people spend upwards of $50,000 on their kitchens, but if you don't have that kind of cash, you might have to get a little creative with your renovation. When it comes to a new look for your kitchen, you don't necessarily have to gut it and start from scratch. More homeowners don't realize how big of a difference small upgrades can make! Here are the top eight changes you can make — and most of these cost $100 or less:

Saving money on kitchen renovations is entirely possible. Look at each stage and work hard to find ways to maximize your investment and minimize costly mistakes. From hiring the right contractor to designing your space well, and from creating an accurate budget to maintaining your cool during construction, keeping renovation costs under control is simple and straightforward.

Your basement renovation will add value to your home and create a functional, comfortable space downstairs. Make the most of this home improvement by tackling these top ten basement remodeling challenges with creativity and determination. From lighting and air quality, to plumbing, heating, storage and security, each of these issues needs to be dealt with during the planning stages. Take your time and lean on the expertise of your basement renovation contractor to find the solutions.

Focus on quality during your home remodel and think outside of the proverbial box. It may be easier than you think to remodel your home cheaper. A new coat of paint and light fixture upgrade changes the entire look of the space, while storage solutions offer a more affordable option for many rooms. DIY and staying on trend can add to your renovation costs. Think about all of the options and plan well to get the most for your dollar in home remodeling.

Choosing a countertop is an important step when planning your kitchen renovation. Consider your lifestyle and budget, and think about how you'll need to care for the product. Opt for something that adds value for daily living, as well as over the long-term. This key element in kitchen design creates a lasting impression. Take the time to choose well and hire a professional installer to realize the greatest return on your renovation investment.