May 14, 2010
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Top 10 Must Haves For Your Kitchen Remodel

 

1.) Appropriate Storage: Ample storage space provides the opportunity for a neat and tidy kitchen. The options available in today’s cabinetry give homeowners a variety of ways to stay organized. These options include recycle bins, spike racks, pull-out trays, full extension drawers and cutlery dividers. These options help you follow the ever-important mantra of “a place for everything and everything in its place.”

2.) Hiding Places: A common trend in today’s kitchen design is being able to hide appliances and unsightly items such as trash cans. Today, homeowners are hiding trashcans behind decorative cabinet doors with roll out capabilities. Special counter top storage cabinets are also available to store appliances, such as mixers, toaster and blenders, behind closed doors. Being able to tuck these items away reduces the cluttered look of the countertop and appears clean and tidy.

3.) Space Makers: Homeowners today are keen on using every square inch of their cabinet space for slide-ins and pull-outs. Also popular with homeowners are large pull-out drawers for pots and pan. With these unique additions, maximizing the organization of your cabinets is easier than ever before.

4.) Natural Countertops: Natural materials such as granite and quartz are strong choices for countertops because of their lifetime durability and low maintenance appeal. In spite of their cost, they have become increasingly popular choices for perimeter counter tops, islands, and peninsulas and bar tops. The biggest challenge for granite and stone products is their porous nature, which requires a sealant.

5.) Decorative Counters: Right in line with the choice of natural countertops is decorative counters. While in the same category, these choices are distinctly different. The selection of decorative countertops applies to the type and style of stone you choose. With the countertop being the focal point of the kitchen, you can amplify the look and feel of your kitchen with the right countertop selection. A manifest of its natural formation in the earth, no two slabs of granite are the same. With hundreds of colors and an endless range of possibilities, selecting the countertop with the right decorative edge is a must for your kitchen remodel.

6.) Dual-Fuel Range: Dual fuel ranges provide the perfect combination for cooking aficionados. With a cooking range fueled by natural gas and an electric oven, you have the best of both worlds at your hands. With the capacity to surface cook with gas and bake and broil with electric, you have the optimum temperature controlling abilities suitable for each type of cooking.

7.) French Door Refrigerator: Among the trendy and sleek trends of today is the French door refrigerator. These refrigerators feature two side-by-side doors as the fridge area and a large bottom drawer for the freezer. Appealing features include extra-large deli storage areas, beverage chillers and various other organizational amenities depending on the model chosen. While the latest trend in color is the stainless steel models, these refrigerators are also available in classic colors of white, black and bisque.

8.) Induction Cooktop: Although expensive, induction cooktops are the latest trend in the cooking industry. With induction technology, it is possible to boil a pot of water in 30 seconds. Induction cooktops use electromagnetic energy to heat the food inside the pan rather than heating the pan itself. If you have a busy on the go lifestyle with little time to cook, an induction cooktop is a must have for your kitchen!

9.) Classy Décor: Small decorative touches can make a big difference in your kitchen. Years ago, kitchens were very sanitary and free from decorative appeal. Today, homeowners are using kitchen décor to highlight the quality and appeal of their home. Options for adding décor include ornate tile backsplashes, textured finishes and overlays. Lighted cabinetry or spotlights to showcase specialty dishes or décor have become increasingly popular as well.

10.) Your Own Island: Nothing beats having your own island in the center of your kitchen. Islands are a common theme in many kitchen remodels and the trend continues to be strong, primarily due to their functionality and usefulness. Kitchen islands can serve as additional working space or cooking space by adding a cook top. They also provide a decorative edge by providing space to display decorative pieces that give your kitchen that extra touch. A recent trend in kitchen islands is to accent the cabinetry in a different finish from the other cabinets, providing a touch of versatility and class.

Inside San Antonio helps buyers and sellers looking for homes in San Antonio. Their website covers San Antonio real estate. They also publish a blog with detailed San Antonio real estate statistics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jill_Black

www.LKNcabinets.com

Apr 23, 2010
lkncabadmin
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Sea of Options for Kitchen Cabinets

 

Kitchen cabinets are always the largest expense in a kitchen remodel. Because they are a major investment (and one that’s not likely to be made again anytime soon), you’ll need to sort through the hundreds of options and make choices with confidence. Not all kitchen remodels will require new cabinets, so step back and look at your kitchen with an open mind before deciding to just rip everything out.

FRESHEN UP
If existing cabinets are of good quality, are in excellent working condition and the layout functions well, the most affordable option is to freshen them up by restaining or painting. Another alternative, refacing, involves installing a new veneer on the exterior of the cabinet box and replacing the doors and drawer fronts, and should be handled by a professional. The process is much faster than installing new cabinets because the cabinets remain intact and the work is done onsite. It is important to note that when it comes to cabinets, doors and drawer fronts account for the greatest expense.

In reality, the doors and drawer fronts can account for as much as 70% of the cost of the cabinet. This is because most cabinets utilize plywood or particleboard for the cabinet box, which is significantly cheaper than the real wood used for the doors and drawer faces.

NEW AND IMPROVED
The decision has been made to install new cabinets, but there are other choices ahead. Are custom cabinets required, or will stock cabinets fit the bill? Custom cabinets are built to exact specifications and offer endless options with regard to materials, designs, finishes and accessories. Custom cabinets will require much longer lead times, and can be 2 to 5 times as expensive depending on the style of cabinet that you are looking at.

Semi-custom cabinets are just that: semi-custom. While the cabinets are made to the homeowner’s size requirements, the manufacturer produces them in predetermined increments. Often a spacer may be needed to conceal unused wall space, and that sacrifices storage. The range of materials, designs, finishes and accessories will not be as broad with semi-custom cabinets, but they cost less than fully custom cabinets.

Stock cabinets, which are the most affordable of new cabinet options, are pre-made and come in standard sizes. In the past, stock cabinets had a stigma to them because of the quality of materials that were used. Today, manufacturers are using solid wood for the face frame and doors, and better cabinets will feature solid plywood cabinet boxes.

If you ask any industry expert, they will tell you that 8 out of 10 kitchens cabinet be built using stock cabinets. A 1/2″ here or a 1/4″ there can be easily made up by using filler strips which will not take away from the overall beauty of the finished product.

No matter what type of cabinet is selected, it’s important to evaluate the quality of hinges, doors, drawer systems and finish. Don’t be afraid to pursue companies that sell cabinets strictly on-line. They will have lower overhead and therefore can offer better prices. Even RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) cabinets are featuring the same quality materials as the big name manufacturers, but at a lower price.

CONSTRUCTION AND STYLE
Next, consider the construction type and door style. Framed cabinets, which are popular in traditional kitchens, have a front frame around the cabinet opening. The door attaches to the frame. Frameless, or European-style cabinets, have no front frame. The door attaches directly to the side of the cabinet. Frameless cabinets, which are often used in contemporary kitchens, offer an advantage over framed cabinets. Because there is no front frame, there is open access to the cabinet interior.

When it comes to door styles, there are several choices. Traditional-overlay doors cover some of the frame, full-overlay doors cover the entire cabinet frame and inset doors sit inside the cabinet frame.

SOURCE: Gary Nealon, www.articlebase.com

www.LKNcabinets.com

Apr 23, 2010
lkncabadmin
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Kitchen Remodel Design Layouts

 

A family cook often walks 100 miles a year. As much as one third of this kitchen pacing may be wasted motion, due to appliances placed for saving dollars in the construction or remodeling process. Sizing a kitchen is very important prior to the start of a new kitchen project. Plan ahead and understand the best kitchen layout for your family.

In an efficient kitchen there are three ” activity centers”.  The kitchen activity centers consist of the refrigerator, the sink and the range. These activity centers in a kitchen should lie within easy reach of the cook – and according to a study made at Cornell University, better placement of these activity centers can eliminate as much as 40 miles a year from the kitchen marathon.
 
There are Four Basic Kitchen  Layouts
 (There also are variations to the four basic kitchen layouts

The corridor kitchen.
The L kitchen.
The U kitchen.
The one – wall kitchen.
 
Two variations are the Double L and the G kitchen layouts.

The 3 activity centers make up 3 points called the “work triangle”
(The refrigerator, the sink and the range)

Usually – The smaller the triangle the greater the efficiency

In an efficient kitchen – the sides of the triangle add up to no more than 23 feet.

Additional Kitchen Considerations: Each activity center must also have a minimum of counter area and storage volume. 48″ between facing base cabinets or appliances. (There is Enough space to stand at an open cabinet, refrigerator, or oven while another person edges past)
Wishing You The Best Life Can Bring And Kitchen Remodeling Success!

Source: www.articlebase.com

www.LKNcabinets.com