Starting a Kitchen Remodel

Are you planning on remodeling a kitchen? Large or small kitchen remodeling projects can be tons of fun. The kitchen is a popular place to remodel because it really is the center of the home. You plan meals and events there, the family gathers to eat there, you have your fun phone calls there, and your kids probably do their homework there. Everyone makes use of this very important room. It is essential to never let things fall apart. You may have noticed that even a kitchen with older appliances and an older look can still look and function really well if it is well maintained. Let’s face it, the kitchen says a lot about a home and the family in it. Remodeling or home improvements are a great way to keep things fresh and increase the value of your home. You know what they say, “it is all about kitchens and bathrooms”.

So as you begin to think about taking a new look to your kitchen, what should you be thinking about and looking into? First, it is always good to see what areas are the most in need. Do your appliances need upgrading or repair? Would a simple counter top replacement revitalize the kitchen? Are the cabinets still looking sharp or do they look like their time has come to an end? When thinking about what needs to be improved, think about how major the improvement task will need to be. For example, can you get away with simply adding some crown molding or painting the cabinets? Or are they rotting or warped and simply must go? When thinking about the degree of the improvement, this will help you get a sense of the cost. That is the big thing.

In any home kitchen remodeling project cost is a huge factor. This will determine how far you can go. If you need to go further than your budget allows, look into financing. Fortunately, there is a lot of help out there. Remodeling, especially a kitchen project, is considered a wise investment so finding assistance may be easier than you think.

If you decide on a bigger job, really investigate thoroughly any designers and contractors you may hire. Get a sense of how they work with their clients, what their reputation is, and check references. Oh, and do not forget to get quotes from several places. Really be careful because cheaper isn’t always the best choice. Try to find someone that has a personal commitment to the customer but has plenty of experience. It is a good sign if they are well known.

If you try a do-it-yourself project, make sure you are comfortable with what you are about to do before you do it. Make sure that if you are changing out a gas stove, you have taken all the proper precautions. You don’t want to take that kind of chance. Safety is always first. Also, in this scenario, cheaper products may not always be a bargain if you have to replace them or re-repair often. Ask around and do some research when purchasing important items.

Remember, this doesn’t have to be a headache but it does require some effort whether your project is big or small. Be aware of all the potential pitfalls before diving in headfirst.

www.LKNcabinets.com serves the greater Charlotte area of North Carolina

How to Make a Handicap Accessible Bathroom

Whether someone has been in an accident, a child is born with a physical disability or an aging parent who moves into a home, there may come a time when it is necessary to make a bathroom handicap accessible. In addition to removing the fabric shower curtain and the shower curtain rods, homeowners can make simple changes to help adapt their bathrooms for easier use. By expanding doorways, installing hand rails and removing all clutter, homeowners are able to create handicap accessible bathrooms that won’t cost a fortune and can be completed in a small amount of time.

A typical doorway needs to be widen to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and other devices that assist with mobility. By removing the door jam and replacing it with a wider version, a home owner can also make the choice to eliminate the door all together or make the change to a pocket door. This is a door that slides into the wall, creating more space in the room. Removing the door allows the handicap person to have additional room to maneuver in and out of the bathroom and also eliminates the need to have hands to operate the door itself. Being hands-free and able to get in and out of the bathroom without help, gives the handicapped person the freedom to use the lavatory without assistance from someone else in the home.

The installation of hand rails in and around the bath and toilet are necessary for all handicap accessible bathrooms. These rails give support to people when trying to lift themselves up and down. They also provide safety for them while maneuvering around the bathroom. Whether they are drying off from a bath or just trying to stand up from using the restroom, it is imperative they have the necessary tools to support themselves. Again, adding this type of change to a bathroom gives them the personal freedom to do this type of task by themselves. It is not only liberating for them to feel this independence, it is also a huge safety benefit to add these precautionary measures.

A third change a homeowner can make in a bathroom to make it more handicap accessible is to remove all the clutter. It is imperative to remove all rugs, garbage cans, towels and other things that get in the way of the mobility of a handicap person in a bathroom. Not only can a rug be a nuisance for a wheelchair, walker or crutches, it can also be a safety hazard for someone when exiting the bath or getting up from the commode. If a homeowner must have a rug of some sort in their bathroom, they should purchase a commercial grade skid resistant mat. These can be found at any large home improvement store or medical supply company. This type of floor covering is designed to provide a safe environment in which handicap people can still get around.

Although most homes aren’t currently handicap accessible, by completing the suggestions above, a homeowner can adapt their bathrooms with little cost and construction. By doing this the homeowner can have peace of mind as to the safety of their handicapped family member.

www.LKNcabinets.com

Buying the Perfect Kitchen Cabinets For Your Style and Lifestyle

Selecting the right kitchen cabinets can be an eye-opening experience (and expensive). Kitchen cabinets come in a wide variety of styles, materials, finishes, and levels of quality. From wood or metal to veneers like melamine, cabinet set designs are varied. Whatever style or theme you’re conveying in your kitchen, there are kitchen cabinets to complement it.

Many traditional styles of kitchen cabinets are made from hardwood. They may have mullion glass doors to complement fine china sets, along with cathedral-type arch work. Traditional cabinets will also have the largest selection of accessories and modifications. Many of the designs come from the 18th and 19th centuries and can transform your kitchen into a timeless masterpiece. Whether renovating to match the rest of your historic home, or bringing some historic charm to your house, traditional cabinets are a great way to go.

Provencal kitchens are designed to evoke French country kitchens. They often lack high-wall cabinets, relying instead on low cabinets for pots, pans and serving ware. Shelves lining the walls keep essentials at hand. The entire kitchen is focused around the dining table. Colors range from light and dark browns to deep greens. If you want to travel to the Provence region whenever you cook and entertain, look at some Provencal cabinet sets and match your table accordingly.

If you’re looking for something more down-home, try a country-style kitchen cabinet set. Country-style cabinets have very clean lines and a simple look. Ordinary paint may be chipped away to give the wood a rustic feel and the handles may be mismatched to give the kitchen a “thrown-together” look. Even in the same room, finishes may be different to enhance this look. If you’re ready to make your kitchen look just like an old farm house, invest in some country-style cabinets.

Cottage-style (also called rustic-style) kitchens mix the shelving units of the Provencal style with the distressed look of country cabinet sets. They bring the same sense of comfort as these two styles. Cottage cabinet sets come in a variety of woods, from oak to maple. A very common type of wood used for cottage cabinets is Pine or Notty Pine. Pine is known for its bold grain lines and durable strength. A cottage kitchen is meant to be cozy and comforting. Sometimes cottage cabinets don’t have doors; which allows serving wares to be easily accessed. If this sounds like the kitchen of your dreams, choose cottage cabinets.

Modern kitchen cabinet styles rely on sleek surfaces and clean lines. They may be constructed of wood or metal, or covered in a shiny, stain-resistant laminate. The emphasis in modern cabinet styles is cleanliness. The distinct feature of modern cabinets is the seamless look and sharp lines. You can find stainless steel cabinets that give the appearance of an industrial kitchen or you can install maple cabinets to give the kitchen some warmth and atmosphere. There are many options to choose from in modern cabinet styles. Most modern kitchens will be partnered with industrial grade appliances for the professional cook. When you want an easy-to-use, easy-to-clean kitchen style, look no further than the modern cabinet section.

Regardless of the style or look that you are going for in your kitchen, there are hundreds of different styles out there (so make sure you do some research before settling for the wrong one). There are even more varieties of kitchen cabinets than are listed here, so you’ve got many options to consider. A well-designed kitchen is the centerpiece of a home, so make sure you take your time when choosing your kitchen cabinet set.

www.LKNcabinets.com