Kitchen Design’s Influence on Our Memories

In most homes, the kitchen is the heart and hearth of the household. It is where meals are lovingly prepared and memories, both sweet and savory and usually the first we attain, are developed. Wouldn’t it make sense for the kitchen design to be as useful and conducive for our needs?

Of course we want the kitchen design to lend itself to those happy memories in our children and grandchildren. Whether you are trying to compete with your peers by creating the most modern kitchen possible or if you are interested only in the warmth and function a rustic country kitchen with fresh biscuits in the oven can provide, it is a powerful impression and one not easily forgotten.

Though the look of the kitchen is indeed very important, it is not as important as the functionality it imparts to the user. After all, the kitchen is a work room, so it should be designed with the need to work in mind. Think of your kitchen as a factory. If the work does not flow smoothly from beginning to end, progress is going to be impeded and those sweet memories will be tainted by the anger and frustration of not being able to accomplish your goals.

When people look back at their early kitchen memories, it is almost never the wallpaper or the color of the tiles they remember. It is the smells and sounds and tastes of the kitchen, the feel of working bread dough in their hands or dropping cookie dough onto a pan that they remember.

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Dramatic Kitchen Upgrades For Under $500

Everyone wants to have a gorgeous kitchen, but not everyone can afford to invest in their kitchen during today’s economic downturn. Likewise, most people are not lucky enough to be contestants on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. But luckily there are many ways in which savvy consumers can enjoy dramatic kitchen upgrades for under $500. Consider the options below and discover how you can create a beautiful, more efficient kitchen at a reasonable price.

1- Update your kitchen lighting. Not only is a new kitchen light fixture a great decorative detail, but it’s also critical to maximize the efficiency of your kitchen because food preparation will become instantly easier with proper lighting. When upgrading your kitchen light fixtures make sure to choose models that can accommodate energy efficient light bulbs, which will provide wonderful lighting and reduce your electric bill. Additionally, energy efficient light bulbs are designed to provide years of reliable usage, so that consumers will not need to worry about changing their light bulbs frequently.

2- Purchase a new dishwasher. In November 2009, the US government should be instituting a plan through which consumers can receive a rebate when exchanging their older appliances for new, energy efficient models. As is the case with energy efficient lighting, energy efficient kitchen appliances can reduce electricity costs while significantly impacting the look of your kitchen. Choose a modern stainless steel design or a dishwasher with a front panel that can be easily integrated with your existing kitchen cabinetry.

3- Change your faucets. Many of today’s kitchen faucets are designed for fashion as well as functionality. If your old faucet doesn’t work properly or is outdated, exchanging it for a new one will give your kitchen an instant facelift. For the most dramatic look, choose a faucet that extends well above the kitchen sink. If you’ve never tried a faucet with a retractable hose now may be the perfect time to enjoy the practicality of this feature. Gorgeous kitchen faucet designs start well under $200 and are sure to increase your enjoyment of your kitchen.

4- Try pull out shelves instead of stationary shelves. Perhaps the most practical upgrade that you can make in your kitchen is to replace your standard kitchen shelves with pull out shelving. You won’t believe how much easier it can be to access your pots, pans and pantry items. Rev-A-Shelf is a leading manufacturer of kitchen organization products, and they offer a fantastic line of products for well under $500 that will revolutionize the efficiency of your kitchen.

5- Replace your kitchen cabinet hardware. kitchen drawers and cabinets are opened frequently, they demand cabinet hardware that will be comfortable to grasp, wear well and look fabulous. Starting at around $1 per piece consumers can find brand name cabinet hardware for any room of the home. This may be the most affordable way to upgrade your kitchen, and you won’t even need to worry about electrical malfunctions, burned out light bulbs or plumbing problems.

Kitchen upgrades need not cost a fortune to make a dramatic difference. With a bit of research, creativity and perhaps some government rebates, you can enjoy the kitchen upgrades of your dreams without spending a fortune.

Article Source: Sari Holtz EzineArticles.com

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