Are You Interested in Exploring Kitchen Island Design Ideas?

If you are planning a kitchen remodeling project, you are probably interested in exploring plans for building a kitchen island. After all, kitchen islands make your kitchen look more attractive, while also making it easier to use.

FREE Information on all Aspects of Kitchen Designs

It is also important to take a look at several different kitchen island design ideas in order to make certain the design you develop is the right one for you.

The first step in creating plans for building a kitchen island is to consider the shape of your kitchen. If you have a U or L shaped kitchen that is spacious enough to accommodate an island, you should have no problem with adding an island to your design plans.

If you have a galley or peninsula kitchen, on the other hand, it may not be very conducive to adding an island to your room. With limited floor space, adding an island may only create a cramped space.

Once you have determined that your kitchen layout can accommodate an island, it is time to start exploring the various kitchen island design ideas that are available. For example, you may want to add one or more of these elements to your kitchen island…

* Breakfast Bar
Requires a countertop that is tall enough for bar stools to be seated underneath.

* Overhead Storage Space
Features space for pots and pans to be hung or for cabinetry to be added for additional storage.

* Range
Includes adding a range to the island so additional counter space can be created, or enough space is left for a double oven.

* Sink
May include a small sink that can be used for washing vegetables or completing other small tasks.

When creating plans for building a kitchen island, you should keep these elements in mind so you can create the kitchen design that is best suited to your unique lifestyle, needs and budget.

In the end, adding to your design plans is an excellent use of space, as long as your budget allows for it. Not only will it make it easier for you to work in your kitchen, it will also provide you with an extra area for friends and family to gather, while also increasing the resale value of your home.

So, if possible, include plans for building a island in your remodeling project and you will be certain to be thrilled with the final results of your kitchen remodeling.

James Mahoney is the owner of Kitchen Designers Ideas.com. He has written many articles on kitchen design and puts out an information packed newletter. Learn about kitchen design ideas and trends by visiting his site at http://www.KitchenDesignersIdeas.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_J._Mahoney

www.LKNcabinets.com delivers quality affordable cabinets to the great Charlotte North Carolina area

Tomorrow’s Kitchen

Perhaps it is because the kitchen is the room in the home with the most high-tech appliances that people often dream of a futuristic kitchen. From preparing meals to cleaning up to making sure that we eat right, the kitchen of the future will make our lives a lot easier. Though we aren’t there just yet, the next step in the ever-evolving kitchen is right around the corner.

New Technologies

Large consumer appliance companies like GE and KitchenAid have been working on more environmentally friendly kitchens for years now. These new kitchens will not only increase efficiency, but also lower operating costs. They will dispense pure water using ultraviolet light, which will ensure that water is completely free of bacteria and chemicals. To save money, consumers will load dishwasher detergent in large quantities, which will then be dispensed during washings at predetermined levels, which will save money on cleaning agents and wash water. Wash water can then be diverted to other home appliances like the washing machine. And food storage devices will be fully interactive. While they won’t cook for you, they will let you know if you have the necessary ingredients to make beef stroganoff for the family.

Refrigeration

Though many of us can not conceive of a kitchen without a traditional refrigerator, the days when a massive metal box dominated one side of the kitchen may be coming to an end. In fact, companies have already begun to market refrigeration devices called cool drawers. These cool drawers allow for unparalleled versatility and temperature control. They will give you the ability to cool, preserve, store and freshens foods at up to five different temperatures. No longer will you have to throw out the fruits and vegetables because they were kept at inadequate temperatures. The cool drawer will help you keep all of your food fresher for longer, which will preserve the vitamins, nutrients and taste.

But the best part about cool drawers is their versatility. Any number of cool drawers can be installed at different locations in the kitchen and set at different temperatures. You can install a fruit drawer in one area, a vegetable drawer in another and a meat drawer in yet another. It is always a good idea to put fresh food close to your food preparation area. You can also install drawers with drinks and fruits nearest to the entertainment area. Food drawers are not only better than refrigerators at storing and keeping food, but they are also more convenient and they save space.

If, however, you are a person who loves your refrigerator and refuses to part with it, there are a number of exciting advances right around the corner. For example, smart refrigerators will keep track of everything you are eating and will let you know when it’s time to go to the store and pick us some more broccoli.

Dishes

In the future plates will be made from carbon nano tubes, which are extremely thin and sturdy. These materials will take up less space, be easier to clean and will even sanitize themselves after use. They will also be inexpensive and environmentally friendly.

Communication

Although this is a possibility right now, most people love the idea of having internet access in the kitchen. Whether it is to check their email, the news, or to find a great recipe for beef stew, in the future most kitchens will undoubtedly have some form of internet access.

The kitchen of the future will also be equipped with more computer touch screens, which may be used to operate individual appliances or possibly even run the entire kitchen. They will be easy to uses and highly interactive. They may even provide internet access.

The author, Susan Pitters, co-ordinates a team of designers who have created a website to pass on many tried and tested ideas and techniques for the home enthusiast. Many years combined experience and many remodelings later, the team had amassed invaluable knowledge which they pass on for those wanting to either design a new, or renovate an out-dated kitchen.

See http://www.clever-kitchen-designs.com

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

www.LKNcabinets.com        delivers quality affordable cabinets to the greater Charlotte, NC area

Details Make a Big Difference in Cabinets

Pay Attention to Detail — It’s the little things that make a big difference. Beautiful details allow you to really personalize your new kitchen. To give your kitchen a custom-like look, consider adding decorative accents such as molding build-ups, ornaments and corbels. Including decorative accessories such as hardware, glass door inserts and under cabinet lighting can also make the room sparkle. Visit a kitchen design specialist at your local home center to discover even more ways you can add the perfect touch.

Use Space Efficiently — No matter the size of your kitchen, it’s important to maximize space and keep things organized.

Accessories such as the Base Pot & Pan Organizer, Roll Out Tray Dividers and Spice Door Cabinets help create a kitchen that is as hardworking as it is beautiful.

Take Measurements — Be prepared with accurate measurements of your current space and double check your work. Have your installer validate the dimensions or obtain professional measurements. Your kitchen design specialist will appreciate your detailed information. This will also help avoid measurement errors that can lead to costly delays and incorrect product orders.

For most people, the kitchen is the heart of their home. It’s where families and friends congregate and busy lives intersect. It’s where we prepare meals, eat, share, learn and celebrate!

SOURCE: At Home Magazine.

www.LKNcabinets.com is located in the Lake Norman area of North Carolina and serves the greater Charlotte area with cabinets and remodleling services