Home Improvement Inside » Kitchen Remodel

Secrets Of A Painless Kitchen Remodel

Ed — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:10:17 +0000

You've had it. Your kitchen floor is old and stained, your cupboards are so awkward its impossible to keep them organized, your appliances on their last legs. You've wanted to remodel your kitchen for years, but you fear you have neither the money nor the time to embark on a lengthy, expensive remodel.

Never fear. Your kitchen remodel does not have to be a grueling experience. Many homeowners decide to do the work of a remodel themselves, opting to finish the work on evenings or weekends. If you have a high tolerance for disruption and want to get the most bang for your buck, this may be the best option for your kitchen remodel. However, it is probably not going to be painless. Another thing to consider is to hire out all the individual contractors for your remodel yourself. For instance, you do the legwork and find a tile layer, you decide who you want to install your sink and garbage disposal and hook up the dishwasher. This may save you some money, but certainly will not save you any time. You'll spend hours asking friends and family who they used for their kitchen remodel, and you'll want to also be sure to check references and view samples of their work for each one. When you consider how many different people it takes to complete a remodel-plumber, tile-layer, floor specialist, cabinet installer-to name only a few, you can see that this is a time-consuming occupation. Many people enjoy this process, but others may be more comfortable with having one professional to oversee the entire process of the kitchen remodel.

If you are pressed for time, and want a relatively painless kitchen remodel, you would be well advised to hire a professional contractor. This is perhaps the number one secret to a painless kitchen remodel. A reputable kitchen remodel contractor can save you hours of time in finding and overseeing individual contractors, guide you in design and configuration choices, and be your hand-holder throughout the entire process. And let's face it, while there are ways to make your kitchen remodel as painless as possible, it's still going to be a disruption of your home. Having a professional at your side can ease a lot of the disruption.

How to find a kitchen remodel contractor? Word of mouth is always a good starting point. Ask friends and family for recommendations. Get online and check websites. Browse your local yellow pages. Many large home improvement stores offer contracting services, as do smaller, local companies. Talk to several; have them visit your kitchen so that you can discuss the specifics of your remodel onsite. A remodel contractor will give you ideas and present options you might not have thought about.

Your next step is to get bids from all the remodel contractors you've talked to. Then compare those bids, but there are considerations beyond just price. Did you feel the contractor understood the goals of your remodel? Are your design ideas similar? Do you feel comfortable personally with the contractor? You'll be spending a lot of time together over the course of the remodel, so this is important.

Once you've chosen the contractor, he can give you tips on how to schedule and what to expect over the course of the remodel. He'll be available to answer questions and troubleshoot. Your remodel will be done before you know it-and you'll be basking in the beauty of your new kitchen.

Considering New Kitchen Cabinets

Ed — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:27:48 +0000

The style you select for your new kitchen cabinets depends totally on you. What feel do you want to create? What look are you going for? What flows and goes with the style design in the rest of your home? Antique, bone and linen white or off white cabinets can create everything from contemporary, traditional to modern. Basically, just matching the decor of the rest of your house should be your main concern. This makes things easier when you select the complimentary finish, stain, door style and cabinet hardware for your kitchen cabinets.

Kitchen cabinet styles are normally just a matter of taste. Please note that the kitchen cabinet door design does not necessarily have to dictate the overall theme for your kitchen cabinets. The theme is normally decided by the wallpaper, paint color, accessories or decoration, pictures, etc.. For long lasting appreciation of your new kitchen let your taste decide for you unless you are imitating or copying a specific cabinet style or theme of a favorite decorator. Try to focus on the quality of the construction of the cabinets you intend to use. One of the following cabinet styles can be used basically in any kitchen theme. Ones' home should be their get away, our sanctuary so to speak, from the busy, hectic outside world. Listed below are five design trends that you may identify with. This will help you to identify and choose cabinetry styles, finishes and personalization to create a home just for you.

Eclectic Charm is fun with a mixture of all the things you love that just seem to go together. This is an individualized laid back approach that allows you to blend textures, tones, different eras and use of color and shape to bring it all together.

Restful Retreats creates peace from the chaos and presents a style that's focused around comfort and relaxation. This style is the perfect retreat from a hurried world.

The world at your doorstep best describes worldly grace design. This design draws inspiration from nations or places you carry in your heart and are seemingly drawn to the decor of the country. Italian, old world African, Asian and latin influences are just a few inspirations you might like. Always in good and classy taste, these designs are more defined and tailored style that is timeless.

Simple Element styles are clean and crisp with clean lines and less ornamentation. In other words simple, sophisticated space with smart presentation, yet with a calm soothing effect.

When deciding what is best for your taste and style, browsing through pictures of cabinets can help you with ideas to incorporate into your own style. Always pay special attention to traffic flow because if the flow is not conducive and does not flow smoothly from one to the next, try changing fixtures, appliances or even entrance ways. Angling countertops is a simple solution for the narrow doorways and the same can be said for certain corners on a kitchen cabinet island. Making sure you have enough room between stations will keep the human bumper cars pass easily without the shoulder to shoulder grind. Hanging kitchen pictures allows you to gain a different perspective. Does the kitchen seem to busy or crowded? Does it seem too cramped or small? Is there enough lighting that creates interest? Obviously, you will want lighting for both day and night to accent the things you love best about your kitchen Your kitchen features should make your kitchen bright and cheery and not like a dungeon. A lot depends on the color of the stain on your kitchen cabinets. These cabinets cover a significant amount of wallspace.

This means less light reflecting surface. If you have very little window light during the day, you may want to consider white or very light wood grain cabinets. Consider these ideas before you make final decisions on your kitchen and kitchen cabinet decor saving you time, money and affording you peace of mind.

Remodeling Your Kitchen

Ed — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 20:14:48 +0000

Remodeling your kitchen can be either a massive, grueling undertaking, or a relatively pleasant experience, with only a minor disruption of your family's life for a short period of time. While everyone understands the benefits of remodeling their kitchen, many are hesitant to undertake a remodeling project because they fear the process will disrupt their home life for long periods of time. But it doesn't have to be this way. With a well-thought out plan for your kitchen remodel project, you can begin the remodeling with confidence it will run smoothly. Take time in advance to familiarize yourself with every aspect of your remodeling job and the process will flow in an easy, efficient way.

The single most important step to a satisfying kitchen remodeling project is planning. This plan will cover the overall look of your kitchen, as well as every aspect of the remodeling, such as appliances, cabinets, storage space, flooring, countertops, hardware and lighting. Put your kitchen remodel plan on paper, starting with listing all of these topics and anything else you'd like to add (perhaps you want to buy all new dishes and flatware to go with your new kitchen, for instance). Let's look at each area you'll need to consider, step by step.

Begin by thinking about the overall design. Do you like the way your current kitchen is configured? Or will your remodeling project need to take new traffic patterns and better use of space into account? Is there adequate light? Enough room for food preparation? Space for your family to gather? Do you want a contemporary kitchen or would you prefer to establish a more traditional mood with the remodeling? Once you get a vision for the look of your new kitchen, you can start to lay plans for the individual components.

The next step is deciding on appliances. If you are a gourmet cook who loves to create fancy meals, you are going to want to incorporate high-end appliances into your remodeling plan. If you are a more casual cook, this might be someplace you can save some money. Next think about cabinets. Will you need to replace the ones you have or can you perhaps do a cabinet refacing? If you are happy with the way your current cabinets are situated, cabinet refacing can be a good budgetary alternative. Consider the issues of storage space. Is what you have adequate, or do you need to find ways to carve out more? In today's kitchen remodeling, there are so many options for elegant cabinets, with choices ranging from oak or cherry or birch, to laminate or glass-faced cupboards.

Flooring should be attractive and functional, as well as easy to clean. Many materials easily fit these criteria. Countertops also need to be easily maintained. There are natural and synthetic choices here, each with their own advantages. Lighting can vary from recessed lights to fancy chandeliers-it all depends on what you want the look of your kitchen to be. When it comes to hardware, do you want hand-made ceramic knobs for your cabinets, shiny chrome, or burnished black? These are just a few of your options.

Remember to write down all your ideas and keep good notes as you ask yourself these questions. When you've pondered all the options for your remodeling job, you can take your plan with you to a home improvement store or local contractor and you'll have a huge head start on your kitchen remodeling project. With a strong plan in place, you'll be cooking in your new kitchen in no time.

Today's Kitchens

Ed — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 03:28:48 +0000

Contemporary kitchens are full of energy-efficient appliances and state-of-the-art flooring and countertops. With interest in gourmet cooking high, today's kitchens are well-thought out and extremely useable spaces. Not only that, they are beautiful to behold. If you are performing nightly cooking chores in an outdated kitchen, rocket yourself into the new millennium and consider a kitchen remodel project.

Some of the trends you're likely to encounter in the most current of kitchens include combining the space and activities of family rooms and kitchens into one space commonly called a "great room," creating space for a computer corner, and building in special storage areas. Perhaps you enjoy wine and serve it often-you can incorporate space for your wine collection in your kitchen. Or maybe you need space for your collection of gourmet cookware-there are new options such as special drawers for pots and pans now available in today's kitchens.

Kitchens today place a great emphasis on functionality and efficiency of appliances, with some home owners choosing commercial grade appliances for their kitchens. But that doesn't mean that kitchen design needs to be plain and dull. Far from it. Cabinetry today is a finely honed craft, with myriad design choices and a huge selection of woods and laminates to choose from. One current trend is toward cabinets that look more like furniture, with designers adding tables and decorative molding on cabinetry to achieve a more unstructured look. Painted and glazed finishes are also very popular.

Countertops can feature the beauty of natural materials such as granite and limestone. Butcher block and concrete are also popular materials. The same is true of flooring-in today's kitchens, durability does not mean sacrificing beauty. The selection of lighting is staggering and ranges from traditional ceiling lights, to track or recessed lighting to chandelier. Live in a hot climate? Perhaps you'll want to choose a combination fan and light for your kitchen ceiling.

Many people choose to do a kitchen remodel to get rid of cramped, dark spaces. Adding light and an airy feel to kitchens is a big trend. With the emphasis on caring for the environment, another development is to bring the earth inside. No, you don't have to shovel dirt into your house, but consider using soothing earth tones in planning your kitchen remodel. It will bring a calm and peaceful aura into your home.

There are so many delightful trends and wonderful reasons to consider remodeling your kitchen, it's really worth it to start doing some research and thinking about what your dream kitchen remodel might be. Bring home a few home remodeling magazines from the grocery store on your next shopping trip and peruse articles and ideas about contemporary kitchens-you'll be thrilled and amazed at the options available to you. Once your eyes are open to the possibilities, visit your home improvement store or hire a kitchen designer or space planner and soon you'll be preparing a meal in your newly remodeled kitchen, surrounded by admiring family and friends.

Kitchen Wallpaper 14

Ed — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 22:10:48 +0000

Choosing wallpaper for your kitchen is something that needs to be ordered with care. It's not that papering in this important room of your house shouldn't be done, but it's a room that has a lot of stuff going on in it. No other room expect your bathroom, has as much temperature change as this room. Check out what you need to consider if you want to paper in this room with your kitchen wallpaper.

You've got to live with the design, and if you don't choose wisely you might tear it down. Worse yet, you might just dread going into the kitchen area, and a few meals might be skipped too. Remember, before you wallpaper that it will be the most noticeable thing you can do to that area of the house. The walls in your kitchen are the pallet for decorating because it defines the style and entire look of the kitchen area. Kitchen wallpaper is a great idea, and you shouldn't be limited with other ideas like border too.

It comes in a variety of different styles, and the cost of it ranges from high to low priced. If you're concerned about price, look around for sales. Be wary though, when sale prices are at rock bottom, you might not find enough paper to cover the area you want in your kitchen. Usually, a medium priced paper is the best way to go, but before you stick it to your walls; you'll need to read how to clean it. For an easy to clean wallpaper, use washable wallpaper for your kitchen wallpaper.

Cleaning it is only half the battle. If you don't want a type that is paper thin, and easily absorbs dirt and grime, then pick one that is heavy and with a plastic coating on the outside. Believe it or not, certain wallpapers come with a plastic coating on the outside. You can wash the walls down without tearing the paper, but always use the recommended cleaning solution on it. The goal is not to destroy the plastic poly covering on your kitchen wallpaper.

Style considerations are the color of your counter tops, and the pattern on your floor. If you've got a busy floor, pick kitchen wallpaper that is neutral in color and one that enhances your floor pattern. The color of your cabinets and draperies in the area are important too. Don't ever paper and then change them. You could tear it, but it could certainly clash with the colors. It would be heartbreaking to plan and work on the walls, and then have to change the kitchen wallpaper.

Finally, there are all kinds to choose from, but make sure it's what you like, and that it makes you feel great about preparing meals. It might be a good idea to just put a border up, or only wallpaper one side of the room for the right effect of kitchen wallpaper in that hard working area of your house.

Types Of Contractors

Ed — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:30:48 +0000

A general contractor is the main contractor you have to hire for a major renovation project. The general contractor though, has other subcontractors that he oversees for the renovation of your home. The repair and maintenance contractors you need are very different from the general contractor.

Typically the General Contractor does not provide the labor to build the house. The laborers come from the subcontractors or the trades. This may include carpenters for roughens, excavators, flooring, painting, concrete sub, plumber, electrician, roofer, and the finish carpenter. The general contractor hires the subcontractors and holds their contracts. Holding the contract means that they are working for him, they are under contract to him and he pays them directly. When you hire a general contractor you only have a contract with him not all the subs. The general contractor marks up the subcontractor's fee a certain percentage of the construction amount.

For this fee the contractor does all the managing and scheduling of the subs. He also pays, provides supervision of the construction, provides dumpsters, port-a-john, insurance and other miscellaneous things involved in the construction project. The contractors make money by charging for labor and by marking up the materials. The general contractor is referred to the generalist and the subs are the specialist. Whenever you need just a specific thing fixed in your home you would always hire a specialist. A specialist would be for an example a plumber or electrician. When hiring someone for maintenance task some people just hire a guy with a magnet advertising on the side of his truck but in reality he is not licensed at all. This could be people like gutter cleaners, painters or lawncare. Usually using these types do work out but you must be careful because you do not have the legal protection as with using a licensed contractor. It's just better to use common sense and keep yourself protected by going with someone who is licensed.

It's usually easy to tell the unlicensed contractors or scam artist or possibly someone who is just trying to get in your home. Use wisdom and do your homework to avoid the following pitfalls.

1. Unlicensed contractors often go door-to-door claiming they "just finished a job down the street and we're in the neighborhood and noticed your roof needs patching."

2. They may rush you and twist their words stating, "If you act now, you'll get a special price."

3. Unlicensed contractors either neglect to pull construction permits or they ask you to do it for them. If you do this, you are assuming liability for the project as well as the contractor's mistakes.

4. Some states require contractors to list their license numbers on their vehicles, their estimates and their advertising. If a contractor has not done that, this is usually a bad sign.

5. If you see a license number in an ad, and it has a different number of letters, numerals and digits than all the other licenses, this probably means it is a bogus license number.

6. Be wary if a contractor provides only a PO box or cell number. That may mean he does not have credibility in the community and could skip town when people start to complain.

7. Unlicensed contractors often ask for a lot of money up front if not the whole amount. Consider this a red flag and try not to pay any money in advance. If you must, keep the amount to a minimum.

Does Your House Need A Kitchen Remodel

Ed — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:29:48 +0000

Is it time to upgrade your house with a kitchen remodel? While professionals all agree that remodeling your kitchen can dramatically increase the sales value of your house, there are other considerations to ponder.

First you should consider the overall condition of your house, and that of your kitchen. Is your house a showplace, with beautiful rooms, except for the kitchen? If all the rooms of your house are freshly painted and beautifully decorated, but you've been holding out on remodeling the kitchen for reasons of budget or time, you might want to think again. The two rooms of the house which offer the most immediate rewards in terms of increased house value are the bathroom and the kitchen. Most estimates put the value of a kitchen remodel at 80 to 90 percent. That's a lot of potential value for your house, so it makes sense to remodel as soon as possible.

Even if you aren't planning to move anytime soon, a kitchen remodel is a huge boon to your house for quality of living considerations alone. Most families and couples spend an enormous amount of time in their kitchen. Over and over again the kitchen is referred to as the heart of the house, because so many activities take place there-cooking, eating, homework, entertaining, to name only a few. Why not make this high-traffic room the most inviting of the house?

If your appliances are out of date or prone to constant break-downs, it is a sign you might want to consider a kitchen remodel. There are so many new energy-efficient models on the market, it makes good sense for your house budget to invest in these appliances. You'll get more pleasure from using them, too. If you find yourself going out to eat repeatedly during the course of any given week, it may also be time for some upgrades. Not wanting to spend time in your house is a sure sign it needs some attention! If a kitchen is awkwardly laid out or inefficient, it can certainly affect your desire to cook or entertain. Who wants to invite guests to their house when it is difficult to cook a meal for them?

Another thing to consider is the needs of your family. Additions to your brood may require additions to your house, and the kitchen is going to be one of the first spaces that will show the strain of over-use. High traffic in a room wears it out more quickly. Since the kitchen is one of the highest-traffic areas in the house, remodeling it with durable yet attractive materials simply makes good sense. You'll enjoy the bright new improvements now and reap the benefit of added resale value when you are ready to move.

Even if you've not actively considered remodeling your kitchen, you might want to take a look at it. The pleasure you will gain from your house and its increased value will make it worthwhile. Start doing some research today and before you know it, you'll catch the excitement about remodeling.

Varieties Of Kitchen Sinks

Ed — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:08:48 +0000

Kitchen sinks are definitely the most important component found in kitchens anywhere in the world. The reason for this is simple to understand when you think how important water is in both the preparation and cleanup of food. The basic function of a kitchen sink is to serve as a waterproof receptacle for liquids and solid foods of any type.

Kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks differ in size and sometimes the material that makes up the sink. The designs can be quite different as well. A kitchen sink needs to be large in size so it can easily accommodate big bowls, pots, pans, and any other utensil that one might use to prepare food. The kitchen sink must also be able to withstand the abuse of these large, heavy objects. Most people know that smaller objects like glasses, plates and silverware can create scratches and nicks in kitchen sinks. Larger objects can do serious damage to sinks that are not made to withstand a certain amount of daily wear and tear. For this reason, normally heavy gauge stainless steel kitchen sinks are a favorite but have had some stiff competition in the past few years. More and more consumers are going with the porcelain coated cast iron. These delightful additions are very popular with the shabby chic look and the vintage kitchens.

Ever changing trends put pressure on kitchen sink manufacturers to explore other materials for kitchen sinks. Solid plastic is still available and these sinks can be bonded to solid surface countertops so the sink looks to be sculpted from one solid piece of plastic. Granite kitchen sinks are striking as well as those made from marble and other hard stones. These stones can make for a dramatic look and add much character to your kitchen. Copper, brass and any other corrosion resistant metals are used to form a kitchen sink for an early American, primitive or farm look. Copper and any copper alloy offer a unique characteristic not found in any other sink material. Copper kitchen sinks have a built in natural chemical mechanism that kills many bacteria and viruses within minutes of contact. This hidden quality, and mostly unknown, can help keep you and your family healthy and free of germs.

When looking at kitchen sinks remember to pay attention to the depth of the bowl. Not all sinks are created equal and the size all depends on how you will use your kitchen. Many kitchen sinks offer extra depth to make cleaning large bowls and pots a very easy job and is popular with consumers and chefs who do a lot of in home entertaining.

If your kitchen is large enough to handle two sinks, this would be something to give serious consideration. Many kitchen sinks are available in a double or side-by-side configuration, but these can only be used by one person without being cramped. If you have two separate sinks in two different locations in a kitchen, two people can work independently without getting in each other's way which is an advantage.

The mounting method of kitchen sinks is also an option. The bowl can be placed under the countertop so that water and food can be pushed into the sink like quite easily. The second design is an overmount lip where the top of the sink is higher than the surrounding countertop. This seems to be coming back in popularity and the designs of these sinks are endless. Over and undermount kitchen sinks are available in a wide variety of colors, sizes and material choices.

Simple Kitchen Ideas For Inside Or Outdoor Kitchens

Ed — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:42:48 +0000

You don't have to be stuck making meals in a kitchen that's as dead as a doorknob. With a little imagination and some effort, you can create a great personalized look that will make your kitchen one of the best features in your home. Here are a few kitchen decorating ideas you can use to create a beautiful new space.

More than anything making the kitchen your own is at the top of the list. Don't be so concerned with the latest trends but what makes you feel good. The kitchen should be comfortable and functional and a place to show off your cooking skills (or lack of) to family and friends. Make the effort to find the kind of decoration or accent pieces that fit your own individual taste. If you are going for the country look or the shabby chic look, add lots of baskets to put dry flowers, plants or fresh cut flowers in. Also load your basket up with fruit for a walk by snack. Going modern means lots of stainless steel, sleek racks and decor's with clean lines.

Keep your kitchen cabinets fresh and flowing with the decor of your kitchen. Painting is an easy, inexpensive change or strip and varnish to match your kitchen's interior. Simple changes like replacing the cabinet handles or knobs makes a noticeable difference. Changing just the front of the cabinets with interior recessed lighting really updates the look. Consider too, changing out your appliances if need be. Another consideration is a hanging rack from the ceiling for utensils and pots. They add lots of interest to the kitchen and free up more cabinet space. Adding B board gives the kitchen a nostalgic kind of feel. If you feel your kitchen is the way you want it but still not completely satisfied with the overall look, change the flooring! Go from vinyl to hardwood, for warm ambiance or go with stone for the cozy old world feel.

Your flooring should always reflect the theme of your kitchen. If the idea of being outside cooking is more your thing, consider an outdoor kitchen. A well-designed outdoor kitchen can also be an added bonus for your home with hours of fun for family and friends. No more indoor messes! The animals and kids can have a blast being loud! If you need help with the design ideas of your outdoor kitchen, you can check out decorating magazines or certain home improvement stores. Don't have sticker shock when you read the price tag because the outdoor kitchen can come with some hefty prices. Shop around and also check out your friends or other family members outdoor kitchens. You can learn allot by picking their brains and finding out what obstacles you might face with this project.

If your budget is limited, start out with just purchasing your grill. Then as your budget allows, add other components to bring your outdoor kitchen space to life. There are plenty of inexpensive things to do such as adding flowers to your outdoor area, hanging lights to produce the restaurant look or adding outdoor furniture that blends in with the theme of your outdoor kitchen space. Just do as your budget allows, and in the meantime, enjoy nature's beauty and sounds.

Update Your Kitchen

Ed — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:39:48 +0000

Your kitchen is where you and your family spend a great deal of time. Your kitchen is most likely the heart of your home, where meals are cooked, homework is finished, and where your family enjoys spending time together. It is often the place where friends, neighbors and family automatically gravitate, drawn by the aroma of food cooking and the warmth of the room. Your kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in your house; shouldn't it be as beautiful and functional as possible?

There are many options for updating your kitchen, ranging from easily accomplished, bare-bones budget plans, to a full kitchen remodel. With a full remodel, you can do a nice job with a relatively small budget or go for a complete luxury kitchen remodel. When it comes to what is available to update and remodel your kitchen, the sky is the limit!

Keep in mind also, that short of committing to a full kitchen remodel, it can be surprisingly easy and cost-effective to update your kitchen with a few new items and make it as welcoming and useable as possible. You could start by resurfacing cabinets, for instance, or installing new countertops or flooring. How about re-tiling the backsplash with beautiful tiles that will complement your kitchen decor? Or consider getting new appliances. A beautiful new range or the spacious refrigerator you've always wanted can make change the look of your kitchen. Even something as simple as choosing new knobs and handles for cabinets and drawers can freshen the look of your kitchen and make a dramatic difference in how you feel about spending time there.

If you do decide to do a full kitchen remodel, consider that you can either be your own contractor, hiring different people to do specific pieces of work, or hire a remodeling company to oversee the entire project. To begin, start by taking an honest look at your budget and don't forget to set aside a fund for all those little unexpected things that crop up in remodeling jobs. You may decide to do a budget kitchen remodel, or take a middle of the road approach, or go for everything and treat yourself to the luxury kitchen of your dreams.

Whatever your budget, you can start the process by getting ideas for how you want your new kitchen to look. If you've applied for a loan to get the work done, this is something you can begin right away, while you are waiting for the money to fund. It has the added benefit of creating inspiration and determination to see the job through-once you have visualized how your kitchen will look, you'll never be satisfied until it is a reality.

To start, visit home improvement stores and wander the aisles, looking for ideas for your kitchen remodel. Leaf through kitchen magazines and study the ads and read the articles to familiarize yourself with what's available, including the many new products that are constantly being developed. Start to form ideas about what will and won't fit your budget. At this step, when you see all the possibilities for a new kitchen, you may decide to put a bit more into it than originally planned.

Begin your plans to update your kitchen today. Whether you decide to add a few small improvements or do a full-scale remodel, you'll never regret your commitment to creating the wonderful kitchen of your dreams.