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Posts Tagged ‘kitchen’

Decorative Lighting, a Kitchen Improvement Without the Expense

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Decorative lighting, can be a way for you to drastically change the look and mood of your kitchen, without breaking the bank.

If you kitchen is looking a bit dark and dingy, but you don’t have the money for a complete facelift, then why not give it a partial facelift?

Start by giving your cabinets a good clean. Making sure to use the proper cleaner. If you have wood cabinets, use a soap or cleaner that is designed for wood paneling etc, and if you have melamine cabinets, make sure to use a product that will help degrease.

Then clear all the clutter away from your counters. This is a big turn off for a sleek looking kitchen. You should try and find a place for odds and ends, or at least purchase a decorative basket for the end of your counter for all those paper clips, keys, papers etc that tend to collect on your counter.

Next look at your cabinet hardware. Is it dated?.. boring?. Step it up a bit with some new hardware, and then look at decorative lighting. You will be amazed at the difference a change in lighting can make.

Maybe go for a new hanging pendant light over your table or island. Or a new, yet traditional chandelier?.. or maybe some track lighting. Or if you have an Victorian look to your kitchen, find a old style fixture and have it rewired for safety.

Now, after you install these great light fixtures, you will understand why you needed to clean your cabinets.. because now you can actually see!
decorative lighting online and also unique switch plates online

Tags: Decorative, Expense, Improvement, kitchen, Lighting, Without
Posted in Lighting | No Comments »

5 Popular Kitchen Designs

Monday, April 19th, 2010

If you are looking to install a new kitchen into your home then you will find that there is a bewildering choice of free kitchen design ideas you could choose from to feed your own design plans. Together with the bathroom the kitchen is the most important room in the house to get right in design terms.  Aside from the hall the kitchen receives the highest amount of foot traffic in the home.

Most people spend a lot of time in the kitchen, especially families and if something is not right it will bug you every time you look at it.

I recommend you spend considerable time looking for free kitchen design ideas before you approach a kitchen design store. That way you will have a much more focused idea of what you are looking for and are more likely to encourage the salesperson to offer you a special deal. They will see you as a serious prospect who has spent time creating a strong vision and knows what they require.

Design ideas can be found in many places such as house and home magazines, kitchen showrooms, diy stores, kitchen web sites and friends’ houses.

You should be able to formulate at least two or three design ideas using these methods.

In the meantime here is a list of 5 popular kitchen styles that you can investigate to get you started:

Country Style
This style is also called early american or colonial and creates a lovely quaint farm kitchen look. Typically the kitchen will feature open shelves, pot racks and a general feeling of being well lived in, accented by the various color schemes of the cabinetry.

Contemporary
This style has clean and simple lines.  Cabinets are usually futuristic in look with no carvings or particularly ornate features. The emphasis is on style and practical sophistication.

Shaker
This is a simple and utilitarian style that features flat panel doors, wooden countertops and brass hardware.

French Country
These are warm inviting kitchens full of wood and soft colors. Natural materials feature strongly as do large furniture pieces with ornate carvings.

Arts and Crafts
This is becoming a popular style and features glass doors and natural wood tones that are finished in a matte sheen.
This style can be very artistic.

Finally, take into account the themes you have used in other rooms to ensure that the kitchen design you finally choose fits well into your overall scheme.

Tags: diy, home improvement, kitchen, kitchen design, kitchen ideas, kitchen styles
Posted in Interior Design | No Comments »

Before Designing a New Kitchen

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

Here are 10 important guidelines for your kitchen design project.

1. For efficiency, the work triangle (the space between the sink, refrigerator, and stove) should measure 26’ or less with no single side longer than 9’, or less than 4’.

2. In kitchens smaller than 150 sq. ft., opt for at least 13’ of base cabinets, 12’ of wall cabinets, and 11’ of countertop. In kitchens which are larger, go with at least 16’ of base cabinets, 15 1/2’ of wall cabinets, and 16 1/2’ of countertop.

3. For convenience, plan work aisles to be at least 42” wide for one cook, and at least 48” wide in multi-cook kitchens.

4. Specify a minimum of 24” of counter space on one side of the sink and at least 18” on the other.

5. To create the most accessible landing for unloading groceries, allow at least 15” of counter space on the handle side of a standard refrigerator; on both sides if it’s a side-by-side model. Or include a landing area directly across from the refrigerator, but no more than 48” away.

6. For cleanup ease, install the dishwasher within 36” of one edge of the sink and allow for at least 21” of standing room next to it.

7. For microwaves and ovens, provide at least 15 “ of counter space nearby, at least 16” deep.

8. For optimum clearance, no entry, appliance, or cabinet doors should interfere with another.

9. For comfort and to help avoid repetitive-motion injury, plan for work counters of different heights; between 28 and 36” off the floor (easier for chopping and seated-use access), and between 36 and 46” for general tasks (higher counters accommodate taller cooks).

10. To install a cabinet unit above the cook top, make sure the clearance is at least 24” for a fireproof surface, 30” for an unprotected surface.

Designing a kitchen is as much a science as it is an art. Knowing the recommended measurements to use when planning the project can make all the difference in the final outcome.

Tags: designing kitchen, kitchen, kitchen design
Posted in Interior Design | No Comments »

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