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Thinking about kitchen remodeling? Want to reface kitchen cabinets? Then this is a good place to start. Here you will find lots of tips, advice and help with planning, designing and buying your kitchen and kitchen cabinets.
Buying a kitchen is a major investment. To some it is the most important room in the house. Kitchen design trends are constantly changing, as are the choices of colors and materials. However, there are still some basic concepts that never change and hopefully you will find them here.
If you can’t find what you are looking for here then you should be able to find it either by using the Search box at the top of the page, or by clicking on the various links to other sites that appear on every page.
If you want to know more about just kitchen cabinets then we have also created a new Guide to Kitchen Cabinets and Kitchen Cabinet Refacing which you can find by clicking here: Guide to Kitchen Cabinets and Kitchen Cabinet Refacing.
When you are designing your new kitchen refer to these pages regularly as it will assist you with the design process and make your finished kitchen both functional and enjoyable.
And don’t just take our word for it; remember, when planning your new kitchen space, that consulting a kitchen designer or an interior designer who specializes in kitchens will enable you to get the latest advice on kitchen design ideas and guidelines. If you want to arrange a Kitchen Design Consultation visit us on our main site here: Kitchens Atlanta.
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With so many choices in materials, appliances and accessories, sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start when choosing the components that make up your new kitchen.
A good designer should be able to point you in the right direction and sites such as this can give you some good hints, tips and ideas, but ultimately the choice of kitchen style is entirely up to you.
If you have any questions about kitchen design that are not covered in these pages then give us a call!
Planning
Obviously, planning is … (read more)
The next big step in the kitchen planning process is deciding what shape the kitchen will be, and determining who will use the kitchen and how often.
Although deciding on the shape seems restrictive, it actually narrows down the possibilities and makes the planning easier. The goal on deciding on a shape it to make your kitchen as efficient as possible, with the food preparation, sink and cooking areas close together. A good rule of thumb is to keep a piece of countertop between the sink and cooktop on which to prepare … (read more)
Think about what happens to your food and you will get a good idea how an efficient kitchen works. The steps are usually:
Purchase
Storage
Pre-preparation
Preparation
Service
Dish Washing
Bear all these in mind when planning and you won’t go far wrong. For example, put the fridge near the door where you bring in the shopping (to save you walking across the kitchen each time), put the baking supplies in a cupboard near the oven, the clean-up materials under the sink and snack items near the … (read more)
Your budget will normally dictate your choice of products but there are other considerations you need to take into account when working out how much your new kitchen is going to cost.
Prices vary quite a lot, so the figures given below are just a guideline and, as always, shopping around is the best bet.
But work out roughly how much money you want to spend and use this figure when talking to designers and contractors.
Below are some guidelines for establishing a realistic budget.
Budget Guidelines
First of all, if you limit … (read more)
The next step in planning your new kitchen is to plan enough storage to suit your needs.
As already explained in Kitchen Shapes, different shapes of kitchens automatically provide different amounts of storage space.
Although most of us think of plain cabinets when we think of storage, there are a lot more options these days.
In this section you will find solutions to various storage problems and useful tips to make the most of even the smallest of spaces. Cabinets will be discussed in the ‘Cabinets’ section.
Below The Countertop
It is obvious … (read more)
There are so many choices where cabinets are concerned, such as the door materials, style, color, frames, etc., and so much variation in price that the whole area can be confusing at times.
Hopefully, this section should give you a good place to start.
You may also want to consider the option of having your cabinets refaced. You will be surprised at the results you can achieve by doing this, and also how inexpensive it is, especially if you can find a good deal with a reputable company.
Definitely check it out first, … (read more)
The cabinets may be the face of the kitchen but the countertops are where all the action happens. A countertop will have to cope with hot pots and pans, knives, dirt and therefore needs to be durable.
So it is usually best to make your choice based on the performance of the material and ease of maintenance, as well as the sink mounting option.
Notes on edge styles and backsplash options are given at the end of this page (click here).
The countertop choices are listed below very roughly by price … (read more)
Now you’ve chosen the design of your kitchen cabinets and worktops, the next thing is to choose the materials and the colors of your walls.
The most common materials for the kitchen walls are paint, wallpaper and tiles.
Paint
Paint is the cheapest and fastest way to transform the feeling of your kitchen, however, you need to have good surfaces to paint on (i.e. no holes or cracks which will show through the paint).
If your walls aren’t smooth enough, then you can line the walls with lining paper first (a special … (read more)
Choosing flooring is a lot like choosing countertops. Which type you choose depends on the style of your kitchen, the amount of use it will get, and the price. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages.
Vinyl, linoleum and carpet are the most comfortable underfoot. Laminate, vinyl and polyurethane-treated wood are the most durable. Stone and concrete look good and are also hard-wearing, but are also harder to clean.
Decide whether you want to install flooring under your removable appliances or around them (whichever you choose, make sure you can roll them … (read more)
A fridge is one of the most important appliances in your home, influencing your eating habits and ensuring food hygiene and taste.
Refrigerators are available with different door configurations, with either the doors side-by-side, or with one door on top of the other, or as drawers.
In a top/bottom unit the freezer can be on either the top or the bottom. In a side-by-side configuration the freezer is on one side.
Some are available as built-ins, which can be disguised to look like just another cabinet. Others are the same depth as … (read more)
Ovens are available in gas or electric, and using a number of heating methods, conventional, convection, microwaves or combination oven/microwave.
They come in many shapes, sizes and finishes. Your choice will be influenced by the design of your kitchen, the space available and what you enjoy cooking.
A single oven can be placed in a cabinet below the counter top or in a tall cabinet. A regular double oven or an conventional/microwave double oven combination will be placed in a tall cabinet.
Wall ovens are either 24, 27, or 30 inches wide.
… (read more)
One question that often comes up is, should you buy a range or a cooktop?
In short, it is really a personal choice, based on your budget, space limitations, looks, and needs.
Budget
Prices for cooktops, ovens and ranges vary a lot because the prices are changing constantly due to special offers and sales, brands are priced differently to start with, and they also depend on which of many different features they offer.
However, a separate cooktop and wall oven will always cost more than a range, and will also require electrical … (read more)
Dishwashers are a great time-saver and are also more hygienic than washing dishes by hand, due to the higher temperatures involved during the wash cycle.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a dishwasher, for example, unit type, how many place settings you can fit inside, control type and the number and type of wash cycles.
Unit Type
First decide on the type of unit. Dishwashers are available as freestanding (portable) or built-in (under the counter) models.
They come in two sizes, 24″ and 18″
Portable dishwashers
As the … (read more)
There are many new looks and styles for sinks that depart from the typical bowl configuration.
Newer designs include geometrically shaped sinks made from glass, and stainless steel sinks with long, narrow stream-shaped basins.
A distinctive, contemporary sink gives a stylish flair and becomes a striking attraction in your kitchen, while still remaining functional. There are just a few things to consider when selecting a kitchen sink.
Size and Shape
Sink sizes range from S to XXL, so there’s a model to fit every kitchen. If space is an issue or if … (read more)
You can cook without a hood or a vent, but moisture, grease, odors, and heat from cooking on a cooktop can damage the rest of your kitchen.
Also, steam from cooking condenses on windows and walls, and in some cases carbon monoxide from the burning of gas can build up.
A range or cooktop hood or vent will remove most if not all of the above problems.
Hood Styles
Hood choices range from basic ductless wall-mount units, to systems with lights, timers, and easy-clean surfaces.
You can buy hidden slim-line hood designs … (read more)
Furniture and accessories add the finishing touches to your kitchen and help to enhance its overall effect. Buying new accessories is the easiest way to change the look of your kitchen.
However, it is important not only to choose items that complement the style and feel of your kitchen but also ones that meet your needs.
Appliances and accessories made of stainless steel are very popular right now, such as blenders and toasters, refrigerators and pro-style oven ranges. To get the all-steel look without the price, look for steel finished appliances and … (read more)
Refrigeration arrives at Downton Abbey
Fans of "Downton Abbey" on PBS are used to the tension between progress and tradition that’s played out over the series’ four seasons. This week’s episode added a technological twist to that theme with the arrival of refrigeration to the noble estate. Mrs. Patmore, the simple-minded head cook, offers up her usual fearful resistance while Lady Grantham maintains her agent-of-change status.
We all know how this one ends—at least where refrigeration is concerned. Maybe more than any home appliance, refrigerators have … (read more)
Designed and manufactured in Denmark, Vintec NOIR is the modern wine cabinet that combines pure, minimalist design with 170-bottle capacity. Ideal for wine storage and perfect for showcasing your dearest wines, the cabinet has a border less, black glass door, a piano black glass plinth and dual Crystal White LED lights from top to bottom.
You can use this versatile Vintec NOIR wine cabinet as single zone, humidity controlled cellar in 12°C to 14°C range, or as multi temperature cooler to serve different styles or varieties at their ideal individual drinking temperatures. This climate … (read more)
Maker of NuWave Oven deluged with complaints
Like any popular infomercial product, the NuWave Pro Infrared Oven makes some pretty bold promises, including “delicious fried chicken from frozen to your table in just 15 minutes.” After Consumer Reports put a few of those claims to the test a few years ago, we were impressed by the results. But before you rush out to buy the $ 120 countertop cooker, check out the consumer complaints that have been dogging it.
The Better Business Bureau … (read more)
Made from high quality, professional grade materials, the dual element EM7000 Café Series Espresso Machine from Sunbeam offers exceptional build, professional espresso delivery and intuitive milk texturing control – thanks to patent-pending Temperature Sensing Steam Wand. By placing the sensor in the rear of the wand, Sunbeam engineers minimized any influence from hot steam.
The Sunbeam EM7000 features a dedicated, stainless steel lined thermoblock with PID technology that precisely controls the water temperature for the optimum espresso taste. The espresso machine also comes with 15 bar Italian espresso pump and 4 bar steam … (read more)
Do you own one of these recalled dehumidifiers?
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced the recall of 350,000 dehumidifiers sold under the GE brand name. The units can overheat, smoke, and catch fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers. There have been 16 reported incidents with the GE dehumidifiers, including five in which fire spread beyond the units, causing about $ 430,000 in property damage.
The affected 30, 40, 50, and 65-pint dehumidifiers were sold at Sam’s Club, Walmart, and other stores nationwide and in Canada, … (read more)
New York City is the place to be for creative, contemporary loft interiors, and lucky for NYC this beautiful apartment by Axis Mundi happens to be on Manhattan’s Bond Street. This eclectic living space features an intriguing mix of modernism and luxury. Earthy textured wall tiles and contemporary art are seen between the classical Romanesque columns, summing up this interior’s assorted style. Window walls invite light and the lively city skyline inside, by day and night.
Contemporary … (read more)
Best beer and blender drinks for game day
With frigid temperatures gripping most of the nation, the last thing most people want is an icy drink. But soon it will be game day, when margaritas and piña coladas are part of the party. To make them, you need a blender that crushes ice like a champ, such as the winners of Consumer Reports’ icy drink and ice crush tests. And for the beer drinkers in the crowd, we have the results of our craft beer taste tests.
Tied at … (read more)
The new Bosch Tassimo Suny is the compact coffee maker that follows Tassimo Vivy and is available in Autumn Red, Midnight Black and Pacific Blue. Suny is equipped with the Smart Start function and designed for the coffee drinkers who like an nice Italian espresso in the morning hurry without sacrificing much of the authenticity and quality.
Thanks to the powerful water heater system, the Bosch Tassimo Suny requires no warm up time and your first cup is ready immediately. The patented IntelliBrew system ensures that every drink is made with the … (read more)
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