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Kitchen Remodel
Get
Started Right on Your Kitchen Remodel
by Jeanette Joy Fisher
It's true with any remodeling
project, of course, but a well-designed, detailed plan is especially
important when it comes to remodeling your kitchen. Regardless of
whether you're planning to do it yourself or will be using the help of a
professional, your first step will be working out a plan that will
address three main kitchen criteria: food preparation, storage, and
clean-up.
In the 1950s, and up until a
relatively sort time ago, kitchens were designed in a triangular
pattern, with the three points of the triangle being the stove,
refrigerator, and sink. It was considered the most efficient set up at a
time when most women stayed home during the day and worked by
themselves, making the family's meals from scratch.
Of course, that's no longer
the case, so kitchens have evolved to match people's cooking habits,
since most women now work outside of the home, share cooking duties with
their husbands or significant others, and prepare only a few meals from
scratch. To reflect those changes, modern kitchens are designed with
multiple work areas, including islands, to allow more than one person to
work in the kitchen at one time. Many kitchens even include two sinks,
in the island and on the traditional countertops, to further facilitate
the division of labor.
 Since nearly twice as much
storage room is required in modern kitchens, cabinets become a major
issue when planning a remodel. You'll want to decide on the types of
surfaces, colors, materials, and styles that match both your preference
and budget. The same is true with
countertops. They should be durable and attractive, yet well within your
price range. One thing to consider is that expensive surfaces such as
granite or marble may be extremely desirable, but they are very
difficult for the average do-it-yourselfer to work with.
When it comes to flooring,
modern kitchens are now generally done in vinyl, as opposed to the
linoleum that was most commonly found in 50s kitchens. Whether you use
sheets or tiles, you'll have a wide variety of styles and textures to
choose from. Wood floors have also been making a comeback in both high
end and moderately priced kitchens.
 Kitchen sinks can be found in
cast iron, stainless steel, stone, and plastic. Kitchen sinks come in
many styles and colors, as do the faucets to fill them. Whether you
choose a single or double sink, with one handle or two on your faucet
will again be limited only by your taste and budget.
A similar variety of will be
available in stoves, microwaves, range hoods, refrigerators, and
freezers. It's up to you to decide what works best for you, without
breaking your budget. But regardless of what you choose, it all begins
with sitting down and working out a detailed plan of what you want in
your new kitchen.
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