Cookware & Cooking News

Eight years ago, I finally remodeled my kitchen. I had waited a long time for this, but finally all my visions were going to become reality. High on my wish list: more storage and more counter space. A kitchen island would give me both. I wanted the island to be the center of activities and to include an overhang for seating and eating.

Larger kitchens often have the space to add an island without enlarging the room.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have that luxury. I knocked down a wall between the then combination dining room/family room — it was L-shaped. This space then became an informal eating area/great room, and the former family room became a formal dining room.

If an island is in your future, consider the following planning ideas I used in building my own kitchen island.

Countertop: We used a solid surface (Corian), and wow, what easy clean-up! With this surface, rolling out cookies or piecrust is a breeze. This was definitely a worthwhile upgrade.

Electrical outlets: Install one on each end. If you’re going to use appliances, such as a mixer, in the island area, you’re going to need at least one outlet. (If you’re like me and often work in the kitchen, you may also want to plug your laptop in at the island.) As long as you are running electricity to the island for one outlet, it wouldn’t take that much longer to install two.

Cooktop: I have my cooktop on the island. We went with a Jenn-Aire with a downdraft exhaust vent. Having my cooktop on the island works really well for me. But look at the layout of the rest of your kitchen before you decide. You might want to put a countertop/work area or a sink in your island instead.

Overhang eating area: By extending the countertop on one side–12″ at each end, curving slightly to 18″ in the middle–we created an eating area on the island. This is the part we have enjoyed the most! We do breakfast and lunch here on a daily basis. When company comes, the cook can visit with the guests while watching the meal. It also works great as a buffet and serving area; I can even keep food warm by turning the burners low.

I really recommend adding the overhang, whether you end up installing a cooktop, sink or cutting board. Even if it’s only enough room for one stool, you’ll be able to sit while doing some of the food prep or to read the paper and have a cup of coffee!

Lighting: The lighting over your island is really important. This is one area you don’t want too dark. We solved this problem by installing three recessed canister-style fixtures over the island with a dimmer switch.

Keep in mind: You want to have a minimum of two feet around the island for traffic flow and of course more space if you plan to have an eating area.

Avo Barsoumian has been part of the interior design and interior flooring community for the past 25 years. He owns and operates a flooring installation company in Glendale. The offer the largest selection of elegant hardwood flooring, beautiful laminate flooring and plush carpeting under one roof. Searching for carpeting dealers for your new town house or buy laminate flooring to makeover your older house? Then Carpet Wagon carries everything you need.

Kitchen improvements interior decorating, kitchen decorating, kitchen islands, kitchen makeovers

Every year, thousands of American homeowners make the decision to remodel their homes. One of the most frequent causes of a kitchen remodeling project is change. The typical individual is liable to enter their kitchen, at least, eight times a day. Regrettably, extra time you may find that your kitchen no longer looks attractive or brings you excitement. If this is how you feel about your kitchen, perhaps it is time for a change. That change can readily be accomplished with a kitchen remodeling project.

A kitchen remodeling project means different things to various individuals. There are a few homeowners who only like to change around a few things, like their lighting fixtures and floor tiles, but there are others who would like to change everything. If your really looking to make your kitchen like a whole new kitchen, you will in all probability want to do a large remodeling project. A huge remodeling project not just includes a large amount of work, but also a fairly large amount of time, but the outcome is virtually always more than worth it.

Despite the truth that a kitchen remodeling project is almost always worthwhile, you may still find yourself unpleased. One of the reasons for that is because of what we tend to view as a remodeling project. We often associate kitchen remodeling with just kitchen fixtures, like flooring, lights, countertops, cabinets, and sinks. As much as you change the fixtures or structures in your kitchen, you might still be reminded of your old kitchen, especially if you are employing the same kitchen appliances. That is why it can also be a good idea to include replacing your kitchen appliances as part of your next kitchen remodeling project.

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

As previously mentioned, exchanging your entire kitchen appliances may make it appear very as if you are really acquiring a new kitchen. In addition to the change, you may also relish the new look, especially if your current kitchen appliances are quite old. Over the past few years, kitchen appliances have changed considerably. If you are looking to buy a new dishwashing machine, refrigerator, toaster, oven, microwave, or blender, you will find that you, literally, have an almost limitless amount of appliances to pick out from. Almost all of the previously mentioned kitchen appliances come in more than one color; consequently, whatever color or design you are searching for, you should easily be able to find it. Matching your new kitchen appliances to your new kitchen decor or style, after the remodeling has been finished, is the best method to get the ideal kitchen.

Although there are a number of reasons why you ought to including buying new kitchen appliances as a piece of your kitchen remodeling project, you may it costly to do so. If your on a restricted budget, it may be best to focus on the remodeling first. New kitchen appliances can wait, but a new kitchen countertop may not be able to. As soon as you have altered the overall design of your kitchen, you may then start worrying about new appliances. If you are trying to reduce costs, perhaps it is a great idea to purchase one appliance individually. Even if it takes you annually to afford all of the new kitchen appliances that you wanted, you will arrive aftertime, without having to go broke all at once.

As you should be able to see, there are a number of different reasons why you ought to exchange your old kitchen appliances when remodeling your kitchen. Although there are a number of advantages to doing so, you don’t have to if you do not want to. The decision is utterly yours to make.

Read more here in Easy Kitchen Remodeling Ideas.

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