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When you picture the perfect kitchen, you probably don’t have visions of a large, overbearing microwave sitting out on the counter. While microwaves have become sleeker since they were first invented, they are sometimes awkward to place in a kitchen and are better off hidden than in a highly visible spot. By using a few tricks, you can hide your microwave from view while still maintaining convenient access.
An area off the kitchen is often the best space for a pantry and laundry room. The handiness of the adjacent space makes it practical to cook and wash clothes simultaneously. A small pantry in the laundry area works well because a single floor-to-ceiling cabinet will yield a lot of room for storing groceries. Every few years, an existing space needs upgrading to protect the home's market value.
Primitive decorating -- prim for short -- has its roots in the log cabins, saltboxes and simple farmhouses built in the Colonial era in the United States. Primitive furniture is rough and utilitarian, meant to be used, not admired. Prim also features decorative elements of American country style that brighten its no-frills appearance. A small kitchen may present a decorating challenge, but with a little imagination and some basic knowledge of design it's possible to create one that's both primitive and practical.
Decorating small kitchens is sometimes a challenging task. Successful small kitchen spaces often utilize special interior decorating techniques that give the room an illusion of additional space. Small kitchens usually feel larger when painted in light hues with white cabinets. In addition, there are many small kitchen accessories that can be added to help create a small kitchen with a feeling of optimal space.
Finding storage space in a small kitchen, especially for non-refrigerated perishables like potatoes and onions, requires inguenuity. Cookware specialty stores sell a range of functional and decorative products designed for storage, but you can make your own solutions with inexpensive materials purchased from craft and fabric retailers.
Tap into your home's potential by making the unused square footage of your existing attic an integral part of your home's design. Adding usable square footage can increase your home's value while providing a daily benefit through use of the new space. Determine a purpose for your attic and take into consideration the challenges of remodeling before plunging into this project.
Although a small kitchen can be considered a cozy part of your home, it can be a challenging space in which to prepare a meal. Transform your small kitchen into an efficient space with a few adjustments. Get the most out of your kitchen space whether you live in an apartment or a house.
A kitchen constructed decades ago will devalue the market appeal of almost any house. Cramped cabinet arrangements and thin cabinet doors, versus today's thicker, well-crafted doors, were often used in the past. Inexpensive counter top materials and vinyl flooring, commonly used in the 1960s, might still be in place. Potential buyers will perceive rather quickly if cabinets, counter tops, flooring and appliances don't look high-quality and contemporary. They know they will have to invest their own money to bring these fixtures up to par, if the kitchen is severely outdated.
A small galley kitchen can present some serious challenges when it’s time for a makeover, and planning out your decisions is extremely important when working in a small space where functionality is key. While there are many things you can do to make a small kitchen easier to use, there are a few basic things that will make a significant improvement, either through large architectural changes or smaller, simpler changes.
It's not uncommon for those who have lived in the same home for a long time to become bored with their kitchen's layout and design. This is especially true for those who have small kitchens and work in them regularly. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that can be done to turn a small, tired kitchen into an entirely new space. The more time and effort you put into your kitchen makeover, the bigger the payoff will be. The following kitchen makeover tips can be helpful even for those on a tight budget.
Kitchen remodels can be very expensive, whether you want to add counter space, improve storage efficiency, or just find a fresh new look. But if you're remodeling a kitchen built or decorated in the 1990s, you're in luck. Unlike the kitchens of the 60s, 70s and even 80s, the 90s kitchen likely avoided bright patterns and colors for walls, cabinets and countertops. Because of this more neutral style, bringing a 90s kitchen up to date probably won't require a complete renovation. Even with a small budget, homeowners can make some big improvements to a 90s kitchen.
Colors on the blue side of the color wheel, or "cool" colors, can make the walls look like they are receding, which expands the room. A small kitchen will benefit from cool colors, and the greens, blues, and purples that can adorn the kitchen space in the form of paint, cabinetry, and appliances will make the space relaxing and attractive.
Your kitchen may be the center of activity in your home, but if it's located in the center of other rooms, you're stuck with no windows. A lack of outside light can make the room feel dark and closed in, but a few decorating tricks can offset this. For most people, adding light and life to a kitchen is a do-it-yourself project.
When money is tight, it is important to understand how much money you make and where your money goes. If you don't want to owe debts, you need to determine how you can live on the earnings you make. To do this, you have to understand exactly what you spend your money on. A budget is a way to write down all of your income and bills, compare the two and determine what action you need to take to stay within your means.
A makeover in the kitchen can be simple or extensive, but look at a lot of factors before determining what to change. Ask yourself how long you plan to live in the house, and figure out the return on investment for any remodeling plan. For, example, look at what's old or worn-looking to review low-cost options that will make a big difference. You might change just a few things to help sell your home now.
Cooking and maneuvering within a small kitchen can be a challenge. If you are ready to invest in a remodel, it is possible to make your kitchen layout more space efficient. The finishes and appliances you choose, as well as your cabinet configuration, can make your small kitchen feel much more open.
Giving any kitchen a makeover requires learning about current styles for new homes. Knowing what materials to select and what colors to use will make a huge difference in how your remodel turns out. An L-shaped kitchen should look wonderful from all angles, but it also should function well as a cooking space. Go over many ideas in kitchen remodeling books and magazines before making choices for your L-shaped kitchen's design. Tour new homes for sale, if possible, to see what's popular in today's market.
When your pantry is cluttered and disorganized, it can make preparing meals and maintaining your kitchen difficult. By revamping your kitchen pantry organization, you will be able to locate the foods you need more readily, prevent pests from getting into the boxes and bags in your pantry, and create a visually pleasing kitchen atmosphere for your family. You can organize your kitchen pantry effectively by utilizing a few items that can be found at a supermarket or department store.
When you're deciding how to remodel a relatively small kitchen, such as one that's 9 by 14, maximize space is a major consideration. A small kitchen can feel cramped and cluttered, especially if organization is lacking. But you can create the illusion of a larger kitchen. Incorporating more lighting and creating additional storage can make your kitchen feel roomier and more functional.
Homemakers have been creating and updating pantry lists for as long as there have been methods of obtaining cooking supplies and a place in the home to store them. Ways of updating pantry lists have evolved from memory to quill and parchment to paper and pen to dry erase board and marker and to pantry lists online. Updating a pantry list online is simple; all you need is Internet access, a website you're comfortable with and a copy of your list to keep with you as you roam the aisles of the grocery store.
Filling your kitchen pantry is not a difficult chore if you keep the lifestyle and preferences of your family members in mind. A well-stocked and organized pantry enables you to have all the staples you need to supply your family with a home-cooked meal quickly. A well-planned pantry should provide you with options every day in cooking your meals. This prevents you from having to make unexpected trips to the grocery store, thus wasting gas and adding impulsive buys to your budget.
Updating a small kitchen can add much needed space to a cramped home. You can open up space in your abode by exchanging furniture, updating shelving and adding some simple accessories to your kitchen. Even if you're a renter and can't make any major modifications to your home, there are plenty of options for updating your kitchen to get the most out of what you have. Don't be discouraged by your small space; get inspired and make it work for you.
The kitchen is probably the most versatile room in the house. It's a place for cooking, eating, cleaning, storage, hanging out and celebrating. So when your kitchen is small, everyone in the family feels the pain. Fortunately, the right combination of decorating and remodeling can help open up even the tiniest of kitchens. Before you know it, your once cramped, gloomy kitchen will be transformed into a bright, cheery place for the entire family to enjoy.
No matter the size of the kitchen, everyone eventually ends up in this room at any gathering. If yours is small, there are several tricks you can use to make it appear larger, maximize seating and spread light.
Convenient in size and price, small kitchen appliances have revitalized food preparation in households across America. Two common appliances, the blender and mixer, have decreased the time needed to prepare food. The steamer has provided a new convenient alternative to cooking healthy dishes. Small kitchen appliances are available to meet every cook's need.
Many houses have small kitchens that are made even more inconvenient by poor design, appliances that are too large or a general failure to use the space available. Remodeling your small kitchen can entail something as major as ripping cabinets out that don't fit the kitchen well, or something as minor as installing space saving storage devices.
Small kitchens, while often cozy and quaint, can present particular design challenges for homeowners. These small areas often have issues with lack of storage and the feeling of visual spaciousness, which makes them especially difficult to decorate. Choosing an appropriate color palette, incorporating special cabinet design features and adding a folding work area can turn a small kitchen into a beautiful and functional space.
Small, cramped spaces can be the cause of difficult design dilemmas. So often it is kitchens that seem to be lacking in space. Thinking about all the tasks that go on in the kitchen and all the appliances and tools necessary to complete those tasks provides reason why kitchens can easily become tight territory. Designing a small kitchen requires a good deal of planning on the homeowner's behalf. The goal is to create all the functionality of a large, spacious kitchen in an area that is half the size or smaller.
Small kitchens are always a challenge to arrange and keep organized. The tendency is to try to make them into big kitchens by filling them with too many gadgets. However, putting more things into a small space does not make the space any bigger, it just gets more cluttered and difficult to use. To maximize smaller spaces, you need to minimize space-consuming items and carefully select and arrange what you use most frequently. Following a few simple guidelines will help you get the most and best use from your small kitchen.
Cooking in a small kitchen can be a challenging and frustrating endeavor. For those who love to cook, a small kitchen makes it difficult to find places for all of your favorite utensils, move back and forth between preparation spot and stove top and keep a clean kitchen. Several very simple steps can be taken to give you the feeling that your kitchen belongs to a five-star chef.
In some homes and apartments, certain areas are combined, such as the dining and living room or the bedroom and office area. While these layouts sometimes work well, they aren't ideal in every space. For example, you may have a small kitchen that you would like to separate from another space. If you don't have the budget or expertise for a remodel, separating the zones is still possible and will enable you to get the most efficient usage out of your rooms.
Big or small, the kitchen is the hub of the home. When it is time to redo the kitchen, you want functional, comfortable and attractive. Redoing a small kitchen does not have to be a huge challenge. With a few creative solutions, the right colors and accessories, you can create a bright and airy kitchen that welcomes friends and family to hang out with the cook or sit down for a chat over a cup of tea. Borrow a few ideas from the kitchen design experts and you can do it yourself on a budget and get professional results.
When you think of a dream kitchen, visions often come to mind that involve expansive rooms with loads of cabinets and yards of counter top space. Unfortunately, most of us do not have such large kitchens and are forced to be more creative with limited kitchen areas. Small kitchen spaces, while being quaint and cozy, present special challenges for many apartment dwellers and homeowners. These tiny rooms, however, have plenty of possibilities. By incorporating a few decorating techniques, a kitchen need not be large to be the kitchen or your dreams.
Before remodeling or simply repainting a small kitchen space, consider the elements that will and will not be changing. Different colors or schemes can make the small space feel even smaller. Choose colors that open the space up and feel refreshing instead of cramped. The cabinetry in a small kitchen should be simple and light. Do not ditch the bold colors just yet though; they might provide just the right amount of depth for your small kitchen space.
A small kitchen can be a challenge to any active home cook, especially if you've been used to a larger kitchen previously. In order to properly utilize your space, you need to think strategically about storage solutions, preparation space, organization and even quantities of food purchased. This can be accomplished on a tight budget with a few reasonably simple kitchen improvements. With a little creativity, you can make the most out of your cozy kitchen.
Kitchen pantries are an efficient way to store all kinds of food items and kitchen necessities in one practical space. Pantry areas range from large, walk-in rooms to small kitchen cabinet shelves. You do not have to forgo a pantry because you have a small kitchen. Pantries of all kinds are easily created with a few organizational items and a few techniques, so you have a space-saving and visually appealing pantry all in one.
Many houses and apartments have a kitchen that fits along two walls. To create a bigger kitchen, you need to envision how to use central floor space in a room or another wall area. You need to design a new area around both appliances and counter top space. Extra cabinets for storage always can be installed in nearby areas off the kitchen. But, the kitchen itself should work well for cooking.
You can find additional floor space for a small kitchen by moving a wall or borrowing space from an adjoining room. Even if you have no existing space to use, you can bump out the kitchen to the end of the house eaves. By gaining just a few square feet of floor space, you can add larger appliances, more cabinets or an island.
Today's kitchens serve not only as a place to make meals, but often as a gathering place. Kids do their homework at the table, Mom grabs a cup of coffee while Dad talks on the phone. Kitchens are even command centers today, with computers mounted on counters and bulletin boards up on the walls. But for all the activity centered there, kitchens are often small rooms and can easily feel crowded. One of the fastest ways to open them up is with the right color of paint.
To rebuild a small kitchen, you must find extra floor space in an adjoining room, hallway, nearby porch or garage area. As a last resort, you can build onto the kitchen. Since people tend to buy homes that have kitchens they love, your investment in rebuilding a small kitchen should add market value to your house. You can recycle some of your existing cabinetry or appliances, but if you add a few new touches, this will create an overall fresh look.
There are plenty of tricks that give the illusion that your small kitchen is much bigger than it is: utilize every square foot of your small kitchen; give yourself as much storage as possible; keep clutter away from the countertops; and use lighting to give the impression of more space. Depending on your budget, you may be able to rearrange your kitchen layout and even go as far as doing some construction or demolition to make use of the area with which you have to work.
A small kitchen presents decorating and storage difficulties. It seems that most kitchens are filled to the brim with appliances, utensils and other necessities. Small kitchens need to make the best use of space to avoid being cluttered. Redecorating gives you the chance to assess the current layout and decor for practicality and function, as well as aesthetics. Regardless of your budget for the project, making changes to your small kitchen is your opportunity to make the best use of the space.
You can turn a small, outdated kitchen into the kitchen of your dreams without spending thousands of dollars. With a few hundred dollars invested, you can give your kitchen the face-lift it needs.
Kitchen storage can be a challenge when the space you have to work with is not plentiful. However, there are several ways to make the most of the space you have. With an organized action plan and the discipline and dedication to stick to it, you can make the most of whatever space you have available.
Sometimes, washer and dryer hookups just so happen to be in the kitchen. If you want to hide your washer and dryer in a small kitchen, there is something you can do. You can build a cabinet around them. You will hide the appliances and gain storage space.
As if remodeling your kitchen wasn't hard enough, you have the added burden of remodeling a small kitchen. It is a job that must be done, whether for your own personal use or to increase the resale value of your home. Surprisingly, most of the work you should be able to do yourself, even if you are not much of a do-it-yourselfer.
You're lucky if the biggest problem you have with your home is a small kitchen. There are much worse problems that are a lot harder to fix. There are several simple ways you can overcome your small kitchen, other than adding on to it.
Your small kitchen can be the model of efficiency and style with a few simple changes. While it may feel like you lack space and storage, the truth is a small kitchen can be very efficient. Smaller means fewer steps between counter and stove or refrigerator and sink, cupboards and drawers at your fingertips. These characteristics can actually be more help than hindrance, so embrace your small kitchen and maximize the space you already have.
Real estate experts advise that one of the best renovations you can do to improve your home's resale value is a kitchen remodel. If you are on a budget but would like to update your small kitchen, you can get the most bang for your buck without breaking the proverbial bank.
Small kitchens are a reality of life in many homes, especially apartments or older houses. If expanding the kitchen isn't an option, that doesn't mean you're doomed to spend every meal time feeling that the walls are closing in. There are things you can do with the colors, appliances and layout to make even the smallest galley kitchen feel cozy rather than suffocating.
When planning for a small kitchen, there are many considerations to take into account. Setting it up for efficient working space, traffic flow and storage are all demanding tasks, but with advance planning, each of these can be accounted for and used to their maximum advantage.
Are you planning to perform a small kitchen remodel in your home? If so, you may find yourself somewhat overwhelmed with all the little details and things to consider before you actually begin the renovation. What if you make the wrong choice? When this much money is involved, you want to make sure you do things right the first time. With a little thought and planning, you can avoid most pitfalls when the time comes. By keeping these things in mind as you plan your small kitchen remodel, you can ensure that the result is functional, elegant, and satisfying.
You can make a small kitchen appear larger without increasing the actual floor space. Colors, lighting, furnishings and layout can pack a powerful punch toward making a small kitchen look and feel more spacious. Follow professional decorating tips to give the visual illusion and feel of more space in your kitchen.
Stuck with a small kitchen? Don't despair. Having a small kitchen doesn't mean you are doomed to eat out every night. You need to maximize your space to turn your small kitchen into a cozy cooking retreat. Create a kitchen that appeals to your senses, and you will enjoy your small space.
A compact kitchen can be convenient, but it can also be cramped, cluttered and claustrophobic. Here are ideas to make your little kitchen look larger. Even one or two of them will give you a more expansive look and feel.
Grilled foods are always a big hit. What isn't a big hit is using an outdoor grill during extreme weather conditions. That's why it's nice to have an indoor model. With an indoor grill you'll be able to enjoy grilled flavor without braving the weather. Not every indoor grill will suit your family though. That's why you need to follow a few easy steps in order to choose the right model.
You can make a small kitchen in a condo appear much more spacious by how you decorate it. Making some small changes will make a significant difference. Get the most out of your small kitchen with these improvements.
