| Kitchen remodeling is among the most popular of | | | | Association of Home Builders, updating and |
| remodeling projects each year, as kitchens have | | | | remodeling your kitchen will add more value than |
| become the center of activity in the home. | | | | any other improvement. Not only will you get a |
| Remodeling your kitchen is expensive and a lot of | | | | beautiful new kitchen, but also your home value |
| work. But a well thought out, detailed plan could | | | | will increase dramatically more than the cost of |
| produce a kitchen where you will enjoy years of | | | | the remodel job.AppliancesMore expensive, |
| memorable experiences.PlanningThe planning phase | | | | commercial type stainless steel appliances have |
| of your remodel is the time to keep in mind the | | | | become quite popular. So much so that at the |
| "work-triangle". This is the area of the kitchen | | | | National Kitchen and Bath Association's annual |
| from the refrigerator to the cooking area to the | | | | show, one of the major appliance manufacturers |
| sink. Connecting these 3 areas should form a | | | | referred to stainless steel as "the new primary |
| triangle. This triangle helps to keep your cooking | | | | color".Another interesting fact about stainless steel |
| activities in one area, with everything you need | | | | is that according to a study done at the |
| close by.Under cabinet lighting has become quite | | | | Hospitality Institute of Technology and |
| popular. And because they free up valuable | | | | Management, stainless steel received the 1st |
| counter space, under cabinet mounted appliances | | | | position for cleanliness above five other materials |
| are also in demand. If you are planning on using | | | | commonly used in kitchens. In other words, after |
| under cabinet lighting with under cabinet mounted | | | | washing and rinsing, stainless steel will have far |
| appliances, or a kitchen cabinet accessory, or | | | | less bacteria on it than any other material.In |
| paper towel dispenser, decide where each will go | | | | addition to the standard appliances such as |
| in the planning phase.Hiring A ProfessionalUnless | | | | refrigerators, stoves, and microwaves there are |
| your talents lie in this area, hiring a professional will | | | | some slick new appliances available. For your new |
| save you many headaches as your project | | | | kitchen consider the stainless steel automatic |
| unfolds. There are lots of professionals out there | | | | paper towel dispenser mentioned earlier, an in-sink |
| - interior designers, contractors and architects. | | | | dishwasher, a flat screen TVscreen mounted |
| Pick one that specializes in the kitchen. Most of | | | | under your cabinet, built-in warming drawers or |
| these kitchen specialists are certified by the NKBA | | | | refrigerator drawers to name just a few.Cabinets |
| and can be found on their website knowledgeable | | | | and CountertopsThe biggest expense of your |
| designer/planner should discuss how you live. | | | | kitchen remodel will be the cabinets and |
| Generally people know what they don't like. | | | | countertops. Cabinets range from the most |
| However, they may not know what they will like | | | | expensive custom built, to the "off the shelf" |
| or what may fit in with their lifestyle and how | | | | variety available at home centers. Countertops |
| they use the kitchen. For instance, someone that | | | | range from the upper end granite and marble |
| is concerned about cross contamination and | | | | type to laminate, the least expensive. Whatever |
| unwanted germs in the kitchen might want to | | | | your budget, there is a large variety of cabinets |
| consider some of the "no-touch" products | | | | and countertops available that will fit your taste |
| available now.These products include a "no-touch" | | | | and budget.ResourcesFor those of you that have |
| automatic paper towel dispenser that mounts | | | | a kitchen remodeling idea of your own, or simply |
| under your cabinets and uses the same paper | | | | want to educate yourself before contacting a |
| towels you use now, a "no-touch" faucet, | | | | professional, HGTV (Home and Garden Television) |
| "no-touch" trash | | | | and their website is an invaluable source for any |
| can and a "no-touch" soap dispenser. An avid | | | | information you may require.From all the new |
| cook may want to consider refrigerator drawers | | | | products available, to design information and tips, |
| next to their food prep area, keeping recipe | | | | you will find it all there.The National Kitchen and |
| ingredients within easy reach.While you are | | | | Bath Association's website is another source of |
| remodeling your kitchen, you may want to | | | | information you will not want to miss. There you |
| consider installing a home wet bar somewhere in | | | | will find the 31 guidelines for kitchen efficiency, |
| your house. These are becoming quite popular and | | | | convenience, traffic spaces, distances between |
| as long as you are hiring a designer you can have | | | | items and countertop and cabinet space.When |
| them come up with a home bar design.A kitchen | | | | contemplating a kitchen remodel, remember |
| planner/designer's focus should be to design for | | | | planning is the key first step. Deciding beforehand |
| the way a person lives, and asking the right | | | | what you will need from your kitchen depending |
| questions will ensure your finished kitchen fits you | | | | on your own unique lifestyle (and budget!) will help |
| and your budget.Consider Cost Vs. ValueKitchens | | | | to make sure you end up with a kitchen you will |
| are becoming more of a showplace and an | | | | enjoy for years to come.Even if you plan on |
| entertainment area in homes. Remodeling your | | | | moving at some point after the remodel, don't |
| kitchen may be one of the most important home | | | | forget that kitchen projects add more value to |
| improvements you can make, and it is the most | | | | your home than any other improvement.Mary C. |
| valuable. More and more people are spending | | | | Johnson co-founded a company that |
| anywhere from $50,000 to $60,000 on kitchen | | | | manufactures a hands-free electronic "no-touch" |
| remodels. Even $100,000 is not unheard of for | | | | paper towel dispenser for home use. |
| some kitchens.According to the National | | | | |