Have you always dreamed of remodeling your kitchen? Do you salivate at the sight of all those glossy magazines showing off the latest, greatest kitchens? Do you long to have one of those nifty programmable ovens that you can turn on from work so dinner will be ready when you walk in the door? Maybe it's time you did something about it! This site will provide you with some tips for getting started, from the popular book, "Everything and the Kitchen Sink: Remodel Your Kitchen Without Losing Your Mind," written by Janice Costa and Daina Manning and available on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and in major bookstores everywhere. Enjoy!
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- The Ultimate Kitchen Remodeling Book!
- Want to learn more about kitchen remodeling? Pick up a copy of "Everything and the Kitchen Sink: Remodel Your Kitchen Without Losing Your Mind" -- the only book to tell it like it is, while providing you with a complete A to Z guide to kitchen remodeling, from planning to picking out products to paying for it all.
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Why Remodel Your Kitchen? Part 1
Why Remodel Your Kitchen?
Remodeling your kitchen is an integral step to making your home your dream home. After all, the kitchen is where you live. More than any other room in the house, it's your refuge from an increasingly hectic world.
A gorgeous, stylish, updated kitchen can not only make your home more appealing, it can also save you time and simplify your life. Even better, updating your kitchen is a great investment, since it increases the resale value of your home.
But, while your kitchen may be outdated, you might still be wondering whether you can afford to renovate. The good news is, you can't afford NOT to. There are a million good reasons for renovating your kitchen, from taking advantage of still-low interest rates and increasing your home's resale value to impressing friends, family and colleagues. But, if you're still looking for a way to justify your new kitchen, here's our list of top ten reasons.
1. You are what you eat.
Are you beginning to worry that the guy Burger King knows your kids by name? When you try out a new hair color, does the Chinese food delivery guy notice before your spouse does? A new kitchen might just inspire you to spend less time driving through or eating out. Even better, the latest appliances speed up cooking times, while offering all kinds of extras to help you make better-tasting, healthier foods.
2. You support energy conservation.
Many older appliances consume enough energy to power a small third world country. Your parents taught you to clean your plate because kids are starving in Africa. Shouldn't you be equally conscientious about saving energy?
3. College is over.
Just because you made it through four years of higher education with only a hot plate and a toaster oven doesn't mean you should cook that way for the rest of your life. You've got a grown-up job and a mortgage now. It's time to live like an adult.
4. Remodelers need your money more than doctors do.
Cracked surfaces are havens for dirt and bacteria that can be dangerous to you and your family. Wouldn't you prefer the short-term inconvenience of a renovation (where you at least end up with a brand new kitchen) to a long hospital stay for food poisoning (where your doctor ends up with a BMW, and all you get is green jello)?
5. Children shouldn't glow in the dark.
Modern microwave ovens are safer and more efficient than those of previous generations - and they won't give your food that weird gummy taste.
(cont'd)
Remodeling your kitchen is an integral step to making your home your dream home. After all, the kitchen is where you live. More than any other room in the house, it's your refuge from an increasingly hectic world.
A gorgeous, stylish, updated kitchen can not only make your home more appealing, it can also save you time and simplify your life. Even better, updating your kitchen is a great investment, since it increases the resale value of your home.
But, while your kitchen may be outdated, you might still be wondering whether you can afford to renovate. The good news is, you can't afford NOT to. There are a million good reasons for renovating your kitchen, from taking advantage of still-low interest rates and increasing your home's resale value to impressing friends, family and colleagues. But, if you're still looking for a way to justify your new kitchen, here's our list of top ten reasons.
1. You are what you eat.
Are you beginning to worry that the guy Burger King knows your kids by name? When you try out a new hair color, does the Chinese food delivery guy notice before your spouse does? A new kitchen might just inspire you to spend less time driving through or eating out. Even better, the latest appliances speed up cooking times, while offering all kinds of extras to help you make better-tasting, healthier foods.
2. You support energy conservation.
Many older appliances consume enough energy to power a small third world country. Your parents taught you to clean your plate because kids are starving in Africa. Shouldn't you be equally conscientious about saving energy?
3. College is over.
Just because you made it through four years of higher education with only a hot plate and a toaster oven doesn't mean you should cook that way for the rest of your life. You've got a grown-up job and a mortgage now. It's time to live like an adult.
4. Remodelers need your money more than doctors do.
Cracked surfaces are havens for dirt and bacteria that can be dangerous to you and your family. Wouldn't you prefer the short-term inconvenience of a renovation (where you at least end up with a brand new kitchen) to a long hospital stay for food poisoning (where your doctor ends up with a BMW, and all you get is green jello)?
5. Children shouldn't glow in the dark.
Modern microwave ovens are safer and more efficient than those of previous generations - and they won't give your food that weird gummy taste.
(cont'd)
Why Remodel Your Kitchen? Part 2
(Continued from Part 1)
6. Equality of the sexes.
Your spouse just spent $10,000 on an outdoor grill/smoker combo that puts out enough BTUs to be visible on NASA satellite images. Now, it's your turn!
7. You're gifted.
Why does the gorgeous china you received as a wedding gift reside in a scratched up cabinet with a missing knob? Isn't it time your kitchen matched its beautiful accessories?
8. Fire is so 17th century.
Well, actually, a powerful gas range is still a pretty great thing - but other parts of the cooking experience have come a long way since the basics. The latest advances in technology are darn near magical, so why not take advantage of them?
9. Change is a good thing.
Unlike your parents, your boss, your spouse or your children, your kitchen actually can be changed. And once improvements are made, they're permanent - no need to maintain them with nagging, bribes, threats or marriage counseling.
10. That marriage you save may be your own.
Are you addicted to HGTV? Does your spouse threaten to re-do the home a la that NASCAR theme they did on "Monster House" if you subscribe to just one more decorating magazine? Maybe it's time to stop dreaming about that ultimate kitchen, and do it, already!
But seriously. . .why do people take the plunge into the kitchen remodeling adventure?
There's no question that the kitchen is America's favorite trophy room and status symbol. And certainly, a beautiful new kitchen adds value to your home.
But perhaps more importantly, a new kitchen adds value to your LIFE. Updated appliances perform cooking functions in half the time, and many are programmable so you can have dinner ready when you walk in the door. What's not to love about that?
You can choose countertops with built-in protection against bacteria and cabinets that bring the contents right to you. You can select refrigerator drawers that can be placed wherever you need them or microwaves hidden inside the oven. So however you live, you can create a kitchen that works for you.
Need another reason to remodel? A new study from IKEA showed a direct correlation between your happiness with your kitchen and your satisfaction with your family life. That means a new kitchen isn't just a good financial investment, it's a good emotional one, too.
With all these great reasons for remodeling, perhaps the real question should be, why would anyone NOT remodel?
Your spouse just spent $10,000 on an outdoor grill/smoker combo that puts out enough BTUs to be visible on NASA satellite images. Now, it's your turn!
7. You're gifted.
Why does the gorgeous china you received as a wedding gift reside in a scratched up cabinet with a missing knob? Isn't it time your kitchen matched its beautiful accessories?
8. Fire is so 17th century.
Well, actually, a powerful gas range is still a pretty great thing - but other parts of the cooking experience have come a long way since the basics. The latest advances in technology are darn near magical, so why not take advantage of them?
9. Change is a good thing.
Unlike your parents, your boss, your spouse or your children, your kitchen actually can be changed. And once improvements are made, they're permanent - no need to maintain them with nagging, bribes, threats or marriage counseling.
10. That marriage you save may be your own.
Are you addicted to HGTV? Does your spouse threaten to re-do the home a la that NASCAR theme they did on "Monster House" if you subscribe to just one more decorating magazine? Maybe it's time to stop dreaming about that ultimate kitchen, and do it, already!
But seriously. . .why do people take the plunge into the kitchen remodeling adventure?
There's no question that the kitchen is America's favorite trophy room and status symbol. And certainly, a beautiful new kitchen adds value to your home.
But perhaps more importantly, a new kitchen adds value to your LIFE. Updated appliances perform cooking functions in half the time, and many are programmable so you can have dinner ready when you walk in the door. What's not to love about that?
You can choose countertops with built-in protection against bacteria and cabinets that bring the contents right to you. You can select refrigerator drawers that can be placed wherever you need them or microwaves hidden inside the oven. So however you live, you can create a kitchen that works for you.
Need another reason to remodel? A new study from IKEA showed a direct correlation between your happiness with your kitchen and your satisfaction with your family life. That means a new kitchen isn't just a good financial investment, it's a good emotional one, too.
With all these great reasons for remodeling, perhaps the real question should be, why would anyone NOT remodel?
How does color impact mood? Consider these when choosing your kitchen color scheme:
- Yellow is a cheerful, uplifting color that is also said to help with digestion -- making it a perfect choice for your kitchen!
- Blue is a calming, soothing color that not only lowers blood pressure, it can also decrease hunger. The perfect choice if you're forever dieting!
- Red is a stimulating, upbeat color that can add visual punch and a high-energy feeling, but beware -- it can raise your blood pressure AND induce hunger!
- If you believe in "everything in its place," white might be ideal for building your kitchen color scheme, since it creates a sense of cleanliness and order.
- If white is too stark, a soft gray might be a better color choice for your kitchen, since gray has calming properties. It also decreases hunger -- but avoid using it with a heavy hand, or it can be depressing!
- Black is a classic, elegant color choice for your kitchen, creating a feelng of depth and richness. In a large room, black will make the space feel warmer and more intimate. However, in a small room, black can be overwhelming, making the space feel too small and closed in, so use in moderation unless you have a large and spacious kitchen.
- Green is a pleasing, tranquil color choice ideal for creating a feeling of nature. Even better, it can reduce allergic reactions to certain foods and lower blood pressure.
- For a sense of casual warmth, brown is an excellent color choice. Various shades of brown can be used together to enhance the sense of natural comfort.
