Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

Where should you put the fridge, which is most likely the most massive appliance in your kitchen? You may be limited by electric and water hookups, and for energy conservation reasons, the refrigerator should be kept away from ranges, dishwashers, sunny windows and other sources of heat.

With such a large item, you will want to situate it so it doesn’t block the traffic flow from one work center to another. And don’t put it too far away either. Keep the fridge 4 to 7 feet from the sink and 4 to 9 feet from the range. People not involved in meal preparation often need access to the fridge, so of the three components of the wok triangle, the fridge should be located at the outermost corner. Try to keep it away from an actual corner, however, because a lot of space is required to open and close its doors.

Up Against the Wall

If your plan is to place the fridge so one side is against a wall, you may have a problem. Refrigerators with deep storage bins on the doors need to open more than 90 degrees that are inside the box. The wall can’t extend past the refrigerator’s hinges.

Give Groceries a Rest

At least 15 inches of counter space is needed on one side of the fridge. For top-mount and bottom-mount units, try to have the counter space, on the side of the fridge opposite the hinges, so the open door doesn’t get in the way. Ditto for side-by-side models – have the fridge section open from counter space because you access the fridge more often than the freezer.

It helps to locate the fridge near the entrance where you bring in the groceries. Of course, you need to have room to set them down, so make sure you have counter space to one side of the fridge or across from it – on an island, for example. Don’t position the island too close to the fridge, however, or you’ll create traffic jams when the fridge or freezer is open.

Finally, don’t overlook door swing. The first parameter is that it opens to the work zones of your kitchen. If possible it should also swing away from the counter where you empty your grocery bags. This way, it is easier to stock the fridge.

Using these simple tips, you are sure to choose the best possible spot for your fridge in the kitchen, where it is easy to reach and not in the way.

How do you know when it’s time to replace the plumbing fixtures and pipes? A short do-it-yourself home inspection of plumbing features can go a long way. This is what you need to pay attention to:

Look for leaky faucets that drip at will, even when you have used every muscle you have to turn off the faucet. A leaky faucet can waste 30 water drops per minute, which equals 84 gallons of water per month or more than 1,000 gallons per year. Plumbing contractors can repair or replace leaky or burst pipes in the kitchen, bathroom or those running throughout the house.

Periodically check water connections throughout the home to make sure nothing is leaking. Watch walls, ceilings and floors for buckling due to pooling water or excess moisture. If there is a roof leak and you cannot find where the problem area is, seek advice of experienced building maintenance contractors  for weatherproofing services. Depending on the cause of the problem, they may also be able to help with a roof repair, as well.

It is time to make significant changes to your home when the pipes and fixtures are always wet where they should be dry. New bathtubs, sinks, toilets and shower heads are now available that can reduce water consumption and help you to save on energy bills. The amount of water these devices use is lower, but they still feel pretty much the same. We can give you some home renovation ideas to help you improve your water consumption without compromising comfort with changes in water pressure.

Another consideration is changing the hot water heater. When it breaks, water will likely flood the room where it is kept. A new tankless hot water heater will reduce the amount of water that is repeatedly heated and reheated as it cycles through the hot water tank. The water instantly comes out of the tankless water heater ready to go, so it saves energy and water.

When most of you think of good kitchen design, you probably think of fabulous appliances, gorgeous cabinetry, and beautiful floors and countertops. But they are not half of it – though they will collectively claim the lion’s share of your budget. Good kitchen design is about two far-less glamorous ingredients – kitchen organization and storage.

Just consider the benefits: smart storage and organization can save you enormous amounts of time and effort every week. Whether you are making a school lunch or preparing a dinner party, having what you need where you need it will speed the task.

Imagine: no more digging around in a jam-packed drawer for a knife to cut a sandwich or sorting through a pile of clippings for a favorite recipe.

A well-ordered kitchen, in which working is a pleasure, is also one where you’re more likely to spend time working. In an era when many parents rely on fast food to feed their families, more meals at home can mean more nutritious, healthier diets – not to mention saving thousands of dollars a year on eating out.

Make the most of your kitchen space.

Think  “SIZE”  before you buy anything for your kitchen.

Consider kitchen appliances that store.

Accessibility is important in kitchen organization.

Good lighting makes it easier to see what you need.

In the blog posts to follow we will cover these and other topics that will help you with kitchen remodeling, organization and kitchen storage and will help you save money, time, and efforts.

When it comes to our homes and design, we can be our worst enemy. We shut ourselves in, we stuff closets full of things we do not need, and we settle for kitchen cabinets that are full of mismatched containers and lids that rain every time we open the doors.

Even if we cannot break out a sledge hammer and move walls to create some livable space, we can rediscover the space we have and easily make it bigger. One way to do this is to open up some of the cabinetry in the room. A lot of designers go for open shelving instead of upper cabinets in the kitchen, which creates a clean and contemporary look. At the same time it gives the owner a place to store cereal bowls and cookbooks. Remove a few cabinet doors and you can create your own open shelving for little to no cost.

Get started

Tools you need: screwdriver, utility knife, tape measure

Materials: pencil, command adhesive tape strips, contact paper/wall paper (optional)

Remove the doors. Depending on the kitchen cabinets you have in your kitchen, the process may very slightly.

1. Using the screwdriver, unscrew the hinge from the cabinet, leave the hidges attached to the door.
2. Tape a sealed storage bag to the back of the cabinet door for the screws and hinges if you remove them completely. If you cabinets have magnetic or metal catchers, you can remove those too and store them in the bag with the screws.
3. Most modern cabinets have hinges that are located inside the cabinets so the doors easily detach from the hinges with a small flip of the interior latch on the hinge. You may choose to leave the interior hinges intact, or remove them with a screwdriver and store them along with cabinet doors in a dry place.

Opening up kitchen cabinets creates an airy feeling and provides a sense of space and depth in the kitchen, especially if the cabinets are dark and dated. This new, open space provides functional storage, yet gives more decorative place to display some favorite pieces of yours. If the backs of the cabinets are unattractive, correct this by adding some color using decorative paper.

Decorate kitchen cabinet backs

Use measuring tape to measure the spaces between the shelves of your cabinet. If the shelves remove, take them out and measure the kitchen cabinet back all at once. Using a pencil and scissors, measure and cut out pieces of decorative paper or wall paper. Apply the paper to the back of the cabinet for a fresh fun look. You can display glasses, decorative plates, or other items there.

You can use the same idea to display other items, your collection or just about anything, even walking canes and sticks. The possibilities are endless.