Kitchen
 Through the years kitchens have evolved from being a small room in the
back of the hose to being the focal point of the home. Today's kitchen designers
are confronted with creating an open kitchen plan that is part of a great room
including the kitchen, dining and family rooms.
Kitchen design takes into consideration such questions as: Which
architectural style will guide the transformation of the space? Cape Cod,
Farmhouse, Dutch Colonial, Saltbox, Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, Eastlake,
Queen Anne, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Craftsman, Foursquare, Prairie, Art Deco
or Modern. What types of appliances will your new kitchen need? You must choose
from different models and brands of: refrigerators, cooktops, wall ovens,
built-in ovens, dishwashers, disposals, freestanding ranges, freezers, hoods and
vents, hot water dispenser, ice makers and microwave ovens to name a few of the
key kitchen appliances. What kind of lighting will the new kitchen have? Some
choices are: natural lighting, accent lighting, ambient, and task lighting and
what types of bulbs will you be using: fluorescent, incandescent or quartz
halogen. As you can see, kitchens have evolved over the years, but so has
the myriad of choices and decisions to be made.
Whether you are planning a new kitchen or remodeling an existing kitchen there
are some project considerations to keep in mind if space permits, such as
including a peninsula or an island as part of the overall kitchen design. These
elements can be used to join the kitchen to an adjacent family room or dining
area. A peninsula or kitchen island also offers the cook the ability to keep
visual and conversational exchange with their guests or family members in the
neighboring dining or living room.
Kitchen cabinets will help establish the character for the whole living
space. The choice of wood will have an effect on the overall look of your room
each having its own unique characteristics. Some choices include: alder, cherry,
beech, hickory, maple, oak, lyptus and paintable wood. Using a light wood such
as oak, birch, ash, beech, maple, or chestnut will lighten the kitchen. For mid
range, choose cherry. Choose paintable wood to darker kitchens to your
specifications.
Counter surface area is also another key design element. Granite, limestone and
marble, and are all fashionable natural materials for use in countertops.
Engineered stone countertops is easy to maintain, and unlike natural stone does
not require yearly sealing. Ceramic tile kitchen countertops are inexpensive,
durable and also available in a wide range of colors, textures and price
points. Solid surface countertops are seamless and stain resistant. Solid
surfaces also come in an almost infinite selection of colors and patterns.
Laminate countertops are inexpensive, easy to maintain and resilient but it
scratches and chips. Concrete countertops are known for their versatility, a
good choice if you want unusual shapes, as they're often molded right in your
kitchen. Wood countertops offer an attractive warm look and are available in a
wide range of colors and finishes but the wood poorly withstands exposure to
household chemicals or water . Stainless steel countertops do not absorb stains,
are heat resistant and can take hot pans but are noisy and tends to scratch
easily.
It is important to consider all options before deciding on kitchen design.
There are many resources at your disposal; get design ideas, read books and
magazines and immerse yourself in manufacturers websites.
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