Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Sears home renovation

When looking over the state of any home, one of the first stops will be in the kitchen. Families congregate there at some point of every day. Also, realtors consider it one of the litmus tests of any home – in other words, sound kitchen, sound selling price. There’s no getting around the type of value a renovated kitchen can add to any home. The reasons to get started on a renovation project are obvious.
Five Ways to Approach Kitchen Home Improvement
Author: Oswald Melman
When looking over the state of any home, one of the first stops will be in the kitchen. Families congregate there at some point of every day. Also, realtors consider it one of the litmus tests of any home – in other words, sound kitchen, sound selling price. There’s no getting around the type of value a renovated kitchen can add to any home. The reasons to get started on a renovation project are obvious. The question for many homeowners – especially ones who have ignored the room for some time – will be, “Where do I begin?” Here are five areas you can target to make your kitchen a better place. 1. Spacing. One area which has proved fatal to many a kitchen is the way in which the room is spaced. If the island in the middle room has proved to be too large over time, a great way to revamp the room is to remove it for a smaller model. Another tip is to do away with some cabinets and store cookery and utensils in the open, as is done in chef’s kitchens. Either way, the amount of space will increase dramatically. 2. Countertops. The counter surfaces in the room serve two important functions: to create a look which complements the overall design and to serve as a work station. Due to the functionality of countertops, you must consider their resistance to intense heat and frequent activity. Stone countertops are usually very durable, but sealing may be necessary every couple of years. More affordable materials like plastic laminate may need to be coddled a bit more. 3. Cabinets. Replacing cabinets is a major improvement project. In many cases, homeowners can get away with less time-consuming efforts. One option is cabinet refacing. Stripping down the outer layers of cabinets and finishing with some new trim and molding will create the appearance of new cabinets. Another way to improve the overall look is to have new hardware (knobs, handles) installed. 4. Appliances. The performance of your major appliances will have a big impact on life around the house. First of all, underperforming refrigerators can affect food safety, as well as the enjoyment of drinks and snacks. The same goes for older stoves and ovens. Having to work around poor cooking equipment can become trying. On top of these reasons, old appliances are notorious for burning energy and driving up costs considerably. Replacement appliances will reverse the trend. 5. Aesthetics. Sometimes, all of the elements are already in place. A homeowner need only tweak the environment to make the kitchen a more appealing place. One highly recommended option is installing a garden window. This spot can be the center of small kitchen plants and herbs, while adding extra light and style to the room. Experimenting with different types of paints and staining can also wake up a tired room.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/five-ways-to-approach-kitchen-home-improvement-1390018.html
About the Author:
Look into the many options available in Sears Countertops , where granite and plastic laminate are only the beginning of the story. Sears Cabinet Refacing is another way to solve one of the kitchen’s biggest problem areas.