 |
||||
The Great Kitchen Debate To remodel or not to remodel: That is the question  Image courtesy Matt Albiani for domino magazine Will adding another shelf create a cramped counter? Will painting the cabinets only mask a more serious issue? Do you really need to invest the time and money into remodeling the entire kitchen? Follow these guidelines from the National Kitchen and Bath Association in Hackettstown, N.J., to decide if it's time to bring a whole new look to your kitchen: Adequate Space Make sure you're satisfied with the amount of counter space, cabinet space and floor space. The position of your refrigerator or shape of your counter may be taking away from a useful area. When replacing a countertop or changing the shape of your kitchen, keep in mind, a total of 158" of countertop frontage, 24" deep with at least 15" of clearance above, is needed to accommodate all uses, including landing area, preparation/work area and storage. Traffic Flow If there's more than one cook in your household, you may want to consider making more room around the main work space. If you enjoy entertaining, you may want an open-plan kitchen that allows for more social interaction between rooms other than the kitchen. Efficiency If your appliances are dated, they may be costing you more money to use than you expect. New technological advances with dishwashers, disposals and refrigerators can save you a considerable amount of money and may be worth the investment. Children Depending on whether or not you have children, and their ages, your kitchen may need to be remodeled. Dated appliances and the design of your kitchen can be hazardous for young kids. If you are in the process of extending your family, you may even want more room for cooking larger meals, and lower cabinets for easier access to children's food. Location & Design Maybe you'd like to add a deck to the side or back of your house and would like to incorporate a door into the layout of your kitchen. You also may want to re-arrange the position of windows to allow more or less sunlight, or to watch your children play in the yard. |
||||
|
||||
