Kitchen Design
Creative kitchen design is a fun way to refresh the look of your entire home while updating the most popular room in the house. Whether you're looking to make a few simple cosmetic changes or give your room a complete makeover, there is a kitchen design that will work for you.
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If you don't have the time, the inclination or the budget for a complete kitchen remodel, there are still many ways you can give the room a fresh new look without investing a lot of time or money. One of the easiest ways to update your kitchen design is to apply a new coat of paint. Take a class at a local home improvement center or watch tutorials online to learn how to create professional looks at home. While it's a good rule to use light colors in smaller kitchens, that doesn't mean you have to stick with basic white. Choose a shade that complements existing elements like your countertops, appliances or cabinets. Pale rose, peach or green are cutting-edge colors that still allow plenty of light into the room. Don't be afraid to use darker colors on oven hoods, soffits or window trim to provide contrast and a modern, designer feel. Use three different shades of the same hue on walls, the ceiling and moldings to add depth. Replace tired hardware with new, sleek designs and exchange heavy window treatments for Roman shades or airy café curtains.
Going GreenThe kitchen is the room where everyone gathers, and the room that gets the most use also uses most of your household energy. Refrigeration, cooking and lighting take the biggest bite out of your utility dollar. If you are planning to remodel, incorporating green innovations into your new kitchen design makes sense for both your wallet and the environment. Although Energy-Star rated appliances may cost more up front, they pay for themselves in reduced utility bills. Downsize your refrigerator if possible, as larger machines cycle longer and work harder to cool. If you have an older home with solid wood cabinets, you can cut construction waste by sanding and refinishing them instead of having new ones built. Incorporate fitted bins to make recycling and composting a breeze. Replace outdated incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED lamps, or install a skylight to allow sunshine to fall naturally into the room. Mount ceiling fans to reduce cooling costs during the summer and thermal-coated or double-paned windows to decrease heat loss in winter.
Express YourselfOne of the rewards of DIY home improvement is being able to showcase your personality through your kitchen design. Do you prefer things minimalist and modern or rich country deluxe? Designing your new kitchen gives you the opportunity to do whatever you like. Amateur chefs can hang pegboards to hold pans and utensils, build shelves for cookbooks or a custom pantry with drawers and bins to hold dry ingredients. Wine aficionados can install chillers or built-in wine racks and stencil the walls with grapevines. Dedicated entertainers can incorporate a bar for serving drinks or buffet-style dining and install integrated sound or media systems. If you have a young and busy family, you can include kid-friendly materials like composite countertops and laminate floors or paint a wall with chalkboard paint to create a custom and easily updateable schedule and to-do list. In other words, use your imagination to develop your dream kitchen design. The sky's the limit!