Are You Unhappy With Your Kitchen?
Before you rush to make any changes, stop to figure out exactly what you don’t like about it. If you are simply tired of the color, feel it looks drab, worn, and old, the fix will be easy to take care of, and shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, either.
A fresh coat of paint, new café curtains, recovering your kitchen chairs, a perky centerpiece on the table and some new throw rugs and dish towels should have you smiling in no time. If you wooden table is scratched and dull, try spray painting it, add some fun placemats and a table runner, and you will have a nice brand new look!
However, if the quick fix won’t do it for you, it is time to seriously analyze the problem. Ask yourself some pertinent questions:
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How many people use the kitchen at the same time?
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Does your family all sit down to dinner at the same time or is it catch as catch can?
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Is the traffic pattern convenient?
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Do you have enough counter space?
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Do the kids do their homework in the kitchen?
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Do you entertain a lot?
A lot of newer homes have center butcher block or appliance islands…even when the kitchen is really too small to sustain it. Why? Because it is the trendy thing to do. If you hate walking around that island to get from the sink to the refrigerator, and it is more of a mess collector than an asset, remove it! There are mobile kitchen islands that can be pushed against a wall or moved to the area you are working in, as you need it.
If you want the kids to do their homework in the kitchen while you are preparing dinner, and if you would like to observe their computer habits without appearing to be spying, tuck a small desk into the kitchen, making sure there is computer access, a few drawers for storing, and a shelf above to place their books on. A stool that pushes under the desk to clear floor space if necessary, and some task lighting under the upper cabinet, and you have a perfect set-up!
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Sandi,
I can tell you have invested much time and energy into your web site.
I have just begun to explore it and I’m impressed with what I see. Well done.
Just moved into a new office….what are the “rules” on paintings and artwork for an office. In long hallway, should I put up 3 large poster size or 2 large poster size.
Julie, that was a good question. Rather than giving you a quickie answer, I am going to base tomorrow’s “tips of the day” on some basics for hanging wall art in an office setting. Don’t forget to check back! Sandi
I have a question about kitchens. We have a faucet that needs to be replaced. I wonder if we need to replace the sink at the same time? The sink is in good condition, but I don’t like being locked into getting the same size faucet fixtures just to match the holes in the sink. Also, we have some weird fixture that supposedly filters something from the dish washer. Does that have to be kept?
Sandi,
Congratulations on the new web site. It looks wonderful and I’ll be checking back often for yours articles.
James…
http://www.thelifeofluxury.com
Paula, how many holes are there for your present faucet? If you have two holes presently, a third can be drilled to accommodate a different style faucet. If you are going from three holes to a two hole system, it still isn’t a problem. Use the extra hole for a convenience item, such as a soap dispenser or a lotion dispenser. There are so many new styles out now that you shouldn’t have to work about being “locked in!”
I am unfamiliar with the filter fixture you are referring to. It must connect under your sink, so it shouldn’t affect the sink at all. Do you use a portable dishwasher? If you are talking about a connector to your faucet, that would have to be changed unless you are putting in a new dishwasher. If I haven’t helped you, please get me a manufacturer or model name and number, and I will try to find a solution for you! Sandi
Hey, I just hopped over to your site via StumbleUpon. Not somthing I would normally read, but I liked your thoughts none the less. Thanks for making something worth reading.
Interesting , how do I make use of this?