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Geoff Davis writes for Building DIY and Gardens, a popular site for all aspects of green home design, home improvements, green building, DIY, gardens, landscaping, with hundreds of articles, an image gallery, a blog. Visit http://www.BuildingDIY.com |
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| Author: Geoff Davis |
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Kitchen appliances in a small space:
Compact appliances are better. Make a list of your budget and the appliances that you need. Try to accommodate more appliances in lesser space.
Small appliances also use less energy and water, saving energy and money!
For instance choose multi-function electrical appliances, under counter refrigerators, small size multipurpose oven, slimline dishwashers etc.
Buy good quality products. Although those may be expensive but they will last longer.
Food processors, coffee makers, blenders, juicers and dish washers are very handy appliances, but not essential. While modeling your kitchen set aside space for these appliances.
Gas cookers are good option as they are cheaper to run than electric, and easier to cook on.
Always hire an electrician for a checkup of wiring and voltages so that electrical appliances are safe. There are some things you can't do yourself!
Bigger kitchens:
When your family grows larger you need more space and accessories. Planning ahead for a bigger family is a nice initiative. Install more shelves on a spare wall and place you pans, pots and appliances there. Use space over cabinets for bigger pots and utensils.
A good kitchen design is one which flows naturally, provides more space and needs less remodeling or replacement over time.
So plan now for the future!
Cabinets and work surfaces or countertops:
Use sustainable materials where possible, or recycled materials.
Kitchen cabinets must be large enough and made of good quality material like cherry wood, maple wood, alder wood for a traditional look. Lacquered, melamine and laminates, glass and stainless steel look more modern.
If you have a large family you need to cook a lot, so your workspace should be as efficient as possible. Worktop or countertop (or work surface, counter top) is the area where you work most of the time so it must be enjoyable and easy. The worksurface should be durable, heat resistant, non absorbant, easy to clean, attractive and match your decor.
Granite, limestone, wood, formed concrete, patterned formica, laminate, marble are all popular choices.
But wood is best if from sustainable FSC sources!
The texture of both cabinets and worktop should have resemblance so that they don't have an unusual clashing look - unless that is what you want of course!
Select tables with spacious drawers and cabinets to make a small space seem bigger. If you have a blank wall it's good to install wooden or glass and steel shelves there.
Lighting and Ventilation:
Very important, bad design here can ruin your new kitchen...
About Author
Writer on green building, green advice, writing, music. Also ran green building company.
Visit our main website at http://www.buildingdiy.com
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