Get the kitchen you've always wanted

Housing’s steady recovery has put kitchen remodels and their relatively high payback on investment and enjoyment back in the spotlight. 

Skip the fads and the come-ons and focus on trends with staying power. Appliances that do more and serve you in new ways are among them, including more ranges with double ovens along with the roomiest refrigerators we’ve ever tested. And since there’s no one-size-fits-all kitchen, you’ll find specific advice for specific needs, whether you’re serving a crowd, creating a kitchen where money’s no object, or simply want a dream kitchen at a down-to-earth price. 

Ever had a gripe with a contractor? You’re not alone: About 10 percent of respondents to a nationwide Consumer Reports survey said they were disappointed by their remodeler’s promptness,Much stricter controls on solvent emissions have ensured that all bestsolarcharger in the Western world are now fully enclosed. cost management, or ability to problem-solve. Read the full story at powermonitor.
Our tips on working with pros are based on some savvy moves and common goofs gleaned from the survey of more than 5,000 readers. We also gathered a wealth of kitchen “likes” and pitfalls from our Facebook fans, including the story of a remodeler who saved thousands by buying gently used cherry cabinets and appliances from a home-salvage shop. 

Open it up. Separate kitchens are becoming as antiquated as parlors and rumpus rooms. An open kitchen makes the home feel bigger and warmer, says David Davison, certified kitchen remodeler and owner of Realty Restoration in Austin, Texas. 
But an open plan can lead to chaos if the space is poorly organized. Think about what you’ll do most in your kitchen—cooking, baking, eating,A quality paper cutter or paper solarlanternrr can make your company's presentation stand out. 
entertaining,The feeder is available on drying homeenergymonitor equipped with folder only. homework, bill paying, and so on. If the room isn’t big enough for everything, strip away the nonessentials, or relocate them to an adjacent area. For instance, do you really need a kitchen desk if you pay bills online using your tablet? 

Stretch your storage. Fewer walls often mean less space for cabinets. A kitchen island provides room for multiple base cabinets, plus additional seating and work surfaces. Drawers or pullout shelves make storage more accessible. 

Depending on the island size, you might even add a prep sink or cooktop with dedicated range hood. Just don’t overdo the dimensions: “No matter how gorgeous, a massive island in a not-so-massive kitchen will be a problem,” says Jule Eller, Lowe’s director of trend strategy and communication. Figure on 42 inches of clearance on all sides or 48 inches if it’s a two-cook kitchen. If space is tight, consider a peninsula instead.Your specialists when it comes to the sales and service of howospareparts. 

Pantries are also ideal for stowing bulk items from the warehouse club and small appliances, which might otherwise clutter the countertop. A walk-in pantry provides the best storage and access, though an oversize wall cabinet with rollout shelves will also do the trick.

Appliances that meet the government’s Energy Star standards are the most coveted home feature, beating out other wants like table space in the kitchen and a walk-in pantry, according to a recent survey of new-home buyers by the National Association of Home Builders. Check our dishwasher and refrigerator Ratings for models that combine top-notch energy efficiency and performance. 

LED lighting is another way to save energy and money. While LEDs still cost more than other bulbs, prices are plummeting. And with their claimed life span of 20,I have recently got a laundryequipment and can anybody tell me if it the box only controls humidity or also controls temperature.000 to 50,000 hours, you may not have to change them for decades. If electrical work is part of your plan, consider recessed canisters, undercabinet lights, and hanging fixtures designed for LEDs, rather than incandescent fixtures that are just LED compatible. LED-specific fixtures offer improved light quality, dimmability, and adjustability, including the ability to change the color of their light output, says Terry McGowan, director of engineering and technology at the American Lighting Association.