<font size="3" color="#990000"><strong>Basic Kitchen Remodeling Planning</strong></font> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">There are some basic steps you need to take when you decide to remodel your kitchen. Here I will present to you a quick overview of what you need to do when remodeling your kitchen; you will find more details throughout this website.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/2b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/2b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span>The first step is, of course, deciding on your goals for the kitchen. What do you want your remodel to accomplish for you?</span></p><span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /><br />You’ll want to do some research even at this early stage. What kinds of materials will you want to use for countertops? Granite is hugely popular, as is Silestone, which is made from natural quartz and comes in a huge range of colors. What kind of wood do you want for your cabinets, and how light or dark should they be? What about flooring? Then you have to consider which appliances will need to be replaced, how you want the room painted, lighting and any major changes in the layout of your kitchen.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /><br />Of course, there’s one more very important goal for you to consider – your budget! How much will you want to spend? Will you want to get a home equity loan for your remodel or have you saved money up for this project?</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /><br />Now you will want to start sketching out your ideas. You don’t need to be a great artist; just get some graph paper, pen or pencil and a ruler and start mapping things out. Of course, if you are more technologically inclined, you can do this on the computer as well if you have the right software.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /><br />Generally speaking, you will want your refrigerator, stove and sink to form a triangle in your kitchen. Include plenty of walking space and room for eating. Will you want an island in your kitchen or will that just be in the way? How will the table fit? You’ll also want to look at where outlets are, keeping in mind where you plan on placing your appliances. You may have to move outlets or plumbing if you’re rearranging your layout. Don’t forget to consider installing extra outlets.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /><br />Make sure your sketches include dimensions. Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring professionals, accurate dimensions will help you plan well and give the best feel a paper sketch can give for how your kitchen will look.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /><br />Many home improvement stores will have kitchen designers on their staffs, and this is a resource you should take advantage of. They’ll go over your plans with you and possibly have ideas you haven’t considered.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /><br />When the time comes to place your order, make sure your measurements are very, very accurate or you will have a terrible time with your kitchen remodel. You can have professionals come out and do the measurements for you. In fact, if you are having your cabinets and countertops professionally installed, you WILL have professionals out taking measurements. If your measurements are accepted by the store without question and without sending out their own people, you will probably want to shop elsewhere. You’re spending too much money on remodeling your kitchen to take that kind of chance.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /><br />Your cabinets will, of course, be installed before your new countertops. In fact, until your cabinets are installed, they can’t even start work on your countertops if you have chosen granite or Silestone (or other stone) countertops because they need to make a template. Ask for temporary countertops and a sink to be installed so that you aren’t eating out the entire time you’re waiting for your countertops to be cut. It might take weeks.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /><br />Appliances such as stoves and refrigerators can be installed whenever convenient. As most dishwashers are installed beneath the countertops, you’ll want to ask about the best time to replace your dishwasher.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/2a.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/2a.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /><br />Perhaps the most important aspect of planning your kitchen remodel. This is one of the most inconvenient rooms to remodel, so you’ll want to
do it at a time when you will have the time and patience to deal with it. Your kitchen will be marginally useable for weeks during the remodel. However, the beauty of your new kitchen should more than make up for the inconvenience.</p><p><span><font size="2">Article Source: </font><a href="http://www.articleset.com/"><font size="2" color="#800080">http://www.articleset.com</font></a></span><span style="line-height: 200%"><font size="2"> </font></span></p></span></span><p><span style="line-height: 200%"><font size="2"></font></span></p><p><span style="line-height: 200%"></span><span style="line-height: 200%"><strong><font size="2">About the author</font></strong></span></p><p><span style="line-height: 200%"></span><span style="line-height: 200%"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #383c40; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><a href="http://homewiththekids.com/" target="new">HomeWithTheKids.com</a> is a resource for work at home moms and dads. It is run by Stephanie Foster, a mom who has worked at home since early 2002. For more advice on working at home, visit <a href="http://www.homewiththekids.com/wah.htm" target="new">http://www.homewiththekids.com/wah.htm</a>. » Read more articles by <a href="http://www.articleset.com/articles-by_Stephanie-Foster_en.htm">Stephanie Foster</a></span></span><span style="line-height: 200%"></span> </p>