Elements of New Kitchen Design

by

Tim Lee

Tired of your old kitchen? Do you feel that it is looking dull and traditional? Then maybe it is time to give it a facelift. By focusing on some or all elements of new kitchen design, you are able to update your kitchen without having to spend much.

So how does a new kitchen look like? The keyword is minimalism. With fewer fixtures, the kitchen now looks big and less cluttered, giving more space where family members can gather. For some, the modern kitchen also serves as a family room. Here are some elements of new kitchen design.First thing to consider is the appliances. Modern appliances are usually metallic. This gives the kitchen a sleek look. Cords and sockets are no longer visible. Bigger appliances like ovens and refrigerators are now built-in.The next element is the kitchen cabinets. Solid hardwood cabinets, especially if in deep or dark shades, can give your kitchen a traditional or country look, not to mention dark and gloomy. Update your cabinets by using a modern finish or paint color on the doors. You can also update them by changing the knobs and pulls with new styles. If you are not on a tight budget, you can change the entire cabinet or its door with metal or glass to match the appliances. Frosted or clear glass cabinet doors will make your kitchen look posh.Countertops, tiles and sinks must also be contemporary and, more importantly, easy to clean. Granite countertop is the most common type, and manufacturers have come up with bolder designs and colors. For tiles, decorative and colored tiles are still in. A stainless steel sink, or stylish ceramic one, would look good in a new kitchen. Do not neglect the faucets. Choose a slimmer, beautiful faucet design that would blend well with the other fixtures.Walls and ceilings must also be considered. Be experimental with paint colors and wallpaper designs. Some modern kitchen walls have textured paint, while others have murals or some interesting artwork. Choose a color that would make the kitchen look wider and brighter. It must also be of a color that would put together the whole kitchen.Other elements that may seem unimportant are flooring and lighting. What most people don’t know is that all efforts to modernizing your kitchen would be useless if the flooring and lighting is of the dark ages. There are many options for flooring. You can choose from wood, vinyl, tiles or stone. In choosing, consider the kitchen traffic and maintenance. If there is more floor activity, then the material must be able to handle that. Avoid shiny flooring, as these can cause slips and accidents. Lastly, choose the type of flooring that would complement with the cabinets and furniture. The same goes for lighting. While it is important that the kitchen is well-lit, lighting must also be attractive.

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Elements of New Kitchen Design}

By Adriana Noton

Preparing a home for sale not only means making the interior inviting to prospective buyers, but it also means creating an exterior that is attractive, fresh and clean. Homeowners often do not want to begin a big-ticket remodeling project, but still need to make the existing facilities look more appealing. Driveways renovations increase the house value in the market, and are one way to help a home sell quickly.

If completely replacing the old driveway is out of the question, there are alternate options. While the basic sub-structure may be sound, the surface may be chipped, cracked, and stained with oil. Less expensive alternatives for visual repair may include refacing with asphalt, installing pavers, or even a applying a simple paint job.

A driveway need not be at its worst to benefit from re-applying asphalt sealant. A relatively few short years of exposure can cause parts of the paving to begin to pull apart, due to an annual cycle of temperature, sun and moisture. These are the same kinds of erosive stresses that cause even mountain chains to crumble away, and driveways are not nearly as tough.

This project can be undertaken either by a homeowner or by professionals. Doing it yourself can save over half the cost, but requires some initial planning, preparation, and care in order to avoid making any costly errors. This kind of project starts with a thorough cleaning and weed removal, sometimes requiring the use of a pressurized sprayer, and the possible the application of herbicides.

There are four general types of sealers, including standard asphalt sealants, and a relatively new product that suspends the asphalt particles in water. Coal-tar based sealers work well in high-traffic regions, and go a little further to resist all vehicle fluids as well as the air and sun. Acrylic sealers are not petroleum based, but are another sealing option that come in different colors. Acrylics are a little more expensive, but generally last very well.

If the original roadway was concrete, similar surface preparations are required prior to sealing, with the addition of filling in any cracks, while taking care to avoid covering the expansion joints. Two coats of paint should be applied, allowing the concrete to thoroughly dry each time. This kind of project should ideally be undertaken on a dry day, when the air temperature is in the low seventies, and the ground is above fifty degrees.

Other renovation materials include manufactured paving stones, which are available in both mortared and mortar-less styles. When mortar is applied, structure becomes less flexible, and will not allow movement of the stones. Mortar-less paving is the most popular variety, and utilizes a special mixture of sand in the spaces between individual stones. Both methods can dramatically improve the looks of the home’s exterior, making the driveway into an asset that ties the exterior landscaping to the home itself.

Sealants and new surfaces are a good idea for all homeowners, and driveways renovations increase the house value in the market. If your home is in an area of extreme weather conditions, using them can do more than simply guarantee a rapid home sale. Such treatments are an example of a relatively small investment in maintenance that save a great deal of money on future repairs. Whether preparing a home for sale or simply keeping it looking good, driveway renovation is an excellent choice.

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Source: isnare.com

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