Resources for Better Kitchens

Functional Kitchen Design
Kitchen design includes replacing or enhancing many of the functional aspects of your kitchen, such as cabinets, appliances, storage areas, walkways, countertops, etc. Overall, your kitchen will look beautiful from a functional and architectural standpoint, but you will still have to decorate it. This article discusses easy ways to decorate your kitchen with cabinetry, picture frame lights, containers and sculptures. Do-it-yourself ideas include using plants in the kitchen for décor, building your own kitchen tree, updating a kitchen chandelier, and creating kitchen crafts. Links to easy kitchen ideas, spicing up your kitchen and kitchen décor themes.

Measuring Your Kitchen
Starting a kitchen renovation is easy with this step-by-step guide that helps hopeful remodelers figure out exactly what they need to undertake a project. Gather a calculator, graph paper, eraser, measuring tape and graph paper to begin coming up with a rough drawing of what you wish your kitchen to look like. Explains how to draw in walls and openings, draw in electric and plumbing hardware, and measure existing appliances.

Kitchen Lighting Guidelines
Designers are now using fluorescent lamps interchangeably with the more familiar incandescent. Includes information on direct fluorescent tube-shape lamps and compact fluorescent lighting, lamps, warm white lights, cool white lights, indirect fluorescent lights, halogen lighting, lamps and fixtures, recessed fixtures for task and accent lighting, recessed lighting fixtures for general lighting and lighting for under cabinets, which can illuminate countertops in the kitchen.

Kitchen Tips and Makeovers
For many people, the kitchen is the heart of the home; but if you're like most, you dream of a better one. Make the dream a reality with the help of our tips and makeovers. Topics include creative table settings, refrigerator tips, making your own mobile kitchen island, kitchen bench extensions, as well as loads of fact sheets covering everything from cutting board tips and beechwood kitchens to vintage kitchen makeovers and fridge makeovers. Cleaning products, herbs, drain savers, veggies, napkin folding, slip-resistant flooring, shelves, crafty kitchen makeovers and cupboard restoration is also mentioned.

Kitchen Al Fresco
The outdoor kitchen means so much more than a barbecue with a prep sink. There are pizza ovens, griddles, infrared rotisseries, built-in woks, deep-fryers - you can customize your outdoor kitchen to suit the food you cook and the way you want to entertain. From fireplaces to pop-up thin-screen televisions, the features are limited only by your budget. This website gives great pictures for patio additions and backyard barbecues, an idea that is popular in the Southwest. Prepare food outside and get tips for creating an outdoor kitchen.