#6 Great Countertops: How to Choose the Best Material

Get beyond the brand names and your countertop options really just come down to a handful of materials. The choices can seem overwhelming, but the truth is that there's never been a better time to be in the market for a new counter. Once upon a time, you were lucky to have some faded laminate as a small prep area beside the sink. Today, you can choose from hundreds of colors, patterns and textures, in materials ranging from natural stone and acrylic sheets to quartz composites and stained concrete. Here's a detailed look at the six most popular countertop materials: natural stone, solid surfaces, plastic laminate, ceramic tile, wood and concrete.

Solid-surfacing materials--such as Corian. Wilsonart's Gibraltar and Avonite --are made of 100% acrylic, 100% polyester, or a combination of acrylic and poly. They're highly resistant to stains and scratchs, and completely renewable and repairable. Scratches and burns can be s ... Read more »

#6 Secrets to Finding Cheap Kitchen Cabinets

By Lee Wallender. Home Renovations Expert

As the ultimate know-nothing beginner, Lee Wallender's first experience with home renovation was remodeling a 100 year-old house.

How To Contact Me

Unfortunately, it has come to the point where I cannot answer readers' individual questions about home remodeling. The backlog has become so great that I feel I cannot adequately serve readers. If you have emergency questions, write to the address below and I will try to answer.

What s going on here?  It seems like no matter how hard you look, kitchen cabinets are over-the-top expensive. One reason for this is that for so long the process of buying and installing cabinets has been controlled by manufacturers, retailers, and installers. The presumption has been that homeowners will want the full service kitchen cabinet installation, which of course does a full service job on your bank account, too.

... Read more »

#6 DIY Kitchen Lighting Ideas

A humble cooking tool finds a new DIY identity to match any style

For you hard-core DIY types (and you know who you are), we’ve come up with a few starter ideas, confident that you’ll take this concept and run with it. For those of us who aren’t quite at the rewiring-a-lamp-ourselves stage? Buy a hanging lamp kit, drill a hole through the colander—just don’t use an everyday plastic one—and merge the two. And if changing a lightbulb pushes the envelope of your technical capabilities, never fear: The website Posh Living sells a kitchen colander pendant lamp ($150; poshliving.com) that’s ready to be installed by your friendly neighborhood handyperson.

The Life of the Party. Go disco with bright colors and a cut-glass globe (Calypso Basics 3-qt. colander; 45-watt crystal-cut halogen bulb, $6.95,  buylighting.com ).

The Veteran. Mix a flea-market colander with an old-fashioned “sq ... Read more »

#5 Steps to Creating a Kitchen Island Using Stock Cabinets

Kitchen islands are becoming a staple in kitchen remodels across the country, and a terrific way to save on your next kitchen update is by creating an island using something you d typically never think of: cabinetry.

Kitchen islands are essentially cabinets put together in the center of a kitchen. They not only provide great storage for any kitchen, but also extra counter space so many of us desire. Rather than spending thousands on a new kitchen island. create one using stock cabinets.

1. Start with the Base and Back

Whether you are creating your own stock cabinets or an island using stock cabinets, always start with the base and back. After measuring the length and width required for the island, gather two long pieces of wood to serve as the outside, as well three smaller pieces to serve as the two outside pieces connecting the longer pieces. Place the third piece in the middle that will ... Read more »

#7 German Kitchen Manufacturers

German kitchens are world renowned for quality engineering, design and heritage. The area of Westphalia in Germany which lies between the Rhine and Weser rivers seems to be of particular attraction to German kitchen manufacturers as several of them are situated there in close proximity to one another.

The following list is on no particular order and the information about each company is taken from their sites to give you a flavour of their individual philosophies.

Hacker

Häcker produces modern fitted kitchens that fulfil the highest claims in terms of quality, functionality, durability and design. The Häcker name is well known in the sector as a guarantee of sound design, reliability, commitment and success. Häcke r is the reliable partner of the specialist trade both today and in the future. Rapidity and flexibility are the maxims in the fields of process organisation, delivery deadlines and quality. Häcker employ ... Read more »

#Kitchen utensils, kitchen accessories - more from Homebase

Morphy Richards Tefal cookware ranges

From a potato masher to a pizza wheel, we have everything you need to create a fully functioning kitchen. Choose from our extensive range of kitchen accessories to help make cooking more convenient. Buy individual items or a complete set of kitchen utensils. Whatever your culinary requirements, we are bound to be able to help. Why not colour-match your equipment for a kitchen with flair?

Add a splash of colour with kitchen utensils and tools in a variety of different shades. Alternatively, choose from an array of equipment in stainless steel for a sleek and stylish addition to any kitchen. With easy grip handles, many utensils also include a caddy for convenient storage. From a silicone tool set to wooden kitchen accessories, we have everything to suit a classic or contemporary kitchen style. Browse online for every conceivable utensil to help make food preparation as ... Read more »

#6 Unexpected kitchen countertop trends for 2014

Jessica Padykula is a freelance writer and editor in Toronto, Canada covering a wide range of  topics for several online lifestyle publications. She is a regular contributor for SheKnows, covering travel, style, relationships, health and.

Shake up your kitchen countertop

Combined comments & shares on social media

There was a time when granite seemed like the only go-to material for countertops. But recently we're seeing a shift as more materials are edging their way onto the radar of homeowners and designers. From soapstone to concrete, there are several stylish alternatives to granite if you're looking to change things up in your kitchen.

HGTV star Jonathan Scott has been noticing this shift away from granite. "Everybody used to only talk about granite and stainless steel; we're seeing that people are now realizing there's a lot more out there," he explains. "We're seeing a lot of different ... Read more »

#8 Kitchen Counter Options That Will Make You Forget Granite

Granite is great. No one is denying that.

Granite is great. No one is denying that.

Its use in residential applications has skyrocketed in recent years. A 2012 survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of The Marble Institute. found that 75 percent of homeowners who intend to remodel their kitchens in the next two years indicated they want granite countertops.

Granite’s durability, longevity and good looks make it ideal for kitchen countertops and other heavily used surfaces, including table tops and floors. Still, it’s expensive (typically $60 to $100 per square foot installed), it’s extraordinarily heavy (requiring reinforcement of base cabinets) and requires considerable upkeep.

Beyond granite, there are a multitude of countertop options available and their number just increases over time. If you’re in the market for a kitchen makeover, you may find one of these great, non-granite ... Read more »

#8 Smart Ways to Toddler-Proof Your Kitchen

A kid underfoot while you cook can be a recipe for disaster. Play it safe with some simple precautions

(Photo: pavla /Shutterstock )

The kitchen is the hub of the house, where many families spend the majority of their time together. It’s also the room with the most safety hazards. Think sharp knives, hot stoves, pots and pans full of boiling water or heated oils — even the dishwasher detergent stored under the kitchen sink.

Toddlers are especially at risk in a room full of dangers, thanks to a combination of curiosity, increasing mobility and motor skills and a daredevilish attitude that comes from not yet understanding danger.

One way to keep tots safe is to ban anyone under the age of 5 from the kitchen. (Yeah, right). A better solution: Take steps to make sure the only disasters that happen in the kitchen are recipes gone awry.

1.  Designate a cabinet fo ... Read more »

#Kitchen utensils list

List of Utensils, Cooking Tools, and Items for the Indian Kitchen (and beyond)

In the last two years in USA. ever since I started handling the kitchen, there have been so many times I got frustrated because I did not have so many things in the kitchen. So many times I would wish to fly to India only to shop and bring kitchen items to US . I used to forget that when you just begin to start a household in a new place on your own, you add things gradually. Both in your apartment and in your life. It is very different from starting a new life at homes and with families that have been well-settled at a place since decades.

There have been so many times I have made lists of things I needed to buy for the kitchen and my apartment, and wanted to shop like the world was ending the next day. But when the sane me comes back to its normal state, I continue to compile the list of essential utensils, cooking and serving tools, kitchen ins ... Read more »

#8 Fresh Kitchen Design Trends for 2015 and Beyond

Top Trends for Kitchen Cabinets, Kitchen Fixtures and More

Want to freshen up the look of your kitchen? Maybe you re building a brand new home from the ground up, or you re interested in doing a complete kitchen remodel. Or perhaps your budget only allows you to change out a few key details in your existing kitchen décor. If you re updating your kitchen in any form, before you spend any money, it pays to get informed about the current kitchen design trends for 2015.

When decorating a home, it s important to strike a balance between the trendy and the classic since kitchen projects are costly, and the work done will need to last for years. With that in mind, we re suggesting only trends that we predict will have staying power that goes well beyond the year 2015.

1. Wood Kitchen Cabinets

Wood color stories are all over the place,and a variety of different types of wood grains and wood stains are of ... Read more »

#8 smart organizing tips for the kitchen

What makes a great kitchen is how you organize it. Learn 8 smart organizing tips to help you get your kitchen organized in no time!

If you re anything like me, once the holiday decorations come down you re ready to start getting your house a little more organized .

The kitchen is the first place I need to start!

Here are 8 smart tips to help you organize your kitchen !

Kitchen Organization 

I can t believe I never thought to put these organizing tools to use in my refrigerator.

I love this idea! Use tension curtain rods to create dividers. Buy rods to fit the space, and position pairs of them at intervals. Great for storing platters, cookie sheets and cutting boards

Use vinyl to place a measurement c ... Read more »

#10 Favorites: The Urban Galley Kitchen: Remodelista

Feeding the masses? Long favored by restaurants, the galley kitchen is designed for efficient meal production. Derived from the kitchens of ships and airplanes, the setup, also known as the corridor kitchen, is comprised of a single narrow passageway with cabinets and countertops on either side. Making the most of limited space, the hard-working galley is a perennial favorite in space-pressed urban dwellings. Here’s a look at 10 inspired takes on the type.

Above: Ann DeSaussure Davidson and Scott Davidson's 75-square-foot Brooklyn kitchen is the quintessential urban galley. Remodeled on a shoestring budget by the couple and architect Josh Pulver of A + C. the room is stocked with sky-high storage and presents a flush façade thanks to small-scaled European appliances concealed behind paneled doors. For a full tour and dissection of the kitchen, see the Remodelista book. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelis ... Read more »

#Make a Roll-Away Kitchen Island

This island kitchen can serve a functional purpose, especially when it's on a roll.

While this particular island may not be perfect for your kitchen, you can get ideas by searching on the Internet or by looking through magazines.

Materials and Tools:

wood glue

nails

Steps:

1. Put on a dust mask and safety glasses and cut the plywood pieces using a table saw. Cut the pieces for the top, bottom and sides. These pieces will form the frame of the unit. Cut the wood with the finished side up to help prevent splintering.

2. Make the initial rip cuts with the table saw, and then use a circular saw to cut pieces to length. In this project, the sides measure 32-1/4-inches in height and the top and bottom measure 44.1/2-inches long. Make sure that the long edges of these pieces are straight.

3. Rip the solid maple 1x6s to a 2-inch width using the table saw. These pieces will be used to create ... Read more »

#10 Easy, Low-Budget Ways to Improve Any Kitchen (Even a Rental! )

Rental Kitchen Solutions

I'm always so inspired by dream kitchens like this cottage kitchen in Maine or any one of these gorgeous, glamorous spaces. I appreciate the details, materials, the layout, all the finer things that make it special and swoon-worthy. But most of us probably don't cook in our dream kitchen. Instead, we deal with our kitchens' quirks and inconveniences on a daily basis.

1. Add or change lighting.

If the lighting in your kitchen is dim, or you hate the overhead fixture, change it! Switching out an overhead light fixture is much easier than it sounds. It doesn't have to be super expensive, either. I bought a vintage light fixture for $20 on Etsy, but before that I was eyeing a few options at IKEA. Don't forget about under-cabinet lighting. That might be all you need to feel like you've seen the light, literally.

2. Change drawer or shelf liners.

#10 Most Popular Kitchen Countertops

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10 Most Popular Kitchen Countertops

Kitchens are a critical part of a home, both in living in a home and selling/buying. What is more, the design of the kitchen countertops plays a huge role in the appeal of a kitchen – what material was used, how easy to maintain, how they look, how they hold up, and many more considerations are all aspects when thinking about kitchen countertops .

While granite has been the obvious choice for durable luxury in kitchen countertops over the past decade, there are so many other countertop options available today that we’re going to sidestep granite and look at other popular countertop materials .

So, without further ado, here is a guide to the top 10 Most Popular Kitchen Countertops Today. We hope you’ll find the photos inspiring and the information useful.

Conc ... Read more »

#Range Hoods: Shop Ranges and Ovens - Best Buy Canada

Hundreds of brands you know and trust. Shop all brands

From computer glitches to smartphone mishaps, Geek Squad can save the day. Our Agents are ready and waiting to set up, support, protect and repair.

Let us help you recycle your old and unwanted electronics. Find out more Best Buy’s commitment to the environment and how your province is working to make a difference.

The Parts Store has millions of parts for your appliance, electronic, and wireless device needs, so if there’s something you’re looking for, chances are they’ve got it.

With our team of experienced, non-commissioned Consultants making a claim will be less stressful. They can help you replace your lost goods quickly and easily.

Best Buy’s Trade-In Program is a great way to trade your gently used electronics for a Best Buy Canada gift card that can be used in-store or online.

#10 Easy Pieces: Freestanding 36-Inch Kitchen Ranges: Remodelista

Anyone who has undergone a kitchen remodel will be familiar with the moment-of-truth decision: which range to install (the hearth of the house). At Remodelista, we collectively favor the six-burner, 36-inch professional-style range (space and budget allowing, of course). If you can swing it, it s worth spending money on a high-quality range that will last for decades. Here are our top choices based on personal experience, consumer ratings, reader comments, and recommendations from experienced kitchen appliance professionals. Have a favorite range not listed here? Weigh in below.

NB: While we have listed online retailers, note that several brands we ve included can only be sold in the state where the appliance will be installed. Visit manufacturer websites to locate dealers in your area.

Above: Classic, sturdy, and reliable is how Francesca describes her Viking range. Viking was one of the first to bri ... Read more »

#Reface Scotland, replacement kitchen doors Glasgow, fitted kitchens, bedrooms, offices

The original kitchen Refacing company  Reface Scotland have been specialising in made to measure cabinets for more than 22 years and we are proud to be Scotland’s premier kitchen re-facing company.

We have a huge range of kitchen designs to suit every possible taste (literally endless combinations of styles, colours and finishes), as well as a great range of handles, worktops, sinks, taps, accessories and appliances. All at extremely competitive prices.

We manufacture ourselves (you buy direct, cutting out the middleman), to a very high standard and our expert craftsmen can ensure that everything is installed to your complete satisfaction. Unlike the off-the-peg doors you can buy, our replacement kitchen doors are custom made to fit your kitchen exactly. Nobody will ever know that underneath it's the same kitchen units.

Don't ... Read more »

#10 Kitchen Layout Mistakes You Don - t Want to Make

A lot of life happens in the kitchen. No matter how different our lifestyles may be, a lot of activity revolves around the kitchen: Cooking. preparing a quick snack, eating breakfast or a 3-course dinner with family or friends. Not only do we socialize in the kitchen, getting together with family and friends over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, the kitchen is one place that needs to be both beautiful and functional. This raises a double challenge of do’s and dont’s in kitchen layout and design. Regardless of the kitchen design styles. organization and layout are essential in your kitchen design. Because of this specialists warn us about the 10 mistakes we should avoid in order to achieve both practical and elegant kitchen design.

1. Don t obstruct access to the kitchen triangle.

Specialists refer to the sink, stove and refrigerator as the kitchen triangle, the area of greatest activity which ... Read more »

#Range Hoods & Vents: Find Range Hood and Kitchen Exhaust Fan Designs Online

What size range hood do I need?

Your new kitchen hood should be at least as wide as your stove top, but an additional three inches on each side is recommended. If you’re replacing yours, take note of the old model’s size before you go shopping. Sometimes you may not have much leeway thanks to a pre-determined opening in your cabinetry. If this is the case, simply measure the opening from left to right to determine what size will fit.

What’s the difference between a ducted and non-ducted kitchen hood?

The way your new extractor hood vents air is an important consideration. Here are the three most common methods of ventilation:

• Ducted or vented: This method allows you to vent air outside of your house, which is your best option. Keep in mind the shorter your ducts, the more efficient your system will be. If your extractor hood is mounted to an interior wall or on an i ... Read more »

#10 Practical, versatile and multifunctional rolling kitchen islands

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10 Practical, versatile and multifunctional rolling kitchen islands

In the kitchen it’s important to have a flexible design, to be able to free up space when you need it and to be able to organize everything in an efficient and functional way. Modular kitchen furniture is a wonderful choice is this case. But a kitchen doesn’t feel complete without an island. So to maintain the flexibility and versatility of the décor, a rolling kitchen island would be a perfect choice.

Rolling kitchen islands are very practical simply because you can move them around and change their position and location. This allows you to free up space when you need it but also to have everything clean and organized. Rolling kitchen islands are usually multipurpose pieces of furniture.

They usually also serve either as dining tables, breakfast tables or work spaces. So being able to move it around is a ... Read more »