Adding living-space accessories such
as a bench or breakfast nook can create a
new area. The division is subtle enough
to enhance the kitchen and cue the eye
in a different direction. A space-making
furniture piece such as a nook bench can
sometimes include built-in storage under
the lid of the seat, allowing you to hide
kitchen clutter.
Hiding objects to make space is
sometimes more obvious than not. To
shed light on your redesign, consider
your windows for example. Evaluate
whether they make design sense in
their current place. Additionally, if your
windows aren’t providing ample natural
light and if they’re not generating enough
air flow when opened, removing them to
make space for more cabinetry might be
the best option to find space when you
need it the most.
Planning for a spacious kitchen means
concentrating on your main functional
areas including cooking, baking, prep
areas, refrigeration and dishwashing.
Before your redesign of the physical
space, plan for savings, too. Look for
the Energy Star label when you’re shopping for appliances such as
refrigerators. The EnergyGuide label on new models will explain the
amount of electricity a refrigerator uses in one year. The difference in
used energy is such that a new refrigerator uses up to 15 percent less
energy than non-Energy Star models. Other appliances that help save
space in your yearly budget include natural gas ovens or ranges with an
automatic, electric ignition system. These styles save gas by not having
the continual burn of the pilot light. For efficiency regarding your
dishwasher, many models have an internal heating system that enables
you to conserve water heating. The EnergyGuide label will estimate
how much power is needed for the year for you to heat the water in
your dishwasher. Exploring the amount of money and energy you can
save will reduce the cost of your redesign in the long run and make
more space in your budget for a kitchen where you’ll want to eat, stay
and love.
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