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.
Pet Amenities
Four-Legged Luxury
A rising trend for homebuilders is pet amenities and a residential
paradise built for man’s best friend. From step-in wash stations
featuring handheld sprayers and designated drying area, to rooms
dedicated to your dog or cat, pet considerations are one of the latest
elements in home design. Your pet is a part of your family and pet-
friendly design can accommodate up to 170 square feet of your
home. For some homeowners this designated space for a pet can
also be shared space in the mud, laundry or utility rooms. Using
space as a goal from the kitchen redo, creating space in the laundry
room for your pet can be easily attained by purchasing a stacked
washer and dryer unit.
This space saver can help expand the options for your furry
friend’s tub or basin, toys and bed.
Carpeting and flooring are also a top consideration—the
more durable and easy to clean, the better. The list of must-have
flooring includes laminate, stone, marble, bamboo and cork. For
homeowners leaning toward hardwood, bamboo or carpet, each
will need to be properly pre-treated to protect from soiling. If you
want to provide your pet with the ultimate in luxury, there is furryfriendly furniture that will make your dog sit—and stay—including
chic, fur-lined chairs, cool cat trees and exercise or pop-up playpens.
While pet pampering is all the rage for inside, it doesn’t stop at
the screen door. When it’s time to gather the family outside for a
backyard picnic, lemonade on the deck, or a dip in the pool, your
dog or cat can stay cool shaded under a pavilion pet gazebo, a way
to keep pets close by without the worry of them getting away or
having to be put in the doghouse.
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