IN West Jefferson Hills Fall 2016 | Page 35

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 petfriendly 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 .
Continued on page 35 >
West Jefferson Hills | Fall 2016 | icmags . com 33