HOME IMPROVEMENT -1

I.Kitchens Have Become the Focal Point of Many Modern Households

Kitchens have been the focal point of many households for centuries. Kitchens are no longer just a place where food is prepared. They have become a place for friends and families to hang out and discuss the day, or to get-together for a cook-off or wine-tasting.

If you are a family that enjoys spending time in the kitchen, you probably want it to have a visual appeal that represents your family. Whether you are going for a cozy ambiance or a strictly functional kitchen, one thing to keep in mind is cabinet space.

Kitchen cabinets serve many purposes. They will free-up counter and working space, they add visual appeal and the look of your kitchen cabinets will set the mood for great entertaining. This is especially true in open floor plans where the kitchen essentially leads right into the living room & dining room.

If you are in the market for a relatively easy way to enhance your kitchen, the following are a few tips and pointers for those of you who want or need to make your kitchen more accessible, user-friendly, and functional.

Make a list of the current problems in your kitchen-inadequate counter or work space, appliances installed too far apart, inadequate cabinet and storage space, insufficient or awkwardly placed lighting, a sink that is too small, or improper ventilation.

Shop around at annual Home Shows for the latest kitchen layouts and designs. There are generally a plethora of magazines and books at any home improvement center that will help you decide exactly what you want.

Consider convenience. If you are going to perform a major overhaul you will need to consider adding storage, more cabinets, and placing appliances close to each other.

Make your visual choices carefully. You have a variety of cabinets to choose from- Maple, birch, oak, cherry, or synthetic cabinets. You may want to enhance your kitchen with window cabinets to display beautiful dishes or attractively contained food, oils, or spices.

After choosing the material of your new cabinets, you will need to consider color or finish choices. You want something that will visually blend with what you have or something that will match new appliances.

Lastly, remember that this is really a family project. You should consult everyone when making your choices. Remember that your kitchen will not be functional as long as you will be renovating. If you do not think that you have the time or know-how, you might want to consider hiring a professional.

The days of woman toiling alone in the kitchen are long gone. Now couples share cooking responsibilities or the male might be the primary cook of the household. Groups of guys have even been known to get together to share their cooking expertise.

A kitchen is a great place, no matter what the occasion, to gather for family meals, quiet mornings, entertaining, or for the holidays. It is the place where family traditions and childhood memories are formed so take your time and consider your choices wisely.


II.Small Space Bathtubs With Personality

Is your standard tub not giving you enough depth to soak in? While technically a tub, these common denizens of small bathrooms really don't deserve the word, at least to a normal adult human. If you are looking for a way to jazz up your bathroom and have a tub that will actually allow you to soak in it, read on.

Many people see a soaking tub as a giant monstrosity that only a palatial luxury bathroom can accommodate. This is not so; there are many options out on the market! Look for a tub that is shorter but deeper, allowing you to soak comfortably while still fitting into your smaller space. Most smaller tubs will accommodate the same shower head as traditional tubs. If they are freestanding, they may require more in the way of curtains or panels to shield the walls and floor from water.

Japanese bathtubs have become more popular in recent years. These tubs are based around a tradition of soaking in very hot water. Japanese etiquette has it that the tub is used for soaking rather than cleansing, so the idea was that one would wash oneself before stepping into the water. Some North American companies have taken the idea of the sit-down tub and modified it to suit Western customs of cleansing in the tub. No matter what you choose, this can be a great choice for the person who enjoys completely surrounding themselves with hot water.

Walk-in bathtubs are becoming popular with the elderly and the handicapped, two demographics that can have difficulty negotiating traditional tubs. These are manufactured with doors that seal shut upon entry. Many have raised seats, rather like the Japanese-style tub, allowing for a comfortable shower or soak. The walk-in design, plus handrails and seating, make these bathtubs much less risky for older or infirm individuals.

Some freestanding "claw foot" bathtubs come in a variety of sizes and, being freestanding, have a little more flexibility in their placement than built-in tubs. The traditional claw foot tub is comparatively large, but there are smaller versions out there. Claw foots tend to be very deep for their size, allowing for a comfortable fit.

In an awkward space, consider some of the corner tubs that have been built to fit into spaces that won't accommodate traditional tubs. There are many tubs built to fit into corners or that can be custom-designed to fit into nearly any spare corner with little space wastage. If you have an unusual bathroom layout, you might find that an unusually shaped tub can be the answer, while still allowing you to remain submerged.

A soaking tub is great for reducing stress, helping injuries heal and aiding relaxation and sleep. The same tub will also lend a bit of uniqueness to your bathroom, something that can make it more attractive to future home buyers, should you sell. With some careful shopping, you can find a tub with a "personality" that suits your requirements a lot more than the standard shower tub.