|
Author: Raynor James Article source: http://kaktus.com/. Used with author's permission.
Who would've ever though the kitchen could be the key to building wealth in your home? Well, it is. If you are going to increase the value of your home through improvements, the kitchen is a very good place to start.
Improvements
Obviously, making improvements to a kitchen is entirely dependent upon the current state of the kitchen. Still, there are particular areas you should focus on.
Colors
The colors in a kitchen can enhance the overall feel and worth. Neutral colors are used frequently in up-to-date kitchens. Soft shades of gray, cream, gold and earth tones turn up often. Wood in cabinets and floors tends to be in medium to light colored finishes. Sometimes it's painted and then the paint is wiped off to show the wood grain. Brushed steel hoods over ranges or cooking units are popular and practical. "Islands" are also still popular. Sometimes the material for the island and it's counter top is different from the rest of the kitchen. This can look very handsome when the materials are carefully chosen.
Two On The Ark
When it comes to kitchen improvements, Noah had it right. Having two of everything will certainly add value to your home. Two ranges and two dishwashers appear in kitchens for those who entertain frequently or have large families. Built-in chopping block areas and cool marble for pastry making are often seen. Under cabinet lighting makes for shadow free work areas. Most modern kitchens have built-in microwaves, and many have warming drawers. Many have drinks making areas with a small sink, refrigerator, and cabinets housing a variety of glassware.
Practical Matters
"Pot filler" spigots can be a nice upgrade. A pot filler spigot goes straight up a good distance above the floor of the sink before curving over. This makes it possible to position a large stockpot under it without tilting the pot. When the pot is filled to the desired height, the spigot swings out of the way and the pot is lifted out. Some ranges even have them positioned above the cook top burners so that the pot doesn't have to be carried from the sink to the range once it's full.
Appliances
Upscale appliance makers such as Sub-Zero, Viking, Wolf, and Thermador have come out with many innovations in recent years. Manufacturers of less expensive appliances are following suit. It's possible to buy a stove with two ovens and six burners instead of the more usual four. Wolf has come out with a gas stove that has the ultimate amount of heat control. The surface-top burners have two tiered gas rings. The upper ring is used for really hot cooking, the lower ring can keep food just barely warm, and of course there's an enormous range between the two. Since it's gas, control is instant.
Cabinets
New cabinets can be expensive, but they are definitely a crowd pleaser when it comes time to sell a home. Custom cabinets are definitely the way to go. If you can't afford a custom job, Home Depot and Lowe's have nice pieces at fairly reasonable prices.
Improvements to a kitchen are a great way to increase the value of your home. You might even be inspired to sign up for cooking classes. Raynor James is with http://www.fsboamerica.org - providing FSBO homes for sale by owner. Visit our "sell my home" page at http://www.fsboamerica.org/seller.cfm to list and sell your home for free for one month. Visit http://www.fsboamerica.org/buyer.cfm to see homes for sale by owner.
MLM Training Success- The MLM Success Secrets of the Right Warm Market Leads
How do you come up with enough names initally to start your network marketing business? How do you come up with the RIGHT names? Read on!
Optimizing Your Dead Links!
I have been reading, with great interest, all the online advice about how to optimize a website. We have a financial planning business in Victoria, BC. Like mos...
Dreams Keep Us Going
Dreams are what keep us going when the going gets tough. But we must have an actual defined dream to follow. We need to know where we are going.
Decisions Can Change Your Life
Remember whatever steps you take to change something, whether it is work related or a relationship, it all begins with changing yourself.
Styles And Varieties Of Locking Mailboxes For Sale
You will find locking mailboxes for sale in a
variety of styles, including large to medium size that can
be bricked in to match upscale communities and contract...
Are You PR-Challenged?
You won't be if you accept a very simple premise. Here, in just two sentences, is your pathway to effective public relations. A pathway that lets you target t...
Italics Part 1 - Do You Need to Use Italics?
Before you hit "CRTL+I" in your word processor and add yet more italics to your scene... stop and think. Do you really need them? What effect does the over-use ...
How to Get Targeted Search Engine Traffic Quickly
Helping customers find you on the web.
Cash Flow: Why Chaos Equals Poor Cash Flow
Are your business processes creating chaos and having a negative impact on your cash flow? Get tips from a small business consultant.
Helping You Choose From Cell or Land Line
Most of us have two phones, our cell and our land line (house phone). Realistically many people are paying two bills when one is sufficient. The cell phone is s...
Branding is Everything... Everything is Branding
Branding is Everything... Everything is Branding. You have 3-4 seconds to get your message across.
Get your Dream Car – Get a Car Loan
You've probably spent years thinking that your dream car is out of your reach. But have you though about a car loan? That car you've always wanted could be just...
Term Life Insurance
Overview of term life insuransurance, including features, pitfalls, and why consumers should deal with a broker.
One Of The Best New Business Opportunities May Be Right In Your Home - A New Daycare Business
The day care industry is expanding. There are now more than 100,000 licensed child-care centers and 250,000 licensed family day care homes across the United Sta...
Defining Success Your Way!
Success is often intangible. It's certainly unique to each person. Have you considered how you will know when you are successful?
Hanging Out
Hanging Out is a term used by the rising generation of dating eligible individuals. But it is also one of the most important things one can do to get to know w...
eBay Gold
Internet auctions are relatively new having been around since the mid 1990's. There are several Internet auctions including Yahoo Auctions and UBid. But of cour...
You Cant Always Believe What You See On Your Computer Screen
A few weeks after you've finished your story and filed it away, you dig it out and read it again. Only this time, it reads like a completely different story. ...
Guru... Schmooru... So What! The Internet Gurus Unmasked
What qualifies a person to be a guru? Is there some sort of test you have to pass? Does it go by age? Are gurus old men of wisdom? Or can anyone be a guru?
A Winter Wedding
Make your Winter Wedding a winter wonderland. Go traditional or modern, we have Winter Wedding ideas for both.
Getting Past The Shoulds To Write
A personal and inspirational story about how one struggling
writer fought to release the grip society and her shoulds
had on her writing and build a thriving bu...
Pregnant? Did You Know You Can Begin Bonding as Early as 8 Weeks into Pregnancy?
With today's technology you can now begin bonding with your unborn baby as early as 8 weeks gestation. Fetal doppler monitors are medical grade instruments tha...
Preventing Heart Disease: What to Eat
One important step in reducing your risk of heart disease is to change your diet.
What is the Cause Hair Loss?
There are many people who suffer from hair loss. I'm not just talking about men either. Hair loss can occur in women, teenagers, and even children.
|
Print this page