Think ‘opening up’ when doing a complete kitchen makeover

    If it’s kitchen make over time and you have the typical bungalow or split level home, chances are that an opening up process may be in order.
Why open up?
• Outside light gets shared; all the adjoining rooms will brighten up. If the living room, dinette and kitchen each have a window, we are now one big room sharing three windows.
• All rooms seem larger; yes, that is how you make small rooms into big rooms without adding on. Of all three rooms the kitchen will be one that feels like it gained the most space.
• It’s all about people; the cook or cooks now, while working in the kitchen, will spend 90 percent of their kitchen time prepping or serving from the island side of the new kitchen lay out. This is great because they now can cook & talk with visiting guests.
Contributed photo
KITCHEN REMODEL — Adding or enlarging a kitchen window will not only make you feel more comfortable while preparing meals and entertaining family and friends, it will also make the room feel much larger.
    A larger group of people can more comfortably fit in the area with some sitting up to the island counter on stools, while others may be in the former dining area and the overflow on in to the living area.
    If a new window is in the works here’s a $2,000 idea for a mere $200. Bring the slightly larger new window down to the counter and let the counter run right into the window. The counter can be done by using special laminate counter. When all is said and done it will look like you spent a huge amount of money on a granite upgrade.
    Needing extra cabinet storage? Consider taking the cabinets up to the ceiling.
    This allows for more storage, or glass at the top of the uppers, without interfering with normal storage and by robbing unused or little used space without needing additional floor space. Also, think of all that dusting you will no longer need to do.
    Of course when you do that new kitchen check out the accessories, storage ideas and don’t forget about the new soft close door and drawers that slide so quiet and easily.
    If you need some help or ideas, a kitchen pro is just a phone call away.
    This article was written by Jim Lawrence. Visit his company website at www.avondalekitchens.com. They have designers in your area every week doing professional designs and quotes.