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you are here: DentalPlans.com > Dental Health Articles > Home / Garden > Kitchen Renovation 101
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Updated: 11/16/2007 12:05:15 PM |
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 (ARA) - Throughout history the cooking area of a home was almost always connected to the heat source: a fireplace or a wood stove. In the winter it was a natural place for a family to congregate as it was the warmest room in the house.
Early Kitchens
With the housing boom of the late 1940s and into the '50s kitchens became segregated and "galley kitchens" were included in most home designs. Kitchens at this time were smaller and sealed off from the rest of the home in confined areas to allow more space for other living areas of the home. Many of these kitchens even incorporated sliding or swinging saloon doors for privacy. Popular kitchen designs then included partitioning by some blockage, like a portal between the rooms. In other designs the kitchen nook and cupboards also acted as room dividers and provided some connection to the social life of the home.
Disco and Kitchens
In the late 1970s this began to change as the kitchen began to creep back into the popular living area of 50 years before. This change came on the wave of new appliances such as the microwave oven and conveniences borrowed from commercial kitchens such as six-burner gas ranges and convection-heated double wall ovens. Smaller appliances such as meat-slicers, European-designed coffee machines and juicers became staples in modern luxury kitchens.
What was driving this renaissance in the kitchen? Much of it had to do with the egalitarian change in the area. More men began taking an interest in the culinary arts and the kitchen lost its demeaning label as "the woman's area." In addition, changes in diet meant that fresh food preparation had grown as an important part of daily life. Instead of just opening a can or microwaving frozen food, people were learning cuisine skills worthy of fine restaurants.
So what's new in the kitchen of the 21st century?
1. Kitchen cabinets now feature variable shapes, sizes and designs. The era of the long, homogeneous cabinetry has ebbed in favor of differing heights and designs, including columns, clear glass and opaque door fronts, and intricate moldings. Wood fronts are being replaced by painted and faux finishes. Stenciling, crackling and glazing fall under the "faux" category.
2. Granite is still in vogue, but engineered stone comes in more colors. For the more discriminating taste, concrete countertops can personalize your kitchen.
Islands are getting larger and longer, and sometimes there are more than one in a kitchen. The first may contain a sink for food prep while the second has a gas stove top. Stools still are a staple for enjoying breakfasts and informal lunches. There are storage areas below for small appliances. Dishwashers may also be included with dish storage in the island.
4. In addition to the modern countertop and in-wall appliances, convenient under-the-counter freezers and refrigerators are becoming more popular. So are double dishwashers. Ranges and the standard combination fridge/freezers are not as welcome in the luxury kitchen as they once had been.
5. Thanks to new sealants, hardwood is becoming more welcome in the kitchen. Cork is popular, and cushioned vinyl the mainstay, while tile is slipping because more homeowners want a softer alternative.
6. Granite countertops are often extended up the backsplashes and walls, especially the exotic types such as Red Marinace. Stone is another favorite but, like marble, has to be sealed properly and tile is the all-time winner because of its diverse designs.
Where Do You Start?
As a kitchen remodel is a multi-faceted change, a licensed kitchen remodeling contractor should be considered. However, before that the homeowner has to do their homework.
* Read, read, and read. Do your homework and either buy magazines or read them at the library. There are many sites on line that can help you as well with informative articles. To learn more about the basics of kitchen remodeling, go to www.renovationexperts.com.
* Once you have an idea what you want you need estimates on your project. Don't just get one. Instead you should get at least three or four estimates. To obtain free estimates, usually within 48 hours, from qualified contractors in your area, go to www.renovationexperts.com.
Copyright © 2007, ARAnet, inc.
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