MAIN Home Life Home Improvement Kitchen Remodeling

The comfortable old kitchen ... it's the heart of every home and usually the busiest place in the house. Every member of the family tracks in and out getting snacks, cooking meals or sitting for an informal chat while the tea water boils.

The problem is, since it gets such a workout, older kitchens tend to get a bit run down if you don't do minor makeovers. Cabinets get dinged and worn. Kitchen grease and fingerprints can only be washed away so often before they start to become a permanent part of the finish. Floors show the pathways from the door to the fridge and then to the sink... sound familiar?

Speaking of the path from the sink to the stove and refrigerator, this work triangle is often badly designed in older kitchens. That means walking a lot more when you're preparing meals and working in the kitchen.

Appliances can be a problem, too. Older models may not be working properly, they are generally less energy efficient and can look awful even if they still work fine.

If your kitchen's looking a little too "lived in", you may be thinking about remodeling. A kitchen renovation can be both a mess and expensive, but often the savings in energy – both your's and the electricity – and the improvement in the resale value of your home can make it a good investment.

There are also less expensive minor steps to take – just replacing just one or two appliances, changing the lighting or painting the cabinets can give your old kitchen new life.

Check out some of the best sites for spectacular kitchen makeovers - including building or remodeling instructions and tutorials for the do-it-yourselfer, tips and tricks to cabinets and countertops, with detailed how-to's and illustrations along with related links to equipment and supplies...

Create Your Dream Kitchen - From DIY Network, with an online encyclopedia of kitchen redecorating or remodeling guides featuring instructional videos, projects & tips, ideas for upgrading and more on do-it-yourself outdoor kitchens & barbecues.

Hometime: Kitchen Remodeling - Excellent, detailed and illustrated tutorials covering typical layouts, cabinets, countertops, flooring and sinks, from the popular American TV show.

SuperKitchens.com - Nicely thought out plans over several chapters including links to manufacturers for cabinets, countertops, appliances, sinks and faucets.

Kitchenfix - U.K. site with advice on outfitting your own kitchen covering the basics, site preparation, general fitting, specific components, to final finish. Illustrated via clickable thumbnails.

Do It Yourself Design Center - Creative Kitchens - Good overvew on creative ways to paint the kitchen, with detailed how-to's on dragging, sponging, marbling and lots more.

Renovating Your Kitchen - Featuring a checklist, Q&A, and a printable kitchen assessment worksheet with links to related resources, from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Kitchen Refacing - Cabinet refacing instructions, FAQ's and how to's, with related links.

also see Feature Articles --> Kitchen Lighting Makes A Difference

Secrets to Kitchen Remodeling - Tips & Tricks from the Experts

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