All About Your Kitchen

Article Navigation

Click Here for more articles

Buying a New Refrigerator

by: Charles Kassotis

Going appliance shopping is a lot like buying shoes. Some people hate it, while others savor the opportunity of inspecting various models to find just the right fit for their kitchen and lifestyle. If it has been a few years since you bought a new appliance, and especially a refrigerator, you may want to give some thought in advance to the type of features you want it to have, including size, storage space, compartments, and freezer capacity.

Start by browsing current newspaper ads or local appliance stores for sales or discount items. While it is not always best to buy cheap, it doesn�t hurt to check out the bargain deals first to see if you can find what you want. This also will help you get a better idea of regular prices, available features, and comparison-shopping. You will need to give some thought to design, model, and color, as well. Some shoppers prefer white or black appliances to blend with kitchen d�cor, while others prefer another color that goes with the theme or style of the rest of the home.

When you finally head to the appliance store to check out the various models on display, start by reading the sticker ad on or near each refrigerator. This should tell you how much each unit has of shelf space, for example, as well as other consumer interest information like how much electricity various models will use. Look for the energy saver brand, since energy use can vary widely from one unit to another.

Consider the amount of freezer space you need. If you buy meat or frozen food in bulk quantities, you may want a larger freezer that can hold a lot. Otherwise, though, you may be paying more in energy costs to keep your freezer cold when it doesn�t have very much food to fill it. Find out whether a model is self-defrosting; nearly all are nowadays.

Another thing to keep in mind is how to clean a particular model. Some of the exterior casings are made of a vinyl-type material that seems to absorb grease from adult fingers and dirt from toddler hands. Ask how easy or hard it may be to clean a particular appliance before you buy it. For example, you will probably have to unplug your refrigerator and pull it out to dust or vacuum the refrigeration coils. Make sure you can easily move the unit yourself without getting hurt.

Don�t buy more refrigerator than you need. A gorgeous side-by-side ice-maker model might look great in the store, but it could end up crowding your small kitchen or sit around mostly unused if you live alone and don�t use it much.

The final steps to making a purchasing decision might rest on the payment options and delivery terms. This would be a good time to ask about product warranties and replacement parts while you�re at it, so you�ll know who to call if something goes wrong or a part breaks.

About the author:
For more information about choosing and caring for household appliances, visit Appliance Central at

Circulated by Article Emporium

Read Articles:

The Increased Popularity of Granite Kitchen Cou...

How to Choose Kitchen Sink Faucets -

Innovative Kitchen Decorating Idea Brings the L...

Cooking up a Lighting Plan for your Kitchen

The Bathroom�the forgotten area of your home?

Choosing A Countertop That Is Right For You

Choose Spice Racks That Help you Organize Your ...

1950's Home Decor Redesign

Home Improvement Ideas

Decorate Your Kitchen On A Budget

Use A Wallpaper Border For A Budget Backsplash

A Review of the Top Six Dishwasher Brands -

Home Improvements That Increase Your Home�s Res...

Organizing Your Home: The Kitchen

Granite Countertop Colors -

Country Decorating Ideas - Create Warmth And Ch...

A Look at Industrial Scales -

Personalizing Your Next Kitchen or Bathroom Mak...

Choosing A Linoleum Floor For Your Home

Attention Homeowners: Replacing Your Faucets Wi...

Granite Tile Countertops -

Rustic Country Decor - How To Decorate Cottage ...

How To Choose The Best Knife Set

Decorating Your Kitchen With Antique Plates

Seven Ways To Boxer-Proof Your House

Top Ten Items To Keep Your Home Organized

Discount Granite Countertops -

Simple Steps To Keeping Your Home Clean

Don�t Let Sink Shopping be a �Draining� Experience

Granite Countertops: An Overview -

More Article Pages 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

How To Plan For Kitchen Remodeling
by: Johnathan Bakers

Kitchen remodeling is one of the most desirable home improvement projects for many homeowners. A new kitchen increases the value of your home and makes your life easier. The first step to your new kitchen is to set a budget. Decide how much money you are willing to spend. This will help drive your other decisions. Be sure to leave a cushion in your budget for additional, unexpected expenses.

When determining your budget, consider how long you intend to stay in your home. If you are planning to sell in the next year or so, you may want to spend less money. Decide which features you must have in your new kitchen. You can cut corners in other areas by substituting less expensive materials for the counter tops, flooring or cabinet doors.

Research Kitchen Trends

Before you start planning your remodeling project, do some research on the current trends and designs being used in kitchens. Look for information on the internet or in home decorating magazines. Visit your local home improvement center for more ideas. Start a file for pictures of kitchens you love, furniture, appliances, fabric swatches or anything else you find interesting. This will help when you are ready to start purchasing items for your new room.

Options in Kitchen Remodeling

Cabinets are an expensive item in any remodeling project. They often take up half of the overall budget for the room. If you can�t afford the cost of brand new cabinets, there are cheaper alternatives. Consider cabinet refacing rather than replacing the entire cabinet. In refacing, the doors are replaced and exterior wood areas are covered. This is much less expensive since you are using the same cabinets. An even cheaper alternative is to paint your existing cabinets and buy new hardware.

If you must have new cabinets, consider adding some extra features. Features such as tilt out drawers, pull out garbage cans or a lazy Susan inside a corner cabinet are great space savers and make the room more functional. The doors can be either solid wood, clear glass or stained glass. Shop around to find out what is available before making a purchase.

You can save money on flooring and countertops as well. Substitute vinyl flooring in place of more expensive ceramic tile to save money. If you can install ceramic tiles yourself, you can have them for about the price you would pay a contractor to install vinyl flooring.

Countertops vary widely in price depending on the material that is used. Counters that are more durable are also more expensive. You may want this if you want to be able to cut food directly on the counter. For most people, this is an easy way to cut the overall cost of your kitchen. You can find less expensive material that gives the look of marble, butcher�s block or other expensive materials.

Once you have decided what you want, consider how much of the job you can do yourself. Contractors can eat up a large portion of your budget. The more you can do, the more you will save in the overall cost of the room. Use the savings for great new furniture.

This Static Spot is open for sponsor

This Static Spot is open for sponsor