The question today isn’t so much what’s on your countertop as what is your countertop made of? Right now my answer would be laminate, but I’m dreaming of the day when I can say marble. Or maybe even recycled glass-really!

If marble’s more your style than recycled glass, here are some traditional countertop choices. (The innovative ones are below, so keep reading!)

• Laminate. One of the most affordable options, laminate is comprised of several layers of heated and compressed paper. The color or pattern you see on the countertop is just the top layer. Lucky you, when it comes to laminate countertops the colors, patterns, and design choices are almost endless, so you can emulate the traditional look of stone or go wild with color.
• Ceramic Tile. Counters topped with vitreous tile can accept hot pots and pans without scorching and resist moisture from splashes around sinks. The variety of ceramic tile sizes, shapes, and colors makes it perfect for adding style to your kitchen. Just keep in mind that installing ceramic tile can be labor-intensive and pricey. And you’ll have to work to keep those grout lines clean.
• Natural Stone. Granite, marble, and soapstone are the most popular stone countertop options. Natural stone gets major points because it’s tough yet elegant, and you can choose from polished, honed, flamed, or tumbled finishes. Keep in mind that most natural stone surfaces require regular sealing. Stone can be a particularly pricey option depending on the type you choose, however. To save money, you might want to consider stone tiles instead.
• Solid Surfacing. Another option if you’re not quite ready to fork over the money for natural stone, synthetic surfacing resembles stone and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. It’s nonporous and durable, but it can be scratched and burned (no setting hot pots directly on the countertop like you can with real stone!).
• Stainless Steel. It doesn’t get much more contemporary than stainless steel countertops. This material is durable and easy to clean. But be careful-stainless steel scratches easily, and it’s not cheap to replace.

• Concrete. Countertops made of concrete are durable and easy to clean if they’re sealed properly. Concrete can be colored any shade and, as a bonus, its pigmented finish is stain-resistant. Much like stainless steel, concrete is best suited for contemporary kitchens.
• Butcher Block. Someday I’ll have a stretch butcher-block in my kitchen. But until then I’ll have to be content just writing about it. Butcher block is made from hardwood strips that are glued together. Common hardwoods used include oak, cherry, bamboo, and maple. Moisture will damage butcher block, so keep it away from sink areas. And if you finish your butcher block, make sure you choose a finish that’s safe for food contact-because what good is butcher block if you aren’t going to cut on it?

If you were intrigued when I mentioned countertops made from recycled glass, you’re in luck. Here are a few innovative countertop choices worth considering next time you go countertop shopping. (And if you know of any other cool new countertop creations I missed, let me know!)

• Squak Mountain Stone. These eco-friendly countertops are made from a fibrous-cement material comprised of recycled paper, recycled glass, coal fly-ash, and Portland cement. It’s a great alternative to natural or quarried stone and resembles soapstone or limestone.
• Vetrazzo. These countertops are made of 85 percent recycled glass and come in a slew of fun colors. Recycled glass countertops sound breakable (or sharp!) but they’re not-in fact, Vetrazzo surfaces are so smooth, they’re comparable to granite. Bonus: The company sponsors a Recycle Vetrazzo program, where people can recycle their old recycled Vetrazzo countertops (yep, that’s a lot of recycling going on there).
• Bamboo. These cool countertops are made of solid bamboo plywood and are laminated with a formaldehyde-free adhesive.
• Fusionstone. It’s not eco-friendly like the other innovative countertops mentioned above, but Fusionstone is pretty cool. A layer of ultra-clear glass is fused to exotic stone slabs to protect the stone from scratching and stains while still showcasing its natural beauty.
• Quartz Surfacing. This material combines 93 percent quartz with 7 percent resin to create a countertop that’s twice as strong as granite-can you believe that! It’s more maintenance-free than granite too because it’s nonabsorbent, easily wiped clean, and is insanely durable (no need to worry about scratches or stains). It is typically as expensive as the real deal though.

Lexicon Consulting, Inc

The Home Know-It-All: Your One-Stop Shop for Home Design, Improvement, and Repair

Experts say that buying things for your kitchen is only half the fun; planning and designing is the meat of the game. Hence, it is best to create new ideas for your kitchen remodeling plan and maximize all the resources that you have.

However, you need to consider some factors before you decide on a certain idea. In this way, you can be sure that you would be able to cook and do everything you have to do in your kitchen without the mess. Here’s a list of some factors you need to know before creating kitchen remodeling ideas:

1. Size of the kitchen

In coming up with a good kitchen remodeling design, it is best that you consider the size of your kitchen first. Keep in mind that size matters most in designing your kitchen. The furniture and other kitchen appliances that you will use will depend so much on the available space you have in your kitchen.

For instance, if you want to have a more work space, it is best that you maximize the area by creating a U-shaped kitchen. This design has more space for storage cabinets and other items.

2. Budget

Of course, if you want to come up with something unique or classical, you must have the budget that will suit your taste. For instance, if you will be working on a classical design, you may be spending more on wood furnishings and cabinets. Woods can be quite expensive. Hence, with this kitchen remodeling idea, a good budget is imperative.

3. Flooring says it all

A limited work space is best maximized with good flooring. The visual projection of creating a bigger area, even if it means technically small can do wonders. If you do not have to put so many things in your kitchen and still you need to create an ambiance that will reflect a bigger

4. Color

Achieve visual balance by collaborating kitchen walls, furniture, appliances, and flooring. Coming up with a good kitchen remodeling idea is not so much on the kinds of decors you will add or the whole concept itself. It is more on how you will incorporate visual balance. This can be achieved by using colors that will balance and harmonize the features among the items within the area.

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Unique kitchen remodeling ideas do not have to be out of this world. In the world of designs and styles, people tend to experiment on things just to come up with something unique. The idea is to create unique kitchen remodeling ideas based on existing materials and use them like they had never been used before.

Here’s how:

1. Themed concepts

If you want to have unique kitchen remodeling ideas, you can start with themed ideas. Maybe you would want that classical kitchen design back in King Arthur’s palace. With this, you need to come up with more wood designs that are based on mahogany or other wood types that depict classical era.

You may also incorporate futuristic theme by using the elements of stainless steel. Kitchen counter tops that are made of stainless can be the first factor to consider.

2. Color combination

One of the factors to consider when coming up with unique kitchen remodeling ideas is trying to combine colors. Most people are afraid on color combination thinking that one color may not harmonize or blend with the other. But that is what the whole idea is all about. It is the contrast that makes it more unique. As far as the contrast is not that absurd or simply unpleasing to the eye, you can combine as many colors as you want.

3. Lighting

Good, remarkable lighting can emphasize a certain design in your kitchen. By providing accent lighting, you can draw attention to your original displays or extraordinary architectural designs. The idea is to focus things that will liven up your kitchen area.

4. Layout

Unique kitchen remodeling ideas can be directly proportionate to the layout of the cabinets and other features in the kitchen. The way you have created the layout will bring out your fresh ideas.

5. Customized cabinets

Another factor that will impact the way you create unique kitchen remodeling ideas is the customization of kitchen cabinets. Innovative storage ideas will put a great impact on the way you want to conceptualize unique ideas in your kitchen. Your own design will definitely bring out the freshness of your whole idea.

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If you are looking to add value and convenience to your kitchen you need a solid idea or plan. The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the entire house and should be high on your priority list of kitchen remodeling ideas. This article will attempt to show you some wonderful kitchen remodeling ideas you might apply to your next project.

There are really two questions or schools of thought on a kitchen remodeling job.

One - Will your kitchen remodeling ideas be aimed at upgrading the value of your kitchen?

Two - Will your kitchen remodeling ideas be aimed at making your kitchen more users friendly and convenient? Of course, you could always remodel for both reasons, but usually it is best to target one primary reason for this type of remodeling project.

Let’s look at reason number one - If you are try to create kitchen remodeling ideas that will increase the value of your kitchen you will want to focus on areas such as the sinks, flooring, appliances, and cabinets.

Your sinks are one of the most used items in your kitchen. You may be surprised at how much value can be added by just installing a new sink and custom faucet. If you’re kitchen remodeling ideas are leaning towards this frame of mind it would be advisable to visit plumbing showrooms to see the many displays that are available. If you do not live in an area that has a showroom available you might find some nice designs online.

If you want to add some kitchen cabinets to your kitchen remodeling ideas bank this can add some nice value, but also may involve considerable expense and labor. There is no substitute for good kitchen cabinets. You should consider high quality cabinets and also think about having them professionally installed.

Appliances can be tricky. If you visit a show room they will most likely steer you towards the top of the line. For a stove you should consider better quality. However; you may not want to think so expensive on other appliances. There are only so many options that you really need on a fridge. You will find that you gain much more perceived value when adding a nice cooking center.

Flooring is also an area that you should consider quality material for as it is the place that is actually used the most. This is a project you can do yourself with a little helpful advice from a building supply. A new floor is also a good addition to anyone’s kitchen remodeling ides.

Each of these kitchen remodeling ideas can add value to your home. You will want to decide where your kitchen priorities are and make those the items that make your kitchen more friendly and easy to use.

Find more helpful home improvement tips by visiting http://best-home-improvement-projects.com where you will find helpful home improvement tips, advice and resources including information on easy home improvement projects, kitchen repair and kitchen remodeling ideas.

Kitchen remodeling takes both time and money. A major remodel with top-of-the-line appliances and cabinets can easily run more than $100,000. As for time, allow at least four months for a remodeling job or, more realistically, six to eight months. It takes about two months for custom cabinet orders, more time for planning, order processing, shipping, demolition, installation, moving back into your kitchen and re-organization.

While it’s tempting to get started as quickly as possible once you decide to remodel, it’s better to catch your breath, do your homework and think through your plans because you don’t have the time or money to make mistakes.

Start with the basics. Consider what the primary uses of the kitchen will be then collect ideas for enhancing your project. Put some initial thought into this prior to meeting with a contractor. Following is a checklist of items to consider when planning your kitchen remodel.

Determine the primary uses of your kitchen:

• cooking
  
• food storage
  
• dining
  
• equipment / utensil storage
  
• specialized food preparation areas
  
• waste disposal
  
• laundry
  
• secondary media center
  
• message station
  
• mini-office
  
• hobby / craft center
  
• entertaining
  
• mudroom
  
• traffic hub

Enhance your kitchen remodeling project:

• Brainstorm with household members
• Find ideas in model homes, showrooms, home shows, magazines, books and catalogs
• Appliances - ovens, stoves, cook tops, refrigerators, dishwashers, range, microwaves, hoods, and exhaust fans
• Cabinets - wood cabinets in oak, maple, cherry, hickory, pine, birch, metal, plastic, cabinet re-facing, kitchen storage items and kitchen islands
• Countertops - stone, marble, quartz, granite, solid surface, wood, metal and Formica
• Flooring - hardwood flooring, cork, bamboo, laminate, linoleum flooring, flooring installation, repair and refinishing floors
• Lighting - light controls, chandeliers, fixtures, lamps, fluorescent lights, recessed and spot lighting
• Sinks and Fixtures - kitchen faucets, stainless steel, brass, plastic and glass handles
• Windows - skylight windows, double hung and single hung windows, casement and garden windows for growing herbs and plants
• Select a design professional and/or contractor that meets your needs

The more details you can determine prior to your kitchen remodeling project the better. It will make your remodeling project more efficient and, thus, less expensive.

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com (http://www.myguidesusa.com), you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life’s major events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you’ll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com. Find home improvement tips and resources at http://www.myguidesusa.com/homeimprovement

As kitchen remodeling budgets have bloated over the past three years to the point of absurdity, savvy homeowners are realizing they don’t necessarily need to take out a second mortgage on their home or liquidate their life savings to get the kitchen of their dreams.

What these homeowners have realized is Ikea kitchens are every bit as stylish and durable as those high priced custom cabinets from the big box retailers, but come with a price tag that even first time home buyers can easily stomach.

If you’re willing to put in a little “DIY” by rolling up your sleeves and grabbing a few simple tools like a drill, screws and a level, you too can have a high end European style kitchen in your home thanks to Ikea kitchen cabinets.

Follow these 5 tips for a perfect Ikea kitchen remodeling project:

1. Keep A Tight Grip On Your Budget

You’d be surprised how fast your kitchen remodeling budget can spin out of control if you’re not careful. Just because you’ll save thousands by using Ikea cabinets don’t make the mistake of overspending on appliances, counter tops and flooring.

Set a budget when you get your cabinet pricing from Ikea, add in some mid range appliances, flooring and counters and stick to it. Add in at least 10% for extras that you didn’t consider like tools, hardware and supplies and you’re all set.

2. Get Organized Before You Start

Once your kitchen design is done and you’ve set a firm budget, now is the time to get organized. Since you’ll be building the cabinets yourself and storing them in your home, make sure you leave plenty of space to work and carry on with your day to day activities.

Nothing is more stressful than a messy, unorganized home when there’s a construction project underway, so get organized now while you still have time to plan. You can thank me later.

3. Planning Ahead For Potential Problems

The best laid plans often go wrong, that’s just how life works - ever heard of Murphy’s Law? It states, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” By following the tips below before you start demolition or construction for your Ikea kitchen, your project will run much smoother.

Plan ahead for these possible problems now:

• where you’ll be eating during the construction
• where you’ll store your plates, silverware, appliances and pots and pans
• where you’ll store your food so you can access it easily
• where you can stage your cabinets once they’re assembled
• what to do if your run over budget
• what to do if you go over schedule

If you’ve prepared for these possible complications ahead of time, the problems you do face will feel more like a speed bump, instead of a head-on collision your project can’t survive.

4. Phase Your Ikea Kitchen Project and Keep Your Sanity

We just talked about planning and its’ importance to a smooth Ikea kitchen project. One of the best ways to keep your sanity during a kitchen remodeling project is to to phase the construction so that part of the kitchen is always up, running and usable.

Start your remodel by tackling one side of the kitchen and complete the demolition and installation, then move on to the opposite side when you’re done. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are Ikea kitchens.

5. Know When To Get Help From A Professional

There may come a time during your kitchen remodel when it makes sense to bring in a professional to help you out. If you’re even considering making large scale structural changes, rerouting plumbing lines and vents or knocking out load bearing walls a professional’s advice can save you thousands.

Get more time saving Ikea Kitchen Remodeling tips and advice from an expert. Visit http://www.kitchenremodelinghelp.com and get my free 5 day mini-course that will show you how to avoid making costly mistakes on Ikea Kitchens.

Lighting is a key element in any design. It helps to set the ambiance and tone for a room and provides light for necessary tasks. In the kitchen, it is critical as this is not only a room where you gather, but also one where you do the important work of preparing and serving meals.

The method of lighting you choose for your kitchen is critical and florescent lighting in particular is a huge no-no. These lights, while handy, create a harsh light and are not at all interesting. Consider using a decent dome or chandelier instead. A fascinating chandelier works fabulous over the dining space.

Today, pot lights are a terrific option in kitchen lighting design. These are fantastic for overhead lighting, but usually you will also wish to provide some task lighting too. As they are recessed into the ceiling they don’t clash with your decorating scheme. You can use them to have an even lighting affect. These lights may be turned so that they illuminate chosen areas.

An important thing to consider when implementing kitchen lighting design is the arrangement of the lights. You need to make sure to deploy the lights where it will be needed the most. If your house has a kitchen with an eating area, you have to be positive that each part is separately lit. Try to get even, moderate lighting but steer clear of over lighting, which can sometimes be harsh and produce ample heat. You should consider a dimmer switch that will allow you to control the ambiance in the room.

Pendant lighting is usually very pretty when placed over an island area. They can be found in many distinct lengths and styles to match any kitchen. Installed on the ceiling, pendant lights hang down and directly brighten a particular area.

Another thing you will need to think about in your kitchen lighting design is task lighting. Now, this can be accomplished with pot lights, but there are other spots where task lighting should not be overlooked. In places where you mainly prepare food, under counter lighting is suitable. This form of lighting can basically be installed by the homeowner. The light up the food preparation area. They brighten your counter accessories when you are not using the counter top.

There are several choices when it comes to kitchen lighting design. Try to make use of lighting that enhances your room design. Your lighting should be decorative as well as useful. Purchasing the best lighting can be fun and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you put your own personal touch on your lighting design.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.decor2day.com/ where you can learn more about decorating and how you can get great kitchen lighting design.