Monday, November 30, 2009

How To Find A Fitted Kitchen For Your Home That Wont Break Your Budget

By Matthew Kerridge

Deciding to undertake a huge renovation project can be scary. It can be even worse if it is in a key area of your home such as a kitchen. A fitted kitchen can be a wonderful and affordable way to update the look of this important room. It can also make it much more functional and comfortable to work in. Learning how to recognize a quality fitted kitchen can be the best way to ensure that this big investment looks great for a long time to come. Here are a few details that you need to look for before you purchase any kitchen.

Locating a company with a reputation for excellent work and quality products should be your first move. There are many builders who offer fitted kitchens but not all of them are worth the money. You might think that a do it yourself kit will help save you some money but remember that a huge amount of work goes into the installation of a fitted kitchen and this may mean that you are in over your head. It can be a waste of money and an embarrassment to have to go back and ask for help later on. It may be better for you to go with an installation company in the first place.

There are several elements that go into any kitchen. They are the cabinets, counters, flooring, wall coverings and appliances. You need to make sure that you are spending the majority of your money on important areas of the kitchen. Keep in mind that you don't need to replace everything at the same time if it just isn't in your budget. For example, you can replace cabinets and other items but leave your appliances until a later time.

The money you are spending should go toward cabinets and drawers that are properly built. Not looking for well made items can end up meaning your kitchen falls apart after only a few years. Going with flashy items that are in style instead of looking for a classic appearance can end up leaving you with an outdated kitchen that looks tired after a very short period of time.

If you are looking at cabinets, look for solid wood. You want to make sure that they can hold the weight of the items that are stored in them. Pots and pans can be quite heavy as can some stoneware dishes. Wood doors are also important because if you want to change the look of them, they can be sanded down and refinished. This can be a great way to breathe life back into your kitchen down the road. You want to look at the corners of drawers and make sure they are put together in a way that will not let go over time. Drawers should have gliding mechanisms that will continue to work properly even after the drawer has been pulled out repeatedly. Look for stops on the drawers. These prevent you from pulling the drawer out all the way which can allow it to fall. Look for hinges that are well made out of solid metal. You want to make sure that they will not let go, and allow the cabinet doors to sag or droop.

You should make sure that the counters are durable. If you can't afford granite or other expensive counters there are other very durable and very beautiful options. People want a kitchen with counters that will stay in good condition and will continue to look modern years from now. Neutral colors can be a good idea so that you don't find yourself with an outdated kitchen in only a few years.

A reputable builder is also important because they are often the ones measuring the kitchen and ordering the cabinets. You don't want to find out that the cabinets that were ordered are the wrong size or that the counters are not going to fit. Many people have ordered beautiful granite counters only to find out that they are too heavy and that the cabinets cannot support the weight. This ends up wasting money and time.

If you love to cook, a new kitchen can be a dream. Making sure that you pick the right fitted kitchen can make sure your investment will be protected for a long time to come.

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