<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Kitchen Accessories, Design, Appliances - Gadgets for Kitchens</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.kitchenthinking.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.kitchenthinking.com</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:31:45 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1</generator>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
			<item>
		<title>Modern Kitchen and its Accessory</title>
		<link>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/modern-kitchen-and-its-accessory/</link>
		<comments>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/modern-kitchen-and-its-accessory/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:26:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Design tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[buying fitted kitchens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Choosing kitchen design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kitchen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kitchen Appliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kitchen cabinets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kitchen tiles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kitchenthinking.com/?p=19</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A modern kitchen must be stylish and have an elegant appeal pleasing to the eye. Any kitchen should be furnished with a contemporary style including cabinets, kitchen furniture, electric hob or chimney and so on. Modern kitchen cabinets are available based upon different style, finish and size. Out of the total cost of kitchen modeling, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A modern kitchen must be stylish and have an elegant appeal pleasing to the eye. Any kitchen should be furnished with a contemporary style including cabinets, kitchen furniture, electric hob or chimney and so on. Modern kitchen cabinets are available based upon different style, finish and size. Out of the total cost of kitchen modeling, cabinets account for 40% to 50 % of budget. The aesthetic appeal of the Kitchen depends upon the type of cabinet you choose for your kitchen. Cabinets of kitchen are broadly classified into custom cabinets, semi custom cabinets and stock cabinets. Custom cabinets are high class cabinets that are designed based upon the customer requirements and as per their style. Semi custom cabinets are built in factory in standard size and design, while stock cabinets are made by a carpenter with the type of woods available locally. Cabinets resemble your style and acts as a crowning jewel to the Kitchen.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kitchenthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Kitchen.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-20 alignright" title="Kitchen" src="http://www.kitchenthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Kitchen-300x214.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="214" /></a></p>
<p>Next is kitchen tile which enhance the overall appearance and elegance of kitchen. Kitchen tiles are of various shapes including rectangular, square etc. Moreover they come in different style, color and materials. Most commonly used colors for kitchen wall are Lorenza Beige, Ambre beige, Munich beige etc. Tiles for floor and wall must have to be different in shade and design. Kitchen tile floors have to be dark colored while the wall floor must be light colored this gives a more artistic look to the kitchen. Hobs or chimney is the next important accessory of a kitchen.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kitchenthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Kitchen.jpg"></a><a href="http://www.kitchenthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/chimney1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-24 alignleft" title="chimney" src="http://www.kitchenthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/chimney1-300x243.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="243" /></a></p>
<p>These hobs not only add modern look but also serve as an outlet to remove the blanket of smoke from kitchen. The kitchen can become charming as well as functional if it is properly planned and designed.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/modern-kitchen-and-its-accessory/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Select the right kitchen design layout</title>
		<link>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/select-the-right-kitchen-design-layout/</link>
		<comments>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/select-the-right-kitchen-design-layout/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:20:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Buying Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Design tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Choosing kitchen design]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kitchenthinking.com/?p=17</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Selecting the right layout for the kitchen is very important. It is one of the crucial areas of your house. It is very crucial to understand the basic kitchen work triangle concept and kitchen layouts. It is in fact the first step you need to take before staring a kitchen remodeling or kitchen decoration project. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Selecting the right layout for the kitchen is very important. It is one of the crucial areas of your house. It is very crucial to understand the basic kitchen work triangle concept and kitchen layouts. It is in fact the first step you need to take before staring a kitchen remodeling or kitchen decoration project. The work triangle of the kitchen consists of the distance between the refrigerator, cooktop and sink. These areas are considered as focal points of any kitchen. This is the reason why kitchen work triangle concept is adopted by many people to make their kitchen layouts more perfect. A good design of the kitchen is very essential if you want to do the kitchen works without any hassle.</p>
<p>There are some basic kitchen layouts. You can take a look at them to solve your problems.</p>
<p>L-Shaped Kitchen is one of the most popular designs selected by the people. The best part is that this type of kitchen design can be used both in small kitchen and large kitchens.</p>
<p>Many people also prefer to select double L-Shaped Kitchen design. By opting for this kitchen design you can find a lot of counter space and cabinet space. This design is mainly used in big kitchens. It consists of 2 or more entering areas. The popularity of U-Shaped Kitchen is also increasing. This design has 3 walls instead of 2. The sink is usually placed in the middle wall section. G-Shaped Kitchen design is also popular. It has four walls, two sinks, two ranges and two cooktops. Many people are selecting Single-Wall Kitchen design. It is best suited in small kitchens.  You can work very conveniently in this type of kitchen. Another famous design is Galley-Shaped Kitchen. People in apartments or in houses mainly select this kitchen design.  You can easily create the perfect kitchen layout by going through the kitchen designs mentioned above. You can get rid of the hassles and inconveniencies of working in a wrong kitchen very easily.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/select-the-right-kitchen-design-layout/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Fundamentals of Great Kitchen</title>
		<link>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/fundamentals-of-great-kitchen/</link>
		<comments>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/fundamentals-of-great-kitchen/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:32:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Design tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kitchen design]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kitchenthinking.com/?p=14</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Do you want to have a kitchen that will make others bedazzled? Well, that is no longer an expensive way of redesigning your kitchen these days. In fact, there are plenty of ways through which you can achieve the dream look of your kitchen.
While designing your kitchen, the first thing that you have to keep [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Do you want to have a kitchen that will make others bedazzled? Well, that is no longer an expensive way of redesigning your kitchen these days. In fact, there are plenty of ways through which you can achieve the dream look of your kitchen.</p>
<p>While designing your kitchen, the first thing that you have to keep in mind is the cabinet. This is one very important part of your kitchen. If you are thinking about changing the entire cabinet, make sure that you can afford it. For, that seems to be an expensive job. However, you can simply change the doors of the cabinet to get a new look.</p>
<p>There are different types of materials and sizes available for the cabinet doors. Naturally, you can choose the most suitable for your kitchen. However, the wood cabinets are the commonest of the lot. Here again, you will find different types.</p>
<p>Apart from wood, materials like laminate, aluminum, veneer or stainless steel are also good for the cabinet doors. If you are concerned about the budget, the MDF can be a good choice as they are smooth and dense and yet less expensive than the solid wood.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the RTF doors give a natural look. This is why, this is becoming more popular. It is hassle free and the cost is low. However, you can also change the cabinet hardware to change the look of your cabinets in an affordable way.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/fundamentals-of-great-kitchen/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How to make your Old Kitchen Look New</title>
		<link>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/how-to-make-your-old-kitchen-look-new/</link>
		<comments>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/how-to-make-your-old-kitchen-look-new/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:49:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Design tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kitchen cabinets]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kitchenthinking.com/how-to-make-your-old-kitchen-look-new/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you bored of the way your kitchen looks? Is the cabinet door showing cracks and has faded? Are you now counting the dollars you need to pay for a dream kitchen? Then perhaps you are still unaware of how you can very easily change the look of your kitchen by only putting up new [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Are you bored of the way your kitchen looks? Is the cabinet door showing cracks and has faded? Are you now counting the dollars you need to pay for a dream kitchen? Then perhaps you are still unaware of how you can very easily change the look of your kitchen by only putting up new cabinet doors! </p>
<p>Kitchen cabinets occupy much of you space in the kitchen and if they get discolored due to the grease and heat of the oven then the whole kitchen looks dull. But it is not the whole of the cabinet which needs to be replaced because it is only the doors which are affected not the whole of it.</p>
<p>Forget about those old wooden cabinet doors. Nowadays you get cabinet doors which are not only cost effective but also look more stylish than the older one. Cabinet doors are now made of different material, and come in different sizes and shapes for you to choose from.</p>
<p>Materials like aluminum, laminate, veneer, and stainless steel are used to make cabinet doors. These are more durable and easy to handle than pure wood. And even if you want to have a wooden cabinet door then you have the options of MDF (medium density fiberboard), and RTF (Rigid Thermo Foil).</p>
<p>MDF has a smooth texture which is also dense like wood but has no grains on the surface. It shows no cracks on the surface. This has become favorite among wooden cabinet lovers.RTF has a natural wooden look . Both these options are cost effective.</p>
<p>With so many options available why to go discard your old cabinet all together? Just change the doors as you wish it to be and see your kitchen transformed into heaven.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/how-to-make-your-old-kitchen-look-new/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Fixing the Door Knobs</title>
		<link>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/fixing-the-door-knobs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/fixing-the-door-knobs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:34:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Design tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[decorate kitchen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Door Knobs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fix Door Knobs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kitchenthinking.com/fixing-the-door-knobs/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is said that a home reflects the personality of the home owner. So when you decorate your kitchen, living room or the dining room, you should think of all the essentials, like the kind of material to be used for the cabinet doors, types of fibers to be used or the colors of finishes [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It is said that a home reflects the personality of the home owner. So when you decorate your kitchen, living room or the dining room, you should think of all the essentials, like the kind of material to be used for the cabinet doors, types of fibers to be used or the colors of finishes and paints. When you have taken care of all those things, you will need to look for matching cabinet pulls, or knobs. The types will vary according to applications. Some cabinets have pre-installed knobs, while for others you can make a choice by selecting from the types available in the market. Round in shape, they sit prettily on the doors. You can either use the bolt or the screw to fit them. Some have amazing shapes like the letter C and they can be attached to the cabinet doors with two screws. To open the door, you will simply have to slip your hand through the curve and pull it. In order to know whether you want cabinet knobs or pulls, you will have to find whether there are holes drilled in the cabinets. You can buy hardware which will easily fit into those holes. Or else you will have to employ yourself to the tedious task of drilling those holes before you can fit the hardware. It often becomes difficult for older people to apply enough strength to pull the door knobs to open the cabinets. In that case, you should fix a door pull which is relatively easier to pull. </p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/fixing-the-door-knobs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Designing Your Own Kitchen Cabinets</title>
		<link>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/designing-your-own-kitchen-cabinets/</link>
		<comments>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/designing-your-own-kitchen-cabinets/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jun 2008 09:43:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Design tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kitchenthinking.com/designing-your-own-kitchen-cabinets/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Kitchen cabinets are an essential facet to modern kitchen living, and without them, we?d struggle with the most practical kitchen usages, such as cooking and eating.  Kitchen cabinets are vital to hold crockery and cutlery, as well as to disguise some of the inner workings of the kitchen itself, such as piping for your [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Kitchen cabinets are an essential facet to modern kitchen living, and without them, we?d struggle with the most practical kitchen usages, such as cooking and eating.  Kitchen cabinets are vital to hold crockery and cutlery, as well as to disguise some of the inner workings of the kitchen itself, such as piping for your washing machine and the area underneath your sink.  Lately in graphic design circles, there has been a move towards creating your own kitchen cabinet designs rather than opting for store bought standards, and while this is certainly a more difficult route to take, it does mean there is no limit to the level your creativity can take.</p>
<p>When designing cabinets, there are largely two options ? purchasing door fronts and creating a frame for them, or customising door fronts in order to give a more unique, stylish appearance.  Either way, it is possible to realise savings on the normal retail price of kitchen cabinets, particularly if you intend to invest your own labour time.  What?s more, you can still find cabinet designs that are stylish, pleasing aesthetically and perfect for adding value to your kitchen area.</p>
<p>The construction of the kitchen cabinet frames is fairly straightforward, although there is a degree of flexibility built in to allow you to design and create a framework to your own specifications, where you might consider this to be a more suitable solution.  In essence, a kitchen cabinet is simply an open box shape, although you may like to provide further reinforcement around the hinges and handle, which are often the source of problems for kitchen cabinets as they age.  Again, the choice is yours, although it is probably better to adhere to a more orthodox cabinet framework to ensure it supports all different types and styles of cabinet doors, and is sturdy enough to last over the long term beyond daily use.</p>
<p>Designing your own kitchen cabinets is one thing, but bear in mind you?ll also need to build them, or find someone skilled enough to fulfil the construction on your behalf.  Most DIY enthusiasts following the self-design and self-build model, although this does require some degree of woodworking ability.  Aside from the basic framework, there is also a requirement for additional support at the traditional problem areas to provide more stability.  Provided however you make sure there is some uniformity in the style of the cabinet fronts, the back end construction is less aesthetically relevant and as long as it holds, should suffice for your design needs.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/designing-your-own-kitchen-cabinets/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Kitchen Design Ideas</title>
		<link>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/kitchen-design-ideas/</link>
		<comments>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/kitchen-design-ideas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:02:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Design tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kitchenthinking.com/kitchen-design-ideas/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Kitchen design is very much down to personal taste, but here are a few of our favourite contemporary design styles for you to consider:
&#160;

Farmhouse

Ah, the farmhouse. The smell of warm bread wafting from the oven under the stove, and the sight of the family sitting around a large oak table to enjoy their evening meal. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Kitchen design is very much down to personal taste, but here are a few of our favourite contemporary design styles for you to consider:</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p><em></p>
<p align="left">Farmhouse</p>
<p></em></p>
<p align="left">Ah, the farmhouse. The smell of warm bread wafting from the oven under the stove, and the sight of the family sitting around a large oak table to enjoy their evening meal. Sound like heaven? Farmhouse stylings rely on older items of furniture like solid wooden chairs and chunky tables. Opt for warm colours like yellows and reds to make for a darker, more comfortable room for the family to enjoy. Think large-scale and bold, from your appliances through to your curtain designs, and your farmhouse-style kitchen won&#8217;t go far wrong. Why not try a modern twist on this old concept, with more contemporary styled furniture for a fusion of interior themes?</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p><em></p>
<p align="left">Modern/Minimalist</p>
<p></em></p>
<p align="left">Probably not best for a family kitchen, the modern or minimalist approach to kitchen design will contain very little. Look for expansive work surfaces and cabinets with plenty of storage &#8211; after all, we don&#8217;t want that toaster clogging up the work tops, do we? Try stone flooring, or even simple laminate and keep kitchen appliances out of sight where possible. Plenty of natural light will help, be that through patio doors or a large window, and make sure you use bright spot-bulbs to provide artifical light for evening dining.</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p><em></p>
<p align="left">Practical/Family</p>
<p></em></p>
<p align="left">Practical design isn&#8217;t really a specific theme, but more about a way of life that caters to the needs of your family. It&#8217;s a combination of simplistic style without sacrificing the general idea of a room that suits the needs of any sized family &#8211; particularly where kids are involved! Work surfaces will be easy-wipe and fittings robust enough to deal with the day to day living requirements of your growing family. Don&#8217;t worry about too many interior design features &#8211; there&#8217;ll be plenty time for that when the kids fly the nest! For now, it&#8217;s about minimal mess and maximum utility &#8211; oh, and make sure you avoid light coloured carpeting!</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p><em></p>
<p align="left">Chic</p>
<p></em></p>
<p align="left">Chic design in your kitchen will focus on dark tiling and strong lighting, centred around a number of different focal points and features. Consider dark marble work tops and a similarly themed oven to keep in line with the overall idea. And how about tiled flooring or natural stone to bring out the rustic in your kitchen? Try to stay away from gold fittings and fixtures &#8211; despite your perception, gold doesn&#8217;t necessarily mean quality, and it can end up looking tacky, and ruining the overall look of your room.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/kitchen-design-ideas/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Working With Kitchen Tiles</title>
		<link>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/working-with-kitchen-tiles/</link>
		<comments>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/working-with-kitchen-tiles/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:02:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Installation Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kitchen tiles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kitchenthinking.com/working-with-kitchen-tiles/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Kitchen tiles have long been a staple design feature, and are revered for their versatility and ability to lift the appearance of a room. When done tastefully, tiling can look spectacular and can add value to even the smallest of kitchens. However when done improperly, tiling can look tacky and dated, even if it does [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Kitchen tiles have long been a staple design feature, and are revered for their versatility and ability to lift the appearance of a room. When done tastefully, tiling can look spectacular and can add value to even the smallest of kitchens. However when done improperly, tiling can look tacky and dated, even if it does still provide the same practical benefits as more stylish tile compositions in the kitchen environment.</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p align="left">The first step to better tiling is learning how to work with tiles in order to understand how better to fit the tiles that you do choose for your kitchen.</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p><em></p>
<p align="left">Removing Old Tiles</p>
<p></em></p>
<p align="left">First things first, it&#8217;s time to get down to removing those old tiles. Your aim is to achieve a flat surface on which you can apply the tile adhesive for the next layer of tiles. That means removing as much of the tiling and the old adhesive as possible in order to create the right surface for tiling. With a chisel, strike the centre of the tile and then leverage it off the wall. Start at one corner of the tiling and work your way across. You should find the tiles come off quite easily, and you can start to build up a rhythm in removing them.</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p align="left">A quick tip here &#8211; hang on to a couple of old tiles so you can practice your cutting skills later on. This will be especially handy if you&#8217;re going to tile around power-points or corners, which can be tricky if you&#8217;re inexperienced at cutting through tile!</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p><em></p>
<p align="left">Cutting Tiles</p>
<p></em></p>
<p align="left">Practice, practice, practice &#8211; cutting tiles is difficult, and many a tile has been lost through bad cutting or simple inexperience. Use a tile cutter where possible, and try to score into the back of the tile where you want to cut before going ahead and doing so, to avoid damaging the design. At any rate make sure you buy a few more tiles than you need to avoid running out halfway through, as there will inevitably be some degree of wastage in the process.</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p><em></p>
<p align="left">Grouting</p>
<p></em></p>
<p align="left">Before grouting, tape around the corners of your tiles and use separators in order to distance the tiles correctly from one another. If you do happen to get grout on a particular tile, a warm damp cloth in a sweeping motion will do the trick, and will clean your tile no problem.</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p align="left">For the grouting itself, cut the nozzle of the grout container at a 45 degree angle for best effect, and scrape off any excess with a blade or knife during the process.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/working-with-kitchen-tiles/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Choosing Kitchen Doors</title>
		<link>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/choosing-kitchen-doors/</link>
		<comments>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/choosing-kitchen-doors/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:01:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Buying Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kitchen doors]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kitchenthinking.com/choosing-kitchen-doors/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When it comes to choosing a new door for your kitchen, there are a whole host of considerations that must be taken into account. For the average homeowner, buying a new kitchen door isn&#8217;t an every day experience. In fact, it&#8217;s probably not even an every decade experience. But that doesn&#8217;t mean the decision itself [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="left">When it comes to choosing a new door for your kitchen, there are a whole host of considerations that must be taken into account. For the average homeowner, buying a new kitchen door isn&#8217;t an every day experience. In fact, it&#8217;s probably not even an every decade experience. But that doesn&#8217;t mean the decision itself is an easy one, or one that should be taken in haste. Aside from the obvious aesthetic benefits of any particular door, the door you choose must also be effective at insulating from the cold &#8211; one of the door&#8217;s primary functions once it arrives. Additionally it must be able to fend off fire, rather than to quickly go up in flames, which usually means it will need to be of a thick wood and specially coated to cope.</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p align="left">Aside from that there are a host of other factors that need to be taken into account on what&#8217;s best for your kitchen, including the quality of the workmanship and installation on the door, as well as the weight and locking mechanism involved in any particular model.</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p><em></p>
<p align="left">Kitchen Door Quality</p>
<p></em></p>
<p align="left">Kitchen door quality is a somewhat abstract concept, and one that is almost purely subjective. What one man deems to be a quality fixture might not measure up to the demands of another, and quite a number of buyers simply won&#8217;t care either way. Nevertheless it&#8217;s important to have a checklist of your requirements when looking to buy a new door, which could include some of the following:</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<ul><em></p>
<li>Weight &#8211; heavier doors tend to be better quality and better at insulating, but they are also more difficult to open and can more quickly become stiff.</li>
<p></em><em></p>
<li>Facade &#8211; what is the cladding like on the door? Is it plastic? Do you require a wooden facade, or just a simply carved door?</li>
<p><em></p>
<li>Locking &#8211; does the door have a handle-through lock? Will you need to acquire a separate lock for the door, and will it be easy to fit?</li>
<p></em></p>
<p></em><em></p>
<li>Hinging &#8211; depending on the weight of the door, you may need any number and quality of hinges to support it in the doorframe. The heavier the door, the better quality hinges you&#8217;ll need to buy, as a general rule.</li>
<p><em></p>
<li>Fire Resistance &#8211; particularly important for internal doors, you want to make sure your door is fire resistant enough to prevent the spread of fire and to allow you to leave the property safely in the event of an emergency</li>
<p></em></p>
<p></em></ul>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/choosing-kitchen-doors/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Buying Fitted Kitchens</title>
		<link>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/buying-fitted-kitchens/</link>
		<comments>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/buying-fitted-kitchens/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:00:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Buying Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[buying fitted kitchens]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kitchenthinking.com/buying-fitted-kitchens/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Buying fitted kitchens is a popular alternative to building up your own bits and pieces, and the reason for that is that they often pre-match cabinets and work surfaces, and provide a cohesive and easily identifiable style to any room. Of course they also come with the added advantage that they are fitted for you, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="left">Buying fitted kitchens is a popular alternative to building up your own bits and pieces, and the reason for that is that they often pre-match cabinets and work surfaces, and provide a cohesive and easily identifiable style to any room. Of course they also come with the added advantage that they are fitted for you, but be under no illusions of this being cheap labour. With fitted kitchens often running in to the thousands, even tens of thousands, it&#8217;s important to make sure you know what you&#8217;re buying, when you can expect installation, and what your remedies are should anything go wrong.</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p><em></p>
<p align="left">Installation</p>
<p></em></p>
<p align="left">One of the most attractive points when buying a fitted kitchen is often the fact that the labour is supplied within the price. This can be a handy way to make sure your kitchen is installed correctly in your home and can give you the peace of mind to know that whilst you may be working or have other commitments, you&#8217;re kitchen is being taken care of by professionals.</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p align="left">Unfortunately the major downside is that this kind of labour is incredibly expensive. In fact, most fitted kitchens themselves would cost a fraction were it not for the labour, which is marked up by the kitchen retailer to provide a handsome profit. A more cost effective way to do a kitchen, if you have the time, skills and inclination is to do it yourself. Cabinets and work surfaces can all be bought from kitchenware retailers for much less than you would expect, and where you can physically put in the labour, you might just end up saving several thousand that would otherwise have gone into workman&#8217;s wages and the retailer&#8217;s margin.</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p><em></p>
<p align="left">Checking For Quality</p>
<p></em></p>
<p align="left">Quality is an easy way for manufacturers to save money. It is often reported that fitted kitchens are made of cheap woods, or are thrown together with shoddy handles. Indeed the finish in the showroom may not be of the same quality as that you can expect in your home. That means it&#8217;s important to look beyond the initial idea of what your kitchen will look like to actually inspect the wood and workmanship in the showroom. Don&#8217;t be afraid to ask if this is likely to be reflective of the standard you can expect in your own home &#8211; after all, you will be spending a substantial amount of money, so you may as well get things just right.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.kitchenthinking.com/buying-fitted-kitchens/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
