Kitchen and Home Design Ideas — Kitchen Design

Truly the epicenter of the home, today’s kitchen reigns supreme as a bustling, multi-purpose space, and the all-important kitchen island is command central. Prep station, storage area, dining table, socializing hub, and homework central – a kitchen island can be all these things and more. There’s seemingly no end to what an island can do, and there’s no shortage of styles either. Here’s a look at a range of unique island styles to inspire your kitchen design dreams and make your home rum more efficiently. There's no lack of work surface or storage in this grand, Mediterranean style kitchen island. Plus, extra countertop...

 Photo: Pinterest When it’s time to sell, a few key improvements, such as adding a granite countertop, can really increase your listing price. These strategic home improvement ideas can help add value to your home. Pop quiz: Would you rather buy a home with 1990s laminate countertops or pristine marble? It seems like an easy “A,” yet many home sellers are so immune to pre-existing (read: old) features in their homes that they can’t understand why buyers can’t see past them too. But even if you aren’t ready to list your home just yet, a few smart changes can make...

What better reason to throw a soirée than to celebrate the return of summer? Now that the dormant winter months have waned, your backyard is full of life again and presents itself as the picture-perfect backdrop for a party. Prepare for a season worth celebrating by arranging your own outdoor entertaining area. You’ll be ready to party in no time. Positioning and Foundation.  Photo: Houzz Start by assessing your outdoor space, deck, or patio to determine the best location for your setup. Although you can position furniture differently for each event, start with a spot that provides plenty of room...

Kitchen counters serve as more than places to store appliances. You prepare food, wash dishes and perform other duties at the counter and its height makes a big difference in your ergonomic comfort. Standard heights have been adopted for the different countertop surfaces in the kitchen but your personal preferences and needs may make alternative measurements preferable. Some builders will create the bar or island from cabinetry and top it with a countertop. Building a knee wall (some call it a pony wall)-- a short wall made from dimensional lumber -- is more affordable and looks just as good.      ...