Galley kitchens are a common feature in many smaller homes. This type of layout is designed to put everything within easy reach and take up as little square footage as possible. However, a narrow kitchen is the bane of existence for couples who love to cook together. Even with the recommended 48” walkway for a two person work area, you will find yourself bumping into one another. If you are holding a knife or a pot of boiling water when this happens, it can spell the end of a happy relationship.

Is there is an adjoining wall separating your kitchen from a living area? Take it down - assuming it isn’t a load bearing wall. Relocate the appliances to one side of the new, larger area to form an L shaped layout. Or, if your dining room is larger than your kitchen, simply swap rooms. Both of these remodeling options will require rewiring and plumbing updates, but you can incorporate your existing appliances into the new layout.

Upgrading Offers Decent ROI

Sometimes, homeowners use a kitchen remodel (including new, energy efficient appliances) as a way to increase the resale value of their home. According to the 2008-2009 Cost versus Value report, most of the cost of this type of major remodeling job can be recaptured during a sale. Of course, this varies depending on the condition of the real estate market in your area. Whatever your reasons for upgrading your kitchen, you can’t go wrong with more space and better appliances.

Nothing starts off a chilly winter morning like a hot pot of coffee. But, what do you have to go through to reach it? If your trek takes you barefoot across ceramic tiles in your kitchen, you will appreciate the ingenuity of under-floor heating. This idea dates back to the era of the Roman Empire (the same civilization that invented indoor plumbing). These days, you have two options for keeping your toes toasty - electric and hydronic.

Electric

This type of radiant heating system generally features cables fixed in a looping pattern on a mesh backing. Some manufacturers recommend placing a cork layer or other insulator between your concrete foundation and the heating system for greater energy efficiency. The cable matting is laid down over this substrate and affixed firmly to it. Thinset mortar is poured and leveled as usual (taking care not to damage the underlying electrical system). Finally, the tile is laid down, grouted, and sealed.

An electrical floor heating system can also be used under stone, marble, or wood flooring. Some manufacturers make a product that is simple enough for a DIY job. However, you will want a licensed electrician to handle connecting the heating system to your house’s wiring.

Hydronic

A hydronic system runs heated water through metal pipes to achieve a radiant heating effect. This application is not limited to kitchens and bathrooms but can be used throughout the house as a substitute for traditional central heating. Some products feature piping laid down in grooves cut in aluminum coated wood panels. This increases the efficiency of heating compared to pipes set in gypsum concrete. Carpet as well as hard flooring surfaces can be installed over these floor boards.

Your kitchen is the one room in your home where you probably make the most mess. Hot grease spatters from frying pans, mashed potatoes spin off the mixer beaters, and water splashes out of the sink when you are washing dishes. This means moisture resistant, easy to clean surfaces are a must.  Paint doesn’t react well to constant scrubbing, so it isn’t the best finish for this area. This is one reason backsplashes are often used as an alternative to painted surfaces in kitchens.

Installing a kitchen backsplash is a fairly simple DIY project that can spruce up the area behind your stovetop/sink or above all your countertops. Here are a few materials and design ideas to consider:

Stainless Steel

Brushed stainless steel is long lasting and attractive. You can purchase it in sheets that are flat or embossed. This material is easy to install - use a construction adhesive to glue it in place. Add a decorative molding around the edges or just caulk them. Wipe down stainless steel with a damp cloth and a gentle detergent to remove food splatters.

Decorative Tile

This is the most versatile option for your kitchen backsplash. Match the tile to your flooring or any other feature/decoration in the room. You can create a geometric pattern using tiles of different sizes or colors. Or, you might prefer a mural of fruit or a Tuscan countryside. It is important to measure and place the tiles carefully or you will end up with a crooked design. The grout will need to be well sealed (and cleaned frequently) to prevent staining.

Smooth Stone

If your kitchen countertops are high quality granite, you may want to simply continue this effect up the wall for a seamless backsplash effect. You can also top a low granite backsplash with marble tiles for a sophisticated accented look.

It’s very important to get organized.  It creates more space in your living area as well as leaves you with a feeling of accomplishment.  The need to get things in their place seems to run wildly around this time of year since a new beginning is just around the corner, being that it will be a new year and all.

The first step to organization is visualizing a space to look the way you want to see it as the end result.  This will help you get started.  Maybe you have a closet with so many clothes in it, you don’t end up wearing anything but the same 5-7 outfits day in and day out because you don’t realize some of the other options you have available.  Perhaps you have a laundry room that has become a collect-all area.  First things first, look at the space the way it is disfunctioning now and envision how you would like it to function in the future.

A good rule of thumb is “if you haven’t used it in the past year, throw it out!”  This may not always be true of everything.   There may be a plumbing snake packed away in your attic that you really needed when the toilet got backed up a couple of years ago.  You may not have used it since but the chances that a drain or two will again get clogged in your lifetime warrant keeping that plumbing snake around.  Plan on storing it in a garage on a top shelf somewhere or in a corner.  Don’t forget where you put it though, otherwise you could find yourself running out to the hardware store unnecessarily someday to purchase another.

So pick a space to tackle be it a garage or a closet or an entire room.  Focus on that one space for now.  A lot of times folks get so into organizing that they try to take on too many projects at a time.  This will undoubtedly leave your home in a state of disarray.  Decide if you will be taking the items that are to be gotten rid of to a local charity or if you will try to resell them.  I generally go for the charity option.  It’s great to see your old junk being put to good use by someone that really needs it.  If you decide to resell I would say try to take the online approach with this.  Use a service such as Craigslist or Ebay.  Have a digital camera on hand so that you can document these items to catalog online later.

Next, enlist help!  Going through old goods is always more fun and much quicker and easier to do with friends or family.  It can really make for a fun event.  Also if this person does not live with you they may find that some of your old belongings could be put to good use in their home.  This will save you time and energy when it comes to getting rid of the items.

Then you will want to get a large box or a few garbage bags ready.  Start going through the items one by one and separating them into groups of things to be kept or given away.  I suggest moving all items out of the space temporarily even if they will be held onto.  This way you will have a completely empty space to return them to when you are finished.  This will enable you to recreate the space and make it “new” compared to the way it may have previously been set up.  You may find that that some of the kept items don’t belong in this space after all and they may be better stored elsewhere.

Finally, recreate the space.  In order to do this you may need to make some changes.  You might see once it is cleared out that you need more cupboards in a kitchen in order to properly and neatly store items, or you may find that a closet, garage or utility room needs more shelving options.  If this is the case rectify this situation by having the items needed installed or purchased.  Bins and tubs make storage easier as well.  You can mark on the outside of them with a Sharpie marker for easier location later.  For example you may have a bin marked “Winter Clothes, Christmas Decorations,” etc.

Now that you have refurbished this space it will become more functional and you can rest assured that you will now be easier able to find those items that had all been lost in the midst before.