Editors of CPi - The complete guide to kitchens

KITCHENS

Do-It-Yourself and Save

3rd Edition

Design & Planning

Quick Updates

Custom Cabinetry

Remodeling Projects On Budget

Copyright 2009
Creative Publishing international, Inc.
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
1-800-328-0590
www.creativepub.com
All rights reserved

Printed in China

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Digital edition: 978-1-61673-395-7

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

The complete guide to kitchens : with DVD : do-it-yourself and save, design & planning, quick updates, custom cabinetry, major remodeling projects. -- 3rd edl.
p. cm.
At head of title: Black & Decker.
Includes index.
Summary: Includes information on installing and updating all areas of a kitchen, including cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting and appliances--Provided by publisher.
ISBN-13: 978-1-58923-480-2 (soft cover)
ISBN-10: 1-58923-480-4 (soft cover)
1. Kitchens--Remodeling--Amateurs manuals. I. Title.

TH4816.3.K58C655 2009
643.3--dc22

2009020710

President/CEO: Ken Fund
VP for Sales & Marketing: Kevin Hamric

Home Improvement Group

Publisher: Bryan Trandem
Managing Editor: Tracy Stanley
Senior Editor: Mark Johanson
Editor: Jennifer Gehlhar

Creative Director: Michele Lanci-Altomare
Senior Design Managers: Brad Springer, Jon Simpson
Design Manager: James Kegley

Lead Photographer: Joel Schnell
Photo Coordinator: Cesar Fernandez Rodriquez
Production Managers: Linda Halls, Laura Hokkanen

Contributing Writer: Karen Ruth
Page Layout Artist: Shanda Nelson
Shop Help: Charles Boldt

Cover Photography Credit: Todd Caverly

The Complete Guide to Kitchens
Created by: The Editors of Creative Publishing international, Inc. in cooperation with Black & Decker.
Black & Decker is a trademark of The Black & Decker Corporation and is used under license.

NOTICE TO READERS

For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following the procedures described in this book. The Publisher and Black & Decker cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided.

The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various applications. In some instances, additional techniques not shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufacturers instructions included with products, since deviating from the directions may void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required: some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help.

Consult your local Building Department for information on building permits, codes, and other laws as they apply to your project.

In recent years, kitchens have received an enormous amount of attention from high-end design magazines, television home dcor shows, and even manufacturers of expensive appliances. Without question, the trendsetters in the industry have concocted some amazing rooms with jaw-dropping features. In fact, the kitchens we see featured in most media today are primarily room sets built purely to showcase an impressive style rather than pleasing, efficient rooms from which we feed our families and carry on those kitchen table discussions politicians are always talking about. Thats okay: everyone loves to dream about surrounding themselves with beauty, opulence, and state-of-the-art living accessories. But if, like most of us, your goal is to find a few practical ways to make your kitchen better meet your needs (and maybe show off just a little bit), then you need a guide that features rooms that look something like your house. The Complete Guide to Kitchens is exactly that kind of book.

In this freshly updated edition, we show you dozens of instant-payback projects that make your kitchen brighter and easier to usefrom painting the walls to updating the lighting, childproofing cabinets and appliances, or installing pull-out shelves to convert a broom closet into an efficient pantry. We also cover some more involved kitchen improvements, such as installing all-new cabinets and countertops or replacing the flooring. These are all projects that can be done by most do-it-yourselfers with moderate skills. And for the most part they require more elbow grease than capital. Because so much activity in kitchens centers around major household appliances, we show you how to hook up and maintain your refrigerator, stove, icemaker, water filter, and more. By doing it yourself you can save money, but youll also build the skills to be prepared for an appliance emergency. Plus, you can do the work on your own scheduleno setting aside a full day just so you can wait for a delivery or a repair call. For the truly ambitious homeowner who has more advanced carpentry skills, we even show you how to build your own custom cabinets yourselfthe ultimate luxury you can afford. The Complete Guide to Kitchens reflects the most current design thinking on relevant issues that matter today. Throughout this book, youll find pointers about eco-friendly options, shopping tips to clue you in on features to look for, and notes on Universal Design, which creates accessibility for a wide range of people. After all, if your kitchen doesnt meet your needs, it doesnt workno matter how fancy it may look. The kitchen is the most frequently remodeled room in the house. From modest makeovers to down-to-the-studs re-dos, planning and know-how are the variables that make the difference between creating a kitchen that really meets your long-term needs versus one that youll be remodeling again in a couple of years. The Complete Guide to Kitchens is the best tool youll buy to ensure that your kitchen project has real staying power.

The initial step for any home improvement project is to assess the space you already have and to develop a firm concept for the ideal appearance and function. Although most of us have a fair idea which styles (traditional, contemporary, etc.) we generally gravitate toward, todays vast selection of materials, appliances, and upgrades has complicated the process of choosing products and materials. With so many customizable optionsfrom cabinet hardware to floor tilesthe possibilities can seem endless. Whether youre looking for a dramatic transformation or simply an easy update, however, you should consider these vast selections to be opportunities for making your kitchen project a successperhaps in ways you hadnt imagined.