Thursday, July 6, 2006

Anyone thinking of remodeling a kitchen might want to check out the August issue of Consumer Reports, in which the no-ads, no-fluff magazine ranks appliances, flooring and countertops based on its independent testing. Even more helpful might be the accompanying feature, "The Five Worst Kitchen Design Goofs" -- choices that stand in the way of an efficient kitchen. They are:

-- An island that's too big. Anything larger than 4 feet deep or 10 feet long is hard to use or clean.

-- Not enough cabinets, and they're in the wrong place. Also, pull-out shelves, built-in dividers and Lazy Susans should be used more often to capture wasted space.

-- Insufficient ventilation over the range or cooktop. Good ventilation improves air quality and helps reduce heat and odors inside the house.

-- Not enough light. No matter how bright the overhead lights, don't forget under-cabinet lighting to shine on the counters.

-- Forgetting the trash. Best placement is in a cabinet on one side of the sink with a dishwasher on the other side.