When choosing a microwave oven, there are four things to consider: capacity, wattage, reliability, and looks. Different families require different combinations. Capacity If you’re serious about a performance kitchen, you need capacity. The largest capacity microwave ovens have a capacity of just over 2 cubic feet. These ovens are larger, so make sure that you either have a good spot

There are two main considerations with sinks - number of bowls and material. Double bowl sinks are the most common, but some companies now offer three bowl options. Separate bowls are very accommodating for cleaning while cooking. You can select the bowl sizes based on your personal preferences. A large single bowl is always a better option than a double

When selecting a dishwasher, you first need to determine your needs. Probably a family of five is going to need a larger-capacity dishwasher than a couple of empty-nesters. You have three considerations other than size; noise, water usage and energy efficiency. The more insulated the model, the quieter it will run. Some newer models use less than five gallons of

Refrigeration is no longer a question of which refrigerator do you need. It can also be how many refrigerators do you want. If you’re a traditionalist and you only want one refrigeration unit, then the decision is either side-by-sides, or freezer above or on bottom. The drawback with a side-by-side is that bulky items are hard to store.   The

Oh, the accessories available today. If you’ve ever thought, “It sure would be nice to have. . .” you can probably get it. Gotta have it items include burners that pop out to accommodate slide in steamers, deep-fryers, griddles, and grills.   With all these choices, you can customize a cooktop based on the way you want to cook. You

Like it or not, if you cook meals at home you spend a lot of time in the kitchen. And if you’re like most people its just one of the many things that you have to do in a day’s work. For this reason, you want a kitchen that is designed to function well. And as long as you’re taking

Toilets, or water closets as they were first called, have been steadily improving since their general acceptance in the mid 1800’s. By the 1940’s the toilet had taken on the general look and function that we’re all familiar with. By the end of the 20th century, the “jet flush” toilet had become more popular in higher-end homes. The pressurized flush

The bathroom, once designed with only function in mind, is now elevated to the level of a sanctuary. Sinks, hardware, antique cabinets, showers with body sprays, jet-flush toilets, and claw-footed tubs are commonplace. And new water heating methods and water conservation techniques add to the design elements. Laundry rooms have also grown up. In this section, we’ll look at what’s