28 - Friday, December 4, 1987 - North Shore News A good kitchen helps im selling AS NEW home prices continue to climb, buyers are becoming more discriminating. One of the most important fac- tors in determining a sale is the condition of the kitchen, report industry experts. Good kitchens help sell house. ; What constitutes a good kitch- en? Contemporary kitchens should include not only an area for cook- ing, but space for conversation, as well. It might also include an alcove for a television and desk for a home computer. In short, the social, entertain- ment and organizational needs — as well us the sustenance needs — of today’s family can be met in the kitchen. In light of these trends, experts recommend that new home buyers consider the following features when looking for a new home: @ Adequate Counter Space — The basic requirement is at least 24 inches of space on either side of the sink and 12 to 18 inches on each side of the range. One common omission is an isolated refrigerator with no adja- cent counter space. The need for janding space next to the handle- side of the refrigerator is essential when taking out more than .one item at a time. «Ample Storage — Customers are acutely aware of the options available in slide-out pantries, roll-out drawers, cutlery dividers, tilt-out sink fronts and trash bins and a myriad of other built-in storage aids. They are asking about these features when it comes time to buy or remodel. The buyer should certainly look for these features, or consider in- stalling them at a later date. Even more basic, cabinets should be positioned at point of first or last use. ‘There should be storage for dishes near the table or t the dishwasher, drawers for utensils near the range, and shelves for canned food near the food preparation area. It’s not enough to have adequate storage. Storage areas must be strategically placed, as well. ® Adequate Ventilation — This is especially important in open- plan houses, where the barriers be- tween kitchen and the rest of the home are minimal. This great room concept de- mands adequate venting of smoke, grease and odors to the outside. Range hoods may or may not be sufficient to do the job, and the builder may wish to consider an additional fan and blower. ® Safety Considerations — This can be as basic as developing a traffic pattern that does not in- terfere with the work triangle. The fewer the number of people who enter the work triangle, the fess chance there is for an accident to occur. The reality is that, in many kitchens, cross-traffic is inevitable. In these cases, at least the range- to-sink path should be uninter- rupted by other household traffic, — since that is the area where grease spills, steaming pots and other | hazards are most likely to occur. Other safety considerations in - the kitchen should include avoidance of sharp corners on islands, which: are usually eye-level with children and hip-level with adults. Microwave ovens should be placed no higher than eye level. If they're any higher, the removal of cooked foods takes place with arms raised above the head at their weakest point. 'e Adequate Clearance Spaces — For safety, comfort and efficiency, ample clearance should be allowed for opening the oven, refrigerator, dishwasher and cabinet doors, us- ing the appliances, passing behind \/ From 6” to 31” tall Planters from Thailand ... Choose from exotic dragon jars to traditional planters. Available in assorted shapes and sizes to suit your budget. PLUS! See our new quality rattan wicker baskets. North Shore Wicker 1229 Welch Street, North. Van 988-4108 the house seated diners and passing other family members in the kitchen. For example, for easy access, a dishwasher requires 42 inches from the front of the unit to the surface opposite it. An additional 20 inches of space next to the dishwasher is required for loading and unloading. A common mistake is to install the unit adjacent to a corner-angled sink or at a right angle to the sink, ignoring the 20-inch requirement. The user cannot stand at the sink or near dish storage to load and unload. © Appliance Placement — In most families, the refrigerator is the most-often used appliance. Manufacturers have responded by creating refrigerators that place sought-after items -- beverages and ice, for example — within easy reach. Special compartments make beverages accessible without open- ing the refrigerator door. In-door ice makers eliminate the need to open the freezer. See Place Pege 29 = | a a | Hh ill i i | HERITAGE WATERBED SALES SERVICE CENTRE cal 995 West Ist St., 3 4 MARINE DA A = 985-8081 vas cg /neypeche we, 4 ner ENERGY SAVING, North Van. 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