Today's kitchens are more than places to cook and eat meals.  They are homework centers, playrooms, entertainment lounges and home offices.  The kitchen really is the heart of the house, so many people make kitchen remodeling the first step to home renovations.

Before you begin your remodeling project, make sure that you secondary place to prepare meals.  You'll need a location that has convenient access to water.  Ideally, you will be able to use your existing stove and refrigerator.  If not, make sure that you have ample coolers on hand, as well as an electric kettle, hot plate, toaster oven and microwave.  If the weather cooperates, you can also make good use of your barbecue at renovation time.

There are some common mistakes that must be avoided when taking on a kitchen remodeling job:

1. Wall damage:  Be careful not to destroy the kitchen walls when you're removing old cabinets.  See if you can replace the cabinetry without taking down the existing braces.

2. Floor, countertop and cabinet damage:  protect the surfaces that will be reused.  Use drop cloths to cover your cabinets and countertops.  A serious renovation, like replacing a wall, can really do a number on your floors.  It can be worth the effort to lay a protective layer of plywood over your kitchen floor.

3. Be sure to shut off the utilities before you begin working.  Pulling a fuse, flipping a circuit breaker or shutting a valve under the sink might not be enough.  Always put your safety first and if possible, shut off the water and electricity supply completely while you are working.

4. Protect against debris.  Even though you're renovating in the kitchen, you can be sure that dust from sanding and tiling will find it's way through the entire house.  Use plastic sheeting to cover doorways to adjoining rooms, and seal air vents to contain the mess.  Ventilation is important, however, so be sure to leave the kitchen windows and outside door open.

5. Know your time limit.  Don't underestimate the time it will take to complete the project.  For example, starting to remodel your kitchen two weeks before Christmas is probably not a great idea.  The last thing you want to do is to botch the job by racing to meet a deadline.

Before you roll up your sleeves and get to work, make sure that you and your kitchen are fully prepared:

*  Pack up everything that will not be used in your temporary kitchen area. Label the boxes clearly and store them away.

*  Remove everything that isn't nailed down.  Drawers, spice racks, appliances, lazy susans, wall clocks and ornaments should all be removed and packed away or put aside.  Everything remaining in place should be protected against dirt and damage.

*  Make arrangements for the refuse removal.  You can plan to have a lot of debris if you are replacing walls, cabinets, countertops or flooring.  Have a truck on hand, or rent a dumpster if you're planning a major kitchen overhaul.  Keep in mind that some of your old materials may still be useable.  Cabinets can be relocated to the garage or laundry room, and there are charity organizations that will happily take the materials off of your hands.  Whatever you decide, it's important that you have a place to stash the stuff as soon as it is removed from the kitchen.

*  Turn off the gas and water before removing major appliances.  There are usually individual shutoff valves for plumbing and water, but it can be worth your while to turn off the main valve.  Look near your gas meter for the main gas shutoff valve.  Remember that you'll need to relight all of the pilot lights once your gas your gas has been shut off at the source.  Skip this step and you'll find yourself taking a cold shower at the end of a hard day's work.

*  Disconnect electrical circuits to the renovation area.  The wiring systems in many older homes have likely been modified over the years, so it's not always clear which circuits or fuses control particular areas.  This is one area where you cannot afford to make a mistake.  If you're not sure, call a qualified electrician for help, or turn off the main power to the house while you're working.  Tape over breakers to make sure they're not switched back on inadvertently.

*  If you plan on upgrading your electrical system and adding new outlets and fixtures, you will have to dismantle all of the existing outlets and fixtures.  First, remove all of the light bulbs.  Dismantle each fixture by unscrewing the cover plate and pulling the receptacle out of the box, carefully detaching the wires.  Any exposed wires should be capped until you are ready to install the new fixtures.  The bare copper wire is the ground, and does not need to be capped.  Electricity is a very dangerous area, and there is no room for error.  If you're not exactly sure how to replace electrical fixtures, invest in the services of a licensed electrician.

Kitchen remodeling is a lot of work, but the results can be spectacular.  Most families use the kitchen for learning, socializing and playing as well as for cooking and eating, so the time and effort you put in to the renovations will surely pay for themselves in so many ways.