Showing posts with label Kitchen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kitchen. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Various Choices of Kitchen Flooring

Paying attention to the type of kitchen flooring that you install in your kitchen might be one of the most effective ways to make your kitchen look more attractive and comfortable. Kitchen is one of the most essential parts of your house. You might need to spend a large amount of time in your kitchen to prepare meals for your family. Since you might spend a large amount of time in the kitchen, you might need to create a kitchen with attractive design so that you could feel more comfortable. There are various things that you could do to make your kitchen look more beautiful from choosing the right kitchen countertops to applying nice color scheme on the kitchen wall. One of the most effective ways that you could do to make your kitchen look more attractive is by installing the right type of flooring on your kitchen.

Basically, there are various types of flooring that you could chose for your kitchen these days. Before you decide to install kitchen flooring, there are several important details that you might need to consider so that you could get the best results. First, you might need to consider the style of your kitchen. The style of your kitchen will determine which type of flooring that you should install on your kitchen. The next thing that you need to consider is the color scheme that you use on kitchen walls. The color scheme that is used on kitchen walls will determine the color scheme of flooring that you should install on your kitchen. You also need to consider which type of flooring that you should choose for your kitchen as well based on the traffic on the kitchen. Last but not least, consider the type of material that is used on the flooring and the price of the flooring before you decide to install it on your kitchen.

One of the most popular types of flooring that you could choose for your kitchen these days is tiles. There are various types of tiles that you could choose for your kitchen from stone tiles to wood tiles. Stone tiles might make your kitchen look more elegant while wood tiles might enhance the warm feeling in your kitchen. If your kitchen uses eco-friendly design, cork floor is the type of flooring that you should choose. When you have limited budget, linoleum is the type of flooring that is suitable for your kitchen since this type of flooring has quite affordable price compared to other types of kitchen flooring.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Choose the Right Kitchen Flooring

One of the most important aspects that you might need to consider when designing or decorating your kitchen is kitchen flooring. Just like flooring for other rooms, flooring for kitchen is available in various choices of types and styles. Choosing the right flooring for your kitchen is not only will make your kitchen look more attractive but also will make it more comfortable as well. When choosing flooring for your kitchen, there are several aspects that you might need to consider such as the design of your kitchen and the types of activity that you do in your kitchen. You also need to consider the traffic in your kitchen as well. One of the most common types of flooring that are used for kitchen is tiles. Tiles are also considered as one of the most popular types of flooring these days since this type of flooring is available in various choices of sizes and styles.

When you want to use tiles flooring for kitchen, the first thing that you should consider is which size of tiles that you should choose. The thickness of tiles may also vary as well. Several common tiles sizes are including four, six, and twelve inches square. Tiles are also considered as the type of kitchen flooring that is available in various choices of colors and textures. Tiles are the type of flooring with good durability. Some tiles might also scratch and stains resistant as well. However, the installation of this flooring might be a little bit complicated. You might need to know how to install tiles properly so that you could get the best results. Besides tiles, other type of flooring that is commonly used for kitchen is wood flooring. Installing hardwood flooring on your kitchen will give the kitchen warm feel. Hardwood flooring is very suitable for kitchen that came with antique or vintage interior design style.

Natural stone is also a great choice of flooring for kitchen, especially if you want to make your kitchen look more elegant and stylish. Travertine, granite, and marble are several types of stone flooring that are commonly used for kitchen these days. Stone flooring has great durability and might offer great visual quality as well. However, stone tiles might also stain easily as well. To prevent the stain and add shiny finish that could enhance the color of natural stone, you could seal this type of flooring. The last type of flooring that is commonly used for kitchen these days is vinyl flooring. This type of kitchen flooring came with quite affordable price and has good appearance as well.

Monday, January 19, 2015

How to Clean Old Kitchen Cabinet

Kitchen cabinet is one of the most important furniture pieces in a kitchen. The cabinet is where you store your food supplies and utensils. The cabinet helps a kitchen look more organized because it has many pieces and things in your kitchen. However, cabinets that are used for many years usually look old and outdated. While cabinet is one of the most important features in a kitchen, leaving it outdated will not be a good idea. One of the reasons why cabinet look old and outdated is because the cabinet surfaces are covered with dirt and grease accumulated. If the cabinets cleaned regularly, you will not find it that uninteresting.

Cleaning your kitchen cabinet should be included in your regular routine because the cabinet is used daily in your kitchen. Every day it gets grease and dirt in the surfaces. If the cabinet is not cleaned regularly, this will create a buildup of grease and dirt. Cleaning a cabinet is easy. You can simply use a cleaning solution for cleaning the cabinet. Dishwashing liquid can be used to clean cabinet or you can also use house-cleaning solution. The cleaning solution use for cleaning the cabinets depends on what material the cabinet is. If this is made of wood, you need to use a cleaner that is made for cleaning wood items. Instead of commercial cleaner, a mixture of water and vinegar is also a good option for cleaning your cabinets.

Before cleaning your cabinets, make sure that the cabinets are empty. Strip the lining of the shelf if your cabinet is old enough. Remove any cobwebs and dusts by vacuuming or brushing. Remove the handles of the cabinet because they usually contain dirt and grime buildup. Use a sponge and cleaner to wipe the handles and use a toothbrush or a cotton swab for the narrow spaces in the handles to make sure that the handles are well cleaned. After the handles, the doors and the cabinets should be wiped as well. If you find stubborn dirt or stains in the doors or cabinets, use a strong cleaner containing mineral spirits. As the alternative, you can also use a mixture of baking soda and water to be made into paste. If these two cleaners cannot remove the old stains, you can consider using paint thinner. Make sure that you use the thinner following the directions by the manufacturer and you are working in a room that is free from open flames. Wipe any residue of the thinner from the cabinet with clean water to make sure there is no thinner left in your kitchen cabinet.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Organizing Kitchen Cabinets

It is important for us to organize the kitchen cabinets. We understand that when we have too little space and too much stuff, or too little space and too much stuff can bring us some problem if we need to organize the cabinet. Whether we are acquiring supplies or cleaning out clutter, both approaches require time, prudence and patience. Set-aside a half-hour to clean, sort and restock each of the cabinets and we will soon be using a kitchen that is a testament to organization.


- Dish it out
This is the first thing to do. We need to remove everything, dust the shelves on the cabinets and do not forget to clean the doors. We also need to carefully examine the condition of each food, especially the expiration date, and do not forget to look for any cracks in the glassware or chips on dishes. Create piles of items we will restock, recycled, thrown out or donated.

- In the scheme of things
Whether we are organizing new kitchen cabinets or juts reorganizing the old ones, we have to determine a scheme that works best for us and our family. Designate each of the cabinets for a specific need. Stack dishes, plates and glasses in the upper side of the cabinets and carefully store pans, pots and cookie sheets in the lower side. Take care to store similar items in one location, such as plastic, metal and glass food containers.

- How it all stacks up
We must understand that some kitchen tools are bulky. Bundt grill presses, pans and slow cookers need designated spots. Stack as many as possible and invest kitchen accessories that are easier to organize. It is good to use metal or plastic pantry shelves because it allows us to make to tiers of canned goods.

- Everything but the sink
Kitchen is a home to a countless tools and ingredients that may not be used every time but are called upon with enough frequency that it deserves its own special nooks. For example, spices should be replaced regularly then putted in its original containers in a special bin or in containers purchased as part of spice rack storage system. Take our often-used utensils out of the cabinets and stash it in a pottery crock or other vessels on the countertop. Maybe, we need to equip the doors of the lower cabinets with hangers for dish towels or potholders. Moreover, we are free to use our creativity to improve the looks of the kitchen cabinets.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Simple Kitchen Improvement Ideas with No Worries About Budget

Many homeowners feel hesitated to do the kitchen improvement though they are really enthusiast as well to immediately start the job. There are two main reasons why. First, they have no idea what to do. Second, they are not confident with the budget. Regardless the size of this cooking area, the number of activities done in the kitchen determines the room layout. Even if you do not have many utensils, the appliances and furniture may have taken much space.


There are many ideas to improve the kitchen, both its look and function. If you have small cooking space, it is worth to invest on more functional stuff made in compact designs. Otherwise, if your kitchen is larger, you can add new appliances or devices. However, the next purchasing is not the only option. You have more affordable kitchen improvement ideas like the following:
  • Change the countertop. You can find varied materials available in the market to simply replace the existing top. Laminate option costs cheap, while granite is quite more popular because it is durable and able to handle the hot pan. Natural stone like quartz won’t go wrong too, if you feel no hesitation to break your wallet. You can choose the more affordable option, i.e. Ceramic tiles. Among of them, choose the best one that matches with the existing walls.
  • Makeover the mechanical appliances. It is time to have the energy star rated appliances. You will be able to cut the electricity bills. You can put more attention to the lighting too as it plays the role in creating the mood.
  • Re-face the cabinets. Furniture replacement is one of the high cost room improvement ideas. If you are hesitated with the budget, you can just renew the paint. You are able to have the same color or play with more choices to create the fresh charm. Do not have much time? Wallpapers are your best alternative. Make sure to get the cabinet completely cleaned and fixed before the refacing.
  • Create more entertaining focal point on the windows. Dress up the kitchen windows with swags. Choose the patterns and styles you love. Adding ball chains is also useful to catch more attention.
A modern kitchen with complete cooking tools that are ready to use and neatly stored is dreamed by many homeowners. However, this dream is also high cost investment. You can start to consider the basic needs and work with what you already have to make the kitchen improvement ideas become budget friendly.

Monday, August 25, 2014

10 Simple Ways to Redesign Your Kitchen on a Budget

Money is tight and you want to update your kitchen. Perhaps the flooring has not been changed in 20 years, or maybe you have wall paper that is better suited for your grandmother. Giving your kitchen a face lift does not have to break your bank account, or even send you soaring into a downward spiral of bankruptcy! With a little creativity and adventurous hunting, you can reinvent your kitchen into the one you have always wanted and not go broke trying.


1. Set out on a journey to find reclaimed materials for your floors. Wood floors are a must these days, and more so if you ever plan to sell your house. Wood panels found at home improvement centers and floor showrooms are very expensive, and it could even take weeks to get the floor boards once you get the correct measurements and place the order. With a quick search online, you can find companies who specialize in reclaimed building materials and they would be more than willing to sell you flooring for cheap! Reclaimed wood comes from numerous sources, such as old torn down barns, or even buildings, and can provide you with a very unique kitchen floor for a very little investment.

2. Give it a fresh coat of paint! Just about any space will look new again when you refresh the paint on the walls. White will open up a small kitchen and make it look bigger than it really is. Red and yellow are colors that make people hungry, so these are perfect choices for a kitchen setting where you want to invite people in to cook and dine with you.

3. Add some color to your kitchen by displaying fresh fruit and other foods. Food is one of the most inexpensive ways to add color to your kitchen and you can change these colors frequently to suit your needs at any given time. Try displaying a big bowl of fruit on the counter, or arrange some of your spices in nice clear jars throughout your kitchen.

4. Update the hardware. Door hardware is cheap at most home improvement centers and can quickly make your kitchen cupboards look fantastic once again. You can choose from traditional or modern hardware and this little touch will give your kitchen a fresh look.

5. Lighting is your best friend! Proper lighting will make your kitchen inviting to family, friends, and guests. You can find very budget friendly lights at your local thrift stores, home improvement centers, or even online for a discount. Take a look through the clearance aisles and you will be amazed at the deals you can get. Whether you are looking for hanging lights, or something that is recessed, lighting does not have to break your bank account and can have a remarkable effect on the way your kitchen appears.

6. Make your kitchen look organic with fresh herb gardens and greenery. If you have a kitchen window, try growing your own herb garden or add some potted plants in colorful containers. Not only will you reap the rewards of cleaner air from the fresh plants, but you will also have fresh herbs on hand to cook with.

7. Display your cookware. Racks for decorative pots and pans can be mounted to your ceilings or walls, and will give your kitchen an industrial feel. Choose cookware that will compliment your kitchen scheme and display it for the world to see. You will never have to dig through your cupboards looking for a sauce pan again!

8. Install glass front doors on you cupboards. These doors are great for showcasing your serveware and can be found, or custom made, much cheaper than replacing the entire cupboard. When you install glass front doors, your guests will never have to play the guessing game trying to find a cup or glass when they need it.

9. Custom make your own curtains. Sewing is an easy to learn, and a sewing machine can be picked up for a good price at your local thrift store or flea market. If you have windows in your kitchen, try custom making your own curtains instead of purchasing expensive ones from the store. Fabric stores almost always have an assortment of fabric on sale, and the sky is the limit as to what you can create when you when you sew your own curtains. Search the Internet and you will find hundreds of free patterns and instructions for custom designing your own window dressings.

10. And finally...learn how to add tiling the DIY way! Tiling is easy and there are numerous books that will guide you through the process. Tiles and back splash materials can be purchased for much less than you would pay for a contractor to come in and do the work. In a weekend, you can transform the look of your kitchen by rolling up your sleeves and setting some fresh tile and spackle! Tiles come in every color of the rainbow, so get creative and make your own patterns.

Updating your kitchen can be a fun experience for the whole family. By scouring the Internet, your local home improvement centers, thrift stores, and flea markets, you can easilly create your dream kitchen, even on a small budget. Your kitchen should be the place where your guests and family want to congregate to cook and share meals with you. With a free weekend, and a little bit of elbow grease, you can quickly have a kitchen you can be proud of!

Monday, August 18, 2014

Popular Kitchen Cabinet Door Styles

Kitchen cabinet is one of the most important factors in kitchen design theme. Picking color, style, and material can be so confusing. Don't mess around picking kitchen cabinet, start with knowing kitchen cabinet door style. Cabinet door is one of the most visible elements that will give first impression. Take a look at some popular kitchen cabinet door style and pick which one that will suits your kitchen style and budget.

Flat Cabinet Door Style
Simple and minimalist design with no ornament or carving detail that fit for contemporary or modern kitchen design. The essence of minimalist style is about minimal embellishment and letting the natural materials speak for themselves. No decorative detail means reduce the budget too. Here is an example, Cambridge Contemporary Kitchen by LDa Architecture & Interiors.


Louvered Cabinet Door Style
Horizontal wood slats are typically used on windows, furniture pieces and interior doors, but they add a distinct architectural style to kitchen cabinetry. However, be aware that these design come with a heavy price tag. Watch your budget. Check this cabinet style from Georgetown Development.


Inset Cabinet Doorstyle
This is classic look cabinet door style, set inside of the cabinet frame — typical cabinet doors rest on the outside of the frame. The inset frame detail made this style require more budget. Here is kitchen design by Home Dresser. Take a look beautiful white cabinet style.


Beadboard Cabinet Door Style
Beadboard door style give a cottage look. The center panel of the cabinet doors are made to look like traditional beadboard paneling. Design by Pinto Designs and Associates.


Glass Cabinet Door Style
Transparent glass door style usually applied for glassware or china storage. It will show off beauties inside. More materials mean more budget too.
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Can't find any cabinet door style that suits your interest? You can discuss with your designer for custom personal unique design.

Where Should I Put Knife In The Kitchen?

Knife is the most frequently used tool for cooking. Cut the meat, chop the vegetable. Mostly, people put knife on the block and place it any free space such in cabinet or on countertop under cabinet.


There are some ideas to place knives in hidden storage or mounted wall rack to keep your kitchen neat and also for safety reason.

Pullout Rack
Pullout knife rack design idea by Signature Design & Cabinetry LLC, it's only need a small space of cabinet while keep its essential function. Move storage to unreachable place such a upper cabinet or just buy kiddy lock for safer reason.


Drawer Storage
Cottage Kitchen personal touch drawer storage from Dura Supreme Cabinetry. Not only an ordinary drawer, added a partition divides a wide drawer to accommodate the carved knife block. If you put on low position, consider to add knife drawer lock concern to safety.


Countertop Knife Block
Another option for keeping knives close at hand is a built-in countertop knife block

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Cheer Up Your Kitchen Cabinet Interiors

Nowadays white clean kitchen with light color of cabinet, countertop, and floor are everywhere. Most people choose white kitchen theme because white color makes a space look bigger and enhances other elements. But overly white kitchen seems so boring and plain. Cheer up your kitchen with a lovely color and character inside cabinet interior. Show off your cabinet interior and wares through a glass door cabinet. No glass door cabinet? Don't worry, a cheerful color and graphics will make you smile each time to see it.


Laneway House by Janis Nicolay


Coffee Zone by Renewal Design

A bright accent color will enhances your wares. Ensure that the color will match to entire kitchen theme. Not only plain color, graphic pattern or character can be a good idea. As long as the items inside won't compete with it. What about the material? You can paint the cabinet interior but it needs deep thinking before you execute the idea. Because it will be little bit difficult when you want to change the color. Wallpaper or fabric can be your alternative. If you don’t want to permanently adhere it to the cabinet, you can change it easily.

Organizing Spice, Pullout Rack Or Drawer Storage?

Cooking is an enjoyable activity. But it becomes a nightmare when the spice bottle falling out of cabinet or spilling on countertop. Keep spices neat and kitchen clean by putting them into well-organized rack or drawer.

Pullout Rack
A pullout rack is a narrow shelf that mounted to cabinet. It doesn't need a wide space so you can locate it between two wider cabinets. The shelf can be designed to fit in between two new base or upper wall cabinet units, to be integrated in a hood, to flank a cooktop or to fit in what would otherwise be a useless decorative filler panel. Here's some suggestion and consideration before applying pullout spice rack. Pullout spice rack is suitable for small kitchen. If you have a limited space in your kitchen so this pullout spice rack type can be your choice. Avoid putting spice rack near the cooking area, just in case heat may diminish spice quality.





The cons of pullout rack that it requires bottle/storage in similar height because you cannot put any tall items in it. Even if you locate it on top or down cabinet, you have to look up or bend down your knees to find spice. If you cook a lot and use a wide range of spices – most of these pull-out ideas wouldn’t accommodate the number of spices, then you can consider single level spice drawer.

Pullout Spice Drawer
A single level spice drawer is a pullout rack but in horizontal way. It's easy to see spices because bottles keep laid out of you. No need to look up into cabinet or bend down. Beside, laid arrangement keep spice bottle safe from falling. Apply spice drawer store in the middle of cabinet so there's no too high or too low position.





Which one suits your needs?

Small Kitchen in Limited Space Design Inspirations

Living in apartment or small house, force us to maximize every inch of space. We have to deal with limited space including the kitchen. Maximize from top to bottom wall for placing cabinet and shelves then choose not so big appliances.  Here some small kitchen design inspirations.

Classic City Kitchen
A small kitchen opens up to the Dining Room in a 19th century Row House designed by Jeanne Finnerty Interior Design. This kitchen is such a small enough only 80 sq ft, but as you can see, she really maximize every inch of precious space. Similar color selection of cabinet and wall, give a spacious impression.


Traditional Kitchen by Charlestown Interior Designers & Decorators Jeanne Finnerty Interior Design


Upper East Side Pied a Terre
Contemporary small kitchen design by Josh Nefsky from Weil Friedman Architects This is very nice small kitchen. Choose a small sink and stove that suits the compact design.



Miller Kitchen
Contrasting color with modern look design by Turan Designs Inc. Look at the island at the center and then see a empty space under the cabinet near window. The island pull out from under the cabinet in corner and then slides back when not in use. A double sink is a nice idea too.



Contemporary Farmhouse Kitchen
Beautiful compact kitchen design by Signature Kitchens. The kitchen size approximately 9' x 16'. Using Calcutta quartzite as countertop. Keep the space neat and clean by small appliance 36" Wolf dual fuel range.


Noe Valley Fun
Contemporary kitchen design from Artistic Design for Living. Beautiful back splash give a muse for kitchen wall match with floral window shades.


Saturday, August 16, 2014

Best Pantry Organization Tips

Have you found a good method to keep your pantry organized?  Organized pantry not only will make your kitchen looks clean but also it helps you to find ingredients, food, ware easier so reduce meal preparation.
Lets talk about tips for organizing pantry more.




Photo : Witt Construction , http://wittconstruction.com


Custom Shelves and Cabinet
Open tiered shelves is a good idea because make items shown clearly. Keep frequently use items at this open tiered shelves. But if there's a limited space, combine tiered and pullout shelves. Pullout shelves also suitable for glassware storage.

Box Storage
For small ingredients such as pepper, chili, onion etc put in box storage. Put a label name so you don't have to open storage one by one.

Items Organizing
Organize items by meals type and utilization i.e. ingredients, food, kitchenware, etc. It will keep your pantry clean and reduce meal preparation.

New and Old Items Organizing
Most people put the new item at the front and someday realized that so many expired food at the back. Change this habit. Organize older items at the front, newer at the back. This reduces waste and reminds you of things you forgot you owned. No more expired food.

Any other tips for pantry organizing? Share below.


 

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