Tips in Remodeling a Kitchen

Tips in Remodeling a Kitchen

This is an article for those who need to remodel their kitchen. Make sure you know what you are doing before taking the first step. Plan everything first as remodel a kitchen is merely about getting a totally new look but more to that. This tip will guide you in avoiding any mistakes.

1. Allocate funds

You need funds when you decide to remodel your kitchen. It means paying labor force, purchasing of materials and other equipment. Allocate a budget for this. It is always important to have a budget to make sure that you will not overspend for anything. It is recommended to follow the following budgeting guide when allocating a budget for the kitchen;

• 29% for cabinets and hardware
• 22% for design and installation
• 16% for ceilings, floors, windows, walls and doors
• 14% for appliances and ventilation
• 10% for counters
• 9% for electrical and plumbing

Plan around the ratio if you have more or less of scope stated above.

2. Renovation priorities

Prioritize what you need to take note for your new kitchen remodel based on your need for remodel. It could be a new kitchen cabinet, replace wall with tiling, a complete new layout or new appliances. List them down based on priority, as you do, remember to complete the list with other items you need like faucet.

3. Scope of work

Create and plan your own scope of work with schedule. Work this out side by side with your home improvement contractor on what and which to be done first. Discuss with your contractor so that they know your priority and schedule. Their feedback to you is as much as valuable.

4. Research

It is always best to research on everything before you plan, prioritize and finalized. Look into stores (online or offline) to get the ideas of which is the better option.

5. Inspiration

Start by choosing the designs that appeal to you and resembles your ideal kitchen. Select a few designs and narrow down your design until you have decided on which design you want.

6. Kitchen plan & layout

After deciding on which design, move on to incorporate the design onto your existing layout. Show your designer the kitchen design you fix on and your existing layout plan. Your designer will appreciate if you could furnish as much info of your existing layout plan.

7. Finalize fixtures and finishes

Since you have decided on your kitchen design theme and layout plan, move on to finalize your fixtures and finishes. This includes cabinetry style, countertop material, kitchen sink, wall, flooring, lighting and other appliances.

8. Contact the home improvements

Hire home improvement contractor that suits your budget and scope of work. Some research on the company background and review from previous clients would be better to make sure you hire the right people.

More useful article @ www.renof.com

8 Awesome Minimalist Kitchen Design

8 Awesome Minimalist Kitchen Design

Kitchen with minimalist interior design theme has now become a trend; and more and more homeowners are opting it as the preferred choice. Minimalist kitchen design looks more elegant, simple, beautiful, and has a modern impression. A well appointed kitchen is essential to a nice home.

The requirements of minimalist kitchen:

1. Choose kitchen equipment and fittings which are simple and modest. If you want to make your kitchen look minimalist, buy equipment that is simple.

2. If kitchen cabinet is required, choose one that has a simple design. Choose with caution; avoid kitchen cabinet with design that is over designed.

3. Recommended to install kitchen cabinet that has one color and smooth surfaces.

4. A small or medium size kitchen cabinet is recommended when choosing to avoid taking up too much space, hence dwarfing your kitchen.

5. Use furniture and kitchen equipment made of metal or iron. This will further enhance the room look more modern kitchen.

6. Use only 1 to 3 colors on your minimalist kitchen. Too many colors and flashy design does not describe a minimalist kitchen.

7. If the kitchen walls are white, you can install brown colour kitchen cabinet that combined with black to make it look harmonious. The main idea is the use of furniture that has a color harmony with your kitchen wall.

8. Arrange your kitchen furniture to create a spacious look. This will enhance the minimalist theme and as an added bonus, an efficient kitchen.

10 Ways to Effective Kitchen

10 Ways to Effective Kitchen

Kitchen is one of the more often used areas in your home, therefore it is reasonable to keep it organized and simple.

1. Install basket under cabinet for additional storage space.

2. Extra space by adding an over the sink shelf.

3. Hang a sheet of iron on the cabinet door to create a magnetic spice rack. Or it could be done at the side of fridge.

4. Store pans easily by using pan dividers.

5. If mobility is your concern, invest in a kitchen cart for multipurpose.

6. Install bracket on high places to hang your pots and pans.

7. Group similar items together such as baking items stored in the same place.

8. Install basket over the door reduce searching time for small items.

9. Reuse magazine / book holder as storage compartment behind cabinet door.

10. Stack shelves for the extra room.

Reduce Home Noise – Internally & Externally

Reduce Home Noise – Internally & Externally

For those that live in urban cities, we are always subjected to noises in variety forms either internally or externally of our home. Internally could be home appliances, furniture, cell phones and plumbing. External sources come from vehicles, factories, neighbours (if you are living in an apartment you have neighbours surrounding you), thunder and rain.

With these noises disturbing our daily life, it is understandable we are always in the need to reduce or control the noise level.

Follow the below recommendations to help reduce noise in your home:

Miscellaneous fix

• Move any appliances away from wall to reduce vibration (washing machine, blender, water filter, etc)
• Install rubber / cork padding below functioning appliances to reduce vibration onto floor.
• Install rubber / cork padding under bed, table and chair to eliminate direct contact with floor.
• Install rubber / cork padding on doors to reduce impact during closing.
• Constant cleaning of air conditioner and fan to maintain efficiency thus reducing noise.

Curtain

• Install thick or dual layer curtain to help absorb external noise.

Door

• Replace hollow door with solid doors.
• Install weather stripping around all doors to absorb sound.

Window

• Install double layer windows (with air cavity between windows). This is the most efficient method to reduce external noise but however it does not comes cheap and requires professional installation. Best to install before moving in to avoid hassle on later stage.

Cracks and gaps

• Sealing of any small opening through which air and noise can enter is the cheapest and fastest efficient way to block noise. You may identify cracks and gaps by darkening a room to see where light enters – therefore sound seeps in.

Insulation

• Insulate the walls with rockwool.
• Adapt the same concept as dual layer window. Create a center layer fill with air. This air gap acts as a sound barrier.

Living room, how and what??

Living room, how and what??

 

Living room is where you spend quality time with your family and friends. Once it is well decorated and designed the enjoyment that it brings to you and your loved ones is priceless. Here are the basic steps for furnishing your living room:

Decide budget and how to utilize living room

Below is a guide to assist in determining type of furniture, design themes and colours to be incorporated in your living room within certain budget.

• Allocate your space based on practical approach and how many people will occupy the living room on a normal basis. This is necessary to decide on the appropriate couch and other furniture.

• Consider the aesthetics of the room and how you want it to look.

• Majority of living rooms come with television set and most likely the room is evolving around it. Decide on the screen size and television placement before decorating; avoid placing it in a spot with excessive window glare or source of light. You may also consider entertainment system and cabinet to go along with it.

• Measure the length and width of your living room before buying any furniture. Determine where you want to position each piece of furniture and the proper measurements for that area.

Theme

Decide on your interior design theme before purchasing any furniture in order to achieve the desired aesthetic. Here are a few suggestion themes for living room:

• Minimalist – emphasizes on essentials only

• Industrial – Inject some industrial illusion into your space

• Modern – For the young and on the go

• Vintage – For those who appreciate antiques and flea market items

• Scandinavian – For those who love mixture of modern and natural beauty

Furniture

Following are the necessary furniture to complete your living room:

Couch

Consider getting one longer couch (seating 4-5) and one smaller one (seating 2-3). Place them perpendicular to one another. Or you could opt for a single L-shape couch.

Coffee Table

This will placed at the center room, and can be used for magazines, books, and remotes. Couch should be placed around the coffee table.

Accent chair

To provide additional seating and tea time relaxation.

Television

These serve as points of reference to determine what direction to point your furniture in. If you don’t have either of these items, then face your couches and chairs toward one another with a coffee table in the middle

Decorative Items

Once you have gotten the essentials, its time for decorative items. Listed below are the common decorative items depending on preference:

• Art work on wall, figurines or picture frames

• Lamps for additional lighting

• Curtains or blinds for windows

• Rugs

These are the basic and most important steps for planning and budgeting for furniture in your living room.

Insanely Clever 10 Cleaning Hacks for Home

Insanely Clever 10 Cleaning Hacks for Home

1. Microwave & vinegar

Cleaning made easy by using vinegar. Fill a bowl with vinegar and water and place it in the microwave. Caution!: Placing of a small wooden piece like chopstick to the bowl to prevent boiling or explosion!. Set the microwave for 5-10 minutes and enjoy the steam cleaning. Wait a couple minutes to open it up, and then wipe the surfaces clean with a sponge or paper towel.

2. Clean kitchen oil stain with oil

Kitchen is always spattered with oil and just the worst to clean; to make matter worse the soap just never seems to be enough to clean it. So instead, use oil to clean oil. Add a few drops of vegetable oil to paper towel, then wipe the greasy surface and watch the oil disappear.

3. Remove wood water marks with hair dryer

Set the hair dryer to medium heat and hold it two inches away from the stain. As heat is applied onto the surface, use a cloth or napkin to buff away the mark. Continue wiping until the surface is blemish-free.

4. Remove water stains with lemon

Cut a lemon in half and scrub on the surface with the lemon halves. Rinse with water and wipe dry. Works great on chromed bathroom and kitchen fixtures that have hard water stains which won't come off with regular cleaners.

5. Sea salt to clean pan

To remove stubborn bits of food, pour 1 cup coarse sea salt into the still-warm pan. Use a folded kitchen towel to scour. Discard the salt and rinse the skillet with hot water. Dry immediately.

6. Remove scratches from leather

Simply use a soft cloth to rub some olive oil into the leather in circular motion. This is cheaper than the leather conditioners in the store and having the same result.

7. Vinegar and shower head

Put plastic bags filled with vinegar around your shower heads to rid them of stains.

8. Baking soda and grout

Mix baking soda and bleach to clean the grimiest grout in your bathroom.

9. Silver ware and baking soda

Clean your silverware with baking soda will restore its original condition.

10. Monitor screen and coffee filter

Clean your computer or television’s LCD screen with a coffee filter. They’ll catch the dust without leaving behind any fibers like paper towels would.

6 Top Themes You Should Consider For Your Home Interior Design

6 Top Themes You Should Consider For Your Home Interior Design

1. Minimalist

Minimalism interior design is charming in almost anywhere. With less clutter to wade through, the inner beauty of each piece of furniture in the home really starts to stand out.

- Color: A general muted color to be the default of your space makes an ideal choice.

- Furniture: The less furniture the better. Think of which furniture can be eliminated without sacrificing comfort and livability. Go for a few pieces of plain, simple furniture with solid and subdued colors. Keep all surfaces clear and free of clutter.

- Keep only the essentials.

- Floors: Can be anything, but should be completely clean with one rug to add color.

- Walls: Keep your walls clear as well with only one or two pieces of art to add color.

- Storage: Store everything out of sight.

2. Industrial

Industrial interior design is popular for decorating lofts and old buildings converted into living spaces, although it can be used for apartments and houses too. What's important for this style is to create an illusion of rough surfaces and materials that suggest an industrial past. The simplest way to show roughness is to leave some walls or surfaces unfinished. 

- Color: Colour should steer clear of bright, bold colours; instead you should look for warm, neutral tones to fill your space. Shades and tones of gray work well when mixed with white to add a crisp, clean look.

- Walls and Structure: Exposed bricks, steel beams or columns, exposed concrete, unfinished wood, and stainless steel work well.

- Floor: Polished concrete. It can be as rough and patchy as you want it to be. Timber or stone flooring are also good finishes that will help you achieve the industrial look.

- Decor and Furniture: You should find big comfortable sofas and large scatter cushions to work alongside ‘industrial’ artwork and accent pieces.

- Lighting: Free standing floor lamps in a metal finish are a great source of lighting for this look. Try to add a few pendant lamps into your space as well.

3. Modern

Modern interior design derives its influences from the modern art movement that preceded modern design.

- Shapes: One of the most important elements in modern interior design is form. Modern design uses geometric shapes, including rigid squares and rectangles along with smooth curves. Modern interior design is also generally very simple and even minimal

- Materials: Modern interior design makes use of many materials. Glossy metals, such as stainless steel, are among the signature materials in modern interior spaces. The metal may be used for anything from the legs of a chair to the body of a lamp.

4. Vintage

Vintage interior design is about creating a sense of charm and history through old assorted pieces. By adding antiques, collectibles, flea market finds, and estate sale items you can develop a vintage atmosphere. Excellent places for sourcing vintage finds include flea markets, salvage shops, consignment shops, and antique stores.

5. Scandinavian

Scandinavian interior design is a mixture of the right amount of light and color. It is the convergence of functionality and shape. In general, Scandinavian design is often equated with being modern; however, Scandinavian interior design can bring natural beauty into the home by incorporating lumber and natural colors.

- Color: Consists of light colors such as yellows/whites to faded pine accented by a dash of colors from furnishings.

- Floors: Should be hardwood that is roughly chopped or lumber flooring to capture the feel of the countryside.

- Furniture: Can be all timber. Wrought iron pieces used sparingly can be worked in as well.

6. English

English interior design is rustic, relaxed and comfortable. The patterns and styles are typically odd with a mix of classic furniture and new collections.

- Fabrics are bright with florals being especially prominent, tamed with stripes, ginghams and plaids and accented with tassels, fringe and trim.

- Walls are usually wallpapered or stenciled with toile patterns.

- Furnishings and decor include china arranged on the wall, framed botanicals, landscape paintings, floral embroidered pillows, crystal candleholders, vases of fresh flowers, embroidered rugs, dark-stained chests and pine bookcases.

8 Stunning Decorating Tips to Furnish Small Homes

With more and more small apartment coming up, moving into one could be a challenge in selecting the suitable furniture. Here are some tips that will help you save money and buy furniture that looks spectacular in a small apartment.

1. Measurement

Never buy anything for your apartment before measuring the area first. If you’re planning on putting a couch against a wall in your living room, measure the length of the wall. This way, you can figure out how much space you’ll have remaining.

2. Multipurpose furniture

When selecting a couch, look for designs that serve more than one function. For instance, search for a coach that has a pull-out bed. This feature will come in very handy when you have overnight guests.

3. Furnishing arrangement

Be sure you’re arranging your furniture in a way that makes it easy for you and your guests to move about the room. You don’t want to have to climb over your coffee table in order to get to the kitchen.

4. Install floating shelves

Floating shelves offer storage space without the bulkiness of chest, bookshelf, and drawers. You can even swap out your nightstands for floating shelves.

5. Colour selection

Use light colours on the walls and floor. Softer colours can make a cramped room feel bigger and brighter.

6. Make use of corners

Corners can be a great spot to squeeze in an extra accent chair or a corner bookshelf, making your area more livable. Or tuck a cozy chair in a corner to create an instant reading nook.

7. Opt for airy furniture

Instead of a solid-wood table, which can weigh down a space, choose a see-through acrylic one or a table with an open metal base.

8. Wall as display

Hang up your jewelry, or pretty cutting boards and trivets, to clear out valuable drawer space in the bedroom or kitchen.