Tag Archive: Kitchen Remodeling


How to Start – Make Your Home Clutter Free

Filed Under: Cleaning Tips
Jun.08, 2010

We have all been there: Searching for that one item you just never can seem to find. Opening drawers and looking on the shelves (you are almost certain you saw it there yesterday). As you continue your search you think to yourself: I have to sort out this mess and organise it better. Yet again you never do it. Why? As human beings we cannot face the possibility of going through our own disorder or be more organised, because it is just such a big job. I mean where do I start, you haven’t even seen the loft yet.


Getting started on your “De-cluttering” project is the hardest part, you will be surprised to find how easy it is and once you have taken that first initial step, you just want to continue and not stop until you are satisfied with the job at hand. So start with something small. Open you cutlery drawer and scan through all the items, we all have those wonky utensils in the back that are long due for the bin and all these other small things, what are they actually used for anyway? Get it all out and start again. Arrange them in the order of the items you use the most in the front of the drawer and work your way back.


Good now you have the swing of it, let us move to the cupboard with all the cleaning products. Again start by arranging all the products which are used the most in the front and work your way to the back of the cupboard. You will be amazed by the amount of space you have actually available.


Before you know it you have done a lot of de-cluttering in the kitchen, now that is a satisfying feeling. You can use the same technique throughout your whole property, one room at a time.


Make use of little boxes in cupboards and magazine holders to organise items and keep them together. Boxes that stack up on top of each other are very handy and if you want to store clothes, use deflating storage bags.


Once you have de-cluttered, you will find that it is much easier organising what you have left.


Good Luck and Enjoy…

Henriette Danel is a qualified and experienced Interior Designer and Property Investor. By holding regular webinars and by providing staging services, she can give you the “tools” to learn how to do it yourself.


Visit her website http://www.staging-properties.co.uk
Blog: http://stagingproperties.blogspot.com

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Kitchen Countertops

Filed Under: Uncategorized
Feb.25, 2010

The kitchen is easily one of the most important rooms in the house. The gathering of family and friends for the holidays, special occasions, or just daily conversation at the dinner table provides the memories that make a house a home. However, not all kitchens instantly provide the ambience for which homeowners seek.

Renovations and updates in the kitchen have the highest return on invest for a home’s resale value. Changes such as changing out countertops, installing new floors, or changing cabinets all fall under types of renovations. Some estimates state that a well done renovation would add up to 92.9% of the cost to the resale value of the home.

Very common changes that have a big impact are kitchen countertops. Choosing countertops often are based on function, durability, and appearance. The most popular types of counter tops are: laminate, stone, and ceramic tiles.

Laminate countertops are priced the lowest, and can come in a variety of colors and patterns. However, since laminate is often comprised of mainly bonded paper & particle board, it is prone to chips or scratches. Maintenance on laminate is relatively easy, however there are things owners should avoid. Avoid cutting directly on the countertop since the soft laminate could be easily cut, do not stand or sit on the countertop because weight could separate the piece from the wall, also be careful not to burn cigarette butts on the countertop as they are nearly impossible to erase, and be careful not to let water sit or stand for extended periods of time.

Stone countertops include the most popular countertop in recent years, granite. Not only does granite offer beautiful coloration that is attractive, it is also incredibly durable. Marble, and other types of countertops are included in this grouping, however granite tends to be the most popular. Maintenance for stone is also easy, be sure to avoid using abrasive cleaning pads since they could dull the polished finish. Cleaning the countertops can be achieved with a cleaner comprised of one part water to one part bleach. Also a licensed contractor can polish countertops to remove some stains, scratches and burns.

Another form of countertops is ceramic tile, which is priced somewhere in between stone and laminate. However, many complaints come from the fact that tile chips easily. Many homeowners also complain that cleaning the grout between the tile is very difficult.

If you wish to change the counter tops in your kitchen, look into professional companies. The licensed contractors can more easily handle any problems that arise, and some companies also offer limited warranties on their products. Also, researching companies and their practices could help make your decision.

For a picture gallery of ideas for your own home, you can visit http://www.northstargranitetops.com. Northstar Granite Tops specializes in working with all types of natural stone.

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Kitchen Decorating: Adding Color

Filed Under: Cabinets, DYI, Interior Design, Painting
Feb.15, 2010

Most families seem to end up spending a great deal of their time in the kitchen, so you might want to make it more interesting and add some color. Maybe you don’t want a drab and dreary kitchen, but you don’t know quite how to add the right touch. Here are some easy ways to add color to your kitchen so you can change your décor from boring to fabulous.

Add Color by Dressing Up Your Table
One of the easiest ways to create a colorful kitchen is to dress up the kitchen table. You might add a colorful tablecloth or placemats, as well as some colorful dishware. Another way to achieve instantaneous color is by adding a centerpiece, such as flowers in a vase or basket on your oak dining table. Try to find colors that will add some interest but also complement your kitchen’s décor.

Add Color with a Backsplash
Don’t let your kitchen backsplash be boring. You can always keep things simple with a neutral-colored tile or laminate, but you also have to option of venturing out a little and making things colorful. You should be able to find tile and laminates for your backsplash in a variety of different colors. Or you might choose to create a totally unique look by arranging broken-up colored glass in a random pattern on the wall. In this way, you can work some color into the décor and end up with a personalized, one-of-a-kind backsplash.

Paint an Accent Wall a Different Color
Is your kitchen painted a neutral color? Paint an accent wall a different color to add some more color to the room. Choose a more open wall, one that’s not completely covered with cabinets or appliances. Be sure to pick an accent color that will work well with the rest of your kitchen’s décor. You can go with a matching color, or if you want the wall to really stand out, pick something that’s complementary.

Take the Doors Off the Cabinets
When you take the doors off your kitchen cabinets, you can display all your colorful dishes and other tableware. The inside of the cabinets can also be painted a contrasting color if your dishes are neutral. This doesn’t necessarily entail removing every cabinet door, but you can pick a few cabinets to be colorful, preferably those more prominent cabinets above the countertops.

Use Window Treatments to Add Interest
Chances are, your kitchen has at least one window. Why not utilize that window area to add color? Whether you go with a valance or drapes, choose a window treatment in a color that will stand out. Red or purple window treatments would be a great way to add color to the room if you have, for example, a black-and-white or otherwise neutral kitchen.

Adding color to your kitchen doesn’t mean you have to change the entire décor. Rather, build upon what you already have to add your own colorful touches here and there.

About the Writer….
Leon Tuberman has been part of the furniture and interior decorating  business for 40 years. He owns and operates his family owned furniture store. They carry a large selection of American made solid oak furniture for your living room, bedroom and dining room furniture. Whether you’re looking for a oak dining table for your formal dining room or a tv stand for your family room  then they have everything you need.

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Simple Galley Kitchen Decorating

Filed Under: Interior Design
Dec.31, 2009

When you have a galley kitchen in your home, you want to decorate it not only in terms of style but so that you’re utilizing all the available space in that small area. There are many decorating techniques you can use to make your galley kitchen, not only appear larger, but also be more functional for you. Read on to discover some great tips for decorating your galley kitchen to make it work best for you.

Maximize Your Vertical Space
When creating a galley kitchen that’s both stylish and functional, you need to be sure that you’re utilizing all the available space—and this includes any vertical space you might have. You may be wasting a lot of space in your galley kitchen if you don’t have kitchen cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling.

If you have cabinets that don’t extend all the way up, then reclaim that space by using those cabinets as a shelf and placing items on top of them. You can use baskets or bins to store kitchen items you might not use very often. If you don’t need all that storage space, then add a plant or display some beautiful dishes there to add some style to the room.

Add Plenty of Light
Most galley kitchens dead-end into a wall and thus tend to be dark. This is why it’s so important to have plenty of light in the kitchen. If there’s a window in the room, you need to be sure that your window treatments are allowing adequate light to filter in. Overhead lighting is also a great idea for a galley kitchen. Even better, go with track lighting. This way you can aim the light where you want it in the kitchen.

Make Kitchen Supplies Work Double Duty

Instead of purchasing décor items to hang on the wall, consider using your kitchen supplies instead. This is a great space-saver. You already need the kitchen supplies, so why not put them on display as well.

You might choose to display your nice dishes on a shelf in the kitchen. By hanging decorative or monogrammed kitchen towels on the stove or even on a peg on the wall, you can have both a towel and a décor item for the room. By getting creative in how you display your kitchen supplies, you’ll be able to save both space and money.

Choose Lighter Colors for the Kitchen’s Décor
You want to stay away from dark colors when painting the walls of your kitchen and choosing the main color scheme, as most galley kitchens tend to be on the small side. An important rule of thumb to remember is that dark colors painted on the walls make a room look much smaller, whereas lighter colors can make the room look bigger.

A neutral color such as cream or white will work well for the walls of your kitchen. It’s also advisable to stay away from dark cabinets and countertops. For instance, a black granite countertop may not look the best in a galley kitchen. Black appliances are also not a great idea. Instead, go with white or even stainless steel.

If you have a small galley kitchen in your home, you may find it challenging to decorate. By keeping these tips in mind and infusing your own personal style into the room, your kitchen will look a whole lot nicer and will be much more functional as well.

About the Author
Leon Tuberman has been in the home furnishings and interior design industry for four decades. He owns and manages his family owned furniture store. They carry a large selection of American made solid oak furniture for your living room, dining room and bedroom. Whether you’re looking for a oak end table for your living room or a wood bookcase for your home office then they have everything you need.

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