Simple Ways to Elevate Your Kitchen’s Luxury Design

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Turning your kitchen into a luxury space does not necessarily mean a total overhaul of the room. There are plenty of smaller changes and simple kitchen updates you can make to introduce luxury kitchen design ideas into your home. If you are looking to refresh your kitchen with a few quick changes, but don’t want the hassle of a total refurbishment, try these simple ideas to create a luxury kitchen․

How To Elevate Your Kitchen Cabinets?

Kitchen cabinets are a core component of the room’s aesthetic. With a few exceptions for some room shapes, they usually cover most of the walls and occupy a lot of the view wherever you look. When updating your kitchen to have a more luxurious look, a new kitchen cabinet installation should be one of the first things to consider for an upgrade.

If you are aiming to make some simple kitchen updates that don’t break the bank, you don’t need to go as far as installing a completely new set of cabinets. Refacing or refinishing your old cabinets can give your kitchen a completely new look and feel without changing the existing layout.

Purchase New High-Quality Appliances

Mismatched or worn-out appliances can really bring down the look of an otherwise beautiful kitchen. If you are updating the color scheme or style of your luxury kitchen design, your old appliances might not fit in with the new aesthetic. It can be a good idea to go shopping for new appliances once you have already updated the other parts of your kitchen, as having the new lighting, cabinets, and decorations in the room can really help inspire the styles of appliances you go with.

Build a Pantry

Creating a pantry is an easy luxury kitchen idea to pull off on almost any room shape. You don’t need to set aside space for a walk-in pantry either, there are plenty of simple ways to build a pantry in even a small kitchen. For example:

  • Repurpose an old bookshelf
  • Add shelving or a pegboard to an empty wall space
  • Build recessed shelving into the wall cavity
  • Remove the doors from a pair of wall cabinets to be refurbished as shelving

Consider Adding Marble Designs

Marble is a classic, timeless way to give any kitchen more of a luxury look. It is also very robust and will look great for many years to come. Marble countertops can complement a light, neutral color scheme or contrast against dark highlights or cabinets. Marble works great as floor or wall tiling and as a backsplash material as well as one of the timeless countertop materials, although going for marble everything can give your kitchen a monotone feel.

If you don’t want to commit to the characteristics of marble countertops, you can also add them to your kitchen in the form of other kitchen tools and crockery. Here are a few ideas to add some marble highlight pieces to your kitchen:

  • Serving trays
  • Mortar and pestle
  • Paper towel holders
  • Seasoning and shakers tray
  • Cutting block

Marble table tops also look great, but practicality is also a consideration. Marble is very heavy, and sooner or later you will need to move that table. Besides being a pain to move, the sheer weight of a marble table could damage your flooring as it scrapes around.

How to Incorporate a Chandelier into Your Kitchen?

Adding a chandelier is another classic luxury kitchen design idea, especially if your kitchen includes a dining or bar area. The right chandelier can do a lot to elevate your kitchen from feeling like a purely functional space to one that your family and guests can relax and enjoy.

While a chandelier can act as a centerpiece to the room, don’t let it dominate the space. Keep its size appropriate to the rest of the room and the height of the ceiling. If the chandelier will be hung directly above a table or kitchen island you can bring it down lower to keep it in view while you are dining, but make sure your taller family members and guests won’t be ducking under it during dinner.

Should You Add Pieces of Art to Your Kitchen?

Adding some art pieces to the room is often an overlooked way to create a luxury kitchen design. Hanging some pictures or paintings on the walls is an obvious place to start with this if you can afford to dedicate the wall space to it.

If not, ornaments such as vases and sculptures can be a more flexible way to bring art into the room. Depending on the size of the room, these could be placed on countertops, in the corners of the room, or along the tops of wall cabinets and window sills. Don’t clutter the place with too many pieces though, as this can give your kitchen more of a homely, lived-in look than a luxury feel.

Splashes, spills, and stains are always a possibility in even the tidiest cook’s kitchen, so this is definitely something to bear in mind, particularly when decorating around the stovetop and other common spill areas. You should absolutely put glass over any valuable paintings before installing them in your kitchen.

Upgrade Your Lighting

Chandeliers are certainly not the only option when it comes to upgrading your kitchen to achieve more of a luxurious look, and they are not suitable for every kitchen. Here are a few more luxury kitchen design ideas for lighting that you might not have considered:

  • Industrial pendant lighting
  • Billiards-style pendant lighting
  • Polished cage pendants

Besides overhead lighting, put some thought into any countertop lighting that your kitchen contains. As counter lighting is often hidden beneath your wall cabinets, many kitchen designs stick to simple, functional LED strip lighting, but taking the extra effort to stylize this feature can really elevate your kitchen, for example using brass sconces or rows of Edison bulbs to give the lighting a moody, vintage feel.

Conclusion

There are plenty of simple kitchen updates you can make that don’t take a lot of time or effort to make, as well as some that we recommend getting professional help with. This is definitely the case when it comes to replacing or refurbishing your kitchen cabinets. As such a prominent feature of any kitchen, making sure their design and fitting are completely perfect is essential for achieving the luxury kitchen design of your dreams.

We not only provide top-quality, reliable tradespeople to install and refurbish your kitchen cabinets, but we can also help you plan out your kitchen remodeling.

Porcelain vs Ceramic Tile: What is the Difference?

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When you are planning to choose a tile to use in your bathroom or elsewhere in your home, then you will be wondering whether you should go for Porcelain vs Ceramic tiles? So, which is better – porcelain or ceramic tile?

In this guide, we’ll be answering some of your questions about tiles and weighing up the differences in porcelain and ceramic tiles. It’s all about matching up your own unique needs and deciding which of the tiles is the best for your project.

HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CERAMIC AND PORCELAIN TILE

How can you even tell the difference between the two?

Interestingly, there isn’t that much difference in porcelain vs ceramic tiles. Both are made in the same way as they were thousands of years ago, with a few little tweaks. They start off as clay, and are cooked at incredibly high temperatures as this removes the water and makes it harder. Not much has changed in the way tiles are made.

There are some differences though, and you can tell by looking at the tiling.

Ceramic tends to have a softer appearance that looks like clay, and because it is not as hard as porcelain it is much easier to cut. There also tend to be more varieties and the material is lighter to the touch.

Porcelain has more distinctive markings coming from the process of making it. It won’t absorb water so easily and it is heavy to the touch.

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of porcelain and ceramic tiles is crucial when choosing the right tile for the bathroom or kitchen, or maybe the living room as it helps in planning the budget for your project.

THE PROS AND CONS OF PORCELAIN TILES

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of porcelain tiles to help you understand whether they are suitable for you.

Cost: Porcelain is a little more expensive than ceramic. In general this is because it takes more to make it and it is heavier to transport. You’ll need to weigh this up against how much you need the extra durability on offer.

Maintenance: If anything goes wrong with the tiling it will probably cost you more to repair than other types of tile, but porcelain itself is low maintenance when it comes to cleaning and needing to make repairs.

Foot traffic: Porcelain can handle foot traffic better in areas where water might be present. For instance, if you are looking to tile in a bathroom it is less porous and therefore won’t absorb the water. Just make sure you take anti-slip precautions. It’s also incredibly durable so in an area where there are a lot of people walking, it is unlikely to wear over time as much as other tiles.

Installation: The installation of porcelain is tougher than ceramic. Tiles are harder to cut, harder to transport, and you will likely be quoted a much higher price for porcelain tile installation than for ceramic tiles.

Durability: This is a definite ‘pro’. The hardness of the porcelain tile means that it is incredibly durable. Once installed, these tiles should last you a very long time and survive the majority of the time when things are dropped on them, for instance. They can also handle high traffic.

THE PROS AND CONS OF CERAMIC TILES

Let’s compare and contrast those features to the pros and cons of ceramic tiles so you can make your decision.

  • Cost: Ceramic tiles tend to be significantly cheaper than porcelain tiles. They don’t take as long to make so the manufacturing process doesn’t dictate a higher price. There also tend to be lots of different styles that you can choose between.
  • Maintenance: Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are low-maintenance in terms of day-to-day use. It may be that occasionally a repair might be needed, but this is not commonplace, and it is easier with ceramic tiles than it would be with porcelain.
  • Foot traffic: Ceramic tiles can handle some foot traffic but not as well as porcelain tiles which are more durable. These tiles are also often used as decorative elements such as feature walls.
  • Installation: The installation of ceramic tiles is definitely a big “pro”. They’re lighter, easier to transport, and far easier to cut to the correct size. The process of installation is relatively pain-free compared to some other types of tile.
  • Durability: The durability of a ceramic tile is not necessarily a “con” but it is not quite as impressive as porcelain. Ceramic is not flimsy, but it is slightly less durable.

WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE FOR YOUR HOUSE: CERAMIC VS PORCELAIN?

Choosing ceramic vs porcelain tiles is not necessarily difficult. Weigh up all of the factors above and think carefully about where the tiles will be. For instance, ceramic might be fine for a decorative wall elsewhere in the house, and much easier to install.

Ceramic tiling is significantly cheaper, but if you need a more durable option then it is not going to be enough for your home, and you are much better off trying to opt for porcelain in this scenario. It is all about matching up your needs to the type of tile.

When you will finally choose the type of tile that matches your needs, make sure to hire a professional who works with that type. Contact our tiling pros for your Las Vegas project. Our tiling contractors have significant experience in working both with porcelain and ceramic tiles.

How To Organize Bathroom Cabinets: Trendy & Functional

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In this guide, we’re exploring how to organize bathroom cabinets in a way that is functional, trendy, and keeps everything necessary within easy grasp in your bathroom. Whether you like the look of baskets with towels and other bathroom items on display, or you’d rather keep things neatly hidden away, you can make this choice yourself with some storage solutions.

These are the sort of jobs you probably won’t think very much about when you first decorate, but it’s a good idea to try and incorporate some tactics to make the best use of your space and to create both a great look and fit more into your kitchen without making it look cluttered. Of course, clutter looks like a mess to most of us, but fortunately, A bathroom is rarely designed to be ample space within the house. Space is much better utilized being part of a bedroom. This means that you should look to make use of all the tiny little holes spaces within your bathroom.

Many of us have space under the sink, and an under sink organizer can be an ideal space for storage products and disposable items such as toilet tissue to be stored. If you keep this sort of thing on display in your bathroom, there’s not much point in decorating it in the first place. Even if you have a beautiful design and finally decided on some stunning bathroom color ideas, you need to make sure it is displayed. The ideas we provide are great for small bathrooms and not only. Having clutter is just going to end up detracting from your beautiful painting.

You can also use cabinet doors, and even specific storage units to hide things out of sight. Why not add a mirror with cupboard storage space to put some of your items within? During bathroom remodeling, you can add these clever additions. It gives you that extra bit of space to keep things out of sight but still convenient to use. A lot of people use these as meditation, as a clean house supports your mental health.

Add Hooks for Your Tools 

You might not have vast amounts of tools in your bathroom, but many people have things like squeegees for cleaning. You can add hooks for these, so they aren’t taking up valuable cabinet space. Hooks are also standard for things like gowns and even towels. This is one of the best small bathroom tools for those who need to make use of a tiny little space and still store a lot of items they use daily in their bathroom.

Divide Your Drawers

There’s really no point in exploring how to organize bathroom cabinets if you’re not going to actually go to some effort to give everything a home. The drawer space that you have in the bathroom should not be wasted. Your cabinets can be divided in any way you wish, but it is a good idea to use actual drawer dividers to split the space in each. 

organizing a bathroom cabinet

What’s the point in this? Well, it avoids the problem a lot of us have, which is just shoving things in drawers and forgetting about them. It’s easy to just put something in a drawer when you’ve used it and not think about it again for months. This is how drawers get disorganized, and it is hard to find the things you need. If you’re the sort of person with drawers full to bursting all over your kitchen and bathroom, you probably need to accept that things like dividers are vital. Ultimately, it makes your life a little easier. The same can be said of the countertop space that is within your room. A bathroom counter organizer is a great way to separate your makeup from your soap, your cleaning products, and your nail clippers.   

Practice Makes Perfect

You might not get all of your organization perfect the first time. If you’re not good at organizing your bathroom naturally, then you might find that you have stored things in some places that don’t make much sense. There’s nothing wrong with spending a rainy Sunday rearranging the bathroom so that it looks right and it is easy to find everything you need.

The sort of people who like to be organized will have no problem practicing this by organizing different rooms of the house. It’s incredible how much extra space you can have if you manage to store things in suitable spaces.

bathroom functional organization

Hang a Shower Caddy

Shower caddies can look great; specific models can add some decor to your bathroom. Go for a vintage look or something that has a more modern look, depending on what suits the design of your bathroom.

A shower caddy also has a particular purpose; it doesn’t matter if things get wet! If you’re looking for somewhere to store your shampoo or shower gel or even moisturizer, it doesn’t matter if it gets wet on the caddy, as it will just dry out. This is why many of them have grates underneath to let water drain. One part of knowing how to organize bathroom cabinets is knowing that you need an area where things can get wet, and it does, of course, matter! You don’t want to put your shower gel in a wooden cabinet after every use.

A shower caddy also makes use of a space that otherwise wouldn’t be used. The shower doesn’t have anywhere you can store things, but you can hang a caddy, and some of these are surprisingly big, ideal for storing any plastic bottles.

Buy Specific Holders and Hangers

As well as thinking about how to organize bathroom cabinets, you can add some specific holders and hangers. A lot of your bathroom items, besides those stored in a shower caddy, can also be stored in their holders. This is a way to make things neater while leaving valuable space in your cabinets.

You can buy holders and hangers assets, or alternatively use baskets, which can provide the ideal space for you to store things like towels and facecloths.

Labeling is Key  

If you are an organization fanatic, then you can use labeling to help with your bathroom. This is good for your storage and knowing where you need to keep things organized, but it is also fantastic for any visitors. If someone wants to know where they’re going to find some fresh soap in the bathroom, for instance, labeling can help.

We’re not suggesting that sticky labels visible everywhere are how to organize bathroom cabinets the most effectively. It’s better to use them discreetly. Why not use the labels on the bottom of the shelves within your bathroom cabinets?

Conclusion

When you take the time out to organize your bathroom cabinets, you’ll probably realize a few things about your current storage solutions. For one, you might well find that there are a lot of different things in your bathroom that simply don’t need to be. Having a good clearout is a way to make sure that you can only keep the essentials within grasp, and you don’t have a tiny amount of perfume you don’t use anymore, taking up space in your cabinets. And if you need to refresh your cabinets or just a small fix, contact us for the cabinet repair. 

There are many different methods to allow you to get an organized result. Our tips can help you to create a more functional bathroom, but also one that looks far better to you and your guests! Keep all those sensitive products out of sight, and allow people to enjoy the incredible remodel you’ve just had or the stunning design and decor in your bathroom.

The Difference Between Commercial and Residential Construction

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If you don’t know much about construction it can be easy to assume that each construction company does a very similar thing. This isn’t necessarily the case, as well as having their own specialties, commercial and residential construction companies have some key differences in their definitions and their processes.

In this article, we’re looking at some of the differences between residential construction and commercial construction. Understanding the differences can help you to choose which construction company you plan to work with and learn a little more about this complicated industry.

Is the Scale and Complexity of the Work the Same in Commercial and Residential Construction?

Commercial construction companies often have more of an infrastructure that allows them to work on some very large projects. For instance, if you are working with a residential company it may be that they can only make changes that impact a regular home. Most houses are in some ways similar, and there isn’t a huge difference between the projects a residential building or construction company will undertake.

On the other hand, commercial construction companies are often called upon for complicated projects from shopping malls to cinemas to stadiums. A residential building contractor or construction company is not going to be in a position to help with these larger and more complex projects.

Do Commercial and Residential Construction Differ in Price?

Obviously, the price that your construction company charges you will depend on what sort of work you need to be carried out. A small bathroom repair in a mall will probably cost less than major renovations of a residential property. However, generally speaking, commercial properties are likely to involve far more of an undertaking and significant price hikes for getting it done. A commercial construction company will usually charge more for their more specialist knowledge and the fact they tend to work on larger contracts.

Is Strategy and Work Pace the Same for Commercial and Residential Construction?

Commercial construction companies often have a team in place for their more complex projects to assist with planning and strategy. The projects they are working on, usually being larger, may take a lot longer than residential properties, but with bigger teams working on the construction project, they can sometimes be surprisingly fast. A good construction company should always be able to estimate how long a job will take.

Keep in mind that, particularly with a commercial building, the company may need to get in some specialist help, whether subcontracted or otherwise.

When thinking about the time taken to work on a residential property, sometimes companies have to factor in the fact that people may still be living there. This is true of many renovations and repairs, rather than any sort of new build.

What Materials and Equipment are used in Commercial and Residential Construction?

Again, there is an element of generalizing here, but it is normally the case that a commercial construction company will have access to materials and equipment which are different from those that a residential company regularly uses. They may need equipment to scale higher, for instance, than companies working in a residential setting. A residential company is unlikely to work on a skyscraper, for instance, whereas a commercial company may have to.

There will always be something of overlap with the materials, but the companies tend to only have access to materials and equipment they need to do their job effectively, and this is an often smaller scale for residential projects.

Do You Need Permits For Commercial and Residential Construction?

Working with commercial construction projects takes a huge amount of planning, and this means there are often a lot of permits involved, too. Commercial companies can’t just build what they want, where they want. There is a lot of planning permission and red tape. While there are regulations regarding residential building, too, there is far more when it comes to commercial construction.

For instance, it may be that a commercial project involves shutting public spaces or taking on huge building projects that impact nearby businesses and peoples’ homes. A good commercial construction company will be able to help and advise if you need to obtain permits in order to undertake the work. They should know the relevant permits and how to get them, whereas residential construction companies tend to have a lot less in terms of requirements for the building they carry out as it has less impact on the public.

Top 9 Materials for Kitchen Countertops

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If you’re planning any kind of kitchen remodeling or feel like the time is right to give your kitchen a fresh look, getting some new kitchen countertops installed is a great way to start. Countertops are an essential element of any kitchen installation and have a real impact on the overall look and feel of the space.
However, choosing from the many different types of kitchen countertops can be a challenge. There are a lot of colors, patterns, styles, and kitchen countertop materials for you to pick from, and each one has its pros, cons, and unique features. This guide will cover some of the best kitchen countertop materials, one by one, helping you decide which is right for you.

Granite

granite stone When it comes to kitchen countertop materials, granite is one of the most desirable options out there. Many homeowners opt for granite counters when carrying out a kitchen remodeling or redecorating project, and people love the unique allure and elegance of this material.
Granite is well-known for its unique beauty, able to elevate a kitchen space with ease and transform dull and tired kitchens into pictures of perfection, with its intriguing patterns and strength able to have a truly powerful effect on any room.
It’s also reputed for its high cost, and while prices have come down over the years, it remains one of the more expensive kitchen countertop materials.

Pros:
● Incredible strength and durability
● Won’t be affected by heat
● Can add value to your home
● Lots of colors and patterns
● Minimal maintenance
Cons:
● Comes at a very high cost
● Needs to be installed professionally
● Has to be sealed to reduce the risk of stains

Marble

marble stone

Right up alongside granite as one of the kings of the kitchen countertop world is marble. Beloved throughout history, dating all the way back to ancient times, and instantly recognizable with its unique patterns and silky surface, this material is quite special in more ways than one.
The main benefit of marble is its uniqueness. Every piece is a true ‘one of a kind’ creation, as no two slabs are ever quite the same. This can help to make your kitchen feel equally unique and special too, and many homeowners say that marble is the most luxurious of kitchen countertop types.
However, all of that luxury comes at a price, as marble is also one of the most expensive options, which leads to many homeowners only using a single piece of it for an island or one section of their kitchen.
Pros:
● One of the most beautiful types of kitchen countertop
● Resistant to water and heat
● Every piece is unique
● Adds a lot of value to the home
Cons:
● Lacks the strength of granite and other materials
● Very expensive
● Cannot be installed by the homeowner
● Can stain easily

Quartz

quartz stone Quartz is another hugely popular countertop material, but it’s important to understand exactly what this is, as some people mistake countertop quartz for other kinds of quartz. The countertop material referred to as quartz is actually a man-made material, comprised of around 90% quartz particles, blended together with other minerals and resins. It is not solid quartz, mined from the earth.
However, it’s still a beautiful material, known for its strength, ease of use, and accessibility, and it’s available in a huge range of colors and options too, offering something for homeowners with a wide range of tastes and preferences. It’s also a low-maintenance option, so you won’t need to spend much on the upkeep of quartz countertops.
Pros:
● Can be installed DIY
● Low maintenance
● Lots of color options
● Can be custom-made with ease
● Stain and heat resistant
Cons:
● Can be quite costly to buy
● Heavy and difficult to install
● Lacks the allure of materials like granite or marble

Ceramic Tiles

ceramic countertop Ceramic tiles are another option you might like to consider when planning a kitchen installation or remodeling, and there’s certainly a lot of advantages to this material. For starters, tiles are strong, affordable, and low-maintenance too.
They can be installed by a DIY enthusiast with relative ease, and they’re available in a wide range of colors and patterns, so you can find something that suits the style and theme of your kitchen.
At the same time, ceramic tiles can be seen as a little outdated and are more associated with country-style or rustic kitchens, so won’t necessarily blend in as well in a contemporary home, and they can crack and need to be replaced under pressure.
Pros:
● Many different patterns and colors to choose from
● Good value for money
● Easy to install
● Suitable for DIY installation
● Heat resistant
Cons:
● Can crack due to impacts and accidents
● Grout between tiles may attract dirt
● Not quite as modern as materials like granite or marble

Laminate

laminated hardwood Those who want to save money on their kitchen countertops or simply don’t want to splash out on fancier materials like marble or quartz can choose laminate counters instead. Known for being very affordable, these types of counter are made mostly from MDF, with a laminate veneer bonded around the outside.
The core is cheap and simple to make, helping to keep costs low while still offering strength and durability, and the laminate covers come in a range of different colors and styles. You can even find laminate countertops designed to imitate other materials such as quartz or marble, so this is a cheap way to get that elegant look without having to pay the same price tags.
Pros:
● Lots of different colors and patterns to choose from
● DIY installation is quick and simple
● Excellent value for money
● Low maintenance and easy to clean
Cons:
● Doesn’t have the same prestige or elegance as real granite, marble, etc.
● Won’t increase the value of the home
● Not as soft or smooth as other materials
● Can be chipped or scratched quite easily
● Difficult to repair; usually needs replacing when damaged

Stainless Steel

stainless steel

Stainless steel isn’t one of the first materials people think of when it comes to types of kitchen countertops, and this material has been overlooked and underused over the years, but is starting to see a surge in popularity as the concept of industrial-themed kitchens and homes begins to evolve.
It can be a really impressive choice, adding shimmer, shine, and strength to the kitchen and really serving as a statement piece that may improve your home’s value and turn the heads of any guests or visitors who come to stay.
It’s also well-known for being a very tough and resistant material, able to stand up to heat very well and withstand impacts and pressure too. On the downside, it can be highly expensive and may scratch easily from knives and other implements.
Pros:
● One of the strongest materials for use as kitchen countertops
● Thoroughly resistant to heat
● Works great in modern and industrial style kitchens
● Super easy to clean
● Adds value to the home
Cons:
● Doesn’t work as well in older-themed kitchens
● Can be very expensive
● Easy to scratch so needs to be treated with great care
● Can make noise when used

Wood

wooden countertop Wood is another possible material to consider for anyone wanting to make some changes or upgrades to their kitchen’s aesthetic and theme. It’s a popular choice for other parts of the kitchen, like kitchen cabinets and drawers, and it can work well when used as a countertop surface too.
One of the best things about wood countertops is that they come in a wide range of types. You can choose from maple, oak, and many other species of wood, each with its own colors and grain patterns, and many people feel that wood adds warmth and beauty to a kitchen, working well in country-style or farmhouse kitchens, especially.
It’s also easy to clean and simple to work with when preparing food and cutting up ingredients, but it can scratch, crack, stain, and get damaged quite easily, so you have to treat it with care.
Pros:
● Brings warmth and elegance to space
● Works well in old-fashioned and modern kitchens alike
● Various wood grains and types to choose from
● Can easily be sanded and resealed for repairs
Cons:
● Can be expensive to install and repair over time
● Can easily get stained or water-damaged
● May harbor bacteria so needs to be cleaned thoroughly
● Can scratch or crack

Concrete

concrete countertop Another interesting option you might like to choose for your kitchen countertops is concrete, and there are many advantages to this material, starting with the fact that it’s really resistant to heat, scratches, and general wear and tear.
Concrete countertops can last for many years when looked after, and they can come in a surprisingly vast range of colors and styles too, adding a unique and elegant look to modern and contemporary kitchens.
On the downside, because concrete is such a heavy material, the installation process can be quite tricky as the slabs may need to be cast right there in the kitchen itself.
Pros:
● One of the strongest materials you can use for your kitchen countertops
● Available in a myriad of colors to suit different styles
● Very sleek and modern
● Can withstand heat and scratches very well
Cons:
● Needs to be treated regularly due to its porous nature
● May crack under pressure
● Needs to be installed with a lot of care and precision, which may lead to high costs
● The unique look of this material might not be to everyone’s tastes

Soapstone

soapstone Like many other materials on this list, soapstone is a naturally occurring stone that is famed for its beauty and soft touch. It’s notoriously silky and smooth, being very pleasant to work within the kitchen, and it has plenty in common with granite, being a dark gray in color most of the time and having unique streaks and patterns that add character and definition.
Soapstone is therefore seen as something of a luxury and trendy material for kitchen installation projects, and it has the unique ability to develop an attractive patina over time, which only makes it more attractive and alluring to the eye.
It’s also a tough and resistant material, standing up well to bumps, impacts, and stains, but it can scratch quite easily, so owners have to be careful.
Pros:
● Beautiful color and style adds instant allure to any kitchen space
● Resistant to stains and impacts, so can last for many years
● Won’t be affected majorly by high temperatures
● A fresh alternative to granite for those who want something slightly different
Cons:
● Must be installed professionally to avoid issues
● Has to be treated with mineral oil
● Can scratch quite easily so has to be used with great care and precision
● Can develop a dark patina over time that won’t be to everyone’s taste

How To Upgrade A Bathroom On A Budget?

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You don’t have to spend a fortune to make your bathroom look amazing. You can improve your bathroom and find affordable ways to make your home seem luxurious.

A bathroom redesign doesn’t have to be a major project. Here we have gathered several tips on how to upgrade a bathroom for a more luxurious look. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort. Adding some new bathroom features for a splash of personality can be one of the steps you can take toward your bathroom upgrade.

Make The Most of Your Small Bathroom

A small bathroom can be tough to organize things as comfortably as you need as the bathroom serves you for so many things. There are a few tricks to solve storage problems. Clear away space in your bathroom cabinets by using vertical space. Extra hand towels, washcloths, and other small bathroom items can be stored in a wall-mounted rack or storage unit with individual open cubbies. Larger towels can be rolled to fit inside the narrow slots.

You can also use a cabinet under a faucet or use a mirror that doubles up as a cabinet and solve the storage problems. These are quite affordable bathroom solutions to make use of every inch of your small space.

Add Beautiful Patterns With The Tiles

Creating a beautiful pattern with the wall tiles is another affordable bathroom idea to add a sophisticated touch to your existing design.

Using tiles is one of the top and relatively simple ways for bathroom remodeling. You can elevate your bathroom design by using interesting patterns and layout techniques. Our tiling experts will be glad to help you with the installation and create intricate designs and layouts that enhance your bathroom’s decor.

Turn Unsightly Plumbing Into Your Design

If you have pipes and unsightly plumbing in the home, own it! These can look good, polish and treat your pipes and leave metals exposed, it can give a really old-style look in your bathroom and this can look luxurious.

If your plumbing is chrome or bronze, for instance, you can choose accessories that match. Create a color scheme that suits and turn the unsightly plumbing into a design feature. This can provide a classical design.

Choose Statement Flooring Option

Flooring is another one of the bathroom ideas to give a luxury bathroom look and style. One of the bathroom remodel ideas that you can use is to get your flooring replaced. You can make a real statement with this.

Some people opt for exposed wood or laminate flooring when creating a bathroom floor design. However, it isn’t always best to have a wooden flooring design in an environment with so much water. Tiling may be a better option. There are thousands of different tile styles and you can choose a design to match walls and accessories to give a luxury bathroom look.

Tiles can look either modern or classical, and you can choose for your bathroom remodel floor to be either simple or complex, with patterned tiling designs.

Use Accessories As Much As You Can

Accessorize! This is such a simple tool and one of the easiest and inexpensive bathroom upgrade solutions. There’s always a need for accessories in your bathroom, as well as different fixtures and fittings. All of these should fit within a style and give a level of consistency to your bathroom.

Accessories don’t have to cost a huge amount to look luxurious, either. Once you have redesigned the basics such as flooring and fittings, you should think hard about which types of accessories will work. Don’t just throw the old accessories back in, and look at decorations which will complement the design features you already have in place.

White Kitchen Cabinets Flooring Ideas

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If you are planning to refresh your home with some kitchen remodeling, there are a huge number of options when it comes to kitchen flooring ideas. The right kitchen tile flooring for your home depends on several practical factors as well as style. Take a look at the pros and cons of each of these flooring materials to help you decide on the best tile for kitchen flooring in your home:

Hardwood Floors

Although hardwood floors were once seen as a risky choice for kitchens due to the potential for water damage, today’s modern finishes and sealants make it a much more durable option. However, they will need to be resealed every few years or so, depending on the type of wood and sealant used.

Hardwood floors are easy on your feet and can give your kitchen a light and airy feel. It can be damaged more easily than some other flooring types as it can be dented and scratched, but a well-used hardwood floor can give a room a homely, lived-in feel that might appeal to you, especially in a family home. If it does not appeal, one advantage of hardwood is that it can be sanded down and refinished fairly easily to make it look like a brand new floor again.

Laminate Floors

Laminate flooring is made by pressing together composite wood at high temperature, before stamping the appearance and texture of hardwood onto the surface of the laminate. Laminate is cheaper, more durable, and easier to clean than hardwood. High-quality laminate flooring does a good job of looking and feeling like the real thing, but you may notice the difference with time and wear, or spot a repeating pattern in the laminate print.

Tile Flooring

Both ceramic and porcelain tile flooring share several advantages.

Tile flooring is very easy to clean and maintain. It is completely non-porous without the need for resealing or other treatment. As a result, you won’t need to worry about food stains or mud leaving any permanent marks on your flooring. Because of this, how to clean tile floors is as simple as sweeping and mopping, with no extra steps or concerns about stains and moisture. It also will not be damaged by heat or moisture, as long as the grout lines are properly sealed.

Overall, tile flooring offers a wide range of styles and great durability at an affordable cost, making it viable for a wide range of kitchen flooring ideas. The only downside is that tiling can be cold on bare feet and may become slippery when wet depending on the type and texture of the tiles.

Ceramic Flooring

Ceramic tiles are a highly durable material that won’t stain or be damaged by water, and they are extremely hard and unlikely to chip or break when a dropped object hits them. Their main drawback is that they can be a little cold and hard, especially early in the morning when they have been cooling down all night.

Stylistically, ceramic tiles are one of the most flexible options as they can come in a wide range of colors and patterns, and can be made to mimic other materials such as wood, stone, or brick.

Porcelain Flooring

Porcelain tiles are an extra hard type of ceramic tile. They are even more durable and less porous than regular tile flooring. Porcelain flooring shares many of the same benefits as ceramic tiling, including the ability to mimic many other materials. In fact, porcelain is available in a wider range of forms and textures that look like other materials such as natural stone tiling, giving it an advantage over ceramic tiles in this area.

Although it is more long-lasting than other types of tile flooring, porcelain can also be more brittle due to its additional hardness. This means it may shatter or crack under heavy impacts that a ceramic tile might have survived with a minor chip.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is versatile, easy to clean and maintain, and inexpensive, with little to no upkeep costs. It can fade and wear out faster than other materials though and can need to be replaced every ten years or so. It is available as sheets and tiles, and also in more modern forms that can mimic the look and feel of other materials like wood and stone, with less maintenance.

Natural Stones

A natural stone kitchen floor can be durable, long-lasting, and highly attractive. While still a fairly hard surface regardless of the type of stone you choose, natural stone floors can feel softer and warmer underfoot than you might expect, as they tend to retain heat better than ceramic and porcelain.

Common natural stone flooring materials include polished marble, which is one of the most attractive and luxurious flooring options. It can scratch and stain fairly easily, and it may not be the ideal choice for messy cooks or large households with kids.

Slate tiles are also a popular choice. Slate tiles can be smooth and polished, but you can also opt for uneven, roughly textured cleft tiles. These give a kitchen a more rustic look, and also provide extra grip when the floor is wet. Slate is extremely hard and durable, even by the standards of other stone floorings.

Cork Flooring

Cork tile flooring achieves a great balance of comfort and durability. Cork can be dyed almost any color, allowing for a wide range of styles and patterns.

Cork tiles are treated to seal them from moisture, however, this treatment can be damaged with wear, and moisture that finds its way through the sealant may damage the cork or cause mold.

Cork flooring is much warmer than many other types of floor tiles, and also much softer. If comfort is a priority, this might be the best choice of tile for kitchen flooring. This is more comfortable for your feet, and can also reduce the risk of plates and glasses shattering when they are dropped. This softness does also make the floor more prone to damage, however, and it can be a good idea to use pads to protect it from heavy furniture, which may leave indentations. Pet claws can also cause enough damage to the sealant to risk moisture damage, so cork floor tiles may not be suitable for families with cats or dogs.

Conclusion

Take these factors into consideration when picking your new kitchen flooring and you will be sure to have a new kitchen you will love for years to come. No matter what type of flooring you choose, installation is crucial to ensuring your floor looks great and stands the test of time. If you need any help or advice in flooring your new kitchen, contact us for a free consultation.

Laundry room cabinets – tips and ideas

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The laundry room is often one of the most overlooked spaces in the home, but it’s also one of the most functional rooms, responsible for housing your washer and dryer in order to keep your clothes, bedding, and other fabrics clean and fresh. 

It’s also a room that often tends to be on the small side, as people don’t want to use up too much floor space on laundry rooms, so you have to be very economical in terms of how you store all of the different items you need, getting innovative with your laundry room cabinets and storage solutions.

The average laundry room needs to house the actual washer and dryer, of course, but also needs to hold detergent, bleach, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, stain removers, and additional laundry supplies. 

It can also be a good place to store other functional accessories for the home, like spare towels, cleaning rags, cleaning products, ironing equipment, drying racks, laundry bins, and so on. With so much to store, you need to choose the right location, layout, and cabinets for your laundry room.

Where Should the Laundry Room Be in My House?

laundry room cabinets Before we take a closer look at some laundry room storage cabinets ideas and innovations you might like to try, let’s first consider the room itself. If you’re thinking of adding a laundry room to your home or building a new home and trying to find the perfect spot for the laundry room, you might have some questions.

The main thing here is to think practically. Your laundry room needs to be in a part of the house which is easy to access, so you don’t have to carry huge loads of laundry up and down several flights of stairs just to get there. 

It needs to be convenient, and it has to have the proper plumbing and electrical points to cater to the washer and dryer, but you also need to think about the noise of the machines and make sure that they won’t bother people trying to sleep in surrounding rooms. 

You’ll also need to make sure the room is sufficiently spacious to accommodate the machines and other items you want to include, as well as being on a level floor that can support the heavyweight of your appliances.

Taking all of these factors into account, a laundry room can work well on the ground floor of your home, ideally near a kitchen or bathroom to make the plumbing easier to hook up. The basement is also a great location for a laundry room as the floor will be strong and solid and the vibrations of the machines shouldn’t bother anybody.

Laundry Room Cabinets Design, Color, and Type

A lot of people want to make their laundry room look appealing and attractive, but aren’t sure where to start. They may ask, for example, “Should laundry room cabinets match the kitchen cabinets?” or “What color and style is best for laundry cabinets?” 

Ultimately, the important thing to remember here is that your laundry room is yours. It’s up to you to decorate it however you like, in a manner that pleases you and makes you happy. 

If the room is located beside the bathroom or kitchen, you certainly can carry the theme across to maintain a sense of harmony between the spaces, but there’s also nothing wrong with going in a different direction and choosing a fresh and unique color palette for space.

The options are effectively endless for laundry room cabinets, walls, floors, and themes. You can go in any direction you like, but many people tend to like these rooms to feel light, open, and airy, contributing to the clean and fresh vibes associated with washers and dryers in general.

Lighter colors like whites, blues, and grays can therefore be great choices, especially if your laundry room is quite small, as this will help to open the space up and make it seem bigger. 

You can also choose between different styles of laundry room storage cabinets, including sleek and chic modern cabinets with minimalistic designs that work well in contemporary homes or more rustic cabinet doors with wooden features to fit in with more of a country-style property.

Laundry Room Storage Cabinets Ideas and Inspiration

There are a lot of different ways in which you can play around with the look and design of your laundry room and laundry room cabinets too. Here are just a few ideas to inspire you:

  • Contrast – If your washer and dryer are white, as many are, contrasting them with darker shades on the cabinets can be a great way to add some character to your laundry room.
  • Matching – On the other hand, matching the color of your laundry room storage cabinets and your appliances can also be a great way to go, allowing you to give the room a harmonious look.
  • Sleek – Opt for sleek cabinets without too much decoration or detail to create a laundry room with a very modern and elegant feel and aesthetic.
  • Traditional – You might also opt for a more traditional design with wooden cabinet doors that can work well in homes with rustic styles.
  • Light Tones – Opting for light and airy tones in your cabinets can help small spaces look larger, as well as helping dark or dimly-lit rooms feel brighter and more welcoming too.
  • Bright and Bold – If you love color and liveliness in your home, you might want to go a little wild in the laundry room with a totally original cabinet choice, adding splashes of bright and bold colors like reds, greens, or blues.
  • Above-Appliance Storage – It’s common to fit laundry room cabinets directly above the washer and dryer, and this can be really convenient for storing things like towels, hangers, and detergent. Make sure you choose cabinets that are the right size for the items you want to store in them.

 

How to choose kitchen gadgets and equipment

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Whether you’re buying equipment for your brand-new kitchen, or are looking to upgrade your existing one, there are few things more enjoyable than buying new kitchen gadgets and equipment. Adding new tools to your setup can make cooking both easier and more rewarding for you and your family.

But with so many kinds of kitchen gadgets out there these days (such as the popular air fryer), you may be at a loss for what to get. Not to worry though – we’ve prepared a few tips to make the selection process easier. You won’t be spending any unnecessary money on flavor-of-the-month kitchen equipment on our watch.

With that being said, here are some of the most important things to keep a note of when choosing your future kitchen appliances.

Make a list of things you need

kitchen appliances First thing’s first – make a list. Most people tend to make mental notes on almost everything, whether it be for grocery shopping or to-do lists. However, this can be a huge problem for two reasons. 

The first and most obvious problem is that you may forget what you were supposed to get. Even if you were planning out your shopping list for hours the day before, it’s easy for an item or two to slip past your memory, especially if it’s a long list. This can end up with you having to go on more than one trip to the store, which can be a real hassle.

Another problem with using mental notes is that it doesn’t solidify your purchases. Without writing down a list of what to get, you don’t feel like you’ve confirmed what you’re buying. This can end up with you purchasing gadgets you don’t need on the fly because you feel like you could just add it to your mental list. 

Aside from avoiding these problems, making a list of what to get also helps you pinpoint exactly what your kitchen needs. Not much of a baker? You can hold off the oven purchase for a later date. Need instant cooking solutions? Better get a microwave. With a list, you can easily figure out what you need in your kitchen.

When making the list, don’t just list equipment right away. You should first list down what you want to do with your kitchen. For example, you could note that you want to be able to bake, make ice cream, and roast meat. In the same manner, list what you DON’T need. You could write down that you don’t plan on cooking rice at home.

With these written down, you can then begin to figure out what you need and don’t need. In the example above, you’d probably list down an ice cream machine and oven, and avoid purchasing a rice cooker. As you can see, by identifying what your kitchen needs, you can easily figure out the relevant equipment.

Will your equipment fit, considering your space

The next factor to consider is your equipment’s fit. Sure, you may have the money to buy a large oven and stove, but it wouldn’t matter much if you can’t fit it. Remember that your kitchen can only hold so much equipment at once, and plan accordingly.

For starters, it’s probably a good idea to measure up your kitchen. This is especially important for large kitchen appliances, such as dishwashing machines. Also, take into consideration all the doorways nearby, and remember to leave enough space for people to walk through where they might need to. Aside from this, you’ll also want to remember that your cabinets can hold some of your kitchen equipment. Depending on your cabinet size, you could either fit an entire air fryer or just a set of measuring cups inside. If you have a bit of extra space in your kitchen to work with, consider cabinet installs.  You’ll want to install kitchen cabinets if you have more kitchen equipment than what can fit on your countertop.

Don’t forget about safety

So, you’ve managed to maximize every inch of your kitchen and you’ve filled it to the brim with all sorts of trinkets. But is it safe? Many people forget that the kitchen is home to some of the most dangerous equipment in the house, including high-voltage equipment and sharp tools such as knives. One mistake can lead to some serious consequences, and you’ll and to make sure that never happens.

When it comes to kitchen appliances, be sure to have all your kitchen appliances connected to wall outlets. It can be tempting to use extension cords, but this can risk damage to your appliances, or worse. If you can’t bring your appliances to a wall outlet, consider having a wall outlet installed to where your appliances are instead. It’ll cost a little bit of money, but it’s well worth the added safety that it brings.

You’ll also want to keep all sharp equipment and electric appliances out of reach from both pets and children. If left unsupervised, they may end up damaging your appliances or hurting themselves. 

There are a few ways to accomplish this: for starters, keep all sharp objects safely stored in cabinets that are out of reach from children and pets. It’s also important to remember that some kids and pets are quite crafty, and will look for ways to reach the cabinets. Try keeping objects such as chairs away from the cabinets to prevent them from reaching them.

Be sure to also disconnect any appliances when not in use. It’s easy to overlook, but leaving appliances connected, despite not being in use, can still pose a risk to your home. You don’t want to take any chances, so try forming the habit as soon as possible if you haven’t already.

Choose energy-efficient equipment

kitchen gadgets With technology becoming more advanced, there are certain appliances that offer more energy-efficient alternatives. A great example of this is the air fryer. It not only provides an easy, no-hassle way to fry food, but it’s also more energy-efficient compared to using a regular fryer or stove. Energy-efficient equipment can save you a hefty penny and help towards minimizing your carbon footprint at the same time.

With that being said, energy-efficient kitchen gadgets and equipment often come at a cost – a heavy upfront cost, that is. You’ll find that many electric appliances and energy-saving equipment cost a little more than their conventional counterparts. These cost differences can add up if you’re buying many pieces of equipment at once. If you can’t afford them, try prioritizing equipment you know you’ll be using often so you make the most out of the cheaper energy usage.

Finally, don’t fall victim to the many energy-efficient products you may come across. Often, the “energy-efficient” term is used as a buzzword to lure in customers. And while they may definitely save up on energy usage, they might not perform nearly as well as your average equipment. So, if you’re sure you want to invest in more energy-efficient alternatives, remember to pick equipment you know is of good quality. They’ll last longer and perform a lot better than products that may be cheaper.

Budget for your kitchen gadgets and equipment

You probably know this by now, but kitchen equipment and gadgets aren’t exactly the cheapest things in the world. They’re a heavy investment, and unless you’re going to be using the equipment often, you may end up with rarely used gadgets in your cabinets. To prevent this from happening, you should keep your spending to a minimum and plan ahead with your budget.

Remember the list we talked about earlier? If you’re a little tight on cash, here’s a quick tip to easily figure out what to buy. Arrange all the items on your list, with the most important equipment on top and the least important ones at the bottom. Then, write down all the prices of the kitchen gadgets and equipment beside them, and add their costs one by one, beginning with the top item. Stop when you’ve reached your maximum budget, and you have your final list of to-buy equipment.

Remember to prioritize the essentials first, such as a stove or microwave. Think of what you definitely can’t live without, and start from there. If you’re buying many of an item (such as plates or cups), limit the amount to the number of people in the household, plus one or two extra for guests. Don’t worry if you couldn’t get all the items you wanted at once. You can always go back to the store and buy them when you have the funds to do so. 

As a final tip, try to balance price and quality with every purchase. Cheaper items may hurt your wallet less, but they may not last as long or perform as well as other, more costly brands. Find what works best for you and stick to your budget, and you should be fine.

Conclusion

Kitchen equipment is essential to spice up your meals and make cooking easier and more fun. By following these tips listed above, you’ll be able to maximize your budget with the necessary equipment to bring your kitchen to life.

 

Kitchen Cabinet Trends to Avoid

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Whether you’re planning out the construction of your new home or are just looking to renovate the old kitchen, the kitchen cabinet is no doubt an object of importance. It’s one of the first things people see when they enter the kitchen and serves both visual and functional benefits for anyone there. 

If you want to make your kitchen look and feel great to be in, though, you need to know what you SHOULDN’T be doing. A lot of kitchens look bland or messy because of a lack of planning and understanding of design theory.

Don’t worry, though – we’ve listed some of the most important kitchen trends to avoid implementing so that you don’t turn your lovely kitchen into a colorful mess.

Matching Every Detail Possible

One of the most important kitchen trends to avoid is that you do not have to match your kitchen cabinet with its surroundings. A lot of people make the rookie mistake of having their cabinets look exactly the same as the rest of the kitchen. And while this may not look bad, it takes away a lot of the creativity from the kitchen’s overall look.

Let’s say, for example, you have a white custom kitchen cabinet that matches your white tabletop and white backsplash, with a few rustic accents here and there. The problem with this is that the kitchen cabinet isn’t given any sort of identity, with it just blending in the background with everything else. It can even end up being hard to spot from a distance. 

If you want your kitchen cabinet to pop and stand out, you need to know how to contrast it with the rest of the kitchen. Of course, you shouldn’t go overboard, like painting it bright pink in a monochromatic theme.

Ornamenting every possible part of your kitchen cabinets

kitchen cabinet ornament

matching kitchen cabinet ornaments

If your kitchen cabinet looks a little dull, you may be tempted to ornament it with a few bits and bobs to add color and variance. While that’s all good and fun, it can be an issue if you go overboard and turn your kitchen cabinet into an ornamental hodgepodge. Having too many ornaments can be incredibly distracting to the eye, and can even destroy the overall theme of the kitchen if you place the wrong ones.

 

A great alternative to adding ornaments would be to give the cabinet itself some design. The main purpose of the ornaments is to add interesting shapes and colors to the look, and you can accomplish this without even adding ornaments. Adding shapes and textures to your cabinet can pop out more than most ornaments.

 

If you must add ornaments, make sure that it fits the overall theme of your kitchen. For example, adding a set of traditional tea cups will look great on the shelf of a rustic kitchen, but will feel out of place in a more modern setting. Also, keep in mind that you should only add ornaments in moderation. Remember, ornaments add to a look – they’re not the centerpiece. While too few ornaments can make your kitchen look bland, too many ornaments will just make it feel messy. This not only makes it difficult to look at but can unknowingly distract you while you are cooking. 

So while ornaments aren’t bad by any means, keep in mind that they should never be the focus of your kitchen. The kitchen cabinet can look great on its own, and adding ornaments that match its overall theme will improve the look, too.

Wrong countertop type to go with your cabinets

A countertop serves as the overall centerpiece of the kitchen, as it serves many purposes. Because of this, many people spend absurd amounts of money on the fanciest countertops to either impress guests. However, this often ruins the look of the kitchen. The reason this happens is that the countertop fails to match the cabinets.

Imagine that the kitchen is one big framed painting. If the countertop is the canvas, then the cabinet serves as the “frame”. Because it wraps around the countertop, the kitchen cabinet must match the canvas, or else it will feel out of place. 

If you want to go the safe route, a simple trick would be to get a countertop that directly contrasts the color of your kitchen cabinets. This is especially true if your kitchen cabinets are black or white in color. The white and black contrast is a classic that never gets old, and it’ll look great without too much effort.

Another option to go for would be to match the colors instead. A white countertop with a white kitchen cabinet looks great. Keep in mind the previous point, however, and don’t go overboard with the matching. Matching the colors of the countertop with the kitchen cabinet works best when you have color contrasts in other places. Should you match your countertop’s color with the cabinet’s, be sure to add contrast elsewhere, preferably in the backsplash. This leads us to our next point:

DIY backsplashes that have nothing to do with your design

backsplash You’ve seen it on Pinterest, Instagram, or even Facebook – DIY kitchen designs that look too good to be true. And while they are definitely doable, you shouldn’t go willy-nilly with the DIY just because you can, especially when it comes to your backsplash. The backsplash can dictate an entire look, so have to be extra careful with it.

Kitchen backsplashes can generally be classified into two different categories: plain and patterned. Plain backsplashes are just that – simple colors that cover the whole kitchen. They’re nothing too special but are great if you want to shift the eye’s focus towards other parts of the kitchen, such as the countertop or kitchen cabinet.

On the other hand, patterned backsplashes can pop out on their own, depending on what design you go for. Some designs, such as a brick backsplash, are a little less fancy, whereas tiled backsplashes can be works of art by themselves.

 

So the next time you see a fancy-looking DIY backsplash idea or video on a social media page, you may want to hold back on trying it out unless you know it’ll work with your current kitchen. DIY projects are definitely fun, though, so try finding a backsplash project that complements the rest of your kitchen if you want to do a solo project in the future.

Combine or not combine laundry room with kitchen, that is the question

Finally, here’s something worth considering – should you combine the laundry room with your kitchen, or have them as separate rooms instead? Well, there are quite a few considerations to make when answering that question, namely budget, space, convenience, and, of course, design.

The first and most important thing to consider is your overall budget. If you really want to separate both rooms, but don’t have the funds to do so, you may as well just find a way to make the laundry room fit well with the kitchen. On the other hand, if you lack the funds to combine both rooms together, at least you can worry about designing the two rooms separately.

Space is another consideration to make. If you have the laundry room combined with the kitchen, you will definitely save yourself a little bit of space. On the other hand, having a dedicated laundry room may take up space that could have been used for something like a pantry. 

Then there’s the overall convenience. Sure, it may be more convenient to have multiple things in one room, but for a lot of people, having a laundry area in the kitchen can be distracting. The smell from the kitchen can carry over to the laundry too, and vice versa. And you’d have to schedule your laundry before or after cooking unless you want to deal with the noise of the washing machine. For home cooks and chefs, they’d probably sacrifice the convenience that comes with combining the rooms for a cleaner and more dedicated kitchen.

Finally, a brief discussion on the overall design. We discussed how certain kitchen cabinet trends can ruin the look of the kitchen, and this can apply to the laundry area, too. Having a laundry area can really break the theme of the kitchen, especially with the unique look of laundry equipment. Sure, you could cover or hide them in cabinets or shelves, but that’d require extra money and effort.

On the other hand, with a dedicated laundry room, you don’t even need to worry about designing it. Most people don’t bother making the laundry room look fancy, and having it out of sight can give you that added creative freedom when designing the kitchen. 

Overall, we’d recommend separating the laundry room from the kitchen, but only if you have the budget and space to do so, of course. You can always work around designing with the laundry equipment, and while it may not look perfect, it can save you quite a bit. If you want to dedicate your kitchen to cooking only, though, it may be worth investing in a separate laundry room.

Conclusion

Kitchen cabinets may seem like nothing more than storage containers to some, but they’re vital in completing the look of your typical home kitchen. The kitchen cabinet has to match the overall theme of the look and should pair well with both the countertop and the backsplash. Adorning the cabinet with too many ornaments can result in incredibly distracting looks. Finally, if you can afford it, try keeping your laundry room and kitchen in separate areas. Now that you know what kitchen trends to avoid, you’ll be able to design the perfect kitchen setup.