Cooking may be a routine task, but it is an art that involves precision, creativity and passion. When it comes to cookware, there are many options, including thousands of pots and pans. Do you think so many items are required for everyday cooking? Not necessarily, as there are many cookware choices that are versatile and multipurpose. If you are new to cooking and confused about which ones to buy, you are at the right place as you can find the list of must-have cookware for easy cooking along with their benefits and uses.

Chopping Board

A chopping board, also called a cutting board, is one of the most essential kitchen tools. It is a flat surface that is used for slicing, chopping, or cutting food. It is made from many materials, including wood, plastic, etc and provides a dedicated area for prepping the food using knives. You may be wondering what purpose it serves when you use a countertop for chopping. There are many reasons for using a chopping board some of these are:

It protects your costly countertop from knife marks, damage and stains. It helps to keep the kitchen counter clean and hygienic.
A good chopping board helps to maintain the knife’s sharpness. The soft materials used for making the board are gentler on the knife than hard surfaces like stone or glass.
Having a chopping board gives you a designed space for food preparation and prevents contamination, as you can use separate boards for different types of food.
It is a stable surface that makes slicing or chopping safe and easy.
It an be used for many tasks other than chopping and includes pounding meat or making chapatis.

When it comes to materials, a wooden chopping board is preferred as it is aesthetically pleasing, durable, and naturally antimicrobial. To prevent cracking and drying, you just have to oil the wooden board with food-grade oil.

Kadai And Woks

A kadai is a flat-bottomed, deep, and circular pan that is an essential and versatile cookware and a must-have in Indian kitchens. Its functionality and unique design make it a valuable addition to the kitchen. It is useful for cooking many dishes using various techniques. The handles on both sides and the curved sides allow for easy tossing, frying and stirring. Some of the uses of it are:

Stir-frying: The design and shape of the kadai make it a good utensil for stir-frying meat, vegetables, etc. The high sides ensure that the food is not spilt over and offer even heat distribution.
Deep frying: The high sides and the wide base make it a great tool for deep-frying popular Indian snacks like samosas, pakoras, etc. The hot oil does not spill over and is contained within reducing splattering.
Simmering: The depth and the curved sides of the Kadai make it suitable for slow cooking or simmering gravies, curries and stews. The even heat distribution enhances the flavour of the food.

Anyone who cooks regularly at home needs a Kadai, as it is versatile and useful for Indian cooking techniques. When it comes to choosing one, choose a material that is easy to maintain, retains nutrition and flavour, and offers good heat retention. Kadai online is available in many materials and sizes, with cast iron and stainless steel being the popular choices.

Pans and Skillets

Pans and skillets are other must-have cookware items in a kitchen, with each offering unique benefits and uses. While these two terms are used interchangeably, there are differences, and knowing them helps you choose the right cookware.

Pan is a generic term used for many cookware types, such as saute pans, saucepans, and frying pans. A pan has high and straight sides, which makes it great for cooking liquids and reducing splatter. It typically has a long handle and a lid, making it ideal for simmering. Typically made of stainless steel or cast iron, pans provide even heat distribution and are suitable for liquid-based and high-heat cooking.

Skillets, on the other hand, are also called frying pans and have sloped sides. This design helps with easy stirring and flipping of food. The sides of the skillets are generally lower than a pan and do not come with a lid. The primary use of a skillet is frying and browning, and their sloped sides make it easy to accomplish it. It is best suited for quick cooking, which involves high heat, like stir-frying vegetables, frying eggs, etc. Since they excel in tasks like flipping and tossing ingredients, they have a large cooking surface and have low volume. Skillets are typically made of triply stainless steel or cast iron, and they offer good heat retention and heat distribution.

Tawa

After you buy Kadai, pans and a skillet, a tawa is another must-have in an Indian kitchen, whether you are a professional home cook or a beginner. It is a flat, round, and slightly concave griddle that is an essential cookware that is useful for making many Indian dishes. One of the major benefits of a Tawa is that it offers even heat distribution, and this allows uniform cooking, which is critical for making Dosas and other flatbreads. It is a versatile tool that is useful for cooking many dishes, including roti, paratha, pancakes and shallow-fried snacks. A well-seasoned tawa enhances the flavour of the food, but a non-stick tawa needs less oil and ensures healthy cooking. When it comes to the material, a cast iron tawa is the best choice as it offers a natural, nonstick surface and adds a unique taste to the dishes.

The above are some of the essential cookware items to have in your kitchen, using which you can whip up a feast. Now, with this information, browse through the Wakefit website and buy cookware online.

July 13, 2021 by James Adam

Kitchen cleaning: how to care for your wooden chopping board

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Wooden chopping boards are a wonderful essential in any home or professional kitchen. First, they provide a sturdy base for you to chop, cut, dice and slice on, being of a stronger material than plastic.

Second, they simply look amazing, and are a charming addition to a kitchen that carries a little aesthetic elegance. When cutting boards are purchased or gifted they quickly become vital elements of the kitchen, and there is a great feeling that comes with using brand new, high quality kitchen equipment.

Why wood is the best material for cutting boards

Wood is easily the best material for cutting boards for the following reasons:

Wood won’t damage your knife blades as easily as plastic. Wooden cutting boards contain a pleasant give that doesn’t easily dull or diminish the knife’s sharpness.
Bacteria has a much lower survival rate on wood than it does on plastic, making wood a much safer option for cooking on.
Wood is stylish and looks more homely than cheap, brightly colored plastic boards.

However, to get the most out of your brand new, super stylish wooden chopping board, you have to ensure that it is clean and well looked after.

Here are our tips on keeping your wooden chopping board clean and efficient.

How to clean a chopping board

You should always clean a chopping board with warm water and a mild cleaning detergent. Using plenty of water, be sure to thoroughly scrub the chopping board to get any bacteria off. This part cannot be skipped, as thoroughly scrubbing a chopping board is the best way to remove any trapped food particles and bacteria.

Thoroughly wipe the excess water off the chopping board using a dry towel and then allow the air to dry away from any direct sunlight. Throughout the drying process, lay the board on a raised rack or stand the board on its end – this will help the chopping board dry evenly without the risk of warping the material.

Standard mistakes when cleaning a chopping board

People can make mistakes when it comes to cleaning a chopping board, and this can lead to damaging its material. You should always avoid the following when cleaning your chopping board:

Do not place your wooden chopping board in the dishwasher. The combination of water saturation and rapid temperature increase will splinter and warp the wood in a way that could make it unusable.
Don’t let your chopping board sit in water or let it sit submerged in water. The wood will soon begin to warp if it is left submerged in water.
Don’t use bleach on the chopping board, even if it smells from prior food cutting. Bleach stains wood and causes it to dry unevenly, thus leading to warping.
Don’t let it dry on one side by lying it flat on a bench etc. This is where the drying rack comes in handy!

Seasoning a wooden cutting board

Wood is a porous material, and it will soak up water. Furthermore, its moisture content will vary depending on how humid the air is. If your chopping board takes on excess moisture, it can cause the wood to expand unevenly and potentially cause cracking or warping.

Therefore, it’s important to continue to use the kitchen cleaning tip: protect your wooden chopping board against the pitfalls of over-saturation and taking in too much water, especially in the more humid months!

January 3, 2021 by James Adam

11 Signs You Need New Kitchen Countertops for Your Home

Homes

From improving your kitchen’s curb appeal to enhancing its functionality, replacing kitchen countertops offer an extensive range of benefits. If you wish to sell your home, kitchen countertops influence the buyer’s decision.

The idea also puts you in line with the latest style and design. But how do you know that it is time to replace your kitchen countertops? Check out these signs that you need new kitchen countertops.

The Countertop is Cracked or Eroded

The first sign that it’s time to replace your kitchen countertop is if you notice cracks.

Perhaps the countertops have served you for quite a long time. The weight and wearing may cause them to crack. Moreover, if you love serving hot or acidic stuff on the countertops, you may notice erosion on the kitchen countertops due to spills.

Cracked and eroded countertops are not pleasing to the eyes. They make your kitchen look messy and neglected. Replacing the countertops is the best way to retain the integrity of your most favorite area in your home.

Ruptured Surface

Some areas of the countertops may rupture. The worst part is that no matter how tiny the issue is, it affects the entire counter.

Worry not if you are on a tight budget. Depending on the material of your countertops, you can fix the damaged areas so you do not have to replace the entire counter.

Some of the causes of ruptured countertops are if they were installed over a rough or uneven surface, you didn’t give the glue enough time to dry, or you are put too much weight in some areas of the counters.

You Want to Sell Your Home

So, you recently landed a job in a different city. You only have a few months to prepare and fully relocate. It could also be that you are set to get married and move in with your spouse. Your family is growing, and you need to get a bigger house.

Whichever the reason for selling your house, you want it to sell fast. And one of the practical tips to get your home off the market sooner is to renovate and ensure it is in its best shape.

Buyers pay attention to the most overlooked aspects, such as the kitchen countertops. If your counters are in great shape, it creates the impression that even the rest of your house is well cared for. You may have your living room well maintained. But if the kitchen countertops have a dent, greased with dirt, and outdated, buyers will opt to look for another house. Or they will lower the value of the home.

Therefore, if you are planning to sell your house, that is reason enough to replace your kitchen countertops.

You Want to Update Your Kitchen

Kitchens are among the areas of a home that demand regular renovation. Your kitchen is the center of your home. It is where you spend most of the memorable moments with your loved ones, and you, therefore, should ensure that it is always in its best shape.

Nonetheless, renovations can be expensive, especially if you decide to go overboard. The good news is that you don’t have to change everything in your space to achieve a new look. Changing the countertops alone will make a significant difference while allowing you to save more.

New countertops will give you space an updated look and feel. With a reliable seller, you can acquire quality countertops at a super affordable price and have an expert install them within no time.

Your Style Has Changed

Every season comes with new countertop styles. The most stylish countertops two years ago are no longer a trend. Your preference is also changing, and you wish you could transform your kitchen to look like that classy space you saw on Pinterest.

If you constantly have the urge to change your space, it is a sign that you should do it. Start saving now to get trendy countertops. Watch how they will transform your space.

Outdated countertops will make your kitchen look old and neglected. It doesn’t matter how expensive your pots and appliances are. The beautiful paint job will also not count if your countertops are betraying you. Stay up to date with countertops styles to create a cozy space for food preparations.

Stained Countertops

Kitchen countertops are prone to stains. This is where you serve your foods and drinks, and no matter how cautious you are, mishaps are bound to occur. You may accidentally spill wine or coffee. Burn marks may also occur when serving hot meals.

With time, these stains get too ugly to look at. While some burns and stains are removable, others leave permanent marks, and replacing the countertops is the only way out.

Note that you should be careful with the kind of cleaning products you choose for the countertops. Some chemicals are too harsh and only do more harm than good to the surfaces.

You Wish to Expand Your Kitchen

Maybe you want to change the outdated kitchen layout. You want to improve the kitchen’s functionality so you can finally add more appliances and increase the prepping area.

It could also be the current space no longer meets your family’s needs. Your family is growing, and you need more storage and seating area. The countertop space is limited and cannot serve everyone during breakfast.

Moreover, it could be that you want to change the layout to meet your personal style. Whichever the case, changing the kitchen layout calls for a change of countertops. You want the counters to match with the rest of the kitchen decor and style.

It would be such a waste if you invested in new storage cabinets and left the old, stained countertops. Doing a complete kitchen makeover is the best way to improve your kitchen’s comfort and resale value.

The Countertops Have Structural Damage

Your kitchen countertops are prone to structural and smoke damages. The damages compromise the functionality of the counters, not to forget that it ruins the appearance of the entire kitchen.

You may need to do a total replacement of the countertops, and the best part is that your insurance may cover the expenses. While at it, ensure that you select the best kitchen countertops materials. With the right material, you can rest assured that the counters will surpass the test of time.

Check out this blog “Granite versus Quartz Countertops” to determine the best in terms of appearance, price, and maintenance needs. It would help if you chose a heat-resistant and tough enough to endure smoke.

You Recently Changed Your Cooking Style

If you have changed the way you operate in the kitchen, you may need to change the countertops to reflect the changes.

Perhaps you spent so much time at work that you had no time to cook. You recently decided to change your schedule and cook more for your loved ones. The extra food preparations require extra space or even an additional sink.

It could also be that you have been inviting many guests to your home and need more counter space for entertainment as you enjoy your drinks. In such a case, you need new counters to meet the changing kitchen needs. Replacing the entire counter area is the best way to ensure uniformity.

The Countertops Have Water Damages

Some countertops materials like granite are bound to suffer water damages over time. If you notice a white crusty buildup under the countertops, that is a sign of water damages, and it would be best if you did a replacement soon.

Mostly, this happens to the surface near the kitchen sink. When water rests under the countertop for a long time, it leaves a hard-to-remove stain.

The Aesthetics Elements

Just because the counters look new with minor tears does not mean that you should live with unappealing kitchen countertops. If the countertops are faded and hard to keep clean, you should consider a replacement.

If you would rather be anywhere else but the kitchen when taking your meals, that would be because you don’t find the counters to be appealing. Do yourself a favor and replace them with something you will love to look at all the time.

Improve Your Kitchen Functionality and Value with New Kitchen Countertops

Your kitchen is the most crucial part of your home. Besides meal preparations, the kitchen is where you spend your happiest moments with your family as you catch up after a stressful day. You, therefore, want to make the space as comfortable and appealing as comfortable.

Kitchen makeovers can be expensive, but you can start with the tiny things that matter, like the countertops. Installing new kitchen countertops will improve the functionality and appearance of your kitchen, and you don’t have to break the bank for it.

Check out more home remodeling tips by scrolling through our website.

June 17, 2020 by James Adam

Enhance the appearance of your kitchen with a kitchen tiles backsplash!

Homes

Has it ever happened that you walked into your friend’s kitchen and completely wowed kitchen backsplash tiles? Installing tile anywhere in your house on the flooring, walls, or backsplash elevates the aesthetics of the living space. Kitchen backsplash tiles are available in a wide range of color options, designs, and styles so that you can choose the one that complements the aesthetics of your house. Individuals also love to mix and match different colors of kitchen tiles to set a style statement. Let us dive deeper and understand the major benefits of installing kitchen tile backsplash at your home:

Easy To Clean

Installing a kitchen tile backsplash allows you to experiment in your kitchen without worrying about the walls getting accidentally spoiled by spillage of tomato curry, etc. We all are aware of the sense of panic it creates when the kitchen backsplash gets permanent stains and does not come off by mere cleaning. Thankfully, by installing a kitchen backsplash, you do not have to be tense, knowing that your kids are experimenting in the kitchen. Kitchen backsplash tiles are stain-resistant And require a paper towel or damp cloth along with water to clean them after a spillage.

Moisture Resistant

The kitchen is the area where a lot of water is used for cleaning and cooking purposes. If the regular kitchen walls stay wet with water or moisture for a longer period of time, they become the breeding ground for mold and mildew. Prolonged humidity around the walls of the kitchen can lead to damage and would require a lot of bucks for fixing. However, kitchen tiles’ backsplash acts as a great barrier and a protective layer that does not allow the water to seep into the wall and cause damage.

Enhances Your Kitchen’s Appearance

With the availability of a wide range of designs, styles, sizes, and designs of kitchen backsplash tiles, you can enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen effortlessly. For example, if the cabinet and countertops of your kitchen are vibrant white, you can contrast the backsplash tiles with something like a wood brown color or an ash-black look. Moreover, rather than contrasting, you can also go to neutral white or off-white kitchen backsplash tiles to create a sophisticated lk.

Easy Installation

If you plan to refurbish your home or even kitchen and wish to install some aesthetically beautiful kitchen backsplash tiles, the good news is that the job can be done in no time!!! Although tiling kitchen backsplash may sound overwhelming, the project does not take a long time. Installing tiles at your home or in the kitchen is a quick and easy process. However, it is crucial for you to choose the highly durable and water-resistant kitchen backsplash tiles to make each invested penny count.

Before investing in supreme quality kitchen backsplash tiles, do not forget to measure the dimensions of your kitchen backsplash. Moreover, you need to consider the overall aesthetics of your kitchen to find the right tile that complements the complete appearance.

May 1, 2020 by James Adam

Want To Give A Colorful Look To The Kitchen?

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Here Are Some Ideas Just For You!

It is safe to say that most of us ideally start off our day from the kitchen. Whether it is brewing your favorite cup of coffee or preparing some pancakes for breakfast. Your cooking experience can become even more enjoyable if the kitchen is well designed as per your exact needs. This is when kitchen remodeling comes to your rescue. Even the slightest change in the kitchen can be like a breath of fresh air for your entire home. Adding color is one of the best ways to give the kitchen a new look and feel. Colors can make the kitchen look brighter, happier, and more reflective of your personal style.

So, if you have had enough of your plain old boring kitchen, here are a few ideas that will help you get inspired to switch up things a little and make your kitchen look fresher and aesthetically appealing.

Install a vibrant backsplash

Do you want the kitchen to look stylish? Nothing can spice up a kitchen like a statement-making tile backsplash. It adds a unique style to every kitchen while preventing the walls from any stains. You can choose from the various available options or even get in touch with professionals and have it customized as per your needs. There are numerous possibilities with a backsplash. They are available in a range of different materials and colors, be it stainless steel or even glass. All you need to do is choose the right color and material that match your style of the kitchen.

Add colorful kitchen cabinets

When it comes to revamping the kitchen, cabinets can’t be missed. The cabinets are designed to enhance the functionality of the kitchen. But you can also make these cabinets look attractive, elevating the entire look of the kitchen by choosing to go for colorful or textured options. Irrespective of whether your choice is a simple kitchen cabinet or a stylish colorful cabinet, with cabinet makers in Atlanta, we can be sure to receive a custom-designed cabinet for the kitchen to match the overall look and design of the kitchen.

The color of the cabinet if anchored correctly can make the kitchen look luxurious and more stylish. Check out some best kitchen cabinets at Berkeley Woodworking.

Adorn the kitchen with wall arts

Decorating the wall is an easy way to liven up the kitchen space. This is something you can choose to do by yourself. All we need to do is choose the paint color that will match the kitchen aesthetics and the color of the kitchen walls. You can also add some wall art right into the kitchen. One of the other ways to glorify the beauty of the wall is by adding texture or adding a wall art of your choice. This will easily add colors to otherwise neutral walls.

Multicolored rug

When you think of remodeling the kitchen, we either think of repainting it or by extending the available space if possible. However, you rarely must have thought of making some simple additions like placing a rug. Adding a colorful carpet runner in the kitchen is a great way to decorate the kitchen and to add a bit of vibrancy to the entire ambiance. Even if you go for neutral walls and cabinets, a multi colored rug will complement the interiors perfectly.

Add fresh indoor plants

Nothing can beat the beauty of nature. If you are looking for a quick solution to refresh your dull looking kitchen, a simple way to do so is by adding a few plants. You can either add ornamental plants or opt for herbs right in the kitchen. You can also pair these along with a fruit basket or even some fake plants.

Add Colorful soft furnishing

Incorporate some decorative furniture in the kitchen that goes well with the overall concept of the kitchen. Be it colorful chairs, table runner, bar stool set, or any other soft furnishing. Make sure to opt for vibrant color and ensure not to add too clumsy color combination that makes the kitchen look dark and dull.

Kitchen remodeling can be fun if you use color as the main elements. Use these valuable tips to give the kitchen a unique look. Make sure to choose the right tone for your kitchen style and reach out professionals like Berkeley Woodworking for amazing kitchen remodeling ideas.

March 11, 2020 by James Adam

6 Practical Tips When Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen in Larchmont

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Larchmont is a safe and prosperous community in the town of Mamaroneck, NY. Residents experience a fantastic and enjoyable summer season due to its excellent weather. The village is also strategically located because it is only a 30-minute drive to New York City.

If you are one of the residents in the area, you might fully enjoy the summer by building an outdoor kitchen in your home. Imagine yourself grilling your favorite fish or barbecuing while enjoying the summer breeze outdoors. To make your dream kitchen, you may hire one of the accredited deck builders in Larchmont, NY.

Benefits of an Outdoor Kitchen

A growing number of American homes have added an outdoor kitchen in their backyards. Americans find outdoor cooking as an excellent way to relax and enjoy each other. Here are other advantages and benefits of an outdoor kitchen in your home:

Enhances the resale value of your house – The majority of home buyers love to spend their idle time in the evening outdoors, so having an outdoor kitchen ready in their new home is very welcome.
Perfect space for entertaining guests and bonding with family members – You can chat with your friends and other guests while preparing your food. You can also do fun activities while outdoors.
Increases your living space – Your outdoor kitchen can serve as an additional area where you can celebrate occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
Reduces your electricity bills – By spending several hours outdoors in the evening, you can save on energy costs as you can turn off your air conditioner. Also, the temperature inside your home will not increase as you cook your food.
Maintains the fresh smell inside your home – When you are baking, frying, roasting, or grilling your food inside, the odor can linger inside for several days. An outdoor kitchen keeps the fresh scent of your home.
Easy cleaning – An outdoor kitchen requires little maintenance. You can clean it quickly after your meals.
Eliminates the craving for restaurant meals – Enjoying the outdoors while eating a hearty dinner is more fun than eating out.

Tips to Consider When Constructing Your Outdoor Kitchen

There are several things to take into consideration when planning your outdoor kitchen. To build your perfect cookhouse, you may consult with home contractors or deck builders in Larchmont, NY. Here are the tips to consider when designing your ideal kitchen outdoors:

Decide on the features and equipment you want to include based on your available space, lifestyle, and budget.
Determine how you will be using your kitchen. If it is mainly for family affairs, then you don’t need to equip it with appliances and utensils for a large number of people.
Consider weatherproofing your kitchen to protect your appliances against the harsh effects of nature. Take into consideration the weather in your locality during the planning and designing stage.
Try incorporating additional features, such as attractive lighting, entertainment system, and a fire pit.
Include a storage space for your cooking utensils, etc.
Make sure you can do the food preparation and actual cooking in your outdoor kitchen.

An outdoor kitchen would be one of the best places to enjoy an evening of sumptuous foods and drinks with your family and friends. To build your perfect Larchmont cookhouse, hire a reputable contractor to do it for you.

February 20, 2020 by James Adam

How to Plan Your Perfect Kitchen from Start to Finish

Homes

Planning a new kitchen is a very exciting project, especially when you have control over every decision being made. The kitchen is seen to be the heart of the home, so it’s always worth putting lots of time and effort into making this space as warm and welcoming as possible. From the initial layout designs to the colour scheme and hardware, you can choose everything down to the very last detail to make it the kitchen of your dreams.

Accessibility Considerations

The first thing you should think about when designing your perfect kitchen is how accessible the space is going to be.

How you position certain cupboard and appliances is an extremely important thing and knowing what you’ll need access wise helps you to achieve perfect layout. Taking the size of the room, available floorspace and potential layout into consideration will help you to visualise your kitchen and plan our where everything needs to be.

For example, if you have a kitchen island with cupboards or shelving units, you need to be able to easily access these areas, as well as having plenty of space around the fridge area and dishwasher.

Key Details

Alongside kitchen appliances, there are some key décor details that you need to select for your kitchen. Your kitchens hardware, including door handles and cabinet pulls are extremely important as they help to finish off the overall look in style, so you want to opt for styles and finishes that will complement the overall décor.

Take a look online at the GJohns collection of door handles and hardware, to get an idea of the different options available, comparing the different finishes and materials to find the ones that will work best for your kitchen.

Choosing Cabinets

As the majority of the kitchen is made up of the kitchen cabinets, they’re often one of the most important decisions of the whole process.

Knowing which kind of kitchen to go for, whether you opt for shaker style cabinets or more of a modern aesthetic, can be difficult so it’s always worth looking around, creating your own mood boards and playing around with different ideas before you make any final choices.

Once you’re settled on your décor style and you know what kind of cabinets you want to go for, you can start to make enquiries and build your ideal kitchen with a trusted supplier.

Lighting Levels

Throughout the day the kitchen is used for a number of different purposes, so you want to provide the right lighting to set the tone from morning until evening. Choosing the lighting for your kitchen requires working out which areas you’re going to want to highlight the most, whether that’s a statement chandelier above the kitchen island, or some subtle wall lights to brighten the dining area, but either way you can create the perfect atmosphere with some balanced lighting.

Set a Budget

Keeping a clear budget in mind will really help you to achieve your dream kitchen, without breaking the bank. Budgets help to highlight exactly what you have to spend, what you’re spending on what and how much you have left once you’ve made certain payments.

This is extremely important as you need to have full visibility on what your kitchen is costing you. You’ll find it much easier to work out what you have to spend on each area of the kitchen if you have an idea as to what you have available overall.

February 15, 2020 by James Adam

Best Cleaning Methods for the Modern Kitchen

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The kitchen is the place where it soon gets attracted to the dirt, infestation, insects, and germs, so it becomes very necessary to clean the kitchen properly and systematically. If anything goes wrong it will lead to infection to you and your family members. The kitchen is the place of the heart of the house and if it won’t rinse properly then you will not enjoy cooking food in your kitchen and stay away from it.

If you appoint any housekeeper for maintenance of your house then you should educate get how to use the appliances and how to maintain cleaning. It is very much important to aware of the new germs or pests that most attract your house or especially the kitchen. There are many modern appliances in the kitchen like Rotimatic roti maker, Smart oven, Fridge, etc

The kitchen is the place where your maid should provide training of all the updated technologies and furnish her with all the tools of housekeeping. It is often observed that cleaning is a boring work for every person but it is as important as eating every day. You need to maintain hygiene to survive in a prosperous and standard life. The most important part of your life is eating and to survive you do a lot of hard work and earn and if that as well waste in medical then such an earning is of no use. However, it becomes very important to clean your kitchen and not to waste a single penny on medical.

Cleaning the appliances

You should clean the appliances while keeping in mind it’s tiny parts that it resulted in some sought of the defect. There are many appliances in the kitchen such as refrigerator, microwave, induction, gas stove, aro, blender, grinder, mixer, toaster, rotimatic, sandwich maker, etc. And every such appliance needs to take care of with the utmost caution and vigilance. The appliances are so delicate and if not work with caution then it soon gets defected and resulted in pests in it. If pests entered in appliances then it causes deficiency and needs to be repaired. This is following appliances which need to be clean with utmost care:

Refrigerator- the appliances which are best to store food, fruits, vegetables, milk products such as curd, milk, panner, etc. But this ned to be clean once in a week so to cook food free from any germs and insects. As once fruits or vegetables get rotten it will cause dust all around.
You should throw all the old and expired products from the refrigerator before going shopping for groceries. And you should also clean every shelf of the refrigerator with the sponge and rinse it with water. You should also make sure that you first remove the plug refrigerator from the board and then only clean the freezer and thrown out all the expired and outdated stiff from it.
Rotimatic is another indispensable appliance used for making a perfect roti for you and your family members. Rotimatic needs to be clean with utmost care as it comprises small parts inside it which maybe get damaged because of carelessness. You can also refer to the rotimatic reviews which describe its cleaning process properly.
Clean the oven, induction, toaster, grinder, and microwave when it plugs off from the board. These appliances need to be clean with the utmost consideration and full focus of yours on the appliance while cleaning. You should also remember the do’s and don’t while cleaning any specific appliance.
You should remove the grates from the oven and then move for the cleaning procedure and should remember to clean the great of oven separately which will easier for you to do. You should clean it once in a long and furnish it a deep cleaning with baking soda. If you have an electronic oven at your place then you should remove the racks and make your ovenable for a cleaning procedure.
Cleaning your cabinets and shelves is the most boring task for every person but if you wish to complete it in less time then you should wipe it down with a sponge and soapy water. First, you should remove all the food and stuff from the cabinet and then start cleaning procedure. Once you are done with meaning then check the stuff and if possible then clean it as well and then properly keep it in those cabinets. After the cleaning procedure, it looks beautiful and gives you the best feeling. Moreover, you will enjoy while cooking food therein. But if you have wooden cabinets in your kitchen then you should go for the option of wooden cleaning soap that protects your wood.
Another major part of the kitchen is a sink and if it remains wet all the time it soon captivates with tests infestation and spread several diseases o you and your family members. However, it is very necessary to clean the sink before you go to bed. It is always recommended that wash all the utensils before you go for sleep. You should also wipe the basin and sink and to avoid unnecessary water strains you should wash the basin with hot water.
Cleaning small appliances is very important such as grinder, blender, coffee maker, kettle, tongs, spatula, tablespoons, plates, bowls, cookers, etc. As such appliances are the best way to may rain hygiene in the kitchen. These small appliances make your kitchen free from any infection, germs, and bacteria. The cleaning is not just the procedure but way to live your life healthy and prosperous, as health is wealth. And if you don’t maintain the cleaning at such a delicate place then you need to see your money in medical.

However, you should make your kitchen up to date and organized from the cleaning point of view. You should also spread awareness to your kids and another family member so everyone can maintain it to their best. And in such a way you will enjoy cook food and love to gather in the dining area and make several memories together. You can check more kitchen-related tips and tricks at bbqrecipez.com

December 2, 2019 by James Adam

Take Your Kitchen to the Next Level With Clear Acrylic Furniture

Homes

According to psychologists, your home environment can impact your personal well-being. Even small changes in aesthetics can change your mood, motivation, and stress levels. Your environment can also impact your relationships.

Combine this with survey results that suggest the kitchen is the most important room in your home, and you have the recipe for remodeling motivation.

Maybe your planned remodel is extensive. You need to redo everything—from the counters and cabinets to the floors and furniture. Or maybe, by budget, circumstances, or choice, your plans are more limited.

In either case, clear acrylic furniture should be the centerpiece of your redesigned space. Read on to learn more about the advantages of clear acrylic furniture.

What Is Acrylic?

Also known as plexiglass or lucite, acrylic is a transparent thermoplastic.

Thermoplastics are polymers that become moldable when heated and harden upon cooling. This property makes acrylic an ideal material for various uses. These include screens and lenses, medical devices, artificial nails, security barriers, and furniture.

The increasing popularity of clear acrylic furniture highlights its many advantages.

The Advantages of Clear Acrylic Furniture

Clear acrylic furniture is aesthetically appealing and economical. It is also durable and easy to clean. These are just a few advantages of choosing clear acrylic for your kitchen and dining furniture.

Aesthetics

Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen or cooking in it, freshness is an important goal. Certain kitchen furniture ideas, like clear acrylic pieces, contribute to a fresh and airy look.

Acrylic is clear, like glass. Also like glass, acrylic allows light to pass through its surface. In fact, acrylic has one of the highest light transmission rates possible: 92%.

When light can pass through a surface, so does your line of vision. This means that a room with acrylic furniture feels and looks larger.

Versatility

As you plan your kitchen remodel, you may already have a certain decor style in mind. If your remodeling project is more limited, your new design choices will also need to fit within the existing aesthetic.

Can clear aesthetic furniture accommodate your needs?

Yes! Clear acrylic kitchen furniture is especially popular in homes with a modern or coastal aesthetic. However, the sleek look truly works with any home decor style—no color matching required.

In any home, moreover, acrylic furniture expands your design options. With acrylic furniture, you can let your creativity run wild to create delightful surprises.

Astonish guests with a clear acrylic bookcase that makes your cookbooks and your favorite food-themed tomes, like Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, float in midair.

Take a new approach to storage by using a clear acrylic trunk to showcase treasured heirlooms from grandma’s kitchen.

Create a conversation piece by topping a clear acrylic accent table with a statue of a polar bear, whale, or dolphin.

Or make your kids’ morning out of this world by refreshing your kitchen island furniture. With these acrylic bar stools, they can pretend to eat their cereal atop a hovering spaceship or flying saucer.

Whatever your vision, clear acrylic furniture can take it to the next level.

Cost

Another advantage of acrylic is that it can take your design to the next level without taking your budget there.

Acrylic furniture comes in a range of price points. More expensive pieces tend to be thicker and more durable. They also tend to be seamless and better mimic the appearance of crystal or glass. Lower-budget options can look more like plastic. They may also crack and scratch more easily.

For the interior designer on a budget, though, it’s possible to be smart and selective about your acrylic choices. For focal points and pieces that could endure significant wear and tear, opt for a higher-end acrylic. Then save money by choosing less expensive acrylic for accent pieces that won’t see as much use.

Cleanliness

Acrylic is a clear, hard plastic. This gives it an advantage over other furniture materials, like wood and cloth. While cloth can stain, wood grains can trap dirt and even bacteria. Acrylic, in contrast, doesn’t stain or collect debris. When food or drink spills on acrylic furniture, simply wipe up the mess with soap, water, and a soft cloth.

In fact, soap, water, and soft cloths are all you’ll ever need to clean your clear acrylic furniture. They’re also all you should use on it. This is because harsh chemicals and abrasive fabrics can cause the acrylic to fog. If this happens, your clear aesthetic vision can become cloudy, and you’ll need to replace the damaged piece.

When it comes to cleanliness, another advantage of acrylic is its lightweight nature.

The Hygiene Council found that, in the average home, the kitchen floor is dirtier than the trash can. This makes engaging in those deep, top-to-bottom cleaning days a must for a healthy home. Unfortunately, heavy furniture can make cleaning day even more of a chore. Acrylic furniture, in contrast, is lightweight and easy to move.

Finally, if you share your home with pets, you know that animals add another component to the cleanliness challenge. Here again, acrylic shines. The sleek, hard texture of acrylic furniture makes it unappealing to pets. With acrylic furniture, therefore, it’s easier to keep your pets off your kitchen table and chairs.

Clear acrylic furniture legs also tend to be less appealing than wood for cats or dogs that enjoy scratching and chewing.

Comfort

So if your pets won’t enjoy sitting on acrylic furniture, will you? Actually, choosing acrylic furniture does not require compromising your or your guests’ comfort, especially in the kitchen.

Kitchen chairs tend to be more structured than the furniture in other areas of your home. So if you replace your wooden kitchen chairs with acrylic, you won’t notice any difference in comfort.

Maybe, though, you’ve grown accustomed to a padded seat or you’re seeking a cozier feel. Is acrylic furniture still an option?

Again, the answer is yes. Furniture that combines acrylic and other materials not only enhances style but also comfort.

Choose chairs with an acrylic base and upholstered seats for a softer look and feel. Or opt for an acrylic table with wicker chairs to bring the comfort of a seaside breakfast to your home.

Again, versatility reigns when you incorporate acrylic furniture into your interior design.

Safety

In recent years, consumers have paid significantly more attention to the ways that products impact their health and safety. And rightfully so! Bringing the wrong kinds of products into your home can put you and your family at risk for cancer, hormonal disorders, and other serious conditions. They can also harm the environment.

Plastics have figured prominently in many discussions of consumer and environmental safety, and acrylic is a plastic. So is it safe and sustainable?

Yes, acrylic is safe for you, your family, and the environment. The primary danger from plastics derives from the toxic compound BPA, or bisphenol-A. BPA has been linked to a host of health and environmental problems. Importantly, acrylic is entirely free from BPA and other toxic compounds. This means that is entirely safe for use anywhere in your home.

Durability

The aesthetic appeal of acrylic furniture derives from its ability to mimic crystal or glass. In terms of durability and safety, however, acrylic itself provides the example to follow.

Acrylic can crack under significant pressure. Unlike glass, though, acrylic is nearly impossible to shatter. In fact, acrylic is 6 to 17 times more impact-resistant than a comparable sheet of glass.

Acrylic can also scratch, and generally, these scratches cannot be removed. This can be a deterrent for some homeowners. However, it’s important to keep in mind that most furniture can scratch, and compared to wood and laminate, high-quality acrylic is one of the more scratch-resistant options on the market.

Acrylic is also UV-resistant. This means that it won’t fade or discolor when exposed to the sun.

Finally, a material’s heat-resistance is important when choosing kitchen and dining furniture. The melting point of acrylic—320 degrees Fahrenheit—makes it ideal for use in even the most active kitchen. Below this point, acrylic can soften, but it will not suffer lasting damage from heat.

This means that you shouldn’t put a cookie tray onto your acrylic table directly from the oven. You can, though, enjoy a piping hot family dinner around your cool acrylic table.

Caring for Your Acrylic Furniture

In the end, the durability of any furniture depends on you and your family. When it’s well-cared for, acrylic can last many years.

Keep these tips in mind when caring for your clear acrylic kitchen furniture:

Use only mild soap and warm water to clean acrylic surfaces
Use a soft cloth or sponge for cleaning, opting for disposable microfiber rags when possible to avoid transferring abrasive debris
Avoid ammonia and other harsh chemicals
Avoid placing hot dishes directly from the stove or oven onto acrylic surfaces

With Clear Acrylic Furniture, Your Vision Is Clear

Clear acrylic furniture enhances any home’s aesthetic. It is also economical, durable, safe, and easy to clean.

In each of these ways, acrylic furniture proves the psychologists right—interior design really does contribute to your overall well-being.

As you work to enhance your well being at home, at work, and at play, count on our blog for the best advice.

October 16, 2019 by James Adam

Modular Kitchen: its Usage And Important Things To Consider

People

Modular kitchen is a term generally utilized for the cutting edge kitchen furniture organization containing modules of cabinets made of different materials. They are worked to hold and store extras inside, which can support the fruitful utilization of the spaces in a kitchen. A modular kitchen isn’t equivalent to an ordinary kitchen. The distinctions will be discussed in this article, as well.

Advantages Of Modular Kitchen Over A Normal Kitchen

There are several reasons behind the demand for modular kitchens in today’s times. People prioritize a more organized and planned space over a fixed area for cooking and washing. They expect their kitchen space to be as presentable as the rest of the house. The reasons why a modular kitchen is more advantageous and easy to maintain over a standard kitchen are as follows:

Surface Top: In ordinary kitchens, the surface top is introduced first. The rest is worked around it. Typically the surface top is made of stone. The cupboards and racks that are worked around the surface top are no symmetric and subject to different sizes and shapes to fit the space. In the event of a modular kitchen, the whole arrangement is made in advance. The cupboards are machine-made and associated. When they are introduced, the surface top is set up.
Means Of Development: In a typical kitchen, all furnishings and fittings are made via artisans. Physical work and estimations are required for the development of the kitchen. A beautiful modular kitchen is arranged generally on programming and PC programs. The machines in the production line then execute the structure and the arrangement. This guarantees exact fittings.
Accessories: Normal kitchens are divided in such a way that one needs to alter adornments without anyone else. Modular kitchens are molded to oblige each fundamental kitchen adornment.

Since modular kitchens are so all around arranged, professional, and altered, they fall under a specific value go that is more than regularly built kitchens. The modular kitchen cost will be a bit higher than normal kitchens as everything comes pre-installed as a part of the planning and executing. Nevertheless, they are a good option as modular kitchens secure accessibility issues and a sleek outlook.

Important Things To Consider For Modular Kitchens

The requirements or parameters include:

Material
Finish and contact-ups
Accessories
Hardware inputs
The area is given for construction

In light of the referenced parameters, a modular kitchen can be evaluated into a couple of classes. These classes include:

Base grade modular kitchens
Mid-grade modular kitchens
High-grade modular kitchens

The Base scope of the modular kitchen is a reasonable choice. It utilizes MDF, HDF, and molecule sheets. Pre overlay and board are being used for the facia while frill incorporates basic cutlery, plate holders, and cupboards. The equipment introduced is typically non-marked.

The Mid scope of modular kitchen is a great choice at a moderate modular kitchen cost. Individuals regularly settle on this as it re-establishes the smooth take a gander at a decent spending plan. Fashioners utilize business pressed wood or BWR. The overlay applied is matt or serious shine. Aside from cutlery sets and plate holders, pull-outs are being used. Brands, for example, Hettich, Blum, and so forth, are utilized.

The high scope of modular kitchens utilizes strong teak wood for all goods. The overlay is finished utilizing serious shine, cleans, and facade. The frill incorporates cutlery sets, pull-outs, corner units, and apparatuses. Every one of the things introduced is of top quality brands.

Keep In Mind The Following Things:

The carpet area is given for the construction
The design and the plan of the kitchen space.
Storage spaces.
Spaces for installations.
Subtraction of spaces for ventilation and windows.
Division of kitchen area into well defined compartmentalized zones.
The bright and uplifting colour scheme of the modular kitchen area.
Fittings, equipment, installations, and fixtures.
Final planning of the kitchen area.
Cost-effective ventures of the plan execution.
Long term utility and feasibility of the plan.
Keeping space for emergency exits or fire exits in case of large commercial kitchen areas
Calculating all measurements using standard codes and construction instructions.
In some cases, additional refrigerated storage space or a pantry is a good idea. Extra space needs to be kept aside for it.

Concluding Thoughts

Modular kitchen is a mainstream decision in the present homes. Since the vast majority of this age is working people, they hope to possess a house they had always wanted and have wished for. To make this fantasy work out as expected, a modular kitchen at reasonable rates includes quite a task. The modular kitchen costs are shifted, relying upon the customer’s needs. Utilizing that structure, clients can decide on their fantasy kitchen space. It is essential to keep in mind the requirements of a modular kitchen, and thus, this article helps one to achieve the best kitchen design ever.

October 15, 2019 by James Adam

Must Have Accessories for Your Modular Kitchen

Homes

Modular kitchen is one of the most commonly thrown around terms. What it means is a pre-designed kitchen interior that comes in modules that are of fixed shape and sizes. These modules could either be factory-made or customized to suit the client’s needs. Modular kitchens use high-quality laminates for their cabinets. Sometimes the plywood is lined by aluminium to increase its durability.

Modular kitchens have several advantages over a custom made kitchen. They come in a variety of colours and finishes. They are easier to install and are more durable. What makes these modular kitchens even more durable and efficient are the additional accessories that can be used. As the population is increasing, the average house sizes are decreasing. With this come space constraint and difficulties in fitting things in a given small area. These kitchen accessories are a game-changer and help utilise every bit of space. There are a lot of modifiable accessories available of which the following are the most dynamic and useful.

Corner Solutions

In the case of L-shaped and U-shaped kitchen layouts, it is very difficult to reach the space in corners. These are the most underused or inefficiently used spaces in the entire kitchen. Various corner solutions could render these spaces very useful. Trays of various shapes like- circular, rectangular, half-moon are available to suit the user’s need.

Lift Up Cabinet Doors

These cabinets prove to be extremely useful in the case of smaller kitchens. Instead of swinging sideways the doors open upward thus saving a lot of space. Some of these operate automatically. These come in various finishes such as laminate, acrylic, and glass.

Pull Out Basket/Drawer

These are baskets that are set on channels and can be pulled out of a cabinet. These are different from normal pull out drawers/organisers as they allow the storage of items like vegetables. These also come with lids to avoid the smell from spreading. Choices of wicker and stainless steel baskets are available.

Tall Unit

As the name suggests, these are tall units that are usually placed towards the end against a wall. These mostly act as a pantry for non-perishable, dry goods. These are tall, generally slender structures that could either have single panel or double panel storage depending on the user requirement and space available.

Appliance Garage

These are units placed on the kitchen top which store various electric kitchen appliances. Their shutters can be opened to use the appliance and then closed again to give the kitchen a clean clutter-free look. These shutters are available in various finishes such as acrylic, laminate, and glass.

Organised Cutlery Trays

These are the most dynamic organisers of all. Cutlery trays allow storage of from small spoons to large ladles and spatulas. These come in various materials such a wood, stainless steel, and PVC. One of the most helpful tools for a clutter-free and organised kitchen.

Bottle Baskets

These are units designed to store bottles of sauce vinegar etc. These are organisers that have grills to prevent bottles from tumbling. These are narrow units generally placed near hobs for easy access.

Modular kitchen and its appliances are a blessing for everyone who wants things organised in their kitchen.

August 28, 2019 by James Adam

5 Smart Tips to Make Your Small Kitchen Space Organized

Homes

Even in a tiny space, you can still be the master chef of your kitchen. In these small areas, you need to research some smart ideas and make space functional, stylish, and fun.

Storage is essential in a tiny kitchen space. You have to maximize every space, recognize areas that are not utilized properly, and add a solution where it’s necessary. In no time, you can turn your tiny room into a Tardis.

The first thing that you should do is to think about how you usually use the space, where you need to put certain things, and what storage do you want. An apt example is to store items according to the frequency of usage.

Opt for the compact type of containers

Make recess, shelf, or windowsills work by embellishing the space with stow bottles or sturdy baskets, or herbs and packets in pots. To store your condiments, you can also use baskets that will make them ready to take to the dinner table. There are cheap and stylish containers and kitchen cabinets online as well, so you can also explore this option.

Give your washing machine a new home

While most homeowners believe that the kitchen is the best place to store the washing machine, some put it in the bathroom. If you lack space, then opt for the latter. Relocate the laundry appliance in your bathroom or any other vacant area possible. You can squeeze it in your cupboard below the stairs, too.

If you own a separate dryer and washer, you can keep them in your kitchen but stack one on top of the other to save space.

Choose an oversize sink

Small kitchens might not be the best place to install a dishwasher. In this case, it’s more logical and practical to give space for a double sink. One for the dirty and used dishes, the other for the washed ones. With this, you have a place to hide mucky plates and prep kits without the clutter.

Make every corner a storage space

To do this, you have to identify first if there are areas with gaps. Check for gaps and wasted space in between shelves, cupboards, sink, windowsills, and corners. Stack things that can be stacked to clear some space. Also, you can relocate items that you don’t use daily. You can place them elsewhere in the house. Check your doors and walls, as well. See if you can install functional cabinets you can buy from sellers of kitchen cabinets online.

Look for Storage helpers

Drawers and cupboards are the most significant and most useful storage partner you can have in your home. Then again, these are not being utilized in most homes properly. In that case, maximize internal storage options by retrofitting racks that can pull out slim cupboards, plinth drawers, or use drawer dividers for your plates, pans, spices, and utensils.

You can also boot your kitchen storage with a mobile option like a butcher’s block or trolley on castors. Think of containers or popping baskets on top of your cupboards.

There are plenty of things you can explore to manage your kitchen space more efficiently. Hanging cabinets, stylish containers, and other storage cabinets can be bought from online websites, and it can make much difference to even the tiniest spaces.

August 26, 2019 by James Adam

3 Important Things to Consider when Selecting Kitchen Backsplash Tile

Homes

Kitchen remodeling, no matter how exciting it may sound, can be confusing. You have to make difficult and sometimes irreversible decisions, allocate time, effort, and money, and plan the process.

Among the many things you have to plan carefully are the design details of your kitchen backsplash tile mosaic. This project can be complicated, given the fact that you have to make sure that the tiles you will use will complement each other and look immaculate after installation.

Apart from these items on the list, there are other things that you should contemplate as well. Consider consulting with a design consultant, contractor, or designer before the installation process.

Here are the three most important factors you should seriously consider when designing your own kitchen backsplash tile mosaic.

Colorful or Neutral

This is very important because this will determine your next courses of action and the materials you need to purchase. So, what look are you aiming for in your kitchen? Do you want it to be colorful, or do you want to stay in the neutral zone? Colorful backsplash can create a huge and immediate impact, while neutral tones can bring more character to the area.

It will all come down to the materials and colors that will be used in the space and how well you put the tiles together and pair the tiles. Your color palette and preference will also matter, so take your time and plan this out carefully. If you are the type who is more drawn to color, a colorful backsplash can make you happy. On the other hand, if you find peace in neutral spaces, neutral tones are fit for you.

Height of the backsplash

This component is what homeowners often overlook. Remember that the backsplash that you will set up is not infinite. It has to end at a certain point. Where this point is, is certainly up to you. If you have cabinetries, then these can be a big deciding factor. If you prefer a hint of the tile, bring the backsplash up at the bottom of the cabinet.

If you prefer seeing more tile, you can extend the backsplash up to the ceiling area, over the stove, or your sink.

Material of choice

Your material of choice is as crucial as the color of your backsplash. You have to figure out what kind of tile will work best and will complement your projected overall design.

Will hand-painted tiles work? Or bricks will do the trick? Will ceramic tiles fit?

These are a few considerations you have to answer, and the decision you come up with should be a product of your personal preference and the design you want to achieve. If you plan to achieve an industrial or rustic kind of kitchen, bricks will work best. If you prefer a contemporary and clean look, a matte glazed crisp ceramic tile is your top bet.

If you need help in finding out the kind of tile and the type of material that will mesh well with the look you are vying for, call Belk Tiles today. Their representatives are more than skilled and willing to offer expert advice to help you complete your dream kitchen.

Don’t hesitate, call them today and let your dreams come to life.

April 4, 2019 by James Adam

The Convenience of Using White Granite Worktops in Your Kitchen

Homes

Granite is among the strongest and durable natural stones currently in the market. When investing in a granite kitchen, it’s important to review your options in detail including the colors, ideal pattern for your kitchen, style, durability, the type of finishing, the cost, kitchen value, and much more. A white granite worktop provides a sense of luxury, quality, and balance to the kitchen and is not ultra-high maintenance.

Here are the advantages of white granite kitchen worktops:

Great compatibility

White is compatible with most colors, giving you many options for redecorating your kitchen before you think of replacing your worktops. With white granite, you can opt for a contemporary style or something traditional. The complementary nature of white granite allows you to match your aesthetic choices and needs regardless of whether you desire a stark contrast such as black and white. White countertops can be found in various shades from snow white to subdued off-white color variations to make them work with any kitchen design.

Low maintenance

The maintenance of white granite is not costly. You only need to seal it yearly because of its porous nature. After sealing your white granite worktops, the rest is easy. You can clean the surfaces regularly to keep them looking shiny and new. They are very hygienic and safe for any busy kitchen.

Easy to clean

Provided you avoid using harsh detergents like ammonia or bleach, cleaning white granite worktops is easy. You just use a soft cloth with soapy water, and the surfaces will be sparkling clean.

Strong and durable

White granite worktops will last in your kitchen for many years, and they will stand up to a lot of pressure during the whole time. Granite is the strongest among the natural stones, and it produces durable surfaces which cannot be marred by cutting, scraping or any other activities in the kitchen. Graphite is stain, wear and tear resistant when it’s sealed effectively. White granite has an added advantage of concealing blemishes and flaws.

Ultra-stylish look

There are many shades of white to choose from for your white granite worktops. We have many different patterns available, and you can even get a white granite slab that mimics the grandeur of white marble without high maintenance and purchasing cost. White granite kitchen countertops have a sophisticated look that makes the kitchen space brighter and more spacious. They are ideal for small kitchens. The light color provides an open, airy, fresh and welcoming atmosphere. It also expands the look and feel of a larger kitchen.

High resistance to scratch and heat

White granite can highly resist heat and scratches, meaning that you do not have to be too careful. Nonetheless, you should use cutting boards and heat pads just to be on the safe side. The rich granite worktop colors rarely fade, and they have superb durability. It’s perfect for busy kitchen use.

White granite worktops give the kitchen an interior touch with value. It is a sleek surface that has no pores, meaning that your worktop will be free of dirt and bacteria. It is also a repairable stone whenever the need arises. As a flat surface, granite worktops provide additional help, especially when making cookies and cakes. It is also very firm and steady for all the cooking procedures.

Also Read : Granite Worktops: Colour Options You Can Choose From

Conclusion

White granite kitchen worktops offer stunning beauty to any kitchen space. Their colors range from creamy brilliant snow-white to creamy or ivory, which brightens up the kitchen and makes it more inviting and charming. Due to the composition of the granite stone, it’s not possible to achieve a pure white color, but the striking contrasts and subtle variations do not deter granite worktops from looking luxurious and stylish in every kitchen.

March 29, 2019 by James Adam

Tips For Hiring Kitchen Remodelling Companies

Homes

For most home owners, they will always tell you the heart of their home is their kitchen. Perhaps this is because a lot of activities usually happens in the kitchen and not just cooking alone. A part from cooking, people also like having conversations in the kitchen, gathering for meals and on several occasions you’ve seen kids doing their homework in the kitchen too.

However, if your kitchen doesn’t look so good, people will tend to stay away from it and no one would even think of spending a considerable amount of time there. For this reason therefore, you might need to contact a kitchen remodeling company or contractor to come and give your kitchen a new look.

Even as you are looking forward to do some kitchen remodeling work, finding a great remodeling contractor can be a tiresome task and pretty much stressful since you have to ensure that the project is done on time to avoid any extra costs among other things.

To help you out, here are a few tips you can use when looking for kitchen remodeling companies. For more information on this, check out Cape Cod Kitchens and Baths.

Insurance

When looking for kitchen remodeling contractors, it is a good idea to always ask them to provide you with a proof of insurance. You can ask to see a copy of their insurance card as this is among the important things a good contractor should have.

Hiring an insured contractor is a great idea as they are always protected by the insurance cover against liabilities just in case of any accident during the job. If the contractor doesn’t have any insurance cover, it would be better if you stay away from them. This should also apply to any other employee you are planning to use for the job.

For those who will provide you with the proof of insurance, make sure it is authentic and valid. This can simply be done by having a look at the insurance company. Since your kitchen is among the most important parts of your home, you should consider hiring only the best contractor for the job.

Other credentials

After receiving a few recommendations, it is also important that you do a brief research on the contractor you want to hire for your kitchen remodeling job. You can always go for more information by getting in contact with the company being represented by the contractor or simply just check there website if the contractor is working independently

As you are doing your check, you need to ensure that the contractor is having all the necessary documents that allows him or her to work as a kitchen remodeling contractor. Among the things to look at includes both the local authorities and state licenses and also certificates from a professional association like the National Association of Home-builders and National Kitchen and Bath Association among others.

A good contractor should be having a few educational certificates too indicating that he or she has undergone some training and passed the required tests to become a certified contractor. Click here to read more on how you can hire a kitchen remodeling contractor.

Personal interview

When looking to hire a good kitchen remodeling contractor, you will need to come up with a short list of your potential candidates and start setting up personal interviews with them. These personal meetings will enable you to get a clear picture of the person you want to work with.

Prior to attending these meetings, you can go ahead and come up with a list of questions that you would like to ask the candidates during the interviews. If you are not sure what you need to ask, you can search for some questions online as most of them can be found on the internet. Asking these questions is always recommended as they give you a better insight of the person you are looking to hire.

Additionally, you should also be keen and observe how the candidates will be answering your questions. This will help in crafting a good relationship between you and the contractor. A good contractor should also be someone with great listening skills, honest and can also be trusted. These are also a few attributes you should consider looking for during the interviews.

Manners and grooming

If the person you are looking to hire drives to your home with a company truck, there are a couple of things you would need to check out about them. First, observe how the contractor keeps the car and the tools they use. Second, check how the tools are arranged and if they are neatly kept. You should also check how clean the truck is including the labeling. Finally, you might also need to throw a look at how the contractor is dressed.

If all these observations are not up to your satisfactions, then this is somebody you definitely don’t want in your kitchen, right?

This is why you need to first ensure that the contractor is able to present himself or herself in a professional manner and that you can always feel comfortable when working around their employees.

References

As you

Conclude your interviews, you can also go ahead and ask your candidates to provide you with a few references accompanied by some photos just to see the kind of projects the contractor has been involved in lately.

For this, it is a good idea to ask for at least 3 references. Out of the three, two should be of the same type as your project. After receiving the referrals, go ahead and contact them just to ascertain that they were satisfied with job done by the contractor.

Meeting previous clients in person would be a great idea. Anyway, if what the contractor provides you is not anywhere close to kitchen remodeling, save yourself some trouble and move on to find another contractor.

These are just some of the few things that you must make sure are in place before awarding a contract to a kitchen remodeling contractor or company.

October 31, 2018 by James Adam

8 Best and Affordable Ways to Update Your Kitchen Without Remodeling

Lifestyle

Are you planning a remodeling of your house, including the kitchen? If yes, then you are in the right place. As you read through this you will learn of ways that don’t cut a hole in your pocket but give your kitchen a new look. Yes, amazingly, the ways that we will be talking about are affordable but will enhance and update the décor of your kitchen ensuring a new look. Shop our selection of garbage disposal units in the Appliances Department at The Home Depot.

There are many ways to make affordable enhancements to your kitchen décor. We are discussing eight of these to update your kitchen.

1. Updating the kitchen cabinets

If you want, and have the ability, you can replace the kitchen cabinets that you have but why not go with a more affordable alternative and update them to have a new look? Simple changes made to the knobs and the hinges will offer a new look to the kitchen. If you have wooden cabinets you yourself can do the sanding and paint it with a new coat of paint to make your kitchen look great.

2. Purchase cost-effective countertops

If you are not changing the cabinets that you have in your kitchen then you don’t need upscale countertops. You can easily find countertops which are affordable and replacing the old one/s with these will give your kitchen a new look.

When you are purchasing countertops keep your mind open regarding materials for the countertop and you will see that there are various affordable options to choose from. By matching the color of the countertop with that of your kitchen cabinet you will be amazed by the new look of your kitchen.

3. Have roll-out shelves

If you feel that having a new cabinet is costly, and the shape of the cabinet that you have at present is not affordable to renovate, then you can easily change to roll-out shelves in place of the old cabinets. They are cost-effective and will also help you to save space and money while giving an entirely new look to your kitchen.

Not only that, such roll-out shelves are also best suited for anyone having issues with mobility. It will make cooking in the kitchen more a matter of pleasure than of responsibility.

Related: 5 Ideas for Building a Killer Outdoor Kitchen

4. Play with the light

Lights, and their switches, can play a big role in giving your kitchen a new look without spending a lot of money. As a general rule, you must have warm light in your kitchen. You can easily shop for new light fixtures and switches at budget stores and for an affordable cost you can change the entire look of your kitchen.

You may have seen a decorative light fixture or a unique type of switch in design magazines. If you search you will be able to find a prototype of these for a reasonable price at a store nearby. So, purchase those and you will see how efficiently such fixtures change the entire look of your kitchen.

Have you found an ideal way to make your kitchen look new without spending a lot? If you haven’t, then there is nothing to worry about. Here are a few more ideas and, hopefully, you will find one which will match your taste and budget check these out.

5. Re-paint and change the curtains

If you have a talk with an interior designer then you will find that they place high esteem on re-painting and changing curtains when they want to update a kitchen affordably. If you wish to change the color of your kitchen and have a new look then you just need a coat of new paint. It’s wise to choose oil-based paints so that it’s easier to clean stains.

Match the color of your curtains in your kitchen with the color of the new paint and see what a difference this makes to your kitchen. Curtains need to be changed regularly as they absorb oil and food smells in your kitchen. Follow these two affordable ways and have a new looking kitchen without putting a hole in your pocket.

6. Change the kitchen faucet

Having a new faucet in your kitchen will not only give a new look to your kitchen but would make cooking easier. You can change to a taller faucet so that filling and cleaning big utensils is easier to do. You can have a trendy finish so that the kitchen has a new look.

7. Have a backsplash area

If you do not have a backsplash area in your kitchen or you haven’t had one made of old designed tiles then it would be prudent to change those. This option will make cleaning easy and at the same time give a new look to your kitchen. If you feel that purchasing tiles is affecting your budget then you can use the stencil and paint method to have one which will add a new dimension to your kitchen.

8. Buy new appliances

You may wonder if this is affordable. It is you have an open eye and mind when making your purchase. There are a number of organizations making available useful appliances for your kitchen at affordable rates. You can buy these keeping your eyes open so that you get the best value for the money that you are spending.

If you have made up your mind to have a new look for your kitchen then you must have noticed that various sales and discounts are offered by reputed manufacturers of kitchen appliances. You need to grab those options and buy appliances that you need. The appliances will not only make cooking a pleasure but will also enhance the décor of your kitchen.

Hopefully, by now you have found some ways to update your kitchen affordably. You don’t need to implement all of the selected options above, simply choose those that suit your taste and budget. If you do we are certain you will have a new-looking kitchen.

Original Article from BiggieTips.com

October 17, 2018 by James Adam

How to Choose the Perfect Cabinet Style for Your Kitchen

Homes

The right kitchen cabinets can make the look of your kitchen come alive. But a lot goes into selecting the right cabinets for your kitchen.

Whether you are building a home, redesigning your kitchen, or if you just want to give your kitchen a quick update, installing new cabinets will help you achieve your desired look. Read this guide to discover the different styles of kitchen cabinets and make the right choice for your home.

Different Styles of Kitchen Cabinets

From elaborate to simple designs, there are many kitchen cabinet styles to choose from. But before we get started, take a look at the design of the rest of your home. Take note of the current design elements you have in place and think about what cabinet styles will look cohesive.

Here are six of the most popular styles of kitchen cabinets for 2020.

Traditional Cabinets

Traditional kitchen cabinets are elegant and inviting. They remind us of cabinets of the past with a slightly contemporary look. The traditional kitchen cabinet style is ornate, rich looking, and decorative.

This style uses a variety of colors and motifs reminiscent of the golden age of Europe. They provide balance and symmetry throughout the kitchen.

Characteristics of Traditional Kitchen Cabinets

Patterns and textures – Raised panel cabinetry provides an elegant look and feel.
Gilded details – Metallic patterns brighten up a dark kitchen and give off a decorative look.
Ornamental hardware – Handles or knobs in shiny gold tones or polished silver add the finishing touch to traditional cabinets.
Correlating rich colors – Dark brown cabinets warm up a room and provide a rich feel to any room.
Many different shapes – A blend of straight and curved lines keep your kitchen interesting and highlight different aspects of the room.

Modern Flat Cabinets

If you have a modern home, modern kitchen cabinets are an obvious choice, but you don’t necessarily have to change your home’s design elements if you want to add modern cabinetry. Sleek streamlined cabinets can also pair nicely with coastal or traditional homes.

Modern cabinets are often flat and have sharp straight lines that add an element of cool to your home.

Characteristics of Modern Kitchen Cabinets

High gloss – Add a bit of glamour to your kitchen with high gloss cabinets that shine.
Natural wood – Modern cabinets that are left unpainted bring in an element of nature to your home. You can mix in a few painted panels as well to mix it up if it begins to become too much.
Bright colors – Modern homes often play with color. Try a bright red or blue for your kitchen cabinets to add a pop of color to your room.

Shabby Chic Cabinets

Distressed vintage looking cabinets are one of our favorite styles of kitchen cabinets. This look adds a feminine flair to any kitchen. But before you add shabby chic cabinetry to your kitchen, make sure the rest of your home will compliment this look.

Distressed cabinetry is harder to fit into a home that isn’t already styled in a shabby chic or antique way.

Characteristics of Shabby Chic Kitchen Cabinets

Pastel accents – Pops of light pink, blue, or green along with white are popular colors used on shabby chic kitchen cabinets.
Reclaimed wood – Ask your cabinetry company if they make cabinets from reclaimed wood to give your kitchen an extra vintage feel.
Open shelving – Give an airy feeling near the kitchen sink by using open shelving that matches the cabinetry.
Brass accents – Tarnished brass accents complete the shabby chic look.

Louvered Cabinets

Louvered kitchen cabinets are another look. Different cabinet styles all offer a different feel and Louvered cabinets are marked by horizontal overlapping boards on the front panels. This is a great look for coastal and cottage homes.

Louvered kitchen cabinets can also make your kitchen appear longer than it is because of its horizontal lines. Use these cabinets in a small kitchen to make the room feel brighter and more spacious.

Characteristics of Louvered Cabinets

Lots of options – With many colors and wood types to choose from, louvered kitchen cabinets are very versatile.
Add elegance – Break up a plain kitchen with the clean lines of louvered cabinetry.
Add ventilation – Louvered kitchen cabinets are not purely aesthetic. They add ventilation to pantries that can help keep food from spoiling.

Shaker Cabinets

Shaker kitchen cabinets have remained popular for decades. The design is clean and minimalist and can easily fit into a variety of different home styles. Shaker cabinets offer three-dimensional depth to give the kitchen a more interesting look without appearing to angular.

Shaker cabinets can easily be painted or left unpainted and are often a very cost-efficient option for people on a budget.

Characteristics of Shaker Kitchen Cabinets

A touch of history – The shaker design originated from a religious movement that began in American colonial times.
Clean and simple – Shaker cabinets avoid any flourishes and favor a cleaner look.
Sturdy construction – Shaker cabinetry includes flat paneled doors with rail frames. They are made from high-quality wood and can withstand wear and tear.
Earthy wood – Shaker cabinets come in many varieties of wood such as cherry, maple, and oak.

Rustic Cabinets

Rustic kitchen cabinets reflect a country or mountain cabin lifestyle and may look out of place in an urban condo. These large cabinets have warm colors and rely on natural wood to add warmth to the kitchen.

Rather than using glassy stains, rustic kitchen cabinets are often left unglossed to give off a more natural and authentic feel.

Characteristics of Rustic Kitchen Cabinets

Inspired by nature – Rustic cabinets showcase knots and the grain of the wood. Complement this look by adding other natural elements into your kitchen such as a stone backsplash.
Rugged antique feel – Easily create a country or cabin feel by using distressed hardware. Incorporate small cubbies to show off pottery or collectibles in your kitchen.
Textures and Patterns – In addition to the wood, rustic cabinets can add texture through the use of paneling. Consider rustic paneling around the kitchen island.

Choose a Style and Make It Your Own

No matter what style your house is designed in different styles of kitchen cabinets can help bring it to life. Whether you are remodeling or just redecorating these kitchen cabinets styles will add the finishing touch to your kitchen project.

Leave us a comment and tell us your favorite kitchen cabinet style and share this article on Facebook.

June 27, 2018 by Incredible Planet Staff

Go Go Gadget – 6 Essential Kitchen Items for the New Cook

Lifestyle

Perhaps you’re moving into your first place and are facing the daunting task of setting up a kitchen so you can start cooking for yourself. Alternatively, maybe you’ve been out on your own for a while, but the ease and convenience of take-out were overpowering. Whatever your reason for ignoring the culinary arts, it’s never too late to equip your kitchen with the right tools. A properly equipped kitchen makes it much easier to create delicious meals, so use the following list to ensure you have all the basics.

1. Pots, Pans, and Skillets

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as trying to cook with old pots and pans. Not only does food stick and burn, but the pans themselves are usually stained, unsightly, and hard to clean.

Rather than fight with pots that only make cooking a chore, make sure your kitchen has the best cookware sets you can afford. Made of quality materials that won’t stick and clean easily, a good set of pots and pans is a must in every kitchen.

2. Spatulas, Spoons, and More

Too many spatulas and spoons? There’s no such thing! From small to large and slotted to not, it’s vital to have a variety of these utensils to handle any dish you might make. Here’s a list of tools that every aspiring chef must have on hand to reach their culinary potential

Ladle
Slotted spoon
Whisk
Rubber spatula
Metal spatula
Locking tongs

3. Things that Grate, Slice, and Mash

Any aspiring chef would be lost without a good knife, but there’s more to food preparation than merely cutting and chopping. A trusty knife is an excellent start, but the following items all have their place in any fully equipped kitchen.

Vegetable peeler
Serrated bread knife
Paring knife
Potato masher
Microplane grater
Lemon press
Garlic press
Kitchen shears
Grater
Chef’s knife

4. A Can Opener

A can opener is one of those tools you just can’t live without. There are many varieties of can openers, and it depends on your personal preference and budget as to which one best suits your kitchen.

Choose from manual or electric models, as well as ones that cut inside or outside of the can. A word of advice: the ones that cut outside the can produce a smoother edge that won’t allow the lid to fall inside.

5. A Corkscrew

If you’re not a wine drinker, a corkscrew is one of those things you don’t think you’ll ever need. However, should your best friend show up with a bottle of wine to celebrate your big promotion, you’ll wish you had one. Don’t be caught without this small but essential kitchen tool – even if you never buy wine yourself.

6. Measuring Cups and Spoons

You may be able to eyeball measurements for your favorite recipes, but when it comes to trying new things, you’ll want to be sure you’re measuring all the ingredients accurately.

All measuring cups are not created equal. There are measuring cups for both liquid and dry ingredients. Be sure you have both types in your kitchen, as well as a set of measuring spoons, too.

This list should give you a good head start. If you’re just moving into your first place, the above items can help you begin stocking your meals prep area with the proper tools. If you’ve been settled for a while but there are cobwebs in the kitchen, add the above items to your kitchen arsenal, so you’re prepared to create an array of delightful dishes for all your friends and family.

May 24, 2018 by Incredible Planet Staff

4 innovative ways to give your kitchen a fantastic makeover

Homes

Your kitchen holds a very special place in your home as well as in your heart! If you are an ardent lover of food, then you must be spending a whole lot of time in the kitchen experimenting and creating your favourite delicacies. It is extremely important for you to feel happy in the kitchen if you want to make good food. Not only this, your kitchen also has to be well organised so that you feel no less than a michelin star chef when you step inside your kitchen!

If you are planning to get your kitchen refurbished or execute some DIY skills of yours to give your favourite place a makeover, there are a great deal of ideas present online that will help you achieve your goal with perfection. If you do not want to invest a big share of your hard earned money in decorating your kitchen, you might go with the DIY ideas, and some essential hacks that will change the entire look. Stock yourself with ample accessories, adhesives and velcro so that you are do not run out of these essentials while revamping your kitchen. If you are into extensive decor of the place, you may order bulk tapes and hooks from MPD hook and loop and you are good to go for your makeover marathon!

Some of the ideas that you can use for your DIY kitchen renovation are listed below, have a look!

Paint your kitchen cabinets- One of the easiest and cheapest ways to give your kitchen a fresh look is to give your cabinets a new colour. You can go along with any colour scheme, maybe a dark, coffee colour in contrast with the white walls of the kitchen, or a subtle white or cream background and cabinets for uniformity and that easy breezy look. A lot of people have also chosen to have bright, citrus colours like orange , yellow and green to paint their cabinets for a funky look in the kitchen! Painting the cabinets sets the tone of the makeover theme and you can align the rest of the revamping according to it.

Rethinking the storage- having a good kitchen is all about having it managed perfectly. There are so many accessories in the kitchen which occupy a lot of spice so it is quite obvious to have a space crunch. But if you consider to give a thought to your storage option sin the kitchen, you might as well be able to give a new look to it. Instead of having the regular shelves in the kitchen, you can opt to have pull out drawers, open shelves for cutlery storage, or small,strategically placed closed shelves that let you use maximum space in the kitchen. Not only it will add a distinguished element in the kitchen, it will also make sure that your utensils are not lying around on the counter tops aimlessly, making your kitchen look like a mess.

Interesting cabinet handles or drawer pulls- just painting your kitchen cabinets or shelves is not sufficient, the real deal is getting exciting cabinet handles and drawer pulls for the newly painted cabinets and shelves. Depending upon your colour scheme or design scheme, you can choose from a large variety of handles available in the market. Choose hardware that can accentuate your cabinets’ look and style and match the design scheme, whichever it may be. You may try for wooden pulls or metallic bars or maybe funky handles to give your kitchen a new look.

Appliances as decorative items- no, we are not talking about the big cooktops or refrigerators, here we are keeping in mind the small appliances like a kettle, a toaster, a food processor. Choose funky colours that are in accordance to the colour scheme of the kitchen. These appliances will surely catch everyone’s eyes and make your kitchen look more beautiful and colourful!

Author Bio : Ben Helm is marketing manager for MPD Hook & Loop, providers of Velcro Brand products to businesses and consumers throughout the UK.

May 10, 2018 by Toby Walker

5 Benefits of a Beautifully Renovated Kitchen

Homes

Been dreaming of a beautiful kitchen fit to be featured within the glossy pages of a home design magazine?

Make that dream a reality!

If you’re tired of dealing with a disorganized, greasy kitchen, then it is high time for you to consider doing a full-on kitchen renovation.

Kitchens with Zest

Turn a drab and dreary kitchen into a place full of zing and zest. Kitchens are a place where you prepare sustenance for you and your loved ones. It is important, then, that meals are prepared with positive energy to come up not only with flavorful dishes but meals showered with love.

A beautiful and organized kitchen plays a significant role in keeping your spirits up while preparing hearty meals. Results from a 2010 study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, a scientific journal, people with cluttered homes displayed higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

For a more enjoyable time making meals, it would be best to renovate your kitchen. Enlisting the help of professional kitchen design companies in Melbourne can seriously guide you in making the right decisions in your kitchen renovation project.

When you are having second thoughts, here are some amazing advantages and benefits that will remind you why it is important to upgrade to a new kitchen.

1. Updated look

Look good, feel good. This is a popular saying that proves true in so many situations, and the same could be applied to a new kitchen.

Still rooted in psychology, being in a beautiful environment increases the feeling of positivity. Clean counters, shiny tabletops, and an overall organized feel in the kitchen area can greatly improve your moods and feelings.

With the help of kitchen renovation experts, you can bring your vision to life with their expertise in designing a space that is both pleasing to the eyes and the senses.

2. Improved functionality

Stylish kitchen designs from the best designers will also increase functionality. Close consultation with these kitchen specialists will ensure that important elements of the kitchen – like the crucial “triangle” placement of cooktop, sink, and refrigerator – will be top of mind.

Experienced and reliable kitchen renovation masters will ensure that you will have a kitchen that is working according to your needs. A well-designed space will give you practical solutions that will make it easier to move around and use your kitchen area easily and efficiently.

3. Increased comfort and safety

Renovating your kitchen will also bring in comfort and safety.

New kitchen appliances designed to be a lot safer than their earlier counterparts are available. With the right advice from kitchen design experts, you should be quickly brought up to speed on which appliances will still work after renovation, and which ones need replacing, while also keeping in mind the aesthetics of your cooking space.

Also, a kitchen nowadays is not only used for preparing and cooking food. It has also become a social zone where friends and family get together and catch up. Whether it is preparing meals together or simply staying gathered around the kitchen island exchanging stories, a carefully planned kitchen layout will facilitate better flow in and around the space.

When kitchen appliances and other items are in their proper places, the risk of accidents is also reduced. Having your kitchen paraphernalia in their proper storage spaces will significantly improve safety.

4. Reduced energy costs

With in-depth discussions with your kitchen renovation consultant, you will also be informed of other modern conveniences and innovations that will help in lowering energy costs.

From smart kitchen technology to eco-friendly appliances, you can drastically lower you energy consumption by choosing energy-efficient options for your kitchen renovation. You can also switch to LED lighting fixtures that will significantly improve energy efficiency and cut down your electrical bills, while helping reduce your carbon footprint.

5. Increase home value

If in case you consider putting your home up for sale in the future, a stunning kitchen will definitely add to its resale value.

Upgrading the look, style, and functionality of this home space can certainly give added appeal and make buyers consider purchasing your house. Prospects will surely be enticed when they see the thought, care, and attention to detail you and your kitchen designers have put into making a highly operational kitchen.

Style and Substance

Home improvements do great things to improve your overall well-being. Upgrading specific rooms in the house, like your kitchen, will not only make your home a more conducive place to live in but also a place that will bring members of the family, as well as friends, together.

Form and function is what you will get when you hire kitchen renovation specialists. The benefits of cooking up a kitchen concept that will ultimately make your kitchen organized, efficient, and gorgeous. A pleasant place that is free of clutter will bring much joy and comfort leading you to be more inspired in concocting divinely decadent dishes for the whole family.

May 4, 2018 by Shane Curran

7 Tips for Designing the Perfect Kitchen

Homes

Designing the perfect kitchen for your home requires a plan. It also entails following this plan, and at the same time, allowing for some flexibility as the need arises.

To achieve such necessary balance, it’s important to get experts to guide you along the way. With the help of trusted interior design and fit out specialists, you can implement the following best practices to help you design the perfect kitchen for your needs:

1. Know your space

Before you begin looking at different kitchen materials, fixtures, furniture and appliances, you need to have a clear picture of and understand the space you will be working with.

If you want to have a professionally-designed cooking area, ask a kitchen or interior designer for scale drawings. With these drawings, you will see exactly how much room you have to work with and use them to plan your design.

Start creating your layout by thinking about the location of the internal and external doors and windows. By doing so, you can work on the best flow possible between your kitchen, outside space, and the rest of your house in the design.

2. Focus on your style but allow for some eccentricities

To have the perfect kitchen, make sure this room features a flawless blend of your personal style and some unique design features. This means aiming for a brilliant, standout kitchen instead of just an average one.

Your home was created based on your own style, taste and sensibility. As such, your kitchen should relate to the rest of your home. However, it should also have a unique quality, that breath of fresh air that will make it both impressive and exceptional.

Keep in mind that playing it safe is excellent for investment properties. But to have the perfect kitchen for yourself, you have to be more creative and think outside the box.

3. Prioritize functionality in your design

All elements of your kitchen design should have a purpose. By doing so, you can get more from your space and every feature or fixture that you will have installed.

When designing your kitchen, you don’t want it to just look incredible. It has to be practical and ergonomic, too. You, therefore, need to have a layout that is aesthetically appealing and works efficiently at the same time.

4. Select materials carefully

To get more from your investment in your new kitchen, pick durable materials that last long and need little maintenance.

Marble can really look great for your sink and kitchen top. However, it is porous, absorbs stains, and requires substantial maintenance. Stainless steel looks magnificent as well but it scratches easily, too.

If you are having a hard time selecting the right materials, take a cue from the best designers from interior companies in Dubai: they employ a user-first approach. For your own kitchen, think about your and your family’s needs and lifestyle first, and work with your kitchen design specialist using that information.

5. Don’t forget storage

The kitchen is one of the areas in your home where you will store a lot of items. As such, make sure it has the right number of storage units.

The good news is there are different types of storage solutions you can choose from. These include kitchen cabinets, shelves, pantries and even built-in drawers in the kitchen island.

6. Consider appliances you want to have in your kitchen

Knowing the different types and number of appliances you plan on putting in your new kitchen will help you come up with the perfect layout. It is best to list all of them down so you have a good idea of where to place each one so they don’t clash with the design and enhance kitchen functionality.

If you will be buying new appliances, remember that you don’t always have to pick the most expensive ones. However, it is best to choose well-known brands as they usually come with a warranty, and you won’t have to worry about finding spare parts and experts to repair them in case they break down unexpectedly.

7. Integrate the most suitable garbage solution

Finally, don’t forget the nitty-gritty daily needs of your kitchen space. This refers to the area or fixtures where you plan on storing your garbage.

A smart and convenient idea for kitchen garbage storage is to place pull out bins under the sink. If you have more space and need something larger, you can add a full-length pull out bin. Whatever you choose, keep in mind that the best place to keep a bin or a garbage receptacle is near the sink.

Even if there are more available resources today, designing the perfect kitchen is still a challenging task. It is always best to get help from professional designers so you get the end result you are looking for without wasting time, effort and money.

April 29, 2018 by Kristy Sanderson

Revamp Your Kitchen! Let the Expert Designers Help You with the Design

Homes

What does your heart desire? A Beautiful home, with lovely interior décor for all the rooms, right? Well, you need to think in this path for your kitchen as well. When guests and extended family come over, after the makeover, they will want to see your kitchen as well. It is best to get your kitchen looking just as beautiful.

Kitchens in Wigan are ready to help you out! You will find professionals, who look after financial aspects of your renovations as well. With the help of such experts, you will be able to build the kitchen that is sure to win you great accolades.

WHAT DO EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL’S OFFER THAT NOVICE FAIL TO PROVIDE?

The kitchen makeover, might seem like a simple job, but there are many elements that need your attention. Floors, cabinets, appliances, even the layout, all need to be planned and you need to build a kitchen that is not only beautiful, but also functional. A professional will help you create both, within your budget. Here are a few more reasons that make the decision to hire a professional a smart one:

o Aesthetics of your Home: Home is basically the one place, you can relax and be yourself. You need to come back to a welcoming home. Even the kitchen needs to feel welcoming, so that you feel engaged to cook up a delicious meal. It should also add to the look of the rest of the house. A professional will work with you and build a home that enhances the aesthetic value of the home.

o Increase the Value of your Property: Do you plan on selling? Well, not immediately, but maybe in the future. You would want to get maximum value out of your property. The professionals will ensure that they create a design that is long lasting and durable. So, when you want to sell the property, you will get enhanced rates for your house.

o Helps to Relax: When you give the responsibility of remodelling or designing a kitchen to professionals, you are bound to get a kitchen of your preference. The professionals take all the responsibility and you can relax. This is because, they have their reputations at stake and will never compromise that, so the professionals will take care to complete your project with great efficiency.

o Saves a Lot of Time & Money: If you do it yourself or call in a novice, you might think that you will be saving money, but it is the exact opposite. The chances of mistakes are quite high, because you have no idea about what needs to be done. A novice might lack the expertise and knowledge to do the same. So, you need to look at professionals, who have been at these kind of jobs for a long time. They know the best suppliers and the experts can get the best of supplies at the fairest rates. With all their expertise, you will be able to get the job on-time, at the first go and affordable rates. So, ultimately you get to save a considerable amount of time and money.

IS HIRING PROFESSIONALS THE SMART MOVE?

Well, think about it! You get good rates, best materials and a functional, yet beautiful kitchen. What else would you need? The professionals will also offer you peace of mind, so you get to relax while they create your modern contemporary kitchen space. Sounds like a good deal, right?

If you are still feeling like doing the job yourself, ask the following questions:

o Do you have the skill and expertise for kitchen renovations?

o Can you complete the job efficiently and within time?

The answers will obviously be “maybe” or “no”. Professionals will say yes to all the questions and pass with flying colours. Go ahead, call them in and see a lovely kitchen unfold in front of your eyes!

April 19, 2018 by Incredible Planet Staff

Top Kitchen Remodel Tips from Interior Design Experts

Homes

Kitchen remodel is one of the most discussed subjects among interior designers. These projects can be time-consuming as well as expensive. Needless to say that if you are going to remodel your kitchen, then you should do it the right way!

That being said, experts like Novus Homes share some of their favorite tips and suggestions for your upcoming kitchen remodeling project. In this article, we will talk about their experiences that will help you rebuild your kitchen with professional efficiency.

Know your Functionality

The first and the most important consideration when undertaking a remodeling project is to know the use of your kitchen. Do you need expensive electrical appliances? Would you prefer to use gas or electric? Do you cook foods with potent spices to make ventilation a necessity? Would you like to have easy access to knives and other kitchen equipment? Answering these basic yet important questions will give you clarity about how to plan your functional space. While aesthetics are important, knowing your utility can go a long way in designing a practical kitchen. Pay attention to your favored details and things that stand in the way of your seamless routine. This will help you incorporate necessary changes to the rudimentary plan.

Use the Magic of Colors

By leveraging contrasting colors, you can add a lot of depth and dimension to your kitchen. This is a rookie trick that all designers incorporate in their designs to alter the perception and give an unobstructed line of sight. This is especially true in the working areas. Colors can define areas with ease and can really make your workspace stand out. You can choose to work with contrasting colors or consider using varied tones if you don’t want to go monochromatic. This tip alone will add a lot of visual appeal to the room. Put your color palette together by choosing warm and cool shades or mixing neutral colors with bold primary colors. You can then play with the design by either focusing on a single item with a bold color, such as the work counter, or let the element of your palette define the theme of the space.

Keep your Existing Layout

By retaining the existing layout, you can save a lot of your money and time in rebuilding the kitchen from the scratch. Sometimes, simple edits alone can give your kitchen a fresh spin. This especially works wonders if you want to change the way your kitchen looks without spending a fortune. Needless to say, your budget defines how creative you can get with the design. However, one should never underestimate the cost factor, even if you have a handsome budget. Meet a few professionals to get ideas from them. You can also ask for quotes to get a realistic idea of the actual cost and practicality of remodeling your kitchen.

Redo your Backsplash

If you want to add the illusion of height to your kitchen on a minimal budget, then consider taking your backsplash all the way to the ceiling. This trick not only adds finesse to your kitchen design but also creates more tallness to the room. Moreover, a vivid backsplash can also become the focal point of your kitchen with relative ease. If you really want to do more with less, then this tip will change your kitchen’s visual appeal dramatically.

Consider Updates and Edits

Sometimes what you need is small edits and updates rather than a complete makeover. These can be taken up as DIY projects that will change the look and feel of your kitchen. Making minor changes such as changing the upholstery of your bar stools or upgrading the lighting scheme can do the trick and break the monotony. You can also replace shelving with cabinets or vice versa. Breathe life into your kitchen by adding some aesthetic touch-ups and make it feel livelier. If you are unsure whether you need a remodel or a quick update, then answer one simple question: are you after functionality or appearance?

Usually, people prefer kitchen remodel when they are looking to enhance the usability of their kitchen. However, if all you need is a little enhancement, then you can usually get away with trendy designs and small edits. Adding accessories, wall art, etc. can give your kitchen the overhaul without the need for a full remodel.

These simple hacks are a good starting point for your kitchen remodel project. Any designer worth their salt will know the importance of a kitchen that offers visual appeal and functionality in equal measures. The only challenge is to ensure that the two meet halfway without blowing the client’s budget.

April 13, 2018 by Rania Bellos

5 Most Daunting Cleaning Tasks & How to Tackle Them

Homes

House cleaning is a daunting task that must be done. Even if you have better things to do with your time, cleaning should be an important part of your routine. Because if you don’t want your home to turn into a disaster, you shouldn’t put off housework.

Good thing you can make cleaning tasks easier by following these tips.

1 – Appliances

You use your appliances every single day but often neglect to clean them. They should undergo thorough cleaning once in a while to remove spills, grime and any residue. But before you attempt to clean any of your appliances, make sure to unplug it first.

Microwave

The easiest way to clean this appliance is to microwave a safe container that has water. Wait until it boils then let it rest for a few minutes. After the steam loosens the filth, wipe with clean cloth. Add a slice of lemon in the water for extra effect and a fresh aroma.

Refrigerator

The space at the back of your fridge gathers gunk, dust and other dirt particles. To facilitate proper cleaning, take note of the following.

Pull out the refrigerator and vacuum any dirt you find under or beneath it. Make sure to also mop the floor to remove stains that have been there for a long time.
Replace loose gaskets and check your refrigerator manual for replacement parts. With a tighter seal, you can save energy and enjoy a cooler fridge.
Wipe the refrigerator gaskets with warm and soapy water. Rinse then dry.
Use soapy water or vinegar solutions to clean the internal and external parts of your fridge. Whenever there are spills, make sure to wipe them down before they become harder to clean.
Stovetop

If you love cooking, your stovetop may be an area with quite a bit of filth. Here’s how you can clean it up to make it look brand new.

Vacuum crumbs or dirt between the counter and stove top.
Fill your sink with hot and soapy water. Soak the knobs, burners and hood vents for a few hours then scrub. Repeat the process if there are still filth left.
Replace metal drip plates with stains if they’re beyond the aid of steel wool.
Toaster

Pull and wash the crumb catcher of your toaster. Shake the machine gently over the sink to remove any food residue.

Make sure that you dry your toaster thoroughly before plugging it back.

2 – Walls

Your walls need cleaning too. But since your house consists mostly of walls, this can be quite a strenuous task. Here’s a simple way to clean your walls to avoid putting it off any longer.

Prepare a good microfiber duster or mop and an all-purpose cleaning spray.
Pull furniture and items away from the wall you’ll be cleaning. Spray the entire wall with an all-purpose cleaner and then wipe it clean using a microfiber mop. Start from the top then work your way down.

3 – Air Vents and Ducts

When cleaning air vents and flexible ducting, it’s more efficient to do them at the same time.

Remove vent covers and soak them in hot water in your bathtub. Add a squirt of grease-cutting detergent. Leave them for a few hours while you move to cleaning the ducts.
Use an attachment on your vacuum to clean the dirt and dust from the air ducts.
Take out the vent covers from the tub and lay them out to dry. If any covers still have grime, wipe them off using a microfiber cloth.
As a final step, spray your air vents and ducts with a dusting spray to prevent dust and dirt build-up.

4 – Blinds

Most people hate cleaning the blinds because it’s such a time-consuming task. Depending on how dirty your blinds are, a good dusting spray is great for removing dust from the surface layer.

Also, make use of a good dusting tool (tall enough to clean the top and bottom) to cut your cleaning time in half.

What you’ll usually find on blinds is dust build-up. Dust and water can create quite a mess. It’s best to start dry when cleaning your blinds.

Open the blinds and run your dusting tool along them from the top to bottom. Make sure that you start from the top so that you can remove dust falls as you work your way to the bottom.
After dusting all the way down, use a vacuum cleaner attachment to clean dust falls.

5 – Carpets

A half-hearted vacuuming of your carpet isn’t impactful. It may make your carpet look spic and span temporarily but it won’t completely remove the dirt.

Here’s how you can make use of baking soda to ease the cleaning process your carpet.

Sprinkle baking soda generously over your carpet.
Leave the baking soda powder overnight or at least 30 minutes. This allows the powder to work by consuming carpet odors and softening stains.
Once done, use a vacuum to remove the baking soda.

Cleaning is an important chore that you shouldn’t take lightly. The health and safety of your family rely on how you keep your house clean and tidy. If you don’t have the time to do deep cleaning yourself, you can always let a cleaning service to do the work for you.

Remember, any daunting cleaning task can become easy with the right cleaning tools and enough patience.

April 10, 2018 by Incredible Planet Staff

What To Look For When Buying a Food Processor

Lifestyle

If you want to begin cooking and becoming a better chef, then I recommend that you begin investing in the right equipment. A food processor should be one of the first on your list, which can cut the time and effort of preparing your food. But with the many food processors available out there, it can get quite tricky looking for one that suits your budget and household!

Fortunately, there are ways to help you out. So read on as I show you the different factors and tips to consider when you’re buying a food processor!

Power

Make sure that what you choose has the power to pulse through all the different fruits, vegetables, nuts, or other ingredients you add in. It should be able to handle tough jobs, such as kneading dough, chopping raw vegetables, or shredding cheese. If not, then you’ll end up having a burned out motor and a food processor that won’t work. Go for a motor that has at least 600 watts.

Attachments and Accessories Included

There are some food processors which come with a ton of accessories to make your machine even more useful. Some come with different work bowls or blades, others have discs that grate and slice, or attachment with speed settings that enable you to use your processor as a juicer or kneader. But before you spend more for the extra accessories, consider whether you’ll be using it or not.

Brand and Price

Yes, the brand does matter because with trusted names and companies, you’ll be assured something built to perform effectively. I would recommend that you look into reviews like what babes has to offer, starting out with reputable brands with more positive, legitimate reviews from babys. But you should also take account your budget, as processors can range between $50 to $200! Choose a good brand with features you need and the efficient performance.

Blades

An effective food processor should have different types of strong blades, which will be able to do different things such as grind, puree, chop, or others! But look into the material as well, which should be made out of quality stainless steel to chop through hard ingredients like nuts or vegetables. Not only that but they are extremely durable as well!

Size and Capacity

There are different-sized food processors, some of them accommodating three cups or a whopping 20 cups! The latter is best for restaurant kitchens or for those usually cooking in big batches at home.

The size would mostly depend on the number of people you accommodate when you cook your meals. For those who usually cook for a family of four, a ten-cup processor will work just fine.

Functions and Features

Most food processors usually come with one motor speed with a small tube opening to add ingredients while you process food. I recommend that you get processors that have a pulse button for small bursts of power, as well as a smooth touch pad for controls. Consider the price and need if you’re looking at processors with more speed controls.

Warranties

The standard warranty for most home appliances is one year, with some manufacturers offering extended warranties, specifically for the motor. Quality food processors offer longer warranties on certain parts as well, some of which going for up to five years. They may be a bit more expensive than others but their warranties make it a good deal.

Can You Juice?

If you want to juice with your food processor then there are separate attachments called juice extractors or juicers. You can invest in these for better juicing if you want quality juice or opt to find a processor that will be able to juice when needed. Again, consider what controls you need!

Dishwasher Safe and Solid Body?

Lastly, you’ll want to make sure that your food processor has the solid body built to last! I recommend that you go for processors that have solid bodies and wider bases for stability. Additionally, it should also be dishwasher safe for effective and easy cleaning rather than do it manually!

Wrapping It Up

Through investing in the right kitchen equipment, you will be able to achieve better quality dishes and quicker time preparing! There’s no more need to cut or chop on your own anymore. But that is, if you choose the right one for YOU!

I hope that this article on what to look for when buying a food processor helped you find out what you need to invest in for your kitchen. So don’t wait any longer and make the right investments today!

If you have any questions or would like to share your tips and experiences on purchasing a food processor then comment down below. I would love to hear what you have to think.

March 15, 2018 by Incredible Planet Staff

Useful tips on choosing compartment sinks for your kitchen

Business

No kitchen is complete without a sink. In order to wash dishes and keep the kitchen area clean, a sink is an important addition. For commercial kitchens, the sinks are large pieces that are constantly put to use. Having the right sink in the right place is very important to accomplish various tasks, right from hand washing to glass washing and flatware cleaning, sink is essential for the food safety program and is something the health inspectors will focus on.

Tips on choosing the right sink

Consider the size of your commercial kitchen and choose sinks that fit perfectly well. The sink should not be too large nor too small, it should be of the perfect size for your daily use. There are hand sinks which are only suitable for washing hands and it will keep the dishes out. For more information, read these reviews on kitchen sinks to decide the best kitchen sink suitable for you. Most sinks are suitable for a sole purpose and not for dishes or scrubbing. Then there are kitchen sinks which are available in multiple compartments for rinsing and washing.

These sinks are designed keeping the multiple requirements in mind and will meet your purpose. The health inspectors focus on this sink and require you to have 3 compartment sinks for proper sanitization of the dishes. Further there are bar sinks which are designed for the purpose of glass washing behind the bar. The sinks should prevent buildup of bacteria and grime and should have sealed seams which eliminate spaces.

Three compartment sinks

If you have a commercial kitchen, you should invest in a three compartment sink which can have a single drain board either on the right or left or dual drainboards for a wider workspace. Sinks with a different bowl width and depth is also available and it comes with pre punched holes for faucets. In case of three compartment sink, you can dedicate each compartment to a different task such as soaking, hand washing and pre rinse.

This will help improve workflow and allow you to keep the sink area neat and clean. There will be no piling up of dishes or unnecessary waste of time in hand washing. The sinks are manufactured from corrosion resistant stainless steel and are durable and easy to maintain. The sinks can be kept clean with ease and will last for many years. They have rounded corners and raised rolled top edges which make it easier to work around the same.

They have rolled top edges that prevent overflows as well. Consider the available wall space so that the compartment sink can be appropriately installed inside the space. Many sinks also come with adjustable legs or feet so that you can modify the height of the sink and fit it into your space.

The three compartment sink allows you to enjoy a wider workspace and ease of use. It is highly convenient and preferred by most restaurants and commercial kitchens. There is less clutter and it can be kept clean and well maintained without much effort.

March 12, 2018 by Incredible Planet Staff

5 Wonderful Ideas for Redecorating Your Home From Top To Bottom

Homes

Redecorating your place can help the creative monkey inside you have a blast. Install smart and appealing designs to remodel your home beautifully!

Plan your designs to avoid wasting time and money on unimportant stuff. You don’t have to decorate the whole place at once; go one room at a time to get the most out of your creativity.

Valuable Hacks and Design Ideas

Many areas in your house don’t need new installations but can look prettier with little refurbishing and creativity. You can save a significant amount of money by investing your time in remodelling old structures or making use of old stuff. The following are some innovative insights that will transform your house into something incredible:

Mount it on the wall

Do you know how efficiently you can use the walls in your home? You can install small chunks of wood, old PVC pipes or pretty holders on the walls to make the full use of them. Every room can have a wall for something; your walk-in closet to hang your shoes, your kitchen to hang your utensils, your living room to hang your paintings, your cupboards to hang your jewellery and your bathrooms to hang your bathroom knick-knacks.

Makeup kit hacks

If you are fond of makeup, then having a messy vanity table is inevitable! There are some hacks that can help you keep it organised for a long time. Do you have old trays or desk drawer organisers? Instead of overstuffing your makeup bag, use the plate to keep your makeup organised on your vanity table.

Having a huge budget isn’t needed, being smart is necessary!

Hide from the sight

The concept of false ceilings gave birth to the idea of hiding things from the sight effectively. Just like a false ceiling hides the lights in the room, a false wall cabinet or a cupboard drawer can hide the stuff you don’t want everyone to see. A false wall storage unit to hide your jewellery, a secret compartment on the side of the cupboard to hide your valuables, a lamp installed inside the wall or a side storage unit in your kitchen for unused utensils can not only help you organise your place conveniently, but also make your home more appealing.

Kitchen labelling

If you are always searching for utensils or spices in your kitchen, then why not label them? Use old jars, boxes or containers for utensils and spices that you barely use, and label them to make sure you find them whenever needed. You can also tag your drawers to avoid confusion and waste time on the wrong ones. Your kitchen design is essential, but if you can mark everything efficiently, then you don’t have to worry about anything.

Life is too short to ferret around your kitchen- John Wilcock, The Kitchen Studio.

Memory boards

Do you always forget to do something crucial or take something meaningful to work? Quite frustrating, right? Why don’t you install pretty memory boards wherever you can, to make sure you don’t forget to accomplish any critical task. The fridge door cannot take care of all the messages, so go for whiteboards or blackboards, and install them in different rooms carefully to ensure it fits with the decor. You and your family can write essential reminders or cute, little messages and never forget anything ever again.

Don’t make having a tight budget an excuse for making your house fantastic and delightful!

Author Bio: The Kitchen Studio are specialists in kitchen planning, design and fitting by providing a thorough and bespoke service that boasts unrivalled detail from start to finish. The complete service starts with a comprehensive survey of the kitchen which will then allow the customers ideas and requirements to be implemented within the design. The Kitchen Studio provides everything needed to ensure the kitchen installation is smooth and efficient. They undertake the full installation of kitchens including all related electrical, gas and water requirements whilst also offering any small building work, plastering, tiling and heating engineering to complete the total project. All of which is carried out by local and top quality contractors who have worked with the company for many years. The team are all highly trained, friendly and reliable and are there to help make the whole process run as smooth as possible.

March 5, 2018 by Incredible Planet Staff

10 Essential Kitchen Tools for Beginner Cooks

Lifestyle

When you are getting started as a beginner cook, you might be confused about which kitchen tools are essential for getting the job done. Kitchen stores are full of single-purpose gadgets that promise to solve your problems, but these tools are generally a waste of money.

Instead, spend your money on the kitchen basics that will help you with any recipe from fried fish to birthday cake. This is not an exhaustive list, but it will give you a boost in stocking your kitchen, so you can cook with confidence.

Spatulas
A good set of spatulas helps with nearly every recipe. Start with turners, a type of spatula made for flipping and serving food. Choose turners made to be used in high heat situations, with sturdy metal or silicone. These are great for flipping fish in the pan or for scraping the bottom of a pan.
Use rubber or silicone spatulas for scraping mixing bowls and jars. These are especially great for baking, where they can be used for mixing soft batters.

Knives

It is better to spend more to get a few essential knives than to buy a cheap set of knives. Some beginning chefs may be intimidated by using “real” kitchen knives, thinking that they are more dangerous, but more people cut themselves on dull knives than on sharp ones.
A chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a bread knife are three essentials. Add more over time as your cooking skills develop. When you are shopping, look at the best knives reviewed.

Cutting Boards
Along with knives, cutting boards are one of the kitchen tools you will use the most often. It pays to have a variety of cutting boards in different materials and sizes. Many people like to have cutting boards that are reserved for meat and poultry, using the rest for vegetables and fruits. Sturdy acrylic cutting boards can go in the dishwasher to be sanitized.

Measuring Cups and Spoons
Every chef needs a good set of measuring cups and spoons. Get measuring cups for dry ingredients and wet ingredients. Glass or plastic measuring cups are best for wet ingredients – these have measurements marked on the outside. A graduated set of measuring cups is best for dry ingredients. Measuring spoons should go from 1/8 teaspoon up to 1 tablespoon. They should be well marked and easy to use.

Timer

While many ovens and microwaves come with timers, it pays to have a reliable stand-alone timer. Timers should be easy to set and reset and should have an audible tone to tell you when food is ready. Digital kitchen timers are a good purchase, but for short time periods, some people still like to use the traditional wind-up timer with a knob.

Instant-Read thermometer
If you want to cook meat or poultry, an instant-read thermometer is a great purchase. Simply cooking meat with a timer often means that your food will be undercooked or overcooked. An instant-read thermometer works by simply sticking the thermometer directly in the food. Check meat at its thickest point.

Locking Tongs
One kitchen item that you will use as often as you use knives is a set of locking tongs. Tongs are good for picking up small and delicate foods as well as helping you wrangle large cuts of meat. Choose tongs with scalloped points and non-slip grips. Locking tongs are a kitchen item you will use almost daily, so be sure you pick the best quality possible.

Graters

A box grater helps you grate large quantities of cheese or vegetables. This is great for recipes like macaroni and cheese. Grating cheese yourself presents a huge cost savings when compared to pre-grated cheese. A quality box grater will get the job done quickly.A microplane grater is good for grating citrus peel and chocolate. You might find that you don’t use the microplane grater as often as the box grater, but both are good to have in the kitchen.

Cast-Iron Skillet
An essential pan to have in your kitchen is a cast-iron skillet. This is a versatile tool that helps you cook everything from frittatas to cornbread. You can even deep fry food in a cast-iron skillet. Cast-iron skillets heat evenly and keep their temperature constant, making them perfect for any frying or sautéing task. Taking care of a cast-iron skillet can be time-consuming, but their advantages outweigh the inconvenience.

Enameled Dutch Oven
An enameled Dutch oven is a great companion to the cast-iron skillet. They heat evenly and keep their temperature as well as a cast-iron pan. They are perfect for soups and stews, and you can also deep-fry in them. In a pinch, you can use them as a stockpot for boiling water. The enameled surface makes them much easier to clean than cast-iron.Use our ten essential kitchen tools to help you get started on the road to be an accomplished cook. Buying good quality utensils will save you money in the long run and will eliminate frustration from using subpar items.

February 15, 2018 by Rod Diamond

5 Tips for Inspecting a House Before Buying

Homes

Is purchasing a house something you envision for your future? Then get ready — this is one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime, so it’s a must to go about the property-shopping process meticulously and make sure that you get a great deal.

Having a house inspection done is one reliable way to determine whether a house’s value is consistent with the asking price or not. This is not just a smart strategy that buyers like you should adopt — it’s also required by Australian law.

Early observations

To ensure the thorough inspection of a house you are seriously considering buying, hiring the services of professional home inspectors is the recommended action.

But while you are still in the early stages of checking out properties that could potentially be included in your shortlist, you could practice doing some basic inspecting yourself. This is especially true if you are still only casually looking through properties through an open house.

So, if you are visiting different properties with your realtor soon and you want to get a solid idea of ways to check the structural and functional integrity of the property, here are five tips to help you out.

1. Inspect certain rooms more thoroughly than others.

The attic, bathrooms, kitchen and garage require more of your attention when you come by to see a house.

Why?

The attic and garage are the areas where indoor heat is typically lost. They are also prone to pest infestations. Meanwhile, the kitchen and bathroom both have plumbing provisions installed. You will want to make sure that there are no leaking pipes, blocked drains and other plumbing issues.

If there are such issues in a house that you happen to be seriously interested in buying, the seller should be informed about them so they can have those fixed by a professional plumbing service. Alternatively, you might want to negotiate a new deal for the property if the seller fails or refuses to take care of repairs.

And speaking of negotiating a better deal for the house, an outdated kitchen entails lengthier discussions. If you will be needing a full kitchen renovation for the improved overall function of the space, this presents an opportunity to work out a more reasonable price.

Seasoned property buyers generally avoid paying top-of-the-market rates for an outdated property; you should be aware of this fact and take heed, too.

2. Include the ceilings, walls, floors, doors and windows as well.

The condition of all these house features will have a reasonable impact on the quality of life you will experience if you were to move in.

For instance, check if doors and windows are broken or loose. If they are, that means the house’s HVAC system could be working extra hard (and failing) to regulate the indoor temperature, and consequently using more electricity than necessary. You will not like the monthly energy bill you will receive while living in a house in this condition.

Ceilings, walls and floors, on the other hand, shouldn’t have stains. Keep an eye out for wallpaper with bubbling or loosened areas. These signs indicate moisture issues in the house which may be caused by damaged plumbing. Pinpointing the exact source of the damage can be tricky, so you will need an experienced roof plumber for the job.

What’s more, if there is excessive moisture in the house, there could be a mold problem hiding somewhere as well. Certified building inspectors will tell you that molds are a serious problem that require professional removal. Plus, where there are molds, there are usually pests as well.

3. Look over the exterior structures as well.

Step outside the house and have a look at the drainage systems, including the gutters. Also, check out the foundation and landscaping to make sure that everything is leveled and there is no growing vegetation that could affect the stability of the structure.

4. Get an overall first-hand feel of the house.

A house should feel comfortably dry in its key areas. It should have a properly functioning HVAC system that maintains the ideal interior climate. Humidity should be low because a “moist” house, as previously mentioned, presents a lot of problems not only regarding the structural integrity of the house, but for the well-being of the residents as well.

5. Ask about the year the house was built.

Many homes built before the 1980s contain asbestos. In such houses, asbestos would be present in old floor and ceiling tiles, shingles and flashing, insulation and other home components. Unfortunately, the presence of this naturally occurring fibrous mineral can lead to serious health risks for anyone exposed to it.

If an old house retains several “vintage” elements, there is a high likelihood that asbestos is present. If you are interested in the house, you could talk to builders or other professionals who are trained to handle asbestos during home repairs or renovations to gain more insight into its potential impact on your purchase. Otherwise, you could consider passing up that particular house and look for a newer and safer one.

You need to be dedicated and discriminating when looking for a home to buy because the purchase will provide you a truly valuable asset. As such, aim to actively learn what to keep an eye out for, and invest in hiring building and plumbing professionals to help you inspect the property you like the most. This way, you can be more confident that you’ll be making a truly informed buying decision.

February 4, 2018 by Martin Whorley

Interior Design For 2018: The Hottest Trends

Homes

If you have been living in the same home for years, it’s time to move on without having to move out. 2018 is here, and so are the hottest interior design trends. You can create a focal point in your room or simply give the walls some serious punch; there are endless ways to create or recreate your dream living space. Here’s the first option to start with.

Stone-washed carpets

Stone-washed carpets can create a beautiful statement and inspire elegant living in any space, big or small. The carpets sit beautifully beneath your furniture and provide a contrasting backdrop to make your room stand out. The best part is stone-washed patterns can camouflage dirt, by virtue of which it looks clean and tidy for a long time. Also, you do not have to worry about the finish being eroded – even if it does, it won’t make any difference to the original pattern anyway.

Small Dining tables to fit any room

A family that eats together stays together. Small dining tables are a perfect fit for a small family. They are lightweight, minimalist and can be stored in the corner when not in use. Small dining tables allow you to sit closer to the person you have your meal with. As it follows, delicious food and endless conversation can go hand in hand.

Farmhouse kitchen island with traditional lights

Farmhouse kitchen island is all the rage in 2018, and you, too, can go with the flow by making little changes to your wooden countertop and suspended luminaires. You can accentuate your kitchen island with weathered countertop and matching cabinets to complete the look. Choosing suitable chairs and upholstery is also important. Also, replace those contemporary lights with traditional suspended diffusers to spruce up the kitchen like a farmhouse.

Coffered ceilings

Coffered ceilings can transform any room into an architectural masterpiece instantly. The recessed patterns catch the attention and elicit compliments galore. You might want to install minimalist light fixtures to accentuate those recessed sections even more. Coffered ceilings may be a big investment, but rest assured that the returns will be even bigger.

Aluminium Doors

Glass doors with aluminium frames are no longer exclusive to shopfronts. They can be a great addition to your home as well. You can use these doors in your kitchen or balcony. They not only blend in with all types of interiors, but they also provide a clear line of sight across either side of the door. The best part is aluminium doors are cheap and require little-to-no maintenance.

Bathrooms with mixed tiles

It’s time to break the monotony in your bathroom. If you are planning to renovate your bathroom this year, using different tiles in different areas can create a unique style statement. Mix and match different colours and patterns to wow yourself every day.

Frameless mirrors

Create a reflection of an elegant home with an array of frameless mirrors. If you are not a fan of art or paintings, frameless mirrors can fill the void on your walls and make an effortless style statement. You can also integrate these frameless mirrors with your vanity unit and in other parts of home in various innovative ways. We leave it to your imagination.

It is imperative to plan out a budget beforehand so that you get off on the right foot and achieve desired results with minimum errors. Good luck for your new interiors.

January 19, 2018 by Robert Allam

12 Must-Have Features Of A Custom Luxury Home Kitchen

Homes

Kitchens are the most popular room to remodel in individually designed homes. Today, a lot goes into designing and building a custom luxury kitchen. You must keep practicality in mind, as well as pay attention to the look and feel of the space.

Now is the time to make your vision for your kitchen a reality. Maximize this essential home space with the help of the following must-have features that will take your kitchen to its peak functional and aesthetic form.

1. Double Ovens

Having a double oven will make your kitchen look stylish. The main oven can be used without requiring you to bend over with difficulty, while the secondary oven is used for additional baking and plate warming.

By separating the ovens from the burners, you can also install a nice cooktop which can open up new floor-plan possibilities.

2. Island Cooktop

A kitchen cooktop will provide countertop burners. If it is built into a huge island, you can have wide workspaces and some room for other provisions underneath, like a warming drawer. You can have a downdraft exhaust system installed to avoid a view-blocking range hood above it, and in some cases commercial hood cleaning can save you buying a new hood exhaust. Long cabinets can also act as tower bars.

3. Coffee Bar

Enjoy having a special area just for making your favorite drinks. Functional and stylish kitchen coffee stations can stock everything you need in one location, such as coffee cups and condiments.

An area like this will provide functionality away from the main meal preparation and cooking area.

4. Built-In Refrigerator

Built-ins will keep the look integrated and smooth. Shallow refrigerators line up perfectly with lower cabinets. They have articulating hinges so they open fully. Moreover, customized panels blend your freezer and refrigerator into its neighboring cabinetry, and this can help boost the overall aesthetic appeal of your kitchen.

5. Enclosed Trash and Recycling

A trash and recycling area is a feature that you’ll use on a daily basis, and you will love the convenience it offers. However, this can take up floor space and attract pests. Interior designers thus recommend keeping it hidden. For instance, you can include compartments for your waste containers in custom cabinets.

Also, you can choose to put it in a pantry, either under the sink or in a pull-out drawer. Another tip is to consider if you’re already following a perfect diet or not, since it can go a long way to reducing leftovers if the food is so good it gets eaten straight away!

6. Divided Storage

Organize your kitchen utensils with internal drawer dividers. Built-in dividers will also provide a cleaner, more finished look to space as compared to organizers bought separately and placed inside the drawer.

7. Dishwasher Drawers

Dishwasher drawers are better options than the regular dishwasher or a full-sized dishwasher. Opt for dishwashers that have the look of a typical drawer that can be pulled out for fast and easy sink-side cleanup.

These appliances are efficient if you only need to clean few dishes. Install one in a basement game room, near a meal prep area, or in a butler’s pantry.

8. On-Counter Appliance Garage

This is quite similar to a garage for cars. It houses all the appliances that you often use but don’t want to keep in plain sight. An on-counter appliance garage has a roll-up aluminum door that closes to hide the blender or juicer, leaving a counter space in front.

9. Deep Drawers

Interior designers recommend having a deep drawer beside the kitchen range so you can have easy access to big cooking pans and pots. Typical drawers are limited in their size by the cabinet housing them. Deep drawers offer marvelous utility.

10. Proper Lighting

Consider having layers of light and multiple fixtures to cover each area in your kitchen. Use hanging lights to cover the island with ample lighting. Recessed ceiling lights can be used to shine down on work surfaces. For proper task lighting on each counter-top, install under-cabinet lights.

The kitchen deserves a clever lighting plan that will address the room’s different roles. Make sure your kitchen is a welcoming place for your family and friends to gather with excellent overall lighting. The helpful Trendsetter blog emphasizes that a well-lit kitchen typically displays three types of light: accent, task, and ambient.

11. Sustainable Flooring

The kitchen is one of the areas in a home that gets the most traffic. This also requires frequent cleaning. An ideal flooring option for your kitchen is ceramic tile. This material offers an unmatched combination of durability, maintenance, and good aesthetics.

12. Pot Filler

Finally, a pot filler is a smart convenience you will love if you enjoy cooking. This has a swing-out faucet on a jointed arm, which is mounted near or over the stove. You can use pot fillers not just for cooking but also for getting hot water for coffee or tea, making gravy, and adding water to soups.

The sky’s the limit when outfitting a custom luxury kitchen. Since the kitchen is often the main activity hub in your home, it is considered the most popular room to modify to fit the whole household’s needs. So if you are ready to build your luxury kitchen and quite unsure about where to start, get in touch with reputable luxury home builders who can provide expert help.

October 24, 2017 by Incredible Planet Staff

5 Tips To Keep In Mind When Buying Kitchen Equipment

Homes

If you are moving into a new home or just renovating your existing home, then you will so be thinking of fitting the kitchen with the right equipment. And if you are unsure as to which equipment to choose and which to avoid, then this post is for you. Below, we list out five tips that will help you pick out the perfect kitchen equipment.

Burner Heating Capacity

When looking to buy a burner, many people have a tendency to go for models that offer the highest heating option. This is not a good way to judge burners. For a restaurant, burners with high heating capacity are required since they will be preparing large quantities of food. But when using burners in a home, you won’t need such high heat. Instead, what you will most likely require is a wider range of heating options. As such, look for burners that can go to a low simmer and those that can go very high. This will allow you to cook all types of food, right from a chicken curry that requires slow cooking over long periods of time, to preparing large quantities of pasta. Ideally, look for burners in the range of 3000 BTU to 12000 BTU.

Oven Doors

When picking ovens for the kitchen, make sure that you double check the doors. If the doors are weak and unable to properly hold the heat inside, then the food will take longer to cook. And in some cases, it may not even get cooked properly no matter how long you keep the oven running. Plus, the heat from the oven will also increase the temperature of the kitchen and make it too hot to work. So, when in the showroom to buy an oven, try opening and closing the doors multiple times. And inspect the doors thoroughly to ensure that they close perfectly, leaving no room for heat to escape out of the oven.

Energy Efficiency

Check out the energy efficiency labels on the equipment, and pick the one that consumes the least energy. And if you like any equipment, but find out that it consumes a lot of energy, check whether any alternative models are available that consumes less energy. Even if you have to spend extra money on a highly energy efficient equipment, it will be in your interest to make that extra investment since the equipment will easily recoup that amount in the form of energy savings.

Size

Make sure that any equipment you buy fits in the kitchen very well, without creating a congestion. If the kitchen becomes too congested, then it will become difficult to work in it. And considering that you will be spending a good amount of time daily in the kitchen, being restricted at all times will likely irritate you, and eventually affect the quality of food you cook. So, if you happen to like a large equipment, ask the store for its smaller version.

In addition to the above tips, you can also check out the Helpful Habitat website for more information on selecting the right kitchen equipment for your home.

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Also Read : Granite Worktops: Colour Options You Can Choose From Conclusion

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Conclusion