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Bungalow style homes were developed during the Arts and Crafts era, which spanned from 1900 to 1930. Bungalows are characterized by deep overhangs on a 1 1/2 story frame. The front door typically opens into the living room while the additional rooms flow one to the next without the use of many halls. This era promoted the use of hand-crafted wood trim, built-in storage cabinets and accessories, a reaction to the industrialized Victorian Era. Kitchens were designed with practical, ample storage and cabinets were crafted by hand.The unique historical character of the bungalow offers the home owner with many options…
If your apartment or house has an exposed brick wall, you may be keen to highlight the rustic -- yet modern -- look of the brick while drawing the rest of the room together. Choose a complementary color of paint for the nonbrick portions of the room and decorations to make the brick stand out.
Every few years, almost every kitchen will need upgrades. Changing just a few components can help significantly. Redoing the kitchen can be a more extensive project, however, depending on the time and money you want to spend. Use color and new materials to give the space a brand-new feeling. Look over contemporary kitchens in home design books and remodeling magazines to get lots of new ideas. Change the kitchen design to fit the overall decor and design of the house.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, with many family activities taking place there. A comfortable setup invites friendly conversation and can enhance the look of a small kitchen by making optimal use of the space. By considering your personal tastes as well as the constraints of the space, you can put together a kitchen that is both comfortable and distinctive.
Updating a bungalow while maintaining the building's integrity involves using what's fashionable in home design and decor today, and fitting it into the framework of a home built many years ago. Your personal tastes and desires for upgrading play a major factor in the decisions to be made, but keeping to the character of a Craftsman bungalow home is most important.
Decorating an L-shaped houses presents a few challenges for the homeowner, primarily due to the way the space is arranged. However, some simple solutions exist that help to make maximum use of this home space. These allow you to express your decorating tastes while keeping the rooms looking pulled together and playing up their advantages.
The kitchen is among the most used rooms in the home, and as such should be both aesthetically pleasing and functional. A well-designed kitchen, regardless of size, provides an efficient layout and easy access to work space and appliances. A galley kitchen is a basic style, best used in long, narrow spaces. Though simple, it may be altered in several shapes to improve function, some of which will utilize small spaces to their best advantage.
The minimum width of your dining table will depend upon how the table will be used and how many guests you intend to place around it. Table shape is also an important consideration in determining width allowance. If your dining table is primarily used for formal family occasions, you will need to provide more central space to accommodate serving platters and dishes. A dining table put to everyday family use as an eating surface and/or workspace may not have to be quite as wide.
While a backyard pool's primary purpose is to provide entertainment, exercise and a means to cool off during hot summer months, it is also a decorative landscape element. Over time, your inground pool might begin to look shabby and in need of updating. Major pool remodeling can be costly, but less expensive alternatives are available that can give your pool a new look and improve the appearance of your yard.
A variation of traditional Arts and Crafts style homes, a bungalow typically features a small, simple design. The floor plan is open and contains many wooden elements, including built-in cabinets and furniture throughout the space. When it comes to decorating the kitchen in a bungalow, you may be unsure what shades best match the heavy use of wood. It is usually best to follow the traditional Arts and Crafts style and utilize colors that are based in nature, relying on warm tones to create a cozy, inviting look for your kitchen.
Whether your reasons for having a galley kitchen are due to necessity or your own personal preference, you aren't limited in your style choices for the space. You can have all the amenities offered in larger kitchens and sacrifice none of the style. From sleek and modern to more traditional designs, enjoy the kitchen of your dreams when you put these ideas to work for you.
Wenge is the common name for the timber of the Millettia laurentii tree. Durable and attractive, the wood is highly desirable and is classified as an exotic species. The tree is part of the legume family and is notable in its own right for being highly ornamental, although rare.
Brick walls can add charm and a rustic look to your home, but if you desire to change that, decoratively, you can. You can make the change permanent by using some simple decorating techniques, or opt for a temporary change, hiding your exposed brick for the present but leaving it around for use later, in case you sell your home or change your mind.
The best frugal kitchen dividers are stylish and comfortable without feeling inexpensive or flimsy. Determine the look you want to create. For instance, your room could be retro and playful, chic and austere or warm and masculine. Choose among affordable options to bring your look to life. If you possess DIY construction skills, save additional money by building a custom piece to your specifications using salvaged wood from a demolition or scraps from another home decor project.
Whether you're buying a new house, doing an extensive renovation or sprucing up your decor, it's important to determine a style direction for your kitchen. Kitchens can be simple and traditional, clean and modern or homey and country-style. To determine which style is right for you, you must take the rest of your home into account, decide what design elements are most important to you and create a look that is both functional and pleasing to your personal aesthetic.
Decorating for Halloween doesn't always mean putting out plastic spiders and hanging white sheets. You can go for more classy decorations that boost the holiday spirit and create an eerie ambience with a few predictable things and some not-so-expected things. Pulling together a stylish look that is also spooky is easier than it sounds, and you can do it no time.
When redecorating, window treatments often come as a bit of an afterthought. Weeks are spent agonizing over the paint color and hours spent shopping for sofas at the furniture store, but when choosing the curtains, many homeowners shrug their shoulders. The right window treatment can accentuate a room's style and leave you wondering how you survived so long with those temporary paper shades, so get shopping and buy your windows some personality.
Rustic hues and images of the Italian countryside are the trademarks of Tuscan art. Decorating your kitchen in this theme means including some of these likenesses in the space. A color palette of olive green, wine red, and shades of brown are ideal for the paintings of fruits and wine that are specific to the art of Tuscany. The art may inspire you to try some new Italian dishes--or to enjoy a glass of vino with friends.
The kitchen is often the heart of the home. It's the place where many people entertain friends and family members. A new kitchen, whether a remodeled room or in a brand new home, merits gifts to complement it. Choose from high-end gadgets and small appliances to practical, everyday items the homeowners can use.
A transitional kitchen combines traditional and modern elements to create a comfortable space for food preparation and people gathering. It is transitional because there is no one defined style for this type of kitchen, and what works for one person's kitchen may not work for another's. Mix a traditional tiled floor with modern countertops or an industrial type floor with granite countertops. The look is determined more by the owner's preferences than the dictates of any one decorating style.
Whether it is the red can with the white swirl or the hour glass-shaped bottle, the Coca-Cola logo is readily recognized. The commercial logo appeared in advertisements and progressed to lunchboxes, kitchen supplies and Christmas items, which began a long-range marketing dream and collection frenzy. If you want to set up your kitchen in the Coca-Cola theme, there is no shortage of items available. The only challenge is having enough space for them all.
Tuscan architecture encompasses the most prominent details of Old World architecture and design, and includes modern elements for a timeless appearance. Evolving from Italian Renaissance, Tuscan architecture recreates the beauty of living in an Italian villa nestled in the hills, surrounded by grape vines. Color, texture, iron and nature are the basic elements in Tuscan architecture.
In many homes, closets turn into a catch-all for everything from jackets to sporting equipment. By making the best use of your closet space, you can turn the small rooms into useful, organized spots for unexpected purposes. As you plan a closet design, sketch out the layout with measurements to ensure that you have a realistic use of space.
Today's chandeliers are more versatile than their ornate, bejeweled ancestors. If you are attracted to suspended lighting but want to avoid a "palace of Versailles" atmosphere, consider clever ideas for incorporating chandeliers into your space. Find the best chandelier for your purposes by perusing the options and considering the overall look you want to create.
Before you throw out your old coffee table, consider simple renovation ideas to make it look like a completely different table. As long as the structure of the table is sound, you can modify it with a variety of finishes from paint to tile. The renovation makes the coffee table look brand new at a much lower price.
To liven up a teen's room, you only need a few craft supplies and some decoupage medium. Turn a boring table into a conversation piece for your teenager. A decoupaged table can express your teen's personality and provide an interesting piece for her room. Let her pick out everything that is going on it, and help with the decoupage.
Renovating a kitchen from floor to ceiling can be expensive: the cost of flooring, cupboards, paint and investing in new appliances all add up. Make your kitchen a standout room in your home through a few simple changes that are minimal in terms of cost and time commitment.
A Tuscan-style kitchen draws its décor from rustic European farmhouses and Italian villas. Its colors are influenced by nature, the muted greens of olives ready to be pressed, the cerulean sky on a summer day, the burgundy of wine, and sunflower yellow. Textures are rough, emulating aged plaster walls and worn stone walkways. Plants in terra cotta pots, wrought iron accents, and rustic furniture are all hallmarks of Tuscan style. With some imagination and ingenuity you can achieve the look of a true Tuscan kitchen without breaking the bank.
Design a farm-style kitchen reminiscent of the days when people lived off the land and brought fresh milk, eggs and fruit in for a morning meal. Find old-fashioned accents, rustic furniture and decorative displays that showcase the simple, yet hidden treasures seen on a farm. Families enjoyed nurturing their animals and spending time together in the kitchen feasting on farm-fresh home cooked meals.
Gift basket flower arrangements add a country charm to the elegance of flowers. Flowers most often used in gift baskets are sturdier flowers which hold up well in their floral foam base and have a solid hearty look which can hold their own when paired with a basket. Flowers with a solid, long stem are the most traditionally used flowers for baskets, but with the use of floral tape and floral wire, nearly any flower can be successfully used.
Kitchens are often the heart of a home, so it is important to stage this area well in preparation for selling the house. A well-staged home makes the difference in securing a potential buyer's initial interest in a home and in the price the buyer is willing to offer. A small kitchen may be a detriment to a buyer who might be interested in the house otherwise. But you can stage your small kitchen to look cozy, inviting and modern. Using the right materials and colors is key to making the most of a kitchen, particularly a small one.
Turn an ordinary table into a work of art and a conversation starter with a little bit of decoupage glue. Arrange flat items such as photographs, papers and fabrics in between layers of decoupage glue on your table top and apply a clear-coat finish to the top. Your table will function like any other, but it will look like a one-of-a-kind creation to add that extra element of surprise to your decor.
While eating in a formal dining room is ideal for holidays and special occasions, a more casual dining area usually works best on a daily basis. Adding a dining area to your kitchen can provide an ideal spot for informal meals and snacks. Several different design options will work for an eat-in kitchen, so you should come up with a plan that fits the available space and overall look of your kitchen.
Primitive means low-tech. Early colors came from the earth. They were not fancy, synthetic and brilliant pigments like Hansa Yellow, and rich cadmium colors that needed refinement technologies not available to the early humans. For primitive kitchen colors, think of earthy, simple and basic. These colors match superbly with natural materials like wood and stone, as well as neutral hues.
Kitchen windows are often underutilized as a design space; frequently the focus of the room remains on the functional elements. Make the most of your kitchen windows by choosing window treatments that finish off your decor scheme and make the most of the natural light in the room.
Creative use of space becomes a challenge when working in a small area. Kitchens today are used as more than food preparation and eating rooms. Watching television, working on a laptop computer, writing and children doing homework have invaded the kitchen space, and the tables available for small corners accommodate these traditional and extended uses.
While the primary function of a kitchen is to serve as a space in which to prepare food, many also use the room as a gathering location, making the decor selection an important one. To create cohesion in this space, many kitchen designers opt to select a unifying theme. Depending on your personal aesthetic, you may find a number of themes effective ones for your kitchen space.
Colonial homes refer to a style of architecture that emerged in the northeastern part of America in the 1600s up until approximately the time of the Declaration of Independence. Simplicity and strong workmanship are aspects that characterize colonial homes most vividly. For example, most authentic colonial style homes have small, square or rectangular windows with nine or 12 panes per sash. if you have a home with such historically distinct windows, you'll want to install window treatments that compliment this historical accuracy.
Utilizing traditional farming methods and tools involves setting aside current farming technology such as tractors and combines in favor of hand-powered or horse-drawn machinery. Traditional farming tools can include any number of hand tools, as well as cultivators and seeders, not to mention some types of harvesting equipment.
Wenge is the wood of the Wenge tree, Millettia laurentii. The Wenge tree is native to western Equatorial Africa, especially Zaire, Cameroon and Gabon. The lumber is used for general construction in the tree's home range. In North America, Wenge is considered an exotic wood, and finds use as a veneer and in cabinetry and woodcraft projects.
With the advent of cooking shows on television and the meteoric rise in popularity of many domestic and international chefs, gourmet kitchens are in more demand than ever. Appliances, cabinetry, cookware and culinary tools previously reserved for professional chefs and culinary teachers are becoming commonplace in home kitchens being built or upgraded to gourmet status.
Kitchen design incorporates more than the appliance positioning, countertop fabrication and cupboard materials. Color is vital to the finished look of a kitchen and is the design element that should be primary when selecting other components. Fresh, light colors contribute to the kitchen becoming an inviting food preparation area as well as an entertaining hub unto itself.
Create a new kitchen design by remodeling the room in an organized way. New appliances, cabinetry or placement of counter tops, for example, should support the way you like to work in the kitchen. Design the room to move around easy-to-locate cookware or cooking ingredients. But create the space to work well for storage and cleanup as well. Envision the process of getting things done without having to retrace your steps. Planning everything on paper in detail helps you achieve your goals.
When space is a premium in a kitchen, making use of every flat surface is essential. Sometimes we overlook the walls as an available flat surface, but if they're armed with a magnet board, walls can be used to organize frequently used objects or to keep us on track for the week.
The kitchen is often the hub of the home, where families gather to share meals or socialize. This space should be especially colorful and inviting, while still allowing for functionality. If you're decorating or re-decorating your kitchen, it's essential to keep some style guidelines in mind that will make the kitchen one of the most attractive rooms in your home.
Home conservatories are greenhouses made from glass and wood that hold plants during the winter and also provide a place for guests to gather. Many homeowners like the perk of seeing the stars through the glass, but lighting can inhibit the star visibility. Also, conservatories present multiple design challenges when trying to add lighting to the structure in the first place.
If you have a bathroom with an exposed brick wall, then you will want to take advantage of this rare, sometimes vintage, feature. Exposed brick walls often are walls that are original to a house or building and project charm along with their bareness. Make it your goal to turn your exposed brick wall into the focal point of your bathroom.
When a traditional, homey kitchen is not your style, a contemporary design creates a modern feeling in one of the most highly-trafficked rooms in the house. Contemporary kitchens do not have to be done in chrome and high-shine steel. And they can be worked into any type of home decor scheme and floor plan.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it's typically the most heavily used room in the home. You want your kitchen to be warm and inviting, a place where you are at ease and guests feel welcomed. Your kitchen should reflect your personal style. While themed kitchen designs take the guesswork out of pairing products, add your own personal touches to make the design your own.
Brick walls in kitchens can be used as inspiration for your decorating scheme, no matter what interior design style you gravitate toward. Work with it, rather than cover it up as it is part of the original character of your home. Even if it was added later, it is a decorative element that many choose to ignore rather than embrace for the design opportunity that it presents.
Galley kitchens are designed to afford maximum functionality using limited space. The goal of a galley kitchen design is to find the best combination of space and functionality while creating an aesthetically appealing work environment. Considering several design techniques before building your galley kitchen can help you achieve the best combination of these elements.
Adding bench seating to your kitchen offers an unusual twist on the idea of kitchen seating. Kitchen chairs give every person her own specific area, while bench seating pushes everyone together. It turns the kitchen table into a meeting spot, where conversation quickly forms. Ideas for corner benches and cushions around the kitchen table include ways to make the benches fit with the design of your kitchen.
Flowers bring a cheerful elegance to the kitchen. You can use fresh, dried or silk flowers to create the decorations for your table, walls and countertops. For a special touch, change your floral décor with the seasons or for a special occasion. While it is easy to purchase floral arrangements from a florist, you can create your own with a few supplies from a craft store and items from your kitchen.
Tile materials and designs for your kitchen can range from small, intricate patterns to large, embossed sections of metal. While natural stone is a popular choice for kitchen tile designs due to its durability and heat resistance, other tile materials include ceramic, porcelain, glass, copper and tin. Mix tile materials between floors, counter tops and ceilings to customize your kitchen design.
In a Tuscan-inspired home, the kitchen is perhaps the room with the most opportunity to showcase the flair of Tuscany. The flavors of Tuscany are strongly portrayed through homestyle country Italian cooking, often with recipes that have been used for generations. The authentic nature of the cooking, as well as the strong culture that it brings with it, is often an inspiration for people who are looking to give their kitchen a new look. You can give your kitchen a complete makeover with an authentic Tuscan feel by learning about what colors and materials to use .
Knowing how to identify peculiar noises coming from a dryer vent can be an excellent way to head off any potential problems with your dryer system and ensure its overall efficiency. Many different things can cause a dryer vent to make noises, and identifying the noise with the possible diagnosis is the key to taking care of the problem quickly.
The breakfast nook is a luxury in a world of galley kitchens and a casualty of the central-kitchen-island-with-barstools design. But a cozy little spot for wolfing down the morning waffles or recounting a banner day for the cook during dinner prep might be just the right flavor for a family kitchen.
The California style kitchen is an amalgam of many styles, from Mexican kitchen to sleek modern eco-friendly. A few things that distinguish a California kitchen are a built-in informality and the use of natural materials. You'll find wood and maybe tile in the kitchen -- and definitely lots of light from big windows and glass doors opening onto a patio. The kitchen is all about cooking, food and company, so there's usually space for a table or an island to accommodate friends and helpful tasters.
The kitchen is not just the place where the household's food is stored and prepared; for many households, it's the place where the family's day starts and ends. Its prominent place in household life means the kitchen's atmosphere is of utmost importance. It should be a place that is comfortable, yet energizing. Repainting a kitchen can be a simple way to transform its look and atmosphere. Half the battle of this transformation is finding ideas that you like.
Improving kitchen space in a church is important for accommodating groups of visitors and the church members during both small and large events. It pays to increase storage and improve food preparation methods for cooks and helpers. It's important to also incorporate easy serving methods to help individuals move to a sit-down dining space faster. Upgrade the kitchen with commercial or restaurant-quality appliances if you're presently using household appliances. Consult local safety codes to enhance the space and meet required inspections by local health and safety officials.
Converting a kitchen bar into a well-designed space creates visual appeal for the room. Using a peninsula area to best advantage requires looking over many options. Some of the choices for how to use the bar space include having a cooking area, dining area and storage space underneath. Improving above-the-counter space on the wall to which the bar is attached adds visual interest as well. In most cases, revamping the bar turns it into the kitchen's main focal point.
Kitchens were the heart of the American colonial-era home. The colonial housewife cooked in a large central fireplace that also provided heat for the home. Furniture was handcrafted and simple, and colors were subdued. Today's country decor styles are rooted in colonial decorating. Whether you have a new farmhouse or a historic salt box, you can bring the elements of the colonial-style kitchen to your home.
Installing new appliances, cabinets and flooring in a kitchen can significantly increase the value of a townhouse. So recouping the investment should be easily accomplished, as long as you don't use materials that price your home out of the neighborhood or area range. Many buyers will make a decision to buy largely based on a kitchen design. Floor space is usually restricted in a townhouse kitchen. A galley kitchen or an L-shaped kitchen are both typical designs. Improving this limited space will require using the kitchen area wisely. Utilizing cooking space and cabinets to full advantage will require making a…
Creating your own tearoom in your home gives you a place to relax, entertain and display all of your tea party dishes and accessories. The styles and colors of your linen, fresh flower and plant, serving dish, artwork and candle decor should complement each other for a cohesive look in your tearoom.
Redecorating your kitchen can be an expensive process, particularly if you buy new dining room furniture for an eat-in kitchen or install new cabinets or flooring. It is not difficult to think of inexpensive ways to redo your kitchen area if you live on a fixed income. Inexpensive supplies can make a dramatic difference in the look of your kitchen. Using budget-friendly decor and inexpensive materials can transform the look of your kitchen area.
The words "Italian architecture" conjure images of umber tones, sweeping classic lines, arches, wrought iron gates and stone floors. In fact, those elements are specific to Tuscan architecture, a style that derives from the Etruscans. This ancient race of Italians incorporated Greek elements into their own designs and then passed that architectural style to the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. Tuscan architecture flourishes not only on the sun-dappled hills of Tuscany but also across the rest of the world, apparent in distinctive and elegant details.
Wenge wood is an African wood that comes from the Leguminosae tree family. The wood is often used for flooring, paneling or veneers and is known for its dramatic coloring and grain patterns. The wood is dark brown or tan with stripes that are almost black in color. The wood is porous, so it may require some patching and filling when it is being finished so that the paint will not gather in pools and create an uneven surface.
Crafts can be used to produce a charming "country" effect. You can either purchase crafted items or exercise your own creativity to incorporate a sense of country style into different rooms throughout your home. You can decorate for an entire country look or go just a little bit country by adding a few decorative accents.
Kitchens in the 1880s were either Colonial or Victorian in style. Colonial kitchens from the first half of the 19th century revolved around a central fireplace and were furnished with rustic, handmade furniture. The Victorian era spanned the second half of the century and Victorian kitchens offered more modern conveniences. Both types of kitchens can be designed with today's modern families in mind without sacrificing their unique characteristics.
Wipe-off calendars, also sometimes known as dry erase boards, are useful for writing down your weekly schedule or plans for the month. These calendars are reusable, so you do not need to purchase a new one every year. You can hang wipe-off calendars almost anywhere, such as in your office or on the refrigerator. All you need to get started writing down your appointments and deadlines are a few colored dry erase markers.
Kitchens sell houses. Make yours look its best by eliminating clutter and highlighting available workspace. Realtors advise sellers to remove as much as possible from counters to make the space look larger. Doing this can leave the kitchen looking sparse and cold. A kitchen bar is the perfect spot to introduce a touch of warmth and personality to make your kitchen attractive to potential home buyers.
Traditional flooring such as carpet, wood and tile is standard in most homes, but there are other options available to homeowners wanting to branch out from the ordinary or to meet a particular need. Home renters are sometimes faced with damaged flooring and need a temporary solution to conceal the unsightly floor. For the creative home decorator there are nontraditional flooring options available.
When designing and creating the kitchen of your dreams, you are only limited by your own creativity in choosing colors and themes. While money may be a factor, with careful planning you can get the look you want and stay within your budget. Decorating your kitchen requires following no specific rules. Inspiration can be found in a variety of places, absolutely free.
Once upon a time, families ate three meals a day in a well-appointed dining room. By the 1960s, a casual table or “nook” in the kitchen replaced the formal eating enclave. Fast-forward to the 21st Century – the era of TV tables, trays and coffee table dining preferred by family members rushing through meals. From this disorganized state emerged the kitchen island, a favorite architectural feature that now graces even the smallest kitchen. Maximize the advantage of having an island by figuring out new ways to use it.
If a nature-loving couple is celebrating a marriage or wedding anniversary, surprise them with a gift basket they can enjoy together. Treat park and flower enthusiasts to a basket stocked with items they can enjoy outdoors together. If you want to surprise the couple with edible treats, consider the recipients' taste preference and dietary restrictions before choosing the gift.
The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home because it is a place where families prepare meals and break bread, where people get busy and relax together. Working or lounging in a cluttered kitchen can be stressful, and it is all too easy for things to begin to pile up. If your kitchen clutter has made your kitchen a crowded eyesore, reclaim it. Make it more functional and comfortable by decluttering.
Kitchens and laundry rooms were not always important details in a home. At one time, kitchens were merely functional work spots with little design importance. And laundry was often relegated to an unattactive, dusty corner. Considering the volume of time spent with household chores, it's sensible to make kitchens and laundry rooms as pleasant and inviting as possible. Special touches make work less tiresome and more enjoyable for everyone.
The narrow kitchen is the bane of all homeowners who love cooking. You want a dynamic, usable space for preparing your favorite meals and confections. You worry that you'll have a cramped, congested area that makes you dread cooking. It doesn't have to be this way, however. With a little planning and knowledge of kitchen ideas for narrow kitchens, your galley kitchen can be just as functional as any other.
While you might find a staircase in the hallway of a home or in the living room, one place you don't expect to find stairs is in the kitchen. Adding stairs to a kitchen is one way to revamp it and give it a drastically fresh facelift. Stairs add dimension and levels to a room that's so often flat with typical angles.
If you are a cappuccino lover seeking to incorporate cappuccino into a kitchen design, there are many options. Although your high-tech cappuccino maker may serve as the focal point of your kitchen, think about how cappuccino prints and other design elements can make your kitchen feel as cozy and stylish as your favorite coffee house.
Giving one present is always a kind gesture, but giving an entire basket of gifts can really make an impact. Choosing a theme for a basket is an ideal way to coordinate gifts and even get some inspiration when choosing items for the present. For someone who enjoys puttering around in the kitchen, whipping up meals and tinkering around with recipes, use food as a focus and branch out for the basket from there.
The kitchen is one of the most crucial rooms in the house, the place where people start their day with that first cup of coffee and morning paper. However, many kitchens in America could use major remodeling from head to toe. Unfortunately, most homeowners can't afford such a costly and time-consuming project. Luckily, you can still drastically freshen the face of your kitchen with simple rehab ideas.
Some homes are equipped with washer and dryer hookups in the kitchen area. Due to the high-traffic demands and cooking requirements in a kitchen, the noise associated with a running washer and dryer can be annoying and problematic, disrupting family meal time and other activities. Quieting down these noisy appliances can be a rewarding task.
Corridor or galley kitchens may be small but they do not have to be cramped or claustrophobic. Establishing an effective work triangle, eliminating awkward foot traffic that may interrupt cooking or kitchen chores, and most of all, finding new ways to use available space more efficiently, will make your corridor kitchen a joy to use. My Great Home suggests that clearing away clutter is the single most effective thing you can do to gain space in a small kitchen.
Capture the essence of your kitchen's design in the entryway. As the passage to the kitchen, the entry can also display design elements repeated in the kitchen to set the stage for what is to come. The entry can seamlessly disappear within the walls to highlight the kitchen as it opens up to the onlooker, or it can display continuity with the architectural details of the kitchen space that lies ahead. Examine the elements that you can work with to design the look and style of your kitchen entry.
Shaker kitchens highlight elegant, gorgeous woodwork. The woodwork in a Shaker kitchen plays an important role when decorating Shaker style. You may incorporate the Shaker decorating style in your kitchen without remodeling the entire kitchen unless you wish to do so. Implementing a few upgrades to the existing items in your kitchen works well when creating a kitchen decorated in Shaker style.
In ancient times, "medallions" referred strictly to metal coins. Nowadays, the word refers to round objects often made of metal that are used for ornamentation. When it comes to a kitchen, you can incorporate medallions by employing ornate circular designs into tile, glass and other features.
Exposed brick is an attractive feature to find in a kitchen. Build on that feature to make it a focal point or an inspiration for other color choices in the room. Shop carefully for your granite, making certain the samples you see are the pieces that will be used for your kitchen. Use the brick to pull in a single color component, an opposing color or a more monochromatic color to suit your kitchen design.
The area over the kitchen cabinets is traditionally a bleak affair. There isn't a lot of space here, but it does have a bland look because it's not decorated. Adding a few vases, vintage cookie jars or kitchen utensils adds more color to the area, but it also requires more dusting. Adding a wall treatment adds color in a different way. Kitchen wall treatment ideas include those that easily come off, for those who live in rental properties.
The kitchen doesn't need a fresh appliance like a stove or refrigerator that costs hundreds of dollars to look new and improved. You can decorate your kitchen in a variety of ways without having to dip into your retirement savings. Inexpensive kitchen deco ideas are all around you because the kitchen is such a functional element to your home.
Terence Conran is one of the foremost names in the world of home and kitchen design. Conran's books have influenced interior designers as well as homeowners looking for a way to make something special of what they already have. Conran's piece de resistance when it comes to kitchen design is the elegantly and appropriately titled "The Kitchen Book," which he published in 1977.
Galley kitchens can pose a challenge to design. Galley kitchens have limited space and often limited sources of natural light. Look to professional designers for inspiration and practical tips on maximizing your space and achieving an attractive look. To maintain an open and airy feeling, keep counters clean and do not overlook lighting in your design.
Whether you abhor the modern, streamlined look of stainless steel, granite, marble and other solid-surface back splashes, or such materials just don't mesh with your kitchen's rustic or country-style decor, a primitive back splash may be the solution. A primitive back splash typically has gloss-free, natural-looking surfaces, which show-off blemishes and other imperfections. The goal of using a primitive black splash is to create an atmosphere that is reminiscent of earlier historical periods, as opposed to creating one that is elegant and luxurious.
A retro kitchen can be a conversation piece in your home and provide you with a lifetime of style. Once you have chosen a decade on which to base your design, your kitchen will never be outdated. It will just grow more and more retro each year and the space will never be out of style. A few simple tips can keep you on track when planning your retro kitchen.
Sunset is a website and magazine that is produced in association with other publications such as Coastal Living, Cooking Light and Southern Living. This website and magazine is focused on Western living and provides kitchen ideas that match a wide range of tastes for homeowners, whether their styles are vibrant, modern or minimalistic.
The Tuscan villa is known for its romantic simplicity and comfort, and the Tuscan kitchen is the center of the home. It's a comfortable place to talk and laugh, all while enjoying food and wine. Tuscan style is unique in both fashion and functionality. The architecture of your room as well as fixtures, colors and accessories are all aspects to consider when designing to create the feel of an authentic Tuscan kitchen.
Tuscany is in the central region of Italy. It inspires many types of decor and foods in our nation. Tuscan decor is not difficult to achieve by using certain colors and furnishings. Tuscan decor gives a kitchen an elegant, old-world ambiance.
For both small and large areas, kitchen units can be timesavers and space savers when designed correctly. Deciding how the family uses the kitchen and what their needs are is the first step to installing a convenient, multi-use kitchen unit that not only saves time for the family's cooks, but also complements the decor of the kitchen.
Kitchen themes represent an opportunity to get creative and incorporate your favorite foods and colors into your home. Choosing an apple theme for your kitchen celebrates the beauty and health benefits of a favorite fruit and gives you the freedom to decorate with various shades of red and green, traditional apple colors.
Whether you're remodeling your whole kitchen or just replacing your cooking area, the type of kitchen hood you choose can change the look of your kitchen and affect the room's overall air quality. Kitchen hoods come in a wide range of styles and types, including basic wall-mounted options, downdraft systems or recirculating vents. When choosing a kitchen hood, keep noise level as well as cost in mind.
The effectiveness of a color scheme in any one room in a house depends upon the color schemes of all the other rooms. You might find a house with color schemes of strong, contrasting colors in room after room visually exhausting. If, however, the predominating color schemes in most rooms strike a balance between warm pastels--wheat and linen colors--and cool pastels--light color grays--a kitchen with a high-energy black and red color scheme provides a welcome counterpoint.
"Tea" may bring to mind "Alice in Wonderland's" Mad Hatter or famous places like New York's Russian Tea Room and other quaint, old-fashioned places where ladies wore white gloves to lunch in tearooms, or even "high tea" with fine silverware and china in the formal British tradition. Now you can update the concept of "teatime" with modern ideas to bring tea from the formal dining room into the kitchen.
To transform your kitchen into a bright, relaxing summer wonderland, you'll need to find inspiration, perhaps at the local home goods store for the items you'll need. This will be a fun and easy task. All you really need are some new summer colors, flowery kitchen pieces and a bit of open-minded creativity.
If it's time to repaint the kitchen, you can redesign the look with the color you choose. Regardless of your personal style or whether your kitchen is huge or the size of a postage stamp, the right paint colors will make the most of the room's architecture and turn it into a place you'll be pleased to spend time.
A Tuscan kitchen brings the appearance of Old World Italy into your home. The Tuscan style of decorating is similar to the Spanish or Mediterranean style of interior design. This style is warm, inviting and full of the natural elements of the Tuscan landscape. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and with a natural style such as Tuscan, your kitchen will be everyone's favorite place to spend time.
The Victorian period lasted from 1840 to 1900 and, as Parkland College notes, it was characterized by strong moral and religious beliefs, as well as incredibly elaborate and ornate clothing, art, architecture and interior design. If you want to give your kitchen a nostalgic, yet royal appeal, the Victorian style may be just what you are looking for. Consider the following ideas to help you get started.
"Cute" is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as something "attractive and pretty in a youthful or delicate way." "Cute" in your kitchen can be pretty, but also needs to be functional. Bright colors and playful graphics transform a kitchen of any size or age into a cozy, "cute" and happy place to spend mealtimes. Whether you choose to use a retro-look, bold artwork or provide a surface that can be ever-changing, select a theme then coordinate colors to enhance the look without making your "cuteness" distracting and cluttered.
Italian cuisine is a favorite of many, and the root of it all begins in the kitchens of Italy. Italian kitchens not only have an abundance of delicious food, but an ambiance all their own. Striking colors, attention to detail, an array of appliances for Italian cooking, a modern charm with old world appeal and a feeling of warmth: You can replicate the feel of an Italian kitchen in your home with some simple additions, or an entire renovation.
A well-organized, well-stocked kitchen pantry can make cooking, and finding different ingredients much easier. You don't need to have a large walk-in closet to have an efficient and organized pantry; in fact, even pantries of the room-sized variety can become cluttered to a problematic degree without the proper planning and implementation. Employ practical ideas to keep your pantry from becoming a disorganized disaster.
If you are tired of the style of your kitchen, there are a few things that you can do to give it a facelift without gutting the kitchen entirely. Even relatively small alterations and fixes can change the whole feel of your kitchen, allowing you to change its look without spending thousands of dollars.
Small upgrades, such as a new counter top or kitchen tap, can completely transform the appearance of a kitchen. Not only will renovations add style and comfort, they will also add value to your home. Many basic upgrades are achieved easily by the average homeowner without having to spend the money on professional designers or contractors.
Homeowners have plenty of decisions to make when assembling and running appliances in the kitchen. While it is important to consider how effective every instrument in a kitchen is, environmental consequences and benefits are also valid considerations. In addition to appliances, the way in which your kitchen is used can also have an environmental impact, as water and energy can be wasted. Going green can reduce negative environmental impact and save you money on your utility bills.
Molding is the trim that sits around walls and windows throughout your room. Generally, it's made of wood, but when you put molding in the kitchen, you have other options depending on your decor. When deciding what kind of molding to use in the kitchen, take into account the decor of the rest of the room, including the counter tops and walls. Remember that in the kitchen, it isn't just the ceiling that can be trimmed, but also the tops of the cabinets.
Having a crazy kitchen is a good way to express your individuality, if you don't mind sacrificing some function in favor of an alternative bent. Because of the wide-ranging relative nature of the adjective "crazy," you can really do anything to make your kitchen crazy. If you're used to extremely conservative kitchens, maybe some green paint on the pantry will be enough. If you're used to more liberal kitchens, though, you might have to do more to make your kitchen sufficiently crazy. Either way, here are some starting places.
Create a mosaic project for the kitchen to reflect the purpose of the space or simply to enhance the existing decor. To make an image mosaic, trace or sketch the desired image onto plywood or concrete backer board. Bring the image to life by gluing appropriately colored mosaic tiles within each section of the outline. Work from the center outward, nipping the tiles as necessary to fit the pattern.
Rich in iconic history and full of dramatic landscapes, the American West has a wide range of distinctive associations. Whether it is old-time cowboys, who have been memorialized in television shows like "Gunsmoke" and books like "Lonesome Dove" or the lush, evergreen forests not found anywhere else in the world like in Oregon and California, your favorite aspects of the American West can be imbued into your home's décor to create a Western-themed kitchen.
Create functionally decorative items for the kitchen as gifts for family and friends. Homemade gifts can be customized to fit a specific personality or home décor. If the kitchen is the heart of a home, then personalized homemade gifts can contribute to the overall warmth of the space.
Not every home has a separate laundry room to house the washer and dryer. Putting these in the kitchen gives the washer access to the water line for the home, but such placement becomes noisy. Getting rid of loud laundry appliances may not be an option, but by using some measures to quiet your washer and dryer, you can keep the appliances anywhere without irritating your ears.
A 1960's kitchen can be a fun and unique design project. Finding items to add to the look can be a great ongoing project. Let friends and relatives know about the project and help in sourcing memorabilia to create the look. Many cities have 1960's theme restaurants and classic diners. Go in for a malted milk and tuna melt sandwich and ask to speak to the owner. Tell him about your retro renovation project and ask if he can help steer you to resources to find just the right items to make your kitchen a 60's sensation.
Brick is a material that evokes a sense of sturdiness and permanence. The burnished reds of brick originate from the warm section of the color wheel and they do exactly that; they make a space appear more welcoming. Many homeowners aren't fortunate enough to have kitchens that come with areas of exposed brick. However, if you're after some brick accents, you can add them to your home.
Kitchen peninsulas are similar to kitchen islands. They add extra storage and preparation surfaces as well as eating areas. The kitchen peninsula is different from an island because it does not stand alone. It is attached to the counter on one side and extends out. A kitchen peninsula can be a practical and beautiful addition to any home.
If designing your next kitchen feels like a challenge, simplify the situation by using ideas successfully used by other homeowners. Asian kitchen ideas are easy to duplicate when you start with photographs or drawings, but first understand Asian kitchens come in many varieties. Combining concepts from different styles results in a kitchen that fits your sense of beauty.
For residents in many apartments and older homes, small kitchens create decorating, storage and functionality challenges. In a 10-by-10 kitchen, space is limited in the countertop, cabinet and floor areas. To make the most of your small kitchen, make the most efficient use of the space you have, and create increased storage and work space with shelving and wall units.
Homeowners rightfully display pride and happiness with a new kitchen. Celebrate a person's new kitchen with gifts to complement the decor. Give a gift you feel sure your friend or his family will appreciate and use. Select a gift based on what you know about the person, his culinary skills and, of course, his new kitchen. Give gourmet gifts, gifts with interesting purposes or a gift to toast the remodeled kitchen and the host.
A handful of basic layouts make up the overwhelming majority of kitchens, from a straight-line one-wall kitchen to an elaborate U-shaped kitchen. The floor plan provides the foundation upon which your kitchen design ideas will stand or fall. Although it may seem obvious that a larger kitchen provides more opportunity for design ideas, it is important to keep in mind the efficiency of the standard kitchen work triangle formed by an imaginary line drawn to connect your sink, stove and refrigerator.
Decorate and protect your kitchen and bath walls, floors, ceilings and counters with tile. The variety of available tile materials and colors offers unlimited design choices for two of the most important rooms in your home. Look for creative inspiration from home décor magazines and websites as well as your own imagination.
A complete kitchen makeover is a time-consuming, expensive process. To update your kitchen without breaking the bank, you can make smaller, less expensive changes to give the room a facelift. As you plan a kitchen makeover, look for items that can easily be refinished, replaced or repainted.
A kitchen measuring 17 by 13 feet is more than big enough for everything a person needs. Efficient and sensible design can provide a space of this size with accessible appliances and cabinets, with sufficient room in between for easy traffic flow. Add high-quality appliances to your kitchen and avoid unnecessary extras, and you will create a room that is both efficient and beautiful.
Well designed studio kitchens make a small space an intimate and personal go-to room in the house. When considering design options, keep the color and style of the rest of the house in mind. If you decide to make the studio kitchen an intimate, somewhat isolated room by separating it with a wall, try to keep the space partly open with a window and counter with stools. Create a space that is both comfortable to cook in and dine in, but that also allows for creativity and socializing in the home.
The rooster is a symbol used all the way back in the middle ages as a symbol of hope and faith. During the Renaissance, roosters were used by the French in folk art painting and are thus more associated with France and folk art now than a religious symbol. It's now considered by many around the globe to be a form of good luck to have at least one figurine or picture of a rooster in the kitchen.
Today, many kitchens have a TV worked into their design, allowing the homeowner to watch the news, catch the weather report or just relax with a ballgame while preparing a meal. Incorporating a TV into a working kitchen can be a challenge, but with a little planning and possibly with the help of a contractor, you can install a TV in your kitchen in no time at all.
There are many ways you can change your kitchen to make it look new and updated and transform it into a personalized space where you and your family enjoy spending time. Some kitchen changes require a large monetary investment and professional installation, but others are inexpensive and necessitate your time and elbow grease.
At the turn of the 20th century the bungalow style grew in popularity. Their small size made bungalows affordable, and their simple but quality craftsmanship made them beautiful. Gather kitchen ideas by touring bungalow era homes, such as Greene and Greene’s Gamble House in Pasadena, California--one of the most important structures showcasing this style. Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio, in Oak Park, Illinois, demonstrate his Prairie Style sharing common elements with bungalows. Tours of many historic buildings are available online.
Farmhouse kitchens may come in different styles, such as traditional or modern, but the spaces share a few of the same basic traits. The spaces are based on 18th and 19th century kitchens, which were primarily found in farmhouses. The kitchens were large because the homeowners needed space to cook and serve food to the whole family. The kitchen was the center of family life, which is a popular theme found in farmhouse kitchen ideas.
If you love to cook and entertain and have extra money to sink into one room of the house, investing in a luxurious kitchen may pay quality-of-life dividends for years to come. Whether you are building your dream kitchen from the ground up--with no expense spared--or just want to spend an unexpected bonus to upgrade your existing kitchen, choose luxury kitchen features that you will actually use.
Americans use their kitchens for more than just dinner. It has become the family gathering spot in most homes, where kids do homework, conversations take place and meals are prepared. It is also where parents, who work from home, take care of business. A kitchen desk is essential in many modern homes and there are a number of variations on this piece of furniture. Computers often come with the kitchen setup.
In many homes, the kitchen is where company and host love to socialize, says Kitchen Ideas. More families are choosing to eat meals in this heart of their home. This Old House states that many new home-owners buy dwellings with eat-in kitchens. An eat-in kitchen provides a cozy dining experience and convenience, as prep, cooking and clean-up all happen in one room. You can transform your kitchen to an eat-in style in several ways.
Your kitchen is a place for gathering, entertaining and creating one of a kind masterpieces. You should enjoy the kitchen area and feel comfortable in the space provided. That is why having an open kitchen is very beneficial. You will have plenty of room to cook and entertain, while feeling open to the rest of the home for numerous guests and occasions.
Pine kitchens exude homey charm. Whether your kitchen has pine floors, furniture, cabinetry or walls, a country-style decor scheme will complement pine's old-fashioned textures. Pay attention to the type and color of the pine in your kitchen. White pine, longleaf pine, heartwood pine and sugar pine each have very different appearances, which can be exacerbated by stains or varnishes. Tailor your kitchen's color scheme to the look of your pine.
Whether you've just moved into a new office space, or want to keep your original professional surroundings as orderly as possible, you'll want to include some function-friendly designs in your office kitchen. Keeping everything organized, as well as setting some rules for employees, will make the office kitchen an ideal place for relaxing for a bit and enjoying a meal before getting back to work.
Adding a kitchen to your backyard can increase the functionality and aesthetic value of your outdoor space, while simultaneously increasing your home’s resale value. Backyard kitchens allow you to prepare, cook and eat meals while enjoying the fresh air and, weather permitting, sunshine. If you are thinking of installing a backyard kitchen, there are several ideas that can help you make the most of your space.
Bring pictures into the kitchen to liven up the walls and add character to the room. There are a number of designs that work well in kitchens, and choosing the right design boils down to the feel of the kitchen. Whether your kitchen is traditional or modern, you can find pictures to enhance the decor.
Customizing your kitchen can take time and patience, depending on the size of your project. That's where Ikea can help. The store has a downloadable 3D planner tool as well as kitchen experts available on-site to help you decide what will fit best in your kitchen from the cabinets to the lighting. You should start by getting the measurements for your room so you can accurately size things before you purchase them.
The kitchen is widely acknowledged to be the key selling point of a home, whether new or old. It is therefore wise to concentrate at least some, if not most, of your remodeling time, effort and money on the kitchen.
When renovating or redesigning a kitchen, every detail counts—including the little ones. Your first priorities, of course, may include dramatic changes like installing new appliances, re-tiling the floor and painting the walls. However, overlooking small details like the kitchen's hardware can undermine the big changes you have planned. Old, rusted or otherwise shoddy hardware can ruin the look of a kitchen, so consider your options for replacing or upgrading what you already have.
A new kitchen backsplash--the wall area behind the sink--is a great way to modernize your home, or make a new home more contemporary. The kitchen backsplash can be done as part of a renovation or simply to update the look of your existing design. In recent years, a backsplash has been added to sink areas to prevent the deterioration of dry wall.
Oak is probably the best material for a kitchen, better than maple and cherry, and much better than plywood. Oak for kitchens comes from either red oak or white oak trees. The grain in both is similar, but white oak has longer rays, is more durable and lighter in color than red oak. Oak kitchen furniture is durable, has heavy hardwood, and beautiful grain. It is ideal for American and English country styles.
A galley kitchen gets its name from the cooking facilities on airplanes, trains or ships, where the space is limited and narrow, and you have to make the most with what you have. In homes or apartments, galley kitchens are generally short and narrow, and cooks using these areas struggle to find counter space and room to maneuver. There are a number of design styles you can adapt to make your galley kitchen more efficient for cooking.
Even though the kitchen is considered one of the most lived-in areas of most homes, in some instances, it may also be the smallest room of the house. Many apartments or homes with secondary, utility-style kitchens have relatively small and hallway-like kitchens that may not seem suitable for regular use. The good news is that there are numerous decorative kitchen ideas for narrow kitchens that can transform that limited space into a creative and functional living area.
The kitchen is a place that is the heart of the home. It is where not only the food is prepared, but a place of community and celebration. Designing a kitchen so that it not only is a good place to cook but entertain. A kitchen peninsula base can be a helpful way to achieve both these goals.
A kitchen back splash is something you don't think of very often when planning your home's décor--that is, until you do something interesting with it. Creating your own kitchen back splash imbues your kitchen with a personalized accent. Several creative ideas are suitable for any budget-conscious homeowner who is interested in a do-it-yourself interior design project.
Contemporary kitchen design does away with painted wood or vinyl backsplashes in favor of modern materials and tiles. The backsplash generally flows with the countertop materials--which have gravitated toward natural stone, such as granite. The contemporary kitchen backsplash gives the kitchen a new sleek look with modern appliances and a sophisticated feel.
Banquette literally means upholstered bench. These upholstered benches are often found in kitchen nooks. They're cozy, create family seating space in the kitchen and often double as convenient hidden storage.
Kitchen galleries provide consumers a look at several kitchens in one place that are designed using a variety of styles and materials. If you are looking for ideas for kitchen appliances, cabinets or countertops, drop by a kitchen gallery at a kitchen products business, or home improvement store, for a hands-on look at product lines and materials.
Kitchens are the heart of the household. Even tiny kitchens can have a bright comfortable feel. The key is to make the small space feel less cramped, more organized and inviting. Just a few changes will make all the difference.
New Zealand's National Kitchen and Bath Association is an authority when it comes to identifying kitchen design ideas and trends. Every year the NKBA holds a design competition. In January 2010, it revealed the winners from its 2009 contest representing the most popular kitchen styles. In addition to NKBA's choices, islands are another fashionable component in New Zealand kitchens.
Sometimes it is difficult to decide what to use kitchen closets for to utilize the most efficient use of the space. Kitchen closets can be useful to store linen overflow if you do not have large enough linen closets or a multitude of other uses. There are many types of shelving units and organizational tools available at home supply or hardware stores that will make this space a well-organized and useful area.
If you have a home located on the beach, decorate the interior in a style that reflects the scenery and lifestyle of such an environment. For instance, bring the outdoors in by using colors that are commonly associated with this landscape and use materials that are easy to care for. When decorating your beach house kitchen, choose cabinetry, furnishings and decorative accents that complement the atmosphere of the view that's just outside your door.
Kitchens were once only work areas and kept separate from the rest of the house. However, modern kitchens have become family rooms where people spend more time than in any other part of the house. Kitchen design now includes features that combine an efficient work flow with space for family activities to make the kitchen the social center of the home.
The kitchen is traditionally the family gathering spot in the home. Meals cooked and shared with friends and family for holidays and celebrations, late night card games, and coffee with friends all revolve around this room. Decorating a kitchen is a very personal task. The colors reflect your life and the way you and your family live. Choosing black for your kitchen is a bold look to go with a modern family.
Beautifying your kitchen while making it more efficient doesn't have to cost a fortune. There are a number of do-it-yourself projects that can help you create a whole new look for your kitchen while eliminating clutter and making it a more resourceful area. By executing a few clever kitchen ideas, you can create the attractive working kitchen of your dreams.
Tuscany, known as Toscana in Italian, is a region in Italy covering more than 9,000 square miles and including such towns as Florence, Pisa and Sienna. The region is known for its scenic vistas, gently slopeing golden fields and vineyards, and simple architecture that incorporates natural stone and tile roofs. Bringing these elements and colors into the kitchen can transform the space into a Tuscan-inspired cooking and dining area.
If you are hoping to spruce up your kitchen, then consider giving it the look and feel of a cafe. The "cafe theme" is an easy one to carry out. You may find that you already have many of the items you need to transform your kitchen space into a whimsical, sidewalk cafe. Take note of cafes that you have enjoyed visiting in the past, and use those images and memories to interpret your own version of a cafe in your kitchen.
If the color purple says "home" to you, bring the lightest variant of this shade into your kitchen by decorating with lavender. Using this color guarantees your decor will remain unique rather than something you see in every showroom and magazine. There are a variety of ways to incorporate lavender into your kitchen.
Saving space in the kitchen is the dream of many a homeowner. Despite rows of cabinets and long countertops and room beneath the sink and oven, there just never seems to be enough storage space for your kitchen equipment. Perhaps that is because you have been looking in the wrong places or going about finding extra space in the wrong way.
A new kitchen is the place to expand the limits of old concepts of this room as simply a place to house a sink, range and refrigerator. The modern day kitchen can intrude into the realm of interior design artwork courtesy of technological advances in equipment and a nearly endless supply of décor considerations that allow you to make a mark on your kitchen concept, whether it be strictly traditional or avant-garde.
Typically, kitchen apartments lack the tenant's personality and decorative style. You can incorporate your own personal touch in your apartment kitchen without having to remodel the entire room. Incorporating small changes can create a dramatic effect for an apartment kitchen.
The style of a kitchen can greatly affect the value of a home. The cost to remodel a kitchen typically ranges from $22,000 to $55,000, and with upscale upgrades can cost as much as $100,000. Small kitchen redecorating projects can have a huge impact on a kitchen's design without requiring a huge budget. Changes in hardware, color, floors, and walls will update a kitchen without the commitment or cost of a complete remodel.
Whether it's a country kitchen or a retro-style kitchen, the color cream looks fresh and exquisite in a kitchen. It's commonly used in kitchens on cabinets and walls. It's a great alternative to stark white kitchens and is also more rental-friendly. If you are using colors in your kitchen such as red, yellow or blue, add cream as a color-enhancing neutral hue.
Building a kitchen extension is a large undertaking. It is costly and time consuming, but you'll create a better working space for your family. If you have lived in the house for a few years, you will know what needs to be changed in the current kitchen. Moving into a new home and guessing the purposes you will use the extension for may be more difficult.
Small kitchens already have limited space and when they become cluttered, they look even smaller than they really are. This limits room space and, unfortunately, the functionality of your kitchen as well. Tiny kitchen ideas can improve the appearance of the area while making it roomier and creating the illusion of more space.
An often-overlooked aspect of kitchen design and décor is the kitchen splashback. Not only does a splashback add function to a space by making clean-up easier, but with the wide range of splashback options available today, you can truly make a design statement with your splashback choice. Selecting the right material and color scheme is a highly personal option, and will vary depending on your set up and style, but the following offers a helpful starting point with a few of the most commonly available splashback options.
The term "European," in the home decorating realm, covers a wide breadth of places and eras. The styles vary widely, from charmingly rustic to elegantly refined. Many of the main features of European home decor add a timeless warmth and scene of sophistication to a room. These features make European decor a popular choice for the kitchen.
If you're looking for a truly contemporary kitchen, you can make your kitchen modern by going with a high-gloss look. Gloss kitchens include a number of items with gloss finishes, like cabinets, and often feature a lot of glossy metal fixtures and trim. If you have small children, a gloss kitchen may not be for you, since many gloss elements are easily scratched and show fingerprints.
A warm, inviting kitchen quickly becomes the heart of a home. The hub of family activity, it often turns into an impromptu study, craft room or lounge. While this creates a multipurpose gathering place, it also creates clutter. To enjoy a kitchen that balances practical and pretty, clutter-controlling ideas must merge form and function.
Inspired by the English country style, cottage style invites a casual cozy feeling. A cottage style in the kitchen adds an appealing warmth and charm to the hub of family life. The style plays with cheerful colors against warm off-white background shades and natural textures designed to bring the outdoors inside.
Kitchens are frequently the center of attention in the home. Many times, guests and family end up hanging in the kitchen instead of the living room. Therefore, having a kitchen that is efficient but comfortable is important. Create a chic room that everyone will enjoy. The multiple options in kitchen décor enable you to design a stylish kitchen inexpensively.
Café doors are reminiscent of old saloons, roadside diners and high-volume restaurants. The style was briefly in vogue in the suburbs in the mid-20th century but never became an interior design classic. The two-way swinging doors can work for a contemporary household, but the design treatment should probably err on the side of the theatrical to avoid appearing tacky.
While in the past, carpet in the kitchen might have been considered impractical, products currently available have all but eliminated worries about stains and the expense of replacing and reinstalling carpeting where you cook. Options like stain-resistant carpeting, large throw rugs and runners and carpet tiles offer consumers the flexibility and functionality they need without sacrificing the visual appeal, warmth or comfort of carpet under your feet.
The color pink can be incorporated into the decor of any room, and the kitchen is no exception. Whether you're a fan of pale pink or prefer a vibrant shade, there are many ways to include pink. Add a few accessories or add more pink through walls, cabinets, flooring and even appliances.
Kitchen makeovers tend not to be inexpensive, but the money can be very well spent. If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you will come to appreciate any extra money that you spent on making your kitchen more efficient as well as more aesthetically pleasing.
Kitchen benchtops have a big impact on the look and feel of the room. With so many types available, choosing one can be difficult; but the great variety makes it possible to find a material you'll enjoy looking at day after day and one that suits your lifestyle and taste.
When building a kitchen extension, consider what you dislike about your current kitchen and address these when building the extension. If your kitchen is too dark, use a lot of glass for the extension. If you need more storage, design built-in storage and a larger work area. The possibilities are nearly endless for designing your kitchen extension.
Clean, open interiors are the primary characteristics of popular contemporary kitchen design. Efficient space planning, an open floor plan, modern appliances and strict adherence to minimalist design are the supporting characteristics that distinguish a contemporary kitchen from others.
If you're looking for a natural and green material to use in your kitchen, consider using adobe. Adobe, also known as sun-dried brick, consists of clay, rocks and sometimes clay hardened by heat. Historically, builders use adobe in construction. Adobe is environmentally friendly because it is made of sustainable resources. Adobe materials provide a warm and comfortable feeling to your kitchen.
After decades of small, utilitarian kitchens, the spacious kitchen is back in style. The contemporary kitchen isn't just a place to cook, and it's far more than an "eat-in" kitchen. Unfortunately, many of the homes built in the UK over the past 50 years feature kitchens the size of a postage stamp. It's no surprise then that kitchen extensions are among the most popular home remodels in the UK. According to a major UK property management website, kitchen remodels are second only to loft conversions in popularity and adding value to a home.
The gourmet kitchen is a chef's milieu. It's a sophisticated blend of style and efficiency conducive to the culinary arts. The gourmet kitchen is also a hub of activity where friends and family gather to savor fine foods and each other's company. Your kitchen should cater to your artistic abilities and reflect your own unique character as well.
Antique white kitchens have a traditional, clean and open appearance. The large blocks of white help reflect light and make your kitchen look and feel larger. Unfortunately, the clean color can also be a problem. When white pairs with modern styles, it tends to have a clinical feel. When white pairs with an antique style, the style's natural hues and classic details balance out the white. Using an antique style guarantees your white kitchen will remain warm and inviting, despite the crisp color.
Repainting kitchen walls can dramatically transform your space. Whether you choose to paint a single accent wall or redo your kitchen color scheme, your colors, finishes and trims can set a decorating scheme or serve as a neutral backdrop. Start your kitchen painting project by examining how light enters and moves through the space. If you want to emphasize natural light and volume, stick to paler, cooler hues. If you desire a more intimate space, go with darker or more saturated tones, with a darker hue on the ceiling.
A typical cabin kitchen consists of a casual cooking and dining area tucked into a single room. Natural materials are a popular choice for many traditional cabins, as are country, log and farmhouse themes. However, you have several styles to select from when it comes to natural materials for kitchens, from rustic log to elegant stone.
When choosing blinds for your kitchen, it is important to consider the material of the blind, its style and its function. The material the blind is made of has an impact on the amount of wear and tear the blind can sustain. The style of the blind determines the placement and impact on design. The function of the blind is probably the most important consideration as this can determine how long the blind will last and its inherent ease of use. Options abound for kitchen blind styles; look in most home improvement stores or design centers for a broad selection…
While some people may not think of the kitchen as a place to hang photographs, there's no reason a picture or two can't be placed on the walls to add a decorative touch to the room. Even though wall space may be limited, with the right planning, little photographs can have a big impact on the room. As with any room, your personality should shine through in the décor. If you enjoy taking pictures, you may want to use your own. Photographs can also be found in craft stores, online and in home decorating stores, if you aren't handy with…
From preparing and sharing meals to using table space for projects, the kitchen is an area to congregate. Keeping this room inviting and productive is simple with a few kitchen redo projects. Whether you plan a full remodel with new flooring and cabinetry or simply want to update the room's look with inexpensive touches, make the space feel fresh and useful.
Granite is an igneous rock, and some granites look similar to marble. Granite has become popular as a countertop material because of its durability, ease of maintenance, resistance to heat and natural beauty. Granite can be finished in many ways and can be customized with a variety of edge treatments.
You may be one of those people who aren't impressed with the latest and greatest; fads that fade after just a few years. Then again, you may also dislike home improvement phrases like "timeless" and "traditional. Take heart. You can veer from cookie-cutter designs and infuse your personality into every corner of your kitchen.
With the average cost of a kitchen remodel hovering at $15,000 to $45,000, according to the BetterHomesAndGardens.com "Remodeling Cost Guide", a complete overhaul might not be feasible for many people. By re-arranging your kitchen, you can create a personalized and functional workspace that reflects the needs of your family. With only a slight investment of time and money, you can help eliminate excess clutter and streamline your kitchen's efficiency.
Kitchen molding creates beautiful upper borders in many kitchens. The molding consists of a horizontal pattern along the wall where it meets the ceiling or in the space above the kitchen cabinets. A molding pattern works best if the pattern of the molding matches the entire design scheme of the kitchen. Homeowners will need to choose the right height, style, material and color for their tastes.
The kitchen is usually the control center of a home. You cook memorable meals there, kids hang out there with their friends, you bake goodies for the holidays there, you enjoy your morning coffee there and you sneak down there in the middle of the night to grab a snack. If your kitchen is dated or just plain dysfunctional, it decreases your desire to be in that room. Even if you don't have a lot of money to totally overhaul your kitchen, there are still things you can do to make the room a more pleasant and enjoyable space.
Soapstone offers a distinct look and feel, quite different from any other natural stone. As the name suggests, soapstone feels soft and soapy to the touch, thanks to its high talc content. It offers a light to dark gray color, interspersed with contrasting veins. Over time, its patina darkens, an attribute many home owners love. Resistant to staining and heat damage, soapstone is a good counter and tile option for kitchens. Although some grades are very soft, architectural grades are harder, standing up to daily wear and tear.
A conservatory is "a greenhouse for growing or displaying plants," according to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. In contemporary usage, however, the word has come to mean a room that features glass walls, designed for relaxing and entertaining. Although the word conservatory may have a very British flavor, the appeal of a kitchen that brings the outdoors inside is universal. In the United States, a conservatory may go by the decidedly less formal name of sun room. Whatever it's called, a kitchen conservatory can add style, warmth and beauty to any home.
Making use of every inch of available space in your kitchen can sometimes be a wise thing to do, especially if your kitchen is small. An empty corner in your kitchen can be creatively transformed into useful space for dining or sitting, a decorative area for displaying arts or collectibles or a perfect spot for your corner curio, hutch or cabinet.
The toe kick space in a kitchen is the inches between the floor and the floor level cabinetry. Theoretically, toe kicks allow users of the kitchen to get closer to the cabinet without leaning in, since there is a little space for the feet to fit. Yet, having three to five extra inches of space the depth of your cabinets around the perimeter of your kitchen is space worth having, especially since room is an issue in so many kitchens.
A kitchen entryway is typically a high traffic area into one of the busiest and most lived-in rooms in the house. While the kitchen entryway should be visually attractive to welcome guests, it should also be a functional space that helps organize daily comings and goings.
The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in many homes. It is also the most expensive room to build or remodel. There is a multitude of options to suit almost any family's needs. You can customize everything from flooring to cabinets to suit your budget and requirements.
The color blue can give a kitchen a uniquely updated look. Whether you want city slicker cool or a retro 50’s look, blue can make it happen. Today, it is easy to find appliances, tiles and countertops that can help you do either a partial or complete blue kitchen remodel. Adding even a few blue highlights to your kitchen can give it a whole new look.
Most people spend a big chunk of their time in the kitchen out of necessity. As such, the room should be inspiring, like the rest of our home. If you decorate your home with funky, unconventional decor, don’t let the kitchen be the exception. If a quick analysis of your kitchen reveals it doesn’t reflect your unique personality, replace some of the traditional elements in your kitchen with those that feature bold bursts of color funky artwork.
For many homes, the kitchen is the epicenter of the entire house. The purpose and function of the room represent the ideals of a home. It is the room where friends and families can gather to enjoy preparing, cooking and eating meals together. It is also a great common room to express your style without compromising your creativity. A well-designed and decorated kitchen should be a reflection of your imagination.
Blue-and-white kitchen ideas embrace the color pallette while still showcasing your personal style. With these colors, you are not stuck with any one theme, even if you are stuck with a certain bold color scheme. By either sticking to the true hues, or by adding a few accents to change the ambiance of the space, the possibilities are endless.
Creating a patio kitchen can cost as little as $300 up to $15,000 or more. It all depends on what you want to put in. The most basic patio kitchen will have a grill and storage area for cooking utensils and serving accessories. More elaborate patio kitchens will have both of these and possibly counters, a sink, refrigerator and a serving and eating area.
Sprucing up the kitchen does not need to cost a lot of money. By avoiding plumbing and electrical renovations, costs can be kept to a minimum. With a little planning–i.e. deciding what kitchen pieces need to be tackled–and cleaning and purging of kitchen appliances, the kitchen is ready for a cheap (but refreshing) makeover.
Take utilitarian items in the kitchen, such as spoons and forks, beyond their traditional roles to add decorative accents to your kitchen space. These utensils can be combined in interesting and useful ways. Flatware is reasonably priced and readily available at most big-box and department stores. For a "greener" project, collect unwanted flatware from family and friends, or visit a resale shop. There are no "rules" when crafting, so let your imagination be your guide as you read on for spoon and fork kitchen ideas.
There are many different ways to store things in your kitchen and make things look more organized. Using peg boards is a popular option because the boards take only a small amount of space, but give you ample room for storage. Peg board ideas for the kitchen include making use of space that otherwise goes ignored.
Every real estate professional knows that kitchens sell houses. Therefore, if your house is on the market, it is essential that the kitchen be in top condition, and look big, bright and clean. According to the National Association of Realtors, the word "cheerful" should be kept in mind when staging the kitchen. There are ways to create the atmosphere that buyers are looking for without a complete kitchen remodel.
Kitchen ideas can be broken down into two basic categories: style and convenience. The most popular kitchen ideas are related to style. The second category of great kitchen ideas has to do with appliances and features of convenience. Once you choose your style, there is a plethora of gadgets and appliances to stock your kitchen.
Nearly every family has a calendar in the kitchen. Depending upon the size and lifestyle of your family, a calendar may not be so much a decorative item as a necessity. Creative kitchen calendar ideas can help your family stay organized all through the year. The right kitchen calendar should function well, look good and fit into the style of your kitchen.
Transitional kitchens are unique in that they allow you a wide variety of decorating options. The only rule when putting together a transitional space is to please yourself. You can mix styles, colors and textiles to create the perfect kitchen. It has to be neither modern nor traditional and yet, it can be both. When you are finished you will have something that is uniquely your own.
Nautical decor can make you feel like you are on the ocean, even if you live in a desert home. The Cape Cod look can be very easy to achieve, the only thing you have to do is collect the right things. New and used nautical items can be easily found if you know what to look for. Yard sales or consignment shops may serve as the best places to look since you can get your items at an affordable price.
Modern wengé kitchens feature large, open spaces; simple, boxy counters; and cabinets and tables that are created from this rare wood with clean, sleek lines. The appliances are typically stainless steel. Accessories are modern. A spacious, open, contemporary feel is a big part of this kitchen design. Wengé is pronounced "weng-gay."
A contemporary kitchen uses styles that incorporate a modern, streamlined, geometric and minimalist look. Contemporary kitchens are simple and unadorned, although most homeowners like to add personal touches.
There are many choices of materials to use for the back splash area in the kitchen. Your choice of material will depend on how much you use your kitchen, your budget and your décor. If you do a lot of cooking, you will want a back splash that's easy to clean and is stain resistant. Keeping your back splash within your budget may mean selecting a less expensive material or one that you can install yourself.
If you are building a kitchen for a model home, or even if you are getting ready to sell your home and want to give your kitchen that model home look, there are a few things you should know. Model kitchen's typically have upgraded cabinets and appliances, since builders are trying to sell their homes and want them to look good. But any kitchen can look like a model kitchen with the right ideas.
Update your kitchen with colorful and unusual accessories. Colorful pieces such as artwork and tall glass vases can create a dramatic statement in this space. Use ordinary and affordable items such as fruit and flowers to fill up a beautiful bowl or vase for an accessory in the kitchen. For small spaces, consider installing shelves to showcases your favorite items. Stagger them on the wall for a sleek and simple design.
There are many different styles of kitchens, and the one that is best for you depends a great deal on your own personal taste and preference. Though many people are set on one particular style, others like the look of two totally different styles. Bringing these styles together, such as traditional country or old world contemporary, is not out of the question. It is all about what will make your dream kitchen work for you.
Make your kitchen the heart of your home with a comfortable bench, where family members can chat with each other, do homework or just hang out with you. They'll appreciate the effort you make to improve the quality of time spent in the kitchen.
If you want your kitchen to be warm, cozy and inviting, a friendly place for family and friends to sit, chat and cook, then a rustic style kitchen may be the perfect fit for you. Rustic kitchens are marked by natural materials, bright, warm colors and loads of natural light. With a little planning and some creativity, you can quite simply bring old-world, rustic charm to your kitchen.
Venting the kitchen stove fumes from the home can go a long way for keeping your home healthy. Carbon monoxide gases can build up in newer homes that have a tight insulation seal. These fumes can pose a health hazard. Improperly tuned kitchen gas stoves may pose a risk if those fumes are not vented to the outdoors. Using a ventilation device coupled with a fresh air intake will remove these fumes.
Kitchen valances can be made from a combination of materials you may already have at home. Valances can be functional in design or merely decorative in a style suited to your kitchen. Pair kitchen valances with a complementary bottom tier or let them stand alone if window privacy is not a concern.
Your kitchen is the busiest place in your home, and probably the most public when visitors are around, which is a good argument for making it the showcase room of the house. Informal kitchens are fine, but there's something about a really dressed-out kitchen that's even more impressive than a nice den or living room. When you remodel your kitchen, think in terms of overriding themes that can be incorporated into all the elements--cabinets, counter tops, appliances, floors and walls--and stick with them.
The kitchen is the heart of every home, be it a large mansion or a studio apartment, and its style should reflect the owner in every way. With minor changes in paint color or major remodeling of countertops and cabinetry, everyone at any price point can make some changes to create a cool look in their vital kitchen space. Here are some ideas to consider when you take on your kitchen decor.
Utilitarian by nature, pantries store excess food and supplies for use in the kitchen, but a pantry can be decorative and useful at the same time. Pantries do not have to be disorganized shelves. When properly designed, a pantry will add to the ambiance of the kitchen's decor while still maintaining its intended convenience.
Black appliances can sometimes be hard to work with in kitchens. Because of their dark appearance, some interior design ideas may not be ideal. If you've inherited some black appliances, work with them instead of trying to detract from them. With some clever color palettes, they can become the star of the show and part of the kitchen design.
A red kitchen can be decorated in many styles. A traditional red kitchen has its advantages, but for the out of the box designer, a contemporary kitchen can be more original. No matter which kitchen style is preferred, there are certain elements that every red kitchen should contain.
When you enter a kitchen in the Southwest, you get a warm, welcoming feeling from the vibrant colors and the rustic charm. The design is influenced by the Spanish, Native American and Mexican heritage of the people living in the area. The look tends to be casual and inviting--just what many people are looking for in kitchen decor.
Look to the past to understand primitive decorating. It tends to be simple, uncomplicated and natural. Primitive décor lends itself particularly in the kitchen because of the tools and materials common to this room. Primitive décor generally uses wood, iron, wicker and stone in the objects and materials used to create the room.
Your kitchen pantry can either be an organized, accessible place or a disorganized, chaotic mess. To keep your pantry in useful working order, it must be well-thought out and maintained.
Decorating the kitchen of a farm house creates an opportunity to combine the nostalgic elements of yesteryear with the natural world, while flowers, animals and household gadgets take center stage. A farmhouse color scheme is clean, crisp and easily adapted to several collector themes.
Open shelves can add a substantial amount of storage to your kitchen, allowing you to make the most of your space. Shelving is available in a variety of styles and can be not only a practical addition to your kitchen, but also an attractive one. Choose shelving styles that mesh well with your cabinetry and are sized appropriately for the items you will be storing. Installing kitchen shelves can be a quick and easy DIY project or a more complex and involved one, depending upon the shelving you choose.
Decoupage, the art of cutting out, arranging and pasting down colored papers, can be used throughout your home as a decorative touch. The kitchen, considered by many to be the heart of the home, can in particular be brightened by your own individual decoupage touches.
