Tuesday, January 29, 2013

4 Things You Should Be Concerned About in Your Kitchen

There are just so many things that we attend to daily. At the start of the day, the first thing we do is prepare meals for the family. This sounds more of a routine, but there is more than that. Some homeowners may even plan to have new kitchens to make such routine easier.

Whether your kitchen is new or not, still you need to maintain it. And maintenance is not just cleaning. It is also checking regularly if everything is doing fine. The following are the things that you should be concerned about in your kitchen:

     1.   Safety
Are your hanging racks and cabinets properly attached to the wall? Do you think they can hold heavy items that you store in them? If their contents fall, would those harm the person who gets hit by them? These questions are all leading to taking safety measures in your kitchen.

It is always better if you have taken enough precautions by seeing if the hinges of your kitchen door are still intact, or if there is any sharp edges on your island, than to be sorry once an accident happens.

     2.   Expiration dates
The next thing we have to be concerned about is expiration date. Always check whether your food items are still safe to eat. If you eat them beyond their expiration, there is a big possibility that you would poison yourself.

One thing you can do to make your tracking easier is to buy food items which expiration date would still be after 3 months or more. Most likely you were already able to eat them by that time.

     3.   Water supply
Water is one of our basic needs for living. It is also a need to maintain cleanliness. To make sure you have a smooth preparation in your kitchen, especially during rush hour, having a good supply of water is important.

If you think you are not getting enough, your pipe could be clogged or leaking somewhere. Look for a plumber to check it for you.
 
     4.   Broken appliances
Make food preparation easier and quicker with working appliances. If you fail to use your kitchen appliances properly, you are increasing the risk of breaking them. One example would be spilling some water on your microwave oven, which could lead to breaking circuits.

Always check the manual before using the appliance to make sure you are following the precautions and terms of usage.

Monday, January 21, 2013

New Kitchens for Minimalist Houses

Many of us are already living in small houses and apartments especially if we chose to move to a larger city. One of the main issues that we are dealing is with new kitchens and how to make them fit to our home which has limited space.

But we can do something to end up the worry. By choosing kitchen items carefully, what to add and what to remove, we can create a more comfortable kitchen. 

Below are some of the things that should be considered with minimalist houses:

    1.   Countertops

Who says countertops are only for big kitchens? They are actually ideal for minimalist houses to make the kitchen area more organised. You can use countertops even as dining table if you think adding one would eat much space.

You can also use countertops as preparation area for cooking. Incorporate cabinets and drawers on it where you can store your food items and kitchenware.  

     2.   Cabinets

Cabinets are inevitable in one’s kitchen. But you have to be specific on the design to make it fit for minimalist houses. Do not settle for traditional cabinets where compartments are limited. You can add your own divider to separate kitchens items.

You can also have cabinets even very close to the ceiling above your sink. Some homeowners do not do this because they do not think it is okay. But it is!  

     3.   Sink

For minimalist houses, you do not need a big sink. You can have a small one provided that it has a drainer on the side so you can wash and dry your dishes easily.

You can have a small basin while dishwashing to easily contain your utensils. You do not have to have a dishwasher since it would occupy more space. Do not forget to have a high-absorbent rag near you so you can easily wipe away water when splashed.

     4.   Lighting

No matter how small your kitchen space is, do not depend on the greater light near that area. There should be a dedicated light on it so that you will not have problems when cutting, chopping, and cooking ingredients. Remember, kitchen is one of the places where injuries commonly happen.

If you ample lighting on your kitchen cleaning will become better and faster. You will be able to check the corners for unwanted substances easily. Another good thing about having enough lighting is the clean feeling that it gives to your kitchen.