Common Problems Addressed by New Kitchens

New kitchens is more than making your home look better, but also to address problems that you used to have. Before you decide on having a renovation project in the kitchen, identify the things which you are having difficulty with. Those would be essential in the designing process.

Some people however think that improving kitchens is just all about expenses. They fail to see the benefits that can be achieved with it. Below are some of the common problems that are addressed with kitchen improvisation:

1. No place for a lot of appliances
You may have a lot of appliances that would make food preparation easier, but still it feels that things are difficult. Some owners complain that they do not have enough space for their appliances. It happens when you have to use the blender and then put it back again on top of the fridge. That is burdensome if you would use it often.

The design of your improved kitchen has to give designated areas for the appliances that you use often such as juicer, blender, and toaster. This would solve issues of delays.

2. Condiments are always misplaced
Condiments are almost always in the dishes that we prepare. This is the reason why it is so easy for them to get misplaced. Homemakers often complain that they have to look for their condiments from time to time.

Have a caddy where your condiments should be placed. It can be placed near the cooking area so you can easily get and put them back. If needed, label each caddy pocket or divider according to the condiment that you would place in there so you will be reminded where to put it back.

3. Pots get disarrayed whenever used
Some chefs use hanging pot racks so they can easily get the pot they want to use. However, if you are concerned with safety among your family members, they may not be a good idea for you.

Pots get disarrayed whenever used which makes organisation activity needed almost every day. You can get over with this issue by making the pots which you use often more accessible. You can do this by hanging them with hooks near the sink or having them placed near the sink.
Place the pots that you do not use often, such as those for big gatherings, in cabinets so that they would not clutter the kitchen.

Remembering Our Very First Kitchen in the Early Eighties

Throughout the last few decades kitchen designs have certainly evolved, and in doing so, the kitchen has truly become the ‘hub of the home’. Stylish kitchen designs, natural materials and use of colour provides charm, warmth and cosy settings, where many activities and social functions now take place. However, growing up in the early eighties I remember our family kitchen being a very different place.

 Back then, we lived in a modest three bedroom semi-detached town house where our basic kitchen consisted of a stand-alone gas cooker, a medium sized fridge-freezer combined, a sink and four storage cupboards. As cupboards go, these provided the main storage for foodstuff, baking utensils, cutlery, crockery and the many pots and pans my mother had accumulated over the years. Made of formica and covered in thin layers of brown wood like laminate, these cupboard doors, drawer fronts and tops were unattractive and not at all sturdy. The floor was garish green tiles.

source: homedesignideasz.com

Some years later as the family grew, we invested in a tall cupboard, which we called ‘the larder. This came in a light blue shade and had three compartments. The top compartment had frosted glass panels, and it was here we displayed our crockery. In the middle and bottom section tins of food, rice and packets of dry legumes were stored. I remember being fascinated by the door on the middle section, which locked automatically in place when shut and opened downwards on hinges, providing a little more work space on which to prepare a bowl of cereal in the morning or a sandwich after school. Looking back now, the kitchen was totally mismatched, but it didn’t seem to matter much then, mum was always able to prepare and cook tasty wholesome meals for us to share.

 Today, kitchen renovations and remodelling are the most popular home improvement of all time. These new kitchen designs take into account the layout of the room, many of which have been made bigger by knocking two rooms into one, in order to accommodate all the activities that now takes place in this room. They also aim to achieve the ideal look and feel that’s right for the home by providing sufficient storage space helping to keep the worktops clear and the kitchen neat. The quality, styles and designs of today’s kitchen cupboard doors and drawer fronts bring a completely different look and feel to the kitchen and home, one that is chic and stylish.

 Where once paint and plain white tiles were the main features on the walls, many designs now incorporating glass, metal, decorative tiles, natural stone, solid wood, and other hard wearing materials. The kitchen is therefore able to withstand the constant thoroughfare of family and visitors. The addition of great lighting and attractive seating areas put the finishing touches to the perfect place to relax and dine.

 Gone are those days of having a basic, mismatched kitchen. With kitchens designers and manufacturers working hard to meet the needs, taste and preference of the modern day family, rest assured, there is a kitchen design out there to suit your home and lifestyle today. 

How to Earn from Your New Kitchens?

Spending money for new kitchens doesn't literally mean it is always an expense at all times. Especially if you are the kind who can see opportunities, you can definitely turn it into an investment. Of course, the key here is to see it as it can become.

You don’t really have to be a gifted one to know these things. What you really have to do instead is to open your mind and say to yourself that you are more than willing to try the following:

1. Online Kitchen Tips

Lots of homemakers go to the internet to know how to cook a certain dish or cuisine. If you happen to know a lot about it, then you can at least record some of your ideas and post in blogs or directly in YouTube. That way, you are becoming a great help to them.

In return, these blog sites do offer you some “pay-per-click” features wherein you get paid for every click that somebody will do to your video. In other words, if you believe you have posted something unique or useful, the chances that you’ll earn from it become higher.

All of these would be possible if you manage to secure a fashionable and complete kitchen set in the first place.

2. Organizing Tips

There are some out there who drops the idea of organizing their kitchen because they neither do have the time nor resources to facilitate it. But if you are kind enough, you can write blogs or articles to help them learn the dos, don’ts, and easy organizing tips to save their kitchens. 

This topic is actually one of the most research items in the internet, signifying that there is a great need for it. So if you wanted to share to it, you can do so. And in return, you can expect the same reward as how YouTube does to videos.

3. Kitchen Product Review

Aside from the aforementioned, you can also focus on providing reviews for several kitchen products available. Especially on those that desperately need advertising since they just came out on the market, what you can do is to either drive others away or convince them that they also need it. In return, those who will notice what you did for them would endorse you to others, giving you more opportunities.


As an alternative, you can also resort to videos just like how it is done in Home TV Shopping networks. If you manage to create an independent yet trustworthy video, you will definitely earn a lot from it.

Making Your Kitchen Fresh in 4 Ways

Have you ever wondered why some kitchens smell fresh, and some are not? Freshness is not just for new kitchens. Even if your kitchen is not new anymore, you can still keep its hygienic smell and atmosphere.

Below are some of the things that you should keep in mind to keep your kitchen fresh:

     1.   Away with bad air

One way to keep good air stay in the kitchen is to have open windows big enough to let bad air out. If you are not that comfortable with big windows, why not install an exhaust fan? Connect the fan with a switch so you can just easily press the button whenever you want to use it.

Another benefit from having open windows or an exhaust fan is to neutralise the temperature in the kitchen. Summer afternoon lunch cooking would then be not that bad.

     2.   Throw the garbage everyday

The main sources of bad smell are garbage and decaying food items. Throwing your garbage everyday as much as possible is the ultimate solution that you can do.

But if you are very busy doing it, throw your garbage at least 3 times a week. While they are still sitting in your kitchen, make sure your can has a cover.

     3.   Clean your stove

It looks nasty if you see some oils in your kitchen, especially on spots where you often use just like your stove. It is inevitable that your stove gets oily especially that you are cooking there every day. You can also see some spillages and food bits which would attract flies and rodents.

After washing the dishes, do not forget to wipe your stove and put some disinfectant on it. If you don’t do this, unwanted substances would build up and even stick to your stove which would make it a little hard to remove. If your stove is not made of stainless material, expect that rust would also build up.

     4.   Lemons. Lemons!

The smell of lemons just brings freshness. This is the reason why it is favourite scent for laundry and dish soaps, and even in car fresheners! When we want to vomit, the smell of lemons also saves us.

To make your kitchen fresher, put a slice of lemon at the bottom of your garbage can before throwing in your trash. You can also place some slices in a bowl near the sink so you can use them on your hands after preparing meat and fish. This prevents your hand and the area from getting stinky.

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.

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.

4 Indicators That You Need a New Kitchen

Change is part of our daily life and it is inevitable; just like getting new kitchens. Part of making change possible is spending which also becomes a stumbling block for our desire to make our kitchen space more comfortable. With too many upcoming and unexpected expenses, when can we really say that we are ready to upgrade our kitchen?

Prevention is always better than cure. We can’t afford to wait for something to happen in order for us to make a move. We should always be prepared to face this inevitable situation so that we always have the upper hand.

Indicators that you are ready to renovate your kitchen into something new are:

1.   It is difficult to move around

Your kitchen is probably the place which has the most safety risks. This is because that is where your gas plumbing culminates, your stove creates fire when cooking, and sharp knives are used and kept there. Can you imagine what would happen if you can’t move around your kitchen easily?

You might end up hurting yourself and others due to improper distribution of space. You can only make this better if you reposition your furniture and appliances.

2.   It takes longer to prepare meals

Meals are expected to be prepared quickly especially when your family members have to go to school and work. It will be difficult to do so if your appliances are performing less effective than what it used to be.

You can solve this issue with the upgrade since it includes electronics aside from the structural changes that you want to do for your kitchen.

3.   Pests are visible and increasing

Do you already see small holes on your cabinet doors? Have you seen some animal discharge lately? If yes, pests are increasing in your kitchen. This would make it unsafe for you and your family.

Shooing them away can’t be done instantly especially if they have already established themselves in your kitchen. But with an upgrade you can cover up those holes at the same time make sure that no possible entry can be made again for those creatures.

4.   Power consumption is increasing

When power consumption is increasing, we normally think that it is due to the increase in number of electric appliances. But it is not always the case. It could be that your appliances are depreciating and consuming more power compared to its performance.