Tag: kitchen design

How to enhance the beauty of a small kitchen – Growing Family

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The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in every home. It’s a very functional room, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want it to look good too.

When it comes to making your kitchen look beautiful, the size of the room has a big influence. In this article we’ll focus on tips for making a small kitchen look great.

1. Choose tiles carefully

Most kitchen designs involve an element of wall tiles. These are a practical way to keep walls clean and looking smart. The colour and size of the tiles has a direct effect on the overall look in a small kitchen.

Light coloured tiles will create a natural feel and can make a small space feel lighter and bigger. Gloss finish tiles can look really smart and modern, while textured tiles are great for adding interest and depth. Make sure you co-ordinate your tile colours with any other wall paint or wallpaper for a cohesive finish.

Installing kitchen tiles can generate a lot of waste. To dispose of waste generated during a kitchen renovation, you can use the service of reedwastecollection.co.uk and let the professionals do the job for you.

2. Choose a unique wallpaper

Wallpaper can be used in a kitchen to great effect. A bold pattern will make a strong statement, while something more geometric or muted is ideal for neutral colour schemes. Be mindful of overpowering a small kitchen with very detailed designs though. If you’ve fallen in love with a busy print, consider using it on a single wall only.

When choosing wallpaper for a kitchen it’s important to ensure that the finish is suitable for a kitchen environment. Ideally you need it to be resistant to moisture; washable or vinyl papers are a good choice.

3. Accessorise

Whether your kitchen is big or small, it can be made more charming and attractive with some personal touches. Wall art, colourful towels, and statement crockery will all add personality and detail to the space. You could even showcase your own hobbies with things like handmade vases or woven storage baskets. Simple decorations like this can make kitchens attractive at a low cost.

Do be careful not to overdo the accessories in a small kitchen. It’s a good idea to declutter on a regular basis to keep things looking neat. If you generate a lot of waste click here to get the best and most affordable options for waste removal on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

4. Add plants

Plants are fantastic for adding colour and interest to a kitchen – and they can improve air quality too. Indoor plants don’t have to take up lots of worktop space in a small kitchen; hanging planters and wall planters can add greenery without cluttering up your surfaces.

5. Aim for consistency

If the kitchen is small, it has to be designed with consistency in mind to get the best out of the space. This could be consistent colours on appliances that live on worktops, uniform storage boxes that get the most out of limited cupboards, or crockery in the same colour to minimise the feeling of clutter. Keeping your colour palette consistent on walls, appliances and cupboards can help too.

6. Utilise height

If your kitchen is small, make good use of the height. Tall wall cabinets can provide much-needed exrta storage without getting in the way; you can even run them right up to the ceiling. Wall shelves are also a great idea, and you can even build cupboards that allow you to stack your appliances (do make sure you secure each appliance properly to avoid hazards).

Conclusion

With these ideas, you can make a small kitchen look great while also improving its functionality. The right tiles, wallpaper, and colours combined with some greenery and clever storage can work wonders without breaking the bank.

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Catherine

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July 24, 2024
How to plan a home renovation from picking an architect to managing the build

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Experts suggest thinking about how you’ll use your home in future when considering a building project.

10’000 Hours | Digitalvision | Getty Images

Extending your home or remodeling your kitchen and bathroom may be an exciting prospect but it’s worth carefully planning the design and build to manage the risks involved, according to specialists who spoke to CNBC.

If your project is fairly large, such as a home extension where you’ll be knocking walls down, it’s a good idea to hire an architect because they can guide you through the relevant planning permission and building rules depending on where you live. They can also help you appoint a building contractor (known as a builder in the U.K.).

Write an initial brief — essentially a wish list for your project — before approaching an architect, is the advice of a spokesperson from the U.K.’s Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), in an email to CNBC. Think about how you’ll use the new space now and how that might change in the future.

Then, consider your budget before you approach architecture firms, said Richard Parr, founder of design studio Richard Parr Associates. “Do the math before your first meeting,” he said in an email to CNBC.

He also advocates thinking about the “emotional” brief — Parr likes to get to know his clients by asking them questions like how they spend their time and where they like to go on vacation — as a favorite destination might influence their design choice.

Green building

Finally, consider green credentials. It’s worth focusing on any sustainability goals upfront, according to Ruth Lang, lead researcher in low carbon housing at the Future Observatory, a research program run by London’s Design Museum.

“Thinking about how your project can make better use of passive heating and lighting, and use reclaimed or natural materials, which have a lower carbon impact, can hugely change the manner in which a project would be conceived,” she told CNBC by email. You can also ask your team how they might minimize waste or repurpose materials, Lang said.

“If you were thinking of taking out a marble kitchen countertop, for example, you don’t have to reuse this in the kitchen again. You could instead consider how the material available could be used in other applications, such as being cut up for bathroom tiling,” she said.

Appointing an architect

RIBA’s online Find an Architect service asks for details such as your project’s aims and budgets, design style (such as whether you want it to be in keeping with the existing building), your overall aims — including more space, flexibility or more light — plus any restrictions like being in a conservation area.

In Germany, the Association of German Architects (known as the BDA), has around 5,000 members and you can search its directory by region, while the American Institute of Architects also has a listing of firms that is searchable by state or zip code.

RIBA advises meeting four or five firms in person to see how you get on, and to find out about their portfolio, fees, construction costs and timings. The architect will prepare technical drawings ready for a builder to cost and can recommend what type of building contract you should use too.

A home extension with a glass conservatory roof and bare brick wall.

John Keeble | Moment | Getty Images

You can opt for your architect to be your contract administrator too, meaning that they will oversee quality control during the build, according to RIBA. “If you don’t designate someone to this position, the responsibility falls on you,” its spokesperson said.

Budgeting

Gary Olsen, a chartered builder and director of design and build company Create, said this pre-contract phase is crucial — and not worth skimping on because it can avoid problems later.

Any scope of work document should include costs that “people might not initially think of,” Olsen told CNBC by phone, such as parking permits and fees for dumpster or skip hire. If the builder’s estimate exceeds your budget, write down your hierarchy of needs and wants and ask your contractor if they can revise it accordingly, Olsen said.

When you meet with potential builders, ask whether the person quoting for the work will also oversee it. If not, ask to meet the manager who is likely to be in charge of your build. “I’ve got to be confident that you’re going to be a nice person to work for and I’m going to get paid … And then [customers must consider]: Can I trust this person to deliver what he says?” Olsen said.

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has a directory of building contractors, searchable by specialism and location.

Managing risks

Older properties may have structural issues, and it’s worth understanding these ahead of time, Olsen said. Victorian-era terraced properties, typical of the U.K., are sometimes “L”-shaped at the rear, meaning they have an outrigger, the part of the home that projects out into the backyard. Occasionally this can sink in relation to the rest of the building and it’s worth identifying these types of issues before work starts, Olsen said.

“Don’t … hide behind a sofa looking through your fingers, hoping that there won’t be something [wrong]. A defect won’t magically go away by itself,” he said.

If you share a wall with a neighbor (known as a party wall), it is a good idea to get a condition survey of their home before work begins, especially if you are doing excavations. This should include photographs, descriptions and measurements of any existing cracks or defects, Olsen said.

Payments

Changing your mind about fixtures and fittings can be expensive if work has started, Olsen said.

For example, if you decide you prefer an engineered wood floor instead of the vinyl one that has been estimated for, it may not simply be the materials that cost more — the concrete base underneath may need to be finished to a different level.

Flooring requires preparation, depending on the kinds of materials you choose.

Juanmonino | E+ | Getty Images

Olsen suggested setting up a WhatsApp group for requested changes, confirming what’s been agreed by email and adding cost details to a spreadsheet.

Olsen, who is board president of the FMB’s London region, said a contractor may ask for around 5% of the build cost to secure the project, followed by about 20% once work begins.

“Be wary of big money payments upfront,” Olsen said. And, if the builder doesn’t provide you with a payment schedule, “don’t sign the contract,” he said. Once the project has been completed, expect to retain about 2.5%, which you’ll pay once you reach the end of an agreed rectification period of about six months.

Try to remain flexible during the project, Parr said: “Renovation is not a precise science or a predictable art, so be prepared for discoveries and the unforeseen. Above all, I always tell clients to follow their gut instincts and make sure they enjoy the journey the whole way through.”

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December 19, 2023
New Survey Reveals That Covid Has Turned Many Homeowners Into Homebodies

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Homeowners are cooking more at home and happily spending more time there post-pandemic, according to … [+] recent survey.

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Covid turned many Americans into homebodies, according to the Research Institute for Cooking and Kitchen Intelligence. In its recently released “RICKI 2022 Changes Driven by the Pandemic” survey sent to more than 1,000 homeowners, the research consultancy sought to learn how respondents’ pandemic experiences impacted their relationships with their homes, especially in the kitchen, what changes they’ve made, and how their attitudes have shifted as a result of this massive disruption.

Greater Desire to Be Home

One response that leaped from the RICKI survey was 64% of surveyed homeowners strongly agreeing that “I have a greater desire to be home now than I did before the pandemic.” How might this be showing up in home remodeling plans?

One trend is increased requests for wine and coffee centers by kitchen project clients, facilitating the kind of socializing that was next to impossible during the first months of the pandemic. This has spurred more product releases that help store wine, serve beer and brew coffee at home.

Steve Smith, CEO of high end Southern California retail chain Pirch shared in trade magazine Kitchen & Bath Design News’ annual Trend Spotting wrap-up last November, “We used to sell built-in coffee machines in one out of 10 kitchens, and now it’s more like three or four out of 10. Customers want to put in their own version of either a bar or a soft drink center, so their homes are better equipped for entertaining. Anything that allows people to entertain in their home has become a must-have.”

Another area where the pandemic’s influence has shown up is the continued popularity of outdoor living spaces for socializing and relaxation, which are larger, more luxurious and better equipped than ever before. Climate control features extending their use into the hotter and colder months include fans and misters for the hotter months and fire features for the colder ones. Materials like porcelain slab countertops and decking also make these spaces heat and frost resistant.

Home fitness continues to be popular – even though, as noted here recently, those spaces may be smaller and multi-use in some regions – so that time-pressed, health-conscious homeowners can get a workout in without driving to a gym or sharing showers.

My Home Makes Me Happier Now

Covid showed homeowners where their homes were serving them poorly, and a burst of remodeling activity followed to redress some of those issues. For example, the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2022 Trends Summary of industry professionals noted that clients have been choosing easy to clean, sanitary surfaces; hands-free faucets; paints that don’t off-gas, and universal design features that accommodate aging in place, all of which contribute to peace of mind. They’re also adding comfort features like radiant flooring, bathroom storage with outlets for beauty tools, and large islands for entertaining.

Mental well-being showed up as the top priority for 60% of surveyed homeowners in the John Burns Research & Consulting’s January 2023 Healthy Homes survey, described in this April 11 Forbes.com article. Features that enhance peace of mind definitely support that priority!

I Am Spending More Time in My Kitchen Now

There are several factors that likely have 50% of the RICKI survey respondents strongly agreeing that they’re spending more time in the kitchen now than they did pre-pandemic. These include early restaurant shutdowns, the drive to use time at home in creative new ways during COVID, the links between healthy eating and reducing COVID co-morbidities, and inflation creating the need to get smarter about shopping and meal preparation.

The NKBA survey points out that homeowners are planning their kitchen redesigns for more than just cooking though. Islands are getting larger, the report notes, with 62% wanting eating areas and 59% wanting areas for their kids to complete their homework and school assignments. Also high on 64% of homeowners’ kitchen wish lists in the NKBA study is space to charge and view their phones, tablets and laptops.

I’m Much More Knowledgeable About Cooking

That extra time in the kitchen has led 43% of RICKI respondents to agree strongly that they feel better prepared to create meals for themselves and their households than they did pre-pandemic. Appliance manufacturers are helping in this regard, with built-in recipe helpers, cooking app tie-ins and remote operation, letting you check on your oven’s progress from your home office to avoid burning your food. Half of the NKBA respondents (50%) say clients want mobile apps to control their appliances.

It’s also driving interest in newer, more advanced appliances like ovens with steam or air frying capabilities (63% of NKBA respondents), induction cooktops with smart ventilation and enhanced refrigeration with flex drawers that switch from fridge to freezer to wine cooling.

While pro-style gas ranges and cooktops have been popular for decades now, the NKBA Report shows “induction popularity expected to climb into mainstream” in the next three years. The 2022 report had induction popularity at 42% versus gas at 46%. Recent studies on the health risks associated with gas cooking and regional bans on gas lines to homes will likely drive those numbers much higher.

The home cooking trend is also spurring remodels with better pantry storage. The NKBA survey reported a 60% interest in these spaces. Not only do they accommodate food storage, they also often include countertop appliances to help in meal prep, storage for serving pieces and pro-style sinks for prep and cleanup.

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Jamie Gold, Contributor

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April 25, 2023
Walcraft Cabinetry’s Virtual Reality Lets Homeowners Experience Their New Kitchen Before Renovations

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Immerse Yourself in Your New Kitchen Design Without Stepping Outside of Your Home

Press Release
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updated: Sep 24, 2019

GRASS VALLEY, Calif., September 24, 2019 (Newswire.com)
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Thanks to Walcraft Cabinetry’s new fully immersive virtual renovation experience, homeowners won’t have to leave their home to see or feel how a new kitchen will fit into their home. “We use the Oculus virtual reality headset to transport you into your future kitchen without ever leaving your house,” said Walcraft CEO Sean Walsh.

After sliding on the headset, the user will see exactly how the tile they picked works with the lighting fixtures. Thinking of adding an island? The virtual experience will let the user feel what it’s like walking around the altered space. “This incredible technology will save people so much time, money and energy,” smiled Walsh. “They’ll know for sure that their new kitchen design works for them before they start construction.”

The Most Realistic Experience with 8K Resolution CGI Technology
During his many years in the construction business, Walsh noticed customers struggled to visualize their complete designs. Homeowners bogged down in the small details, like tile and wood samples, often struggled to envision the big picture of how everything would come together in their space. “Even with drawings and computer renderings, some people had a hard time,” he noted. “Some companies have attempted to incorporate virtual reality solutions, but you have to travel to their offices to try them and the resolution is so low that it’s not especially useful.”

Walcraft’s virtual kitchen experiences solve that problem by providing the highest caliber Hollywood-level CGI rendered in 8k resolution. Walsh noted, “This interactive approach gives you the highest possible level of realism. You will see exactly how every element you selected works together. There’s nothing else like this.”

No Showroom Visits Necessary | Experience the Entire Process in Your Own Home
Walcraft provides this service for homeowners throughout the United States. The process starts with a consultation in which the Walcraft team helps you put together your dream kitchen design. They’ll send you free door samples and work with you to create personalized CGI renderings so you can get a general idea of the look you will end up with. Once you work out the details, Walcraft will load the design into a pair of Oculus goggles and send them to your home so you can experience your kitchen in virtual reality.

“This service helps homeowners save time and money because contractors appreciate working with people who are well prepared. In all reality they charge less when the client has everything ready to go,” said Walsh.

About Walcraft Cabinetry
Walcraft Cabinetry is a “people before profits” business based in Grass Valley, California. The company provides jobs and opportunities for people coming out of crime, addiction and abuse. Walcraft offers nearly 200 cabinet options with styles, colors, shapes and sizes to suite every homeowner. Learn more at https://walcraftcabinetry.com.

Contact Sean Walsh | 530-277-2593 | sean@walcraftcabinetry.com

Source: Walcraft Cabinetry

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September 24, 2019