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Tag: Life in the Kitchen

  • 6 Kitchen “Icks” That Homebuyers Always Spot, According to Real Estate Pros

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    The kitchen plays a pivotal role in winning over potential homebuyers. Considered the heart of the home, it’s typically the most important, family-centric room for buyers. Those touring for-sale properties will inevitably imagine themselves throwing dinner parties, simmering soup on a chilly day, or working their way through a favorite cookbook in this space. So, what does that mean for sellers who are hoping to net top dollar for their home? 

    While savvy buyers won’t get too hung up on things they can easily change, like paint colors that don’t suit their own tastes or outdated cabinet hardware, there are some kitchen design features that they’ll have a much harder time looking past. I asked real estate and design pros what things in a kitchen immediately turn off homebuyers, and here’s what they had to say.

    1. Butcher Block Countertops

    As beautiful as they can be, butcher blocks are cheaper than stone, which is why so many flippers use them in renovations, says Remington Rand, a real estate agent and president of Rand Properties. While these counters look great when new, they turn off buyers who know that they scar easily when you use them heavily, Rand says. “Around sinks, it can be challenging to seal and can allow water to creep in, causing rot,” he says. 

    The exception here: When butcher blocks are used as actual cutting surfaces on a small section or island, it’s practical and develops a natural patina. If you do buy a home with butcher block counters, Rand recommends you make sure you know what kind of sealant was used on the wood so you can maintain it.

    2. Mismatched Appliances 

    Sellers don’t need to have the trendiest kitchen appliances to win over buyers, but the large appliances in the kitchen should at least match, says Broker Sean Adu-Gyamfi of Coldwell Banker Warburg in NYC. A white refrigerator paired with a stainless steel oven or dishwasher may seem like a minor issue, he says, but buyers will perceive clashing appliances as an extra expense to achieve the cohesive and aesthetically pleasing kitchen that they expect.

    Kitchen appliances have varying lifespans. So when a buyer notices a kitchen full of outdated appliances, they’ll immediately start seeing additional dollar signs, says Ebony Boudreaux, a kitchen and bath designer at NFM in Kansas City. “If there are old appliances in a home, chances are they either do not work or they are on their way to the appliance graveyard,” she says. “Appliances can be a big-ticket item in a home.” Also, if those appliances are built-in, buyers could be looking at a partial or complete kitchen remodel in the future.

    “Many homebuyers prefer to have a kitchen with newer appliances — even if the appliances are not high-end,” Boudreaux says. “The peace of mind in knowing that they don’t ‘have’ to make this type of purchase after buying a home can be a major selling point.”

    4. Fluorescent Box Lighting

    Mood lighting is among the top kitchen trends designers are betting on to be big in 2025. Buyers tend to prefer warm lighting and can be put off by the harsh institutional lighting of fluorescent box lights, which creates an unwelcoming atmosphere and casts unflattering shadows, says Anna Tatsioni, lead interior designer at Decorilla, an online interior design service. Layered lighting with recessed LEDs, statement pendant fixtures, and under-cabinet lighting are all trending for 2025, she says.

    Popular in the 1990s, orange-tinted oak cabinets date a kitchen and can lead buyers to think the kitchen is in need of a renovation. The heavy grain and outdated color makes smaller kitchens feel cramped, Tatsioni says. Today’s buyers are gravitating towards cabinets that are warm white, greige, or sage green with clean lines and minimal graining, she says. “Buyers also appreciate soft-close hardware and organized storage solutions,” Tatsioni says.

    6. Overly Thematic Designs

    A strongly themed or over-accessorized kitchen that seems too personal gives buyers the “ick” too, explains Elissa Hall, lead designer at Awning. “Most buyers go in expecting to find a blank canvas where they can picture their own family get-togethers, and excessive décor — like a brilliant red “diner-style” theme replete with fake neon signs — may destroy that idea before they’ve even had a chance to investigate the rest of the room,” she says. 

    Hall once saw a kitchen that was outfitted with a colorful nautical theme, including fishnet stretched over the ceiling and faux portholes on the cabinets, which distracted from the high-end appliances. It’s fine to add personality to your space, but be sure to keep it more neutral when staging it for buyers — and consider following some of these expert tips.

    Are any of these your kitchen “icks,” too? Let us know in the comments below!

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    Brittany Anas

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  • $3 Dollar Tree Finds Create the Most Luxurious-Looking Kitchen Counter Gem

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    It costs less than a latte.
    READ MORE…

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    Olivia Harvey

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  • The Timeless Kitchen Cabinet Color Martha Stewart Has Had for 20 Years

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    From recipes to etiquette, Martha Stewart’s brilliance knows no bounds — and that goes for her decor, too. Every little detail in Martha’s kitchen is carefully crafted, and of course that includes the color of her kitchen cabinets (which is nothing short of stunning). 

    At first glance, you might take note of how fresh, bright, and modern the warm gray hue makes her kitchen feel. But in reality, her kitchen hasn’t been painted or renovated in quite some time — 20 years, to be exact. So what is this magical mystery color that has kept her decades-old kitchen looking brand-new and totally timeless? 

    Naturally, Martha didn’t just find a paint shade she liked for her cabinets — she took it one step further and created her own. It’s called Bedford Gray, and it’s Martha’s self-proclaimed signature color. In 2013 she wrote on her personal blog about her beloved Bedford Gray, which was sold through her Martha Stewart Living paint collection at The Home Depot. 

    “As you may know from reading this blog, there is a definite gray theme here at the farm,” Martha wrote. “I chose to paint all of the buildings the same pleasing color that I call Bedford Gray. Lay down a thick blanket of fog and the entire farm becomes Bedford Gray.”

    But if you want to steal this gorgeous warm neutral hue for your own space, it’s not quite as simple as heading to your local hardware store. The color, along with the rest of the collection, was discontinued some years ago — but not all hope is lost. Martha’s new paint line, Martha by Martha Stewart, sells the same Bedford Gray you can purchase here. 

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    Nina Derwin

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  • The Easiest Way to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh (With What You Already Have!)

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    Very rarely will we ever tell you to skip the flowers. Not only do they look beautiful and help to perk up a space, they’ve also been scientifically proven to help alleviate daily stress. Yes, really! The key is in making them last as long as possible. We have a few tips for that — and the first (and most important!) one involves making homemade flower food.

    What Is Flower Food, Anyway?

    Flower food typically comes in a small packet, which you can stir into your bouquet’s water to help the flowers stay fresh, last longer, and keep the water cleaner. Believe it or not, flower food typically only consists of three common ingredients: sugar, citric acid, and bleach. This combo keeps the flowers fed, decreases the risk of bacteria growing in the water, and makes plain tap water more habitable for plants.

    How to Make Homemade Flower Food

    Flowers need food, water, and a healthy environment, just like us. You’ll often get a little packet of flower food inside your bouquet, or if you’ve ordered your flowers to be delivered — but did you know you can easily make your own? Here’s our basic recipe:

    All you need to do is combine the ingredients above to make the best DIY flower food before placing your flowers in the vase with the solution. The sugar is the actual food for the flowers, while the bleach helps to slow fungi and bacteria growth and the citric acid from the lemon acidifies the water to lower the pH level.

    Common Homemade Flower Food Variations

    If you want to take it up a notch, you can adjust the sugar based on the type of flowers in your vase. For example, gerbera daisies can handle more sugar, while daffodils don’t like any sugar at all. Here’s a helpful chart with recommended sugar percentages from the University of Massachusetts for different varieties of cut flowers.

    Researchers at Purdue University found a few other recipes for homemade flower food to work exceptionally well: lemon-lime soda with bleach and sugar; and white vinegar, sugar, and bleach.

    Another common variation is to use citric acid instead of lemon juice in your homemade flower food if you have it on hand. It’s not only great for cooking and cleaning, but in its purest form is an easy way to add a touch of citrus if you don’t have any lemons lying around.

    How Often Should You Replace Homemade Flower Food?

    As soon as the water turns cloudy, it’s a good sign to change your cut flowers’ water and add more food. This is typically every 2 to 3 days, but sometimes more often depending on the type of flower and the temperature of the environment. The gunk in the water is microorganisms, and the flower food kills bacteria.

    5 More Brilliant Tips for Making Cut Flowers Last Longer

    You want to open the stems up to the water, so cut off the dried bottoms at an angle to let them soak up as much water as possible. You should do this when you bring new flowers home, but they can also get gummy as they close up while they sit in a vase — so trim the ends every 3 or 4 days. Just an inch or so is good!

    2. Remove the lower leaves.

    Leaves on the stems and below the water level will quickly deteriorate and promote mold. Remove all leaves from the stems below the waterline. Keep this up as you add water and trim the stems.

    Get your flowers into water as soon as possible. But know this: If the water is too hot or too cold, it will shock the flowers — and that’s not good! Treat them like Goldilocks and give them water that’s juuuust right.

    4. Place them in a temperate spot.

    More Goldilocks-ing: Rooms that are too warm or areas with direct sunlight will cause your flowers to wilt more quickly. Try to keep them in a cool, shady place.

    5. Change the water often!

    It’s ideal to change the water every one or two days — before it gets cloudy! When you do, scrub the vase’s interior, re-trim the stems and add your homemade flower food to the water at the same time. Pull out the duds that haven’t seemed to hold up as well as the others.

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    Faith Durand

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  • Joanna Gaines’ New Mini Kitchen Gem Comes in Four “Perfect” Fall Colors (Only $5 Each!)

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    Fall is officially here, which means it’s time to break out the plaids, moody hues, and festive stoneware in the kitchen. I love fall kitchenware because it feels timeless, and like I can actually use it year-round, compared to some other seasonal decor. And just in to Target this season are these super cute lidded fall ramekins from Joanna Gaines’ Hearth & Hand line.

    The set of four ruffled-edged mini ramekins comes with one of each color: light tan, dark red, a rich brown, and an olivey sage green — which are all perfect for fall. The best-selling set is just $19.99 (so just $5 each!), but they honestly look so much more expensive in person. 

    At six ounces each, they’re perfect for holding snacks or dips, but the best part is that they’re also microwave-, dishwasher-, freezer-, and oven-safe (up to 500 degrees) — which means you can bake individual desserts in each one, and they’re super easy to clean. 

    They’d also look great as decor for a Halloween or Thanksgiving tablescape. You could put small tea lights in each one to create a warm glow, or stick them in the middle of a fall foliage centerpiece to add a pop of color. You might also use them as small storage dishes in the kitchen for essentials like salt or toothpicks. 

    The mini ramekins’ muted tones and stoneware glaze fit perfectly with the timeless, earthy tones Gaines’ collection is known for. You can also pick up a few other items from the collection to create a matching kitchenware vibe, like this set of green bowls or this serving platter.

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    Isabella Paoletto

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  • This “Ingenious” $2 Gem Opens Tightly Sealed Jars in Seconds (Our Editors Love It)

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    “I gave up almost all plastic food containers a long time ago because they’re all so flimsy, and they leak and they stain and are generally terrible,” Andrea says. “I use almost exclusively glass now. The issue with glass is that it’s heavy, so if I need to actually transport food it’s not ideal.”

    Enter: Yeti’s The Dash and Dine Set. With this $50 set, you’ll get three containers: one that fits just over one cup, another that holds up to three cups, and a third that can accommodate as much as 8.5 cups of food. The containers are made from plastic (half of which has been recycled), but they solve Andrea’s problem: “Not only do they never, ever leak, but they’re also super-rigid and tough, and they never stain. I love them for when I need a container that behaves like glass but is more lightweight.” They’re going to be especially handy as we head into the holiday!

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    Micki Wagner

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  • I Officially Ditched Plastic in My Kitchen Last Month — These Brilliant Finds Are Actually Saving Me Money

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    Why I’m Quitting Plastic 

    So while things like plastic containers and bags are convenient and have been commonplace for as long as I can remember, I decided that the convenience isn’t worth the possible effects on my family’s health — so here’s what I tried instead.

    The Plastic Kitchen Items I Swapped Out

    First, I decided to replace all of the cutting boards in my kitchen. I had a pack of cheap flexible cutting boards that had honestly been grossing me out for a while. Over time, the boards had become stained and scratched up and had visible pieces of tiny plastic coming off from knife cuts over time. 

    I replaced them with a few wood cutting boards from brands like Viking and Kenmore that I knew would be high-quality and hold up over time. (I especially loved this one from Viking that has compartments to separate all of your chopped foods!).

    Next on the chopping block were the plastic food storage containers I often used to store (and reheat) leftovers in. Not only were the containers potentially leaking microplastics every time they touched hot food, but they also created a huge mess of mismatched lids and containers in my cabinet. 

    Next, I swapped out plastic cooking tools like spatulas and serving spoons with silicone and metal ones. While silicone may look and feel similar to plastic, it has a different molecular structure, so it doesn’t shed microplastics in the same way standard plastic does. 

    I love this silicone set from Great Jones. Their cooking tools and cookware come in so many fun colors, like blueberry and bright pink. They also do fun collabs and collections for movies like Ratatouille. I found metal cooking tools from Viking, Smithey, and Piglet In Bed (which also makes really cute table linens) that I really enjoyed using every day.

    I also decided to switch out some of the single-use plastic items and containers I use on a daily basis. I use olive oil in my cooking pretty often, which also means that I go through plastic bottles of it quickly. I feel bad every time I have to recycle one, so I’ve been wanting to get a reusable container for a while. This way, I could also head to a local refill store so it doesn’t come in a plastic bottle in the first place! 

    I discovered ceramic artist Gina Desantis, who makes beautiful pieces in earthy tones that I knew would look great in my kitchen. Each piece is handmade so no two ever look the same, resulting in some really beautiful and unique pieces. I went with the oil cruet with a sort of brown ombré effect. The container comes with an effective metal spout and rubber cover that allows for the perfect pour every time. (You can also find some of her products on Anthropologie!). 

    To replace the plastic storage bags that I often use to marinate meats in the fridge or store chopped veggies, I went with these stainless steel prep trays from Japanese brand JOC Goods. These trays truly make me feel like a professional chef whenever I use them! Not only is the presentation great, but they’re also really convenient to use and clean in the dishwasher.

    What to Do with Your Plastic Kitchen Items

    If you’re worried about what to do with your old plastic kitchen items, there are plenty of places you can sell, donate, or recycle them. Look into local food banks, shelters, or animal rescues to see if they’re in need of anything you’re discarding. (As long as the plastic isn’t being used to touch food directly, it’s harder for microplastics to be ingested.)

    Of course, you don’t have to get rid of them at all if you’re really after reducing your waste output. Items like plastic bags and containers can be reused again and again until the wheels fall off, so to speak. Before getting rid of your plastic kitchen items, here are some ways to reuse them around your home:

    So, Will I Stay Plastic-Free?

    Overall, the transition from plastic to its alternatives in the kitchen was fairly easy — far less difficult than I imagined it’d be. I’m not sure if it’s because of recent studies about microplastics or consumer demand for plastic alternatives, but so many brands have tons of great nonplastic options, and they’re only getting more and more commonplace.

    I don’t plan on going back to using plastic for any of the kitchen items I already replaced, even after just a month of use. Because all of them were built to last! In the first 30 days, I noticed how much less waste I had created, which meant I was taking the trash and recycling out less frequently, and it felt good to be getting a little bit closer to zero waste. 

    And while the initial investment in some of these replacements might cost more than buying their plastic competitors, it’s definitely worth it in the long term. If you want to try making the change but don’t have the budget to replace your entire kitchen at once, try doing it slowly. Replace a few items here and there until you’re totally plastic-free in the kitchen. The planet and your body will thank you.

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    Isabella Paoletto

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  • Dolly Parton Is Selling the Most Perfect $2 Kitchen Gems at Dollar General for a Limited Time

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    ’Tis the season to be Dolly! Though the holiday season is still a few months away, Dolly Parton is already gifting fans with a little holiday cheer, courtesy of her latest collaboration with Dollar General. The brand-new Dolly Heart & Home Holiday Collection just launched at Dollar General locations all across the country, and it’s hard not to start feeling the holiday spirit.

    The adorable new lineup of festive homeware features over three dozen pieces for cooking, baking, and decorating your home. And every single one of them is bursting with holiday spirit! Plus, it starts at just $2, and almost everything is under $10.

    Add a little festivity to your morning coffee ritual with this adorable coffee mug, or, if you’re more of an iced coffee person, opt for this glass cup that says “Deck the Halls with Songs of Dolly” instead. You can even store your whole beans, coffee grounds, or other pantry staples in this sweet wood clamp jar.

    Dolly Parton is no stranger to Dollar General. Her long-standing partnership with the budget-friendly retailer has led to some seriously dreamy collections so far, including her butterfly-themed spring collection. All of the new holiday pieces are available for a limited time only, so if you’re planning to add a touch of Dolly to the season, you’ll want to shop sooner rather than later. Check out our favorite finds below:

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    Nina Derwin

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  • The Popular Kitchen Gem You’ll Be Glad You Bought Ahead of the Holidays (It’s Just $15!)

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    What You Should Know About KitchenClouds’ Anti-Fatigue Mat

    If you plan to spend any amount of time in the kitchen over the next few months, you might want to invest in an anti-fatigue mat. The cushy kitchen mat makes a difference in how your feet feel at the end of the day. With more than 13,600 five-star reviews, this sleek monochromatic mat from KitchenClouds is well-loved by shoppers.

    In fact, shoppers bought more than 10,000 of them in the past month alone, and it’s currently on sale for 27% off. You can pick one up for as little as $15.99 (or $14.99, if you’re a Prime member). Plus, it comes in eight colors, including brick red, emerald green, and classic black, and 13 sizes so you can find one that best fits your kitchen’s layout. 

    Made from soft PVC foam, this mat features a non-slip base and a waterproof top layer, which makes it easy to clean. It’s very comfortable, according to multiple reviewers, and is especially clutch during long periods of washing dishes and general cleanup (or just standing around chatting with family). One shopper even called it the “comfiest kitchen mat I’ve ever had.”

    What Amazon Shoppers Are Saying

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    Micki Wagner

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  • This “Amazing” Toaster Oven Is Even Better Than My Air Fryer (It’s My New Favorite Appliance!)

    This “Amazing” Toaster Oven Is Even Better Than My Air Fryer (It’s My New Favorite Appliance!)

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    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    I’ve always been a toaster guy — when I moved in with my girlfriend, the first hill I chose to die on was keeping my old two-slot toaster, since I have two pieces of multigrain bread with eggs every morning for breakfast. However, I’ve never been a toaster oven guy, since I always thought my regular oven could handle whatever I needed to toast or roast. Over the years, my position on that softened (I also moved into an apartment with a comically small oven that takes forever to preheat), so I broke down and got an air fryer, which turned out to be a great addition to my kitchen. Recently, though, I had my mind changed again by a very special appliance from Panasonic: the FlashXpress Toaster Oven. It’s sleek, cool-looking, and seriously effective — plus, it has a few features that set it apart from the rest of the competition. (And, it’s on sale right now!) 

    What Is the Panasonic FlashXpress Toaster Oven?

    This compact, easy-to-use toaster oven from Panasonic lets you toast, bake, brown, and reheat — no preheat required. It features two infrared oven heating elements, a spacious design, and six preset cooking functions. The baking rack is also connected to the oven door, which pulls the rack toward you as the door is opened so you don’t have to stick your hand inside and risk burning yourself. Plus, the auto shut-off helps prevent overcooking and burning. And, at just 13x12x10.25 inches, it’s a dream for small spaces and apartment kitchens. 

    Why I Love the Panasonic FlashXpress Toaster Oven

    I was immediately sold on this toaster oven after whipping up some sourdough toast. It was so quick, easy, and effective, I knew this was going to be a great addition to my apartment kitchen. It also helps that it’s cool-looking in a minimalist way, it’s incredibly easy to clean, and has a surprisingly deep cooking area. My favorite part is that when you turn the light on, whatever you’re toasting is strikingly visible because of the crystal-clear glass, which can help you keep an eye on the level of browning. It also tucks neatly into a corner since it’s not superwide like most toaster ovens. I’m not the only one who’s a fan, either. “I bought mine three years ago,” one reviewer wrote. “It is so accurate, and so useful I almost never use the full oven I have next to it OR the microwave. It uses infrared elements so there is no preheat required. Just instant on. It is just big enough to take an 11-cup Pyrex rectangular baking dish, so it can cook a meal for 4. The digital timed bake means you can set and forget. It is tiny but seems roomy on the inside … It honestly is all you need unless you have a big family.” 

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    Ian Burke

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  • Why We Eat Red Foods on Juneteenth

    Why We Eat Red Foods on Juneteenth

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    Alexandra FosterEditorial Assistant, The Kitchn

    Alexandra Foster is the Editorial Assistant for The Kitchn. She is passionate about highlighting diverse voices in the food world through her storytelling. Her work has previously appeared in Food Network, Whetstone Magazine, and NYU’s Bite Magazine. In her free time, she loves trying new plant-based foods, baking, listening to music or podcasts, and being in nature.

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    Alexandra Foster

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  • You've Been Cleaning Your Wooden Spoons All Wrong

    You've Been Cleaning Your Wooden Spoons All Wrong

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    Shifrah Combiths

    With five children, Shifrah is learning a thing or two about how to keep a fairly organized and pretty clean house with a grateful heart in a way that leaves plenty of time for the people who matter most. Shifrah grew up in San Francisco, but has come to appreciate smaller town life in Tallahassee, Florida, which she now calls home. She’s been writing professionally for twenty years and she loves lifestyle photography, memory keeping, gardening, reading, and going to the beach with her husband and children.

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    Shifrah Combiths

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