Five Common Kitchen Remodel Mistakes to Avoid

Overspending
It is easy to get carried away when planning a new kitchen. You want brand-new matching appliances and a $10,000 range. Here are some things to keep in mind to keep the price of your project from soaring.

• Do not spend more than ten to twenty-five percent of your home’s current worth on your kitchen remodel.
  
• Spending more money on a stove or other appliance will not make you use it more often.
  
• Updating your kitchen too much can make the rest of your house look outdated by comparison.
  

Updating your kitchen can be a good way to add value to your home and usually provides a good return on your investment. However, be sure not to guild the lily here. Keep in between ten to twenty-five percent of the current worth of your home, and under ten if your home is on the low end for the area. This will help to ensure you get the most return on your investment.

Just because you buy a $10,000 range does not mean you will begin cooking gourmet meals every night if you do not already. If cooking is important to you and you will be in the home a while, by all means, go all out. However, if a more standard model stove will suit your needs, go with that. Your new kitchen is not likely to change your cooking habits much.

If you go all out on your kitchen remodel, the rest of your house can look out of place and outdated by comparison. Make sure your remodel keeps your kitchen in line with the design of the rest of your house to avoid a mismatch of the appearance of worth.

Shortsightedness
Getting caught up in the moment when remodeling your kitchen is another common mistake. It is important to make a design that will work over the long term, rather than filling your short-term needs. You will likely eventually sell your house, so plan a kitchen that a majority of people will want, not just one that suits your needs. An overly-customized or quirky kitchen can be a turn-off for home buyers, and can drive down the resale value of your home. This is not to say that you cannot have fun and be unique, just understand that you will need either to change your kitchen for resale or reduce your price because of your quirky designs. So, to recapture the most value from your kitchen remodel, keep the design reasonable for overall layout and other hard to change design elements.

Design mismatching
If you update your kitchen too far, it can become mismatched with the design and architecture of the rest of your home. This is a bigger issue with modern open layout kitchens. With these open layouts, the kitchen is open to at least one public area of your home. Keep this in mind when planning your kitchen remodel. Either plan on updating adjoining rooms along with your kitchen or keep the design and décor in these spaces in mind during planning. You should also consider using a custom wallpaper to add a special touch and design to your kitchen.

Changing mid-project
Getting your remodel plan right the first time and sticking with it will keep your costs and headaches down later. Do research, look at samples, tour homes, talk to your contractor and designer, and be sure to get your design set in your mind before going forward. Because while changing your mind later is possible, it will likely lead to delays, problems, and soaring costs.

Ignoring problems or settling
While you should avoid overspending and changing your mind mid-project, you should also make sure not to gloss over issues to save time or money. If a layout issue or extra expense comes up during your remodel and it is the difference of just getting it done and getting it done right, do not cut corners. Fixing these types of issues later is usually exponentially more expensive later. Also, visible issues will make buyers question the quality of the entire project if you were willing to put up with shoddy work in that area. So make sure the job is done right the first time and spend the extra time and money to iron out issues as they come up.

Author Bio: Jay Buckley is a large format printing expert and online publisher for megaprint.com who writes on the topics of design and printing.

How to Feng Shui your Appliances

Modern Feng Shui

Modern Feng Shui informs that the location of appliances and electrical outlets in the home can generate good or bad luck. The number and placement of electrical devices, accordingly, influences physical well-being, prosperity and harmony among people living in the house.

Digital Cameras and other Mobile Appliances
Appliances that we take from home to carry with us during the day like digital cameras, mobile phones and laptops give off electromagnetic charge. In transporting these devices we need to be mindful of where we carry them on our person and how frequently we use them.

Kitchen Appliances
The kitchen is the only room in the house that commonly contains all the elements of Feng Shui: Fire, Water, Wood, Metal and Earth. This means that the kitchen is an easy place to begin balancing the placement of your home appliances. Technologies that make up the fire element like the Oven, Microwave and Stove should not be positioned opposite appliances of the water element like the Refrigerator and kitchen sink.

Westinghouse fridges come in a range of sizes and shapes for fitting in a correct Feng Shui placement. White and stainless steel fridges match well with wood panelling or timber benches; satisfying the wood element in the Feng Shui landscape.

• Ideally the water element appliances such as water filtration systems and fridges should face each other.
• An important Feng Shui tip for your refrigerator is that it should be regularly cleaned out. Clutter and old food brings negative energy or ‘Chi’.
• Many modern, time-saving kitchen appliances have made the kitchen home to more elements that ever before.
• Modern Feng Shui addresses the issue of arranging numerous appliances by design and placement to correctly orient these devices within our homes.

Appliances in the Bedroom
The bedroom should be a place of quiet relaxation and serenity. Televisions in the bedroom disrupt the peace and produce an electromagnetic field. Bedroom appliances also require extra power cables that disturb the flow of Chi. Power cables and outlets should definitely be kept away from the position of your head during sleep. Digital alarm clocks or mobile phones on the bedside table should be shifted to beyond the length of the bed. Having to get out of bed to switch off the alarm will ensure you don’t keep hitting the snooze button and run late.

Home Office Serenity
The home office is generally the room in the house with the most appliances running at once. The PC, External Hard Drive, Monitor, Speakers, Printer, Telephone, Fax are usually all running or on standby all day and night. The amount of cables and power outlets under the office desk could be having a negative impact on your production levels, health and prosperity.
• Scientific knowledge of the long term effects of continued exposure to high levels of electromagnetic fields is only in early stages.
• Many of our most commonly used electrical appliances have only been available for a short time so conclusive evidence on long term exposure is unavailable.

Entertainment Units
Another area of the house where many appliances are clustered is the lounge room. Keep the couch as far from the entertainment unit as possible and make sure there are no power outlets or cables running close to the lounge chairs.
• A vase of fresh flowers in the living area is very good Feng Shui; it is thought to bring life and abundance to your home.
• Larger potted plants can be placed to balance energy flow and bring harmony into a room with many electrical appliances.

How to Clean inside your Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen appliances must be cleaned regularly and require cleaning products that are safe to use around food and drink and on cooking surfaces.

Keeping a clean and tidy house requires maintenance and a thorough cleaning effort must go beneath the surface. Homes can appear sparkling and beautiful from dusting, polishing and vacuuming however failing to clean inside appliances can cause health problems and minimise functionality.

Refrigerators, Microwaves, Dishwashers, even digital cameras need to be cleaned appropriately or their operation becomes significantly compromised. Different household appliances require specific types of cleaning products to ensure they are not damaged.

Kitchen appliances must be cleaned with products that are safe to use around food and drink. Keep in mind that after cleaning a kitchen appliance you will be storing or cooking your food in it, or in the case of a dishwasher, hoping to clean your plates in it. Fragile items like digital cameras need special cloths and cleaners or they will be permanently damaged.

Dishwashers require thorough cleaning as they tend to accumulate food particles, grease and grime in their crevices. Always scrape remaining food off your plates before loading them into the dishwasher. Bosch Dishwashers are especially popular for getting the job done however they too need to be cleaned.

What you need to clean a Dishwasher

• Hot soapy water
• An old Toothbrush
• Sponge
• Dry Cloth
  

Method

1. Scrub the inside of the dishwasher with hot soapy water using the toothbrush. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies including the rim around the door.
   
2. Sponge off all loose debris that the scrubbing produced with the hot soapy water.
   
3. Clean the drain area underneath the bottom rack with the sponge.
   
4. Remove soap from sponge and wipe down the entire inside to remove soap residue.
   
5. Replace racks and trays
   
6. For dishwashers, place a small cup of white vinegar on the top rack. You can also sprinkle baking soda on the floor of the dishwasher to remove any stains.
   
7. Close the door and run the dishwasher for a full cycle.

Refrigerator

Bacteria and mould can still grow inside a refrigerator even at the standard temperature and this can be hazardous for the health and wellbeing of your family. Fridges have many tight places for food particles to collect. Cleaning your fridge is more manageable if done regularly; stay on top of any nastiness growing in dark corners. An easy and safe way to clean your fridge is with baking soda.

1. Take everything out of the fridge and remove all trays and racks.
   
2. Use a mix of baking soda and hot water to wipe down the interior of the fridge with a clean sponge.
   
3. Scrub the racks and trays with an old toothbrush dipped in the baking soda solution.
   
4. Wipe down all cleaned surfaces with a clean damp cloth, including trays and racks.
   
5. Replace contents into your sparkling clean fridge ASAP.
   

Toaster

1. Unplug the toaster and wait until it is cool.
   
2. Wipe down the surface and empty out the crumb tray. You should do this regularly as toasters are traps for old, rotting bread crumbs.
   
3. Use a scouring sponge to remove baked on crumbs from the tray.
   
4. Do not use powerful oven cleaners or steel wool on your toaster.
   
5. Never immerse your toaster in water.
   

Microwave

Microwaves are often wall papered with baked on splatters and food particles glued to the walls and ceiling which reduce function and threaten health.

1. Add a large spoonful of white vinegar to a microwave safe bowl half filled with water.
   
2. Place inside the microwave and heat on the high setting for 5 minutes or until the microwave becomes sufficiently steamy.
   
3. The steam will loosen the baked on food and grime so let it steam up for a few minutes.
   
4. Use a clean dry cloth to wipe over all the inside surfaces. This removes gunk easily and your microwave will be returned to pristine condition.

It is good practice to clean the inside of your kitchen appliances regularly. Follow the previous steps and you will find that it is not the daunting task you imagined at all. Your appliances will work better and last longer and your family will be relatively safe from harmful germs and bacteria. Until they step outside that is.
 
Author Bio: Tom Mallet is an Australian freelance writer and journalist. He writes extensively in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the US. He’s published more than 500 articles about various topics, including flooring.

Curvaceous Kitchens!

I wanted to do my kitchen up recently but this is one area of my house that I have shamefully neglected, so I wasn’t fully clued-up on what I would like; the kitchen doors I wanted, the surfaces, even the colour! A quick online search led me to an awesome looking design though that I immediately knew I wanted!

It’s all about curves! Curved little kitchen islands, curvaceous kitchen doors and smooth, round edges where ones where harsh little corners. I loved the look of this little bubbly-kitchen idea, so took it upon myself to investigate exactly how to achieve this look. I started my search by typing “curved kitchen” into a search engine and absolutely loved the outcome! Curvy little kitchens can be done in all types of typical kitchen materials – from the ultra-modern high-gloss shiny cabinets and kitchen doors to the gorgeous wood doors. I loved the way that these kitchens seemed to flow and put me in mind of softness, comfort and luxury! Combined with a really soft, floral wallpaper and opulent, poufy cushions for my kitchen chairs, my kitchen now looks like a little, white cloud of a haven!

It’s not just all sweetness, girly and light though. If you fancy a kitchen with curves to rival Nigella Lawson you don’t have to have a girly haven – opt for heavy wood kitchen doors in a slightly darker shade or even black ultra-gloss to give your kitchen a bachelor-pad feel. And of course, forego the flowery wallpaper!

What’s New in Kitchen Design?

The housing market may have slowed down slightly, but the re-modelling market is booming. Rather than moving house, more and more people are improving what they already have – revitalizing their bedrooms and modernizing their kitchens with the latest in plumbing, floor-to-ceiling units, and stainless steel undermount sinks, or ceramic undermount sinks for those that prefer a more classical look.

Islands are in

One of the biggest trends in kitchen design these days is the use of islands. In many homes, the kitchen is "big enough", but the amount of usable space is far from sufficient. While opting for stainless steel undermount sinks instead of traditional overmount sinks will allow you to reclaim a few inches of counter space, an island will reclaim a lot of empty floor space for your use as a work surface, and can act as storage too.

Low Divide Sinks

Another trend that’s gaining popularity is low divide sinks. Many kitchen designers are finding that they’re now more popular than single bowl sinks. There are some charming ceramic undermount sinks that come in a large bowl/small bowl configuration with a low divider, perfect for those who want to retain the flexibility of a single bowl, but want to separate some of their washing.

Discrete filters

Water filters are one of the first additions that many homeowners make to their kitchens, even if they aren’t going to be re-modelling on a grand scale. An under-sink water filter, connected directly to the cold tap, can remove the need for a separate faucet for drinking water. There are filters that can last for one year before they need changed. They’re discreet, hassle free, and great value for money.

Floor to ceiling cabinets

Floor to ceiling cabinets are gaining practicality for several reasons. Firstly, they remove the hassle of having to dust the top of the cabinet (which, let’s face it, is a horrible chore). Secondly, they maximise the amount of useable space, and make the kitchen look much neater.

Kitchen redesigns should not be entered into lightly. While it’s easy enough to move around the furniture in the living room, or even in a bedroom, kitchens are more permanent, with plumbing and wiring to be considered. If you hate your kitchen, every mealtime will turn into a chore. So, before you invest in stainless steel undermount sinks, floor-to-ceiling cabinets, or any other major changes, think about what you use most in your kitchen, and what you’ll need easy access to on a day to day basis.

It may be that you need single bowl ceramic undermount sinks, because a double-bowl sink wouldn’t fit your wok. Or, it could be that you’d rather have an island kitchen than one with floor-to-ceiling cupboards – or, perhaps you spend so much time in there that you need both storage solutions! Don’t let your kitchen designer talk you into something fashionable just because everyone else in the neighbourhood has bought it. It’s your kitchen, and it should be designed to fit your needs.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of the Kitchen Appliance Centre. James writes on subjects relating to home improvements and interiors.

A Guide to Kitchen Remodeling

A kitchen can come in all shapes and sizes, making a remodeling project a challenge. Before your remodeling project begins, prepare to be without a kitchen until the final screw is tightened on your project. Although a kitchen remodeling project can often take a good amount of time to complete, the finished project will not only give the homeowner a feeling of satisfaction, but will typically provide an encouraging return on investment should the house ever go on the market. No matter the dimensions or function of your kitchen, a professional remodeling job can transform your space into an area that is unique to your style and practical to your culinary capabilities.

Below are tips that can help transform a boring area into a traditional, trendy or modern kitchen space. No matter the direction being taken, the following will serve as a guide for you as you look to create a total kitchen makeover.

Create a budget

This will determine every other step in the process until completion. Study all of the things you wish to remodel before setting a budget. By doing a little homework early in the process, you can avoid straying away from the original remodeling plan. It is important to decide how the kitchen will be used and why it needs to be remodeled. Is more space being sought? Does the kitchen need more storage or room for guests?

Be accurate

Free remodel calculators are available online to help with how much everything will cost. Consumer reports are available, too. Knowing the rates of floors, cabinets, and other materials ahead of time will be beneficial when remodeling.

Have a vision

If a full remodel is going to occur, the design and plans need to be complete before anything begins. Kitchen design software is available online to help navigate through a look-a-like kitchen to decide where things should go and what they should look like.

Hire a professional

Not all contractors are created equally. A little due diligence will help you quickly decide on the right contractor for your kitchen remodeling project. Review their website, ask for references and make sure they are licensed. A contractor and a homeowner should experience little to no miscommunications during the remodeling process especially if a plan is in place.

Check the products and material

• Cabinets - If the budget can accommodate, custom cabinets give a unique look with many different styles, materials and hardware available. Resurfacing is also an option for remodeling cabinets. Adding new hardware and color to previous cabinets can help spruce them up as well. This process should take a few days.
  
• Lighting - Lighting can change the mood and atmosphere of an entire room. The kitchen is a place where lighting should be executed smartly to avoid kitchen mishaps. You need to be able to see what you are cooking or preparing!
  
• Counters - With a wide variety of options available, one is faced with the choice of tile, wood, cement, granite, marble, and many others. Adding new countertops to a kitchen can change the look of a room. Consider price, color and durability of the counters as well as the installation requirements. A contractor will be able assist in providing this information. Hard floors are suggested in a kitchen because of spills.
  
• Flooring – There are a number of different options from which to choose when selecting flooring. Tile, Vinyl, Wood and laminate flooring are some of the more popular flooring options during a kitchen remodeling project.
  
• Windows - Windows allow natural light into the kitchen and add extra character to a room. Natural light is hard to replicate so take advantage of windows in a kitchen by leaving them open.
  

Understand payment terms

Every remodeling professional will have their own set of payment terms. However make sure you do not pay for the project in its entirety from the start. The contract will need to layout the payment plan and schedule for the rest of the project. Also, the final payment is not to be paid until everything is complete and to your satisfaction.

Adding a Tile Splashback to Your Kitchen

Adding a tile backsplash to your kitchen is a quick and easy way to update the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank. There are a few different options when it comes to tiling material, and a multitude of colors to choose from, giving you a lot of freedom to create a unique look for your home in just a couple days.

Tile Options

Ceramic, glass, and stone tiles are the most common for backsplashes. Glass tiles come in variety of sizes and colors. If you’re looking to add a little shimmer or shine to your kitchen, glass tiles are a great option. Stone tile, whether granite, slate, or marble is typically the most expensive. Generally stone tile is going to come in a more neutral color palette, but its natural beauty can make your kitchen stand out. Ceramic tiles are usually the most affordable option and come in every shape, size and color, so they’re very versatile. When picking a color, be sure to match your tile to your fixtures, rather than your appliances. Add in an accent color to make your backsplash really pop.

What You’ll Need to Install

• Newspaper
• Tile
• Pre-mixed adhesive and trowel
• Sponge
• Spacers
• Pre-mixed grout and float
• Caulk

Installing Your Backsplash

1. After you decide on a tile style, you’ll need to measure your space to see how much you’ll need. In inches, measure from the top of the counter to the underside of the cabinets. Multiply the two numbers together to get the area. Tile is generally sold by square foot, in sheets with an easy to cut mesh backing.

2. Once you are ready with your tile, make sure the surface of the wall is clean and dry. Lay down newspaper on the countertops for easier clean up.

3. Load your trowel with the premix adhesive and apply to the wall. Then, using the combed edge of the tool, gently pull through the adhesive to remove excess. It is best to do this in small sections, one section at a time.

4. Apply tile to the wall from the counter up to keep everything even. Once you’ve applied the tile over the adhesive, insert spacers between each square to make sure they stay straight. Continue until you’ve tiled the entire area, then remove spacers.

5. Wait for the tile to set completely (as indicated on the adhesive mix) until you apply the grout. Using a pre-mixed grout is easy. Apply grout to a float and run over tiles, making sure it sticks between the squares. Take a damp sponge to the tiles to clean off any extra grout from the surface.

6. The last thing you’ll want to do is seal the space between the counter and tile with a thin line of caulk.

Once your new backsplash is installed, you can replace the outlet covers that you previously removed. Keep in mind you may need to use longer screws to compensate for the added width from the tile. After your backsplash is complete, consider adding recessed lighting underneath your countertops so your work can shine, or more kitchen remodeling ideas visit Erie Construction.