close

Kitchen Design

Kitchen Design

KEY THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN PLANNING KITCHEN RENOVATION

by Lucas Jameson on

The kitchen is one of those rooms in the house where we head for exploration. Hungry? Head to the Kitchen. Bored? Head to the Kitchen? Planning to watch your favourite show or movie? Head to the Kitchen. The Kitchen is indeed the busiest room of the house and the footfall is quite high. It becomes more crucial for the kitchen to be practical. When you plan your renovation you pay close attention to all details. Be it the cupboards or the countertop, everything needs to be perfect. Whatever you are opting for should be practical in the long run. The renovation process in itself can be quite daunting. Kitchen & Bath, a kitchen renovation company will help you design your dream kitchen, which will be easy to maintain and practical. We are sharing some of the tips that you should keep in mind. 

Choosing the right countertop 

The kitchen countertop adds to the aesthetic value. When you are making a decision, it shouldn’t simply be on the aesthetic value but also on how practical it will be. The material you opt for should be easy to maintain. Marble or soapstone might seem like the ideal option, but they are difficult to maintain. The budget also has a crucial role to play when choosing a countertop. When you are on a tight budget, you should consider going for a cheaper option that will mimic the aesthetic of a natural stone. 

Deciding on the type of faucet

There are two types of faucets that you can choose from – the standard deck-mounted faucet and wall-mounted faucet. When you opt for the wall-mounted faucet, it will help to add aesthetic value to your kitchen. For maintenance purposes, a wall-mounted faucet tends to be easier to maintain than deck-mounted. This is because it is easier to keep the area around the sink clean. If you have a busy kitchen, it is best to opt for a wall-mounted faucet. 

Consider a Double-Bowl Sink

Choosing the correct type of sink for your kitchen isn’t easy. You might want yourself weighing the pros and cons of having a double bowl sink and a single bowl sink. Space in the kitchen should be one of the things that should be considered before you decide. When there is less kitchen space, then you should opt for a single bowl sink. However, if you do have enough space, double-bowl sink it is. With a double-bowl sink, it becomes easier to deal with dishes as there is more working space. 

Choose the Kitchen Appliances wisely

Before you go ahead and make your wishlist, reason why you want to replace those appliances. When choosing the appliances, need to take into account the design of the kitchen, its usage and your lifestyle. The appliance needs to be in compliance with your lifestyle and requirements. You can begin by listing the appliances that you are already using. Also, add those you would like to use in the future.

read more
Kitchen Design

Why Radiators Can Be A Kitchen’s Biggest Obstacle

by Lucas Jameson on

If you follow this blog, you’ll know that we have a lot of great posts on taking advantage of space in your kitchen. Covering everything from what to consider when remodelling a kitchen to the right type of material your sink should be, we like to think that every inch of the kitchen should be taken notice of when doing any remodelling or DIY work.

Why then is there one major obstacle in every kitchen that we don’t take the time to address? The radiator(s) in our kitchens is a highly functional item that is relied upon to work flawlessly, regardless of where it is located or what size it is. I can guarantee in most kitchens that have had a fresh lick of paint, one peek behind the radiator, and you’ll see where someone gave up on painting the part of the wall it is attached to.

Truth be told, radiators are your kitchen’s biggest obstacle due to their limitations, i.e. they have to stay in one spot and always take up that space. You might baulk and suggest that your refrigerator or table take up the most space, but these are items you logically can move around a room to get them sitting just how you want.

So what can someone do if they’re reading this, looking at their radiators, and realising they are indeed the biggest obstacle in the kitchen? Here’s my advice on how to turn this negative into a positive.

Firstly, let’s talk about whether or not you should have a radiator or a towel rail. You might be saying, “well, it says towel, so it has to go in the bathroom”, but I want you to get away from thinking like that. Instead, view them simply as “rails”, and your perception of where they can go around your home changes drastically.

I am a big believer in having rails in your kitchen, for two reasons:

  • They save space
  • They are more functional

Radiators in kitchens tend to be on the opposite or adjoining wall to your cabinets and counter, usually on their own with nothing above them. That gives you prime real estate to work with. That flip from horizontal to vertical will instantly give you waist height space to work with; ideal if your radiator imposes on a wall or prevents your table and chairs from sitting snug.

They are also more functional for the simple reason that it gives you something to hang tea towels on, or in our case, a spot to hang a jacket or two. Trust me, you’ll never know warmth like leaving a jacket on a rail and popping it on before heading outside in the colder months.

Now, you may be thinking this is great and all, but because your radiator is plumbed in, there’s really nowhere else to go. That isn’t true if you start looking at electric options, like chrome electric radiators that look the part. They are so versatile that all they need is a plug socket to work. Electric radiators are independent of your home heating, so if the kitchen is where the family spends most of the day, wouldn’t it be better to have one radiator working away rather than needing to have the heating on across the home?

I am a big proponent of going electric, especially if your radiator is in a tricky spot you find grating (a special shout out to those folks who have a kitchen radiator right behind a door that loves to smack off it). Radiators shouldn’t have to be an obstacle in your kitchen, so don’t let them. You have options to work with, some of which could even improve heat efficiency in your kitchen.

Don’t forget, you can get some incredible tips on improving your kitchen from top to bottom with the latest kitchen articles right here.

read more