Kitchen Elegance

9 INTERIOR DESIGN IDEAS FOR SMALL KITCHENS

kitchenadmin — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 11:12:31 +0000

If like most homeowners you find think that your kitchen is a little cramped out (a majority of moms think so), you might be wondering how to create more space for yourself. And why not? Perhaps you want to cook like a top chef. If that’s the case, you’ll need a lot of space for the applia required appliances.

Good news is – you don’t need a new kitchen. You don’t even need to renovate your kitchen or buy a new house with a bigger kitchen. With a few tips and tricks, you can make your kitchen appear much bigger.

Here are some low cost improvements or ideas that don’t require any financial outlay at all.

Keep the work triangle in mind

A kitchen work triangle may sound like a cliché. But this has been proven to create enormous space within kitchens and improve workflow.

The work triangle connects your three main work areas of the kitchen – the sink, the stove, and the refrigerator. Make sure that the distance between any two of these areas are two simple steps.

This will allow you to work more efficiently.

Paint it white

White has always been used to create an illusion of having more space. Whenever you use white, the seamless transition of the walls make it appear that there is extra space.

In the kitchen, this is even more important since white is also associated with cleanliness. Of course, you need to have it squeaky clean and remove spills and stains promptly.

If need be, mix and match different textures or shades of white within your accessories to add character and contrast to the space.

Use the same colour on the cabinet and the walls

Still on colours, better to paint all the cabinets the same colour as the walls. With this, you minimise visual boundaries between the surfaces and create a seamless transition.

In doing so, choose pale colours. Pale reflects light and makes spaces look bigger. However, this doesn’t mean that darker colours can’t work.

Deep tones such as black or chocolate recede visually and create an impression of the walls being further back than they really are.

Play around with the lighting

Poor lighting makes your kitchen look small.

So, the first step is to ensure that your kitchen is flooded with light. Take advantage of natural light and combine it with a lot of powered bulbs.

Also, combine form and functionality by adding multiple layers of different lighting and add under cabinet lighting to brighten shadowy countertops

Invest in reflective surfaces and shiny kitchenware

No matter the theme or colour you’ve chosen, you can always add metallic surface can add reflection and make it appear that there is extra space.

Glossy finishes and polished shelves create an illusion of more space. And, a beautiful kettle made from porcelain enamel alongside your glittery cutlery with the brightness of copper can only make your spaces bigger.

Note that shiny objects can actually accentuate the lighting in your small kitchen, giving it a lively, dynamic feel.

Install glass doors for upper cabinets

Have all the solid cabinet doors replaced with glass ones.

Glass has that light look. It also allows views to see past the surface creating the illusion of more space. This will make your small kitchen look bigger.

The only “problem” is that because viewers can now see through your cabinets, you’ll need to keep the contents sparkling clean.

Reduce visual weight with open shelving

Another way of opening up your kitchen is to use open shelves instead of closed cabinets. This works especially well for very small kitchens.

Besides opening up your kitchen, open shelves. are less expensive and if designed correctly, can hold just as much kitchenware as closed cabinets.

Plus, with open cabinets, you can showcase your favourite collections. If you have some vintage acquisitions that you’d like your visitors to see, you can display them on the open shelf.

Go for a compact look

Sometimes we can’t place essential kitchen appliances because of the small space. But you can easily remedy this with a compact kitchen design.

For instance, if you don’t have space for a slim fridge, there might be just enough space for an under-counter fridge.

See if you can also add electric cook-tops that can also serve as countertops. Or, you can hang your microwave under the cabinets to create more space on the countertop.

Maximise storage with pull-out pantries

Pull-out pantries allow you to tuck away most items without worrying about storage space. Why, because the pantries themselves are tucked away behind walls so that they don’t consume any of the already scarce space.

A classic area where you can use a pull-out pantry is the space between the fridge and the wall. In most cases, this space can be as much as 10 inches or more. This is more than enough to hold canned foods and spices.

SUMMARY

These are initial techniques to make your kitchen look bigger and maximise the space available. Simple steps such as tweaking the lights and putting additional shelves can give you the additional space and breathing room for your kitchen.

The post 9 INTERIOR DESIGN IDEAS FOR SMALL KITCHENS appeared first on Kitchen Elegance.

STYLISH IDEAS FOR YOUR KITCHEN MAKEOVER

kitchenadmin — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 11:04:51 +0000

While in the past the living room was considered the centerpiece of a home, today, kitchens are regarded equally as important. It has to have enough work space, sufficient lighting and the utensils and equipment must be kept in adequate storage and arranged in a way that would make chores a breeze.

Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a truckload of cash to create the perfect kitchen. A change in countertops, cabinets, and hardware can make your kitchen beautiful and make working on chores a joy.

Here are a few kitchen makeover ideas to get you started:

1. LIST DOWN YOUR FAVORITE DETAILS

This should always be the first step.

Assuming that you already have a type of material or a motif in mind, it would be easy to incorporate those details into your new design. Just one reminder: ensure that all elements conform to the motif or style that you chose.

If you have doubts, consider availing the services of interior designers from Sydney. The extra cost will be worth it. These designers can siftthrough the endless maze of available products and present you with utensils, fixtures and equipment that will satisfy your taste and realize your desired design.

2. ADD OR CHANGE THE LIGHTING

If the lighting in your kitchen is dim or the overhead fixture isn’t quite appealing, change it. This isn’t difficult nor expensive. You can purchase a new vintage light fixture for under $20 online.

When modifying the overhead lighting, look at the ceiling type and the general feel of the kitchen.

After assessing, you may decide not to replace but instead modify the lighting system to brighten up the place. For one, you can add bulbs or use ones that give off brighter light.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to change the under-cabinet lighting.

3. CHANGE THE DRAWER OR SHELF LINERS

An advantage of laying down a fresh non-stick (non-adhesive) liner is that you have the chance to clean out your cabinets, clean the space and return the items in an organised way.

Moreover, it is easy to peel off non-adhesive shelf liners when it’s time to replace them. But if you don’t plan to remove the liner, go for the ‘peel and stick’ type. These ones are very difficult to remove and can stay on the surface for a long time.

For shelves that will house heavy pot and pans, you can go with ribbed liners. Some of the best liners are selling for around $11 on EBay.

4. CHANGE YOUR HARDWARE

If you’re trying to update the kitchen but don’t have enough time, try changing the hardware on your cabinets.

More and more homeowners are choosing to go with non-traditional options like drawer pulls. The tactile experience is a big draw.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for something unique, go for traditional finishes. Beveled glass and hand-pointed porcelain finishes, in particular, are known for instantly bringing that ‘wow’ factor.

Just don’t forget about the hardware on your sinks, doors, and other appliances when changing the hardware on your cabinets. Finishes and shapes across the room should be coordinated to create a sense of cohesion.

5. UPDATE YOUR COUNTERTOPS

Most interior designers refer to countertops as the ‘icing on the cake.’ Although changing a countertop is usually expensive, doing so gives your kitchen a whole new look.

There are plenty of options. Laminate countertops are the most affordable and come in an array of colors and designs. On the other hand, granite is the most popular and comes in a variety of shades such as whites, greens, corals, blacks, and beiges.

Wood is great but must be oiled regularly to seal the surface.

Finally, we have stone countertops which makes your kitchen more attractive, better than tile or laminate. If you can afford it, go for it. It’s strength makes it cost-efficient in the long run.

6. GIVE YOUR CABINETS A COMPLETE MAKEOVER

In modifying cabinets, you can:

replacing the plain panels with mirrored-glass inserts;
enhance the lighting; and
add painted accents such as chalkboard finish.

Or you can open up the shelves. Remove the cabinet doors and the hardware from the bottom to top then fill in screw holes with wood filler. Leave to dry, then sand smooth, prime, and paint.

You can also add interior curtains to glass-front cabinets to mimic café windows. Fold fabric in 1-inch pleats before stapling the top and bottom to the inside of the door. Then, tie at the middle with matching fabric.

7. BE CREATIVE IN CREATING STORAGE SPACES

Finally, the biggest challenge in most modern kitchens is the limited available space. Kitchen tools and equipment and a lot of activity make the kitchen a cramped space.

One way to remedy this is by putting kitchen sink drawers that tip out. You can also install a shelf over your sink.

These additions will not only create more storage space but also add style to your kitchen.For your wine bottles, a designer wine rack will keep them organised and add pomp to your kitchen.

CONCLUSION

These are just a few several other kitchen makeover ideas that don’t cost an arm. Bring in a black and white breadboard for your rustic, farmhouse, or beach-style kitchen; defy the norm and splash some bright green or orange on your cupboards; and decorate fixtures to pop out of your traditional rustic kitchen.

You could even add pull-out shelves and/or drawer organisers and get a cool dish rack from Etsy. What you can do in your kitchen makeover is only limited by your imagination!

The post STYLISH IDEAS FOR YOUR KITCHEN MAKEOVER appeared first on Kitchen Elegance.

THE KITCHEN ELEGANCE DESIGN PROCESS

kitchenadmin — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 10:53:31 +0000

Whether you have envisioned your dream kitchen for quite some time, or you are just starting out with ideas, Kitchen Elegance will guide you through designing an outstanding personalised kitchen.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

During the initial consultation our experts will listen to your ideas and work with you to suggest layouts, styles, space saving options, appliances and finishes to complement your lifestyle, personality, budget and home. With an up to date knowledge of the latest products and styles, we are happy to suggest products and finishes that will improve the look and functionality of your kitchen. Once we have gathered a solid understanding of the function and feel of your desired space, we will then create a design proposal for your new kitchen. We will also provide you with an accurate quote for the proposed kitchen. During the following stages of the design process we are able to make any planning revisions necessary and begin to confirm material selections before your approval of the final design.

SELECTING MATERIALS

Selecting materials and finishes is a fun task. With so many products on the market it can also be quite an overwhelming task. Our interior designer has a vast knowledge of products and can help you pull materials together and incorporate them into a functional design that works with your lifestyle. Below are a few examples of materials to consider.

CABINETRY

Door Profiles – The style of your kitchen will usually dictate the type of door profile to use. For a classic contemporary style kitchen you could go with a shaker style cabinet door. For a more traditional kitchen, the inset style is a classic look that will last for years to come. Beadboard cabinets would complement both country and coastal styles of kitchens. For a modern streamlined look, flat panel cabinets allow for a clean minimal look.

Architectural Hardware – We pride ourselves on using the best quality architectural hardware for your kitchen, from simple soft close hinges and drawer runners, to the latest innovations in ergonomic and convenient design. Functional furniture fittings can add great utility and space efficiency to a kitchen. Space savers include pull out corner cabinets, hidden appliance centres and motorised under bench lift systems.

For a beautifully organised and easily accessible kitchen, items such as drawer organisers, pull out pantries, pop up power points, pull out spice racks and pull out tray storage racks greatly impact on the way your new kitchen will improve your lifestyle.

APPLIANCES

We can provide expert advice on appliances to suit your kitchen, lifestyle and budget. We have an account with Winnings appliances and are more than happy to pass our discount on to our clients. We can also install appliances that you may have purchased on your own.

FLOORING, WALLS, CABINET FINISHES & SPLASHBACKS

Our interior designer will consult on materials and finishes to best complement your kitchen. We can provide samples of a wide range of materials so that you can gain a sense of how your chosen finishes will work with each other. Our interior designer is also available to visit local suppliers with you to select materials. We also have a great collection of inspirational kitchens on our Pintrest page which we encourage you to look through for design ideas and material choices.

Whether you have envisioned your dream kitchen for quite some time, or you are just starting out with ideas, Kitchen Elegance will guide you through designing an outstanding personalised kitchen.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

SELECTING MATERIALS

CABINETRY Door Profiles – The style of your kitchen will usually dictate the type of door profile to use. For a classic contemporary style kitchen you could go with a shaker style cabinet door. For a more traditional kitchen, the inset style is a classic look that will last for years to come. Beadboard cabinets would complement both country and coastal styles of kitchens. For a modern streamlined look, flat panel cabinets allow for a clean minimal look.

APPLIANCES

FLOORING, WALLS, CABINET FINISHES & SPLASHBACKS

From inception through to completion, we are here to take you through the entire process. If you are after a high quality, complete kitchen renovation, please contact Kitchen Elegance on 1800 435 342 or email us at info@kitchenelegance.com.au

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