Tips for a successful kitchen remodel:
Entertain from the island: A well-designed island bench can be essential for successful entertaining. Incorporate a sink, cook top or chopping boards, so when you cook you can face family and guests. A counter top overhang makesit comfortable for people to sit. Or if you’re more comfortable keeping the mess hidden, a raised edge could be the way to go.
Integrated appliances: It’s a good idea to make sure all the appliances match as it’s hard to sell the increased value of a kitchen if there are several different kinds and shades of appliances. That said, it’s easy to hide appliances behind closed doors for a clean look to blend with the living area. Disguise dishwashers and refrigerators with an integrated front panel to blend in with the cabinetry.
Splash back with a statement: Want to show off some flair with color or texture? The back splash is a great place to do it. Natural, clear glass back splashes are easy to clean and maintain, while they add the ultimate modern look to your kitchen. Textures on a slate tile back splash create an exciting contrast with sleek stainless steel appliances. Rustic ceramic tiles compliment a country style kitchen, or perhaps incorporate the same material as the counter top to give a seamless, streamline look.
Counter top creativity: For a modern counter top, choose natural textures like marble or matt granite. Stone composites, polished timber and poured concrete are also beautiful. Or consider chunky slabs with deep edges which can be milled and formed into unique profiles. For a more chic, contemporary style, choose stainless steel which is noted for its association with professional kitchens. Ceramic tile still remains a popular and economical option. It is scratch and heat resistant but high maintenance since the grout needs to be sealed regularly for optimal stain protection.
Floored by the choice: The color and texture used for the kitchen flooring has the ability to set the mood for the entire room and can alter perceptions of size and space. Take care to combine elements of beauty and durability as the flooring has to stand up to everyday wear such as spills and heavy foot traffic. An abundance of choice is available including marble, travertine, granite and other stone flooring options, as well as hardwood or environmentally friendly bamboo.
Clue up on color: Create calm by choosing neutral colors. Linen white or pale grey are foolproof design classics. Dark tones make an impact, but can overwhelm small spaces, so are best used on the lower row of cabinetry. Keep bursts of color to feature spots, like back slashes or the front panel of island benches.
Choose the right layout: No matterwhat your style, budget or space, every kitchen layout should be designed around what experts call the 'Golden Triangle.” This involves placing the main work areas - refrigerators, sink and cook top - close to each other, positioned at three sides of a triangle. Regardless of kitchen size, these activity zones should be well positioned so you can move easily between them.
Switch to clever lighting: Light up your kitchen with pendants or halogens, plus over-counterlights for brighter work spaces. For extra atmosphere while relaxing, fit ceiling lights with dimmers, or just leave on the over-counterlights.
What can you do to go Green? What’s the bestway to embrace green in the kitchen? According to Forbes magazine, appliances are the best place to start. "The typical refrigerator uses 4.6 million Btu per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy,"cites a Forbes article on the rise of green kitchen appliances, a figure that adds up to "nearly 5% of total household annual electricity consumption." Contrast those statistics with a refrigerator highlighted in the same article that cuts electrical use at that appliance by over 30%, and its easy to see the benefits of switching to energy efficientappliances. Other energy-saving choices include induction cook topsthat can reduce the energy they use by 90%, new dishwashers that reducethe energy used to wash dishes by as much as 41%, and microwave ovensthat can cook food using 80% less energy than conventional ovens.Counter top creativity: For a modern counter top, choose natural textures like marble or matt granite. Stone composites, polished timber and poured concrete are also beautiful. Or consider chunky slabs with deep edges which can be milled and formed into unique profiles. For a more chic, contemporary style, choose stainless steel which is noted for its association with professional kitchens. Ceramic tile still remains a popular and economical option. It is scratch and heat resistant but high maintenance since the grout needs to be sealed regularly for optimal stain protection.
Click here to arrange a FREE no obligation consultation and explore the options with Innova.
Integrated appliances: It’s a good idea to make sure all the appliances match as it’s hard to sell the increased value of a kitchen if there are several different kinds and shades of appliances. That said, it’s easy to hide appliances behind closed doors for a clean look to blend with the living area. Disguise dishwashers and refrigerators with an integrated front panel to blend in with the cabinetry.
Splash back with a statement: Want to show off some flair with color or texture? The back splash is a great place to do it. Natural, clear glass back splashes are easy to clean and maintain, while they add the ultimate modern look to your kitchen. Textures on a slate tile back splash create an exciting contrast with sleek stainless steel appliances. Rustic ceramic tiles compliment a country style kitchen, or perhaps incorporate the same material as the counter top to give a seamless, streamline look.
Counter top creativity: For a modern counter top, choose natural textures like marble or matt granite. Stone composites, polished timber and poured concrete are also beautiful. Or consider chunky slabs with deep edges which can be milled and formed into unique profiles. For a more chic, contemporary style, choose stainless steel which is noted for its association with professional kitchens. Ceramic tile still remains a popular and economical option. It is scratch and heat resistant but high maintenance since the grout needs to be sealed regularly for optimal stain protection.
Floored by the choice: The color and texture used for the kitchen flooring has the ability to set the mood for the entire room and can alter perceptions of size and space. Take care to combine elements of beauty and durability as the flooring has to stand up to everyday wear such as spills and heavy foot traffic. An abundance of choice is available including marble, travertine, granite and other stone flooring options, as well as hardwood or environmentally friendly bamboo.
Clue up on color: Create calm by choosing neutral colors. Linen white or pale grey are foolproof design classics. Dark tones make an impact, but can overwhelm small spaces, so are best used on the lower row of cabinetry. Keep bursts of color to feature spots, like back slashes or the front panel of island benches.
Choose the right layout: No matterwhat your style, budget or space, every kitchen layout should be designed around what experts call the 'Golden Triangle.” This involves placing the main work areas - refrigerators, sink and cook top - close to each other, positioned at three sides of a triangle. Regardless of kitchen size, these activity zones should be well positioned so you can move easily between them.
Switch to clever lighting: Light up your kitchen with pendants or halogens, plus over-counterlights for brighter work spaces. For extra atmosphere while relaxing, fit ceiling lights with dimmers, or just leave on the over-counterlights.
What can you do to go Green? What’s the bestway to embrace green in the kitchen? According to Forbes magazine, appliances are the best place to start. "The typical refrigerator uses 4.6 million Btu per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy,"cites a Forbes article on the rise of green kitchen appliances, a figure that adds up to "nearly 5% of total household annual electricity consumption." Contrast those statistics with a refrigerator highlighted in the same article that cuts electrical use at that appliance by over 30%, and its easy to see the benefits of switching to energy efficientappliances. Other energy-saving choices include induction cook topsthat can reduce the energy they use by 90%, new dishwashers that reducethe energy used to wash dishes by as much as 41%, and microwave ovensthat can cook food using 80% less energy than conventional ovens.Counter top creativity: For a modern counter top, choose natural textures like marble or matt granite. Stone composites, polished timber and poured concrete are also beautiful. Or consider chunky slabs with deep edges which can be milled and formed into unique profiles. For a more chic, contemporary style, choose stainless steel which is noted for its association with professional kitchens. Ceramic tile still remains a popular and economical option. It is scratch and heat resistant but high maintenance since the grout needs to be sealed regularly for optimal stain protection.
Click here to arrange a FREE no obligation consultation and explore the options with Innova.