Kitchen

Paint is one of the easiest ways to give a room a makeover. A small kitchen is no exception and with limited remodeling options, a careful manipulation of color and its impact on lighting can visually expand a space. Here’s a few important tips to keep in mind when painting a smaller kitchen. Utilize Neutral Colors. White and neutral colors are a lifesaver for smaller kitchens. White will reflect light, make walls recede and increase the sense of space. Adding white to countertops, walls, cabinetry and ceiling will create a cohesive space with limited boundaries or edges. Use different shades of white or add different textures to create variety in a kitchen. Avoid washing out a space by adding different hue shifts in cabinets or crown molding for points of interest. It’ll also create contrast in your kitchen. Avoid Dark Cabinets. A darker cabinet will absorb light and make a space feel smaller or claustrophobic. Repainting these cabinets to a lighter color will make the kitchen feel like an entirely different space. Stained cabinets take a bit of preparation before painting them a lighter color but will transform their look. If your cabinets are in poor shape, consider refacing them with a lighter veneer and new, lighter doors and drawer fronts. Picking the Right Colors. Designers recommend adding a deeper, accent color on a wall to help it recede into the background, giving the illusion of a larger space. Use the same color for walls and trims to make ceilings appear higher. This trick can also be applied to your countertops and cabinets. You’ll want to pick a color that is in the same color family but not excessively different in contrast. An abrupt shift from light to dark will create a sharp contrast and visual boundaries, making the space feel smaller. Keep ceilings white to maximize the effects of natural daylight. It’ll also make the room feel more spacious. Source: the Spruce

Kitchens are hot spots for culinary tools and gadgets. But you don’t want to end up with a bunch of stuff you’ll regret buying. Here are some of the most common kitchen items that are a waste of cash and what you should replace them with instead. Prefilled Spice. Spices turn your food into masterpieces. But, you’ll have a more difficult time accomplishing that when you settle for a prefilled spice rack. Some herbs such as basil and chives are more flavorful fresh as opposed to dried. Spices lose their zest over time and larger quantities might hurt you in the long run. Look for smaller quantities as you need them. Opaque Food Storage Containers. Food containers are a great way to reduce food waste. However, an opaque container can be an easy way to leave behind spoiled food when you forget what’s in them. Try investing in clear food storage containers or glass so you can clearly see what’s inside. Too Many Mugs. Coffee mugs can be an innocent collection pastime, but eventually your shelves will be buckling under the weight. You don’t need more than a couple mugs in your household depending on the amount of people. Specialty Glassware. You drink many different things like juice, water and wine, but you don’t really need a special glass for each. Look for multipurpose glassware that can be used for any kind of refreshment. Your wallet will thank you later. Source: the Spruce

Knowing how to keep a white kitchen clean can be tough. You may wonder what the best tools are or the best techniques to keep an all-white kitchen bright. Here’s how to keep them as clean as possible and what to avoid. Keep the Exhaust Fan Running. For an all-white kitchen, prevention is one of the best approaches. It’s easier to keep things looking clean if they don’t make a mess in the first place. One way to accomplish this? Keep the exhaust fan on anytime you cook. It’ll absorb the cooking smell while also keeping greasy buildup off your backsplash and surrounding areas. Use Magic Erasers. Keep a few magic erasers on hand to remove dirt, scuffs and other marks from walls, counters and cabinets. They’re able to clean many surfaces for everyday maintenance. Just use a gentle pressure as scrubbing hard can damage certain surfaces. Clean After Every Meal. Small droplets from food can land on your cupboards and countertops which can permanently stain a white surface. Try to clean these messes up as soon as possible after every meal. Avoid Harsh Cleaners. Skip out on the hard-bristle brushes when cleaning a white kitchen. White tends to emphasize scratches, so stick to a gentler soft-bristled brush or a microfiber cloth when working on stains. Clean Grout Regularly. Keep those lines clean with a combination of baking soda, vinegar and warm water to form a paste. Apply it to grout and use a toothbrush to scrub. Rinse afterwards with plenty of water. Source: Apartment Therapy

Coffee can be the most important part of getting your day started. One way to ensure your coffee machine is performing at its best is to regularly and correctly clean it. Oils left behind after a brewing session require attention, and the more often you use it, the more you’ll need to put it through a cleaning cycle. It’ll make a huge difference in the quality of your drinks. Here are things to definitely avoid when cleaning your coffee machine. Don’t Wait. Your machine can be used daily or several times a day depending on how frequently you’re reaching for a cup. A good rule to follow is to clean the exterior, brew basket, and carafe once a week regardless of how often you are brewing. Once a month at minimum, run a full-scale cleaning cycle with a food-safe solution. Avoid Vinegar. Vinegar is the most commonly recommended cleaning agent for coffee makers because it’s inexpensive, efficient and convenient. However, most coffee machines have plastic and rubber tubing, and those porous materials can retain the vinegar’s flavor long after you run a cleaning cycle. Try using a food-safe citric acid powder instead. It’ll pick up those coffee oils more effectively and it’s odorless and tasteless. Don’t Use Dish Soap. Don’t give into the temptation of using soap for coffee oils. It’ll leave you with a bubbly mess and almost impossible to rinse clean. Don’t Forget to Descale. At least once a quarter, clean the machine with more of a soaking step. It’s a great way to make sure the water-dispensing and holding parts of your machine are clean. If you have a removable water reservoir, soak it in a sink or bucket filled with a citric acid and hot water solution. If you can’t remove it, pour the solution in and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes before turning on the machine to run a cleaning cycle. Run a second cycle with fresh water to rinse everything out. Source: the Kitchn

There’s no denying a kitchen is one of the most integral parts to a home. It’s also a major player in the overall resale value, so keeping it up to pace with the market is important. One way to revive your kitchen is giving extra attention to your countertops. There’s plenty of opportunity to enhance the ambiance while remaining within a budget. Declutter and Organize. When styling your kitchen, remember it should look welcoming and lived in. Avoid a personalized or cluttered appearance. Above all else, make sure those countertops are sparkling clean. Minor Remodels. A built-in appliance will free up counter space in a practical way, so plan your appliance setup when possible. Try out quartz for a countertop material, it’s modern and durable without a steep price difference. Make sure to match your countertop color with your cabinets. A kitchen with white cabinets will look better with bright colored countertops instead of dark ones. Save with DIY Projects. There are paint methods that replicate marble or granite countertops. You can also apply a marble pattern contact paper to your counters. These methods require a bit of patience and precision, but are well worth it to save on some budget costs. Style and Accessorize. Your kitchen is a great place to experiment and think outside of the box for styling. Try using a vintage vessel for wooden utensils or place a favorite art piece against a backsplash. Use a decorative tray to group together key cooking items like a salt cellar, mortar and pestle, and your best bottle of olive oil. An espresso machine is always a good styling piece, while a vase filled with fresh blooms never hurts. Source: the Kitchn

Kitchens play a huge role in your day to day. It’s also one of the biggest factors to a home’s resale value. A well-designed kitchen can help your home stand out against competitors. This minor kitchen remodel can provide the biggest return on investment compared to more costly remodels. When deciding on a kitchen paint color, it should resonate with a wide array of buyers. Color is a fun, visual interest but can also be a risk. While some buyers like a calm, soothing blue others may prefer a vibrant and energetic color. If you’re trying to maximize your chances, stay light. Here are the three most resale-friendly colors according to real estate professionals. Greige. A combination of beige and gray, this color is a versatile neutral color. It can give the illusion of spaciousness in a small kitchen. Greige can come in many hues and shades with either warm or cool undertones. It can complement any color while delivering a timeless look. A buyer can imagine their pots, pans and decorations working well against a greige-colored kitchen. White. An energizing color, white suggests freshness and cleanliness. It’s a timeless style and works with any kitchen size. White is ideal for a resale since it’s essentially a blank slate begging to be personalized by future buyers. Light Green. While neutrals are a sensible choice, a lighter shade of green is a great option for kitchens. People are leaning towards a more natural and green environment. It offers a sense of calmness and a soothing feel to a kitchen. Source: the Kitchn

There’s nothing worse than wasting money on food that has gone bad. Food waste is a large problem causing wasted resources and food to end up in landfills. Not to mention the food could’ve gone to people in need. Here’s a few ways you can use up your food faster while optimizing your refrigerator space. Front and Center. Keep items and foods you want to use front and center. If you see it every time you open the fridge you’re more likely to use it. Don’t worry about placing foods in places they “should” be going. Optimize the fridge to suit your needs so you don’t have to dig for items in the back of your fridge. Organize by Meal. Take some time to sit down and plan out a few meals for the week. Leave room for impromptu meals or spontaneous cravings. After you have your meal list down, go through and organize your fridge so the ingredients for each meal are grouped together. You’ll cut down on decluttering and organizing later. Learn Your Food. Your produce will taste better and last longer depending on how you store it. Some fruits and veggies are best kept on a counter at room temperature while others should be kept in a separate fridge drawer away from other produce. Broccoli and cauliflower can make other veggies go bad faster if they’re in the same drawer. You’ll save up on space while also prolonging the lifespan of your fruits and veggies with this method. Know Yourself. As soon as you get home from a haul of grocery shopping, prep any veggies or fruits for use. You can store them in clear containers so you can easily grab what you need or satisfy a craving later. If you find yourself always hungry for a turkey sandwich, leave the turkey and the bread together so you can easily grab both later. If you tend to snack, leave out some easily accessible healthy options such as grapes or carrots. Tend to be a long recipe cooker? Meal prep and store your meals on a specific day of the week so everything is organized and ready when you need it to be. The Freezer. Your freezer should be your go-to when preventing food waste. If your spinach is about to go bad, freeze it for a smoothie later. Don’t think you’re going to get to that chicken in time? Freeze it for when you have more time later. It’ll save you food and money in the long run. Source: the Kitchn

Let’s face it, we’ve spent more time at home with our kitchens this past year making us more conscious of kitchen trends. A kitchen is always a top priority for house hunters and with a competitive market, a trend could be a turn-off. Here are a few trends that have been worn down according to real estate experts. All-White Kitchens. At first these kitchens offered the most crisp and polished look. But over time this repeated design has deterred more buyers. It’s an easy fix however, painting an island or cabinets a shade of gray or navy blue can bring back some color. Minimal Counter Space. A big kitchen with flashy appliances used to dazzle house hunters. Given the increased amount of time at home due to the pandemic, buyers are more focused on the practicality of a home’s layout rather than design. If a kitchen and dishwasher are against one wall, a range or oven on another, and a refrigerator taking up another portion, where does food prep happen? Buyers can prefer countertop on both sides of a stove because it increases the amount of space to work with. Subway Tiles. Another essential to the white kitchen design, subway tiles have been getting a bit stale with buyers. More decorative tiles add interest to a kitchen that can win over buyers. It’s not always about doing the same old thing everyone else is doing. Too Many Details. A highly stylized kitchen could take a lot more money and effort to convert to a new design. Sleeker and minimalistic cabinetry contributes to a modern and simple look. It eliminates handles and crown molding which could attract more potential buyers. Sellers are finding ways to tone down their styles and eliminate personalized details. Source: Apartment Therapy