3 Essential Budget Kitchen Improvements

The kitchen is the most influential part of your home for it has the essential components that every homeowner values. Most homeowners spend more time in their kitchens than any other room in their home and it is the number one room homebuyers look to when considering buying a new house. Here are three essential budget kitchen improvements to put your money where it is most important.

1.) Soften your hard surfaces: Your kitchen has nothing but hard surfaces, from the countertops and flooring to the appliances and walls. Create a softer experience by adding upholstered furniture at the countertop bar, dining areas, and even with small area rugs and wall art. The kitchen doesn’t have to only be cold and sterile.

2.)Add collectibles and personality: Displaying personal items such as vintage collectibles, antiques, and family pictures is a wonderful way to make your kitchen feel like home. Every kitchen has appliances, cabinets and countertops but only your kitchen has the personal touches that makes you feel like cooking and sharing the experience with family and friends.

3.)Update your cabinet hardware: Believe it or not hardware on cabinets can make all the difference in the finished appearance of your cabinetry. Similar to jewelry or accessories for people, hardware creates a finished and clean look. Change your hardware and door pulls to a modern or complimenting style to the rest of your kitchen. You will be amazed at the results.

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The smallest additions to your kitchen can make it feel warm and inviting. Use these three essential tips to update your kitchen and breathe new life into it. Adding color, textures, your personality and a few updated finishes will make your kitchen come alive!

Renia

Adding Space with a Functional Kitchen Island

 

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If there is one thing that all homeowners enjoy is a nice spacious kitchen and the ability to perform more functions whenever possible. Kitchen islands are a fantastic way to house more kitchen amenities in one area. From your sink and appliances to additional counter space for cooking preparation, serving and display area, the kitchen island has many advantages for your home. Here are tips to bring your heart of the home more function and attention with the addition of a kitchen island.

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Shape of your kitchen island

Depending on the shape of your kitchen and how much free space you have will help decide how functional your kitchen island will be. Here are a few configurations that will help:

• If your kitchen’s work area in an L shape, U shape, or G shape, they tend to work best for a kitchen island addition.

• A kitchen needs to be at least 100 square feet (30sqm) to fit an island.

• Make sure you have enough space all around the island so it doesn’t block the flow of the room, minimum passage requirements in a kitchen 42 inches (105cm)to avoid that ‘let me just squeeze past you ’ syndrome.

For smaller kitchens consider using a table, a butcher block movable cart or smaller kitchen island without compromising on space. Also consider using old farm tables, display store counters or salvaged furniture for a kitchen island that will make your kitchen unique.

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Personalize your kitchen island

While your kitchen island performs a function to house amenities it also is a place to show off your personal decorative style. Many kitchen islands house shelving for books, display of mementos and even lighting to focus on heirloom and vintage pieces. Overhead pendant lighting or a chandelier can bring a focal point to the island and seating to compliment the rest of your adjacent dining room can unify the spaces. Sit down kitchen islands are becoming more popular as family and entertaining while the chef cooks is an essential plus of having a kitchen island.

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Make your kitchen island the life of your home with these helpful tips. From choosing which size and shape island will work best for you and your family to accessorizing with personal touches of home, your kitchen island can add personality to your everyday cooking and help you enjoy your space. If you are feeling overwhelmed by choosing the perfect island for your needs, ask an interior designer or kitchen planning professional to help. Your kitchen island should reflect the heart of your home.

 

Renia

Making the Most of your Studio Apartment!

Your studio apartment is your pride and joy and you love how personable it is, but you don’t care for how small it is! Studio apartments have always been a challenge to decorate and furnish because of the limited space and the lack of separation in the spaces. Studio apartments accommodate all of your living and private functions in one area and there are tricks to make it look great and feel homey. Here are tips to create the studio apartment you’ve always wanted. 

Find hidden storage throughout your apartment

The key to functionality and enjoyment of your studio home is finding hidden storage areas throughout your humble abode. Space saving built-in shelving and use of unconventional storage is ideal. I love these stairs that double as drawers below. Use vertical space to your advantage, the back of doors and building closet organizers in your clothes closets and kitchen pantry area can increase storage tenfold.

 

 Remaining photo credits: Bedroom Design

 

Making your kitchen livable

In many studio apartments the kitchen is one area that gets slighted on space. A galley kitchen or a small “L” configured kitchen can make it hard for multiple people to use the kitchen at once. Make the most of storage with cabinetry that extends to the ceiling and lower cabinetry that is organized and easily accessible below. If you have the option, choose smaller major appliances to maximize the space. Don’t forget creative display areas too.  The backsplash over the counters can be utilized for hanging utensils, storing spices and organizational bulletin and message center to keep your life organized.

 

 Function and enjoyment in your bathroom

Just because your bathroom is small in your studio apartment doesn’t mean it cannot be relaxing and enjoyable to use. Organize toiletries and small handheld appliances like hairdryers in baskets, or collapsible organizational totes below the sink or adjacent closet. Keep accessories to a minimum and keep the counter space free of clutter to make your small bathroom feel larger and be a more enjoyable room to use. 

 

  

Your cozy studio apartment should be the place that you call home and you enjoy spending every minute in it. Use these helpful tips to maximize on space and decor. Keep your decorations light and airy. Heavy and dark colors will make your space feel small and closed in. Feel free to mix-and-match patterns, colors, and light textures to provide the perfect balance for your studio apartment home. 

Renia