Tag Archives: kitchen decor ideas

Renovating a Kitchen for Function and Flow: A Guide for DIY

Posted on by
Reply

Thinking of updating your kitchen on a budget? Many things you can actually do yourself!

Kitchens sell houses. That is kind of Real Estate 101 at this point.And with the industry thick in the blossom of DIY mania, it only stands to reason that the kitchen is the first place many home improvement enthusiasts will look when planning a project.

To give yourself the best chance at a functional and flowing space, keep reading as we walk you through a DIY guide for kitchen renovation success!

Budgeting Tips

Is the money there? It’s the crucial question to ask before drawing up your plans. Focus on several factors:

  • Big ticket items – Appliances. Cabinets. Counters. Flooring. Price these out first, as they will compromise a huge chunk of the budget. 
  • Surprises – Plan for 15-20% extra in the event that something unforeseen occurs. Word to the wise: it always does.
  • Help – Not every step of the renovation will be a one-person show. Budget for an extra set of hands as necessary. Is it likely you may need to enlist professional help at any point?
  • Displacement – How much will the kitchen reno affect your daily routine? Will you need to eat out more until the project is complete? Don’t overlook this hidden cost.

Weigh the pros and cons of premier materials. There are places where it’s worth it to invest in top-end products. Other spots, you may be able to get by with strategic swaps and elbow grease.

Planning

Great kitchens start with a great plan. The first step is to map your workflow. Pay special attention to the “kitchen triangle.” This is the movement between the sink, refrigerator, and stove. If one or more of the aspects encumber the other, you’re going to have to shake things up. 

Other facets to factor into your plans include door swings, walkways, and clearances. Building “dead space” into your plans is the quickest way to kill functionality before it ever has a chance. 

Demolition

Your flowing kitchen must rise from the dust of demolition. Turn off all utilities before swinging the sledgehammer. Water. Gas. Electricity. You can never be too careful. If there are any aspects of the kitchen that will survive the remodel, protect them. Plastic drop covers. Tape. Old sheets. These are some favorite materials for insulating existing kitchens from the demolition that surrounds them. 

Be methodical. Start from the top down (i.e. cabinets first, flooring last). Expect surprises such as hidden damage or dated wiring. Salvage and reuse what you can. Dispose of the waste responsibly. Clean the work area thoroughly.

Measuring

“Measure twice and cut once.” The mantra of the careful DIYer. Or professional, for that matter. Capture the room’s full dimensions. Length. Width. Ceiling height. Take note of windows, doors, and soffits. Observe any and every possible obstruction.

Be meticulous in recording appliance specs. Same with clearances. This guarantees that your layout supports true function and flow. Double-check cabinet runs and corner angles. Remember, small errors can compound quickly in tight spaces, so being scrupulous in your measurements will prevent expensive rework later. 

Cutting

Precision, precision, precision. It’s all about cutting with purpose and not impulse.  Choose the best circular saw blades for given materials. Clean cuts in laminate and hardwood, as well as stone counter materials, make installation smoother and safer. 

Properly support long pieces to prevent tear out and splintering. This is doubly important on visible edges.  Did we mention precision? Accuracy in cutting helps avoid frustration later in the remodeling process. 

Installing Cabinets and Shelving

Install cabinets with a level head, literally. Start with a straight, level ledger board. This keeps upper cabinets aligned and your workflow uninterrupted. Anchor every box securely into studs. Check for plumb as you go so doors hang true and shelves sit square. Work from the corners outward, clamping and fastening cabinets together for a seamless run. Add shelving with intention. Place everyday items at arm’s reach to reinforce function and flow.

Updating Surfaces

Countertops promote the everyday use of the space. Choose materials that can handle spills, heavy heat, constant usage, and forceful impact without constant maintenance and repair. Quartz. Granite. Solid surface. Quartzite. These are some of the premier materials in kitchen surfaces. 

Install countertops level and tight. Seal seams and edges to prevent stains. Select backsplashes that adequately complement the counters. This will be the heart and soul of the kitchen after the dust settles. 

Improving Layout Efficiency

Layout is the quiet engine of a hardworking kitchen. Keep prep, cooking, and cleanup zones distinct but connected. This minimizes extra steps between tasks. Prioritize clear pathways—at least 36 inches wide—so traffic flows without bottlenecks. Position frequently paired elements (trash near prep, dishwasher near sink) to streamline routines. 

DIY Mistakes to Avoid

Awareness is half the battle to problem solving. Look out for the following mistakes that commonly wreck DIY kitchen projects:

  1. Overestimating your abilities – a YouTube video watched does not a successful renovation make.
  2. There are no shortcuts – you’ll almost always pay for it later.
  3. Permits matter – getting the proper approvals protects your safety, pocketbook, and resale value. Same with inspections.
  4. Your eyeballs aren’t as accurate as they seem – small inaccuracies add up quickly. Use your tools.
  5. Tread lightly around appliances – moving gas and plumbing lines is best left to the professionals.
  6. Don’t get too cute – as the title of this piece states, it’s all about function and flow. Installing overly niche or exotic kitchen features will quickly become regrettable. 

DIY the Right Way: Key Tips for Renovating Your Kitchen

Everyone can DIY. Not everyone can DIY well. From meticulous budgeting to improving layout efficiency, use our comprehensive guide to get a leg up on a functional and flowing kitchen renovation. For more of the latest trends in home and lifestyle, explore the content at Better Baking Bible for ideas and inspiration today!

7 Superb Kitchen Remodelling Tips That Will Save You Money

Posted on by
Reply

Make your kitchen look updated with these kitchen remodeling tips that will save you money in the long run!

Photos By: Stock Images

When it comes to remodelling a contemporary living space, falling into the trap of overspending is a common occurrence – particularly for those who are dipping their toes into interior design for the first time. Curating the right kitchen for you can add value to your home as a commodity, but it can also seem like a daunting task.

From appliance installation to adding your own personal flair to the aesthetic of the room, there’s a lot to consider! Whether you’re looking for professional industry insight, or simply just need to get inspired, stick around as we cover seven superb kitchen remodelling tips that won’t break your bank.

1. Create A Realistic Budget

It’s always good practice to assess your kitchen beforehand in order to devise a plan. Working together with those in your household to decide on a price that is compatible with what needs remodelling in the space can save a lot of trial and error – and a lot of cash! Knowing what works with your budget and what doesn’t is a must.

2. Utilise Reusable Resources

Remodelling a kitchen successfully doesn’t always mean that absolutely every aspect of the room has to be brand new. Repurposing old surfaces, reusing older appliances and also investing in brands that work with renewable resources is great for taking a more cost-effective approach.

3. Work With Your Current Layout

It’s important to be smart when working with the room layout itself. This can be achieved by looking for products that are realistic for the size and shape of the area   – i.e. if you’re dealing with a limited space, investing in minimalist hairpin tables could really keep the kitchen from appearing cluttered and overdone, in an affordable and accessible way. 

4. DIY When You Can 

A huge pricing issue associated with kitchen renovation is the hired labour involved in gutting a living space and building it back up. If you’re able to, it could be a good idea to look into repurposing old appliances and countertops yourself if possible – research varnishing and painting, upgrade older or slower appliances if you’re able to develop the technical know-how. This option has the potential to save an astronomical amount of money, so it’s definitely worth considering.

5. Quality Over Quantity

Many clients who are looking to remodel their home believe spending a pretty penny will help curate the desired result. In actuality, this isn’t necessarily true, especially if you’re able to discern which products are genuinely high-quality.  Rather than opting to buy kitchen appliances in excess, look for items that serve numerous functions for a reasonable price.

6. Keep Your Cabinets

Purchasing cabinetry is one of the most expensive parts of kitchen remodelling, but it truly doesn’t have to be. It is not a “must” when developing a new aesthetic, and there are tons of ways to circumvent this issue. From refacing your current cabinets, to painting them, to replacing the hardware itself – the options are endless. 

7. Prioritise Your Investments

Knowing where to invest a chunk of money and what to compromise on is also vital in terms of cost efficiency. Generally speaking, looking to spend more on durability and convenience rather than aesthetics can serve a kitchen space rather well, as the goal should always be to create a room that meets your needs as a homeowner.

Best Wall Ideas for Your Kitchen Space

Posted on by
Reply

If you are searching for an easy way to make your interior space more attractive and without the stress and disturbances that generally come with it, It’s debatable that wall arts are a brilliant idea!

Photo By: Unsplash

By choosing a style that complements your idea, your creative vision, you are only a step closer to getting that kitchen re-modelling you have always wanted. There are varieties based on different themes with wall arts, and there is an endless supply; visit elephant stocks. Adding a minimalistic abstract painting is a good idea for a new, or rather, modern-day view or look. If the idea is to achieve a traditional look, a vintage-inspired print is advised.

The kitchen can sometimes be neglected by people when it is one of the most important sections of any home. It is a space that can inspire you, especially with the size and the flexibility, too size. 

The choice of picking wall art for your kitchen space is endless, at elephant stock, the choice is endless. It all falls on your hands to decide which goes with what you envision. While trends get made up on a daily, choosing a satisfactory wall art still heavily depends on picking a print that makes you happy.

If what you want is bright and bold, then lean more towards attractive and vibrant ideas. At elephant stock, we have a wide catalog of minimalist and vibrant ideas and we have put together expert opinions and guidelines that will help you transition well.

Photo By: Pexels

A Room to Inspire

Being a perfectionist when it comes to the art of interior decoration comes in handy when choosing wall art for your kitchen. You would want to decorate your kitchen in a way that inspires you. A simple view should feel you with comfort, energy, and certainty. Create a good relationship with aesthetics, it holds the ability to transform any living space entirely. One vibrant shade to consider is teal, it goes well with white and any neutral color. This marvel of color can be used to effectively saturate your kitchen space. In addition, be bold when it comes to using bright colors in your space. You can be unusual by adding colors like yellow, rogue, and fuchsia.

Kitchen Wall Art Sizes 

The size of your canvas depends on how big your space is. Your wall art should take over 75percent of your available wall space. Measure the height and width of the wall then multiply the measurements by both 0.6 and 0.75. The result will give you a range of canvas print sizes appropriate for your space. If you have a kitchenette, with no available wall space to hang your wall art, consider placing the wall art in a corridor leading to the kitchen.

Another important step to be taken is your kitchen canvas shape. There are four namely;

  1. Classic: 1- piece classic canvas 
  2. Trendy: 2 – piece split canvas
  3. Modern: 3-5 piece multi-panel canvas
  4. Funky: 7 – piece hexagonal canvas

Decorate your Kitchen for Summer with these Ideas!

Posted on by
Reply

Spruce up your kitchen this summer with some of these easy decorating ideas you can do all by yourself!

Photos By: Pexels and Unsplash

The kitchen is one of the places where we spend most of our time. That’s why it’s really important to make sure this space feels comfortable, cozy, and inviting for our family and friends. There are times though, when our kitchen can feel a little dull and like it’s in need of some color. I’ve put together a list of some easy ways you can bring in some color, light, and energy into your kitchen this summer!

Put Together a Centerpiece

Sometimes all your kitchen needs is some positive energy to set the mood and there is no better way to do it than with an easy-to-make centerpiece! A centerpiece can be made out of some fresh blooms, or from freshly picked fruit or vegetables from your garden!  Whatever you have in your garden you can create a stunning centerpiece that you can place on your kitchen island or kitchen table. Get creative and browse the internet for some ideas and you would be surprised at what you can make with zero dollars!

Purchase New Kitchen Lighting

When it comes to kitchen décor, everyone is always focused on the color of the walls, the type of backsplash, the tiles, and the color of the kitchen cabinets. Rarely is anyone focused on the lighting fixtures used in our homes. Sometimes all we need to give our kitchen a modern new look is by updating the lighting and you would be amazed at what a huge difference this can make! There are many small affordable chandeliers that can be purchased to put above the kitchen island, the dining table, or replacement of our existing lighting. 

Hang up Art Prints

Artwork doesn’t always have to be expensive, and we’ve found the perfect solution to update your kitchen. There are tons of art prints available online that you can order and have printed. Whether it’s your own custom design or photograph, or a beautiful piece you saw online, purchasing new kitchen artwork is affordable and easy. Some popular prints these days are cactus artwork prints, cute animals, and also geometrics. Whatever your kitchens style is, we are sure you will find something suitable!

Change Your Kitchen’s Hardware

An old trick to make a kitchen look instantly modernized is by changing your kitchens knobs and drawer pulls. This is an affordable and a very quick way to make your kitchen cabinets and drawers look instantly updated. You can buy kitchen knobs and drawer pulls even on Aliexpress for a dollar apiece!

There are so many endless ways that you can make your kitchen look modern and updated with these ew simple tricks. Sometimes all it takes is a little creativity, inspiration, and a free weekend to give your kitchen a whole new look for the summer season!

The Importance of a Clean Kitchen

Posted on by
Reply

The kitchen is one of the most important areas of your home. While it’s important to keep your entire home clean, the kitchen is a space where cleanliness is essential!

Photo By: RLB Architecture

The benefits of having a clean kitchen are far-reaching and in some cases potentially life-saving. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of a clean kitchen:

1.Pest Control

Pests can easily get into food containers if they’re not sealed and stored properly or if they’re left unattended too long. If you do a lot of baking, the sugar, flour, and other dry ingredients used may act as a beacon to pests. As a result, you could have mice, weevils, ants, or other creatures that you don’t want in your kitchen.

Making sure that you store food securely, check it for any signs of contamination, and keep on top of spills and debris which attract pests can be a big help in prevention. When it comes to pests, prevention is critically important. Once you have to fight an infestation, it’s much harder to deal with.

2.Hygiene

Hygiene is vital when it comes to food and food preparation. Food that’s rotting can spread bacteria to everything around it and cause serious illness. Making sure to be rid of expired or moldy food will help the overall health and safety of the kitchen.

If you aren’t careful while working with meat, you could cross-contaminate other foods you prepare on the same surface without proper cleaning. Bear Brothers Cleaning states that it’s necessary to keep kitchen work surfaces such as counters and cutting boards clean and sterile for safety. Utensils and cooking tools need thorough cleaning as well.

To ensure the highest standards of hygiene for your kitchen, you may consider hiring a cleaning service. You can look at your schedule and needs to assist you in knowing how often to hire house cleaning service professionals to clean your kitchen. You might want to consider having them regularly clean the rest of the house as well.

3.Safety

Cleanliness in the kitchen is necessary because there are sharp tools, hot surfaces, also other potential hazards. Spilled liquids can be fall risks. Oil buildup on stove hoods or food residue in the oven can cause dangerous kitchen fires that are difficult to extinguish.

Cleaning as you go and storing tools and utensils safely when not in use assists in accident prevention. The kitchen and bathroom are two of the most dangerous rooms in the home. Being proactive and taking steps to reduce risks can save lives.

4.Setting a Positive Example

If you have children, keeping a clean kitchen shows them skills they take with them later on in life. Teaching children how to properly run and maintain a household starts with their parents. You can show them how to clean the kitchen by watching you or let them start with small chores like sweeping or taking out the trash. Helping your child learn life skills is a rewarding reason to keep your kitchen clean.

5.Saving Money

One way a clean kitchen saves money is that when your kitchen is clean and organized, you won’t purchase foods you already have at home. You’ll know which foods you have in stock. You can avoid food waste and wasting money. You can also save money by taking the time to clean your appliances after you use them. This lets you avoid repairs and replacements for much longer.

Keeping your kitchen clean is worth it for many reasons. You and your entire household will benefit from a little dedication and elbow grease.