Whether you are in the process of new kitchen designing or you are looking for more storage in an existing kitchen, there are a lot of different kitchen cabinet organizers in the market place. The problem for most people is there are too many options. Each week I design smaller kitchens and it is a challenge for most to get extra storage.
I needed to hide the garbage but not loose valuable cabinet space. One of the things I did was to put the garbage under my sink. The challenge here is to make it fit. I wanted to have space for recycling also. There was a lot of plumbing in there. It includes a hot/cold water unit, a soap dispenser and the sink cabinet was only 24 inches. 
Your local home centers have pull out garbage units and other kitchen cabinet organizers which may be a better choice in this case since you can easily return if it does not fit. I had to get a hammer and literally bend the wire support system so it would not hit the plumbing. It works great for us but if you have a bigger kitchen I would definitely suggest using a bigger sink base which will hold a bigger garbage can.
The cabinet suppliers have a lot of kitchen cabinet organizers but there are some limits. The cabinet company I use the most is Ultracraft. I just love their cabinets and service. There are times after we have installed a customer’s kitchen when we are asked for special kitchen cabinet organizers.
If you want Double Garbage
Installing wood floors in kitchens, is it a good idea?
There are pros and cons to installing wood floors in kitchens like most everything else. I will cover some common wood kitchen floors that are used today. The first is oak. This is very strong, durable and should be given at least 3 coats of polyurethane. Oak or any wood will wear faster especially at the sink and appliances.
Laminate flooring looks nice but I do not recommend it for kitchens. These are made with a very thin photo of wood which is glued onto MDF. This floor will need replacing too soon after it is installed to justify installing it in the first place. It is however easy on the feet and easy to clean,
Cork is also used in kitchens. Here it is essential that you do your research preferably going to a well known store that has been in the area for many years. There are many horror stories with cork but you will also find good ones. It is a great insulator so it will feel much warmer than ceramic or porcelain tile. It is also better if you drop plates and other ceramics/glassware.
When considering installing wood floors in kitchen, people usually report that they do it for the following reasons.
- Looks good/different
- Easy on your feet
- Warmer
- Less likely to break stuff on it
- No grout to seal and clean
There are more reasons but these are the most common ones. It can be difficult to level wood kitchen floors. With tile, a mud base can be put down and this is easily leveled. It is necessary to level the kitchen floor or it will cause many problems later. The fridge for example can keep opening or moving from the wall to the center of the kitchen. The cabinets are difficult to install needing leveling of each one with small pieces of wood when the floor is unlevel.
There is a lot of movement in a kitchen. The kitchen sink and stove is a place we make turning movements and this can eat into the floor. This especially is true when there are sesame seeds and crumbs on the floor. The dishwasher or sink could over flow not to mention water spillage from the water dispenser in the fridge.
When considering installing wood flooring an alternative to tile is porcelain tile that looks like wood. These are incredibly durable and installed the same way as regular tile. They usually come in narrow lengths to look more like wood. There is some grout but these days most installers keep it to a minimum. It does have the usual negatives that tile have as being harder on your feet and easy to break stuff.
This video is helpful in explaining why it is important to know if your kitchen wall is load bearing when you are considering removing it.
Below I am explaining some options to consider if you are thinking of removing a kitchen wall.
Kitchen Remodel Ideas-Is it a good idea for you to remove a kitchen wall ?
Kitchen designing is fun for me especially when I know it will greatly improve the functionality of the kitchen. I enjoy giving kitchen remodel ideas to customers who appreciate the hard work that goes into creating a functional kitchen in a small space.
The challenges I come across mostly in small kitchen design is how can I increase the counter top space, storage and ways to make the kitchen bigger. I am getting a lot of requests to open up walls, which can be a challenge especially in plaster homes.
Once you rip down plaster walls it will inevitably cause cracking in adjacent walls. If it is a type of stucco wall it may be difficult to match. I like to keep the overall character of the adjacent room intact if possible. Large open spaces are great but you often loose that cozy feeling a home can give.
If there are moldings at the ceiling for example or possibly a picture rail, it is a good idea to use a drop header at the ceiling and then the moldings can continue which keeps most of the character of the living room or dining room intact. It also makes it easier when trying to finish the ends of older molding in the home.
We all have different ideas as to what looks good when it comes to our home. I design kitchens in New York City area where most kitchens are not that big. Many of the kitchen remodel ideas I speak about here may not affect you if your home is less than 50 years old. It is helpful however to see what is involved in opening up a wall as the video shows.
It may be necessary to use a drop header if you are removing a load bearing wall. If you want a flush ceiling it may be costly as it is difficult to install a flush header which will end up flush with the existing beams in the ceiling. In newer construction where everything s exposed it is not as difficult.
You may have to build down the ceiling to match the other room if you are using sheetrock in the new kitchen as the other room is plaster. Kitchen renovations can be stressful so taking the time to get other kitchen remodel ideas before ripping everything out is a good idea. Being open to other suggestions may save you thousands in the long run.
Kitchen designing can be exciting for some but many homeowners get overwhelmed just at the thought of renovating. The common complaint is they don’t know what to pick, the mess, and they cannot visualize the end result. In this economy price is also a big factor. The inconvenience of not having a kitchen for weeks does not help either.
Kitchen designing can be fun if you approach it the right way and follow some of the guidelines shown here. You can get ideas from many places but it helps to determine your own style. Take a good look at what you like presently in your home. There may be a piece of furniture you particularly like. Visit showrooms and friends’ houses before making the mistake of putting in a kitchen you do not like. This is probably the biggest investment you will make in your home so it is important to get it right.
.
When you use a 3D computer program like 20-20, the image it produces makes the whole thing seem more real. Kitchen designing involves measuring your space, getting locations of windows, doors and plumbing as well as the height to the ceiling. Some people will draw a plan on paper first and with that information, they can then put it on a computer. This is good to do while you are in the home to get the best layout for the space.
This image can be changed easily and most computer programs can show you in color what your new kitchen will look like. The style of door and countertop material can be changed. You could see what tile laid on a diagonal might look like. When you see an image it is helpful if you are unsure of a countertop or backsplash selection for example. Today with excellent showrooms and computer programs, the guess work is taken out or kitchen designing
I was looking for kitchen backsplash ideas for customers and saw this video. I wanted to share it with you. This video shows how you can use a favorite photo you have in your home and get it professionally enlarged. You can use this as a backsplash and the video explains how to do it.
When looking to do a kitchen backsplash there are more choices than just tile. I like this idea because it is easy to wipe down and is durable enough for most kitchens. If you cook a lot and you are concerned you can easily do something over the stove in a tile and create a nice decorative look.
This idea eliminates the use of grout which can be difficult to clean. It is easy for most homeowners to do themselves. Looking for kitchen backsplash ideas don’t have to be difficult. The wall paper idea can easily be removed and done over as it does not damage the walls. If the walls are not primed when installing the wallpaper it will be very difficult to remove and you will damage the walls removing it.
Other kitchen backsplash ideas are below.
- Magnetic whiteboard: We see great kitchen backsplashes like this on HGTV. With this backsplash you can put recipes up on it with magnets as well as write notes on with dry erase markers. This is also easily installed, cleaned and replaced.
- Antique looking ceiling tin tiles: These are also really nice in a backsplash as they provide color and texture. They are a little more difficult to keep clean as they have grooves. Easy to install and replace. You will need to make sure the ones you buy don’t look cheap.
- Mirrored tiles: These are easy to keep clean. They add light and space to a small or dark kitchen. These types of tiles are usually not too big and are simple to install and replace.
- Cork: This kitchen backsplash is helpful to have. They are a good place to put notes and information on. Cork is very difficult to clean though, and it can wear out easily. It may not be very hygienic either.
- Tongue and groove wainscoting: This can be used to give you a country style kitchen. If painted it will need to be high quality and be a scrubbable paint. It is not as easy to clean as other backsplashes as it is difficult to get in the grooves. It is also not fire proof.
There are other kitchen backsplash ideas but I listed the most popular alternatives to tile here. My advice is as always not to bring too much attention to the backsplash and usually not to have it too dark especially if your cabinets are dark and you have limited daylight
I saw this article recently and thought it would be helpful to our readers. It is informative as it is very practical as we need to be when designing small kitchens. It explains why it may not be necessary to remove walls in a small kitchen to maximize space.
Make the Most of Your Kitchen Space
With many consumers looking at their budgets these days, they ask, “How do we get more for less?” This applies to remodeling kitchens as well. For many, they desire a less crowded feel in the kitchen with more convenience and storage space. With a well-designed kitchen, one might be able to eliminate the costly removal of walls or the construction of an addition. Here are some solutions to the challenge of finding more “hidden” space in the kitchen:
Bulkheads:
Many older kitchens have wasted space in the upper bulkheads. This “fix” may involve moving electrical wiring and even plumbing, so hiring a professional remodeler for this may be best. Other older kitchens have upper cabinets that do not extend to the ceiling. For both scenarios, installing wall cabinets that use the full height of the ceiling will provide much storage area. This upper area can store those items that are seasonal or seldom used. This also enables the eye to travel along an unbroken, vertical line which gives the allusion of greater space.
Specialty Cabinets:
Using specialty cabinets will help organize spices, utensils, pots and pans, knives, and even trash. There are specialized pull-out spice racks,tray divider
, two-layer cutlery trays, drawer pegs for dishes and plates, double trash bin pull-outs, pantries with pull-out shelves, pull-out mixer stands, tip-out trays, wine storage racks-and the list goes on! Thanks to consumer demand, there are multitudes of these types of products in the market today.
Dead Corners:
Traditionally used for this area are “lazy susan” corner cabinets. Today’s lazy susan cabinets can be made of wood and have ball-bearing hardware to be durable and strong for years to come.
Other ideas:
One could install pot racks over islands. Install shelves above windows. One trend to find more space is to remove an (unused) desk area to make room for more traditional cabinets.
Each family and home is very unique. The homeowner should think through how they want to use their kitchen and what items they use the most and want within easy reach. They should also consider their family dynamics in the next ten years: Will it expand? Empty? Children move back home? With a careful interview, the designer will discover the types of factors which will uniquely influence the final design. There are very few well-designed “cookie cutter” kitchens! So take a fresh look at your space (or invite in a professional) to see if there are any new and creative ways to enhance your kitchen-and your life.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jayne_Wolf
As always you can connect with us on social media if you have any comments or questions on designing small kitchens by clicking below.
This video shows you a before and after kitchen removing a small section of wall and relocating the sink.
The kitchen remodel ideas are good but I am not a lover of the overall color scheme here, it is helpful to see how some simple changes can make a big impact on the layout. Moving a small section of wall may be all that is needed or closing off a wall can help. Moving a pantry or re-positioning of one appliance can also help. This looks like an older style kitchen color scheme.
Some other kitchen remodel ideas I usually recommend are, where the peninsula is shown here to keep it one level if you will be using it a lot during the day. This way it is not a narrow counter top with things just falling over. A D shape sink is perfect for a corner and I believe it is usually enough if you have a dishwasher. You can get a nice 22 x 18 x 9 inch deep sink and it is perfect for pots as it is rounded and you therefore have more space around it when you push the pot into the curved corner.
I like a bigger tile on a kitchen floor at least 12 x 12. They are easier to maintain and looks better. I liked the high hats or recessed lights because they give an even amount of light. It is recommended to get the fluorescent/halogen lights now that look like regular recessed lights. They are in all the lighting stores. This saves energy and the bulb does not give off much heat. This is important on those hot days and you are trying to save on the air conditioning. The only thing is they take a while to reach their full capacity. Make sure to get the ones that are covered over to look like the regular bulb.
I design small kitchens in New York City area and work with a remodeling company every day. We complete the kitchens in 2 to 3 weeks full gut renovation. There is no good reason that a kitchen should take 6 months. A custom kitchen however can take 6 weeks, I hope these kitchen remodel ideas were helpful.
Refrigerator dimensions are the first thing to consider when choosing your new fridge. We all want tons of storage but we also must be particle especially in a small kitchen. The refrigerator should not overwhelm the layout of the kitchen. Knowing refrigerator dimensions is critical when you are shopping for appliances for a small kitchen.
When choosing a refrigerator I find that consumers are still not aware of counter depth refrigerators. They come now in 33 inch and 36 inch. They are called counter depth because the kitchen counter is 24 inches and the refrigerator dimensions from the back wall to where the door touches the fridge is also 24 inches. Most counter depth refrigerators are about 27 inches from the wall to the outside of the door. While the storage capacity may be less than what you have, most homeowners move the older fridge downstairs for additional storage.
Refrigerators come in 3 basic styles, Side by side where the freezer is on the side and the fridge on the other side, top freezer the traditional type with fridge on the bottom and the bottom freezer type. Each has its pros and cons. The side by side refrigerator gives easy access to the freezer usually with pull out wire trays. If you are too close to a wall this will not work. This is often over looked by designers and homeowners. It can be virtually impossible to get stuff out if you are too close to a wall. Bottom freezers can be hard to get stuff all the way in the bottom unless you get the double pull out drawer.
If you are purchasing the refrigerator to fit into an existing spot where there was an old one make sure the check the refrigerator dimensions. Refrigerators today are usually higher than older ones. Sometimes it is as simple as removing a filler piece and it will work so make sure the check the cabinets carefully before giving up. A lot of kitchens have 2 to 3 inch filler at the top of the fridge. You may have to remove the cabinet over the fridge to fit the new fridge. If your cabinets are not full overlay maybe it is possible to adjust the cabinet and re-hang the doors.
There are a lot of good appliance companies out in the market today like GE, Whirlpool, Viking, and Wolf. Once you know the proper refrigerator dimensions it is straight forward from there in picking the other appliances usually. Most stoves come either 30 or 36 inches. In a smaller kitchen a 30 inch stove is good. The microwave is also 30 inches and the dishwasher is 24 inches. If you live in a Manhattan like apartment you can get a 24 inch stove and an 18 inch dishwasher.
The thought of painting a kitchen can be overwhelming for most home owners. In these tough economic times, we all try to save where we can. One way to do this is to do some jobs around the house you may have otherwise hired professionals to do.
When planning the job of painting a kitchen one of the first things people think of, is what color you should use. I usually recommend not painting it too dark. Try to pick up on the colors of the countertops, tiles and cabinets. I like to use Benjamin Moore paints. I find they cover very well and are very easy to clean without damaging the color.
In a kitchen it is best to have a semi-gloss, eggshell or other finish that you can wipe down. It must also be treated with a fungicide to prevent mold and mildew. The one paint I like is Perma White especially for bathrooms and you can get this at Benjamin Moore stores and now The Home Depot. This however has limited colors you can tint it to. Benjamin Moore has an excellent paint for kitchens also.
If you are having a hard time in deciding on color, go online and Google you countertop name and you may be able to find matching colors. One website I know of that does this is cambriausa.com. Just click on the Benjamin Moore area and it will take you to your Cambria counter. Click on this and it will give you 3 options. This will give you a designer look in your kitchen.
A little trick I use when painting a kitchen, is to use a little wall paint and use this to mix into a white ceiling paint so it coordinates well and is still nice and bright. You can get more information on how to paint a kitchen by clicking on this link.
This video shows how to paint a kitchen by starting to cut in which is necessary when painting any room but especially necessary when painting a kitchen. The gray color however is too dark for most kitchens.
How To Paint a Kitchen
So you choose the perfect kitchen contractor and all went well but you now have to paint the kitchen. Most contractors do not paint the kitchen so you may want to call in a painting contractor or paint it yourself. Painting a kitchen can be difficult especially when the cabinets are installed.
If it is possible prime and give the walls and ceiling one coat of paint before the kitchen cabinets are installed. This will reduce the most challenging part of painting a kitchen which is the cutting in process. In painting terms cutting in is the process of using your paint brush to get to those corners and areas the roller cannot reach.
When considering painting a kitchen after a complete remodel you will need to make sure the walls are well prepared. This is often referred as prepping the area. Light sanding and some spackling may be required. Once the prep work is done you will need to apply a good primer.
Many homeowners have painted other rooms but are challenged when it comes to kitchens. The main difference in how to paint a kitchen and other rooms is that you will need to use some blue masking tape or similar tape that does not damage kitchen cabinets and plastics to drape over the entire area.
The process of protecting the cabinets, counters and appliances is best done by attaching the tape to the top of the cabinets first and then going around and stick the plastic to it. The plastic will now drape over wall and base cabinets, covering appliances, counters and more. A typical drop cloth is good for the floor.
I like to use a brush that is 3 inches. And the bristles have a slope allowing you to get into those small corners. Make sure to allow any paint that gets on the masking tape and plastic to dry before removing it as the wet paint will get on the cabinets when you are trying to remove the plastics. Also make sure to look back and fix any paint drips before they dry. Always remove outlet covers and switch covers
To summarize on How to Paint a Kitchen
- If possible before cabinets are installed prime and give one coat of paint.
- Sand and spackle where needed.
- Use masking tape that does not damage the cabinets.
- Use plastics to cover the entire cabinets, counters and appliances.
- Use a good 2 ½ to 3 inch brush that is sloped.
- Fix any paint drips before they dry. Always remove outlet/switch covers.
Painting a kitchen using these ideas will make the process easier. It can get expensive to hire a painter to paint a new kitchen as they have to spend a lot of time just preparing the area as described above. If you are up to the challenge it can be very rewarding when it is completed.