Posts Tagged ‘Kitchen’

Creative Organisation Maximises Small Kitchen Space

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
Anatomy of a Small Kitchen
Image by merrick_monroe via Flickr

Small kitchens present a special organisational challenge, as there is rarely adequate storage space for needed kitchen items. Creative use of the space that is available is the key.

Countertops
Regardless of kitchen size, the only items that should be stored atop the counter are those that are used daily. Keep frequently used utensils in a decorative holder. Purchase the smallest size countertop appliances that will meet your needs. Use canisters to house tea, sugar and other food items.

Drawers
A variety of dividers are readily available for maximising drawer space. Consider dividing deeper drawers into layers. Simply stack drawer dividers or use flat boxes with lids placed within the drawer to house less used objects with more frequently used items placed on top. (more…)

Simple Tricks to Make a Kitchen Look Bigger

Monday, September 14th, 2009
A modern kitchen.
Image via Wikipedia

Have a small kitchen and don’t know what to do with it? Don’t like its small shape and a tiny look? There are some simple tricks that might help you make it look bigger and more functional.

Lighten up – Use color to reflect light and make even the smallest kitchen seem larger. Paint the ceiling white and the walls in a light color. To add interest, paint cabinet doors a contrasting shade.

Let the sunshine in – Increasing the amount of natural light in a small kitchen will instantly make it appear bigger. Completely remove curtains and blinds or opt for just a valance. If privacy is an issue, opt for a half curtain in a fabric that is light and airy. Keep the window clean and clutter-free. (more…)

Simple Steps to Clean a Microwave

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
Microwave oven.
Image via Wikipedia

Splatters from food and spilled sauces quickly build up making your microwave look untidy and smell bad. Thankfully, by using this simple technique, you can have your microwave clean and fresh again. All you’ll need is a microwave-safe bowl, some water, and a washcloth.

First, fill a microwave-safe bowl with water. Try to use the largest bowl that you own that fits in your microwave. Place the water-filled bowl inside and set the timer for about five minutes. Watch carefully as the water heats and allow it to steam for long enough that it fogs up the microwave door. Once it is steamed up, turn the microwave off but do not open the door. The goal here is to let the steam soften up any dried-up food on the walls of your microwave. Without letting the steam dissipate completely, open the microwave door and remove the bowl. (more…)

How to Choose Kitchen Furniture

Sunday, June 28th, 2009
kitchen table and chairs
Image by kfergos via Flickr

Like any other room in the house, a kitchen needs furniture if it is to be used to its fullest potential. But to avoid clutter and unnecessary expense, several tips should be followed when going about the purchase of kitchen furniture.

• Gain an accurate assessment of the needs the kitchen can meet. When home improvement specialists are asked how to choose furniture, the first thing they recommend is knowing what the kitchen is used for. If used for regular dining, for example, the needs for furniture will be different than if no one ever eats there. Kitchen space-constraints will helpfully limit the owner’s list of furniture choices.

• Determine the budget for furniture. It is easy to go over budget when shopping for furniture, so there should be a firm limit to the amount of money that will be spent before anything is purchased. This budget should not be set until the kitchen owner has a rough idea of how much furniture actually costs, but once the budget has been established it should be followed exactly as it is written. (more…)