Posts Tagged ‘kitchens’

The biggest problem with having a dining table in the kitchen is the lack of space. A kitchen is a work area, that has to be dedicated to the chef creating culinary delights for their friends and family to enjoy. However all of that food preparation can take up a lot of space, with the addition of extra guests for dinner only exponentially complicating the process. Because of this, not every kitchen will be able to fit a full dining table in it.

Luckily there are a few tricks you can use to squeeze a little bit more room out of this space. Using these ideas, it should be possible to fit pieces in the room that you never thought possible, and or to find alternatives that will work just as well.

One trick is to use the angles in the space to fit a table into an open nook. Round tables take up less space, relatively speaking, than square ones. This is because they don’t have those four almost useless corners, jutting out into the space. However, if your kitchen is lucky enough to have a free corner, a square or rectangular shaped table can actually be beneficial, as it will be able to squeeze snugly into the space, thus eliminating three out of the four corners, leaving you with plenty of space. If you need more seated room, you can wait till the chef is done, and then just pull the table out from the wall. This will allow you to float a couple of extra chairs around the table centerpiece.

There are also a variety of smaller side pieces that can be used to fulfill the role of a kitchen table, without taking up quite as much space. Bistro tables are one option. Generally sized smaller than standard kitchen tables, bistro pieces are much easier to slide into an unused corner of the space.

Another option is to use a lunch counter, or bar set up, attached to a random wall in the space. These will only just out into the room a little bit, and can actually be used to double as counter space when the chef needs a little extra room to work with.

This article was written by Jim Slate on behalf of PebbleZ.com’s line of attractive kitchen tables. Hand crafted by US artisans, and assembled using a variety of mosaic cut natural stone pieces. The line includes over 40 models to choose from, each available in a variety of large and small sizes, and various shapes.

Most people feel that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Family and friends gather in the kitchen to celebrate birthdays, graduations and holidays. The kitchen is a wonderful place to share secrets and stories while preparing family meals and eat family dinners. If you’ve been dreaming of a larger kitchen or a more modern space, now is the perfect time to embark on a kitchen remodel. Choose a design firm that specializes in kitchen redesign or do-it yourself with the help of a kitchen planner.

Your newly remodelled kitchen is not complete without new appliances. The appliances you choose are an important part of the dcor and theme that you’re creating. For a bright wall colour, consider neutral appliances in black or white. If you’re trying to give your kitchen a retro feel, choose coloured appliances in colours like cherry red and cobalt blue. If you’re looking to create a modern, contemporary, or just elegant kitchen, look for stainless steel appliances or ones with a stainless steel look. Your kitchen planner can help you determine the best location for your new appliances. The kitchen planner will also help you in selecting the right sizes for your appliances.

A cabinet makeover is an inexpensive way to modernize an outdated kitchen. Use your kitchen planner to help you choose a new cabinet colour or simply paint the face of your old cabinets. Pay attention to details like drawer and door pulls and knobs. Replace part of the cabinet door with clear glass and display dishes as art. Install dim lighting inside the cabinets for a sophisticated look. Free floating shelves provide open storage.

Another major component of a kitchen remodel is replacing damaged and old floors. Kitchen flooring options include linoleum, ceramic tile, and laminate. Choose eco-friendly flooring choices by choosing sustainable flooring like bamboo or cork. Hardwood flooring is stylish and can also be environmentally friendly if you choose sustainable wood. Stone or even stained concrete flooring give kitchens an elegant and luxurious ambience.

Increase your kitchen workspace by adding an island to the remodelled kitchen. Installing a sink or stovetop into an island provides convenience and lets multiple cooks work in the kitchen at once. For a small kitchen, consider the islands that come on rolling carts. They are small and normally fold for easy storage when not in use.

Don’t neglect the countertops when completing a kitchen remodel. Your kitchen planner can help you plot the dimensions and depth of the materials you’ll need. Homeowners on a budget should consider Formica and tile for countertops. Engineered stone, cheaper than the natural stuff and made in 3000 different colours, is a cheap way to bring change into your new kitchen. For a modern or industrial themed kitchen consider stainless steel or concrete for the countertops.

Backsplashes are an easy way to add some colour to your kitchen. Glass tiles, popular in industrial or modern style kitchens, are fairly inexpensive and come in an array of colours. Ceramic tile, usually found in traditional style kitchens, provides a colourful back drop for your kitchen. Wallpaper, though harder to clean from spills, provides another colourful aesthetic as a backsplash and on other kitchen walls.

Matthew Kerridge is passionate about home improvement. If you want further info about kitchens or are looking for an online kitchen planner please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com