Feb 20, 2021 | Kitchen
How do avocado-colored appliances sound? How about linoleum flooring paired with wood paneling? While these design trends might have been all the rage in the past, their time has (thankfully) ended.
Many families would agree that the kitchen is the most important room of the house. Because of that, it’s essential that you create a kitchen space that’s both practical and inviting.
The right design trends can tie your kitchen together, while the wrong ones can cause you to be the laughing stock of interior designers everywhere.
So what are some of the kitchen trends to avoid?
Keep reading to learn about seven kitchen design trends to avoid buying into.
1. Hanging Pot Racks
There was a time when placing a hanging pot rack above your stove or island was all the rage. Times have since changed.
Most modern homes now stash their pots and pans in drawers or other hidden places. Jump on this minimalist trend instead of hanging them in plain sight.
2. Small Backsplashes
Aside from providing aesthetic value, backsplashes help protect your walls from splatter damage. Small backsplashes are neither attractive nor effective at containing spills and splashes.
Make sure that any backsplashes you add to your kitchen go from the counter all the way up to the cabinets.
3. Microwaves Over the Stove
It might seem space-efficient, but adding a microwave above your stove is no longer trendy. It’s also not efficient if you have more than one person who uses the kitchen.
Instead, consider building the microwave into a nook or cabinets.
4. Brass Fixtures
Brass handles and fixtures certainly had their heyday, but that time has passed. Now, the trendiest and most modern kitchens use materials like metal and nickel.
Luckily, switching out the hardware of your kitchen is easy.
5. Bringing the Office to the Kitchen
While we may be living in the work-from-home era, that doesn’t mean that you should build a desk off of your island. That’s a recipe for clutter and paper everywhere.
Save your kitchen for cooking and family time, and your office for working.
6. Tiled Countertops
Tiled countertops might seem like a great way to protect your countertops and promote things like leak detection. The reality is different, which is why it’s best to avoid.
Think of how difficult your shower is to clean. Now, instead of water and soap, imagine bits of food stuck in the cracks.
7. Distressed Cabinetry
You might be a fan of ripped and distressed jeans, but that doesn’t mean that you should buy distressed cabinets.
For a while, distressed cabinetry was popular in country-style kitchens. Today, you’ll want to leave it in the past and go with a more modern option.
Be Aware of the Different Kitchen Trends to Avoid
While some trends are worth buying into, others might cause you to look back and wonder what you were thinking. Stay away from these kitchen trends to avoid, and instead, choose something that you won’t one day regret.
Do you now have a better understanding of some of the different kitchen remodel trends to avoid? If you do, make sure to check out some of our other posts for more home-related guides and tips.
Feb 18, 2021 | Interior Design, Kitchen
What can instantly increase your home’s value?
A kitchen remodel!
On average, a small remodel can provide you with an 83% return on investment. For every $100 you invest in the upgrade, your home’s value will increase by $83, or more! Of course, the best part about remodeling your kitchen is being able to enjoy the space like never before.
What type of message do you want your modern kitchen remodel to send? Do you want a modernized farmhouse kitchen with industrialized decor? Were you hoping to make your kitchen feel warm and cozy, without being outdated? In this article, we’ll review the best tips and tricks to get your kitchen to look and feel the way you want it to.
Read on to discover 5 modern ways to reinvent your kitchen space.
1. Modern Kitchen Remodel Lighting Ideas
Lighting is one of the first things you should consider during your modern kitchen remodel. Once you know the type of lighting you’re interested in, it’ll be easier to envision the overall look you want for your new kitchen.
Here are a few of our favorite lighting styles:
- Central hanging globes or pendants
- Spread out sconces
- Modern chandelier styles
- Industrial style
When it comes to hanging lights, there are a ton of wonderful modernized versions on the market today. To make the best choice for your kitchen, you’ll need to decide how you want the lighting to make you feel.
Ask yourself questions to determine how you want the lights to feel. For example, do you want lights that give off a luxurious appeal? Are you looking for simple lights, that give the space a cutting edge style? Try to picture the end result, once the lights are in place.
Hanging Lights
When it comes to chandeliers are large crystal globes, Linear LED pendants, cage pendants, and the list goes on! Of course, you could explore what contemporary chandeliers have to offer. From discrete and mini to large works of art, chandeliers are the perfect way to decorate your kitchen with the effects of luminous lighting.
Industrial Style Lighting
Are you looking to transform your kitchen into a modern chic industrial space? Then you’ll want to stick with hardwearing lighting fixtures, such as a minimalist iron ring chandelier. Industrial style kitchens can also benefit from a rustic windmill styled ceiling fan to tie the room together.
2. Modernized Color Schemes
Another way to determine how your overall kitchen will look is to determine the color scheme you want.
Here are a few of our favorite modern color combinations:
- Gray and gold
- White, blue, and green
- Blonde wood, white and black
- Sage green and warm white
- Navy blue and gold
In addition to the list above, you could also go with a bold citron shade, mixed with stainless steel appliances. Citron is the perfect blend of yellow and green, and the loud color compliments the silent shine stainless steel provides. Lastly, paint the ceiling gray and choose black countertops to anchor the room.
3. Fashionable Cabinet Choices
Moving on, the cabinets in your kitchen will impact the overall look of your modernized space just as much as the lighting will. One approach is to take the faces of your cabinets altogether. Open-faced cabinets can make the kitchen appear larger, while also providing display shelving.
Metal grates are another type of display styled cabinets. For example, gold cabinet grates have a luxurious look while silver tends to look sleeker. If you’re looking for a modern farmhouse look, try using diamond-patterned chicken wire cabinet inserts. The mesh inserts paired with a white color scheme, and rustic LED lighting, will give your kitchen the highly sought after farm style.
Another style-forward option is to go with all metal cabinets. Stainless steel kitchen cabinets are more durable than wood ones, and they’ll give your kitchen an industrial feel.
Custom Cabinetry
Both big and small kitchen remodels can benefit from custom cabinetry. Custom cabinets mean you’ll be able to work with a professional to fine-tune the exact aesthetics you’re looking for.
However, to keep your kitchen remodel cost low, you’ll want to look for a home remodeling company that’s willing to do an in-home consultation. Getting remodel quotes over the phone often leads to disappointment later on when the total cost winds up being higher.
4. Best Backsplash Options
When it comes to picking an innovative backsplash, it’s worth noting what’s going out of style. For instance, cement backsplashes with geometric patterns are going out of style. Avoid installing any backsplashes that have extreme colors or bizarre patterns. Instead, consider going with either handmade style backsplashes or classic marble ones.
Why handmade? Unlike boring generic tiles, handmade ones will have slight variations or imperfections. The subtle differences of each piece will add texture and depth to your backsplash.
5. New Technology for Ovens
So far we’ve been discussing kitchen remodel ideas that impact the way your kitchen looks. However, the way your kitchen works is just as important. To improve the functionality of your space, we suggest you look into upgrading your appliances.
For instance, have you heard about the rise of steam ovens? A healthy alternative to traditional styles, steam ovens are growing in popularity. There are a variety of styles, such as small, medium, or large stainless steel options. Oftentimes steam ovens look similar to regular ovens, so they won’t impede on your kitchen’s interior décor.
Next, there are also kitchen appliances available that have Bluetooth capability. State of the art Bluetooth range setups will give you the ability to connect with all of your Bluetooth compatible appliances. You could adjust the temperature in your fridge, set timers for the oven, and more, all from your smartphone.
Transform Your Space
Before you begin working on any modern kitchen remodel ideas, you have to decide what type of kitchen you’re creating. Do you want to feel sleek and cutting edge, with a kitchen fit for a chef? Are you looking for a cozy modern kitchen, with homemade touches?
Get specific about how you want to feel when you’re standing in your kitchen. Once you know the general feeling you want your kitchen to have, you can start exploring color schemes and lighting.
Are you ready to learn more tips like these? Read another one of our articles.
Feb 7, 2021 | Kitchen
Can you name the most popular home remodeling project in America?
If you guessed a modern kitchen remodel, you’re right! In fact, 81% of homeowners who tackle a remodeling project start with their kitchen.
Are you tired of that same dated kitchen you’ve been staring at for years — maybe even decades? If that’s the case, we’re here to help with some fresh and inspiring kitchen ideas. Keep reading to learn about making some fast and easy kitchen updates on a budget.
1. Add Decorative Shelves
Let’s face it — none of us have enough storage space in our kitchens. If most of your cabinets are overflowing with cookware, storage bins, or dry goods, it’s time for some kitchen cabinet updates.
The easiest way to create more storage space is with some attractive decorator shelves. Install them over the sink or near the dining area and use the space to showcase your favorite sentimental items or collections. From your exotic spice rack to a row of colorful succulents, this will give your kitchen an instant facelift!
2. Upgrade the Hardware
Does your kitchen still have the same ugly sink and faucet from the 1980s? It’s time for an upgrade! Replace those worn handles, pulls, and knobs with brushed nickel or stainless steel.
What about the sink area? Check out these faucets to see the bright, modern options that are available.
3. Create a Coffee Bar
This one might be our favorite idea on the list: an at-home coffee bar! Make use of that cluttered corner or the unused space under the stairs and transform it into your very own “coffee shop.”
Stick with your current coffee making supplies or, if your budget allows, invest in an attractive espresso machine. Hang your cups and mugs above the coffeemaker or display them on a floating shelf. If you want to go all out, install some accent lighting and a mini-sink.
4. Paint a Splash of Color
Nothing says “blah” like a monochromatic kitchen. With nothing more than a can of paint and a brush, you can reinvent the entire look of your kitchen. Paint one wall, paint your cabinets, or paint everything — see where inspiration takes you!
Choose a soft pastel hue for a pretty vintage, or go bold and ultramodern with a bright pop of cherry red or sky blue. For a Tuscan feel, try combining bright yellows with warm shades of red.
5. Install Pendant Lights
These are terrific upgrades above the sink or kitchen island where you don’t have to worry about the flow of traffic. There’s an endless array of sizes and styles to choose from, from tiny and modern to vintage or industrial designs.
Copper or stainless steel looks fantastic in any kitchen. Or give your kitchen an artsy flair with Venetian glass pendant lights. Some decorators refer to these lights as the “jewelry of the ceiling,” so do some research to see what styles appeal to you.
What Will You Do With Your Modern Kitchen Remodel?
So, which of these suggestions will make it to the top of your modern kitchen remodel list?
Does your kitchen need more color or new hardware? Maybe you love the idea of floating shelves or pendant lights. Whatever you decide, you’re sure to love the results!
Now that you’re equipped with these kitchen update ideas, what’s next? Keep browsing our site for more home inspiration!
Last updated Feb 12, 2021 | Kitchen
Incorporating versatile and functional natural elements in your kitchen has an organic, calming and peaceful effect on your overall mood. Plants, natural stone countertops, solid wood cabinets and earthy tones of paint are all elements that add a natural touch to your kitchen. Using these natural elements in alignment with your and your home’s style is something that is necessary! Otherwise it can quickly go from feeling of calmness to feeling of chaos.
To make sure that doesn’t happen, we are here with 4 ideas that will help add natural elements in your kitchen while keeping it contemporary and modern:
1. Brighten Your Kitchen With Earthy Colors
Your home décor reflects your personal taste. And in the kitchen, you get to have plenty of stuff that can be organized the way you like it. If you’re going for a neutral theme calming kitchen, match your kitchen floor’s color with countertops. The suggested colors are white, beige, powder pink and gray. If you want to bring forest-y vibes in your kitchen, then go for a dark floor, neutral countertop and green colored cabinets (You can read more about matching kitchen floors with countertops here).
For faucets and fixtures, bronze and metallic elements would do the job. Your color palette choice would be the most important in engaging the natural look of the kitchen.
2. Incorporate Wood & Stone
Incorporating wood or stone or both gives a naturally cohesive and tailored look to your kitchen. The natural stone along with distressed wood and rock wall mosaics render the rustic yet luxurious look. Wooden floors have been trendy for decades now but recently, the wooden ceilings have taken the kitchen style by storm. The wide rustic planks give a gentle touch to your concrete walls and bring the illusion of the outdoors inside. The vibrant stones with the streamlined waterfall edges actuate modernism in your kitchen. Don’t fear the mixed styles and popped out colors overflowing with natural lights in your space.
3. Plants, Plants & Some More Plants
With some wooden crates, bolted baskets, or plain bottles, plant a herb garden in your kitchen to add some color and life. Install a large window for some bright sunlight. To complement your contemporary theme, install french doors or french windows to flood the dining area of your open-plan kitchen.
Coming back to plants, the popular choices are cactus or succulent and fiddle leaf fig. Use them as a tabletop centerpiece or as a hanging ornament by the window. It purifies your inside air, gives warmth to your place, and brings a natural and healthy feel to your interior. Combine the décor of flowers with a slate waterfall in your kitchen or a tabletop fountain giving it the amazing touch of a waterfall indoors.
4. Opt For Natural Furniture
To add to the transitional vibes of your kitchen, invest in wooden cabinets, shelving units, dining tables, and chairs. To incorporate your personal taste in it, get all-natural unfinished pieces and put on your favorite weathering and finishing on it. For large families, a hutch and a farmhouse buffet of quality wood are good enough to channelize the nature inside. You can also get your hand on wooden utensils that are more cost-effective and durable than other forms of cooking utensils.
Incorporating natural elements and material gives an instant sprucing to your kitchen. There are tons of other ways to introduce nature to your kitchen. You may opt for fresh flowers, handcrafted wooden decorated pots, natural lights, grasscloths, skylights, pebbles, or a carved-stone sink. Create a natural look in your kitchen and let in the relaxed and calm nature in your indoors.
Last updated Apr 27, 2021 | Kitchen
Are you trying to make your household more environmentally friendly? A kitchen is a great place to start, as it affords a wide range of opportunities to make easy changes. While you cook and prepare your food, you can also be helping to save the planet.
From food waste to appliances, you need to know the best ways to do it. Below, we discuss the must-know 3 ways to turn your kitchen eco-friendly.
1. Reduce Food Waste
Reducing food waste starts with successful meal planning. If you know what you need, you don’t let other items turn bad and waste away. This inevitably ends up going in the trash.
Food waste can also be kept to a minimum by storing it correctly. Use sealable containers to preserve goods. Make sure you are also refrigerating the correct items and leaving other items in the open air to increase longevity.
One way to get rid of all that food waste is to begin composting. In fact, you can use everything from eggshells to potato peel in your compost strategy, so not a scrap is unused. This compost can then be used as fertilizer and can help your garden grow, giving back to the earth.
Not everything can be composted. Use only organic waste and avoid meat and dairy products. Many towns and cities have drop-off sites where you can deliver your bags of waste so that they will be turned into something useful.
2. Check Your Appliances Are Eco-Friendly
Your appliances use up a lot of power, particularly if they are older models. Getting them serviced regularly can help with this, bringing down their energy consumption and even their energy rating.
You have two ways in which you can address the issue. The first is to change your models for more efficient ones. Many come with an energy rating that tells you how good they are at this.
The second is to get regular services on your appliances. Companies such as KJ Refrigeration can assist, making sure your white goods run at peak condition.
3. Use Natural Materials
As you start to replace items in your kitchen, opt for ones that are made for natural materials. Switch plastic knife handles and chopping boards for woods and stone. Bamboo is one great material that is slowly becoming a staple in the kitchen.
Everyone knows the dangers of single-use plastics, and cling wrap is one of the worst. It is designed to stick to things, and as it is not biodegradable if it finds its way from landfill to the ocean, can cause more problem than any other item. Believe it or not, aluminum foil is not much better for the environment either.
Try to switch to reusable beeswax wraps. They are made from environmentally friendly products and do just as good a job, if not better, than wrap and foil.
Start Immediately
The beauty of these eco-friendly tips is that you can start today. On your next shop, make some switches and as you replace items, think of what you are purchasing and how it will help the environment.
If you enjoyed this helpful article then check out the rest of our blog. We have advice on everything from becoming more environmentally conscious, to how to manage your home and finance. Work with us today, so we can both begin to make a change starting now!
Last updated Jul 3, 2021 | Kitchen, Plumbing
The flow restrictor is designed to control water flow from the kitchen faucet. This flow restrictor reduces the flow making the water pressure low. When it reaches a point that the water pressure is low, you may think of removing the restrictor to increase the water pressure. The flow restrictor from the grohe kitchen faucet is easy to remove.
Removing the flow restrictor for good is not recommended, but it is an excellent idea to understand how to remove it perfectly to clean or replace it. In some cases, the flow restrictor can be from the clogged aerator, but you can remove the aerator, and your faucet will work perfectly without the restrictor.
Step by Step Guide
If the flow restrictor reduces the water pressure, which hinders your job by taking long to rinse the dishes, you can remove it. Therefore it is important to go through the following steps to ensure the water flows as required.
Tools You Will Use
- Screwdriver
- Silicone jar lid or towel to hold the aerator
- Adjustable pliers or wrench ( the pliers may be used when it is tight to open with your fingers)
Step 1: Remove the Aerator
First, start by closing the sink drain or take a towel and cover it to prevent small fittings from falling into the drain. Try to turn the faucet aerator in counterclockwise direction using your bare hand. The faucet aerator gets removed in most cases. But if you find it slippery or it’s challenging to apply the pressure, then take the towel or silicone jar lid to remove it.
Take of the aerator from the faucet spout. The majority of the aerators are removed by just turning them clockwise by hand. There are also models like concealed aerators that require a tool to remove it. The removal tool is normally provided.
If the faucet did not come with the tool, you could find other tools like pliers to unscrew and remove the aerator. To protect the faucet’s finish while removing the aerator, cover the area where the pliers will hold with a painter’s tape.
Using the pliers, turn the aerator counterclockwise until you can remove it. Depending on the type of kitchen faucet available, the method you apply to remove the faucet aerator may vary.
Step 2: Remove the Aerator Parts and Rinse the Faucet
Remove all the aerator parts from the housing and lay them in order on the surface of the countertop. Turn on the water and rinse your kitchen faucet flow restrictor together with the faucet aerator screen. The water will automatically come out of your faucet with more force and pressure without the aerator. So please turn it on gently.
You will find the aerator screen behind the aerator that contains different holes that are drilled into it. This is the system that enables users choose the amount of water pressure coming from the faucet. Wipe away any debris and dirt from the flow restrictor and aerator screen using your fingertips. For effective cleaning, you can also soak the parts in a vinegar solution.
Step 3: Cleaning the Aerator
Clean the faucet and water lines using hot and cold water for around 30 seconds, while the aerator is switched off. This will flush out all the silt and dirt that may be formed inside the water lines.
If you find some debris in the water, you can flush it again until it is clean. Flushing the faucet more than once reduces the chances of the problem developing again. Note that when the aerator is off, the water will splash more.
Step 4: Reassembling the Aerator
This stage involves reassembling and reattaching the aerator head into the face of the kitchen faucet. Pick the aerator head and ensure that you don’t have any underlying parts that might be hidden behind the faucet. This is because some manufacturers attach two to three flow restrictors that assist with extra options regarding the desired water pressure.
Assemble all the aerator parts back to the aerator housing and screw the aerator counterclockwise back to the faucet spout. Use the wrench or flat-head screwdriver to twist it in the counterclockwise direction until the aerator head is tightly fitted.
Tightening with your hand is also recommended. You can replace the faucet aerator housing if you want to before tightening up. If it is a concealed aerator, the use of the equipment will be necessary for tightening up.
Turn on the water and confirm if the issue is resolved. If it is not resolved, reopen the aerator and check if the aerator screen was left back on the faucet’s opening or behind the head of the aerator.
Note: Ensure you know everything that comes through the faucet because of the absence of the flow restrictor. Debris and dust particles can also flow out. Check to ensure that your faucet is clean all the time.
Conclusion
Finally, depending on the kitchen faucet model, there may be different methods and specialized tools to perform such operations. It is, therefore important to read and understand before making your final decision on the kitchen faucet. Good care and proper maintenance will make your faucet perform well and serve you for a long.
Grohe kitchen faucet flow restrictor is made to control the flow of water in your kitchen sink. These restrictors sometimes underperform or require a replacement. This is, therefore, the time to clean or replace them. In order to replace your old faucet, check sink engineering best grohe kitchen faucet review to take an informed decision. We have seen a step by step procedure you can follow to remove the flow restrictor correctly. Follow the steps, and your restrictor will be removed and cleaned easily.
