There’s something special about a kitchen. It’s more than simply the part of your house where you cook your meals. This is the heart of your home.

Understanding how to design a kitchen helps you to transform it into the kind of space you’ve always dreamed of.

In this article we provide the kitchen design tips you’ll need to get started. Keep in mind that renovating your kitchen isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible. Keep reading as we offer some design ideas that will take your kitchen to the next level.

1. Plan Ahead

Getting started is exciting! Once you’ve made the decision to proceed with a kitchen renovate or go forward with the overall design of your new construction plan, it’s a good idea to start working a designer as soon as possible.

The kitchen is unlike any other room in the house. You will likely have a lot of ideas about what you want or the type of features you’d like to include, and a designer will have the knowledge to understand how to make those ideas a reality.

If your building a new home, working with a designer will enable you to plan the kitchen of your dreams while incorporating the design of the rest of the house around it.

2. Keep It Functional

Try to always keep in mind that the purpose of your kitchen is to be as functional as possible. You can add all the bells and whistles you like, and incorporate the latest innovations in technology, but it’s vital to be constantly reminding yourself why this space exists.

Work with your designer to maximize flow and to create spaces for appliances that allow you to move from one task to another with ease.

3. Make the Most of Lighting

Many people underestimate the value of good kitchen lightening. In fact, two kitchens can share identical designs and yet the lightening design can make them totally stand out from each other.

Lighting creates atmosphere and mood, and yet it also helps to make kitchen space more user friendly. Good lighting makes a space much more inviting, which is obviously important for an area of the home where your family will gather to spend time together.

Lightening design isn’t simply about the type of fixtures you choose to use, it’s also about how the fixtures are distributed throughout the space. Your designer will have the know-how to make your kitchen look as warm and inviting as possible. So be a good listener and trust their judgment.

4. Upgrade Your Counter Surfaces

Upgrading the materials used for countertops can seem like an unnecessary added expense to your design plans, but the end result will be worth every penny you invest.

Materials like marble and granite will absolutely take the look of your kitchen to the next level.

It can be tempting to cut corners and save a few bucks using cheaper materials. But not only will lower quality countertops not hold up as well, the appearance will not be as aesthetically pleasing and this will actually lower the resale value of your home.

Premium materials will look and feel amazing, and will also elevate the appearance of every other aspect of your kitchen from building materials to appliances.

5. Create Storage Space

A good designer will help you make the most of every inch of storage space in your kitchen.

There’s never been a better time to make use of design ideas that create an abundance of storage. This allows you to expand your workspace while also keeping the kitchen looking clean and tidy by eliminating clutter.

Your designer will have the skills to maximize the use of drawers and shelving, as well as other innovations for organizing your kitchen.

6. Think in Clusters

This is an aspect of kitchen design that many people never consider. Utilizing clusters for the layout of your kitchen is the most efficient way to maximize flow.

Rather than designing your kitchen around the traditional kitchen triangle, a good contemporary designer will likely encourage you to use a layout that clusters certain tasks in specific areas.

For example, consider grouping your stove, prep counter and sink together, while pairing the refrigerator and pantry as a food storage cluster.

7. Make the Most of Drawers and Doors

We encourage you to have a long conversation with your designer about the drawers and doors in your kitchen. After all, each area of your kitchen will benefit from using one over the other.

Drawers provide a great space for reaching the back of a cabinet space, yet they don’t work as well for storage of certain items such as cutting boards, skillets, and baking sheets.

8. Upgrade Your Flooring

Flooring is another design element where it can be tempting to want to save money. Yet it can also have the most significant impact on the overall appearance of your kitchen.

Beautiful flooring creates an atmosphere that ties every other design element of the space together. Again, this is an investment that will not only elevate the look of your home but also dramatically increase the resale value.

9. Use Wood Features

This is especially true with contemporary design. You don’t have to use tons of wood. In fact, in most instances, less is more. Wood features add an earthiness that keeps modern design grounded.

10. Make the Most of Color

The perfect color choices add charm and personality to your kitchen. And combined with the right lightening design can make your kitchen look like heaven on earth.

If you’re interested in taking the color design of your kitchen to the next level, you can read more here to get tips from the experts.

The Best Tips for How to Design a Kitchen

When deciding how to design a kitchen, there are a million details to consider. The tips contained here will help you get started. Keep in mind that hiring a professional designer can make a world of difference.

Use these kitchen design ideas to help turn your dreams into reality!

Click here to see tips and tricks for selecting the right wallpaper for your living space.

Picking the right colors for your walls at home can sometimes prove to be a very difficult task. When you decide you want to wallpaper your walls you instantly get a much bigger palette of textures, patterns and colors to choose from. Suing in the wallpaper will most times that add finishing touch to your living space.

Wallpapering in the past was never the first choice for many people, however, nowadays it has managed to become an increasingly common feature in the house of the everyday homeowner. Let’s take a look at a few tips and tricks on how you can choose the right wallpaper for your space.

1. Find The Right Design

If you want to catch the eye of your guests then you’d probably want to go for bold wallpaper products. They’ll help you make the statement you might be looking to present. Wallpapers that have a more patterned and textured look can help you with hiding your walls’ imperfections if they have any. They can also be considered in your bathroom decor ideas brainstorming sessions because of how plain many of them usually are. Also, the casual nature, they have made them ideal for a bedroom and a bathroom setting.

2. Picking Your Material

Vinyl wallpaper is among the most common wallpaper product you’ll find on the market and happens to be the easiest to clean and hang as well. It’s perfect for those of you beginning DIYers. Walls get dirty, and cleaning them is not always easy. Most people don’t want to have to put in a lot of effort in the maintenance of their walls. Solid vinyl wallpaper products are ideal for bathrooms and kitchens because they’re completely waterproof.

3. Measuring Your Space

Arguably the trickiest part when it comes to purchasing wallpaper for your living space is the style selection. Figuring out the amount of wallpaper you need to buy is a breeze as compared to that. Finding out how much product your home will need is so much easier than many things on this list. Here, the best way to start is to first measure the walls and then multiply the width and height of each in feet. Next, add all the measurements you’ve got to get your total square footage.

4. Choosing The Right Backing

After you’ve determined the pattern, color and style you want to use for your home, the next best thing you need to consider is the type of backing you’re looking for your wallpaper to have. Wallpapers that contain non-woven backing are often times fully strippable whenever the desire to change arises. The type of backing you intend to use should be considered very carefully, especially if you’re the type that likes to switch things up often.

So, after reading this article, how do you feel about choosing the right wallpaper? Is it something you now feel you can take on? We know we mentioned earlier, it’s not that easy, however, that doesn’t mean it’s something you can’t do without too much of a hassle. Follow a few of these tips and tricks and watch how easily things fall into place.

When you’re trying to get what you need out of your home, it all boils down to figuring out which forms of maintenance are the most essential. 

Taking the time to give your home some TLC will allow you to recoup value and also love living there. Since your house is your castle, you need to put the work into it. 

Let this home maintenance checklist help you out so that you can look after your home accordingly. 

1. Give Your Home a Deep Cleaning

Nothing says home maintenance like a good, deep cleaning. 

It’ll be absolutely therapeutic for you, and will make every part of your home sparkle and smell great. In addition to things like vacuuming and mopping, be sure that you clean your windows and scrub down every fixture. 

You can look into things like steam cleaning as well so that your home stays as clean as possible. 

2. Clear Out Your Gutters

When you want to make the most of your home, you’ll need the help of some roof repair contractors. In addition to inspecting your roof, these professionals can help you clean out your gutters also. 

By getting rid of leaves and twigs that get stuck inside your gutters, they will be free and clear. This will permit rainwater to properly drain from the roof so that it doesn’t allow for leaks. 

It’s a good idea to have someone come and clean those gutters twice each year. 

In addition to gutter maintenance, also look into things that will enhance curb appeal. Check out these benefits of pressure washing. 

3. Check Your Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers

It’s important that you keep your home as safe as you can as well. Protecting your home from fire is essential. 

This involves inspecting your smoke detectors and extinguishers so that you have some safeguards in case a fire does break out. Check your batteries a few times per year to make sure these systems keep working.  

4. Fix Your Plumbing Equipment

Be sure that you also keep your plumbing fixtures at their best. 

Taking the time to handle things like toilet leaks and clogs, and fixing your drains. A simple drain clog will potentially hamper your plumbing and cost you a lot of money in the future. 

5. Maintain Your HVAC System

Be sure that you also keep your heating and cooling fixtures at their best. 

Maintaining your HVAC system can cost you between approximately $70 and $100 in many situations. This helps your heater and cooler work across all seasons without your bills getting out of hand. 

Follow This Home Maintenance Checklist

This home maintenance checklist will guide you when you need to get the most out of your property. 

If you put these tips to use, you will get so much more out of your household. Look into the maintenance that you need and your home will be better for it. 

Consider this info and reach out to us when you want home building tips and info on repairs. 

Gone are the days, where you recently renovated home or new build had no choice but to accomodate decades old, ugly in design, radiators just because they are an incredibly efficient heating solution. It’s thanks to great leaps in innovation, and design, over the years, that there are a lot more styles on offer including a huge range in vertical radiators. The only decision left for homeowners is how many and what size radiators will comfortably heat the home.

Home Size

Depending on whether you view life as a glass half full, or half empty, the fact that UK homes are on average very small, results in less interior to keep warm. Business Insider, Australia compares home sizes and UK homes are circa 96 square metres or less. How do they compare with other countries? Well, they’re larger than properties in Greece, Latvia and Ireland and the same size as the average homes in France, Germany and Italy.

Of course in the newer countries that also have luxury of larger land mass and less people per square metre, like the US, Australia, the average home sizes are up to three times more than the homes in England, Wales and Scotland and other areas of Europe. Therefore with smaller homes, when it comes to heating choice, style is as important is performance.

Designer Radiators

Wall space is a premium in small homes, and radiators are attached to walls so they need to look good and consistent with the period of the home. They are a focal point in a room, and the designs available today have turned them into a statement, and almost a piece of art. Not only are British homes small the weather is also colder than that found in the south of France, so central heating can be on all year round! However if it looks good its performance is second to none, what really do you have to complain about! 🙂

Performance

Modern radiators use different fuel sources. You can choose gas, electric or a mix of both! There’s also a lot more control at your finger tips. Yes, like your house hold appliances that can be controlled via an App on your smart device and mobile, so too the radiator. You can choose the option that uses bluetooth so you can manage the controls via your mobile phone.

Radiator Size Matters

The type of radiator and their size will determine how cosy you can maintain the temperature in your home as well as how economically you can run them. Therefore you need to assess the BTU and calculate the radiator size using a BTU calculator.

What Is BTU?

BTU is short for British Thermal Unit. It is a measure of heat content from fuel sources. How does electricity compare with diesel or gas? So how much electricity do you need to generate the heat required to warm up your home? Once you know the answer you can choose the right size of radiator specific to your room size. A living room will need a larger radiator than say a small bedroom.

Summary

What’s exciting for homeowners is radiators are no longer viewed as a dinosaur. They’re en vogue and most importantly they don’t just look good, they’re a proven heating solution that’s stood the test of time.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that you’ll save up to $465 by replacing old windows in your home.

But do all windows really need to be replaced to save energy costs? Read on to learn all about reglazing windows vs replacing. We’ll teach you when each option makes more sense.

What is Reglazing a Window?

Windows and doors are responsible for 25% of energy loss in your home. In the summer, your air-conditioned air escapes through your windows and doors. In the winter, the same thing happens with heated air.

Glazed windows during summer keep your house cool with less AC use. This is just one of the main reasons you might need wood window repairs known as reglazing.

Reglazing is a process that removes the old glazing compound from around the window pane. This is a white putty that ensures a good seal around the window pane.

When to Reglaze Windows

You will need to reglaze your window if you have a broken or cracked window pane. If your window pane is warped, then you’ll also need to reglaze.

You may also consider reglazing your windows if your windows are nearing their expiration date. The glazing compound deteriorates over time. When it is cracked, air and moisture can get into your house.

If you live in a historic house, replacing your windows may not be an option. In that case, you’ll need to reglaze your windows to maintain energy efficiency. This will let you preserve the style of the era.

If you notice fog in between the panes of your window, that’s a sign that your seal is broken. You don’t need to replace your window to fix it. Reglazing will solve this problem for a fraction of the price.

When to Replace Your Windows

There are times when replacing your windows is your only option.

For example, if your windows do not open or close smoothly. This is a sign that the frame has warped. Replacement is your only choice.

Another sign that you need to replace your windows is if you see rot around the sill. If the damage is minor, you might be able to repair the problem. But most times, the cost to properly repair the window will be more than replacement.

If you have single-pane windows, reglazing can only help a little bit with energy efficiency. Single-pane windows always add to the energy and cooling costs of your utility bill.

To save money, it’s a smart idea to replace those windows with double or triple-pane glass. The money you save on your monthly bill will pay for the cost of the window replacement over time.

Is your furniture faded and bleached? That means that UV rays are entering your house through the windows. You may want to consider replacing them with low-E glazed glass.

This type of glass blocks out the sun’s harmful rays. Yet it still allows all the natural light to come in.

Reglazing Windows vs Replacing

Thanks for reading all about window repair or replacement. The bottom line is that you should try to repair your windows if possible.

Reglazing your windows is more affordable than replacing them. But, you don’t want to pay to reglaze your windows only to have to replace them shortly after.

Consult with a window professional to help you determine if reglazing windows vs replacing is the right choice for your home.

Next, check out this seasonal home maintenance checklist. This will help you monitor the systems in your home and prevent costly repairs later on.

Perhaps you’re in the process of building a new house? Maybe you’re looking to make some updates to the home that you currently live in? In any case, you’re thinking about installing double glazed windows.

The only problem is, you’re not sure if they’re worth the investment. After all, a doubled glazed window costs quite a bit more than a single glazed window. Is it really worth the extra cost?

For some, the answer is “yes”. For others, the answer is “no”. The only way you can know for sure is by doing your research.

Looking to learn more about double glazing? The read on! We’re going to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of double glazed glass panels in windows.

The Advantages of Double Glazed Windows

If you’re wondering how to choose windows for your home remodeling project, this window profile could be of use to you. Here are the advantages of double glazing windows.

Improves Insulation

One of the purposes of windows is to provide insulation to the home upon which they’re installed. While all windows do this to an extent, no type of window does it to a greater extent than the double glazing window.

Whereas single glazed windows will lose between 50% and 70% of the heat and cold which they contain, double glazed windows will lose only between 30% and 50% of the heat and cold which they contain. This makes them highly effective during both the summer and winter seasons, as they eliminate the vast majority of cold drafts and heat waves.

Provides Greater Energy Efficiency

Because they provide such terrific insulation, double glazing windows are extremely energy efficient. Why is this? Because they keep heat and cold trapped within their corresponding homes, allowing those homes’ air conditioners and heating systems to use less energy than they would have to otherwise.

So, while double glazing can be expensive in the short-term, it can actually save you money (through reduced energy bills costs) in the long-run.

Staves Off Condensation

Do you regularly deal with condensation on your windows? If so, you could benefit from installing double glazed glass panels. These panels do a terrific job of staving off condensation, fighting it off on both their interiors and exteriors.

Not only will a reduction in condensation increase the visibility of your windows, but it will also reduce the amount of mold and mildew that build up on your windows. This equals less maintenance, in the long-run.

Cuts Down on UV Light Damage

Did you know that the UV rays emitted by the sun can actually cause damage to the things with which they come into contact? This means that the possessions which sit next to your windows are all in positions of vulnerability. Color fading, in particular, is an imminent danger to these possessions.

Fortunately, there is a way to cut down on the number of UV rays which shine through your windows: double glazing. Installing doubled glazed windows will reduce the fading of your carpet, furniture, and other possessions, allowing you to let the sun illuminate through your windows on a regular basis.

Reduces Sound

Do you live in a noisy area? Can you hear miscellaneous sounds creeping into your home at all hours of the day? If so, double glazing is for you.

Doubled glazed panels are sealed airtight, allowing them to block the majority of soundwaves which come floating their way. They’ll make you feel as though you’re living in a peaceful area.

Increases Strength

While they’re certainly not indestructible, double glazed windows are much stronger than their single glazed brethren. This protects them not only from incidental physical trauma such as the force of an overthrown baseball but from purposeful physical trauma as well, such as the force of a burglar’s crowbar.

If you want to beef up the security and protection of your home, double glazing wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Ups Home Resale Value

One last advantage of the double glazing window is an increase in the resale value of the home upon which it’s installed. This means that, if you install double glazing windows on your home, you will be able to sell it in the future for a greater price than you would if it were to have single glazing windows instead.

This is an important point to remember when debating whether or not the extra cost is worthwhile. You may pay more money for these windows initially, however, you may actually save money over time.

The Disadvantages of Double Glazed Windows

There are far more advantages to double glazed windows than there are disadvantages. Nonetheless, disadvantages do exist. They are as follows.

Can’t Always Be Repaired

As was noted above, double glazed windows are designed to be exceedingly tough. Nonetheless, on rare occasions, they can experience deterioration, particularly in the spots where they seal to their corresponding frames.

Unfortunately, if this happens, they can’t be repaired. This will result in condensation building up between their two panes, making them more and more residue-ridden over time. At some point, your only option will be to have them replaced with all new windows.

Note, however, that a good many of the double glazing windows on the market come with warranties. If your windows are warrantied, you won’t have to worry about new-purchase costs.

High Cost

As we’ve stated numerous times, double glazed panels are more expensive than single glazed panels. In fact, in some cases, they can be as much as double the price of single glazed windows.

Note, however, that because they’re so durable and because they’re so energy efficient, they are actually fairly inexpensive over time. As a matter of fact, they can sometimes end up being cheaper than singled glazed windows in the long-run.

Interested in Double Glazed Windows?

What do you think? Are double glazed windows right for you? Interested in building or finding a home with such windows?

If so, PropertyTalk might be able to help you. Ours is one of the top real estate sites on the web. Not only do we help individuals to sell homes, but to build and buy them as well.

Read some more of our building-related articles now!