e

How to Pick the Perfect Sink for Your 2020 Kitchen Remodel?

It’s almost that time of the year when we say goodbye to everything old, and fire up our excitement for new resolutions and newer trends!


Photo by: DG Kitchen & Bath

When we say “new trends,” not a lot of people immediately think about kitchen décor and sink trends. However, research shows that more than 80% of homeowners consider home remodeling to be a necessary investment for increasing their property value before a resale.

Now, if you are among the thousands of house owners, who want to renovate their kitchen in 2020, you need to know the leading design trends.


Photo by: KitchenLab Interiors

What are the kitchen sink trends for the upcoming year?

Are you aware that the latest trends show that homeowners no longer prefer tiled countertops or granite? 2019 was the year of composite or engineered quartz all the way. Quartz offers a natural sheen along with unfaltering resistance towards heat, cold, and heavy weight. Besides, quartz complements almost all sink material and colors. Homeowners like having more than one option while choosing the right sink for their kitchen.

Picking a sink for a kitchen that looks and feels a part of 2020 is not going to be as easy if you do not take account of the leading kitchen and sink trends. Here are the most sought-after sink styles you should know about before you go shopping –

Prep sinks

Apartments and smaller homes do not have enough counter space for entertaining separate defrosting areas and prepping units. It is a big mess and confusion whenever guests are coming over, mainly, if they include vegetarians or vegans.

Prepping stations are becoming very necessary, and most homeowners are opting for double bowl sinks or an additional small prep sink during their kitchen renovation. Prep stations can be smaller stainless steel sinks, porcelain, or fireclay sinks on the kitchen island, which can co-exist with your current, bigger sink. Or, they can be the second bowl or second layer of your new double bowl or workstation sink, respectively.


Photo By: KitchenLab Interiors

Apron front or farmhouse sinks

Farmhouse sinks are becoming incredibly popular among residents of larger apartments and homes. It is no longer mandatory for a home to have a rustic or farmhouse charm to sport an apron sink in the kitchen.

These are the hottest-selling sinks of 2019 since they offer ample prepping and cleaning space. They have the space for putting in a separate basin to divide up the area, and they can have interior grooves that turn them into kitchen workstation sinks.

The protruding front, along with seamless under-mounting, makes farmhouse sinks popular among homeowners looking for an old-world appeal. There was a time when these sinks were synonymous with enamel and porcelain. However, sustainability is a selling point for homeowners right now. Therefore, stainless steel, cast iron, copper, and fireclay are the most popular options right now.

Chef’s sinks aka ledge sinks

Workstation sinks or chef sinks are steadily gaining popularity as homeowners show their love for multi-functional workspaces in the kitchen. They are marvelous additions to kitchens with limited countertop space.

Workstation kitchen sinks are the epitome of adding new dimensions to your workspace. They have multi-level slots that can support a colander, chopping board, draining or drying rack, and bottom racks. Check out https://www.kraususa.com/kitchen/kitchen-sinks/workstation-sinks.html to learn more about workstation sinks you can consider for your kitchen counter.

Right now, there are hundreds of workstation sink options for the homeowner and remodeler. You can browse stainless steel, and fireclay sinks in a matte finish. Or, you can consider traditional fireclay and granite sinks for your counter. Nonetheless, you must remember that workstations withstand some heavy-duty cleaning and prepping. So, choose a material that is both durable and sustainable.


Photo By: EuroChef USA

Under-mount everything

Whichever sink style you choose, under-mounting is the only way to please the gods of kitchen styling! In 2019, there has been an evident decrease in the practice of top-mounting sinks. Under mounting stainless sinks, fireclay and granite sinks, and even porcelain ones have become the norm for every homeowner across the US.

Under-mounting offers a seamless and virtually invisible interface between the sink and the countertop. Although it demands significant plumbing skills if one is replacing a top mount sink with an undermount variant, the final product is entirely worth the additional work.

Choosing a countertop material that goes with the sink material is one of the better choices. It offers the entire kitchen a smooth and sophisticated finish akin to professional kitchens. You can choose between granite, composite quartz, and white tile countertops that complement granite composite, stainless steel or fireclay, and porcelain sinks, respectively.

Trough sinks

Another trend that is about to make the kitchen remodeling headlines includes the trough sinks. These beauties can multi-task, add functionality to a benign kitchen island, and look fantastic in any setting. Want to turn your boring kitchen into the feature picture of a design and décor magazine? All you need is a trough sink on your countertop that perfectly contrasts the counter material. That is right! You heard us. You do not need the sink material to match the backsplash or countertop. You need one that perfectly contrasts it.

Trough sinks are impressive upgrades of kitchen islands and counters, which have been sitting barren or flaunting older sink models for decades. It can effortlessly moonlight as your wine chilling basin or defrosting station, depending on popular demand. Choose one in copper, stainless steel, or even reclaimed material to stand out!

Sinks are more than washing stations in the kitchen. Modern kitchen sinks should be able to support the demands and needs of the contemporary homeowner. At times, it needs to function as the prepping station, defrosting station, drying zone, soak basin, or even chilling trough for your champagne.

If you are a dynamic person, why should your kitchen be predictable and boring? Spice up your cooking and prepping experience by adding a smart kitchen sink in sync with the upcoming kitchen design trends!

e

How to make your Howdens Kitchen look Bespoke?

Howdens is a popular name when it comes to contemporary kitchen layouts. What about adding a bit of your own touch in the mix? The below points offer a broad classification of a total kitchen setup and their briefing will help you start from scratch.


Photos By: Living Etc.

Anybody living in the UK and setting up their kitchen decor must have come across by the name Howdens kitchen. They are the largest British brand, manufacturer and designer of fitted kitchen and furniture products. Howdens provide a vast range of customised service. Many of their clients have their kitchen worktops are enhanced with the granite and quartz worktops from MKW surfaces. This bespoke look adds on to the ultimate setup necessary according to your kitchen space.

Ultimately, it is totally up to you, what set up you are planning to implement in your kitchen space. Here are some tips on how to make your Howdens kitchen look bespoke:

Layout

If you are planning to bring life back to your contemporary kitchen, you can implement some of the modern kitchen layouts provided by Howdens kitchens. It is said that the most successful floor plans are based around a ‘working triangle’; the location of your fridge, hob and sink. In a trendy design, one can also include a Wi-Fi extender and a pop-up socket to make the kitchen more functional.

Open plan layout

It is basically a multifunctional layout permitting several household activities to take place in the same room. No problem arises, even if you are having a small space, as they often require eliminating an extra wall. You can introduce an island, add a breakfast bar and create a coordinated look by enhancing the flooring and colour scheme. Open layouts are very popular nowadays as they allow you to gather with friends and family whilst you are cooking or working in the room. Whereas in the past, the kitchen was segregated from the rest of the house. This is because in the past, cooking was delegated to cleaners and servants. It has now become apparent that preparing your own food is the best way to guarantee the quality of items that we eat.

U-shaped layout

The three-sided style can be given a trendy look with half-hidden wall units to break the lines. This type of layout maximises the storage and work surface areas which are loved by everyone. It is very popular in reduces spaces and in households with large families. The U-shaped layout allows you to hide all the appliances, utensils and other items within its many drawers and multi-cabinet set up.

L-shaped layout

This basically falls under the minimalistic approach, where you will get plenty of space to roam around freely in your kitchen despite doing all the necessary things. Try to put units exceptionally to the floor to bring a contemporary twist to your setup. Since the working areas in a L-shaped kitchen are placed across two places, you would never have to walk too far in the house to prepare a meal. An l-shaped kitchen design will also help in avoiding cluttering whilst ensuring traffic can flow freely in the room.

Galey layout

This layout is generally used in smaller spaces to connect the adjacent rooms. Also, it allows you to implement an island and make a work triangle with your sink and oven. Similarly, this layout will allow you to prepare foods and other items practically as the workstations remain opposite to each other. Not only that a Galley kitchen can be functional in small rooms, but it is also very popular in large rooms too. This is because the Galley design will allow you to reach any item and object within a reaching distance, rather than having to walk across to the other side of the room. In addition, a typical galley shaped kitchen will come with lots of room for storing items and appliances.

Colours and Materials

Choosing the best colours among the wide range of options can become a difficult task for anyone. Firstly, one needs to collect ideas before putting a step forward. The natural light and size of your kitchen are the two key factors on which your design is based. Also, areas such as the kitchen wall, splashbacks, worktops/countertops and their colours/textures are dependent. Additionally, you should think about any other space of the room which you will be planning to fill in the future. This will allow you to plan, helping you create a time-proof kitchen design.

Coming to cabinet colours, trendy tones such as cashmere can bring a warm feel to your kitchen; and grey too, if you are looking for subtle colours. You can also choose gloss or matt finishes.

When it comes to your kitchen worktops and splashbacks, there are colours and textures that are in vogue. White marble or quartz, grey granite or limestone and Concrete/Cement effect materials are in high demand.

To bring a contemporary feel to your kitchen go for the wide range seen at Howdens worktops, and get these worktops supplied from a material from the premium selection at MKW Surfaces. Rather than supplying cheap imitation granite planks, the Company sources stone from every corner of the planet. Coupled with boasting the largest natural and engineered stone collection in the UK, there is no doubt you will find the worktop material you have dreamt of.

Now you have a brief idea about the steps you need to take to modernize the look of your kitchen. Take the best possible bespoke set up for your kitchen space and make delicious dishes without any tension.

e

Makeover Your Home with a Kitchen Renovation

Renovating and remodeling a kitchen is a big job with a potentially big payoff. The addition of more space, improved lighting, and better appliances can breathe new life into the entire home. It is a process that requires careful pre-planning and expert execution, so it is important to find the right designers and contractors for the job.


Photo: Luxe Pros

It is just as important that the designers and contractors follow your lead even as they offer their own suggestions. After all, they don’t know your home or family as well as you do. If you want your kitchen renovation, before and after, to be a huge improvement, then continue reading.

Kitchen Renovation Planning

Before you start your kitchen renovation, you should complete the following checklist to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible:

  1. Create a budget – you should create a budget prioritizing your needs, followed by your wants. You should also have a 10-20 percent cushion in case something goes wrong, or you encounter a problem that you need to address.
  2. Find the right designers and contractors – when looking for the people to help you, you should look at their previous work and find out whether they have a good reputation or not. They should be able to offer advice based on your suggestions. What we learned renovating in Auckland is, be communicative and anticipate any problems before they happen.
  3. Check up on building codes and permits – every district has its own rules and regulations regarding structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing alterations. You should find out if you need a permit for any aspect of the renovation, or if it is allowed at all.
  4. Create a temporary kitchen – you will not be able to use the majority of the kitchen during the renovation, so you should establish an area with a microwave, mini-fridge, and temporary versions of the things you need, but won’t have access to, during the remodel.


Photo: Bruan Wark Designs

The Next Step in Your Kitchen Renovation

Once the renovation has begun, it is necessary for you to check in regularly to make sure that all is going to plan. You should not pester the builders, and they should not be too bothered that you want to see how the work is going. It is your kitchen after all. Make sure if you are renovating, to follow all of the strict permits to avoid any files. You should also try to stay calm during this period. It can be stressful but you need to stay focused in order to make sure that you don’t miss anything that can come back to haunt you later. This is also where unexpected problems might crop up and where the extra money you put into your budget will become useful.


Photo: Simon Adamczyk

The Final Step in Your Kitchen Renovation

The final step is the renovation itself. Once the kitchen is complete, you should do a thorough inspection to make sure that everything meets your requirements. This punch list can include small things like slight scratches to bigger things like a light switch not working. Make a detailed list and send it to the responsible party so that they can make the necessary corrections.

Once all of that is done, the only thing left to do is relax and enjoy your new kitchen. It is a long journey but one that is worth taking since the kitchen is the heart and soul of the home.

e

4 Household Jobs to Make Your Home Perfect

Make your home sparkle this summer with some of these easy and effective cleaning tips that will change the way you clean forever!


Photos By: Interiors by Odette Design Group

Homes are peoples’ pride and joy, where they have started to build a life they may have spent years dreaming of. This means that they will do whatever it takes to make it the best place for them and their family. However, this can sometimes involve a lot of time and money, which is hard to give when you lead a busy life. Thankfully, there are some simple household jobs which can refresh your home and make it perfect. To save you time and resources, it’s wise to follow a trusted bank of tips that will leave you with your perfect home in no time.

Deep Clean Often

Over time, it can be easy to let mess build up around your home. Without regular cleaning, it may have gotten to the point where a quick sweep isn’t enough, and there is grime stuck to places you can’t reach. When this happens, it’s best to enlist the help of a company like My Technicare, who can deep clean your carpets and furnishings to reveal the squeaky-clean underneath. Not only will this leave your home looking and feeling brand new, but it will help you remove any harmful toxins and allergens from the air. After you have had a deep clean, it’s wise to follow a cleaning schedule for a few minutes each day and to bring in a deep cleaning team every few months.

Create New Storage Solutions

Part of what makes staying tidy so hard is clutter, which is present in almost every home. De-cluttering can mean throwing out everything you don’t need, but for those special items you can’t let go of, it also means using some nifty storage solutions to keep them safe and out of the way. Most of these storage solutions can be made yourself, with little time and even less money. In some cases, you may even be re-purposing some of your clutter, such as when you turn old glass jars into pencil holders.

Tidy Your Yard

When people think of their homes, it is easy to neglect their outdoor space, but keeping this clean and tidy is the best finishing touch to any home. The best thing about tidying your yard is that you don’t have to have green fingers to do it. De-weeding and throwing out any debris is an easy job, but to truly make it look great, it’s best to add some flowers to your flowerbeds each week. Doing so will keep it looking bright and cheerful, and you will also begin to spend more time outdoors in any season.

Bring Nature Indoors

Perhaps the easiest way to make your home perfect is by keeping it light, airy, and full of fresh air. Doing something as simple as bringing statement potted plants indoors can add a new element to a room, but this can also improve the air quality of your home. In warmer seasons, it’s also wise to keep your windows open as often as you can.

e

5 Kitchen Decor Ideas For Your Home

Shine some new light on your kitchen decorating with these easy but trendy kitchen decorating ideas!


Photo: Redl Kitchen Studio

1. Paint Your Cabinets A Shade Of Blue

You can replace “blue” with any color, because the purpose of this aesthetic choice is to modernize your cabinets and, in turn, your entire kitchen, as well. You don’t need to install new kitchen countertops, painting your cabinets is enough to make a huge impact. Most kitchen cabinets are white, and this is a very plain, very boring, look for a kitchen. Instead of sticking to plain old white, you can use blue or green or red, which makes your kitchen pop out and look inviting and very sleek and stylish!

2. Put In A House Plant Or Two

House plants make your kitchen look inviting and very natural. They invite feelings of nature and trees and grass, while putting out a very fresh scent into your home. On top of that, they have been proven to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, which only aids in making your kitchen even more inviting and even more relaxing and soothing, rather than inviting feelings of stress and anxiety and clutter.

When you put in a house plant, you should also make sure that the space of your kitchen itself is clean and free of any clutter or disorganization. That way, you can put the plant anywhere, allowing it to grow with incredible ease! 


Photo: Haven Design and Construction

3. Place Amish Furniture In Your Kitchen 

Amish furniture is a type of furniture that is designed to be an heirloom, passed on for generation after generation, giving the recipients an idea of what life was like, many years ago. As you can imagine, Amish pieces of furniture – such as Amish bookcases and Amish kitchen hutches – are made of incredibly durable materials. They are meant to last for quite some time, and that is, indeed, what they do.

The real reason that this is a great idea, however, is because Amish furniture is incredibly beautiful. Made with fine materials, and stained delicately, these pieces look great no matter where you put them! 

4. Place A Chalkboard On Your Fridge

This is a fun and cute little way to spruce up your kitchen and give it a timeless design! You can use this little chalkboard to add notes, to write things down, to make little drawings, and as a way of organizing your to-do list, or to write down the ingredients for a recipe! It’s simple, and you can find small ones for incredibly cheap these days, but it’s also a great way to have some fun! And if you have kids, your kids can – and most likely will, in our experience – make little drawings for you, which is always pleasant to see when you walk in your kitchen!


Photo: Grove Park Construction

5. Put Up Some Posters And Pictures

Depending on the size and scale of your kitchen, this option may be less practical and useful to you. You can use posters to add some visual flair to your kitchen and to really breathe some life into a space that may, otherwise, be rather dull.

You can frame family photos and put them in your kitchen, and you can buy posters and prints that speak to you and put them up, as well! Whatever you like, put it u