kitchen design ideas

...now browsing by tag

 
 

Kitchen Designer: Things to Know when Working with a Kitchen Designer

Sunday, August 8th, 2010

Kitchen designers offer designs and full service using their own well experienced tradesmen, a comprehensive and competitive quotation without unreasonably inflated prices and keen competitive prices without the hidden extras. Kitchen designers work with you to build and make your dream kitchen come true. They have an extensive range of styles that you can choose from and even allow you to create the kitchen you want.

By employing the best and experienced craftsmen and sourcing high quality components every reputable kitchen designer can make it possible to supply and fit tailored kitchens at ready made prices or build your kitchen according to your specifications as well as offering a comprehensive range of worktops and laminates, solid woods or granite. They can also supply a range of sinks, taps, appliances, wall tiles and flooring which can all come together to create the kitchen of your dreams!

Kitchen designers boast of the quality of their workmanship that enhances the beauty of your kitchen and increases the value of your property. If you want to create a practical yet unique and stylish kitchen, acquire the services of a reputable kitchen designer to work with you from the planning stage and be offered ideas that balances practicality and style. These designers can help you choose and decide on the wide range of materials and designs to contrast features with solidity, whether your styles are sleek, trendy and contemporary and can be combined with timeless classics creating exceptional quality and uniqueness. These professionals know very well how to mix quality, function, form and beauty without compromising value for your money.

Designer Kitchen

What to Know when Working with a Kitchen Designer

  • Stick to your plan. Keep changing your plans means more delays and more expenses.
  • Check copy of the plans that contain both a “plan view” (looking from the ceiling down), and “elevations” (looking straight on) and make sure it includes locations of doors and windows. You can’t get prices for the work without a plan. Ask to be provided with drafts of the plan before you sign a contract.
  • Know the source of supplies and if they do recommend contractors.
  • Lay down your minimum to maximum budget, this way your designer will know what to do and what to advise you.
  • Be open to changes and play around with ideas as you will discover new things that may be a better option from what you thought you knew.
  • Allow fresh ideas that may be far better than your original choice.
  • Do not hesitate to let the designer know what you do and do not like, take your time before you decide, nothing about this process is fast anyway.
  • Window-shop for cabinets, appliances, countertops, floors – everything that’s going to be used or changed and make sure not to choose the very first item that you think you like, take your time and choose wisely.

Ultimately it is your kitchen and you who will be preparing the meals and enjoying your new stylish living area.  Work with your kitchen designer, but always be prepared to share your ideas and dreams so that the end result is something you will be very proud of.

Kitchen Renovations: Fantastic Kitchen Renovation Approaches

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Kitchen renovations means building or remodeling your kitchen to make it more efficient and functional or to achieve a totally different look and ambience from the one you have now. Get the exact look that you wanted by checking your local kitchen manufacturers and designers as well as their showrooms, purchase some magazines that feature beautiful kitchens or surf the net for ideas.

Achieve the look by listening to people, visiting friends or your relatives and compare notes, better yet; consult a kitchen designer as they can build up a complete picture of exactly what you want for your dream kitchen. Tell them a bit about your dream kitchen, your color preferences and your personal style. This allows them to build a complete picture and create a kitchen that’s uniquely you. For a kitchen to be efficient and functional, it has to work for you and fit your lifestyle. There’s nothing better than having a personalized kitchen. Ensure that your kitchen doesn’t just look fantastic but works well at the same time. There are a lot of timeless designs to choose from to do your kitchen renovations. If you are a traditionalist and want to create that homey and welcoming look, your designer can do that for you – it doesn’t matter what your personal tastes are, creating an impact to show off your creativity and uniqueness is the best thing.

KItchen Renovations

Kitchen Renovations

Here are some fantastic kitchen renovation approaches

All White Kitchens

Simple white, clean and classic kitchen with white appliances can be added with a modern twist by changing the fixtures using materials such as stainless steel or granite worktops, oak floorings or colored ceramic tiles that provides contrast, warmth and highlights the whole unit.

Contemporary white kitchen

Vibrant and bold colors are added to the white scheme such as vivid purple chairs by the island unit and deep colored accessories. Considered Italian chic and are usually an open-plan kitchen/dining area with its white lacquered units, stainless-steel splashback and black worktops.

Colorful kitchen

This is a kitchen bursting with color.  Commonly, patterned tiles make a bright splashback, hanging open pine shelves give lots of extra storage and display space. Simple wooden cupboards add a rustic touch.

Sunny yellow country kitchen

Provides warmth, cozy and a homey feel, this traditional country kitchen features a colorful and unique combination of natural wood cupboards and hand-painted units including the splashback tiles.

Modern muted palette kitchen

Contemporary and traditional yet mixed with the versatility of original decorative plaster moldings and curved walls. Give this new kitchen contrast and depth by matching some colors of your appliances to your wall color or worktop.

Boldly painted galley kitchen

A stainless-steel sink and satin-finish handles for the cabinetry and doors maintain its clean lines. Add bold colors to give definition to your long, streamlined galley kitchen, to add more character, install lean cupboards in contrasting color.

Traditional painted oak kitchen

Painted oak doors with iron handles the combination of cream walls, light-colored limestone flooring and flecked granite worktops give tired old looking kitchen a new life. Oak cupboards add a calming effect and make the open-plan space appear bigger with a modern country look.

Once you have ascertained in your mind the ideal kitchen talk to a kitchen designer.  It doesn’t cost anything to chat about the style you have in mind and you find that they can achieve a designer kitchen look for the kitchen renovations budget you had in mind.

By John Cunningham

Kitchen Designs: Colored Kitchens for You

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Are you starting out and planning some kitchen designs?
Get sassy with colors. Researchers have discovered and revealed the impact of colors on our mood, productivity and it can even create an effect on the way we think. So, whether it’s a brand new kitchen or just planning to refurbish and smarten up your current kitchen gamely splash with colors and liven up your world.
Picture how different the surroundings will be with the play of colors. Start by planning on the colors you want to use on your kitchen walls and flooring. Then see how you can create that unique look with the splash backs using bold and vibrant colors or if you are a bit on the old fashioned scheme you might want a monochromatic hue. This will be easier for you to decide on the colors of your cabinetry, appliances and other fixtures. The creative work with colors adds pizzazz to your daily life.

Kitchen Designs

Kitchen Designs

Mostly colors are exploited creatively in modern and ultra modern kitchens but in today’s trend most people have the freedom of mixing old and new to create a statement. Some would use neutral colors on the walls and flooring and puts the drama on the choice of style, texture and colors to their cabinetry and appliances. Clever applications and use of colors on upholstery will compliment or provide contrast to the color scheme which can be eye-catching and chic. In today’s style of modern interior fashion, black has been one of the favorite for urban elegance and sophistication. Hues like orange and deep crimson adds warmth and depth. Some choose to use whimsical kitchen colors, floral fabrics and ceramics that serve as eye candies.

Neutral colors are still the classic. It would make a lot of sense if you are building to sell as any prospective buyer may not appreciate your lime green and orange cabinets. A lot of people still prefer the sleek and minimalist look with the use of lattes and mochas, whites and creams and just choose vibrant colors for pots and pans and other appliances. The trick is to add and create a feeling of a larger space when using neutral shades and the clever use of storage space. While you may be too preoccupied and excited with choosing colors to use, never forget that the space’s functionality and the durability standards of all the materials to use are given more importance than aesthetic considerations.

Some important guidelines for using different kitchen color schemes:

  • Monochromatic scheme uses one color then combines it with several tints, tones and shades of that color.
  • Complementary scheme brings a deep and strong appeal and a forceful energy with the use of two opposite colors.
  • Analogous color scheme are three hues of warm or cool colors in combination.
  • Neutral colors are the most versatile and can be combined with almost any color to accentuate and add beauty.

Good lighting also provides emphasis on creating intensity of your color scheme. With smart lighting you can accentuate or diminish features, whichever way is required. The best colors, as most would approve, is still the colors of nature. Whatever scheme and design you decide on for your kitchen designs ensure that quality and durability isn’t compromised.

Kitchen Renovations: Functionality More than Beauty

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Kitchen renovations can be costly or on a budget depending on the scope of work you want done. Whatever the reasons behind the improvement, it sure is a great idea.  Planning to sell your home or just modernizing the looks as well as the appliances can bring a fresh new look and feel.

Kitchen Renovations

Kitchen Renovations

Countless ideas can come up when planning for kitchen renovation;  the color scheme, functionality and design.  It is very important to consider comfort and easy movement whenever you are working in your kitchen.  Also take notice of any old appliances or fixtures which you think needs replacement or some minor repair to go with your new kitchen make over.

Take a peek at some important things to consider in kitchen renovation

Cabinets

Check if they need to be replaced or can be repainted especially if it’s made of wood. Mostly, a good cleaning and repainting can do the trick.

Check if hinges and latches needs to be replaced.

There are ready made cabinet dividers or if you want to change the look and provide easier sorting, you may want to have it fixed according to your style.

You may want to change cabinet doors with glass or drawer handles to give your kitchen a mini makeover.

Worktops

Can also give a dramatic change in your kitchen – you have a choice of using wood laminates, tiles or aluminum or granite for a classy look.

Sink and Faucet

Has your sink and faucet lost its shine?  Or maybe faucet handles are chipped and broken or leaking? Then it’s time to include these in the budget.

Color Scheme

It’s your kitchen and you have to see it every day so choose what you want but, for practical reasons, it is always advisable to choose neutral colors and just play with the colors of your decoration, kitchen towels or curtains even appliances now have a variety of colors to match or accentuate your color of choice.

Flooring

Choices from ceramics, marble, hardwood laminates or vinyl are very popular and easy to match but what’s important is to make sure it doesn’t only look good but easy to clean and should be anti-slip for safety  especially if you have kids.

Whatever style suits your taste, it surely is a reflection of the owner’s personality but style shouldn’t compromise functionality. Consider the kitchen traffic especially if you have kids.  A Kitchen is where everybody can be seen together whether for a quick meal or snack or even just a glass of cold water. It’s the favorite place of everyone in the family so make sure it is not too fancy for everyone to be afraid to use and make a mess.

Kitchen renovation should mean improving it to work for you and your family. The whole family should settle on the end result and the frequency of using it. Moreover, never forget to make it a place that everyone wants to spend time in making family meal times enjoyable.

Designer Kitchen: Features and Styles

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

A designer kitchen to some people may be considered an expensive luxury, to you; it may be the culmination of years of hard work and saving to put the icing on the cake in your home. With careful planning and good design, the only limitation is your imagination.

Choosing a good designer is your first step to success, the time spent giving careful consideration to your new kitchen will be time well spent. Begin with taking into consideration the existing style of your home. A high tech, ultra modern kitchen may look good in the right home, but in a country style cottage? That does not mean you cant have modern gadgets, but a little thought into the cabinet style will really show off your good taste. So, whether it’s a renovation or a complete new build, take your time.

Get the designer to visit your home, its so much easier if they can actually see the existing kitchen, than for you to try and describe it to them in an office, even with exact measurements. By visiting your home they will be able to get “the feel” of the place, and will be able to make a good judgment on what will or will not look good.

A few things to think about when planning your kitchen:

The Style: As has already been said, be aware of age of your home. Pick a design that compliments your home, if you have areas to be painted, choose a color that blends with your cabinet finish or, makes them stand out, after all they are the main feature.

Designer Kitchen

Designer Kitchen

Layout and Storage space: A well planned kitchen will make it a joy to work in. Having your appliances where you may want them might not be practical, your designer will be able to show you the best way to get the most from your storage space and also where best to put the oven, or refrigerator, be flexible, but, also stay as close as you can to your own ideas. You are the one that will be spending your time in the kitchen, not the designer. Your work-tops should be exactly that, having to put gadgets on them will only detract from the space you have to prepare and cook things, with innovative storage ideas a lot of these can now be hidden, leaving you with plenty of room. A cluttered kitchen is not pleasing on the eye.

Dining area: You may want to incorporate your dining room in your kitchen; again, careful planning will make this not only a desirable place to eat and entertain your friends, but also a safe place to eat. The kitchen table too close to where you will cook, scary! If you have young children make sure they cannot use dining chairs to reach up to work-tops, where there could be hot pots and pans.

Features: As the kitchen has now become more than just a place to eat, give some thought to other things you may want such as, a television, this needs to be out of the way but also can be seen. Maybe a lap-top computer or a music system. With a good designer, and careful planning, let your imagination go wild and create that designer kitchen of your dreams.

Designer Kitchen: Cook in Style

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Designer Kitchen speaks about who and what you are depending on the styles and design you choose. Since it’s a designer’s or your own idea- you still cook in style. There are a lot of kitchen designs that you can think of but, there’s one that you really wanted and is an extension of your character and personality.

Redesigning, rebuilding or a new kitchen still requires rigorous planning to come up with a kitchen that you can not only boast of but will actually make your life easier when working in your kitchen. As to how much you love cookery so is your desire to couple your skills with a nice and functional kitchen – which will inspire you even more.

Designer Kitchen

Designer Kitchen

Get ready as I take you on a virtual tour of different designer kitchen ideas and pick one that suits you:

  • Outdoor kitchens much the same as indoor only here you have a lot of fresh air and natural lighting and I would say easier to clean plus the fact no unwanted fishy or other odors inside the dining area. Typical outdoor cooking uses a grill with or attached to benchtops for easy reach of utensils and there’s a table for plating the food and the usual spice racks. You may also have proper installation of electrical lines and fittings to run gas. You may also include storage for cooking equipments as well as entertainment system.
  • Modern Kitchens uses modular’s or ready made fixtures and it creates a minimalist look. Often geometric in style and not much decoration. Materials range from laminates, frosted glass, chrome or lacquer, concrete and stainless steel.
  • Old world design uses natural materials. Think of the Mediterranean, Tuscan or an Italian Villa – medieval things or look where you usually see big pots and not as organized as other kitchen styles. This type of kitchen usually has those big cabinets and uses big hooks for hanging cooking equipments.
  • Traditional kitchens bring you back to the Early American Times. Neo-classical where antique fixtures are what you see even for the appliances. It has a formal feel and is elegant. Think of dining and cooking in a Victorian home and see if the colors and fixtures suit your taste.
  • Transitional kitchens has the combination of traditional and modern like wood and concrete together and this is where you start to think of how it complements the appliances as well as the finishes.
  • Rustic kitchens often resemble a log cabin. Very American – a characteristic from the regions of the South, Mountain West or Pacific Northwest. Here warm rich shades of earth colors are used and high ceiling beams.
  • Country kitchens are mostly bright and have that homey feel. It resembles a garden as mostly handcrafted designs like woven baskets and floral motifs are all over. Like a farmhouse cottage where you’d see cheery colors and panels and is very much into moldings.

Your kitchen is the heart of your home don’t forget to consider each of the family member’s opinion and ideas as to how they would want the kitchen to look and work for the family.

Sunshine Coast Kitchens: Fuss- free Makeovers

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Sunshine Coast Kitchen has different styles from the very simple and traditional to ultra chic with the use of unique technology.

Need an inspiration for building or redecorating your kitchen? It’s like looking at a blank canvass where you are carefully thinking and planning of what subject to paint and how to create impact, style or character that’s uniquely you. Be open to ideas and consider the reasons for your plans. Still don’t know where to start?

Sunshine Coast Kitchens

Custom Designed Kitchen

Easy steps to building a new kitchen

  • Shop around. Check showrooms and talk to consultants. Explore various innovative ideas and designs.
  • Appointment with a consultant or designer to visit you at home and be able to make a feasibility study with emphasis on your chosen style or theme. After you have discussed the plans and after a thorough consideration on safety standards and compliance they will then make another visit and present you the blueprint or a 3D design of your kitchen.
  • The next step would be the start of a partnership after the mutual understanding that the right decision has been made so comes the price along with the materials that you would want to use. If you are on a budget, your designer can make adjustments to cater to your needs. Most contracts require you to give an initial deposit once you decide to hire their services. Then comes the checking of measurements before the construction starts, this is specially important specially if you would want a custom made fixtures as well as considerations for where to place your appliances.
  • Upon completion, an inspection is done by the designer and technical consultant making sure everything is perfectly done and fitted to according to your specifications and style.

What are the advantages of a custom designed kitchen?

  • You get exact measurement for your cabinets and fittings
  • You may have a cabinet that is made to your specifications and according to how well it will serve you best
  • It allows you freedom to design according to how you move around the kitchen when working
  • Incorporate style and functionality
  • Choose your color and fixtures
  • Enjoy a mix and match look
  • Decide on how much storage space you want

Cabinetry making is one of Sunshine Coasts manufacturer’s expertise. They can boast of years of experience and records of exceptional workmanship. Since it is locally made they can offer a very competitive price. Most do carry or offer warranties on their products and awarded by the Housing Industry Association. They are usually a team of designers and craftsmen dedicated in their field and have earned the reputation for their efforts and being at par with the latest international trends in kitchen design.  So if you are decided on rebuilding your kitchen think of a hassle-free makeovers. Let the experts do the works for you. Search your local directory for Sunshine Coast kitchen designers. Your dream kitchen is just a call away.

Helpful Hints When Remodelling Your Kitchen

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Giving your kitchen the “Wow factor” is one thing that can add thousands of dollars to the value of your home, in addition to making the time you spend there a great deal more enjoyable! Remodelling your kitchen can be a pain-staking process, but the kitchens Brisbane  team will carry out some careful preparation that will certainly make things run a lot more smoothly. If you’re considering remodelling your kitchen, here are a few hints to help you plan:

Budget

Deciding on a budget for home improvements is very important because this will impact on all the other decisions you make along the way. Be clear about your budget from the outset and don’t be tempted to overspend. A contingency budget is also a very good idea incase of unforeseen costs. If you let our team at kitchens Brisbane

Kitchen Designs Ideas

Kitchen Designs Ideas

know about your budget, we will find a kitchen plan that is ideal for you.

Do your research

It helps to have a clear idea of what you want in terms of style and design. Stock up on brochures and magazines and keep pictures of the things that appeal to you. The internet is also a great place to look for inspiration.

Design

If your budget will allow you to splash out on new cabinets, you’ll find a huge range to choose from. The size and style of your cabinets is important in maximizing the space in your kitchen while the finish you choose is central to creating the right look. If your kitchen is going to be used by a family, it’s a good idea to choose something hard-wearing and easy to clean. Single people and couples without children living at home can afford to be a little more adventurous! You’ll find that many kitchen specialist designers at kitchens brisbane who can help to guide you as you plan your new kitchen. If you feel a little out of your depth when it comes to planning the best layout and design, the team will help you in this regard.

Storage

Good storage is a fundamental part of kitchen design so getting it right is vital. The most important thing is that your storage solutions work for you; they should make your life easier, not more difficult! There are many different types of storage available at kitchens brisbane, including cupboards, drawers and shelving. If space is tight, pull out shelves or even a carousel can be a great idea (especially in corner areas). You might prefer deeper drawers for storing larger utensils or an integrated wine rack. Whatever you decide, make sure you shop around. Prices for kitchen furnishings can vary enormously so it pays to visit a few showrooms before making a decision. The good news is that many of the larger outlets now have websites so you don’t necessarily have to walk for miles to get the best deal!