Free standing kitchen units

Kitchen design is an interesting specialty and there are many books published both in print and online that can help you make decisions about the type of kitchen you wish to have.

You may already have ideas but don’t know how to put them into reality. A good design book may help you get ideas about how to go about mplementing these ideas.

You could hire an expert designer to design and draw up the plans for your kitchen but many designers charge a hefty price which might make it difficult to be able to realize the dream of the kitchen you want. Doing it yourself is an option and looking at kitchen design books may help you to get your started.

Here is a list of some good kitchen design books you can choose from:

The Kitchen Ideas Guide Book is available free online. It will tell you how to design or remodel your kitchen. It is a comprehensive e-book that will help you get the kitchen you want  www.kitchenguidebook.com/. It covers every aspect of kitchen design and remodeling, and the great part is it’s free.

Great Kitchen's Design Ideas from America's Top Chefs
by Ellen Whitaker

This book is available in paperback version and has some really ingenious ideas from top chef’s experiences. They have some really unique ideas on kitchens and many have designed their own ideas and built the kitchens themselves.  It covers mistakes they have made and how they resolved the problems. It is beautifully illustrated and definitely a book worth looking at.

Big Book of Kitchen Design Ideas (Schiffer Design Book)
by Tina Skinner

300 illustrations in full colour, this book gives you information on planning and designing your kitchen cupboards, shelving and appliances that would fit in the kitchen as well as ideas about countertops, flooring, lighting and the various materials that can be used. The illustrations give you a visual concept of the finished and completed kitchens. If your choice is retro, country, classic or contemporary there are ideas in this book that will set your heart racing. It is available in paperback.

The Smart New Approach to Kitchen Design (New Smart Approach Series)
by Susan Maney

One interesting aspect to look at when designing a kitchen is to design it according to Feng Shui principles. There is much to learn from such a concept and this website will give you many interesting ideas about Feng Shui for Kitchen http://fengshui-doctrine.com/index.php?q=feng-shui-kitchen.html

Designing a kitchen can be a very rewarding experience as your kitchen is personal to you and should therefore reflect who you are and you should be comfortable in this living space. This is just a small sampling of different books although there are many others. Research online for recommendations of books and you will sure to get many more options.

In the past if you wished to have a kitchen designed you needed to rely on interior designers or architects who would take your ideas and put them into a design.  Today it is not necessary to hire an expert as there are many programmes online that can help you design your own kitchen or even remodel your entire home.

There are some very expensive kitchen design software packages available, but if you look carefully you will find some that are inexpensive.  There are also some free options which might be adequate although limited in some aspects.  Paid options will obviously offer more choices and have tools that work smarter.

Here are some options to look at...

Google Sketchup

This software is a free and simple 3D modelling software package where you simply “push” and “pull” flat objects into 3D space. The initial learning curve maybe considered somewhat steep, however, once you start to get the hang of it, you can create almost anything, and to the exact measurements you require. Additionally, there is, what is called, the “3D warehouse”, where you can download and import pre-made 3D models of almost anything. There are also many plugins available which allow you render your 3D model as a photorealistic rendition of your design. As with anything, an initial outlay of time is required...but not that much. You can download a copy of Sketchup here.

AutoCAD® Freestyle by AutoDesk

This software bridges a cap between professional and non-professional, it is an all-purpose CAD product that allows you to be creative by being able to do drawings for any part of the house, and it has a good kitchen drawing section with pre-selected samples or if you wish you can begin from scratch. What you produce from this program will not be laughed at by a professional architect or designer. It does not have all the pretty pictures that you can find in an expensive programme, but you can design credible projects with it.

SmartDraw

SmartDraw is a good program that bridges the gap between the very expensive and the mediocre, cheaper software. It is quite a powerful software package which will give you the opportunity to create some good designs. The book even comes with its own “Dummies” book.  It’s worth taking a look at.

HomeStyler by AutoDesk

The HomeStyler is a free home design software by the same makers as AutoCad@ Freestyle.  This software works in your browser instead of downloading a programme.  It is geared towards the home kitchen design.  Since its free its worth trying it out to see if it’s suitable for your personal use.

This software is a free download from http://www.smartdraw.com/downloads/ which allows you to easily and quickly design different types of kitchen layouts with SmartDraw. It has templates you can start with instead of beginning from scratch and you will be able to customize the templates to fit your personal needs with thousands of symbols that you will be able to stamp into the image you wish to create.

If your looking for a more modern kitchen than one with wooden cupboards, there are options available that could suit your lifestyle.

With today’s availability of stainless steel appliances that have that shiny clinical look, often placed in an old fashioned style of kitchen look totally out of place.  One of the advantages of stainless steel is its strength, its durability to withstand the everyday knocks and wear and tear in a normal kitchen.

Most industrial kitchens in workshops, factories, restaurants, hospitals and canteens make use of stainless steel instead of other methods of cabinetry and appliances because of its durability, it always looks good, it's very easy to clean and does not retain bacteria like other forms of kitchen units.
Once installed, stainless steel is very easy to maintain, no need to reface, paint, stain or varnish thus saving on maintenance chores.  It gives years of service and continues to look good many years down the line.

Most kitchens are high humidity areas, which is a problems with wood and other material cabinetry. You therefore get paint peeling, wood and wood products swelling and distorting. This never happens with stainless steel or metal kitchen cabinets.

Installation of metal kitchen cabinets as well as stainless steel units come pre-assembled, therefore they only need to be screwed to the walls, which is not difficult at all.

Things to check when buying stainless steel cabinets

Check that the doors open and shut easily and securely, you should hear a solid and precise click when it closes.  You definitely don’t want loose cupboard doors that will swing open at a whim and possibly hit your head in the process.

Check that any metal cabinetry has been rust proofed.  Kitchens usually have high humidity so you don’t want your cupboards to rust.

The quality of the cabinets do count. Check that the materials are properly cut and welded correctly.  Check that everything is square. Look for sharp edges, especially in the corners. They should be hemmed and have no gaps.   Check that the screws are properly screwed in and nothing is protruding.

Practical matters

Stainless steel cabinetry is not cheap and the price may be a deterrent for some people.  This is a consideration that needs to be looked at before you considering buying.

If noise is a problem, you need to consider this when buying metal kitchen cupboards.  Putting pots and pans in a metal cupboard can be noisy and uncomfortable for some people.

Metal cabinets can look and feel ‘cold’.  Sometimes nice attractive frosted glass can make it look warmer.

Depending on the metal used, metal kitchen cabinets can develop dents which might begin to spoil the smoothness of the metal.  Parts can be replaced although of course, stainless steel can be expensive.

Cleaning and maintenance

There are times when grease and grime adheres to the surface and you need to do some extra maintenance.  Dirt, oil and grease can be removed with clean cloth and by rubbing alcohol on the surface. For very serious stains, steel wool or a very light sandpaper can be useful, especially for rust spots and stubborn stains.
Finally, rinse with soapy water and dry with a soft clean cloth.

Kitchen worktops need to be versatile, easy to clean and a good surface to work on. There are different materials that kitchen worktops are made of.  On top of that you would like your kitchen worktop to also look good in its space.

Hardwood kitchen worktops offer an arresting and natural beauty for any kitchen and is able to fit in with any kitchen style.  Whether your kitchen is cozy cottage style or ultra-modern, a hardwood wooden worktop will fit in and look good.  As well as being pleasing to the eye, hardwood kitchen worktops are hardwearing, and if they get scratched or damaged they can be fixed and easily returned to their original glory.

Corian® kitchen worktops that are manufactured by DuPont™ is clean and highly versatile, with a 10 year peace of mind warrantee, this material can be shaped to fit any kitchen design,  ideal for the highly imaginative and innovative kitchens it can be made to fit perfectly to any cupboard design.
Granite has a natural beauty all of its own, it’s elegant and stylish and looks good anywhere.  A granite kitchen worktop will last for years.  Granite is usually mined, then shaped and polished to a high standard. It will fit into any type of kitchen from that small studio flat to a castle in Scotland; it’s definitely a popular choice. The actual surface of granite can withstand a lot of punishment and still look good.

Laminated kitchen worktops have been a popular choice because they are inexpensive; they have an attractive range of colours and different textures, there are various brands available check with your kitchen unit supplier, or look online for colour choices and styles.

Metal worktops are another option. Stainless steel for instance will last for years and is exceptionally easy to clean. These types of worktops are often used in many modern restaurant and hotel kitchens because they are durable, do not store up bacteria, and always look good.

For ideas and styles of kitchen worktops, the internet offers many websites that have items for sale.  You will get a good idea of prices, ideas, sales conditions and even buy your kitchen worktops online.  You could also look at catalogues, magazines, and books on the subject. DIY books can give you an excellent idea of how a finished kitchen will look once everything is in place. Getting quotes from kitchen fitters and suppliers is another way to get tips and ideas.  Most suppliers have photographs of completed work.
Ultimately, the kitchen worktops that you choose are very personal to your tastes and your budget. Usually if you look around you will find a good combination of stylish worktops at a price that won’t leave you in debt for years to come.

Certainly no kitchen is complete without a good worktop. It is the area that is used most, takes the most punishment and needs to be of a material that will last for a long time.

Kitchens in days gone by did not have the wonderful convenience of gadgets to make life easier. Our grandmothers and earlier ancestors used they hands and washed their clothes in the river by hand, washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and other appliances to make life and work in the home easier.

On the market today there are so many different kitchen gadgets that make life simpler and easier to work in a modern kitchen. Women today no longer just stay at home, clean house, cook; look after the children and look beautiful for their man when he comes home.  Most women today do a full time job as well as running a home, see to the children. In fact their lives full and busy, kitchen gadgets make things simpler for a busy housewife/mother and often the breadwinner.

One favourite kitchen gadget is a salad spinner; a good salad spinner will leave your salad leaves free of excess water so they remain crisp and fresh for you salad, salad spinners can also be used for vegetables.

A pineapple corer and slicer is a very handy gadget, you get perfectly peeled pineapples, and the cores are removed easily, you are then ready with a pineapple to slice and eat, cut up and put pineapple chunks into a salad, can the pineapples, and many more delights with this popular fruit.

For the baker or aspiring baker, a battery operated cookie press is a must, it will press out interesting fun shapes for the whole family, and parties with pretty cookies are usually a winner.  Decorate cakes, make devilled eggs, desert toppings, cheese strays you can do some interesting stuff with this handy gadget. Keep back up batteries for this gadget you don’t want to run out of power in the middle of a baking project.

Some people prefer to prepare fresh vegetable and string beans are often a chore to top and tail a well as remove the strings.  A bean slicer is the ideal gift and useful to quickly slice, string, top and tail your beans in one simple action. Push the runner bean through the slicer and when you pull it out the other end it is ready for the pot.

To be able to get on with other chores while cooking the roast, a Digital Timer with a removable remote beeper will tell you when you cooking is done anywhere you are in the house.  Just put the time into the meat, remove the remote beeper and you will know when the meat is ready to come out of the oven.

A good sit down dinner usually calls for some gravy, especially if there are mashed potatoes, but often by the time you get to serve the gravy its cold. Now that’s a thing of the past, an electric gravy boat that works on batteries with a detachable charger to recharge the batteries, the unit has a warmer at the bottom which keeps sauces or gravy at the right temperature.

It’s interesting to have these little helpers to make your life that much easier.

The choice of material for your kitchen cabinets is a personal one, and only you can make the final choice.  There is much to choose from with the different kitchen cabinet material and the various styles; your choice is quite unlimited.  Everyone has different tastes in materials and style.    It’s a matter of choosing what will fit into your home décor, what you can comfortably live with. And kitchens depending on designs can either be easy to work in or very difficult. 

There are many brochures or magazine articles the show kitchen cabinet materials, styles and designs.  They can help a person make a decision on the type of kitchen cabinets that they want. Some kitchen cabinet installers will have a range of designs that they can show you. You can pick one of their designs for your kitchen and the installer will fit it to suit your particular kitchen space. Some installers can design from scratch a design that you might have in mind.

Popular kitchen cabinet material

Wood Kitchen Cabinets

Oak kitchen cabinets are quite popular. Oak is a warm wood, durable and quite versatile and it can be finished with a stain, varnish, or paint. The grain of oak is quite uniform and looks very good when it has been properly treated. The costs of oak is reasonable and depending on how big your kitchen is, costs can be kept down to a reasonable length.

Cherry Wood

Another wood that is also good is Cherry wood, this has a lovely dark red patina that looks very attractive, however, one disadvantage is if you have to replace a door or part of a cabinet, the cherry wood replace would most likely be lighter, as cherry wood darkens as it ages.  It’s an easy material to keep clean and if properly maintained will last for years.

Hickory Wood

Hickory wood can be quite spectacular, very attractive and popular for the rustic type of kitchen.  Kitchens made of Hickory wood can make your kitchen stand out from the rest, it does carry a higher price, but is well worth it, and the wood is highly durable and really does add that particular ambiance to a kitchen.

There are other woods that are more reasonably priced, it pays to shop around and look for the best in the woods, and from a selling point of view wood kitchens often sell the house because of their attractiveness.

Metal Kitchen Cabinets

For those who do not like wood or are maybe bored with wood and would prefer a more sterile, professional type of kitchen, then a metal kitchen cabinet setting would be ideal.  Metal is becoming increasingly popular; it’s easy to keep clean, durable, plenty of choices from traditional and modern styles. Costs vary depending on the type of metal used, or if it contains other materials besides wood, size of the kitchen and labour costs.

Melamine kitchen cabinets

Melamine is a premier type of kitchen cabinet choice, made of engineered woods as well as synthetic veneers, often contain laminates and thermofoil, it is resistant to scratches, chemicals and moisture, it often contains resin materials that are adhered to particle boards, contains fiberboard (MDF) and or other types of pressed wood products.  Because it is a synthetic material, the costs are significantly less than woods that are solid.

There are other materials such as thermofoil, bamboo, acrylic, glass, and laminate.

Discuss with the company you choose to install your kitchen cabinets which would be best for you.

Eco kitchens don’t just mean eating more green stuff; one will need to look at the whole concept from the kitchen floors to the ceiling.  If you are concerned with the environment and using products that uses less carbon emissions one must consider that many kitchens are energy guzzlers and have a serious impact on the environment.

Each person has a responsibility to do their best to change their carbon footprint.  Eco kitchens not only have an impact on the planet, it can also have an impact on your pocket, which is an added bonus. Using recycled materials in your eco kitchen can save you money.

• When choosing utensils ditch the Teflon. Cookware from our grandmothers and older ancestors were much more eco-friendly, Teflon has a very short useful life and soon loses its non-stick surface. Plus it gives off emissions that are harmful to health.  Two materials that are good are stainless steel and cast iron.  Both these materials are long lasting, in fact can last a life time or more. Cast iron cookware is known to last for generations and is often passed down from one generation to another.
• Purchasing good quality knives, for instance can last much longer than cheap plastic and low quality wood utensils.
• Choosing gas against electricity. This can be a tough choice. Both use fossil fuels either directly or indirectly.  Gas is a fossil fuel on its own and electricity in many parts of the world is still generated by coal burning plants. Gas is often preferred as its instant heat, clean and cooking times are much shorter, looking for a new gas stove or cooker look for one of the lower BTU output stoves, and they are more energy efficient.  Electricity is clean and quietly cooks your food,  choose one that uses an induction element, these transfer an electromagnetic energy that goes directly to the pan, therefore this uses half the energy of a coil element for instance, and also leaves the stove top relatively cool. Induction stove need stainless steel, cast iron and enamel cookware, you cannot use aluminium or glass.
• There are other appliances that are more eco-friendly modern energy efficient dishwashers use less water than hand washing. Other appliances if you wish to replace look for an energy star rating, fridges, freezers, microwave ovens are a good place to start.
• Remodelling your kitchen. Choose to recycle if you can, look at antique and salvage places, you can often pick up kitchen fittings, panelling, cabinets, floors many of these are still in pretty good shape, and can be restored back to usefulness for another decade or so. Look for solid wood cabinets rather than composite material woods for recycling, solid wood is more durable, can easily be sanded down and re-varnished to look like new, chipboard or other composite material wood are much more energy intensive than good old fashioned solid wood.  There are often advertisements on the internet, local newspapers and magazines, where people wish to dispose of their old cupboards that are still in usable condition although might need a bit of work to bring them up to standard.  Using recycled cupboards saves the trees which are also important to retain an eco-friendly environment.
• If you don’t wish to go the recycle route, there are modern green options, for instance, countertops made of yoghurt tops and recycled paper, recycled glass and other materials that are recyclable, flooring of bamboo or cork, however, before buying check their environmental impact.
• Check materials for formaldehyde in the glue used for cabinets and cupboards, other elements to watch for are volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and gaseous pollutants.
• Insulation of walls can be effected from recycled newspapers.
• Lights to be replaced with energy efficient ones.
• When replacing cupboards and hiring a contractor to do the job, check if their materials meet eco-friendly requirements.
• Paint, check that the paint you buy contains very little VOC’s, the quality and finishes are just as good as paints that contain VOC’s.
• If you are looking for counter tops that are resistant to scratching and being stained, then a natural stone, for instance, granite will fulfil that criterion. Other options are recycled paper-based counter tops, but, be aware that colours are limited. Another option is concrete countertops, the materials are readily available, such as water and sand, but bear in mind that Portland cement which is a standard building material, does use a large amount of energy.
• Flooring could include linoleum, recycled rubber, cork and wood are good options, and you could also look at recycled good tiles of ceramic and even glass.
• For more natural light, consider skylights or extra windows, look at double paned glass that has a solarban coating, this effectively keeps in the heat in wintertime and keeps out the heat in summer time, thus reducing the need for extra heating and or air conditioning. The skylights or extra windows means you don’t need to use electricity for lighting during the day.
• Looking at styling, search out simple styles; you can always match up colours to existing cupboards, flooring, and panelling to give a total even effect.  Simple styling means you can do so much more as you are not limited to complicated designs. If you do need to use new timber, then look for locally sourced timber rather than timber from far off places, try to find out if the forests are sustainably managed where felled timber is replaced and not destroyed.
• For replacing new wood sometimes wood veneers or reconstructed veneers can be more environmentally friendly as they use only a fraction of the amount of timber material then solid wood. Check the glues used in veneers that their chemical compounds are not harmful to the environment and you.

Creating an eco kitchen can be loads of fun, at the same time you are contributing to your carbon footprint. Once you start in your kitchen, you may find you are looking at other ways around your home to become even more eco-friendly.

The kitchen is an important room in your house since it is generally where the members of your household come together. Its common for people to make changes in their kitchen from time to time. Its often the case where you decide you want add-to, arrange or change some parts of the kitchen furniture in order to give your kitchen a new and modern feel to it. Additionally you may want to revamp your kitchen in order to increase the sale price of your home. However, kitchen renovations can be costly which is one of the reasons why free standing kitchens have become so popular in the recent years.

A free standing kitchen will usually consist of a number of separate functional units such as a kitchen island, a dresser for the display of various ornaments and crockery, a collection of free-standing units for storage, a sink area and various cupboards to keep certain kitchen appliances such as fridge freezes etc. Installing free-standing units into your kitchen comes with many advantages. Firstly, they are easy to install and move around and are a good option if you are short on time. Free-standing kitchen units will often have adjustable legs which allow you compensate for any uneven surfaces in your kitchen. Free-standing units require no fitting. Another important advantage is that you can take them with you should you decide to move house.

Plywood is the most widely used material for building free standing kitchen units and cabinets. Of course plywood is not the only material used in such constructions. Other materials can be used such as solid wood, melamine particleboard or fibreboard.

Using solid wood to build kitchen units and cabinets is not an economical feasibility due to the limited amount of aged timbre available. Although some custom kitchen units are made using solid wood it is generally too expensive for most people.

Melamine particleboard on the other hand is very cheap, it looks nice, it is scratch resistant and easy to clean. There are however, certain disadvantages melamine has over materials such as plywood. It is said that melamine does not last long and has tendencies to absorb water which may cause failure or the hinges may loosen. Melamine can be difficult to work with and will chip easily if the blade used for cutting becomes blunted at any time. Additionally it has been said that melamine has de-lamination issues. There have also been suggestions over time that melamine does not hold screws well and the surface of the material can often break if the screws are not inserted or positioned correctly. Melamine is also said to give off a stronger odour to that of plywood.

There are also health concerns associated with both melamine and fibreboard as they both contain a substance known as formaldehyde which may be released into the air if the material is damaged. If inhaled,  formaldehyde can cause irritation to the eyes and lungs and can even cause cancer. This is, of course, unlikely to happen but it may be worth consideration.

The above are all important factors in our decision to use plywood as our primary medium. However, one of the most important factors not yet mentioned relates to the environmental impact associated with each of these materials.

Unlike melamine, fibreboard and solid wood materials, plywood comes from sustainable resources. It is said that many manufactures of plywood will actually plant more trees then the amount of wood used. Although there are the same concerns regarding the formaldehyde based glues sometimes used in holding plywood sheets together, there have been pressures placed on plywood manufactures to provide environmentally friendly glues and adhesives.

To summarise: We choose plywood because it is strong, durable, light and rigid. Plywood can be easily shaped and is less likely to split and warp. Plywood is cost efficient and of course environmentally friendly.

Granite kitchen countertops have increased in popularity in recent years due to their numerous benefits to the consumer.  Other materials often used in the construction of kitchen worktops produce a variety of problems.  For example, ceramic or stone tiles may come loose or easily break.  Marble scratches and stains easily and can be costly to repair. Wood worktops pose numerous disadvantages, such as insect infestation, flammability, scratches, and rotting or swelling from water damage.  Granite countertops eliminate all of these problems in addition to providing a number of other benefits.

Natural Beauty

The natural beauty of granite makes it an ideal choice for bringing an element of sophistication and elegance to any kitchen.  Granite kitchen countertops are available in a wide array of shades and textures to complement your décor.  The timeless nature and sheer beauty of granite can turn a dull and lifeless kitchen into a stylish masterpiece.

Durability

Another aspect of granite that makes it stand out from all other types of kitchen worktop surfaces is its durability.  Granite is a naturally hard and durable material that is capable of resisting far more than most other materials used in the construction of kitchen worktop surfaces.  Granite surfaces easily resist burning from hot skillets and pans and can withstand heavy impacts.  Additionally, they can hold up under large amounts of weight and do not scratch or stain as easily as many other materials.  When properly sealed, granite worktops will maintain a magnificent luster and shine for a lifetime.

Scratch and Stain Resistant

Since granite countertops are generally a single piece of material, they are much easier to keep clean than ceramic or stone tiles that have gaps and crevices between the individual tiles.  Additionally, granite does not scratch as easily as most surfaces.  Over a period of time, scratches in materials such as Formica or wood will gather small dust and food particles, making the scratches even more apparent.  Since granite is resistant to most scratches, you do not need to worry about these unsightly blemishes in your kitchen worktop.  Yet another benefit of granite is the fact that it does not stain easily.  Granite kitchen countertops do not absorb liquid in the manner that many other materials do.  As a result, many cooking items that could stain other kitchen worktop surfaces will not damage granite.

Easy to Clean

All that is needed to maintain granite countertops is a simple sealant and an occasional wipe with a damp cloth.  Because granite does contain small pores in its surface, a special sealant should be applied every six to twelve months.  When proper maintenance is applied and carried out on a regular basis, cleaning is simple and fast.

Safety

Granite is an inflammable material, making it a much safer choice than some other exteriors, such as wood.  Many kitchen worktop surfaces have sharp edges that can pose danger to young children.  Granite surfaces can easily be smoothed and polished to give them an elegant appeal while maintaining safety from sharp edges. 

Cost

While granite countertops may be a bit more expensive than other materials, it is important to keep in mind that the durability of a granite worktop far exceeds that of many other surfaces. Over time, the expenses of replacing ceramic tiles or repairing wood surfaces can add up.   When properly maintained, a kitchen counter with a granite surface can last a lifetime.

Value

Few things can add as much value to your home as granite countertops.  If you ever intend to sell your home, you should keep in mind that the kitchen is always one of the main selling points of a house.  Buyers will be impressed with a beautiful kitchen equipped with low maintenance granite kitchen countertops.

• There are many ways to increase the efficiency of your kitchen. This is not only relates to kitchen space and the layout of your kitchen but also relates to your general work habits and available utensils.
• To start with it is a good idea to think about the efficiency of your storage. You should store certain items in the place where you will be using them first. This may sound obvious but can still require careful thought. For example many people hang items such as pots and pans above the cooking area. However, it is more often the case that you will need to first go to the sink and fill up  the pots or pans with water. Therefore it makes more sense to situate them somewhere near the sink. It is a good idea to store items which are used together in the same place. For example, you may want to store a wooden spoon, whisk, measuring cups and jugs etc. all in the same place. Additionally, you may want to store items such as flour, baking powder, sugar and various other common ingredients together in one place.
• Another tip is to take the doors off the upper cabinets. Although this may give the kitchen a more clustered feel since the items in the cabinets will be visible, this will significantly increase efficiency of your workflow as you do not need to keep opening and closing the cabinets.
• It may be a good idea to make use of the available wall space. You can use this space to hang up cups, utensils and spice racks etc. Additionally you can install racks on to the back of you kitchen cabinets which is another useful way to preserve space.
• It may be a good idea to hang-up some kind of small white board with a permanent marker next to it. This will allow you to keep a check-list of food items which are running low, giving you the opportunity to replace them before they run out.
• It is always efficient practice to plan for left overs. Additionally, if the food that you are cooking can be frozen you want to consider cooking the double the amount. Many foods can frozen and by doing so can save time and money.
• Of course we cannot talk about efficiency in the kitchen without talking about food preparation. Anything from pre-mixing, pre-cutting, peeling, washing, draining etc. can significantly increase the efficiency of your work flow. Of course it is worth bearing in mind that pre-cutting and peeling vegetables may loose some of their nutritional value.
• It is also definitely worth purchasing some time saving equipment but carefully consider if you really need it or not otherwise you will find such items clustering up the kitchen and becoming counter productive. Useful time saving equipment may include a salad spinner, crock pots, blender, food processor, a rolling herb grater or herb snips, a garlic press, cheese grater, digital thermometer, citrus reamer, fine mesh strainers, good kitchen shears and lots of small prep bowls. Ref: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/11-tips-for-kitchen-efficiency/
• It also definitely worth buying a small set of high quality knives but if you do this you should take time to develop some knife skills. This will significantly increase the efficiency of your food preparation. Additionally, should you decide to invest in various time saving appliances, make sure you read the manual so that you have a full understanding of the features available.
• With regards to dinning efficiency, you may also want to invest in what is called a “Lazy Susan”. A Lazy Susan is a basically a tray, which sits on top of the table allowing you to easily move plates of food around by rotating the tray in a circular motion.
• As a final note, it is important, of course, to make space before you start your food preparation. It always helps to work in clean and organised environment and it is also a good idea to clean up as you go along. Perhaps you may find it efficient to have a sink full of hot soapy water ready so that you can leave the various pots, pan and utensils to soak once you have finished using them.

Your kitchen floor is one of the biggest investments you may make. This is the heart of the home where family members often gather and move in and out of. This surface gathers the most dirt and has the most chemical baths. So we are not just considering appearance, there is a lot more to it. Of course you want to get the most for your money so there are a number of options and plenty of kitchen floor ideas to really make each one work for you.

Laminated flooring – it looks great and cleans well, two good points here already. It is also less expensive than genuine wood unless you already have a restorable wooden kitchen floor. What is particularly convenient about this type of flooring is that it can be fitted over a concrete floor and made to look like the real thing. Another benefit of this type of flooring is that it has a reputation for lasting exceptionally long, more so than many other surfaces. Older houses that were kitted out from front to back with wooden flooring usually had concrete kitchen floors. So without digging up half of the foundation you can now have a kitchen floor to match.

Wood – real wood floors for many are the ideal. Sand them down and seal them and they will give you a lifetime of joy. If they have been properly prepared they are a breeze to clean and their durability is largely based on your chosen sealant. Choosing a wooden kitchen floor is a larger initial investment but can increase the value of the house by far more than any other kind of kitchen flooring. Installing wooden floors may cost more than it is worth if there were no wooden floors to begin with. In a case like this laminating may be the way to go. An important thing to remember here is to use free standing kitchen units over fixed ones. This means that the floor won’t be damaged by fixing cupboards to it. The most popular types of wood used are oak, pine, oregan pine and teak. While pine is the least expensive of all of these it can be stained and varnished with added effects to make it appear like a more expensive version for example maple or yellow wood for example

Vinyl – vinyl comes in sheets and tiles. Sheets can be plain, coloured or patterned. These are nice to slip over a concrete kitchen floor; they are easy to clean, very cheap and can be replaced without the help of a professional. Vinyl tiles are nice if you would like to have a customised pattered effect. While vinyl in the kitchen may have gone out of style, black and white checks can bring it back in. Linoleum is a very similar product to vinyl. There are loads of shapes and colours to choose from, it comes in tiles or sheets, can be cut to size, installed and replaced with no hassle. The only real difference is the quality and of course the price.

Hardwood – this substance is very versatile and can be prepared with durable paints or varnishes. It can also be patterned in a parquet like fashion. It makes a great topping for any floor beneath it and will protect wooden floors that may have been too expensive to renovate. This type of flooring can be installed by a do-it-yoursel’er because it can be purchased in its already finished form.

Stone flooring – a slightly unique choice your kitchen floors that will attract a certain amount of attention. The installation is very specific and needs to be done by someone who knows what they are doing. Stone floors need to be sealed and it is the sealer that makes the floors so easy to clean. Regarding durability, nothing compares. Regular sealing from time to time keeps them in great shape.

Tiles – there are many variations in tiles and with this you can change the shape and size of the tiles to create an effect on your kitchen floor. You get ceramic tiles which are very popular, easy to clean and when filled properly, exceptionally hygienic. They are usually chosen for their ability to sustain more wear over a greater period of time. What makes tiles special is that they are able to effectively imitate other materials, for example, stone or marble with the texture to go with it. Tiles also vary in price and are readily available in most forms, shapes and colours. Despite its long lasting properties, ceramic tiles have the propensity to crack easily and likely to break if anything is dropped on them.

Marble - also a durable choice for flooring is one of the most expensive materials used for flooring. Though in Greece marble is very cheap and can be found in absolute abundance, it is so heavy that it is the transportation of it that adds heavily to the price. Marble can come in any texture. A smooth finish is ideal for counter tops while flooring is best done in a non-slip form. However marble looks wonderful as the colour choices are varied and highly attractive.

Carpeting – while not a recommended choice for kitchen floor specialists it is the number one requested option for those who are using the kitchen and doing a great deal of standing about. Spills cannot be wiped up and unless the carpets are steam cleaned on a daily basis this makes for a very unhygienic surface for children or toddlers who are in close contact with it. What most would suggest is to alternatively use scatter carpets or rugs around the kitchen that can easily be washed in a machine as often as is needed.

There are many kitchen floor ideas to choose from. Each has their own unique benefits depending on your household habits. Having children in the house or large amounts of traffic through the kitchen can cause you to lean more towards an easier to clean surface or one with more durability while a single person may enjoy the feel and comfort of a carpet surface beneath their feet.

Your kitchen is a real asset in your home and can increase the value of your house if it is done right and without excessive expense. Knowing the available options can help you to make a decision to do it yourself, purchase free standing kitchen units or to get a contractor in to do the job.

The materials

Most kitchen units are constructed out of some or other type of wood. Traditional types of wood for example teak, yellow wood and even pine or more expensive compared to chipboard and hardwood. If you would really like to go the wood route it may be an option to choose a coloured pine. Most of them however are made using chipboard. Ironically this substance does not handle water well at all. It swells at the mere presence of steam and needs to be sealed with a laminated sheet of vinyl or a thin layer of wood and varnish and an extra dab of silicone.

Hardwood is a more compacted version of chipboard constructed from chips of wood but compressed to form a surface which is great to work with. Although it doesn’t have the same quality as wood it can still be stained and patterned with real wood effects and varnished.

Assembly

Kitchen units can either be installed by a professional for a completely customised kitchen or created from a collection of free standing kitchen units. Each can be bought pre-assembled or as a kit where you can assemble it yourself. Purchasing a pre-assembled unit offers a guarantee , however be aware that while assembling it yourself, you are taking chances that in a few misguided attempts, before properly reading the instructions, you may damage it.

What does a basic range of free standing kitchen units include?

Deciding on colour, material and the assembly details is the easy part. Now it comes down to measuring the kitchen and fitting the pre-built cupboards into your space.

A basic unit is a set of cupboards with either a working surface or a sink feature. The length of this is based on the size and number of the sinks and fits standard sink inserts.
Floor units consist of a set of cupboards lined up next to each other. One of these would contain at least one drawer, while many people prefer a full set of drawers either across the top or down the far side of the unit.

The space in a corner unit is often wasted space as it is rarely used well, a good solution is to create  full length pantry, or choose top and bottom units.
Though not every kitchen has a top unit, this is the best way to maximise cupboard space in your kitchen. Installation is also very specific as they have to be reinforced to hold a fair amount of weight. Sticking them to the wall with two way tape will not suffice.
Putting your kitchen together can be fun and need not be as expensive as everyone says it is. Purchasing pre-designed and pre-made units can still be customisable to bring out your own personality in your kitchen

What makes a kitchen attractive is the finishes. Spending a little extra on the final touches in terms of either time or money makes the kitchen appealing. Sometimes you want to finish off a kitchen that has just been renovated or you would like to add a touch of pizzazz to an already established kitchen.

Chrome

Unless you are an interior designer the bulk of the population imagine a kitchen sink as a stainless steel bath with a drying rack and moving onto chrome is not too far from the stretch of the imagination. It is a very popular look, judging from the number of appliances that are coming out in chrome and the silver effect has moved onto fridges, washing machines, dish washers and in fact just about everything. While this style may be ultra modern it is close enough to the classic kitchen to last. Add to this classic look some new features engineered to fit in with the new lifestyle making things easier and faster. Throw in some new designs and you have yourself a collection of winning finishing touches.
Porcelain, ceramic and granite

Matching granite topped kitchens these elements tend to be less delicate and more chunky with a emphasis on usability and high resistance to wear and tear. They look like they are built to last and designs tend to be more conservative since the test of time has two facets. 
Materials aside, the next two options to take into account is the configuration of the elements as well as the installation.

Configuration

Before choosing your elements you have a good idea of how many bowls you would like and if there is to be a drainer or not. These preferences will affect the materials because of size and space limitations. Many of the newer designs have half drainers as well as disposal units built in with the addition of stainless steel drying racks that replace the need for a separate drying rack. It is often the little things that make the biggest differences.

Installation

Installing your kitchen sink need not be a nightmare, stick with the way you imagined and allow the materials you have chosen to make it work for you. There are a number of ways that this installation can be done. One is to have it inset or fitted into a corner space or you can opt to have freestanding bowls.

Taps

Once the single swivel mixer was developed there has been no turning back and unless you are going for an antique style kitchen your options with this single tap are limitless. There are the ultra modern square designs in all colors, shapes and sizes with levers and taps as well as extra water purification fittings.

Making your dream kitchen or just touching up a drab kitchen can be a lot of fun. There is so much variety and if you make the most effective choices it need not even work out to be a costly exercise.

There is nothing that steals the ambiance from a perfectly designed kitchen than fluorescent lighting. While it is necessary to see what you are doing, illuminating an entire room that is frequented by guests at dinner parties just doesn’t seem right.
Your body’s response to bright lights is to be in ‘awake’ mode where in the evenings it is time to calm down and tone down the atmosphere. So instead of going for bright overhead lighting, consider the move more towards kitchen cabinet lighting. In this way light can be found where it is needed without drowning out the effects of evening time.

Types of lighting

You have made your point and flood lights across the counter tops and work spaces are very advantageous. So now do you choose LED lights or go for the standard fluorescent bulbs. Either way they can be built in so that the light itself is hidden.
While tubing is a popular choice you can also prefer to go for a low mounted swivel lamp which is better for surface areas that are not sheltered by upper cabinets.

Inside or underneath

Lighting inside the cabinet itself is great for cabinets with glass doors. They also add light to the kitchen while eliminating the need for overhead fluorescent lamps to take an item from the cupboard. As these lights use less energy overall than the main light they can be left on without draining the power supply. Once again this is about focusing the needs for lighting in the kitchen and limiting it to keep certain areas well lit and overall keeping the kitchen warm and cozy.

Kitchen cabinet lighting is an essential element to consider when renovating or just adding spice to your living area. You will be surprised at the difference it can make.