Making The Most Of Your Tiny Kitchen

 

A recent visit to New York and my sister-in-law’s house led to a discussion about how to redesign her tiny kitchen without it costing her a fortune.  With an upcoming wedding and kids in college money has been prioritized for other things for the time being – which doesn’t include an extensive remodel.  Maybe you can relate?

If you find yourself wanting to “re-do” that tiny kitchen of yours, but you just don’t have the money to push out walls and completely reconstruct then you have to find other ways to get the most bang for your buck. And, that calls for attention to every little detail and extreme organization.  Start a notebook on the project before you even begin.  And, start collecting pictures of kitchens, accessories, paint colors, backsplashes, etc….. Do you want white?  Light and bright?  Dark and cozy?  Remember paint is our friend!  A fresh paint job on your old dreary cabinets might be just what they need.

Think about your storage and what the most functional place for your dishes, cookware, spices, etc…..  Check with local stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond, Lowes, Home Depot, The Container Store – look for organizers that will fit into your current cabinets and drawers.   You might not be able to expand or buy all new cabinets, but maybe you can spring for a new granite countertop.  In a tiny kitchen you might be surprised at how affordable they can be.  (If you can’t afford a granite slab consider granite tiles.  A fraction of the cost it will give you the same look and grout lines are minimal because they can apply the tiles so close together.)

Like this….

Or this.

Bring in fun details by adding fun, interesting lights and new hardware.  Clean off your countertops and add some fun new containers and/accessories. If you can swing it – of course updating your appliances will do wonders for the space!

A pop of color is fun, and if you have space – create a little charm with a chair like this.  If this tiny kitchen can accommodate a chair odds are yours can, too!

Be unique!  Don’t be afraid to pull in a fun color!

Maybe you could eliminate a door and re-work a cabinet for functional storage like this one above with wine bottles and cookbooks.

If you can’t rip everything out and go modern like this kitchen above just do what you can do.  Sand down the cabinets or primer them, paint or stain them espresso brown and add new hardware.  Remove some of the doors and create a plate rack or open shelving for a new look.  Maybe you can just replace the cabinet front doors. – A cheaper alternative than replacing the entire cabinet.  There are ways to freshen up the space without going broke! 

Then later….when you can think about you…instead of everyone else….you’ll get that dream kitchen you’ve been longing for!

Happy Decorating!

Creating Your Dream Kitchen: The Beauty Is In The Details

 

Are you looking to remodel your kitchen in the near future?  Looking to bring some unique elements to the space that set your kitchen apart from others?  Remember – the design is in the details.

And, when it comes to remodeling…especially in the kitchen….there are details, details and more details.  Check out this picture.  Notice all the distinct elements in this amazing kitchen?  The cabinet color, the island design, the vent-a-hood, the floor, the tile back splash, the beams, etc.  All those details create the cozy ambience you see here. 

It’s important to take your time and ask yourself a few questions.  Do you like a traditional space or a contemporary space?  Do you like light and bright or dark and cozy?  Are you inclined to prefer a sleeker overall appearance or maybe a more rustic vibe with stone and distressed wood?

All great looks -no right or wrongs here……just personal preference.

What style is your home?  Traditional, modern?   What elements are the best fit?  Would you like an open concept shown above with all this great tile or do you prefer everything behind closed cabinet doors?

Remember the kitchen is the single most important factor in the resale of your home.  So what you invest in it now (within reason) will pay off later when you choose to sell.

And, kitchens are a great place to show off your style with flair.

Notice all the attention to detail here….

and here….

and here in this modern space.

Never under estimate the power of the details that go into a space.  Make sure to peruse magazines, showrooms, model homes, etc.  Get a feel of what you like, what your style is and what you would like to see yourself in.  Then take your time, hire a professional to help with your selections and have fun with it!

Happy Decorating!

Define Your Style: Another Look At Your Dream Kitchen

 

If you could plan your dream kitchen…….any style at all…..what would it be?  Would you prefer clean, sleek lines, no clutter, stainless steel and smooth rich stained cabinets (no grain showing)?

Or do you see yourself in a cozy country kitchen with different paint colors on your cabinets – maybe distressed – some bright, fun flowers, a little decorative clutter, and café curtains on the windows?

Maybe you prefer Old World, Rustic, Transitional…….how do you define you style?

Do you know what you like?  Or maybe only what you don’t like?  Take a look at the kitchens below and see what style suits you best.

Do you like the look of these contemporary kitchens?  No clutter, clean lines, rich stain?

 

 

Maybe that’s too contemporary?  You want more stuff, more color, more curves and textures.  See if these country kitchens are what you see yourself in:

Notice the curves, the two tone cabinets, the baskets, the country hardware as opposed to the sleek style of the contemporary kitchens above?

 

Still yet, you may prefer the “Old World” charm.  Like the oversized farm sink, a cozy iron pot rack, the oil rubbed bronze fixtures, rich earthy colors and lots of European charm:

Like these rich, earthy textures, and the touches of iron?  Make sure to check out the ceiling in the picture below.

 

Maybe you prefer some  rustic touches?

Like this flagstone floor and stone entrance, beams on the ceiling.

Or the tree trunk chairs, bead board ceiling, leather and iron chairs.

Or these log walls.

If you’re somewhere in the middle of all these you might be dreaming of a more transitional space like these below:

images by BHG

So what’s your dream kitchen?  Can you define your style?

It can be a tough decision remodeling a space like this.  Remember your kitchen is one of the most important, if not the most important selling feature in your home.  So in addition to designing a space for you to enjoy with your family and friends, be sure to keep that in mind. 

If you are seriously considering a remodel do like I always suggest and start a file.  Pull tear sheets of everything you like.  Take pictures of models, restaurants, friends kitchens, etc….  You’ll start seeing some consistency there in what colors, textures and overall style you like.  It will help you immensely once the selection process begins.  Remodeling can be a very costly venture and one that you might find best done with professional guidance.

 I hope these pictures helped you to define your style!

Happy Decorating!