by Milcarsky's Staff | Jun 16, 2021 | Design
There are many things that might be on your mind as you design your kitchen layout. You might be thinking about the overall look and appeal. However, it is important to also consider safety while designing your layout.
Enough Lighting
When working in your kitchen, you want there to be plenty of light. Low lighting can impair your vision and lead to more accidents while in the kitchen. Additionally, low lighting can strain your eyes. There are three main types of lighting to consider for your kitchen. The first is ambient lighting which is meant to cast as much light as possible throughout the room and it is your main light source. The next is task lighting which illuminates specific areas. For example, you might have lights attached beneath cabinets so you can see your counters better. Last, you have accent lighting. This lighting isn’t essential to safety, but it is used as a part of your design to highlight certain features.
Heat Protection
When creating your layout, you need to be mindful of the placement of your stove and oven. Poor placement can lead to fires or serious injuries. Burn injuries have a high incidence rate, so making sure you are safe in the kitchen is incredibly important. Avoid putting your stove/oven near windows or open doors. Curtains around windows could catch fire or a breeze could blow out the flame but leave the gas running. If you have your stove located in a high traffic area, like on the end of a kitchen island, you’re more likely to knock hot pots and pans off the stove. Make sure you place your stove and oven in a safe area.
Good Flooring
The kitchen is a common place for slips and falls. You want to make sure you account for that when picking the flooring for your kitchen. When picking your flooring, there are many factors to consider. These include maintenance, durability, and aesthetic. In addition to these, pick a flooring option that is more water resistant and less slick. You also want an option that won’t lift or crack and lead to people tripping. Tile floors are common in kitchens as well as hardwood and vinyl floors.
As you design your kitchen, you want to create a space that is both stylish and functional. Emphasizing the functionality of your kitchen will help you to be more mindful of safety. The more thought you put into how to make a safe kitchen, the less you’ll have to worry about when using it.
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by Milcarsky's Staff | Jun 11, 2021 | Uncategorized
Improving the style and functionality of your kitchen is something every homeowner should keep in mind. While you may be content with your current home, thinking about potential improvements can prevent your outlook from becoming stale. Even more importantly, it causes your attention to be focused more on the maintenance of your home.
Because your kitchen is central to your daily and nightly activities, it can be a great place to start your renovative process. Each recommended change can be done at your discretion—in some cases, it might not be necessary to swap out everything. If you like something about your kitchen already—keep it how it is, or find a way to make it even better.
Granite or Quartz Countertops
One thing that you can change in your home that will make your visitors peer with awe is a new granite or quartz countertop. These additions can be incredibly expensive, but they will last you a lifetime. Granite and quartz are hard minerals that are easy to work on. They can revolutionize the way you think about prepping food in your home.
Talk with a contractor to see what their rates are right away. There are benefits to granite and benefits to quartz, so research what material you think will work in your home. If it works out, you will have a pristine kitchen counter to show off to others.
New Cabinets
Investing in new cabinets can be another great way to make your kitchen look more unique. It can also give you additional storage space if you are running out. Completely replacing old cabinets is not only practical and worthwhile, but it can also be health conscious. Many aged kinds of wood attract termites and molds—two things you don’t want to deal with at home.
Adding extra cabinet shelves can also be a manageable substitute for a pantry. Before you know it, you will have more space than you know what to do with, all while sticking to the design and style of your current kitchen.
Replace Your Appliances
Have you noticed that your electricity bill has risen higher than the Empire State Building? If this is the case, you may have some energy usage problems. When it comes to energy waste, there is often no bigger culprit than outdated appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers.
These old-timers not only suck the money right out of your pocket, but they also don’t usually even work very well. It may be time you ditch the clunkers and buy some new products. This can be a hefty investment, but if you save up your cash and make gradual payments, you can have a new fridge in no time!
An Outdoor Kitchen
Don’t want to always cook inside? Then you should instead take your kitchen outside! Outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular as people want to have the luxury of cooking wherever they want. They are great for entertaining in the summer with friends and family.
A deck is a great place to install an outdoor kitchen, where you can also add a grill, a brick oven, and more. You’ll need to add some cover to protect your outdoor kitchen’s integrity. Add some outdoor lights and a speaker system and you can have a great night with your family. Don’t knock it until you try it!
Better Storage Options
As a matter of practicality, storage should be one of the highest priorities when renovating parts of your kitchen. As you live in your home for long periods and your family continues to grow, you will naturally have more limited space. This means you’ll probably have to get more creative.
Whenever you are cluttered and confused about storage, don’t forget to think vertically. Some people like to hang their pots and pans above the stove for easy access. Spice racks can be sorted out when you need something in a pinch. Some redesigns can offer more space underneath countertops and your kitchen island.
New Design
However, what if you are exclusively focused on aesthetics? In that case, you should start by researching some of the different design options online. While websites like Pinterest can give you some cute ideas, you can also find exceptional designs on local interior design websites.
During your research, you may see something that is an absolute ‘must’ for you. When this happens, you should build other parts of your kitchen around this identity or color scheme. You must remove anything that could potentially clash. Redo your backsplash, repaint the walls, and swap out some of the cupboard designs. You’ll come out with something unique and beautiful.
Replace the Flooring
The most popular change people make to their kitchen at least once is a change in flooring. You may have beautiful appliances, well-designed cupboards, and a great color scheme, but an old, gross, and unfashionable floor can clash heavily with the higher-end changes you have made.
Change it to a design that you appreciate. Wooden floors, while very practical and relatively cheap, have a lot of risks when it comes to water damage and termite infestations. Laminate and vinyl floors can be a great alternative if you want your floor to look like wood without actually being wood.
Streamlined Layout
This last point is a matter of preference, but it can make a huge difference in the way you feel about your kitchen. When you are cooking a feast-worthy meal, you may feel that you have to run across your kitchen constantly looking for the right ingredients and the right tool. This can make an already complicated meal even more frustrating.
Streamlining your kitchen experience is something that is totally within your control. Depending on your current layout, you may need to renovate to add in new shelves or drawers to make it work. This streamlining process might be your favorite change to your kitchen if you want something more effective and long-lasting than a design.
Kitchen renovations can make your family’s life so much easier. Not only does it remove common DIY threats and kitchen challenges, but it makes you feel better about the home you have created.
Ready to replace your appliances? Check out our inventory!
by Milcarsky's Staff | May 25, 2021 | Uncategorized
As summer approaches, you may be considering some outdoor projects. This year, you can take the chance to get more creative with your backyard. You can create a space that you’ll love spending time in.
Build a Patio
If you’re looking to entertain in the future, then adding a patio is an excellent way to do so. A patio allows you to conveniently enjoy the outdoors because it is an extension of your living space. You can easily add outdoor furniture or a standing grill to fit it to your needs. Patios also add value to your home, and they are low maintenance as well. When building your patio, you have a lot of options. There are a variety of materials to choose from, but you should be conscious of the time and labor that will go into it. For example, a brick patio allows you to incorporate intricate designs, but there are lots of pieces to lay. Concrete slabs or large pavers are a smarter choice. As you plan out your patio, take direction from the architecture of your home so you can have consistency in the design.
Create a Walkway
Adding a walkway to your backyard can present many opportunities. For example, it allows people to easily access any landscaping you have done. It can also be a convenient way to tour your backyard even if there’s recently been inclement weather. You can also get creative with how you build your walkway. One option is to make a gravel path through your yard. However, you can also make a path out of stepping stones. One of the sturdier options is putting in a concrete path. You can add accent stones to your concrete for a unique look.
Add a Water Feature
While this may seem like an ambitious project, a water feature can add a sense of beauty and tranquility to your backyard. The best part is water features are quite diverse and you’ll have plenty of options to consider. One of the most basic would be a fountain. These features will have water flowing out of the top of a vase, rock, and then pooling in a reservoir where it will then be pumped back up to the top. Fountains are more economical, and they also allow you to have the sound of running water. Another common option is adding a pond to your backyard. These again come with a lot of potential design choices and they require less maintenance than you’d think.
Add a little fun to your annual outdoor projects and find some new ways to spice up your backyard. Doing so can allow you to create a more lively space that you can enjoy throughout the summer and, in some cases, all year long.
Read this next: Kitchen Features You Should Look for When House Hunting
by Milcarsky's Staff | May 12, 2021 | Appliances
Having a washer and dryer in your apartment is highly unorthodox. Most of the time, people have their own laundry room to wash, dry, and fold their clothes. But this is not realistic for many people renting small apartments. Learning to cope with this situation can help you feel good about your home.
Hide Them Away in a Closet
The first way you can give your laundry its own spot is by hiding it away in the kitchen pantry or closet. According to DigsDigs, this can keep laundry smells away from the kitchen, keeping the two regions apart. It can also seem a little more professional if you are worried about the appliances looking “trashy” in the kitchen.
It can also keep your laundry detergents and other things in a spot close to the washer and dryer. You can set your stuff on shelves nearby, allowing for easy storage within the closet. You truly get the best of both worlds by having a nearby hiding place for these essential appliances.
Stack Them Up
One way you can minimize the amount of space the washer and dryer take up is by stacking them on top of each other. Homeowners tend to forget to use the vertical space in their homes. According to Pierce Design + Build, stacking your set can fit the needs of a smaller kitchen.
This works especially well if you have a tight closet that can’t be used for much else. This can give that specific closet a purpose while also hiding your washer and dryer in your kitchen. This is becoming incredibly popular as a DIY project, so if you are interested in hardware and need to move your appliances, this can be a great way to try your skill.
Set Them Under the Counter
Another way you can conceal your washer and dryer is by building them underneath a counter. This is a great way to make your home look professional while maintaining its ease of use. While you shouldn’t place it underneath your kitchen island, it can go great underneath a counter you won’t be cooking on frequently.
If you don’t have a lot of free counter space, this likely isn’t the solution for you. It works in more flexible layouts. The appliances may also vibrate the counter, which would be kind of loud and annoying in some circumstances. According to The Organized Home, it’s important to keep this in mind before you select this option.
Nobody wants to have a washer and dryer in their kitchen, but sometimes it’s necessary. A washer and dryer in the kitchen can be workable, but it is usually a niche circumstance. If you do need to make it work, these are some great options that you can use.
Need new appliances? Check out our inventory!
by Milcarsky's Staff | Apr 7, 2021 | Appliances
When you’re looking for a home, it can be difficult to know what you’re looking for. You might have some ideas, but don’t forget the kitchen. You should be looking for modern appliances, a bar, and an island. Each of these things will help give you the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Modern Appliances
There are many benefits of modern appliances in the kitchen. If the appliances have been upgraded recently, then you will know that you won’t need to replace them anytime soon. You can use them with some peace of mind that they’ll work for a long time. They also look great in your kitchen. Stainless steel appliances are becoming very popular and can give your kitchen a more modern look. With upgraded appliances you can be assured that you have the best technology that might still be within it’s warranty, just in case.
A Bar
A bar in your kitchen can add a lot to a kitchen. By providing a place to put dishes, a kitchen bar can free space on your dining room table. Having extra counter space is never a bad thing. You can add some bar stools and create a good place to hang out in the kitchen with your friends and family. It can be your go-to spot in the morning when you’re having your coffee and your kids are eating their cereal. A bar is a practical addition to a kitchen.
An Island
A kitchen island might not be for everybody, but it’s a great addition to your kitchen. It has a lot of benefits and you won’t regret having one. It can add storage area and extra cabinetry. Your kitchen might be lacking in storage area, but an island can help. It can provide extra seating if you have guests. It can be an informal kids table. It can also give you more space to put your kitchen amenities like preparation sinks, refrigerator drawers, and additional counter space. An island might not seem like a practical addition to a kitchen, but it really is.
As you are house hunting, you need to know what you want in your kitchen. You should look for modern appliances, a bar, and an island. Each of these things will be great additions to your home.
If you have a kitchen in need of new appliances, check out our inventory!
by Milcarsky's Staff | Mar 31, 2021 | Design
A lot of us found ourselves spending more time than ever at home last year. One of the effects that had for many was a greater degree of awareness when it came to things around the home that could stand to be improved. If all that time at home has you thinking that you’d like to see a change, even something as simple as changing up the color of the paint in your home has transformative power.
Create a Different Mood
Did you know that colors can have an impact on your mood? By carefully choosing your paint colors, you can influence how people feel in different areas of your home. Warmer colors, such as reds, oranges, and yellows tend to be energizing, while cooler colors, such as greens, blues, and purples, can have a more calming influence. Of course, there’s always overlap. Neon green is likely to be more energizing than pastel yellow, for example. Understanding color psychology can help you choose colors that will create the effect you want in any given room.
Make a Space Seem Bigger
Colors can do more than just impact your mood. They can also trick your eyes. The conventional wisdom is that lighter, brighter colors make spaces feel bigger while darker colors tend to make rooms feel smaller. Which one you should use depends on the effect you’re going for. If you have a vast living room, painting the walls with a darker color can help the room seem less expansive and more comfortable for smaller groups. You can also get away with darker colors in a larger bathroom. If you offset them with white countertops and trim, that will help you create a bathroom that feels classy instead of gloomy.
Creating Focus
The color itself isn’t the only thing to pay attention to. The sheen of your paint also impacts the effect the paint has. The more glossy the finish, the more the paint will draw the eye. Conversely, the more matte the finish, the less you’re likely to notice it. You can use this to draw the eye towards or away from different areas of the room, making it one of the many ways you can create focus within a room.
By carefully selecting the paint you use in your home, you can transform it into something that feels entirely new. Paint colors can be used to create a different mood in your home, change the size a room appears to be, and even change the focus of a room. If you’re ready to give your home a facelift, take a look at the paint you already have and consider whether starting there might be a good option for you and your home.
If you are repainting your kitchen, consider updating your appliances at the same time!
