by Milcarsky's Staff | Jun 15, 2022 | Design
Your kitchen should be one of the most frequently used rooms and areas in your home. Afterall, everyone eats, usually three meals a day. In theory that should mean at least two or three stops to the kitchen minimum per day per resident of the house, not to mention cooking, baking, and prep work. But if you find that you donโt use your kitchen as much as you would like, the problem may not be you. Here are three practical kitchen upgrades that can help you get better use of your kitchen.
Lighting
The first practical upgrade that can help you get better use out of your kitchen is improving your lighting. While it may seem simple, if your kitchen doesnโt have the proper lighting, it is going to be more difficult for you to cook in your kitchen. If you find that you donโt get enough light in some areas of your kitchen, it may be a good idea to add some additional recessed lighting to the ceiling, or potential even some undercabinet lightens to brighten up the workspaces and give you the visibility you need to prepare food properly and safely.
Storage Space
Another practical upgrade that can help you make much better use out of your kitchen is increasing your storage space. Without proper storage space, you wonโt be able to put away essentials when they are not in use, which will limit your counterspace, making cooking a headache. Your best solution is going to be adding cabinets that make sense in your space. There are a lot of different looks and styles for kitchen cabinets, so you should be able to find something that works well in your kitchen and serves your needs. Find ways to maximize storage space wherever possible.
Add an Island
The final practical kitchen upgrade that can help you get better use out of your kitchen is adding an island to your kitchen. If you find that no matter what you do with storage space there is simply not enough counter space in your kitchen, then an island is your solution. Adding an island can double your available counter space without really limiting the usefulness of your space, unlocking more of your cooking potential.
Getting good use out of your kitchen isnโt just about knowing how to cook. Itโs also about making sure your kitchen is designed to make cooking easier. Give these three practical upgrades for your kitchen a try and see how they make your life easier.
Check out this article for tips on preventing flooding in your laundry room!
by Milcarsky's Staff | Feb 18, 2022 | How To's
There are few rooms in your home that carry the risk for water damage as strongly as your laundry room. Most laundry rooms are on the ground floor or basement of a home and have all sorts of plumbing hookups that allow for huge volumes of water to leak and cause flooding issues if your laundry room is not set up properly. While your homeownerโs insurance will protect you from a flood in your laundry room, it is always better to just avoid a flood when you can. Here are a few tips for preventing flooding in your laundry room.
Be Vigilant
The first thing that you need to do to prevent flooding in your laundry room is to remain vigilant against the threat of flooding. If you are keeping an eye out for minor leaks and issues, you can catch and fix issues before it turns into flooding. Water can cause all sorts of problems, especially in large quantities, which is why itโs so important to watch out for it in your laundry room. If there is a puddle or a small amount of water on the floor of your laundry room, investigate where it came from and make sure you fix that issue before itโs too late.
Install Water Leak Sensors
The next tip that can help you prevent flooding in your laundry room is to install water leak sensors in your laundry room. Water leak sensors are devices that you install in or around your pipes that can help to sense leaks and other issues before they get out of hand. A water leak sensor can work through any number of ways, from measuring water flow in the pipe to monitoring the sound waves that flowing water creates to identify leaks from flowing water. These devices can help you identify issues as they are developing to fix them before a flooding event happens.
Add a Floor Drain
The final tip that can help you prevent flooding in your laundry room is to add a floor drain to your laundry room. A floor drain is a great backup measure to help prevent damage if there is a major leak in your laundry room. A floor drain is exactly what it sounds like, a drain in the floor of the laundry room that will allow water to flow down and into your pipes rather than flowing freely into your home. This allows you extra time to solve an emergency flooding situation before damage starts to occur.
There is nothing that is quite as frustrating as flooding in your home. The area of your home that is most susceptible to a major flooding issue like this is your laundry room. Follow these three tips to ensure that your laundry room is ready to prevent the worst of flooding issues.
Check out this article on the top things you should buy for your kitchen!
by Milcarsky's Staff | Jan 26, 2022 | How To's
There are many different components you need for your kitchen to be functional. Besides the large appliances there are many other small items that can help you have a kitchen ready for food preparation. Top things you should buy for your kitchen are a cast iron skillet, high quality utensils, and countertop appliances.
Cast Iron Skillet
Cast iron skillets have a great ability to retain heat. While heavy, they are durable. Cast iron is free from many chemicals found in other pans and it can be just as non-stick. Because cast iron retains heat it can help create an even cooking surface. Cast iron skillets canโt be cleaned the same as other cookware. They need to be washed with water and dried immediately. It needs to be seasoned each time it is used by spreading oil over the surface.
High Quality Utensils
Instead of spending your money on low-cost utensils, opt for the high-quality utensils. These may cost more initially but they will last longer. Utensils include spatulas, measuring cups and spoons, knives, or any other tool you would use to help you prepare food. High quality utensils will be more durable and more resistant to heat. This will ensure they donโt break often so you can continue to prepare food without missing a key utensil. Knives are of particular importance. ย There are different kinds of knife sets that you can look into getting, depending on how often you use your kitchen and what you like to cook.
Countertop Appliances
Countertop appliances can make cooking easy and convenient. You can use them to make many different meals. Some popular appliances are a Crockpot or an Instant Pot. Crockpots are a slow cooker, while Instant Pots are more versatile in ways it cooks things, but it is essentially a pressure cooker. A Crock-Pot will take longer than an Instant Pot, however both give you the convenience of being able to put ingredients inside and not worrying about it till it’s done. You also have the benefit of cooking an entire meal in one place, reducing the number of dishes you will have.
There are so many options for items to have in your kitchen. You want your kitchen to be a functional space where food preparation is made easy. Top items such as cast-iron skillets, high quality utensils, and countertop appliances can help make any kitchen project easier.
Do you need to update your major kitchen appliances? We have what you need!
by Milcarsky's Staff | Jan 25, 2022 | How To's
You donโt have to spend a lot of time or money to give your home a major facelift. With strategic choices, you can drastically improve the look of your home. Here are some small ways to make a big impact.
Change the Color
One of the most cost effective ways to increase the value of your home and improve the way it looks is to apply a fresh coat of paint. To increase your homeโs value, paint the house a light, neutral color that will be universally appealing. Or, choose your paint based on the ambience you would like. It is well known that the color scheme of your home affects the mood. Some colors, such as blue and gray, create a calm and serene environment. Green promotes feelings of health and brings a natural feel. Bright, neutral colors like yellow and gold are enlivening and uplifting. Reds can be energizing. Browns make a space feel cozier. Black is an easy way to bring more sophistication into your home. And white feels fresh and clean. In addition to changing the paint colors of your home, it is easy and inexpensive to accessorize with complementary colors. Focus on throw pillows, artistic pieces, and wall hangings.
Do Small Renovations
Small renovations can make a big difference and bring back the most bang for your buck. The most important renovations for increasing home value are to the kitchen and bathroom. These donโt have to be large to make a big impact. In the bathroom, consider changing the plumbing hardware, installing glass shower doors, refreshing the cabinets with a fresh coat of paint and new handles, or replacing the vanity. In the kitchen, you can easily swap or refurbish the cabinets, install granite countertops, add a modern backsplash, update the lighting, or replace the appliances. Small kitchen products can almost immediately recover the remodeling costs.
Upgrade Window Treatments
We donโt often think about our window coverings, but dated curtains and cheap aluminum blinds age your home considerably. On the flip side, chic curtains and high-end shades add value and style to your house. Changing window coverings is simple and inexpensive but improves the look of your home by leaps and bounds.
You donโt have to break the bank or spend a ton of time making substantial upgrades to your home. The little things make a big difference. Tackle one thing at a time until your home feels like the haven that you deserve.
Read this next: Splurges Every New Homeowner Needs in Their Kitchen
The Milcarsky's Appliance Centre' team wants to help answer any questions you may have. We'd also like to let you know when we publish a new blog post or have some great news to share.
by Milcarsky's Staff | Dec 30, 2021 | Design
You did it! You found your dream home and now you are a homeowner. You have officially arrived. Now, it is time to fix up your kitchen to match. Before you get too far settled in, be sure that your kitchen is exactly what you want it to be. Here are three things that every new homeowner should include in their kitchen remodel.
Smart Appliances
Smart appliances are the future of cooking. Not only do smart appliances offer more functions, but they can also communicate with you through your phone. This means that you can know right away if the refrigerator door was left open or that your chocolate chip cookies are done. Smart appliances are also more energy efficient, which is good for both the planet and your pocketbook. Smart appliances can even make you a better cook. For example, a smart oven knows when your food is done before you do. Finally, you can program your appliances while you are away from home. Forgot to start the dishwasher before you left for work? No problem, you can start it from your phone. Left the oven on? Just turn it off from wherever you are.
Granite Countertops
If you purchased an older home, chances are your countertops have seen better days. If so, consider replacing them with granite. Granite is attractive, comes in a variety of colors, is low maintenance, and lasts basically forever. If you want your granite to stay current for longer, consider selecting a neutral tone. Popular colors are blacks, whites, and browns. Your new granite countertops will be a cinch to take care of. All they need is a daily wipe down with a neutral cleaner and non-abrasive cloth. While there are a lot of granite cleaners on the market, you donโt have to buy anything special. You can combine dish soap with rubbing alcohol to create a solution for cleaning countertops.
New Cabinets
Every kitchen should have beautiful, spacious, and functional cabinets. Many older kitchens are lacking in this department. The cabinets are often deficient in both height and depth, are misaligned, and tend to exhibit a lot of wear and tear. New cabinet designs offer more space, cabinet lighting, and attractive finishes. Nothing makes a kitchen look new like updated cabinets. Look for features like a pull-out trash can, a Lazy Susan, sliding shelves, and drawers for easy storage.
You deserve a kitchen that you want to spend time in; you shouldnโt put up with a dated kitchen. Adding a few upgrades and personal touches are the best way to make your kitchen new and truly yours.
Keep those dishes as nice and clean as your new kitchen! Check out our line of dishwashers here!
The Milcarsky's Appliance Centre' team wants to help answer any questions you may have. We'd also like to let you know when we publish a new blog post or have some great news to share.
by Milcarsky's Staff | Dec 3, 2021 | Uncategorized
You are financially secure, interest rates are low, and your investment account is soaring. Maybe it is finally time to realize your dream of buying a vacation home! With a vacation home, you will be able to get away without losing out on comfort. You will no longer have to fight for a hotel room during busy seasons or pay exorbitant fees for rentals. However, vacation homes can become a money pit if you donโt choose and plan carefully. Here are some things to consider.
Picking Your Location
Your vacation home will become your go-to travel destination, so choose the location carefully. You should choose a place that you know well, so that you are already familiar with weather patterns, real estate trends, and activities at hand. You should also buy in a location that you love and will not tire of.
If you plan on renting your vacation home to other travelers, you will have to consider your location even more carefully. You will want your home to be competitive within the market, offering amenities that travelers to that particular destination will likely be interested in.
Cost of Upkeep
As you consider the maximum price you are willing to pay for a vacation home, donโt forget to add maintenance costs. There are a variety of factors that will play into these costs, including utility rates, cost of property taxes, HOA fees, cleaning expenses, pool/spa maintenance, insurance prices, and wear and tear. One way to save money on upkeep is to invest in solar panels. Solar provides an easy source of energy for your home at an affordable cost.
Additionally, the proximity of your permanent dwelling to your vacation home will decide whether you can perform regular maintenance yourself or if you will need to hire out. If you will be renting, proximity will also determine if you need to hire a property manager.
Time Considerations
Owning a vacation home will take some time to manage. It typically takes a few hours a week to answer rental inquiries, work with your property manager, and schedule cleanings. You will also be at the whims of renters who will expect everything to be perfect for their dream vacation. This could involve dealing with emergency repairs, extra cleaning, and even complaints.
Owning a vacation home can provide the perfect getaway spot that you have always wanted. It also has the potential to turn you a nice profit and can prove to be a wise investment. On the other hand, it might turn into a major hassle. Do your homework and be certain that you are fully prepared for this exciting purchase.
Read this next: How to Avoid Pipe Issues in Your Home
