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.
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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!
by Milcarsky's Staff | Mar 26, 2021 | How To's
Hardwood flooring is one of the more popular flooring options for many homeowners. It usually looks much nicer than carpet but typically isn’t nearly as expensive as higher-end tile or stone floors. That doesn’t mean it’s cheap though, especially if you opt for nicer, higher quality woods. For the sake of both getting the most out of it and the appearance of your floor, it’s important to understand how to properly maintain hardwood flooring and protect it from damage.
Cleaning Hardwood Floors
The first thing you need to understand about hardwood floors is how to clean them properly. If you don’t, you’ll decrease the amount of time your floor lasts and could dramatically speed up how quickly it becomes damaged. On the other hand, if you do it right, you’ll be able to extend the life of your floor and keep it looking beautiful. It’s best to take some time daily to clean up any dust or dirt that has accumulated throughout the day. A vacuum, broom, or dust mop can all be viable options for daily cleaning. You may find a microfiber dust mop is more effective since it can more readily pick up smaller particles that vacuums and brooms are more prone to leave behind. Do a deeper cleaning periodically as well, using products that are specifically designed for hardwood floors. Don’t use vinegar water, steam cleaning, or soap-based cleaners. This will help you avoid accidentally damaging your hardwood floor while you clean it.
Polishing the Floor
As time passes you may notice your hardwood floor loses some of that shine that it had when it was first installed, instead of becoming dull and less attractive. Polishing a hardwood floor can help even out any damage that has occurred and can restore the luster and shine. It’s important to note that polish should only be used on hardwood floors with protective surfaces. For those with a more penetrating finish, a hardwood floor wax should be used instead. Start by removing everything from the room and cleaning the floor thoroughly. Once it’s completely dry, you can start polishing it. Apply the polish to the floor in an S shape and then use a flat-surface mop to work the polish into the wood in the same direction as the grain. Smooth out any air bubbles and make sure you cover the whole floor. Organize yourself so that by the end of it you’re at an exit. Allow the floor to dry for at least an hour before allowing anyone to walk on it and at least a day before replacing everything you removed and returning to business as normal.
Prevent Scratches
One of the downsides of hardwood flooring is that it can become scratched relatively easily. Dirt being ground in, walking in heels, and pets with nails that are too long can scratch the floor. Furniture being dragged on hardwood can scratch the floor, but adding felt pads to wood furniture helps prevent damage. Covering the floor with rugs, not walking in heels, and keeping nails trimmed can help prevent scratching, as can regularly cleaning it. Opting for a no-shoe policy in your home, in general, can help prevent dirt, grime, and anything else that can be brought in on people’s shoes from being ground into your flooring. Stocking feet are generally much kinder to floors. Consider having a basket of clean socks that you can offer your guests when they come into your home so you can protect your floors. It’s also good to keep in mind that rugs on hardwood can sometimes lead to people slipping and falling, so add a rubber rug underlayment to the bottom to prevent the rugs from slipping.
Prevent Warping
Water and hardwood floors aren’t usually a happy combination. If the hardwood is exposed to too much water, it tends to warp over time. The obvious solution to warped flooring is to prevent it from happening in the first place. That means limiting the amount of water that comes in contact with it as much as possible. This is exactly why using a steam cleaner on hardwood flooring isn’t recommended, since it combines heat and water and can cause permanent damage. Using water to clean the floor, in general, is inadvisable as well. Clean up any spills immediately. Be on the watch for spots that look hazy or milky, since that can indicate water damage. Keep in mind that you don’t have to have puddles of water on the floor for it to suffer water damage. If the humidity in your home is too high, even that can be enough to damage your hardwood. Monitor the humidity in your home and take steps to reduce the humidity if it gets too high.
Prevent Sun Damage
Conversely to water damage, the sun can also damage your hardwood. This tends to happen because of exposure to the sun’s UV rays. Depending on the type of wood, the exposed portions could become lighter or darker. You may not even notice it until the damage has already been done and you move furniture to expose an area of the floor that hasn’t been exposed to the sun. You could install blinds and shades to reduce exposure, but many people find they prefer to have access to natural light and its benefits. Other options include window films that block UV rays and using wood finishes with UV blocking properties.
Refinishing
If you’ve been less than diligent in the upkeep of your hardwood floor, it may benefit from being refinished. Refinishing a hardwood floor involves completely removing the finish, repairing damaged areas, and then applying a new coat of finish. Depending on the damage you’re looking at, opting to refinish your floor could save you from having to replace it altogether. However, if you keep up on your regular maintenance and damage prevention, this isn’t something you should need to do much at all.
Properly maintaining a hardwood floor and protecting it from damage is an important responsibility for any homeowner who wants to keep their hardwood floor in good condition. To do so you’ll need to understand how to properly clean it and be aware of what could cause it damage. This will help you keep your hardwood floor looking clean and high quality for years to come.
Want to update your kitchen appliances? We’ve got you covered!
by Milcarsky's Staff | Mar 17, 2021 | How To's
Adding new tile can do wonders for your home’s design and resale value. While tiling a floor might look complicated, it can be straightforward so long as you follow basic advice. Once you are done reading, you will be prepared to replace your kitchen’s tile floor.
Remove the Existing Tiles
It is possible to perform a dustless tile removal yourself, though having the right tools and proper protective gear is an absolute must. Get a hammer and chisel or pry bar for your tools. Then you should locate a starting point in the floor such as a bare edge.
Use your tools to pry up the first tile square. The process from here should be fairly straightforward. Throw away the tile squares as you work on them. Make sure not to fill it up to high, or the bag may break or become too heavy to move.
Preparing the Floor
Now that you have pried the original tile floor up, you have to prepare the base floor. This will require a bit more elbow grease, but it is essential to make sure your new tile lasts a long time. Take care to clean any residue on the base floor.
That’s not all you need to do, however. Since you won’t get a better opportunity to inspect the base floor, make sure it is sturdy and doesn’t need replacing. You should also remove any nails that are sticking out of the floor. You want the base floor as smooth as possible for your new installation. This is arguably the most important part of the entire process.
Laying the New Tile
Now for the fun part. Gather the new pieces of tile from your storage, and get ready to lay them down. Make sure you bought enough tile for the job. To do this, measure your kitchen’s width and length to get an estimate (buy a little extra just in case).
Just like you did when removing your old tile, select an effective starting point for laying down the new tile. Depending on the brand you bought, you may need to apply mortar and insulation. When it’s all set down, apply grout, and wait roughly 20 minutes. Then apply a sealant to the edges of the tile.
Voila! You have an excellent starting point for installing your new tile floor. Make sure you choose a tile that will age well and that complements your appliances, countertops, and tables. It not only will look great, but it will feel good too.
Looking to upgrade your appliances as well? Check out our inventory!
by Milcarsky's Staff | Jan 22, 2021 | Design
Countertops are an overlooked potion of the home that can contribute so much to the look, feel, and efficacy of your kitchen. However, it is critical that you do your research before bringing in a construction team. Here are several things you should consider as you design your countertops.
What Materials You Use
Fortunately, there are many different countertop materials to choose from. The material you choose should reflect your priorities. While some materials are prized for their eco-friendliness or protection against heat, others are great for their protection against stains or budget-friendliness.
If you are looking for a cheaper option, laminate may be right for you. It can be stylish, but it also can protect against heat and stain damage. However, you won’t want to ever cut directly onto laminate, or you’ll be left with permanent groves. A slightly more expensive—but great—option would be quartz. Quartz can give the appearance of a marble or granite countertop, but tends to be much more durable. If you want a bolder look, you could always go for recycled glass—a fun, eco-friendly (but not as durable) option.
How Much Space You Need
When you are working with counter space, you should try to maximize it as much as possible. Maximizing your space doesn’t mean less countertop, but it should mean a more efficient use of your countertop. The way your map out your kitchen and counter space should be based upon your needs and cooking habits.
For example, if you share your home with your family, you may need to arrange your counter space in a very purposeful way. For example, a lack of space can cause problems in a kitchen, especially if you have children. Or, if you are a culinary guru or bake as a hobby, you may want an island or extended counter space for ingredient preparation.
Best Color Combinations
Nobody wants to spend money on new countertops before realizing that their color choice is incompatible with their flooring, backsplash, or cabinet colors. You could say that color is nearly as important as the materials you choose for your countertops. To create a cohesive kitchen color palette, decide what kind of style you are going for. It is recommended that you stick with neutral colors like black, brown, white, gray, or beige, and then pair it with more vibrant accessories.
Whether you are looking for increased counter space, or just need a change of scenery in the kitchen, it is important to plan and design your new countertops carefully. Don’t forget to research the pros and cons of different materials, as well as consider color combinations and space. In doing so, you will be one step closer to achieving the kitchen of your dreams.
Want to update your appliances with your countertops? Check out our great selection!
