The Home Improvement Centre » Kitchen

Fitted Kitchens at Recession-Proof Prices

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:21:11 +0000

Although not everyone will have the available funds to splash out on a new fitted kitchen, those who are planning to spruce up their existing kitchens with entirely new designs and fittings are advised to shop around.

Unfortunately, a new kitchen design can set the average homeowner back around £7,500 – excluding new appliances and depending on the size and shape of the kitchen. However, whilst this price will be considered acceptable by some people, many others would expect more value for money in this challenging post-recession age (admittedly, the UK economy is not quite out of the woods just yet).

In fact, it is more than possible nowadays to purchase fitted kitchens for £5,000 or less. Furthermore, before splashing out on the lavish £10,000 option provided by your local home improvement retailer, it is worth contacting a reliable and professional builder or carpenter for a quote on a custom-built solution. Indeed, many experienced woodworkers will be able to provide excellent rates for replacing worktops, fittings and doors, although remember that basic kitchen appliances such as fully integrated ovens and fridge freezers must also be factored into the overall cost and purchased separately. Nevertheless, inexpensive fitted kitchens from popular high street retailers can be found with a little effort.

Ikea’s stylish Applad Kitchen with Faktum frame costs just over £1,100 for just about everything except the kitchen sink… and taps, appliances, lighting, knobs and handles. The Applad’s effective use of draw and cabinet space makes it attractive for many customers. At the other end of the price scale, the Driftwood Kitchen from Kitchens Direct is arguably just as aesthetically pleasing as Ikea’s Applad but, at just under £5,000, it offers a more complete design comprising modern styled slab doors, high quality cabinets, twin steel sided drawer boxes, laminate faced worktops, end gables, accessories and an attractive platinum plinth.

Tap in to a New Kitchen Look

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:24:55 +0000

A relatively simple method of updating the look and feel of a kitchen whilst also improving basic functionality is to replace old taps for new. Indeed, modern tap designs offer a range of practical and aesthetic benefits over older style taps, which not only impact on the look of the sink area but also affect water pressure.

A replacement tap can breathe new life into an area that is often overlooked as being utilitarian, when in practice a visually pleasing tap installation can significantly improve the kitchen space.

Before purchasing a new tap from the local hardware store, it is important to consider how it should be mounted on the sink. In this respect, the traditional options are wall, worktop or sink mountings, and which of these will be chosen is a matter that largely depends on the existing sink elements and whether the buyer is willing to make changes – or even buy a new sink. Indeed, if is often easier to obtain the desired look by replacing the whole sink unit.

Nevertheless, a change of old for new taps will usually involve the introduction of monobloc taps into the home. These describe taps that include the faucet and levers in a single unit, which means that they only require a single mounting. Generally speaking, monobloc taps are the way to go as they offer considerably more functionality than traditional pillar taps.

They also come in a range of styles, including swan-neck taps, chrome taps and spray taps, which comprise a retractable hose or spout that is perfect for rinsing food or washing draining areas. In summary, although it may seem like a minor feature of the kitchen, the tap can affect both aesthetics and functionality.

Cook Up Something New in Your Kitchen

admin — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:21:31 +0000

The kitchen is the heart of the modern home and, whatever its size, there are several practical and aesthetic considerations that need to addressed in any kitchen design. A kitchen is, of course, primarily a functional space used for the storage and preparation of food but, above and beyond that, it should also be a warm, comfortable space that you can enjoy for its own sake.

Cabinets and worktops are integral components of any fitted kitchen, and from the point of view of hygiene, durability and aesthetics, you can choose from a range of materials such as wood, laminate, granite or stainless steel to suit your own taste and practical requirements.

All kitchens also obviously have walls and floors and the characteristics of wall and floor coverings should reflect the practical use of the kitchen. Tiles are easy to clean in the event of spills or splashes but wallpaper or paint can be a cost effective alternative and humidity resistant, easy to clean versions are available specifically for use in kitchens. Vinyl flooring similarly is water resistant and easy to clean and can provide the look of ceramic tiles at a fraction of the cost.

A large proportion of the activity in a kitchen takes place during daylight hours so bright, bold colours are often appropriate. For food preparation after dark, however – or for creating the right atmosphere for a “candlelight” soiree, if your kitchen is large enough – task and ambient lighting is important. Ambient lighting, which provides general illumination for a kitchen space, can be provided by a central ceiling fixture or multiple recessed fixtures for example. Task lighting on the other hand which allows you to see what you are doing can be included beneath kitchen cabinets, for example, for the illumination of the work surface(s) below.

In with the Old…

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:17:13 +0000

From Michelle Obama resigning her high-flying job, which was at the time better paid than her husband’s, to support Barack’s presidential campaign, to Nigella Lawson, the undisputed poster child for domestic goddesses everywhere, it would seem that the retro 1950’s wife is back in style. This is a woman who wants not what is best for her but what is best for her family. This is a woman who, as the Daily Mail reports on the 2nd March 2009, uses her ‘honed professional skills’ to further her husband’s career. This is a woman who has it all and does it all: perfect children, perfect husband, perfect house!

This is a woman who other women aspire to yet it can be difficult for mere mortals to live up to such standards. However, do not fear, because you too can embrace the latest trends in house Deco 1950s style! Follow the simple style guidelines of Sky Life Style at Home and you too can exude 1950’s housewife kitsch.

The perfect place to start is with a Nigella Storage tin, as available from Debenhams, which is perfect for storing those (faked or baked) homemade cookies! Clean up any crumbs with a retro 1950’s Gingham American Diner style napkin holder from www.dollydagger.co.uk. Forget your modern mobile and call your ladies round for lunch on a fabulous 1950’s Diner phone – a bargain at £60 from www.notonthehighstreet.com.

From the kitchen to the living room, bring your leather sofa back in time and up-to-date by scattering a few Rose Print Cushions – £28 a piece from www.next.co.uk. Perfect for serving nibbles strategically place some brightly coloured Cath Kidston Bowls around the room, a steal at under £18 and available from www.cathkidston.co.uk. Further impress your guests as they powder their nose with a credit crunch beating Marni Bathroom Soap Set which comprises soap dish and dispenser, available from www.zarahome.com.

Take the 1950’s theme through to armchairs, tables and lamps. From the high street to virtual shopping carts all over the internet, the 1950’s theme is 2009’s hottest interior decoration and accessories trend.

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An Eco-friendly Kitchen for 2009: Introducing 'gReenaissance'

admin — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:25:40 +0000

In these days of environmental awareness designers are constantly looking for eco-friendly ways to improve the home such as installing solar panels on to rooftops in order to generate green electricity. Indeed, there are many green additions to houses these days but what about changing fundamental aspects of the home itself?

Italian kitchen design outfit, Valcucine, which prides itself on developing kitchen accessories with the lowest environmental impact has recently announced the development of a truly exquisite kitchen unit made from recycled aluminium.

Invented by Gabriele Centazzo, this 100% recyclable fitted kitchen comprises glass base units, aluminium work surfaces and mechanical joints. The concept underpinning the design is twofold: that it includes a composition of recycled materials and that it can be completely recycled if necessary. However, it is difficult to imagine consumers throwing this unit on to the recycling tip any time soon.

Indeed, the preliminary drawings of the design which debuts at Fuorisalone later this year depict a wonderfully simple, clean cut green (literally) kitchen unit that oozes both style and substance. Furthermore, the flexible construction allows for easy assembly and Valcucine has suggested that its INVITRIUM glass base unit will make reassembly a trivial matter. Additionally it would appear that most typical kitchen spaces, which are often somewhat narrow and elongated, will accommodate the gReenaissance’s long, straight dimensions.

As aforementioned the unit adopts a mechanical joint design which means that no glues or formaldehyde emissions are present. Furthermore the aluminium and glass surfaces provide complete resistance to water, steam and heat damage that affect so many other types of kitchen surface. So there should be no need to worry about setting down that saucepan anywhere…

According to Eco Friend, the use of recycled aluminium represents an 80% reduction of the energy that would be required to source primary aluminium, which is great news for anybody aiming to increase their use of green energy over traditional, environmentally damaging methods.

In conclusion the gReenaissance looks set to be an instant hit amongst home improvement enthusiasts and those who care about the environment.

Hardwood Flooring for Improved Aesthetics, Durability and Property Value

admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:53:01 +0000

With house prices falling nearly 16% during 2008 and the housing market not expected to bottom out until the end of 2009 moving house is off the immediate agenda for many homeowners. They are looking instead to add value to their existing properties to increase their saleability when the market does recover. Whether you are looking to move, or simply to improve the allure and comfort of your existing living space, hardwood flooring can make an attractive and cost-effective addition to any home.

Hardwoods such as maple, oak and walnut are more durable than softwoods and available in natural variations of colour and grain, unfinished, factory finished, or engineered. Engineered wood is constructed from several tightly compressed layers, or veneers, of hardwood; as such it is less flexible than solid wood, and suitable for use with underfloor heating, if you place an emphasis on green energy, and reducing your carbon footprint, in designing the interior of your home. Solid hardwood can be sanded to remove scratches whereas engineered wood has a top layer of hardwood that is only a few millimetres thick limiting the possibilities for sanding. Both types of flooring require minimal maintenance, however, and unlike carpet, for example, do not harbour mould, mildew and other allergens. Hardwood floors can be maintained by regular sweeping or vacuuming and occasional treatment with a cleaning product recommended by the manufacturer.

Hardwood flooring is water resistant, rather than waterproof, so while it can become an important component of bedroom design, or kitchen design, it is less suitable for bathrooms or other “wet” areas where staining or cracking can occur. Carefully chosen, correctly installed, and properly cared for, however, hardwood flooring will age beautifully and retain its character for many years.