November 17th, 2008 — Aesthetics, Create, Design, Handy Man, Kitchen, Workflow
If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen, this is the perfect time to address any problems that you may have with the current design. Not all kitchens are made to be useful and it’s all too common to get stuck with a design that forces you to walk all over the place just to cook dinner. You may also find that there are some elements of your kitchen that just make life a little more difficult than it should be. Instead of replicating these issues with your new kitchen, it’s time to figure out what you can do to make your life easier and your kitchen even better.
Let’s start out with the most basic design principle that is present in all well designed kitchens. Most have what is called The Triangle. This means that should be able to draw a triangle from the stove to the sink to the refrigerator. This makes your workflow a lot easier and cuts down on the amount of time spent walking back and forth. Most kitchens utilize this design principle to some degree, even if it’s a galley or a large space.
It’s best to plan out your new kitchen on paper first so that you can get an idea of where you want to place everything. Try out variations of The Triangle on paper to see what you can come up with. It should be pretty easy to place these three items and then build out the rest of your kitchen from there. Even if you’re working with a center island, this principle is still quite effective.
Now, let’s fill in the rest of your kitchen. If you plan on having a dishwasher, you’re going to want to put it right next to the sink. It sounds like a given, but you would be surprised by how many kitchens have a dishwasher that is too far away. Next, you’ll want to decide where you want to put your cupboards for your dishes. Most people prefer to place them above the dishwasher to make it easier to put everything away.
Let’s move onto the cupboards that you’re going to use for your pots and pans. Again, it’s best to place these close to the stove to make it easier to find what you need. If you’re going to have your stove in a center island, make sure that the island will have plenty of cupboard space. It’s also a good idea to include some drawers for utensils.
The pantry or food cupboards should be located in between the refrigerator and the stove. This makes it easier to grab what you need quickly, on your way back and forth. No matter how big your kitchen may be, when you’re using The Triangle, you’ll be able to cook more effectively.
On a related note, it’s also a good idea to consider how much counter space you’re going to need. You really cannot have too much space, so try to add as much as possible near your sink, near the stove and near the refrigerator to make food prep a lot easier.
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September 11th, 2008 — Aesthetics, Create, Curb Appeal, Deck, Handy Man, House Value, Kitchen, Landscape, Outside, Yard
If you are looking for new ways to increase the overall value of your home, there are numerous projects that you can tackle on your own. Whether you are an experienced DIY’er, or just starting out, these projects are fun and add more than just monetary value to your home.
1. Go Green.
Installing energy efficient appliances is perhaps the easiest way to increase the value of your home. Look for the Energy Star label since you may be eligible for special cash back rewards. These new appliances are remarkably different from older models and many of the new refrigerators will use about the same amount of energy as a light bulb.
There are many other ways to go green with your home. Try installing a new “green” flooring system, such as bamboo or cork. These floors will add beauty to your home and you’ll feel good about your choice. You can also install energy efficient windows and more to your home to save on your energy bills.
2. Landscape Your Yard.
One of the best ways to installing increase your curb appeal is by landscaping your yard. Whether it’s a single shade tree or an elaborate garden, landscaping gives you the opportunity to have fun and improve your yard. Anyone can landscape, and with the right tools, you’ll get professional results.
3. Refresh Your Kitchen.
The kitchen is the heart of your home and for many DIY’ers, this is the place to start. From replacing cabinet doors, to adding new fixtures, there are many ways that you can make that old kitchen look brand new. If you’ve got the budget, you can tear out your old cabinets and completely overhaul the space.
Today’s kitchens are more efficient and easier to keep up, thanks to new materials and designs that make the most out of the space in your kitchen.
4. Add a Room.
Whether it’s a brand new addition, or a new way to use an old space, there are plenty of ways that you can get more out of your home and make it worth more money. Building on to your home is a great way to save money and get more space, without having to purchase a new house. Your new addition can even be something as simple as a converted garage or basement.
5. Add a Deck, or Screen in a Porch.
Looking to take advantage of outdoor space? Adding on a deck or a patio gives you a whole other room and plenty of chances for fun. Anyone with basic building experience can make a deck, and this is a great addition to any home.
A screened in porch can also be very useful, especially as a three season room. If you’re not quite ready to build on, but you still need some extra space, this is a great solution and it’s easy to do!
These are just a few ways that you can add to the value of your home and get more use out of it.
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July 31st, 2008 — Bathroom, Handy Man, Mold, Walls
As the warmer months approach, many of us have to deal with the ugly problem of mildew. From bathrooms, to kitchens to basically anywhere where there is water, mildew can be a health risk and it is incredibly unsightly and in many cases, very smelly. However, there are a few techniques that you can use to stop mildew in its tracks. Let’s look at these simple household products that really work.
1. Bleach.
This is probably the best and easiest way to quickly get rid of existing mildew. While it does smell very strong, it will usually bust through even the worst patches of mildew and help keep the area very clean. This is a very effective method, but not everyone likes to deal with bleach.
2. Antibacterial cleaners.
Any household cleaner that has an antibacterial element is usually very successful at cleaning up a mildew situation. Pinesol works wonders and there are a few other cleaners that can get the job done. You may also be able to find a special cleaner that is specifically made to address a mildew problem quickly.
Now, let’s go over what you shouldn’t use.
First and foremost, steam cleaners are pretty popular for areas that are exposed to a lot of water and humidity. However, when you hit a patch of mildew with a blast of steam, you are actually releasing all of those nasty little spores into the air. You don’t want those in your lungs, and by spreading them around the room, you may actually make the mildew problem worse.
So you know what cleans up mildew – how do you prevent it from happening in the first place?
In bathrooms, or wherever there is a lot of water, you’re running the risk of creating the ideal environment for mildew. These rooms are often quite humid and mildew can happen within a few hours. After your shower, spray down the entire tub or shower surfaces with a spray and leave on cleaner. This should be done every day and it can dramatically reduce mildew.
Next, you’ll want to find someway to vent out that humidity. You can open a window or even get a fan to suck the steam out of the room. Either way, the longer you let humidity hang around in a room, the greater your chances are of fostering mildew. When you get out of the shower, leave the bathroom door open for a few hours to let all of that steam dissipate. That’s one very easy method of preventing mildew.
If you have a room that is particularly bad you may want to consider adding a dehumidifier. This can be very useful in drying up the air so that mildew no longer has a fertile breeding ground. Just remember, if you’re putting it in the bathroom, make sure that it is away from any sources of water to avoid the risk of electrocution. You may also want to consider a whole house dehumidifier if your situation with mildew is particularly bad.
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