Interior Design

Choosing the Right Appliances for Your Kitchen

August 17, 2020

Kitchen appliances can make or break a kitchen remodel. There are so many styles, features, and technology options available it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Then, there are always budgetary concerns—picking the right appliances would be easy if money were no object. Even so, it is possible to design the perfect kitchen with a little forethought and your priorities firm in mind.

choosing the right appliances for your kitchen

Here are some things to consider when choosing kitchen appliances to ensure you fall in love with the heart of your home.

Ovens & Cooktops

A high-performing, quality oven is crucial. Because ovens can have many features, it is best to focus on those you’ll actually use and the food you want to cook. A good oven will have a fan to cook food faster and more evenly. You’ll also want an oven with bake, roast, and broil features for all your baking needs.

Picking a suitable cooktop is important for both the practical purposes of remodeling your kitchen as well as aesthetic purposes. Just like your oven, you need a cooktop that gets the job done, but it certainly doesn’t hurt if it looks good, too. Try to pick a cooktop that takes up appropriate space and fits your overall color scheme.

Most cooktops have four burners, which is pretty standard for home cooking. However, if you like to entertain guests and large crowds, you may want to pick a cooktop with more burners. Then, you have to consider how easy it is to maintain. Whether you’re a clean-as-you-cook or cook-at-the-end type, you’ll most likely want clean-up to be easy.

Refrigerators

There are three fridge installation types:

Built-in
Freestanding
Fully integrated

These three options all come in a range of sizes and styles to suit your needs. You will also want to consider performance and configuration. Performance-wise, you need to choose between a single-compressor or a double-compressor unit. A single-compressor unit works twice as hard to maintain both the fridge and freezer. While double-compressor refrigerators cost more, they allow you to keep food fresher for longer.

One of the most popular refrigerator configurations is the French-door style with a side-by-side fridge and freezer. Make sure you don’t go too small when you’re choosing kitchen appliances. When you buy your fridge, you want to have enough room for your typical food storage. For two people, consider a fridge size of 12 cubic feet.

Sinks & Dishwashers

Your sink tends to be the focal point of your kitchen. Some popular sink configurations include:

Single, rectangular basin
50/50 double-bowl
60/40 double-bowl
Three-bowl

Once you know your ideal configuration, the next step is to compare materials. The material you choose affects whether your sink is resistant to scratches and stains, how you’ll clean the sink, and your kitchen’s overall look.

As for your dishwasher, you want to choose something that is efficient and fits into your kitchen seamlessly. If you use a dishwasher often, choose one that has deep-cleaning features and a variety of options. Running volume is one of the most important factors. Find a dishwasher with a low decibel rating so it won’t keep you and your family up all night.

General Tips for Choosing Kitchen Appliances

No matter what appliance you’re shopping for, there are a few general tried-and-tested tips that can help:

Don’t be afraid to mix-and-match. You don’t have to buy all your appliances from the same collection or brand.
Tailor your budget allocation to your lifestyle. It doesn’t make sense to spend a big chunk of your budget on a double oven, for example, if you rarely bake. Forget what a traditional kitchen “should” have and get what you’ll use.
Time your remodel. Many appliance retailers hold annual sales around the same time every year, such as Memorial Day or Black Friday. Time your remodel to line up with these sales to save more. Buying your appliances as a package from a single retailer also often comes with a discount.
Know your space. As appliances of all types come in standard sizes, measure your space, and note any size restrictions. It can help to draft your kitchen on graph paper. Also, note any ventilation or power requirements and where they are in your kitchen.
Stay neutral. That bright blue retro fridge may look amazing right now, but will you still love it in 10 years? With big-ticket items like appliances keep to neutral colors—silver, black, or white—so that if you choose to redecorate in the future, you’re not choosing kitchen appliances all over again. Paint colors and cabinet handles are much easier to change!

Your Interior Design Budget: Planning for Expenses

July 20, 2020

If you’re planning a new project, it’s easy to get caught up in mood boards and Pinterest ideas and forget one crucial detail—the cost. Creating an interior design budget might not be the most exciting step in making your house a home, but it is one of the most important.

Even a few extra dollars here and there can add up to an unexpectedly costly project. How do you set an interior design budget, then?

Step One: Establish Your Interior Design Budget

Determine what your actual budget is and be specific. Avoid rough ranges like “a few hundred dollars,” and opt for a hard figure to set as the maximum budget for your project instead. You can spend less than this amount but not more.

Your interior design budget also needs to be realistic—be brutally honest with yourself and set a figure you can afford comfortably. Keep in mind that you don’t have to design your home’s entire interior in one go. You can take it room by room to make the best of your budget. Start with the areas you use the most or that bother you the most.

Step Two: Budget Your Goals

Once you know exactly how much you have for your project, make a list of your goals. Ideally, you should have two lists: “needs” and “wants.”

The need list should include things the space has to have. For example, if you are remodeling your kitchen and your sink needs replaced, that’s a need. Come up with estimates for your list of must-haves to create mini-budgets, and don’t forget labor costs! It can help to price-check actual items at this stage to avoid sticker shock. Many people underestimate how much simple household items cost.

After your needs list is complete, take your estimate for those improvements, add another 10 to 15% as a cushion, and subtract those costs from your total budget. Whatever is left is for your “want” list.

Step 3: Make a Plan and Stick to It

Armed with a firm budget and a list of what you want to achieve, the next step is to plan your project. Set a timeline for each improvement on your list and what you’ll need at each stage.

It’s also helpful to draft your design at this point. That way, you can visualize what needs to be done and when throughout the process. For instance, you don’t want to bring in new furniture before you paint.

If you’re undertaking a major overhaul and haven’t done much interior design in the past, it can pay to work with a design professional. An interior designer can offer insight and ideas that are incredibly helpful when it comes to taking your ideas from dream to reality. Plus, they often have insider knowledge to reduce your budget without impacting the quality of your results—you might even be able to score more items off your wants list!

Interior Design Dilemmas Solved: 5 Simple Tips for a Stylish Home

June 22, 2020

interior design dilemmas swatch color samples

Everyone wants a beautiful home, but getting a picture-perfect, Pinterest-worthy house is harder than one might think. Our own homes pose interior design dilemmas that can be challenging.

The good news is even the trickiest interior design problems have solutions. Here are a few of the most common interior design dilemmas and how to solve them.

Finding Your Style

Is your decorating style Farmhouse, Coastal, or Modern? Many people get frustrated because they like so many style elements that they don’t know their true style.

Instead of worrying about labels, find your own unique style. Find furnishings you love, regardless of their style. Then incorporate a few favorite family treasures.

Focus on how your family lives in your home. Soon, your style will begin to shine through.

Tiny Room, Big Style

Small rooms create big headaches for many people. Whether it’s a powder room, a tiny bedroom, or a small sitting room, these spaces pose special challenges when it comes to decor.

First, embrace color—the bolder, the better. Paint your tiny room all one color for dramatic effect, and it will actually seem to bigger.

You can also apply mirrored tiles to one wall. The reflection will give the impression the space is twice as big.

Disguise Poor Views

Not every view is glorious. Fortunately, a less-than-stellar view is easy to fix—consider floor-to-ceiling draperies. Drapes are a great way to add color and texture and even some extra drama. Go with a sheer version if you need extra light in your living space.

If your problem is outdoors in a patio area, consider growing a wall of vegetation such as a row of bushes or shrubs. Even climbing vines can be trained to grow against a trellis. This option can provide a naturally stunning solution to a problematic view.

Create Rooms in an Open Floor Plan

Open floor plans create a light, airy feeling, but they can also be impractical. Sometimes you need to create a little more privacy for sleeping or study areas.

Freestanding bookcases can solve the problem. They create a visual barrier, similar to walls. Bookcases come in a variety of heights, so you can find one that gives the right amount of privacy. As a bonus, bookcases provide extra storage space.

Another option is folding screens, which can be put in place and removed as needed. Likewise, a curtain hung from the ceiling provides quick and easy privacy.

Boring Windows

Window treatments are a primary interior design dilemma. Many people aren’t sure what to do about their windows, so they stick with neutral blinds.

Consider replacing vertical blinds with draperies for an updated look. You can call attention to a seating area or other focal point with carefully placed draperies.

Roman shades and valances can also create a polished look for windows, especially when crafted in a print fabric.

Starting an Interior Design Project the Right Way

June 1, 2020

Starting an interior design project can be incredibly daunting. If you’ve never done any significant redecorating before, you may not know where to start. Plus, with interior design, there’s often a fine line between nailing it and failing it.

Here’s how to avoid a décor disaster and make sure that you come in on budget.

What to ask before you start an interior design project

Before starting, make sure you are absolutely clear on the following questions.

Will you hire professionals or DIY everything?
Who will use the space, and how will they use it?
What are the problems and opportunities of the space as it is now?
What is your budget?
When do you want to complete the project?
What are the risks that might stop you from completing the project on time or within your budget?
Have you allocated extra money for unforeseen expenses?
What resources (including people) will you need for the project?

Create a mood board

Now you can move on to the fun part of starting an interior design project. Mood boards help you to visualize how your ideas will come together.

A popular way to create a mood board is by using an online app such as Pinterest or Canva. You can also make one by pasting images on canvas or stiff cardboard. Many designers like to pin items to corkboard so they can move things around.

Your mood board can include magazine images, paint swatches, and textures like fabric or carpet.

The best thing about using a mood board is that it costs very little. It should actually save you money by helping you make smart design choices.

Decide if you will hire an interior designer

An interior designer can help you with the following tasks.

Choosing color schemes and layouts
Visualizing the end result
Sourcing materials and furniture (often at a discounted rate)
Communicating with tradespeople
Scheduling the activities needed to complete the project
Lighting design

If you decide to hire a designer, your next job is to choose one. Ask people whose homes you admire for references or stalk local style gurus on Instagram.

A good designer will ask similar questions to the ones we covered earlier. You also need to love their previous work and feel comfortable talking to them.

Avoid common interior design mistakes

Starting an interior design project without a professional shouldn’t mean flying blind. Some common pitfalls that DIY designers often make include:

Choosing rugs that are too small for the designated space
Installing lighting that is too dim or too bright or only having one source of light
Hanging artwork at the wrong height
Going overboard on a theme
Not defining a clear focal point in a room

Fundamental advice to help you nail your interior design

Lastly, we’ll cover the two most important things you need to know.
First, cut the clutter! Most of us have far too many things. Getting rid of items you don’t need or love will make the single biggest impact on your home. It will also make it far easier to redecorate.

Second, have fun—even if redecorating seems like a huge challenge. Starting an interior design project in the right frame of mind will make everything easier.

4 Interior Design Mistakes to Avoid in 2020

May 19, 2020

Interior design mistakes aren’t just an eye-sore—they’re expensive. From the color scheme to the furniture in a room, there’s a lot to consider, and that means there’s plenty of opportunity for things to go wrong.

We’ve seen our share of home designs, and it turns out that some interior design mistakes are more common than others. Here are the four of the most common interior design mistakes so that you can avoid them.

1. Not Making It Personal

One of the most common interior design mistakes people make is not making it personal. When it comes to designing a room, you’ll want to ensure it’s personal to you.

Many homeowners read magazines or other blogs to come up with ideas for decorating. They’ll read about how turquoise is a ‘must-have addition’ to every room. Then they’ll plan out how they’re going to incorporate that color scheme and make it work in their home.

The problem is that everyone has different tastes, and as astonishing as a John Barman design scheme may be, it might not be the look that suits your home or your style.

Ask yourself what kind of person you are. Are you a more vibrant individual? Then warm colors might be what you’re after. Do you prefer solitude and serenity? Stick with home additions that’ll ensure your peace of mind. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s tailored to your needs.

2. Not Having a Focal Point

When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you see? Not having a focal point is another common interior design mistake.

A focal point acts as the center of a room and attracts attention. Having one allows you to immediately establish the feel and theme of the room. It also helps you to choose pieces that will complement the focal point.

When you walk into a room, your eyes should immediately focus on that object or spot. Large furniture pieces or windows make good focal points. Make the focus of the room centered on the focal point, and you’ll be amazed at how much better it looks.

3. Trying to Match Everything

Another common interior design mistake is trying to make everything match. In reality, sometimes, you need a piece to stand out to complete the look of the room.

When it comes to interior design, there’ll always be that one piece that doesn’t match everything else. That potted plant in the corner might clash with the feel of the room, and you’ll be inclined to either remove it or make it fit in with everything else.

Instead of making everything match, sometimes all you need is a little bit of conflict. If there’s a piece that just doesn’t fit, why not use it as a focal point? Utilize it to complement the room and make it feel balanced.

4. Not Paying Attention to Traffic Flow

No matter how good a room looks, if you can’t walk into it, you can’t enjoy it. The fourth common interior design mistake people make is not paying attention to traffic flow.

You know you have a well-designed room when it doesn’t just look comfortable—it feels comfortable. If common entrances and walkways are being obstructed, chances are it will affect how the room feels.

You’ll constantly feel like something’s bugging you, and it might be because of that tabletop that’s jutting out. Make sure nothing obstructs common walkways so you can enjoy the beauty of your home and avoid stubbed toes!