Kitchens Archives - Inspired Home Ideas

Eco Friendly Homemade Cleaning Products In Your Pantry

Did You Know There Are Some Very Eco-Friendly Homemade Cleaning Products Just Lurking In Your Pantry?

You may be surprised to find out that some of the greenest and yet most effective cleaning products in your home are found right in your very own pantry.

They’re also some of the most affordable as well.

Simple items that you have sitting around your kitchen can do a great job of cleaning every room in your house.

Basic Baking Soda

One of the most versatile cleaning products in any home is plain baking soda.

It is a natural deodorizer and also works as a gentle abrasive cleaner that can remove stuck-on dirt and stains.

You can use baking soda on your sinks, countertops, tub, and even toilet.

It works well on a variety of surfaces and can even be used to clean silver with a little water mixed in.

You can scrub stainless steel pots and pans with it, and even remove stains from porcelain sinks.

A box or small bowl of baking soda will absorb odors in the fridge or in any other small space.

If you are unfortunate to have a pet cat urinate on your carpet, by regularly spreading baking soda on the affected area, you can effectively neutralize the smell completely.

Versatile Vinegar

Vinegar is perhaps the most powerful natural cleaner in your pantry—and don’t be afraid of the smell!

It will dissipate shortly after you’re through using it.

Vinegar can be mixed with water and used to wash floors.

A vinegar and water solution can be used to replace your glass cleaner.

Vinegar can remove build-up from shower heads and faucets.

It is helpful in removing odors and can be used to clean wooden cutting boards to remove strong smells like onion and garlic.

Vinegar can also be added to your laundry to remove odors and help brighten your clothes.

Leave It To Lemon Juice

Another easy-to-use green cleaner is lemon juice.

Mix a little with baking soda to make a highly effective liquid abrasive that will remove stains from just about any surface.

Lemon juice can be used to remove rust from metal—simply rub half a lemon on the rust to take it off.

Lemons can also be used to remove odors from a garbage disposal—simply drop a half down and run the disposal.

Lemon juice will remove those food stains from your plastic storage containers as well.

These cleaners are not only earth-friendly, but they are also budget-friendly and safe for kids and pets.

You can replace almost every cleaner in your home with a combination of these three pantry cleaning products that you probably already have.

It can save you hundreds of dollars and prevent your family from being exposed to dangerous chemicals as well.

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Best Kitchen Renovation Tips for 2017

Here we present the best kitchen renovation tips for 2017. Are you sick and tired of looking at the same old decorations over and over? Lots of people feel inexplicably anxious and nervous in their own home, and numerous studies show that a great deal of tension comes from not being satisfied with their surroundings. If you’re feeling this way too, it’s high time you acted on it!

The best place to introduce changes is the kitchen, but you can’t do just anything. Following trends and staying updated is vital because you don’t want just any change – you want something substantial! Therefore, you need to investigate and find out what’s trending right now as that’s the only way to come up with the most current renovation ideas for this season. Here are a few suggestions you might want to take into consideration and a couple of easy ways how to realize them on your own.

Create a Kitchen Island

People living in big homes are usually lucky enough to have a spacious kitchen as well – and what better way to organize your space than around a big kitchen island? This idea will not only solve your storage problems – just imagine how many utensils and appliances you can hide in there! – but also help you create a focal point and organize the dining area as well.

Your island doesn’t have to be too big if you aren’t comfortable with huge pieces of furniture right in the middle of your cooking area, but you can also create a smaller one that’s still highly functional. Even if your kitchen isn’t as spacious as you’d like it to be, you can create a compact island that will suit any space you have. And if you decide to make it on your own, it won’t be overly expensive, which is great for your decoration budget.

Go All In!

You don’t have to be Jamie Oliver to enjoy preparing food nor an experienced cook to appreciate the value of a good meal. Every cooking aficionado in the world will tell you how much their kitchen means to them and how comfortable they feel surrounded by pots, saucepans, bowls and cutting boards – not to mention expensive knives and high-tech ovens! That’s why one of the trends for this season is just perfect for these people: designing a luxurious kitchen area that’s fit for a king!

Before you decide to go all in, make sure your budget can withstand these changes – besides installing an enormous kitchen island, you’ll also need new cabinets and countertops, as well as a number of new appliances and a whole set of utensils. Finally, don’t forget a new floor, which you can decorate with a new rug, a fresh coat of paint on the walls and some kitchen furniture. Creating a luxury kitchen requires a lot of work, time, money and effort, but the results are quite spectacular and the level of elegance is something no ordinary kitchen can match.

Comfortable Dining

Speaking of furniture, you don’t need a king-size kitchen to have a comfortable dining room. While most families still live in homes where these two areas are physically separated, others prefer blending these zones together and creating an open area for cooking and eating. That’s precisely why you might want to think about this idea as well – no matter how big your home is, you should try to make room for dining, even at the expense of a second bedroom.

There are a few ways to create a small dining area and you should research all of them before finding the one that suits you the most. While some people value practicality and simply install a breakfast bar into their kitchen, others make their own collapsible tables that don’t occupy too much space yet allow comfortable dining. However, being able to insert a dining table and a few chairs in your kitchen is still the best idea out there – but only if your home is big enough.

Green, Green, Green

Eco-friendliness has been one of the most popular home decorating trends for a while, and kitchen decorations are no exception. Saving our planet and preserving natural resources as much as possible are among the biggest concerns of our generation and something we need to do in order to make this world a better place for our children. When it comes to designing an environmentally aware kitchen, things are quite simple – all you need to do is use natural materials, insert some greenery and find a way to cut back on using too much water and electricity.

First of all, use second-hand materials for your countertops and cabinets and recycled wood for your floors. After that, pick only eco-friendly wall paints that will give your kitchen a dose of elegance, but also help us save Mother Earth at the same time. Also, get some plants and flowers that will turn your kitchen into a green paradise and start researching water purification – you won’t believe what a reliable UV home water treatment can do for your water consumption and health!

In the end, focus on finding new eco-friendly appliances. There is a huge selection of Energy Star products on the market, so you need to get ones that will save you energy and water on a daily basis – keep in mind that green fridges, ovens and dishwashers use about 25% less energy than regular models.

Illuminate Your Food

Cooking outdoors is probably among the most enjoyable activities in the world – with the sounds of nature everywhere around you, and lively colors of trees, grass and the sky surrounding you, there’s no way your food can be anything less than remarkable! However, while this is always an option for people living in houses with big backyards, those occupying small apartments in residential buildings can never experience this freedom. Luckily, there’s one thing they can do – fill their kitchen with natural light and fresh air.

The most effective way to incorporate nature into your kitchen is by installing extra-large windows and keeping them open as often as possible. This way, you’ll not only make your entire home full of fresh air, which is important for your health, but also turn your kitchen into a brighter place. Fresh air and natural light will inspire you and make you a better cook, which is something every single member of your family will definitely appreciate.

Other Ideas

Some of the other kitchen renovation trends you should look into this year include energy-efficient LED lights, touch-activated faucets, microwave drawers, bold and vivid wall colors, high ceilings, rustic decorations, as well as smart kitchen gadgets that bring the Internet of Things right between your oven and your sink.

5 Secrets To A Healthy Home

Here are 5 Secrets To A Healthy Home To Keep You Healthy And Safe

Your home is your sanctuary.

It is a space that fills you with warmth and joy. It is your haven from the outside world, a respite from the hustle and bustle of work and stress.

Yet, what if your home isn’t as safe as you think?

From your furniture to your choice of cleaning agent, every small choice can have massive repercussions on the health of your home and sanctuary.

A healthy and happy home is one that is clean and free from health hazards.

Maintaining a healthy home requires more work than one would assume.

It requires research, careful decision making and simple techniques that must be implemented from the very beginning.

Otherwise, small things can snowball into a massive health hazard that will be difficult to deal with later on.

Here’s a simple guide to help you create a home that isn’t just beautiful but is healthy and safe for you and your entire family.

Choose Your Furniture With Care

A home without furniture is an empty space.

It is the furniture that gives it character and makes it comfortable, which is why when choosing furniture, most of us focus on aesthetics alone.

We forget that furniture is a dust magnet, a hotbed of germs and requires frequent and rigorous cleaning.

Bulky furniture that is difficult to move around will collect dirt and dust in the corners, which can affect the air you breathe.

Instead choose simple and light furniture that can be cleaned around with ease, ensuring that no dirt is trapped in small spaces and corners.

Choose durable materials that can be maintained such as tile, stone, and leather. Avoid fancy carved furniture, large drapes that attract dust and heavy rugs that require constant cleaning.

Additionally, a lot of materials used to make furniture is covered with harmful chemicals.

For example, foam that is used in mattresses and couches is often covered in dangerous flame retardant chemicals.

Combat this by using cotton or wool where possible or ensuring the foam is covered in thick material preventing exposure to the chemicals used.

Take care when choosing paints and varnishes as well to ensure that no toxic chemicals are present.

Waterproofing Solutions

Based on the type of home you have, an apartment or a house, it is important to ensure that you choose the right type of waterproofing solutions.

Inadequate waterproofing can lead to a wide range of health concerns for those living in the home.

Leakage and seepage can cause mold, mildew, and fungus to grow on the walls and ceiling, leading to breathing problems and fungal infections to say the least.

This makes it imperative to tackle the problem right from the root with sound waterproofing on the structure.

While waterproofing begins with smart drainage that diverts all water away from the foundation of your home, you might also need additional waterproofing for extra protection.

Choose bituminous or polyurethane based waterproofing for roofs and cement based waterproofing solutions for kitchens and bathrooms.

Consult with a waterproofing expert to choose the right materials for your home, because there is no one-size-fits-all waterproofing solution.

Each option has its own characteristics and pros and cons which necessitate an informed decision.

Be Careful With Wiring

Wiring and electrics are something we rarely pay attention to unless we run out charging ports for our precious gadgets.

This overlooked aspect of home maintenance is incredibly important especially when moving into a new home or renovating.

Incorrect wiring and sloppy work can lead to a fire hazard in the house.

Which is why you need to ensure that you have certified electrician do all the wiring in the home.

Moreover, once your home is complete, don’t forget to call an electrician for bi-annual checks to ensure that everything is working as it should.

After all, when it comes to wiring and electricity, one small mistake can have dangerous and potentially lethal repercussions.

Simple Ventilation Techniques

Stale air can be a massive concern in today’s day, with indoor air pollution often higher than levels seen outdoors.

It is important to counter this with a few simple measures that will air out your home and keep the air clean and fresh.

The most important thing is to make sure that your windows are easily accessible and can be opened every few days to air out your home.

Make sure you use fans including exhausts in the bathrooms and kitchen to circulate the air effectively.

You might also want to consider an indoor air purifier to ensure that the air inside your home is clean and dust free.

Pair it with a humidifier for air that is easier to breathe.

Lastly, it is important to avoid using aerosol air fresheners. These are full of chemicals that should not be inhaled.

Instead, use natural scented oils and diffusers for a home that is both healthy and aromatic.

Practice Regular Effective Kitchen Care

Your health begins in the kitchen.

But these days kitchen health is more than just choosing organic produce and mercury-free fish.

A toxic material can make its way into your kitchen through the cookware you choose and the cleaning products you use.

For optimal kitchen health, it is important to pay attention to the details.

Cookware is essential to a kitchen and utensils must be chosen with care.

Non-stick cookware is known to release toxic fumes when heated to high temperatures so consider swapping to cast iron, steel, and aluminum.

Similarly heating up plastic in the microwave can be harmful to your health. Use glass or ceramic utensils to store food and for use in the microwave.

When choosing bottles, stick to BPA free plastic or switch to glass where possible.

Likewise, the cleaning products you use are often full of dangerous chemicals that you can do without.

Wherever possible, swap these out for healthy and organic cleaners that incorporate household products like vinegar, lime juice, and baking soda.

You don’t necessarily need an army of products to keep a clean kitchen and home, a few simple all natural products will do the trick with ease.

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Kitchen Renovation And Remodel Ideas

Modernizing your kitchen through renovations is a great way to bring your old dated kitchen back to life and re-invigorate the passion for cooking that may have disappeared over the years.

The kitchen is the ultimate part of the home where we love to make delicious food dishes.

The aroma of delightful food smells enhance our level of salivation during cooking, as well as also helping to fulfill the hunger pangs when we finally get to enjoy the tastes.

Some homemakers spend a lot of time during the day in the kitchen for making various scrumptious food items for the family so it makes sense to have a kitchen that is both modern, up to date and encouraging when it comes to preparing tasty meals.

Some people like to experiment in the kitchen and surprise their family and friends by cooking a variety of different International cuisines.

Therefore, a kitchen is just not a few square feet in your home where foods are methodically made up.

It is (and should be) the place in the home from which strong family and friend bonding of every relationship starts.

Every kitchen must be clean enough and the kitchen owner must maintain proper hygiene in the space.

Over time, every kitchen reaches that point where they must be renovated appropriately with all the modern amenities and updated appliances.

Appropriate kitchen renovations change the ultimate look and feel and make people feel like a master chef in their own home kitchen, comfortable to experiment with many food recipes.

Some Tips On How To Renovate The Kitchen

Undertaking a kitchen renovation is something that is able to be achieved either by the homeowner if they are a DIY type and have the appropriate skills, or by bringing in the kitchen renovating experts to provide a quote and/or getting them to do the work to bring the kitchen up to date.

Check the points below as here is all the information related to kitchen restoration which makes the kitchen look like a new one and brings a new vibe and interest in cooking.

Put The Extra Stuff Aside:

In the kitchen, a lot of unused stuff, especially dishes, and other utensils can be noticed but should be stored out of sight.

Sometimes the place can become very messy with used napkins, fruit and vegetable peelings, plastic wrappers, bottles of oils and much more.

These altogether make the look of the kitchen worse.

It is better to have a conveniently placed ‘out of sight’ garbage bin to put all this used stuff as you work.

Also having a convenient waste master in your sink can help to deal with many of the organic disposable food waste items.

One can also put the utensils on a portable hanging rack for convenient access and storage when not in use.

Color It Right:

In some cases, people can even lose interest in cooking because they don’t want to go to their boring old outdated kitchen.

This interest in cooking can be enhanced when the kitchen has been renovated and offers a much more modern look with the latest appliances and gadgets.

If the walls look greasy, an unpleasant smell can emanate from the kitchen and if enough light is not there, then the mood can also get spoiled.

It is important to paint the kitchen with the latest color trends and techniques which can help to attract people back into spending time in their kitchen perhaps cooking exotic cuisines.

Design the wall with multiple food images which are absolutely now in fashion to enhance the salivation.

Install Modern Appliances And Gadgets:

Nowadays, everybody wants to finish work as soon as possible.

To make a dish within a few hours should be easy and enjoyable.

It won’t take magic but some hi-tech kitchen appliances can make it easy.

Cutting, frying, boiling and all the other methods can be done easier with modern kitchen appliances.

The technical kitchen appliances also keep the entire kitchen fresh, oil-free and also free of unpleasant smells.

By using these updated kitchen appliances, people can make a multitude of different foods and also end up saving effort and time whilst also enhancing and restoring their interest in cooking.

Design The Waste System Appropriately:

A kitchen looks clean and fresh when there is minimum use of water.

If water is spread out or spilled in the kitchen then it can start to look dirty.

Ensure that there is efficient drainage in the kitchen and the preparation areas.

The kitchen renovations need to have an effective plumbing and drainage plan showing where the clean water pipes will be installed as well as where the waste drainage will flow.

If you have a sink in an island bench, then you need to take into account how the drains will work.

This could be expensive if you have a concrete floor so it’s important to have the drainage system planned initially when the kitchen is designed by the architects.

Modern kitchens, if renovated with their own unique style, can yield amazing value improvement for the entire property as kitchens are one of the key areas people look at when deciding on buying a home.

The style, comfort, and aesthetics of the kitchen matter most especially when you want to spend more time in there cooking delectable dishes for your family.

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Smarter Kitchens For A Convenient Life

A kitchen is a room dedicated in the house that is used for storing all food items and used primarily for cooking. It comprises a work surface, cabinets, cooking appliances and utensils. Furthermore, the kitchen can be divided into either a residential or a commercial kitchen.

When you decorate your kitchen, you need to consider several factors such as the look and style and construction of the cabinets, washing basin, plumbing systems, kitchen top, electric wiring and storage location for your appliances. Firstly, you should decide on your purpose, whether you need a commercial kitchen or a residential kitchen. Then you should make your own list of which electronic appliances need to be installed in your kitchen. Lastly you need to call the kitchen designers who will give you some templates of various kitchen designs. You can choose any of their designs, or you could go for the customized design kitchen as per your requirement.

What Are The Different Types Of Kitchens Designs?

Kitchens have taken over the family room spot these days. It has become a space where families and friends gather around to share meals or chat and even do office or school home work. The style of the room should be spacious and well lit enough to accommodate the family. With the increase in styles and designs of kitchens as mentioned below, there are the few popular ones used by families across the world:

Farmhouse kitchen: They are classic looking huge kitchens with big work surfaces and storage capacity. They also have a big enough space to accommodate a big family sized dining table. The big tables, shelves and classic flooring make it easy to work and move around.

Rustic kitchens: They have a worn, distressed and rough look. These kitchens took a back seat a few years ago but are now coming back in vogue again as a sturdy and handy area to work. Their look is displayed by the use of stones, timber, brick, vintage appliances and fireplaces etc.

Modern kitchens: They are sleek in design with optimum utilization of space, frameless neatly stacked cabinets, sleek and simple hardware, strong horizontal lines and the use of materials that are shining through.

Traditional kitchens: These kitchens are quite detailed and include decorative moldings, arches, corbels, raised-panel cabinets, antique finishes etc. These kitchens are usually based around an owner’s personal styles and can be designed using a combination of different types of woods and paneling.

How Do You Decorate Your Own Kitchen In A Contemporary Style?

Contemporary kitchens are very sleek and purely modern layouts with varied structures, designs and grids. These kitchens are often playful and innovative in design and finishes.
Transitional kitchens are a combination of warmth of traditional design coupled with clean and simple lines similar to the contemporary style. They project the kitchen space with complete balance, harmony and flexibility in styling.
Craftsman kitchen styles came into existence in the early 20th century displaying the Victorian era comprising rich woods, handcrafted tiles and detailed work etc.

Cottage kitchens are cozy and simple. They display design minimalism and ease combined with the use of soft colors displaying the cottage comfort.
Classic kitchens comprise simple architectural details and minimalistic work allowing the owner to personalise between contemporary and traditional style.
Mediterranean-style kitchens have flared hoods, hand-painted tiles, wood cabinets etc, glowing with features of Spanish kitchens.

So now you need to decide about the designs which need to be installed in your kitchen, and you can even incorporate multiple designs in one kitchen area also if you wish. In this regard you can search online and find several kitchen designs and their utility details.