5 Tips On Making The Most Out Of Your Small Kitchen

The kitchen is often the heart of the home and it can be a challenging area when the space is small. When utensils, pots and pans are difficult to find; it is time to give your small kitchen space the TLC that it deserves. We have five tips that will help you make the most out of your small kitchen space.

1. Minimize Countertop Clutter

First of all, take a step back and look at your countertop. If you cannot see it, it's time to clear out the clutter. There shouldn't be a mess of dishes, small appliances, or papers. Find an area to properly store these items, so your countertop can be clutter free. Just think of all the extra space you will have once the clutter is cleared!

Contemporary Kitchen by London Interior Designers & Decorators Black and Milk Residential

2. Utilize Wall Space

Are you utilizing your wall space? Chances are, you have an area or two that would benefit from a few hooks or open shelving. If storage is a problem for you, this is a great opportunity to utilize and maximize your space to make it more functional. Add decorative hooks to hang spoons or utensils. Add open shelving to place bowls or measuring utensils so they're within reach!

Traditional Kitchen by Excelsior General Contractors Erotas Building Corporation

3. Creative Use Of Cabinets

Do your cabinets and refrigerator reach to the ceiling? No? Good! This is extra storage space you didn't know you had! You may need to keep a step stool handy, but it will be worth it when you can keep all of your kitchen items where it belongs! If the insides of  the cabinets are full, you can always use the spaces above the cabinets too!

Traditional Kitchen by Alachua Cabinets & Cabinetry Busby Cabinets

4. Smaller Appliances

Appliances can take up a lot of space. Do your appliances fit your small kitchen space? If they do not, consider downsizing to smaller sized appliances. It may be a drag to not have a standing mixer anymore, but handheld mixers work just as well and can be stored in a cabinet when not in use! Do you have a coffee pot sitting on your counter, but you hardly make a full pot? Consider buying a French Press instead! Makes great coffee and it takes less time!

Contemporary Kitchen by Boston Interior Designers & Decorators Bunker Workshop

5. Purchase More Space

You might find that even doing these previously mentioned things aren't enough to cut it. Consider purchasing a rolling kitchen rack or island! These things can really come in handy when you need just a few extra cabinets or space. Purchase one with a butcher-block top so it can double as a cutting board, or a sturdy granite finish for an extra counter top!

Farmhouse Kitchen by San Francisco Design-Build Firms Sandra Bird Designs

Have you utilized your small kitchen to the fullest? Tell us all about it in the comments below! We would love to hear how you transformed your space from clutter to functional!

More Kitchen Ideas:

• Ideas How To Design Perfect White Kitchen


• 5 Laminates Perfect for a Unique Farmhouse Kitchen


• Should I Install Laminate Flooring Before or After I Install My Kitchen Cabinets?

The post 5 Tips On Making The Most Out Of Your Small Kitchen appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

Stunning Stair Railings

Exciting news, we’re in contract to purchase another fixer upper house. Of course it’s never a done deal until escrow closes so I won’t blog about the house until the keys are in my hand but this one is a single story home. For months I’d been looking at two story homes and saving images of beautiful staircases assuming we’d buy a two story and as it turns out this time we’re not, so I thought I’d just get my love affair for stunning stair railings out of my system and spotlight a few staircase balustrades that I adore.

The pieces between the hand rail and stair tread are formally called a balustrade and the individual vertical posts are called balusters. We all know a stair railing has its functional use: to protect people and pets from falling and as a hand support for traveling up and down stories. But all of us who love design we want more than just function, we want beautiful form too. While a classic look with vertical balusters will always be timeless, I'm admiring the horizontal lines and geometric designs in many of these systems, a modern detour from the traditional look of all vertical balusters.

clayton & little

single point design build

 

stacey cohen interiors

 

mf architecture

 

leo designs

 

  rume home

 

specialized stairs

 

john k anderson architect

 

synthesis design build

 

jeff king & co

heritage collection

 

hgtv dream home

A staircase railing remodel is a pricey undertaking, those beautiful balustrades are custom work by a local craftsman or builder. Any build or remodel should meet local codes, so a permit is often required. That last image is my favorite, what’s yours among these modern designs?

Live Lagom!*

Have you ever heard of Lagom? No, well until recently we hadn’t either. Essentially it’s all about living in a more sustainable way, but living lagom doesn't mean that you have to completely change the way you live and the way you do things. Living Lagom is all about finding a balance – literally –... 

Read More »

The post Live Lagom!* appeared first on Little House On The Corner.

Tips To Get Your Entryway Organized In The New Year

The New Year has been around for a couple weeks. Have you taken charge of your entryway? Chances are you have boots, shoes, and the like scattered around. We have a few tips to help you get all of this chaos organized. If your entryway is a space that you appreciate and want others to see, your family will be more apt to put things where they belong.

Built-In Bench with Storage

A built in bench with a lid that offers storage for boots and shoes is an easy solution. Not only do you have a place to sit to put on and take off foot wear, you also have a nice looking space. Depending on the decor in this space, you may even opt for a coat of paint on your bench. If you want more of a natural look, give the wood a coat of varnish and it will be good to go.

Transitional Entry by San Francisco Architects & Building Designers Schwartz and Architecture

Plenty of Hooks

You can never have enough hooks hanging in your entryway. With several stunning finishes to choose from, you will find hooks that offer a stunning look. From shiny silver to tarnished bronze, there's something for every style of decor. The key will be training each family member to utilize these hooks. From coats, scarves to hats; stylish hooks in your entryway can lift a lot of items off of the floor.

Modern Entry by Cambridge Architects & Building Designers LDa Architecture & Interiors

Organization, Organization, Organization

Boxes for storage are essential when it comes to entryway organization. They are not only functional but also add structure and layer to entire space. You can buy affordable containers at your local store or look for something nice and unique at flea market. With a little of creativity you can make them totally yours as unique as you are.

Little shelf or cabinet with a charging station for your cell phone as well as  a safe place to store your keys will be a great investment.  And if you are a big of Handy-Andy, it could be very affordable solution to beautify and add utility to your entryway.

Traditional Entry on Houzz.com

Bring in the Light

When was the last time to changed your light fixtures?  Now it's great opportunity to modernize your space and make it special. Invest in new sconces, just make sure they will integrate with colors & the style of your new space. A fresh coat of paint is also another simple, inexpensive way to help in the organization process. A new color, teamed up with new hardware can really make those walls pop.

Modern Entry by Minneapolis Architects & Building Designers Peterssen/Keller Architecture

New Flooring

And finally, if your floor is not built to withstand sand, salt, and snow, we have a solution for you. Click lock vinyl plank flooring offers a quick DIY weekend solution. Vinyl plank flooring is completely DIY friendly, with an easy lock system planks click together in place. No glue is needed to install it and you can walk on your floor right after the installation. Most entryways are not a very large area, which makes this flooring space super affordable when it comes to updating it. The best part? Vinyl is waterproof! So when the kids come inside, bringing dirt, water, mud, and who knows what else, you won't have to worry about your floors.

Bestlaminate Perfecto Alicante Sandstone Click-Lock Vinyl Flooring

Free inspirational ideas and step-by-step guides are all over the internet. All you have to do is search for an inspiration that speaks to you. It could be a Pinterest , YouTube or Instagram. Have you taken the time to organize your entryway, or is it time to dive in and get it all together? We'd love to hear about your tips on organizing your entryway! Write them in the comments below!

Learn More:

• What are pros and cons of vinyl plank flooring?


• Home Remodeling Projects For The New Year


• New Year Resolutions – With a New Year Comes a New You

*This post was updated from 2015 to give you a better reading experience and new ideas on how to renovate your home for the new year!

The post Tips To Get Your Entryway Organized In The New Year appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

How to Use Small Apartment Decor to Create a Livable Space

If you live in a small apartment, things can quickly become overwhelming. As stuff gathers in the corners, on the tables, and stuffed in your drawers you can quickly begin to feel claustrophobic.

Small apartment décor and organization can get tricky when you aren’t sure where to start. How do you organize it all? How do you make your home feel cozy without overpowering the space?

Here are few tips and tricks on how to organize your small space and make it livable.

Manage Clutter

The first step in taking your small apartment from crowded to livable is to de-clutter. Everyone has things they hold on to that they never use. Go through your things and evaluate the sentimental value versus how much you use each item. Then, toss or donate what you don’t use.

As you de-clutter, sort what you keep by season. Store off-season items (like swimsuits and beach towels in the winter) in plastic tubs stacked out of the way. Closets and under your bed are perfect places for this.

Contemporary Bedroom by Los Angeles Architects & Building Designers Vertebrae Architecture

Organization is Key

Once you’ve de-cluttered, it’s time to organize what’s left. Here are few ideas to get you started:

• Utilize the back of doors to create storage by attaching towel bars or over-the-door organizers.


• Use a cloth door shoe organizer in the bathroom to store medical supplies.


• Install corner shelves in empty corners to maximize storage opportunities.


• Don’t waste wall space; use decorative hooks to hang purses and scarves.


• Maximize the space above and around a toilet with shelving.


• Use shelving as a headboard to store books and personal items.


• Raise your bed to create room for under the bed storage.

Worried you don’t have enough space for this? Make sure your furniture choices double as storage solutions. For example, if you have a coffee table double it’s functionality by using it to store for extra blankets and bedding.

Traditional Kitchen by Chilliwack Kitchen & Bath Designers Starline Cabinets

Décor Via Organization

Don’t be afraid to incorporate your organization into the décor. Here are two ways to get items off a counter or dresser and on the wall as decoration.

Jewelry Organizer

Jewelry is beautiful so why not incorporate it into your décor? Back a large decorative picture frame with chicken wire and use S hooks to hang your jewelry from the wire. You can also simply use some wire and eye-hooks on the wall to hang earrings, necklaces, and bracelets!

Contemporary Closet on Houzz

Makeup Storage

Create a magnetic makeup board by using a large frame and backing it with a piece of sheet metal cut to fit. (For additional style you can cover the sheet metal with fabric that coordinates with your other décor to add a pop of color.) Next, use a hot glue gun to glue small magnets to the back of each piece of makeup so they can hang on the sheet metal. To organize brushes, buy a decorative vase to store them in on the counter.

Spaces by New Bern Media & Bloggers LizMarieBlog.Com

Do you have any tips of your own on how to make a small space work? Share in the comments!

See more Design Tips:

• 5 Easy Tips To Make Your Living Room Pop!


• Tips For Decorating and Organizing a Kids Bathroom


• Transitional Bedroom Decor Tips – Growing from Toddler to Teen

The post How to Use Small Apartment Decor to Create a Livable Space appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

3 Things You Need Before Ordering Flooring

We spoke with our customer service representatives and asked them how we can make our customer's ordering process even easier. They came back with a list of the top 3 things you need before ordering flooring! Knowing these three key pieces of information will help speed up your ordering time and get you going!

1. Square Footage

Have the square footage of your project ready. This way we can calculate how many boxes you will need for your project. Remember to add between 5% and 10% extra to the square footage for waste. Calculating how much you will need is very simple, but if you need help getting started, you can view our article on How to Calculate Square Footage of a Room.

2. Sub-Floor Type

To find out what type of underlayment you will need we need to know if the flooring will be installed over concrete or wood sub-floor. This is the most simple question to answer. All you have to do is pull up a section of carpet, tile, or other flooring and see what is underneath! Most subfloors above ground level are wood subfloors. Concrete is what you will see mostly in basements or some ground level rooms.

3. Transition Moldings

This might be the trickiest of the 3 questions to answer as there are two parts to this question:

• Which transition moldings do you need?
• What is the linear footage for the transition moldings you need?

To tackle the first question, you need to know what kind of floor you will be transitioning to: same height floors, different heights, carpet or steps. There are different moldings for each of these circumstances. As for the second question, most moldings come in 96″ linear feet pieces. You will need to measure out the total linear feet you will need to cover the transition areas you need. For more in-depth information, read this article on the Types of Moldings for Laminate Flooring Installation to see which moldings you will need. Then simply measure the spaces you will be adding them to and there you go!

We understand you may still have some questions when you call our sales representatives and that's alright! They are here to help you make knowledgeable decisions about ordering your floor and everything that comes with it. Call them at 1-800-520-0961 to order or to start the process!

More On Ordering Flooring:

• How to Find the Best Discount Laminate Flooring
• Frequently Asked Questions about Laminate Flooring: Ordering & More
• Do You Know What to Look For in Flooring Companies?

The post 3 Things You Need Before Ordering Flooring appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

Observations & Product Photos From The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS 2016)

Fabulous chandeliers at the Wynn Hotel | #KBIS2016

I'm in Vegas this week at the Kitchen and Bath Show — aka: KBIS 2016!

And I'm with a great group of design bloggers, all brought together by Modenus.

Today I'm sharing a few highlights with all of you, so you can have a little peek at some of the most amazing products out there that are available to remodel YOUR kitchen, bath, bar, outdoor kitchen, etc.

Here, have a look...

Wall of refrigeration from Thermador in an auto paint finish | #KBIS2016

Chubby white vessel sinks from Toto. So on trend. | #KBIS2016

Great new patterns in carpeting perfect for creating less expensive area rugs. Via Karastan. | #KBIS2016

Lots of beautiful, brassy finishes. This one from Rohl. | #KBIS2016

And of course we can't go to Vegas without some fabulous parties and home tours!

Party at the Responsive Homes, built especially for young millennial families by Pardee Homes. Interiors designed by Bobby Berk. | #KBIS2016

Some of the amazing luxury features seen at the party for the New American Home. | #KBIS2016

Fabulous lunch at the Las Vegas Country Club with Thermador | #KBIS2016

We had a special tour arranged by Las Vegas designer, Jackie Von Tobel, of the gorgeous Wynn Hotel. | #KBIS2016

Btw...

Have a look at my Instagram and Twitter to see what we’re up to while at KBIS 2016, as well as all the goodies we’re seeing live and in person. I’ll be blogging about everything in the coming weeks with Modenus' BlogTour, so there’s lots to come.

Then, once KBIS is all said and done, you’re going to need to get your projects ready, because…

I’m gonna be home that next week, and my FFWTH in February is filling up fast!