So, can you maximize the space without a kitchen remodel?

This small kitchen is actually from Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey house.

The answer is a resounding yes, but let’s break it down a bit.  First of all, let’s look at the way that kitchen space is generally used. Its two main purposes are storage and food preparation. Obviously, small kitchen designs make things even more challenging.  You must ensure that you have adequate room for both of these, but there is also another factor that actually makes this relative: How many kitchen appliances do you need to store? And, how many people are using this kitchen? You may have a tiny kitchenette, for example, but if you are a single person living in your own and you tend to eat at other people’s homes for social events rather than hosting anyone in your house, the small size of your kitchen will not be relevant.

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If your utensils and appliances outnumber the space that you have at your disposal, there are several things that you can do about it:

• Go through everything you own and ruthlessly ditch anything that you don’t use. There is no need to hang on to broken or unnecessary items. They take up way too much space. Your emotional attachment to them does not outweigh the need to have a viable kitchen.

• Reorganize your cupboards so that you fit everything inside in the most compact way possible. Saucepans can be stacked neatly inside each other. Items should be placed on shelves neatly, rather than tossed in haphazardly, which can waste space unnecessarily as well as looking untidy.

• Learn good neatness habits, such as making sure that every single item, even including kitchen accessories, has its own home. And then you have to make sure that you put them there! Make a policy never to go to bed or leave the house with things lying around on countertops. If everything is put away neatly, you will have more space for food preparation. And of course, your kitchen will look much better.

• If you don’t have enough space still for kitchen storage, you need to add more shelves. If you have the budget and a high ceiling, you may want to build upwards and add another tier of cabinets. If not, then add more shelves to the walls.

All of these ideas are relatively simple, but they will surely make your life much easier!

Since the kitchen area is where most people will congregate, regardless of size, it is important to take every advantage of functional ways to enhance the space.  Some of these decisions will be based upon cost, others on splurges that really enhance the way you live or entertain.  If you are careful with your budget, you can save bundles on cabinetry and use that to get gorgeous granite countertops or a few high end kitchen appliances.

For these reasons, take the following points into account before making your ultimate decisions:

• How much space do you have available? Small kitchen designs, for example, have to be compact, taking into account your needs for storage space, an adequate food preparation area, and enough place for all of your kitchen appliances. In larger kitchens, you can spread yourself a lot more and also allow yourself luxuries such as a kitchen island, something that would be out of the question in a smaller area.

• How much of a budget do you have available? As alluded to, it is better to know where you can splurge and where you need to use more budget-friendly solutions to design challenges.  For example, you can get some great bang for your buck with unique kitchen tile ideas that accent or highlight a backsplash or create a ‘rug’ appearance on the floor.  Smaller spaces can actually lend themselves to highly efficient kitchens with all of your workspace within arm’s reach.

• When you hire contractors, be wary. There are many shady contractors among the highly professional ones.  Always ask for references and portfolios if you want to see the work they’ve done.  This is especially important if you have some unique design concepts that you’re looking to have built. Also, know how and what you’re paying for.  You don’t want, for example, to pay upfront for work that either doesn’t get done or isn’t completed properly. Signing an enforceable contract is paramount.

• Similarly, when purchasing expensive items, always read kitchen product reviews very thoroughly. Pay close attention to what other consumers say – this is where shopping online can be a great advantage. You really should do your best to avoid wasting your money on substandard products.  That saying, “no one ever regretted buying the best” is so true here.  Of course, this doesn’t mean most expensive.  It means purchasing the highest quality for what your budget allows.

• Think carefully about kitchen storage ideas that are compatible with the space you have, as well as the number of items that you possess. For example, in small kitchens with high ceilings, you may find that the direction is up, with tall cupboards and high shelves. In this situation, many details have to be taken into account exactly so that everything has its own specific space, such as a shelf for a microwave, a stovetop set into the counter rather than stand alone, and so forth. Of course, a larger area allows for more kitchen units and countertops to cater to your needs.

• Have you thought about kitchen accessories? These are dependent on the available space that you have, as well as the general look that you have chosen. Custom range hoods, pot hangers, dining sets and other kitchen items must be part of your design plans.  A minimalist design will have few frills or extra trimmings, while a Victorian or country style will include pictures, pretty china arrangements, decorative plates and other wall decor in the kitchen.

• What about lighting? Kitchen lighting is very important as it serves a dual purpose – of making food preparation easier on the one hand and on the other hand creating the atmosphere of the room. As these can be two different things, consider dimmer switches, or several kinds of lighting – an overhead light and then small ones over the counters.  This type of combination of flood lighting and spot or task lighting is one of the more important components of kitchen design.  There are also under cabinet lighting and a variety of chandeliers or candle lighting options.

As you can tell, there is a lot to consider. No matter if you have a large or small space, the proper planning and design inspiration can give you much more functional and usable space. As you’ve read, small kitchen designs can be both unique and quite functional, providing you with all the amenities of a larger kitchen in a tighter package.

Oak front doors can truly help you make the statement you’re seeking.  Furthermore, they stand the test of time when properly cared for – even better than doors made of other dense woods.  Not only is oak attractive, it is a hard

This is just one example of an oak door that uses a stained finish and unique hinges to create a more artistic welcome.

wood that resists the elements that other, softer woods – like pine or cedar – simply cannot.  It can take the punishment an exterior front door receives and come out looking great.

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These solid wood doors are not likely to warp or split as other woods may. Because it is substantial, it will provide security and strength. Despite its considerable weight, though, an oak door is easy to operate and will not wear out hardware and hinges when it’s installed properly.

On this note, if you’ll be installing the new door yourself, make sure that you ensure all mortises and hinge placements are accurate and that you’ve got a perfectly plumb and square door frame.  Replacing an existing door can be a simple job if you know some of the skills, but properly framing a door is a refined skill that you may wish to hire a contractor or carpenter for.  It will be money well spent to have a smoothly operating door for years to come.

One major benefit of using a wooden front door over metal or other styles is that wood can be refinished.  PVC doors and metal can be painted and this is common.  However, a dent in a metal door may not be easily be removed.  Also, metal doors can be a bit more of a challenge to decorate with or hang items on.  Wreath hooks that go over the door solve one problem, but there are other benefits of a wooden door, too.

But all the hidden benefits of an oak front door, including strength, durability and ease of use take a back seat to its beauty. You home will benefit from the impression made by your front door. An oak door may be treated with varnish, polyurethane or other clear finish that allows the grain to be seen.  Stains and varnishes will accentuate oak’s unique grain patterns.

Another option is to paint.  You can match or blend in with the existing colors of your home decor or go with something bold, modern or trendy.  That bright, red, front door is still a popular choice.  Although, now a gloss black door is becoming popular as well.  Both make great statements.

Many styles of oak door are available from simple Shaker designs to ornate carved patterns. There are also styles with no windows for more protection and privacy.  Then again, you may prefer a style with an oval window or four square window pattern.  Oak front doors are available from many retailers ranging from home improvement stores to custom fabricators that will work with you to design the door of your dreams.  So, whether you have a standard size door or need to order one in a custom size or design, you can surely find one that will meet your needs and announce and welcome guests to your home.

Perhaps a front door with a beaded curtain is too bold for you, but this look is very unique.

Beaded curtains were first popularized by western movies set in Asia or Africa. These films often portrayed bamboo beaded curtain styles – which has always been popular in that part of the world. Today, they can be made out of glass, plastics, mirrors, wood, shells, right on up to the most expensive materials like gemstones. Some are even made of eco-friendly products and materials like used foil bags from potato chips and old magazine pages.

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Furthermore, what used to be old is considered hip now. Those made out of bamboo beads are even better. Each bead is intricately painted to make up one whole image. Patterned images range from landscapes, cartoon characters, animals and religious portraits. There are also many themes, designs and cuts to choose from.

If you are the creative type, then go ahead and make one on your own. You can choose your own materials and design and it’s also a fun project to pass the time. Be sure to tie each bead into the string to avoid having all the beads fall off at once if one gets snagged. This also makes it easier to cut the curtain later if it ends up being too tall for the space in question. Making curtains is a great way to enhance your creativity and who knows, you might just earn money from it! Places like Etsy and Ebay are full of people selling homemade beaded curtains and some sellers can even create a curtain based on your specific request.

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Beaded curtains are often used as a room divider screen, wall decoration, or as a canopy. Using them as decorative screens like this can be a great way to divide your space and give you an added sense of a ‘wall’.  However, you may not be familiar that these curtains can attract positive energy and good vibes, too. According to Feng shui experts; beaded curtains filter out the airflow on your doorway and leaves positive energy behind. Various cultures even support the idea of people feeling more light and energized after passing through a curtain of beads like this.

One thing is for sure, beaded curtains are something you can appreciate and use with confidence.  They are worth so much more than their materials and unusual workmanship; you can see through the art the patience, hard work and creativity of the craftsman.  All these things show through in the decor of your home.

First consider whether it is a small or a big kitchen you are going to design, this will help you with planning your kitchen appliances. If it is a small one, firstly you should

This mosaic in the kitchen created a special focal point.

know about the arrangement of the kitchen triangle, by which we mean the space between the stove, the sink and the refrigerator.  Make sure there is enough space to move about in that region.

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As for the sink, always avoid the double sink. It takes greater space and looks clumsy, too. Instead install a single sink with a sprayer attachment and a garbage disposal. Next, do not go for the bulky side-by-side fridges and settle for a long, sleek and if necessary, a double-door one.

Tiles can be used to create the look of a kitchen accent rug without the problem of it moving around on you.  You should never use dark colors for your kitchen as that can create a feeling of claustrophobia. Always go for light-colored paints, cabinets and granite counter-tops are still popular, durable and can be used in a variety of designs.  You may also wish to add some unique kitchen wall decor items that can give your space a little more personality.

As for lights, under-cabinet lights are best for the chefs to work in. They do not create any unwanted shadows that may hamper the cooking work. Similarly, do not go for a highly stylistic chiaroscuro lighting set-up. You need to design unique kitchens, but not at the expense of hampering its functionality.  Photo credit

Here's a vibrant tile backsplash in a small kitchen design.

There are other ideas concerning the use of tiles and this is with backsplash ideas.  It is more common to think about flooring when tiles are mentioned, but the backsplash is another great place to add some personality or style to your space.

Another think to take good note of is that if you are revamping a smaller kitchen, never go for small tiles. Your normal kitchen tile ideas may prompt you to do so, but ignore your intuition for once because with larger tiles, the small space will seem larger. These are just a few of the essential kitchen design ideas and hope they come to your help.

These wall mounted water fountains for the home traditionally have used slate as the surface for the water to flow down but they have also expanded to marble and mirrored surfaces types as well.  The slate is still the most popular because it has the widest array of color that especially pops out when the stone is wet.  Most of the manufacturers of these types of wall fountains get their slate from quarries in India and China and then ship the slate to the US for continued manufacturing.  The two main manufacturing companies are Adagio, located in Utah, and Bluworld which is in Florida.

There really are only three slate options to choose from.  The most popular slate option is the rajah multicolor stone which has a lot of earth tones like deep reds, yellows and browns.  This stone looks best in a traditional classical decor setting.  The other options are the green slate and the black slate.  The black is for the contemporary modern design and the green stone is the crossover which can be used in either setting.  The bottom and top panels are usually made of stainless steel or copper and the edges can be squared off or rounded depending on what you want.

These indoor water features truly are amazing!  They create a very peaceful ambiance with their natural beauty and running water.  There is nothing like sitting back and enjoying the quiet sounds of running water over the beautiful slate.  And with so many different sizes and styles to choose from it’s easy to find wall fountains that will fit your design needs.

Whether it is small bedroom designs or a bathroom or even kitchen space we are trying to open up, there are some general principles we can utilize to help with this process.  If you utilize these principles in each space in your home,

This is a great little Zen space.

you’ll quickly feel more open and energized as a result.  So, let’s get started.

Get Rid of Clutter

This is probably one of the easiest statements to make but can be one of the harder principles to apply.  The main issue is that what some would call clutter others call character, collectible or something with sentimental value.  Don’t overthink this one, if it feels like your energy goes down around the stuff, get rid of it.  You can either throw it out or donate it as the best way to get rid of it completely.

Another way, however, is to at the very least organize it better.  You can use something like those Jetmax storage cubes to hide stuff for another time or keep things safe that you truly want to have around for longer.  Big, bulky items can also be eliminated thanks to modern technology.  A big large screen TV can be replaced with a wall-mounted flat panel model for a more modern and sleek appeal.  Prices are quite reasonable these days.

Double-Up or Down

Here, we’re referring to using spaces and objects for two or more purposes.  If you have kitchen remodeling plans, incorporate an island design that could be used as a dining area and food preparation area.  In the bedroom, you could use a storage bed or a Murphy bed that folds down when you have company and allows for more space to be used as a home office or other area when no company is around.

Better yet, don’t limit yourself to what each area has to be and use them according to your needs.  For example, you can use a smaller bedroom for an exercise space or a place to meditate in.  It could be made into your own little sanctuary.  If that isn’t up your alley, consider converting that space into a laundry room or laundry station folding, organizing and ironing station.  Other rooms in the home can be converted into other types of spaces as well.

Build In Not On

One of the things that quickly clutter a room or helps it feel smaller is shelving that sticks into the space.  While shelving can help in some spaces, it can also be a problem in others.  Some closet design ideas call for a lot of shelving, but this is key in such an area.  It’s already a small space, you’re just trying to better organize it.

A great way to add shelving is to build it into your walls.  It is similar to how a bathroom wall cabinet or medicine cabinet is built into the wall.  In other words, if you can set the shelving back into the wall, the shelf will not protrude, giving your space a cleaner line and more visually free of clutter.  Don’t go in and just start cutting studs and drywall out for a shelf.  Depending on the load bearing status of your wall, you may need to consult with a professional.

Let There Be Light

Light is an essential component to opening up and, literally, brightening a space.  However, you can also weigh down a room with certain types of lighting.  Opt for recessed lighting or ‘can lights’ as they are often referred.  These, like the recessed shelves mentioned above, will give you a cleaner and smoother visual appearance.

If you have natural lighting from windows, make sure that you don’t have heavy curtain panels blocking all of that light.  It is a much wiser idea to utilize some sort of window scarf or valance design to accent them.  If privacy isn’t an issue, leave them unadorned.

Follow these ideas and whether you’re small bathroom remodel ideas have got you going crazy or you just want to keep your spaces feeling open and airy, these ideas for decorating small spaces will surely help you out.

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One thing that saves people a lot of money is finding coupons they can use when making their purchases. These coupons can be ones that will save the buyer a certain percentage off of their purchase or they can be ones that save the buyer a certain amount of money on the item they are buying. Some people do not want to look for coupons but still want to be able to get good deals on their island or cart, so there is another way of saving money that you should know. Using the internet is a great way to be able to find the best deals available without looking for coupons or driving all over the place to compare prices.

If you want to buy kitchen islands and carts without spending a lot of time and money then the internet will help you to find the best deals. There are a few different places that you will be able to make your purchase online, or you might just use the internet to locate a store in your area that has the best deal if you would rather pick it up locally. Make sure to take a look around and see what deals are available to you.

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Brought to you by the staff at kitchenislandsandcarts.org

One area where we mentioned how entire sites like patiocoversplace.com are dedicated to discussions and topics

Here's a quaint little brick patio.

relating to outdoor living and patio design ideas was in the ‘patio’ section of that article.  We talked about some aspects of the patio furniture, the flooring – whether to go with a stamped concrete or outdoor pavers and other ideas – and other accessories.  We also mentioned a little about the outdoor living ideas.     Photo credit

Where we failed to go into much detail was with regard to those accessories, like the heating, outdoor lighting, fire pit and other specialty items and ideas.  While not all of these are eco-friendly products, per se, they can be used in a more Earth-conscious manner.  For example, a fire pit could burn cleaner fuels and used on specific days.  In fact, some cities, like Phoenix, AZ have ‘no burn’ days in the winter where outdoor fires are prohibited because of air pollution concerns.

Number 8 for our other list could have been lighting ideas for outdoors.  There are any number of solar lights, outdoor wall sconces , table lamps, floor lamps, flood lights, landscape lighting, string lights and other overhead lighting that could be used on your patio structure – like your gazebo or pergola.  This could help with ambiance or safety, or both.

What About Appliances?

Yes, this was an oversight, too.  Consider this ‘number 9’.  Appliances definitely need to be discussed in terms of their environmental impact and energy and cost savings.  There are a variety of appliances that you can purchase today that will not only give you a big efficiency boost, but will allow you to claim a credit or rebate on that purchase.  Items like refrigerators, freezers and washers and dryers are the big ones.  You could also save on heating of your water by using either a solar hot water tank or even a tankless water heater.  These are both great ways to heat water and waste less of it in the process.

Just because there are big appliances to worry about, doesn’t mean you should overlook the little guys.  You should also take into account your light bulbs and light fixtures as well.  Even a small table lamp can be fitted with a higher efficiency or longer lasting bulb that produces less heat when it is on.

While not as ‘efficient’ in the short-term for your wallet are LED lights.  These are beginning to make their way into more residential applications.  They are head and shoulders above others in terms of lifespan and energy efficiency.  LED bulbs operate at much lower temperatures as well.  You may wish to start making the switch as your budget allows.

Another option to consider in this appliance category is the heating and cooling of your home.  Just through using more efficient or cleaner furnace filters, you can save as well.  More efficient heating and cooling means lower bills and less energy wasted.  Even just using items like ceiling fans can make a big difference.  Fans are great because they circulate the air in the space.  While they don’t necessarily make the room hotter or colder, by moving the hot and cold air around, they can help your space feel more comfortable.  This is the big key. There are Energy Star rated fans in a variety of models.  To find some unique fans, go to bigassfans.com

Finally, no discussion of any eco-friendly nature would be complete without some mention of home solar panels or solar power.  Not to disappoint, we’ll talk briefly about the benefits here.  The main thing that still keeps solar power from being more mainstream is cost.  Sure, there are efficiency concerns and battery storage issues, but these are trumped by concerns over the initial investment into solar equipment.     Photo credit

There are now lease programs and other government incentives that can allow for homeowners to make solar a part of their home’s power use and save a bundle in the process.  As prices and technology improve, there will likely be even more solar power units made available that fit residential applications at more budget-friendly prices.

So, there you have it, the re-visited eco-friendly home decorating ideas and ‘top 10’ tips.

Safety is, unquestionably a major benefit and should always be the highest priority when considering installing something as potentially hazardous as a wood burning fire. The great advantage of glass over other fireplace screens is that it prevents sparks and embers from escaping the firebox and potentially landing on something that might burn and cause a house fire. Safety is of even greater concern if children and pets will be around the fire.

In this regard, your fireplace design and aesthetics are of secondary importance, but one of the main purposes of installing a fireplace is the look that it brings to your room, so when choosing the right door, how it looks should not be discounted.  It is important that you choose a door that matches the mantel and surround of your fireplace area as well as any fireplace accessories you plan to position around the fireplace, like a nice set of fireplace tools.

Energy efficiency is a third benefit of glass fireplace doors. Glass doors serve to keep the heat in the fire and act against air escaping up the chimney once the fire has stopped burning. Over a long period of time, the energy efficiency a glass door offers will save you a considerable amount of wood.

When selecting a fireplace door to meet your requirements the first thing you need to figure out is what type of fireplace it will be fitted to. Will it be used on a masonry fireplace, a stone fireplace or a factory built one?  Second, choose a style that you think will work well in your area. It must be in a style that you are happy with and blends in well with the surrounding area.

Last, figure out what price you are willing to pay. There are great fireplace doors that can be purchased at all price levels, so establish your budget and then shop around for something that meets your criteria.

You can potentially save a lot of money by shopping online and this is usually a safe option if you are buying a door for a factory built or pre-fabricated fireplace. Fireplace glass doors offer tremendous appeal for almost any fireplace and the added benefits that it is a safe an energy-efficient choice.