Tag Archives: IKEA kitchen

10 Reasons Why You Need a New Kitchen

On the fence about whether to give your kitchen a makeover? Don’t panic, we’ve outlined 10 great reasons why getting a new kitchen is a must.

1. Increases the value of your home

Re-doing your kitchen can significantly increase the value of your home, and your chances of someone buying it, especially if it is currently outdated and falling apart.

2. Your kitchen is a mess

It’s untidy, and there’s nowhere to put things. You start moving things that don’t fit to other parts of the house, which creates even more chaos.

3. You can’t stand being in it

Almost everything in your kitchen is old, and not too stylish. A modern makeover would help you love your kitchen again.

4. No space

If your family is constantly squeezing past and bumping into each other, it is time to expand. An article from prosourcewholesale.com says, “The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends that the width of a walkway in a kitchen be at least 36 inches wide, your work space aisle should be at least 42 inches if just one of you will be cooking and 48 inches if there’s two of you.”

5. Energy efficient/good for environment

Using old-fashioned appliances can be a waste of money. Even a simple fix like adding a skylight could help save hundreds on your energy bill. Some things are simply outdated!

6. Changing lifestyle

Your needs are different from the last owner’s. Perhaps they didn’t have a large family, as opposed to your five kids. Maybe they didn’t have a dog either. Or, maybe your own lifestyle has changed since you first bought the house.

7. Special needs/accessibility

If anyone in the house is special needs, a new kitchen can accommodate them without a hassle. Many older models are not cognizant of accessibility.

8. Broken, ugly, or inefficient cabinets

Some cabinets and features (such as a lazy suzan) lose functionality with age. Sometimes, they simply don’t look nice. Upgrading to a sleek, modern look is exactly what you need to give your kitchen a new feel.

9. Bad flow

This ties in with having no space. Does it feel like your kitchen is inefficient to cook in? Is the dishwasher too far away from the sink? Are there not enough countertops by the cooking area? Bad flow can increase your stress and waste time while cooking. Upgrade to a new, well-planned out kitchen with updated appliances.

10. The countertops are scratched, stained, and/or cracked

Nothing ruins a great kitchen like stained, damaged countertops. Instead, go for brand new quartz or marble countertops! Many of our options are quite beautiful, and you don’t have to break the bank to do it, either.

 

Now you know you want a brand new kitchen that’ll last you 20+ years. The next step is emailing us! We’ll help you build your dream kitchen in no time. Not only will you enjoy a new, sleek look, but your home’s value will rise as well, an investment worth making.

6 Clever IKEA Storage Solutions for Your Kitchen

When your kitchen is clean and organized, you feel like you can finally breathe. Here are 6 creative ways to solve your storage problems using real IKEA products.

1. RASKOG Rolling Cart

Small rolling carts can be used to group small items and extra pantry items together. What’s special about the RASKOG cart from IKEA is that it can roll into small spaces, therefore maximizing kitchen storage space. It is also surprisingly sturdy for its size.

Black Raskog cart could be useful to move your cooking supplies around the kitchen.   You could use it as fruit and bread storage on a kitchen.

Photos by digsdigs.com

2. BILLY Bookcase

Using this bookcase, you can create a DIY kitchen island perfect for storing your favorite cookbooks, snacks, and other supplies. Add extra Billy bookcases in the kitchen as shelf storage for anything else you may want easy access to.

DIY Kitchen Island. This kitchen island is composed of an IKEA butcher block and three BILLY bookcases. You can also give the island a more custom look with moulding and beadboard on the side. See more details    Image result for billy bookshelves kitchen island

Photos by nowathomemom.com

3. Custom-Built Cabinets

When you ask us to renovate  your kitchen, we can custom build the cabinets you want. Cabinets can even be doubled up as a credenza for displaying your finest china and silverware.

Photos by nalleshouse.com

4. MOSLANDA Picture Ledges and RAJTAN Jars

IKEA MOSLANDA picture ledges can be both spice holders and art displays.  If you want the ledges to look even more organized and beautiful, place RAJTAN jars in them. Just make sure the sizing is right before you buy.

If you have enough flavors to fill an entire pantry (like this homeowner) don't take up valuable storage space on things that could double as wall art. IKEA picture ledges provide ample area for all of your spices and look pretty to boot. See more at DuhBe »     Related image

Photos by DuhBe and iheartplanners respectively.

5. GRUNDTAL pieces

It’s important to organize utensils by function. GRUNDTAL pieces from IKEA can be combined to utilize backsplash space with this unique utensil holder.

Image result for ikea utensil organizer

Photo by IKEA

6. SEKTION DRAWERS

It’s smart to store your cookware in one organized drawers so that you don’t have to spend time looking for it anymore. Sektion pullout drawers are perfect for storing cookware and utensils easily. If you invite us to makeover your kitchen, we can customize the drawers to fit your specific needs.

Image result for ikea kitchen pull out drawer

Photo by kitchen.laviesenior.com

Which solution was the best? Let us know in the comments down below! If you would like an IKEA kitchen of your dreams, contact us while there are still open spots. The IKEA sale (up to 20% off)  is going on NOW, so don’t wait until it’s too late.

 

 

 

6 IKEA Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

A kitchen is more than just a part of your living space. It is the first thing you see when you make breakfast in the morning. It can determine your mood for the whole day! If you’ve ever felt cluttered,  cramped, or just bored by your kitchen, then maybe it’s time for something new. Here are a few kitchen design tips to help you boost your energy, productivity, and happiness.

1. Design wide walkways

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One of the most important parts to think about when renovating is the walk space. Will multiple chefs be cooking in the kitchen, or will it be just you? Kitchens typically have 42 inches of space for a one-person kitchen, and at least 48 inches for a two-person kitchen. Aside from the cooking space, walkways should be at least 36 inches wide.

2. Add an island for efficient prep space

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Feeling cramped when using your kitchen counters for prep space? Add an island to efficiently prep for meals without feeling cluttered. Make sure to purchase a large island if it will be used for both cooking and eating. That way, you can keep the area safe for people to eat at while you cook.

3. Maximize storage space

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Even if you have a small kitchen, the way you use the space will really make a difference. Use pullout drawers for storage and garbage can space, and store dishes on a rack by the dishwasher so they’ll be ready to go when it’s time to wash. Assign your cabinets to specific products so that you know exactly where to look for that one favorite mug. You can also hide appliances such as a toaster and blender in an appliance garage to make more space on countertops. Make use of the space above your refrigerator by installing cabinets or a display shelf.

4. Pick the right wall color

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Determine what mood you want your kitchen to convey and plan the color accordingly. For small kitchens, always plan to use bright colors and lights to make the space look even bigger. The color you pick will determine the mood of your kitchen. Pick colors like beige, gray, and white for a sophisticated look. Pick colors like yellow, orange, and blue for an energetic, bright atmosphere.

5. Pick a good backsplash

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If you don’t want to bring too much attention to the walls, pick a vibrant backsplash instead. Not only will it keep your walls from getting stained by splashes from the counter, but it’ll look great, too. Make sure the tile goes with your overall color scheme. Use a neutral backsplash if your walls are already a bright color so that it isn’t overwhelming.

6. Add a pop of color

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A color pop is always a nice touch. You can match the kitchen appliances to the walls, and keep the rest neutral. For an effective color pop, it is important to only display a few items of that color to avoid feeling overwhelmed in your kitchen.

IKEA Kitchen Dark Cabinets, Stainless Steel Appliances

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Dark cabinets go perfectly with stainless steel appliances. Match that with a beautiful backsplash and you’ll be ready to go.

Why Are White Kitchens So Popular?

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, which kitchen is the most versatile of them all?

The white kitchen. What will make a room look more spacious and bright without changing the square footage? The white kitchen. What won’t overwhelm you with decor and color scheme choices? The white kitchen.

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What’s another good reason to make your kitchen white, you ask? You’ll have options. Any kitchen style can incorporate the color white, whether it’s contemporary or traditional! You can even pair glass decorations/cabinet doors with the white color scheme to give it a subtle pop. It is the smartest way to make use of the space you already have. What’s not to love about a white kitchen?

 

Brooklyn Transformation

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After completely renovating this small Brooklyn kitchen, we added lighting to the cabinets for a warm, welcoming glow.

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In addition, we customized the blind corner vase cabinet and used butcher block counters. The cabinet doors are all IKEA Hittarp, and the sink is farmhouse-style.

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As a finishing touch, we added mosaic-style tiles along the walls.

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Notice the bar stool at the counter! This small addition makes it easy to grab a seat and eat right outside the kitchen.

Let us know what you think about our project! We’d love to hear from you.

IKEA Applad White Matte Doors

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Could you picture yourself in this kitchen? Here’s a little about what we did to achieve this look. Notice how bright and open the space looks, an illusion created by the white Matte Doors from IKEA. For a bold color pop, we painted one wall red. We purchased red kitchenware as well, to draw even more attention to the color scheme. Including under-cabinet lighting also creates an illusion of a bright, open room. And of course, who wouldn’t want a stainless steel refrigerator? For those who have them, this kitchen is also spacious enough to handle the constant movement of multiple chefs. For those who don’t, there is even more space! It is a win-win on this one. If you would like to have a kitchen like this of your own, please contact us! It will be our pleasure to serve you.

 

Our Kitchen Renovation Story-by Peter Kim

We purchased our two bedroom duplex condo in Hoboken, New Jersey in January 2014. It was pretty much exactly what we were looking for in terms of layout and value. I’m not a huge fan of buying brand new or newly renovated homes. That means the home is going to be priced close to its maximum market value and there won’t be as much upside to doing any work on it. On the other hand, I also don’t have the financial and logistical flexibility to deal with fixer uppers.The one area of our home in which we knew we could add immediate value was the kitchen. There was nothing seriously wrong from a functional perspective but it clearly looked dated (was probably around 30 years old, including the appliances).

Ok, so actually the fridge was new. The fridge that came with the home died a few months after we moved in and this was literally the only model we could find that fit into the small space. There were some areas that could have used improvement functionally.

  • The corner cabinets were generally useless, especially the corner base cabinet in the photo above.
  • The wall cabinets were 30″ tall. There was room for taller cabinets and it’s always nice to have more storage space.