Kitchen Appliances Buying Guide : How to Choose the Right KitchenAppliances

Your kitchen appliances in your home make up the one of the largest investments for your pocket, as well as your time, which equates to functionality for your lifestyle in the kitchen. Buying kitchen appliances can be a daunting task when you look at all of the options, from energy saving, to high end designer models, to low cost models, how do you choose? Here are tips to guide your through the buying process and to help you feel informed and confident with your kitchen appliance buying decisions.




Refrigerators: With any appliance, before you get enamored with all the whistles and bells of how beautiful it looks and all of the gadgets assess your lifestyle. With refrigerators consider how many times you and your family cook and eat from home. For larger families, larger capacity units will be necessary, as well as the ability for longer preservation of food. Higher end models that offer dual refrigeration, on-door controls, and energy efficiency may be more important for your families needs. While singles or those who don’t cook a lot may prefer a snazzy stainless steel or built-in model that looks fantastic, but doesn’t need all of the accompaniments. Also consider if your home would need separate wine refrigeration storage, or possibly refrigerated drawers for easy

• Ovens/Stoves: When considering an oven and stove, think about how you typically cook and if you’re a novice or an experienced cook. The oven or stove you choose can have a great impact on how you cook and whether the energy you use to heat them is worthwhile. Convection over conventional ovens tends to use more energy but for expert cooks they enjoy the even distribution over heat and can usually cook their food faster and with more control. For those interested in buying a stove or cooktop, there are several options: induction, gas or electric all have their pros and cons. Most beginning cooks appreciate electric for its slow heat up, while experienced cooks prefer induction and ultimately gas stoves for its fast heat up and ability to cook under precise conditions.

• Ventilation system: One area of your kitchen that is forgotten when considering appliances is the ventilation system. Range hoods overhead, or down draft systems that are integral into the countertop or cooktop are great for unobstructed overhead views. Depending on the size of your stove/cooktop and if you have an integral grill, griddle, burners, and other heating elements may increase the need for higher ventilation systems overhead. Research your favored appliance manufacturer too see what type of ventilation system is recommended for your kitchen.

• Dishwasher: Similarly to your refrigerator, your family’s lifestyle will largely dictate what type of dishwasher will be ideal for your home. Lower end models tend to have simplified controls, while more elaborate ones will have energy efficiency qualities, hidden controls, and noise reduction qualities – especially helpful in small homes or open floor plans. Dishwasher drawers are also available for smaller amounts of dishware and can save water usage when you don’t have large loads to clean.

Choosing kitchen appliances for your home should be a rewarding experience but also fulfill your lifestyle and aesthetics of your kitchen. Use this helpful buying guide before you venture out to choose appliances. Also measure out the clear opening width and height of your space for the new appliances. There is nothing worse than investing on new appliances, for them not to fit in your kitchen!

Functional Kitchen Before and After By Candice Olson

When a celebrity stylist needed help making over his kitchen, he called Candice Olson. The divine designer transformed his space from 1980s and old to glamorous and now.

• By : Candice Olson

Before: Outdated and Cold

This outdated kitchen doesn't exactly say "stylist to the stars."

After: Fashionable and Functional

Enter Candice Olson who created a new kitchen that is both traditional and hip. Divine details include travertine floors, a quartz-topped island, crystal chandeliers and a stunning, silver-foil wallpaper.

2014 Kitchen Window Treatments Ideas

By : Sarah Egge 

 In a room as functional as a kitchen, which is packed with metal appliances and wood cabinets, window treatments might be the only source of softness and embellishment in the entire space. Here are the four things you need to consider when choosing kitchen window treatments.

Window treatments bring the pretty. In spaces outside the work core, such as breakfast nooks, none are better at this task than floor-length curtain panels, which offer big doses of color and pattern when they flank a large bay window or set of sliding doors. On a smaller scale, a swag of floral chintz draped over a single window can also make a bright statement. Roman and roller shades reveal texture and pattern when they are lowered, and stationary valances and cornices are like accent marks over windows you want to draw attention to. For the most decorative effect, choose fabrics that have eye-catching hues and designs, and have fun with trims, tassels, fringe, or bold banding to give the treatment a finished look.

You might be tempted to forgo window treatments in your kitchen until you realize the neighbors can see straight into your breakfast nook. When you?re reading the Sunday paper wearing your favorite fluffy robe, this might be a problem. For temporary privacy issues, which occur only when you?re feeling shy in your PJs, consider quick-draw curtains, or blinds and shutters, which close at the tilt of a wand. For consistent privacy needs, look for screening materials that let you see out and allow some daylight to pass yet block views in; try cellular shades and roller shades made from translucent or woven materials, or try sheer fabric curtain panels. However, perform a quick check before choosing: Turn on the lights in the kitchen one night, then run across the street and see what you can see through the windows with the blinds or curtains drawn.

Get inspired by this 2014 Kitchen Window Treatments Ideas from BHG . I hope that you will like and find it useful for you ... Enjoy it !!

2014 Easy Tips for Small Kitchen Decorating Ideas

Use these tips and ideas to create a small kitchen with big style. You'll love these ideas to try in 2014! I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you .... Enjoy it !!!!

By : Kelly Eagle

Showstopping Backsplash : This otherwise-subdued kitchen goes glam with stainless steel tile behind the range. In a small space, even a tiny portion of showstopping backsplash tile adds drama and personality.

Display Collections : Make use of the space between cabinets in front of a window by adding simple shelves and displaying a collection. Plus, the light coming in the window will make any collection look beautiful.

Add Accessories : Like any good outfit, a kitchen needs accessories. The wall at the end of this galley kitchen mixes hanging art with leaning frames and pretty dishware. Below, a bright red stool adds a fun pop of color.

Showcase Color : In a one wall kitchen, open upper cabinets help the room feel spacious and allow space for displaying colorful dishware, potted herbs, and accessories. Closed cabinets below are perfect for storing items you don't want on display.

Cover Walls with Color : Give walls in a basic kitchen a cheery coat of a color. In this clean-lined white kitchen, kiwi-green walls add modern flair and inspire the rest of the decor.

Choose Bold Textiles : A bold Roman shade sets the tone for this all white kitchen. Playing off the window covering, red, orange, and yellow accessories spice up the rest of the room.

Paint an Accent Wall : Add pizzazz without pressure by painting one wall in your kitchen in a bold accent color. The terra-cotta-orange accent wall spices up the otherwise subdued kitchen.

Maximize Every Inch : There isn't an inch of unused space in this kitchen. At the end of a run of cabinets, a recessed bookcase was added and is a drop point for mail, magazines, and miscellaneous papers; below is a small house for the cat.

Choose Art with Personality : Step outside the standards of kitchen art and choose unique pieces that showcase your personality. Vintage signs, classic advertisements, and art intended for other rooms of the house often look right at home in the kitchen.

Go Beyond Removing Doors : Instead of just removing cabinet doors and displaying dishes, outfit the now-open storage with textured baskets, bins, and pretty glass storage containers. The baskets add texture and color, while the glass storage containers keep what you need neatly on display.

Make the Most of Wall Space : The combination of metal shelving and a magnetic board corrals spices, tea, mugs, pictures, and recipes all in one easy-to-reach place.

Interesting Texture : In a classic kitchen with cherry cabinets, the marble countertops, gray linen roman shade, and raw-wood shelves all add interesting textures to the room. This small amount of juxtaposition with the traditional cabinets creates great contrast.

Play Up Pattern in Tile : In an otherwise standard white kitchen, the patterned backsplash tile adds personality and much-needed movement in the room. A classic black-and-white color scheme can be easily accented by different colors as styles change.

Choose Colorful Stools : The simple lines of these stools get an extra dose of style with turquoise paint. Now the stools are a focal point in the kitchen and are the perfect starting point for the rest of the decor.

Wall Decals : Whip up some whimsy in your kitchen by adding fun wall decals and colorful artwork. Decals can be swapped out at any time to make changing the look of your kitchen quick and easy.

2014 Perfect Kitchen Pantry Design Ideas : Easy to Do

Say goodbye to kitchen confusion. Gather tools for cooking, cleaning , and more, in one streamlined spot. Put the closet door to good use by mounting shallow wire shelves .
Clip takeout menus on the closet sidewall. Dangle hand tools from a series of metal hooks. Store soda cans in wire racks. A plastic wall holder centralizes battery storage .
Slip a wire basket under a shelf to squeeze in extra space for a stack of cleaning towels . Stuff extra plastic bags into a handy dispenser.
A wall mount file sorter can house ribbons and bags for quick gift wrapping. Position a rechargeable hand vacuum near the door for quick cleanups. Add wheels to the bottom of a wood crate to create a rolling cleaning cart. Place frequently used cleaning supplies in a grab and go tote. With a little planning, all your kitchen essentials can co-exist in one small pantry. A kitchen pantry should work for you rather than as a dumping ground for your stock.

Here are the storage essentials you need to keep your kitchen pantry organized. These tools and organizers will bring order to your cooking gear, food, cookbooks, and more. You'll love these ideas to try in 2014!
I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you ... Enjoy it !!!!

Clever Tips to Cut Kitchen Clutter 2014 Ideas

There’s so much you need to store in the kitchen. How do you fit it all in? Check out these solutions.

Explore the Kitchen 

You don’t need a big kitchen to store a lot of stuff. We took the floor plan of a modest-size space and marked the key storage features.

Open Shelves 

Open shelves near the sink and cooking area make everyday dishes and glasses easier to see and reach when serving meals, let you display favorite collectibles, and create some visual breathing room in a smaller kitchen.

Vertical Slots 

Cookie sheets and baking pans don’t fit well in standard cabinets or drawers. But next to your range, you can have a narrow, slotted cabinet that keeps these long, flat items close to where you’ll use them. Add a hook (#321371) for oven mitts and potholders.

Recycling Bins 

Meals generate a lot of recyclables, so the kitchen is a logical place to store them. This pullout turns standard cabinet space into a two-bin recycling center. It’s out of the way, yet close to the sink -- you can rinse out containers before tossing them in the bins.

Appliance Garage 

Free up counter space by storing your mixer, toaster, coffeemaker, or other small appliances in a built-in garage. This one has a lift-up door for easy access. You can also use the garage as a baking center or coffee station. Proximity to drawers and prep space makes this storage space extra convenient, as does an electrical outlet inside.

Cleanup Center 

Under the sink is a natural place to consolidate kitchen cleanup supplies. Paint a pail (#3712) and fill it with your most-used items to store everything in one spot. Mount a toilet paper holder (#321478) on the inside of the door to hang a towel.

Compact Island 

This compact island fits in a modest-size room, yet it offers the same kind of storage as bigger versions -- a swath of counter space on top, conventional cabinets below, and open shelving for displaying cookbooks and collectibles. You can even build it yourself.

Junk Drawer 

Practically every kitchen has some kind of junk drawer a place for all those miscellaneous little items that don’t seem to fit anywhere else. But even a junk drawer can be organized. This drawer’s two-level divider does the job, letting you sort items into categories and find what you’re looking for faster.

Mini Bar 

Storing wine and spirits in a glass-front pantry cabinet keeps your inventory easy to see and reach without taking up a lot of room. Choose a spot that’s close to where you’ll entertain guests. Include a rack (#367201) for wineglasses and a tray for serving.