Archives September 2021

Kitchens are no longer viewed as a room with the sole purpose of cooking. Nowadays, the kitchen is central to the home and is one of the most important rooms. It is the space where a large amount of time is spent, where things are stored, where kids have fun with their art and craft supplies, where entertaining happens, the list goes on! So, it is no secret that having a good kitchen makes a huge difference when it comes to buying or selling a home.  That’s why renovating your kitchen is beneficial. Have a look at the tips below to make sure you renovate your kitchen in the best way possible!

1. Know the size of your kitchen

Knowing the size of your kitchen will make your renovation plans so much easier. Measuring your kitchen correctly allows you to design a kitchen area that maximises the space that you have available. This is so important for such a high traffic area. Knowing the space that you’re working with also allows you to answer questions like “Can I have an island bench?”, and “How much bench space will fit?”, as well as allowing you to shop around for all your appliances and fixtures with ease.

2. Know how you will use your kitchen space

Once you know the size of your kitchen, you can define how you’ll use this space. Will it just be used for cooking, or will it be more of a living space? Nowadays, kitchens are becoming much more of a living space, even if the room is quite small. Just look at the increasingly popular Scandinavian style that perfectly combines small spaces with liveability. Because of this, you need to carefully consider how you will combine cooking, activities and dining all into the one space. One activity should not prevent the others from working well by being too cumbersome.

3. Know your budget

Renovating often incurs unexpected costs from little issues here and there. But the main reason for these expensive surprise costs is because a well-thought-out budget has not been defined before starting renovating. So, avoid being surprised and work out your budget with your renovation specialist before starting.

4. Figure out your work triangle – sink, fridge, and stove

The work triangle is a design idea conceptualised to help create efficient kitchen working spaces. This shape is made by drawing a triangle between the sink, the fridge, and the stove, to help define the space where the main kitchen activities will occur. So, think about your work triangle to create an efficient kitchen that will ensure you are not running all over the place!

5. Use samples for splash backs, tiles, and bench tops

Using samples is a great way to help choose the colour palette of your kitchen. It is often quite hard to choose the colouring of a kitchen and it is something that you want to get right. Using samples helps you visualise which colour combinations work best. If you are renovating a small kitchen, it’s preferable to avoid putting too many statement colours on the walls as this can be quite overbearing. Home buyers tend to like neutral colours on the walls in the kitchen, so if you think you might sell your home in the future, this is something to keep in mind. If you absolutely love statement colours, another option is to use smaller touches of colour. For example, you can use coloured tiles, mirrors or brushed steel on the wall or backsplash, or invest in coloured appliances!

6. Maximise storage

The kitchen is a room that needs storage: pans, cutlery, spices, perhaps even school notices. So, to keep this space neat and tidy, storage is a must: hooks, cupboards, shelves, you can never have too much! Remember that no space is too tiny to be used. There are cupboards designed to help with awkward kitchen corners. Creating storage can also double up as decorative elements such as wooden shelving on the walls.

If you would like to discuss your ideas for renovating your kitchen but not sure where to start, just give our team a call and book in a chat with our team of experts who can help get you started.

Are you planning your new home design? Wondering which new home design trends you could incorporate?

Or are you considering renovating part of your home?

With the new year, several new home design trends have sprouted. Many designers and building and renovation experts have said that the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced new home design trends for 2021. There is now a fundamental change in how we view our homes.

Vogue recently asked several top designers what they think would be the new home design trends for this year. The prevailing answer was that home design for 2021 will equate to comfort, especially since people are now spending more time at home, even in locations where the lockdown has been lifted.

Other design trends incorporate multi-functional living spaces to accommodate increasing work from home setups, and even ways to accommodate new hobbies that started during the pandemic. Even upgrades to new home technology are on the rise.

Here are some new home trends to consider:

Home offices

Many people don’t like to bring work home but were “forced” to do so during the pandemic. Working at the kitchen table or in the living room is definitely not appealing for many. Not only do you need a conducive environment to work, but also a space that looks presentable during those frequent video calls and online meetings.

Nature overload

Most of us love outdoor living. There is a growing trend in connecting the outdoor area to the indoors, as well as choosing materials with earthly, natural and organic feels. Having natural light, with floor-to-ceiling windows, without having to leave the house is a popular trend.

For outdoor settings, designs are predicted to be lush and highlighted with people having strong desire to connect with nature this year.

Outdoor dining areas

With people staying more at home, dining out with family and friends less often, outdoor entertainment is highlighted in home designs. Whether it’s a gazebo, a deck or patio, the outdoor space now increasingly doubly functions as an open-air dining area.

Adaptable living space

Again, having a multi-purpose area is in. Consider having a space with non-permanent walls which can be shifted to extend the room. Your home will be adaptable to the needs of your family.

Colourful and homely colours

Several designers are predicting that neutral colours will be out, and more colourful interiors will be in. Colours like yellow or a contrasting pop of colour added in a room with a more neutral tone. People want to stay away from any feeling of bleakness.

We had a tough year in 2020, and people want to have a more positive vibe in the house, which could be translated through colours.

Changes in the bathroom

Copper and brass for fixtures in the bathroom, not only because of their chic style but also because of their antibacterial qualities. You could also consider incorporating smart bathroom ideas, like automatic washbasins and touchless flushing toilets.

Designer kitchens

It is not a surprise that a lot of people found cooking and baking as a new pastime last year.

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, and for 2021, a spacious, functional but very stylish kitchen is a must. A kitchen that is fit for a chef is the trend this year.

To discuss the new home design trends that you could implement in a new home for you and your family, contact All Spec Build WA for a free consultation.