Learn how to Organize Small Kitchen designs in your home to create more space. Avoid home organization clutter by eliminating clutter and using your space wisely.

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In most of our houses, the kitchen is at the heart of family life. It is also one of the more challenging rooms to make safe for your children. There are many hidden dangers in the average kitchen, but you can keep your children safe with careful planning and well-thought-out changes.

Here are some guidelines for creating a safe, practical environment in the kitchen:

• Store glasses, crockery, precious china, and crystal ware in a lockable cabinet or up high and out of reach.

• Be aware of the dangers of household cleaning products. Insect repellent sprays, rat or cockroach poisons, floor and sink disinfectants, floor cleaning acid, glass cleaners, anti-grease and anti rust solutions, strong detergents, hard water softeners for your dishwasher and water filter cleaning solutions are all potential hazards. Try to select the least toxic, and store them in a safe place, locked away from your child’s attention. Don’t forget to wash your hands after handling any of these toxic substances.

• Keep knives and other sharp tools, such as electric mixer blades, tin openers and graters in overhead storage cabinet or locked drawers. Sharp edged utensils, glasses, large pans or griddles should be kept in a safe place. Of course, some babies are able to work out safety locks. If your baby does learn how to unhook a safety lock, you’ll need to rethink how you store potentially hazardous items. You could lock up everything that is potentially dangerous, or relegate all dangerous items to out-of-reach storage areas. Check out our childproofing checklist for more details.

• If you have an open-kitchen plan, you could even keep your baby out of the kitchen with a safety gate, but if you decide to do this, make sure you can still see what she is getting up to while you are working in the kitchen area.

• Place glasses, knives as well as hot food and drinks, away from the edges of counters and tables. Do without place mats and tablecloths because a child can pull them — and their contents — down on herself.

• Once the cooking is done, ensure that you do not leave hot tawa, pans, and other cooking utensils in the kitchen sink. Pour water to cool down the utensils.

• Ensure that any leftover oil after deep frying is kept in a safe place where your child cannot reach. Freshly boiled milk should be kept in a safe place away from your baby. Use a mesh cover to prevent insects from falling into the hot milk.

• Avoid using open baskets or trays to store fruit, chillies, onions, garlic or other vegetables.

• Water used for cooking, should be stored in closed bottles or buckets and containers with lids. Never let your baby play around open containers filled with water.

• One idea is to set aside at least one cupboard or drawer that is safe (and away from the gas stove hob and oven) for your child to open and explore. You’ll probably find that she no longer tries to discover the contents of the others, unless you leave the doors open. Store safe but interesting things there, such as light saucepans, wooden spoons, steel or melamine plates, and empty plastic containers. Occasionally change the contents to give your child a surprise.

• If you have a modular kitchen where the drawers and shelves are fitted with wheels, it is wise not to allow your child to open it on her own. The drawers roll in and out quickly and may crush your child’s fingers.

• Use the back burners in a four-burner gas stove as far as possible. When you are using the front ones, turn the saucepan or the pressure cooker handles toward the back. You could also place your gas stove on a high counter away from the reach of your baby. Remember to keep the gas stove atleast a couple of inches away from the edges so that your baby cannot reach the gas knobs.

• While cooking, ensure that your clothing is not easily flammable. Always tuck your saree or dupatta carefully and do not let it hang loose anywhere near an open flame.

• Most dishwashers and microwaves have a child lock, however if yours doesn’t, keep it locked, with safety catches if possible, when not in use.

• Install a fire extinguisher where the risk of fire danger is greatest, such as in the kitchen or near the main electricity unit. But only attempt to extinguish a fire if it is small and contained. If you do have a fire, it is essential to get your children out of the house immediately and dial the firestation number from your cellphone or a neighbour’s house.

• Never leave children unattended when they are in high chairs. And always use the safety harness. If your chair doesn’t have one, buy one and leave it clipped onto the chair so that you always use it. Also avoid letting your baby sit on a dining chair all by herself, especially if she is old enough to stand and climb onto the table. Hot meals, sharp cutlery, glass bottles of sauces and condiments are all potential dangers.

• When carrying a hot drink in one hand, don’t attempt to carry your baby with the other. To avoid burn injuries, don’t hand drinks to people over your baby, and don’t drink hot drinks while feeding your baby. Put hot drinks out of reach of babies and toddlers. Use kettles with coiled flex or use pots and pans with heatproof handles, and make sure it is placed at the back of the worktop.

• Do not allow your baby to open the refrigerator and play. Not only will your child pull down things on herself but she could also climb into the fridge and shut the door behind her.

• Never carry you baby in your arms or in a sling while you are cooking. Babies can reach out and pull at things that may be hot or dangerous. Let your baby sit in the pram, stroller or bouncer just outside the kitchen so she can see you all the time. Give her a steel spoon and bowl, which allows her to make some noise and keep herself entertained.

• Grinding stones and other heavy kitchen appliances should be kept in a safe place. Do not let your baby open containers with rice, flour or small-grained cereals and pulses. Kidney beans (rajma), chickpeas (kabuli chana) and lentils can pose a choking hazard.

• If your kitchen has a utility area or a balcony, ensure that the door leading to the utility area is shut at all times. If that is your only source of light and ventilation, install a mesh or a grill door.

• Try to keep your bin in a closed area. Choose a bin with a lid as an added precaution.

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This video deomonstrates how a kitchen can be designed using ArtiCAD-Pro in less then 4 minutes!
From a blank screen to a 3D Kitchen Design in less than 4 minutes.

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Typical the flowery curtains and the big, red apple basket. Curtains table cloth and cushions out of one and the same fabric. A must! Lots of red berry shrubs and laterns where you can put tealights inside give a cosy athomphere to the room. Lots of ivy and red metal hearts on the walls match very well.

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Painting kitchen cabinets is an easy and inexpensive way to bring old cabinets back to life. AsktheDecorator.com host Meghan Carter shows you how to paint kitchen cabinets and offers a few inspirational decorating ideas for really dressing up your kitchen cabinets.

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There are many benefits of underfloor heating (UFH); there are no radiators to spoil the clean lines of a room, space can be saved by freeing up a wall that would otherwise need to be dedicated to a radiator, and floors are warm underfoot.

UFH is also an extremely efficient way to warm a room, and gives a more pleasant heat than radiators, stoves or traditional solid-fuel fires. The entire floor becomes a “radiator” which emits heat in a very gentle way. There are no cold spots and, as most of the heat is concentrated in the lower part of the room, very little is wasted.

Where can it be used?

Underfloor heating is mostly used in ground-floor rooms but, in reality, there is a system to suit any type of floor construction. Wet systems are most easily installed where it’s possible to take up floors or where new floors are being constructed, so is likely to suit new extensions, conservatories and new open-plan kitchen-cum-living areas. Electric UFH is likely to be more suitable for existing rooms as the electrical mesh system is flatter than a wet system so there is less need for floor heights to be altered to accommodate it. There are even electrical mat systems available that can be used under rugs on existing hard floors. On balance, it’s easier to add electric systems to upper-floor rooms.

Types of Underfloor Heating

There are two main UFH systems: hot-water (or wet) systems, and electric mat (or wire) systems. Wet systems basically use warm water from the central heating system. The water is pumped through plastic pipes that are laid on to a sub floor, before the new final surface is installed. Underfloor heating of this type also reduces water-heating costs as it uses water at a lower temperature than standard radiators (about 40°C to 65°C to give a floor temperature of between 23°C and 32°C). Electric systems feature cables which are attached to open-weave mesh mats. There are, however, newer types where the elements are embedded into a continuous roll. The mats or rolls are spread out on the floor, connected together and are then linked up to the thermostat and mains power supply. In general, whilst electric systems are cheaper to install, and cause less disruption to existing floor structure, they are more expensive to run than wet systems, which are more cost efficient.

Installation Considerations

For your UFH to be most cost and energy efficient, your property needs to be adequately insulated (and preferably adhere to new building regulations). To prevent heat loss, and to ensure that the heat is directed upwards, there needs to be room for insulation to be installed beneath the system.

With wet systems, makes sure you have a space for the controls to be situated (a cupboard will do). Like a radiator, each room heated with UFH has its own valve, but they can all be sited in one spot, along with the timer controls. Most of the plastic water pipes installed in today’s systems are continuous, so there is no danger of leaks as there are no joints – and the system is generally considered to be maintenance-free. Whilst a condensing boiler will offer the greatest potential savings on running costs, any boiler can be used with UFH, as long as it has a sufficient capacity.

The firm fitting the underfloor heating will plan the installation for you. If you plan to add a wet UFH system to an existing room, you will need to seek professional advice. Necessary calculations include the desired temperatures, the ceiling height, the potential heat loss and the type of flooring required.

Flooring Options

Carpet

UFH can be used with almost all types of flooring, even carpet. Research by the Carpet Foundation* has shown that any carpet can be used over underfloor heating without impairing the performance of the system, providing that the carpet and underlay have a thermal resistance of less than 2.5 tog. New indications show that for the majority of carpet styles the thermal resistance will be less than 1 tog.

Stone, Ceramic, Slate and Terracotta

Over the past few years, as these flooring materials have become more fashionable, there has been an increase in the number of homes using UFH. Heat-up time depends on the thickness of the tiles; thick flagstones will take longer to reach optimum temperature, but once this is reached there’s no difference in heat quality between thick or thinner floor surfaces.

Timber

UFH is suitable for use with many types of timber flooring, but most installers stipulate that the timber be specifically recommended for UFH use. The flooring should have a top temperature restriction (usually 27°C) and an expansion gap needs to be left around the edges (this is easily hidden by a skirting board or trim). Most reputable manufacturers offer timber suitable for underfloor heating, but always liaise with the flooring supplier and heating installer before making your purchase. Many suppliers will recommend a specific brand of electric UFH and it’s a good idea to listen to their advice.

Vinyls and Laminates

UFH can be used with high-quality vinyls and laminates, such as those from Amtico, Polyflor and Karndean International. Not all laminates or vinyls are compatible with UFH, so it’s a good idea to check with the flooring manufacturer or the heating installer before committing. Many suppliers have developed their own UFH systems, or have one or two that they recommend.

*Research undertaken by the Carpet Foundation in conjunction with the Underfloor Heating Manufacturers Association (UHMA), June 2006

You can find more information on flooring ideas and wooden floor ideas at house to home, helping you create a look you’ll love.

Kitchen interior design is one of the most popular areas of interior design. It is also one of the most expensive rooms to re-design.

Many people attempt to do it themselves when it comes to remodeling their kitchen. However, if you choose to hire an interior designer then be prepared to spend a lot more money.

Whether you do it yourself or hire a designer for your kitchen interior design, careful planning is needed to achieve the effect you are looking for in the design. If doing it yourself you must be aware of some of the biggest mistakes made by homeowners when re-designing their kitchen.

One of these mistakes in kitchen interior design is not taking advantage of the storage spaces in the kitchen. There should be approximately forty-eight to seventy-two inches of cabinets for dishes and glasses above your sink and dishwasher for convenience. There should be approximately forty-eight to seventy-two inches of cabinet space near your oven for holding the cooking dishes and supplies. Floor cabinets or base cabinets should be placed near the stovetop for pots and pans.

Another way to utilize space is to outfit blind corners with storage devices such as a Lazy Susan or something called a cookware caddie. Kitchen drawers can be fitted with dividers or full extension glides to make use of their space efficiently as well.

Another big mistake of kitchen interior design is installing an island that is just too big. Island countertops are a great addition to a kitchen but they should only be about thirty six to forty eight inches deep and about thirty six to one hundred and twenty inches wide. If you get into larger size islands they are just harder to use and a lot more work to clean.

One other big mistake that we will focus on is not enough light in the kitchen. Appropriate lighting for your kitchen workspaces would include halogen or fluorescent lighting. Not enough light in the kitchen will make it difficult to do your daily tasks. Kitchen interior designers insist that proper ventilation be added to ensure that offending odors and excess heat is removed from the home. Many do it yourself kitchen re-modelers neglect this important aspect of kitchen design.

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. It also adds aesthetic and substantial value to your home. Therefore, a good kitchen design is extremely important. In today’s fast-paced world, many families only see each other in the kitchen for a quick breakfast or dinner. If your kitchen is not functional then these important family meal times can be functionally difficult. Many people like to entertain and it is important for them to socialize with their family and friends while cooking a meal, which again results in the importance of kitchen interior design. The kitchen should be inviting and serve its purpose of providing a space to prepare and cook meals.

If you are planning on a complete kitchen interior design, whether doing it yourself or hiring a professional, make sure you get your plans in writing before beginning the transformation of your kitchen into something you would see on a television-remodeling program. Good luck with your new kitchen.

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Planning to remodel your kitchen? Are you interested in a career in Kitchen Interior Design? Use our site as a valuable reference point for
Kitchen Interior Design
By T.D. Houser

Outdoor kitchens increase your living space adding tremendous value and appeal to your home. That’s why building outdoor kitchens is the second most popular remodeling project after indoor kitchens.

However, a great outdoor kitchen is a complex project.

You can certainly enjoy your backyard and grill up some tasty BBQ on any charcoal or gas grill, but to truly bring your kitchen outdoors requires significant planning, skill and expertise. This project is not a do-it-yourselfer.

Here’s what you’ll need to consider:

Your basic outdoor kitchen set-up will include a built-in barbeque grill, countertop, sink, refrigerator, outdoor kitchen cabinets and cozy outdoor furniture or barstools for yourself and all your guests to kick back.

The barbeque grills on the market today offer so many bells and whistles that you should start shopping around early to determine your favorite options and how much you want to spend.

Next, the type of countertop surface is a crucial decision when building outdoor kitchens. Options include tile, quartz, solid surface, granite and other natural stones. Choosing the right countertop will ensure years of enjoyment and admiration. The wrong one…years of hassle and headaches.

If price is a primary consideration then take a look at tile. Just know that a tile countertop may not stand up as well to the elements and will require significant maintenance to keep the grout clean and the tiles intact.

Granite and quartz are more expensive, but offer the best long-term value with excellent durability and superior styling.

For the ultimate in luxury, you may also consider installing pergolas, stereos, ceiling fans, fire pits and more. Even TVs are moving outside.

Comfort & Flow

Comfort is key to enjoying your outdoor kitchen and entertainment space. But before you empty your wallet on that imported teak dining set with bar stools, take a look at the space you have available and decide how it’s going to “flow.”

Everyone needs a little space so, make sure your outdoor kitchen plan accounts for some basic and standard construction measurements to allow plenty of room to sit and move about.

Outdoor Kitchen Location

Of course, the idea of an outdoor kitchen is to relieve you of all the shuttling back and forth from your kitchen inside. Nonetheless, you’ll want to locate your outdoor kitchen as close as possible to the indoor one for overall convenience.

Also, when building outdoor kitchens keep in mind things like, electricity, water and gas. The closer your outdoor kitchen is to your house the easier it will be to hook up to these utilities.

Sun and rain exposure is an important consideration. Certainly you’ll want some protection from the rain so grilling can continue even if the party must move indoors.

In northern areas you may want to maximize sun exposure, while most southern backyard kitchens should be designed to shield the sun either by location or the addition of a pergola or large umbrella.

Wind protection is another reason to stay close to the house. You don’t want to be so close that smoke from the grill is easily blown around seating areas, but taking advantage of walls and fences will make grilling more pleasant. However, fencing, trees, shrubs and planters can be added for greater protection.

Utilities & Permits

If you’re not building a new home that includes an outdoor kitchen, chances are your outdoor kitchen plan will require installation of water, electric and possibly gas supply to your cooking area.

Water supply to the sink will need to be installed so it can drain in winter to prevent freeze damage and building codes will probably require the sink drain be connected to the main house drain.

You’ll need to hire an electrician to install GFCI outlets above the countertop and for your lighting. If your outdoor kitchen plan calls for cooking with natural gas vs. propane then you’ll need a plumber to run an underground gas line.

Permits will be required so everything should be mapped out in advance. And although some aspects of building outdoor kitchens can be handled by the competent do-it-yourselfer, the complete project involves extensive and specialized installations that are best left to professionals.

You’ll have many discussions with your contractor about all of these items, but this should get the juices flowing on your great outdoor kitchen plan.

About the Author

Ryan Burden publishes CountertopSpecialty.com, which provides information on custom countertops AND . . . produces a nice income. Perhaps YOU have a business or passion that you’d like to turn into online profits. Discover the right tools at My SBI Story.

The first thing to consider is whether having granite in your kitchen is going to fit in your budget. If you can afford it, great, but you should be aware that natural stone counter-tops can cost over $10,000 for 90 square feet of counter-top space and that this is the average amount of counter space for a kitchen to have. Granite is simply not cheap and although some places will try to sell you "budget" slabs, you may not be able to get the color or pattern that you want or even the quantity that you want it in.

Something else you need to think about is the fact that granite comes in a limited amount of colors and patterns, since it is a naturally occurring stone. Like with budget slabs of granite, you may not be able to get the exact color and pattern combination that you desire.

When it comes to maintenance, granite is a material that you will have to diligently keep clean and sealed. It will be sealed once before installation and then need to be re-sealed at least once a year, but this is a project that you can do yourself and it is not very hard to do. You need to clean it every day and make sure it stays free of things that could stain it.

Installing granite is best left to the professionals. Allow them to take the measurements, cut the granite, and install it for you unless you are absolutely sure you know what you are doing. Doing this wrong could cost you thousands of dollars and once you cut the granite, it cannot be undone.

Something that will cause the price of your granite slab to go up is the kind of edge you choose to have put on it. You could have a simple square cut edge or a beveled one, but the beveled edge will cost you more in labor. Depending on the look you want for the house, one may be better than the other, but consider your budget.

About the Author

Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of California Wet Basement Flooding Emergency Service and Atlanta Georgia Flood Damage Cleanup, which are Certified IICRC Water damage and mold remediation contractors.

Another natural sanitizer is tea tree oil, which can be purchased from most health food stores. Use a few drops in a bottle with water, spray the range, and then let sit. Be aware that tea tree oil has a strong odor (similar to turpentine) that may be unpleasant for some people. There is also some recent research that tea tee oil may cause undesirable hormonal changes in boys, so it might be best to avoid this natural product if there are children in the house.

For stuck-on food particles, a little baking soda works well as an abrasive. Be gentle when scrubbing – although most stovetops can take an abrasive cleaner without scratching the enamel, some cant – so it’s good to make sure the enamel will not be affected. It helps to allow the vinegar solution to soak for a few minutes before beginning to scrub. Cleaning the drip trays can be very challenging if food has been repeatedly exposed to heat and has burnt. One method is to remove the drip trays, soak in the sink with vinegar and water, then scrub. As a last resort, drip trays can be cleaned with an oven cleaner (following the directions on the oven cleaner just as for the oven) – although many people prefer to simply replace the drip pans rather than use oven cleaner.

Prevention goes a long way towards keeping the range clean. You can buy replaceable drip pan liners or line them yourself with aluminum foil. Use splatter guards when cooking (these mesh-like covers allow air and circulation while cooking but prevent grease and food particles from becoming air born).

If you have a stainless steel, stovetop fingerprints are often a challenge. Rubbing the range frequently with a very small amount of coconut oil will help. Other oils have a lower smoking point and if you accidently get them on the burners will cause smoking when you use the burner.

About the Author

Johnny Waymire has a great free resource site, http://kitchen-appliance-advisor.com , containing practical and helpful information on how to purchase Kitchen Appliances that fit YOUR needs. Visit to find all the helps, brands and reviews to make your next purchase very informative.