Kitchens Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Oh My Heartsie Girl

May 20, 2019

5 Simple Kitchen DIY’s to Reinvent Your Kitchen’s Look

The most common concept of reinventing a kitchen’s look or simply spicing up the appearance of your outdated and rather boring kitchen space is to hire a professional kitchen designer service to do it for you. That, of course, comes with some significant price tag; but, who has got all that money to spend it on a kitchen renovation, right?

Also revamping your kitchen’s appearance does not necessarily mean you have to change the entire aspect about your “old” kitchen. In many areas, especially in the kitchen, minor details matter the most, and in fact, redecorating your kitchen can start from the subtle things. Things you normally wouldn’t think contributes significantly to your kitchen’s aesthetic factor. These minor updates to your kitchen can contribute remarkably to the entire setup of the kitchen’s space and make it a more pleasant and unique space to hang around or show it off to your house visitors as well, and most importantly, you do not need to have a deep pocket to execute these simple DIY ideas off.

Brush up your mugs (colors)

What does one think of when they imagine cups? Simple kitchen item to drink your coffee, Tea or any kind of beverages, right? But, simple things like repainting your old mugs can change the way you present them to your guests or simply finding a better spot to show off them off. Of course, there is that concern of exposing the cup to harmful colors, but there are many ways of implementing that safely, and tons of internet tutorials to guide you as well.

Plant up your kitchen

Absurd? Well, no. The kitchen does not necessarily have to house only the items that are conventionally used while cooking. Bringing in some fresh green plants or succulents (in small quantity) and finding the perfect place to hang them around the kitchen can add so much beauty and freshness to your kitchen and elevate its

Spice up your refrigerator

Refrigerators are by nature boring, aren’t they? Yes, it cool (literally and figuratively); but that’s just about it. They are bulky and take up a good space in your kitchen, but they are too cliché. That can work both to your advantage and disadvantage as well. Simple refrigerator DIYs can include repainting, dotting it with polka dots (or any pattern), or making several magnetic accessories to hang them on the door.

Transfer your dish soaps to a better bottle

Dish soaps are often ignored in the kitchen! They lie in one corner (too often dirty!) and are supposed to show up only when required. However, these are subtle things that can ruin the integrity of your kitchen’s cleanliness, especially from a visitors perspective. What you can do instead is buy some fancy bottles or use any fancy wine bottles that you may have and make a DIY out of that to house the liquid dish soap.

Make your kitchen stink-free

Kitchens are naturally prone to stinks, and you cannot simply avoid that. Unless you’re cooking only strawberries in your kitchen 24×7, your kitchen will eventually attract some unpleasant smell. No amount of decorations or fancy designs can make up for a smelly kitchen, so you can make an anti-stink tablet (if you will!) and drop that onto your garbage bin to restrain the smell. ‘

For this DIY, you just need to cut some lemons and lime and place them in your ice cube tray or any other squared tray. You can then put vinegar and fill up the tray, and freeze the entire thing for up to 24 hours. After that your solid block of the anti-stinking tablet is ready for your garbage bin.

All these DIY ideas are, but some of the easiest and simplest projects that you can practically implement in your kitchen at ease. You do not have to burn a hole in your pocket for achieving a significant change. However, if you want a proper modern kitchen design, it is recommended to approach a genuine kitchen designer.

April 21, 2019

5 Must-Haves In Your Kitchen

Everybody needs to eat. This is a fact of life, even though it can be an annoying one. Unfortunately, cooking and prepping food itself can be a hassle, especially if you have to work full time and have limited hours to buy groceries, clean and cut food, and then get it cooking. If you worry about feeding yourself and your family and want a fully stocked kitchen, make sure you have these five must-haves to keep everyone happy, healthy, and fed with ease.

Non-Stick Pots and Pans

Non-stick-pans-are-great-for-easy-cleanup — Source: Pinterest Non-stick pans are great for easy cleanup

These devices are a blessing since they cut down on the inconvenience of needing to soak or over scrub regular pots and pans that end up with too much food burning or sticking to them. There are even green, environmentally friendly options without toxic chemicals to keep your family safe and fed. These pots and pans seem to physically repel food, meaning there are fewer burnt bottoms and edges that need to be carefully peeled away with the steel wool, errant spatula, or the dreaded kitchen sponge. Most even come in sets, so you don’t have to about having mismatched pieces.

Oven Mitts

Oven mitts are a necessity because they protect your hands from burns when working with hot dishes. Many a young adult has found out the hard way that a folded dish towel just isn’t the same as having a special mitt to take pans and casserole dishes out of the oven. Oven mitts can even be an excellent creative outlet and provide a wonderful pop of color to even the blandest of kitchens by expressing a little personality. If none at the store appeal to you, making your own can be an easy project for you and the family. Just remember to use heat-resistant fabric!

Sharp Knives

Knowing-which-knives-for-a-project-do-you-have-all-of-these — Source: Pinterest Knowing which knives for a project, do you have all of these?

Most people do not take good care of their knives, and this is a problem. A dull knife does not cut well and can actually be dangerous since the blade is more to slipping and breaking. Nobody wants to be sliced up while trying to prepare some chicken for dinner, especially because of the hazards of germs and potential infection! Invest in a knife sharpener to make prep work simple and easy, and also consider having a designated place to store knives so little hands don’t grab them. Most kitchens function well with a few good, sharp knives and a convenient storage block.

Storage Space

A-kitchen-cart-is a-great-way-of-adding-extra-storage-and-organization — Source: Pinterest A kitchen cart is a great way of adding extra storage and organization

Not everyone can afford a large dream kitchen, especially if you live in the city or an apartment. What are you supposed to do when you have nowhere to put your dishes or dry foods?

Instead of cluttering up counters, invest in some extra storage space like hanging or floating cabinets, pantry bins, or organizers that cling to the insides of doors. These materials will keep unnecessary items off of your counter and help you keep track of items like dried pasta, cooking utensils, and dishes. The storage space will also mean you have enough room for the final significant thing to have in your kitchen: an area for food preparation.

Prep Space

Wouldn't-it-be-nice-for-a-prep-area-with-hidden-receptacle-for-refuse — Source: Pinterest Wouldn’t it be nice for a prep area with a hidden receptacle for scraps

This should go without saying, but there should always be a place for you to prepare and cook food for meals and snacks. Most people don’t leave themselves enough counter space to cook, and this can be a major problem. Instead of storing food, dishes, and papers on the countertop, invest instead in more cabinets and leave a designated area open, clean, and sanitized for food prep. The standard rule is to have enough space for a cutting board, cooking utensils, and a couple of bowls that can be set aside with spices and ingredients. Your family and stomach will thank you in the long run when you can have dinner ready in no time.

Conclusion

These five must-haves seem basic, but you would be surprised how many people neglect their kitchens by failing to have one or even more of these items. Too many people rely upon ancient dishes, cluttered counters, and precariously stacked food that can easily spill from the lack of space. If you think something might be missing from your cooking area, check off each of the items on this list and make sure you have everything you need to keep life functioning smoothly.

This post may contain affiliate links and I might receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.
Related Kitchen:
5 Ways to Update Your Kitchen on a Budget
Home Series: How To Set Up Your Kitchen For Easy Cooking
Reduce Waste By Organizing Your Kitchen So You Know Exactly Where Everything Is

March 24, 2019

Five Ways to Make the Kitchen Safer for Your Children

There is probably plenty of childproofing advice you already know about what it comes to making the kitchen safer for kids, especially if you have very little ones. You need to secure all the cabinets, and you should shorten cords so curious hands don’t pull smaller appliances off the counter.

But, what if you have toddlers and older kids? The kitchen is still the most dangerous room in your home!

You should be thinking about kitchen safety for years after your child is born. These tips will ensure your child stays safe in the kitchen for many years to come.

Use Child Safety Locks on Appliances

You should lock all the cabinets, but what about the appliances? Children who are old enough, and tall enough, to reach them may think they’re ready to give them a try, but that doesn’t mean they should!

It’s a good idea to use safety locks on appliances as well as cabinets. That includes using safety locks on the fridge, the oven, and childproof knobs on the stove.

In some cases, you may be able to find appliances with this safety feature built in. For example, you can find a modern stainless steel microwave with a child safety lock included, so there’s no need to install one.

Use the Back Burners on the Stove

If you have children who are allowed in the kitchen, especially while you’re cooking, they could be in danger. Even a few teens whisking through the kitchen after school can be at risk of getting burnt on the stove if it’s on and they aren’t paying attention to what they are doing.

If you’re cooking with kids around, and especially if you’re cooking something that needs to simmer on the stove for a while, you should use the back burners.

That might take some adjusting. Strangely, most adults prefer the lower right burner, especially if you have an electric stove with a larger burner in that spot. But, if you want to prevent accidents, you should use the rear two burners.

Remove the Handles from Old Refrigerators

Have an old refrigerator hanging around? It isn’t uncommon for old fridges to linger in the kitchen or the garage days, weeks, and even years after a new one has been installed.

That can cause trouble for young children. They may open the door, crawl inside, and find they are unable to get back out. That’s why you should always remove the handles from old refrigerators as soon as they are unplugged.

Don’t like the handles on your refrigerator? They are easy to switch out! It’s an easy way to get rid of dirty or damaged handles, but you can also choose a kid-friendly replacement.

Be Careful What You Put in the Dishwasher

The dishwasher is one thing that little ones can help with. Even very young children can help you remove items from the dishwasher and put them away!

However, how you load the dishwasher, and the items they put away, can put them at risk of injury.

A few tips for loading the dishwasher so it’s safe for your child include:

Place glass items on the top shelf, out of reach
Never place sharp knives with the rest of the silverware
Open and shut the door for your child
Store the detergent in an upper cabinet in the kitchen

Give Them a Chance to Practice in the Kitchen

At what age do you think it’s safe to give a child a knife? Most would guess in the double digits, but did you know it’s actually better to give young children the chance to practice slicing and dicing?

The best way to ensure your child is safe in the kitchen is to teach them how to be safe in the kitchen! That includes teaching them how to use a knife to cut items, but it includes other things too. It means showing them how the burners work, letting them help you prepare a meal that goes in the oven, and asking them to retrieve items from the refrigerator. The more practice your kid gets in the kitchen, the more confident you can be about leaving them unattended.

The kitchen can be a dangerous place for your child, but it doesn’t have to be! It can be a great place for your child to learn new skills, as long as you follow these tips for making it a safe place while they are growing up.

March 18, 2019

Roll up Those Sleeves: 5 Easy DIY Kitchen Projects You Can Do in Your Spare Time

Does your kitchen need a bit of maintenance? No need to spend time hiring someone. Take a look at these 5 easy DIY kitchen projects you can do yourself.

If you are facing a long weekend or maybe a couple of rainy days and want to get a little creative, here are some fun DIY kitchen projects that you can knock out in a flash and still leave your kitchen with an updated look or add a little more pizazz.

Replace a Fixture

Putting in a new faucet is an affordable and quick fix to add shine and function to your kitchen sink area. There are many new sleek design options to fit your lifestyle and budget. With some common household tools and good directions, you will have your new faucet up and running in no time.

Along with your new faucet, you may also want to try your hand at DIY dish detergent. It’s safe, inexpensive and very easy to make.

Try a Peel-and-Stick Backsplash Kit

If your idea of a do-it-yourself kitchen remodeling project doesn’t include grout and sticky cement but you want to add a tile backsplash, then the peel-and-stick version is definitely for you!

Everything is included in your kit, even the tools. There is less mess and it saves so much time. There are color options and styles to fit any decor and in just a few hours your new backsplash can be up as a beautiful addition to your kitchen.

Switch Out the Cabinet Hardware

If you are looking for DIY kitchen ideas on a budget, changing out the cabinet hardware is one of the easiest and least expensive things to try. You will be surprised at how such a small change and make a big impact on the overall look of the space.

Be sure you get the same size knobs and pulls like the ones you have now so there will be no need to re-drill any holes.

Paint The Kitchen Cabinets

This DIY kitchen project may take a little longer than the others, but it can completely change the look of your kitchen area. You do want to make sure you prepare for this job as you want to protect your counters, walls, and floor from paint splashes.

As a hint, it is also a good idea to label your cabinet doors as you remove them so you will know exactly where everything goes when it’s time to put them back on. Make sure you use the right kind of paint for cabinets and invest in good brushes.

If you decide that painting may not quite do the trick for the look you want, there is always the option for cabinet resurfacing.

Add a Herb Garden

This last project will not only make your kitchen look and smell great, but it is also very helpful when you actually use your kitchen. With just a little time you can be on your way to producing oregano, rosemary, mint, sage or thyme. These herbs are easy to grow, maintain and add fresh delicious flavor to your meals.

An indoor herb garden for your kitchen is a great addition for visual and culinary appeal.

Which of These DIY Kitchen Projects Will You Try

It doesn’t take much time or money to try these DIY kitchen projects. In fact, you could probably fit in more than one during a weekend, or choose to do one at a time until soon you have almost a brand new kitchen with added value and style.

For more tips or hints on DIY projects, please reach out. I’d love to share more ideas with you!
*I’m sharing a few products I buy and use in my kitchen and I might receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on a link
Related:
5 Ways to Update Your Kitchen on a Budget
5 Things You Should Not Forget In a New Kitchen
Reduce Waste By Organizing Your Kitchen So You Know Exactly Where Everything Is