01 August 2021

Best Simple Kitchen Renovations In Ottawa To Think About


Smart renovations in any home can make a whole lot of difference to its appeal. Whether you are moving into a brand-new home or selling your existing one, there are a few things you can do to add more value to it. One of the main rooms to do this is in the kitchen. When you renovate a kitchen, it changes the entire house for the better. 

Below we show you how a few ideas can be implemented with this space.

Open Plan Kitchen

When you have a studio flat or an open plan kitchen in a house, you can do lots with it. A space such as this offers great versatility. It may not be easy to decide on one thing, but with the right changes, you can change it to suit your needs.

Starting with clever placement of the kitchen furniture is one great idea of not doing much while doing a lot when it comes to partitioning the area, and some ideas can be found here. It will help break up the area from the rest of the house. You can use items such as a room divider, or a long sofa, with its back facing the rest of the house. 

Many types of large sofas sets or couches can accomplish this, and you can use either a straight or corner sofa to give it that partition feel. You can also add a large floor rug to the seating area. In addition, sectioning off an area can be done using glass walls, or screens. 

Storage Ideas

There is also the aspect of storage to consider. When thinking about changing the storage around or renovating it to add more storage, you can try and reduce the clutter on countertops by getting open shelves built, and adding some freestanding cabinets. 

Keeping things behind closed doors is a good way to open up spaces you never thought you had. When you are done with the toaster, tuck it into a cupboard, or when you did need your glasses or dishes anymore, add a hanging shelf to the wall and line them up on it. 

You can also add a tall cabinet on one corner to keep all the cleaning supplies inside and away from the eye of visitors. Some furniture stores sell sliding out storage solutions that do not take up much space. You can also add a multi-task cupboard with a chalkboard for a door on which you can write your grocery list, and some are also magnetic to stick your family photos and calendar onto it, so you don’t need to use the fridge door anymore. 


Display Pieces

As a bonus tip while your renovating things is, if you’re into some DIY, you can also make yourself some glass jars with labels to keep neatly on the countertops or shelves and use them to store different kinds of pasta, rice, sugar, flour and legumes, for instance. Mason jars are the best for this purpose and can be made into a chic chandelier as well: https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g2493/kitchen-mason-jar-ideas/?slide=1 which can illuminate any working area and be the centerpiece.

These can make a stylish display on your countertops when placed together in categories, for instance, keep your different selections of pasta in one corner, and your cereals in another.

Building a Shelf Across the Walls

Adding shelves has helped much space. In the bedroom, lounge, garden and pretty much any space you need to add a bit of storage; a shelf is the best thing to do. Some of the best kitchen renovations Ottawa have made the most out of this option when there isn’t room for cabinets or cupboards anymore, and if you add a shelf that runs across the countertops and above the sink area, you can use it to place your favorite dishes, and gain some extra storage that’s away from the floors. 

You can display your kitchenware and crockery so it is easily accessible to you and the rest of the family. Showing off your designer dishes and cookware also helps bring a homely feel to the kitchen area. Anything from pitchers to glasses and bowls can be added to the collection. 

Besides the ideas above you can also opt for a multi-functional island top or freestanding unit that can be moved around the kitchen. A large kitchen trolley is one good idea where you can keep plants on top and use it for cutting your fruits and vegetables, and when you are done with it, you simple reel it off to one corner. Hanging pans and utensils on the wall on simple hooks or a hook stand also completes the look.

24 July 2021

Longmont Painters – Providing Exterior Painting Services


Building or renting a house is only the first step in creating a warm home that you’ll always want to get back to. While some people might argue that there isn’t anything like a perfect home, there are several things you could do to make yours warm and inviting, and just right for you. 

Other aspects of setting up a home like furniture arrangement, tiling, and so on are important, however, the beauty of most homes depend on one key aspect-painting. It’s amazing how just a little bit of color can bring life to an empty space and brighten up the entire atmosphere. 

It’s no wonder interior designers are serious about painting and how it affects the ambience of a home. Paints can produce just about any type of feel you want a room to have, be it bright and colorful, luxurious, minimalist, or even moody. With paints, when done right, the results speak for themselves. Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGa7pmeW7C0 to find home painting ideas. 

If you’ve just moved into a new house or apartment, or maybe you’ve just grown tired of the current look in your home, it is important that you understand the types of paints that exist to know which will fit your home. This is because the painting of your home is something that will be obvious and if you want people to feel relaxed and shower you with compliments, you should take your time to get it right. 

In this article, we’ll talk about two important aspects you need to know about painting to enable you make the best choice for your lovely home. 

Types of Paints

There are several types of paints available on the market today with each having its own unique benefits. Some of them are:

Oil-based Paints

These are also called alkyds and they are mostly used for high-moisture areas of the home like kitchens and bathrooms. Other areas like floors, trims, and cabinets that are prone to wear, and impact are also commonly covered with an oil-based paint. 

They have a rich finish and look to them that makes them appealing to many homeowners. Another reason many people choose oil-based paints over others is its durability and leveling (you won’t see brush strokes as brushes fill themselves in properly to produce a cleaner look). 

One of the major problems people have with oil-based is that they take a longer time to dry up. This paint can take several hours to dry and sometimes, up to a day! That said, this long drying time also has an upside to it as fixes can be made conveniently before it dries up. 

Cleaning up is yet another headache that you’ll have to deal with if you choose to go for an oil-based paint. With oil-based, except you’re a professional painter, creating a mess is inevitable. Furthermore, you’ll need chemicals like turpentine or paint thinner to wash up brushes, rollers, and other tools used in the painting process. 

Water-based Paints

A water-based paint isn’t as durable and resilient as an oil-based, but it takes most of the share of wall paints sold today. This is because it is easy to use, wash off painting tools, and most importantly, it dries a lot quicker. If you want your painting done as fast as possible, these paints are perfect for the job.

With this type of paint, you can get many coats done quickly since it takes much less time to dry. This makes the process a lot faster, fun, and easier. As have been mentioned, cleaning up after is easy and can be done with water and a little bit of soap. 

Another advantage water-based have over oil-based is that they do not smell as strong as the former when drying. Also, they are more environment-friendly than oil-based paints since they do not contain as much volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Latex-based Paints

People sometimes confuse latex-based for water-based, often using both terms interchangeably. Some latex-based paints are water-based, while some use chemical, unlike the main water-based paints that only use water.

The main difference between the two will be that latex-based do better when used on the exterior than water-based. That said, if you’d like to use this paint for your exterior walls, take caution and check the body of the paint as there are specific one made just for exterior use. To avoid getting confused, experts can be contacted for professional advice and recommendations.  You can go to Foothills Painting, Longmont CO for help with finding experts.


Types of Finishes

Paint finishes are categorized into five based on their reflectiveness. They are:

Matte

They are also called flat paints and they have the least amount of shine. Mattes are not as durable as other types, but they provide more coverage than others. They also require fewer coats to mask nail holes, and other imperfections. 

Because they aren’t so durable, they can be easily damaged when treated with cleaner. To get the best out of them, make sure they are used in areas of low traffic like ceilings, and dining rooms. 

Satin

These are the most common type of interior finish. They have a silky, soft, velvety sheen to them making them sit between the matte and gloss finish. They are easy to clean, and so, are perfect for areas with high traffic like playrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, and kitchen. It is worth mentioning that using this finish is slightly tricky as it may reveal brush strokes.  

Eggshell

Eggshells are not as durable as matte finishes but works well nonetheless in covering imperfections. They have a low sheen and are suitable for areas in the home with medium traffic like entryways and hallways. 

Semi-gloss

These paints are reflective, shiny, and extremely durable. They are resistant to mildew and so are great for places like bathrooms, trims, kitchens, and kids’ rooms that get a lot of moisture or wear. You should know that they will reveal imperfections more than other less shiny paints due to their glossier finish. 

High-Gloss

These are the shiniest and most reflective of all paint finishes. They are also the most durable and can handle cleaning and washing well. This makes them a great fit for trims, cabinetry, and doors. While they are mostly used for interior finishes, high-gloss paints can also be used for shutters and other outdoor details. They will reveal imperfections if not applied correctly. Click here to learn how to get a high-gloss finish for wooden surfaces in your home.

Conclusion

Discussed in this article are what you should know before heading out to shop for paints. They’ll guide you in making the right choice for the different parts of your home. That said, you may want to involve in interior designer when choosing which colors will fit individual rooms and places in your home.