How To Choose The Right Bar Stools For Your Kitchen Counter or Island

A bar stool to a kitchen area is like a fine glass of wine to a Friday night - an addition that can only make things better and inject a vibrant feel to your home. As wonderful and versatile as they are, choosing the right set is only a matter of taste and the style that already prevails your space. The most important factors to consider are material and style.

Material

Wood
Nowadays, most wooden bar stools are made of hard rubber-wood due to its durability, but there are other wood materials that are also appealing. There’s also rattan, wicker and teak wood, although they might not be as sturdy. Fortunately, wooden bar stools are generally quite easy to maintain and clean.

Metal
Stainless steel is by far one of most strong and resistant materials for kitchen bar stools. If you are one of those people that want to buy a  kitchen bar stools set once and have a piece of mind for a long time, this is the material you are looking for. Make sure that the stools you get feature at least 80% of steel as a part of their construction. If you want something lighter than steel, aluminium could seal the deal by offering similar quality, low maintenance and contemporary design. Metal kitchen bar stools easy to disinfect with a quick wipe down.

Upholstery                          
These bar stools are the mightiest tool if you want to match your interior just right because they come in an endless array of covers, be it leather, linen, faux suede or vinyl. They can easily become a part of the seamless blend you are aiming to achieve. People also love these due to the comfort they provide with the convenient padding for the back and as an addition, many of these kitchen bar stools feature a footrest as well. One minor disadvantage is the fact that they are not as easy to clean and you will have to be very careful not to spill something on the upholstered surface.

Plastic
If you’re all about easy maintenance, this material can surely offer that, but with so many amazing choices of material that come with more sturdiness and class, plastic is regarded as probably the last one you should opt for, if you want your interior to speak volumes about your taste, that is.

Recycled materials
If the process of choosing the perfect type of material is to receive an extra pair of wings, that can undoubtedly be achieved with a sustainability factor. If you want to excel at both - helping our planet and decorating your home, this is a great way to do it and you can find all of the aforementioned types in the form of their recycled counterparts, except for upholstered.

Style

Futuristic
Simple, straight, strong, new age – these are the qualities you should look for if you’re after a futuristic feel. The best material choice for this style is by all means steel. Make sure that the chairs you choose are easy to assemble and feature PVC seats. This style simply pours that modern vibe into the area and with minimal effort you'll be able to pull off a very cool futuristic style.

Traditional
If you can imagine yourself sitting on one of your bar stools, hands wrapped around a warm mug, a quiet jazz song playing in the background, then wooden bar stools from top to bottom might be right up your alley. Just make sure that the rest of your décor can respond to this vintage challenge because you wouldn't want it to look as if you've kidnapped the stools from a retro times and now you are desperately trying to adapt them to your modern design.

Middle Earth
Being unable to choose between traditional and modern is actually a pleasant design symptom. It can allow you to have the best of both worlds in a very unique way. Talk about a style that defies classification. This style can be best achieved by opting for a set of bar stools that feature black metal frame and wood. The wooden part will add to the traditional appeal, whilst the black metal frame will speak of futuristic simplicity, easy maintenance and a keen eye for elegance.

Hand held versus fixed shower heads – which is best?

If you are thinking of having a new shower fitted in your home you may be wondering whether it makes more sense to have hand held shower or a fixed head shower. There are people who swear by both. The question is; which is the best option for you? Everyone is different so you have to make your own decision.

To help you make your decision you can check out reviews of the best fixed shower head and the best hand held shower head. In the meantime, we are going to take you through some of the things you should consider before you make your choice.

Why it makes sense to have a hand held shower
There are several reasons why having a handheld shower head in your bathroom makes sense.

• Easier washing enabled. If you are able to hold the shower head in your hand it makes it a lot easier to wash exactly where you want to wash. You do not have the same ability to direct the water if you have a fixed shower head.
• Ability to wash around the shower or tub. One of the great things about a hand held shower head is that you can use it to rinse around your shower or tub. This means that soap scum is less likely to build up making it easier for you to keep the shower or tub clean.
• Conservation of water. If you have a fixed shower head in your shower then a large amount of water just goes straight down the drain and is not actually put to any real use. If you use a hand held shower head then the water is directed where it is needed so there is a lot less wastage. You can see how a hand held shower head helps to conserve water.

How to get the best of both worlds
There are some people who prefer showering under a fixed shower head; they believe it has more power and enjoy standing under a steady stream of water. If you cannot decide which type of shower head you prefer then it is possible to have both. Having dual heads in your shower means that you have the option of using either; this is especially useful if different people living in your household have different preferences as to which is best. It also means that you have a complete showering experience.

If you are having a new shower fitted in your home then you want to make sure it gives you the experience you want. We have shown you that a hand held shower head makes sense if you want to conserve energy and have a more directed showering experience. However, some people just prefer to stand under a fixed shower head. Having both types of shower head may be the best way to keep everyone happy; the decision is yours.

Top 5 Kitchen Design Tips to Revamp a Small Kitchen

If you’re not blessed with the virtues of a roomy kitchen, the notion of a renovation or redesign might seem a little redundant to you. You might find it hard to see how spending money on such a limited space could be worthwhile. Yet, the truth is that there are plenty of clever ways to give small kitchens some serious personality and life.

There are some dreams that you may have to give up. If there’s barely enough room to make toast, never mind swing a cat, that sprawling American style Smeg fridge is just not viable. However, most redesign ideas can be easily adapted to fit kitchens with a limited amount of space. It’s all about being smart, flexible, and inventive with design.

1. Start Doubling Up

A favourite trick, used by skilled kitchen designers like Brentwood Kitchens, is to double up on space. So, a stylish breakfast bar can also be used to incorporate storage for pots, pans, and other kitchen accessories. Things like stove tops can be adapted to pull down over hobs and turn into extra preparation space. Integrated appliances are great for this, because they take up less space than standalone devices; they also fit more seamlessly with the kitchen.

2. Stick with Light Colours

If it’s been said before, it’ll be said a hundred times more; light colours give the illusion of space. The minute that you cover the kitchen walls with heavy greys, greens, or blues, it’ll start to feel cramped and restricted. Open up the room that you have with whites, creams, light greys, and pastel tones. Also, mirrors are great for tricking the eye into seeing more space, so think about investing in a mirrored splashback.

3. Take Cabinets Higher

In most kitchens, there’s a really useful band of space that is left wasted, because cupboards stop short below the ceiling. While super tall cupboards might have you standing on a chair to access the cookie cutters, it’s not too much of an inconvenience if you store only items that you use irregularly up high. Cake tins and ‘once every so often’ items like food colouring are ideal for storage in this type of space.

4. Choose Sensible Appliances

If you have a small kitchen, you’re going to need appliances that are on the smaller side too. For families with young children, this can be tricky, because it means extra loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. What you can do to make this easier is invest in eco-friendly, economical appliances. They’ll help you to save on your energy bills, even if you have to keep refilling. When it comes to the fridge, pick an appliance that is thinner, but deeper. Never pay retail prices either. There are always Lowe's Coupons to be had on the web, keep an eye out for them and shop accordingly.

5. Call in the Experts

For homeowners who have a fairly robust budget, hiring an expert design team is an alternative option. They will take over all of the practical considerations, so that you don’t have to worry about finding the right sized fridge or picking the perfect colour palette. Plus, you can have as much or as little direct input as you please; you can either let your designers surprise you with something wonderful or point them in a specific style direction.

How to Create a Kitchen That Makes You Happy

The bottom line is that every kitchen, no matter how small it is, can be helped to shine with the right tweaks and improvements. If you do need some inspiration, head down to a showroom and check out some of the designs on offer. The added benefit of browsing in person is that you can get one on one advice from the experts.

What Materials are Available when it Comes to Shower Trays? Your Important Guide

 

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So you’ve decided to get a shower tray for your bathroom – we congratulate you on your wise decision. After all, there are many advantages to having a shower tray in your bathroom. Firstly, they ensure that there is no unwanted water in the rest of the bathroom, and this ensures that there are no problems with electricity as well – or mould which can form from water seeping through some unseen cracks. Secondly, you’ll have a much easier time to maintain and clean your bathroom, which is always a great plus. And let’s not forget the time and money you save. However, how do you choose the right shower tray for your needs? What materials are available? Here is a quick guide on which materials are available when it comes to shower trays.

Steel

There are many advantages to steel – advantages which many of us may have forgotten. Steel shower trays are hygienic, resistant to acid, and are very durable. In fact, they can take a punch; they tend not to deform and don’t deteriorate due to scratching or impact. Furthermore, they now come with anti-slip coating and can be fitted with an insulation system as well.

Acrylic

The great thing about acrylic is its insulating property; this means that, together with a hard foam laid out around and underneath, no heat will be lost. It also means that the heat is contained and not transferred to physical energy (such as expansion that may happen with steel), and so it prevents cracks and irregular fitting in the long term.

Solid surface

The solid surface is made of mineral particles – it contains a very high percentage of them – and so the surface feels very smooth indeed. This innovative design also allows it to come in various styles and finishes, which makes it easier for buyers to make a choice which is especially designed for their bathroom. It’s non-porous, which means it’s very hygienic, durable, and easy to clean.

Ceramic 

If you want a long-term investment, then ceramic is probably your best choice, as it is the most durable of all. They’re also great to look at and fit perfectly into any bathroom. As with all the other choices, they can also be provided with anti-slip coating should that be required.

As you can see, there are many kinds of shower trays out there – from an offset quadrant shower tray to a rectangular one, a square one, and more - and whilst we’re sure there’s the perfect one for you, you’ll need to check carefully and consider the choice an investment. There are, after all, advantages and disadvantages to each one of them. Perhaps the best way to begin is to list down your own priorities and then see which material fits best with your needs. 

Top 10 Factors to Consider Before Renovating Your Kitchen

Decide what you want to achieve

Before you get out the sledgehammer, it’s important to know exactly what you want to achieve from your renovation. Are you looking to add a purely aesthetic change to your space. Perhaps you want to add functionality? Or maybe you want the space you’re in to better reflect your lifestyle. Whatever your purpose, there are many options for kitchen renovation in Melbourne that will be able to suit your needs, so do your research.

Visualise your decor 

Collect samples of colours, textures and furniture that you want to exhibit in your new and improved space. Keep this mood board handy, so you can stick to a central theme when making every decision about your kitchen. This will ensure you don’t have any colliding aspects, and your kitchen will be both practically and aesthetically coherent.

Choose timeless trends

Another thing to be wary of is choosing timeless trends that won’t age or date. The last thing you want is to spend time and effort on a renovation that is going to be out of date in a few years’ time.

Don’t forget about the details

When renovating your dream kitchen, it can be easy to overlook the fine details, as the tradesmen and contractors you hire won’t pay any attention to these. The true beauty of designing a new space is in the exquisite details, so make sure you consider those smaller styling elements as well.

Choose fitting appliances

A kitchen is usually the room in the house with the most whitegoods and appliances visible. Therefore, it is vital that you choose appliances that go with the rest of your decor and your overall theme. These days, there are a wide range of colours and styles of appliances you can choose from, and more often than not you can choose appliance sets, so they will all be matching.

Timing is key

It’s important to be mindful of the order in which each step of the renovation process is carried out. Of course, sticking to a strict schedule usually doesn’t go specifically to plan. However, it’s a good idea to have a process of when and how you want things to be done.

Be prepared for the long haul

A kitchen renovation can be quite a big job. Don’t be put off by this, but do keep in mind that it’s going to take a quite a considerable amount of work and time to achieve your dream kitchen. You only get out what you put in!

Don’t demolish

Before you hold your own demolition party, bear in mind that many elements of your old kitchen may be able to be reused or recycled. Take care in dismantling your existing kitchen, as it could save you a small fortune.

Small touches are vital

Does your kitchen really need a whole renovation? If not, there are several simple and affordable touches that can add up to create an entirely new look without hurting your wallet. Concentrate on updating just the focal points of your kitchen such as new bench tops and a splashback which could make a huge difference.

Remember, a renovation should be an investment

It might seem enticing to keep costs down by skimping on certain elements of your renovation. However, it is important to remember that a renovation is an investment which adds value to your home and cutting corners could end up costing you more in the long run.

Take heed of these 10 helpful tips when you’re renovating your kitchen, in order to get the most out of your space as possible. Happy renovating!