A new, light and bright kitchen

The kitchen is, for many families and households, the heart of the home. In many dwellings the kitchen doubles as a dining space. That means it's not only the area where you prepare meals, but it's also the area where you entertain, catch up with family, and entertain. It's important that you invest in your kitchen and make it a light, bright, friendly space for you and everyone else in your household to enjoy. If you want to know how to remodel your kitchen to make it light and bright, keep reading for some great tips.

Consult a professionals to lay out your kitchen.

Trust me, you cannot do this alone. While I don't doubt for a second that someone can take on installing the components of a new kitchen (within reason). Unless you know what you're doing, please leave the layout work to a professional kitchen designer. Deciding what goes where is as much a science as it is an art and there are all kinds of building and construction codes that have to be accounted for. Never mind the electrical, HVAC and ventilation requirements. There's too much to know that you'll never learn from YouTube how-to videos.

Choose finishes that will lighten up your kitchen space.

Work with a kitchen designer to select kitchen cabinets that are in a color that will lighten up your whole space, such as a light pine or birch, or even a wood treated with a white finish. The designer will also walk you through choosing a countertop material that will give your kitchen renovation a bright, sleek feel. Choose finishes that will reflect the natural daylight in your kitchen, or even consider adding a mirror or two to create even more of that reflection. You can even break up a dark wood floor with a brightly-colored kitchen island that doubles as additional prep space or an area for a small group to dine together.

Use natural light to your advantage.

Throughout your kitchen, taking advantage of your existing natural light will help make your kitchen into your dream kitchen. When harnessed effectively, sunlight can make your kitchen look larger and brighter, and thus, more welcoming for both you and your guests. Even if you only have one window, you can complement the natural light with mirrors and with sheer or no curtains that allow the maximum amount of light into your kitchen remodel project.

Make sure key areas are well-lit.

Sunlight, and light in general, is vitally important in the kitchen, not only because it helps your kitchen appear lighter and larger, but also because it helps illuminate key areas in your kitchen for safety. If you have children or live with someone with a disability, this is especially important. Kitchens in particular, benefit from the inclusion of under cabinet lighting. Being able to illuminate the hands of a cook as he or she is working makes for a more pleasant, and safer, place to prepare meals.

Think about lighting control systems

Lighting control systems that may or may not be automated are a kitchen innovation well worth investigating. Sometimes they're connected wirelessly in their own network, sometimes they use the whole house Wi-Fi and sometimes they can use other ways to network themselves. However, they're set up, lighting control systems will allow you to tune the light levels in your new kitchen with precision. It's better to have a brightly-lit kitchen during meal prep and cooking, but it's more enjoyable to eat with lower light levels.

Lighting control systems allow for differing lighting levels in a room depending on its use. In our house, we use smart bulbs connected via Amazon Echo Dots and I have it set up to lower the lights when I say "Alexa, lower the lights." Our admittedly low-budget approach is terrific and it's a look into what's available. If we were renovating again, I'd no doubt consider one of these systems.

So when you're ready to add some life to your kitchen or whole home, it's the lighting that will set the tone and make or break your project.

3 Effective Techniques To Update Your Kitchen Style

Photo by Sidekix Media on Unsplash

Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms of your home. It’s not just the place where food is prepared. In most cases, it is also the spot where the family meet, passing each other as they go about their day. That’s the reason it is still generally referred to as the heart of the home.

However, no matter how central it is to the home, your kitchen can still start to look tired and dated. While a complete kitchen renovation is likely to set you back thousands, you can upgrade the style of your kitchen with the following three techniques. 

1. Add A Rug

Carpets and rugs are not usually popular options in kitchens where food is spilt and there is an abundance of moisture. However, if you choose a dedicated rug from the range offered by Missamara Rugs NZ, you’ll find it is perfectly adapted for kitchen life.

It can improve your grip, add warmth, and resist stains and spills. It will also protect your floor and it becomes a focal point, detracting from the condition of your old flooring. 

Best of all, rugs are available in a huge array of colours and textures, simply choose your favourite and enjoy.

2. Replace or Paint Cupboards

One of the simplest ways to transform the look and the style of any kitchen is to change the doors on your cupboards. After all, even if you renovate it’s the doors that most people see, the cupboard units are effectively invisible! 

Changing the doors is easy and a significantly cheaper DIY project than replacing everything. You can choose from a wide variety of colours and styles.

However, if none of these appeal then you can paint your existing cupboard doors. This is a slightly more time-consuming approach as every door will need to be sanded before it can be painted. This ensures the new paint will stick to the door. If you don’t sand or prep the door first the new paint will quickly peel off, leaving you with a very messy space.  

While you’re doing the doors it’s a good idea to change the countertops. 

3. Change Hardware

There are plenty of big objects in the kitchen but the pieces that make a fundamental difference is actually the hardware. That’s the door handles on your cupboards and the entry door, the light fitting, and even the organizers on the wall. 

Changing these can transform the style and look of your kitchen. There are hundreds of different designs, colours and styles to choose from. All you have to do is select the ones you like and swap your existing hardware over. 

The process is simple and effective, it’s also extremely cheap. 

Final Thoughts

Any one of the above will change the style of the kitchen, you can even repaint the walls to make it look different. But, if you really want to change the style and make it feel like a new kitchen, you’ll do all three things listed above. It will leave a positive and lasting impression. 

How To Get Rid of Drain Flies

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Drain flies are tiny flies that are often found flying around the kitchen.

They're annoying, disgusting, and they don't understand boundaries!

Unfortunately, these fruit-fly-looking insects can be extremely difficult to get rid of, because they breed in your drains, and their larvae feed on the gunk in your dirty pipes!

But, don't worry folks! We've spoken with the drain cleaner Barrhaven residents have used since 2006. Following his advice, you can clean your drains, exterminate drain flies, and preserve your sanity!

What are drain flies?

Drain flies are tiny little insects that lay eggs onto rotting organic material.

If you look closely enough, they look like tiny moths. They're fuzzy, grey, and have antennae.

However, they're easily mistaken for fruit flies as they're similar in size and enjoy similar habitats.

The biggest problem with drain flies, is while they only live for a couple of weeks, they can lay eggs several times during their lifetime - and, their eggs can be difficult to deal with.

Signs of a Drain Fly Infestation

Drain flies like to be near standing water. We often find them in our kitchens and bathrooms, because once they find their way into our home, they like to stay!

If you have a drain fly infestation, you'll see tiny insects flying clumsily through rooms with water and drain pipes. These bugs fly slowly and appear to be quite lazy, as they spend a lot of time hanging out on surfaces.

How to get rid of Drain Flies for good

Unfortunately, drain flies breed quickly so they can be quite difficult to eliminate from your home.

However, if you take the following steps, you should be able to rid your home of these pests.

1) Clean the room with the drain fly problem.

Get rid of any sources of food or water for the insects. Scrub the counters, clean the sink, get rid of the garbage, etc.

2) Use a home remedy to clean your drains.

Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. If you have a double sink, do this for both drains.

Let the chemical combination bubble for about half an hour.

After that, flush it down with boiling water.

Repeat this every morning and evening until your problem is gone.

3) Catch the adults.

Pour some apple cider vinegar or some other insect bait into a cup, cover it with plastic wrap, and poke several holes through the plastic wrap.

Place the cup somewhere in the room, where the insects will be attracted.

Additionally, you can use a handheld vacuum to catch the fruit flies - but, you're unlikely to catch all of them as they hide.

4) Routine Professional Drain Cleaning.

The most effective way to get rid of infestations is to eliminate their food source.

The gunk and grime that has accumulated in your drain pipes makes for a plentiful food source. As long as you have filth in your drain pipes, drain flies will have a source of food.

Our recommendation is to have a professional drain cleaning service performed on your drain system every now and again. Professional drain cleaners have several kinds of equipment that can powerwash the insides of your drain system and rid your pipes of drain fly food sources.

Once their food source is gone, it's only a matter of time until the fruit fly population in your home starves and dies off.

There you have it, folks! Drain flies can be quite a nuisance, but they're among the easier pest problems for homeowners to handle.

Good luck!

4 Tips to Keep Your Outdoor Kitchen in Top Shape

Photo by Matthieu Joannon on Unsplash

Outdoor kitchens are becoming a popular option around the globe but they have always been popular in Australia, perhaps because the weather is perfect for using them. This popularity doesn’t show any signs of waning. 

However, while an outdoor kitchen is a great asset, the very fact that it is outside means it will be exposed to nature and may deteriorate quickly. After all, the weather isn’t always perfect!

That’s why you need to use the following tips to keep your outdoor kitchen in top shape and protect your investment. That includes any appliances that live outdoors that might be covered by your home warranty plan.

1. Coverings

There are two types of coverings for your outdoor kitchen and it’s best to have both. The first is the temporary style covering that protects your kitchen from the sun and unexpected rain showers. 

This encompasses gazebos and awnings. Coverings that can be moved into position when needed and removed just as easily. These types of covers protect your outdoor kitchen from the sun and the rain, as well as making it more enjoyable to cook under.

Alongside this, you’ll find individual covers that can be used over elements of the outdoor kitchen. These are time-consuming to put in position but offer better protection for each appliance.

The best approach is to rely on awnings and gazebo-style covers in the summer and then switch to individual covers for the winter when you are not likely to use the kitchen. This will ensure it is protected in all weather. 

2. Keep It Clean

It should be obvious but a clean kitchen will last much longer than a dirty one. The main reason for this is a dirty kitchen has food debris and that attracts all manner of pests to your yard. They are likely to make a mess of your kitchen and leave you needing to do a lot of cleaning or replace units. 

Clean it after every use and sweep the floor to ensure pests aren’t attracted and extend the life of your outdoor kitchen.

3. Repair Damage

If your outdoor kitchen is damaged in any way repair it straight away. Unrepaired damage often leads to further damage and it will provide access points for pests. They will appreciate the shelter your kitchen offers in the winter, you won’t. 

As part of this you should monitor the condition of your cabinets, knowing when to re-stain them or replace them is important. 

4. Winterize

There comes a time when you know you are unlikely to use the outdoor kitchen again until the following year. This is when you need to winterize it, extreme weather will quickly kill your kitchen. 

Winterizing means thoroughly cleaning every element and then wrapping it in waterproof coatings. Ideally, these should be breathable to stop moisture from building up inside your units and destroying them. 

An outdoor kitchen is a great investment and a valuable addition to any home. The good news is that it doesn’t take much effort to care for them and ensure they last for years, allowing you to enjoy the sunshine and your yard. 

Everything You Should Know About An Electrical Short Circuit

Photo by Greg Bulla on Unsplash

Before you start looking into the details of an electrical short circuit it is essential to understand that electricity is dangerous. In addition, you should note that the majority of electrical procedures cannot legally be done by a homeowner, you need to hire a professional. 

That’s why, if you think you have a short circuit or any other electrical issue, you should contact a reputable Sydney electrician and let them sort the issue. 

The Short Circuit

A short circuit simply means electricity is flowing in the wrong place. All electricity from your home is split into circuits. This is the wires that pause at each outlet or light switch. The electricity moves out from the circuit box on the live wire and returns to the neutral, effectively making a loop. 

However, electricity is fickle. While the wire is safe and easy, there are times when there is an even easier path. 

For example, water is very good at carrying electricity, if you touch an open circuit with water on your hands the water will conduct the electricity and it will move through your hand. In short, you’re the path of least resistance. 

This will give you an electric shock, the severity of which depends on how high the electrical voltage is. 

Short circuits are often seen as flashed, particularly when you turn on or off a circuit. The flash is the electricity jumping and it can cause a fire. Electrical issues are one of the biggest causes of fire at home.

Causes Of A Short Circuit 

Now you know what a short circuit is you need to know what causes them. You may not be able to remedy the issue but knowing what it is will help. 

• Water

As already mentioned, water is very conductive and will allow electricity to move in unexpected directions. Be vigilant when there is water around. 

• Bad Connections

Perhaps the most common reason for short circuits is when the connections have become loose. This means they are capable of touching or arcing inside a switch, causing a short circuit and potentially a fire. You are likely to feel the electric shock if you’re touching a switch with bad connections.

• Old Wiring

Wiring only lasts for 10-15 years. After this time the sheath is too badly worn and won’t contain the electricity properly. This is when you’ll notice short circuits and flickering lights.

• Pest Damage

Pests, especially rodents, will eat anything. That includes the casing on your wires. When these are damaged you dramatically increase the likelihood of short circuits and electric shocks. 

• Overloading

Finally, overloaded circuits will build up a heat residue that can cause an array of issues, including short circuits. You need to check that all circuits are safe and there aren’t too many appliances plugged in. 

Remember, your circuit breaker is designed to discover short circuits before you get electrocuted. That’s why you should get your main breakers checked if they keep tripping. They are your safety net and can warn you that you need an electrician.