How to Feng Shui Your Kitchen

Feng shui and funk out your kitchen- making it more enjoyable to be in for the time spent in there entertaining guests or cleaning, doing the dishes and cooking every day meals. Here's some tips on how to feng shui your kitchen.

Never forget the triangleAs mentioned in a previous blog. The work space triangle is of utmost importance in keeping a flow in the kitchen. Be sure to have a triangle layout that goes from the sink to the fridge to the stove.Light it up!Once your basic layout is accomplished, lighting comes next. Use warm lights for your kitchen (for anywhere in the house really). Bright LED lights tend to be quite blinding and will leave you feeling like you’re in a hospital. You and your guests will quickly be put off wanting to dive in to a feast.Down lights or can lights are neat and can be positioned to shine down on particular parts of the room, creating ambience. Also creating ambience and aesthetic are lights placed underneath cabinets. This brings a certain inviting, warm glow from kitchen.

Good Chi energy

Have good chi energy by making sure everything in your kitchen works. Going in to your kitchen knowing the proverbial world is your oyster and you’re able to finish what you started is satisfying, means less stress and will result in the want to create more or be happier in your space.

Put like with like

Organise like and like items together in the same vicinity. Not only does it create a better flow but it makes your life a lot easier when utilising the kitchen.

Colour it in

Studies have shown that yellows and reds increase appetite. Your kitchen, however, is not a McDonald’s.While warm colours are the way to go, use these colours as accent colours, whether it be in appliances, counter stools or hand towels or cutting boards. Calmer colours (no white!) for bigger areas will create an overall calming feel while the complementary accent colours will entice and invite.

Fire, water, metal, earth and...

Balancing the elements in your kitchen means having a bit of everything and adding what is needed. If your kitchen already has the afore mentioned elements, add some wood! Wooden flooring or even things as simply as a wooden bowl or a plant or even a picture of these things will tie it all together. If you already have wood in the kitchen, pick the missing element and find an accent piece to finish it all off.

Artwork

Artwork is good for anywhere in the house but artwork in the kitchen is vital. Tasteful and, sometimes, kitchen- related artwork will create feng shui. Artwork is pleasing to the eye and brings comfort to bare walls. An added bonus is if you, yourself are an artist- it’s the perfect gallery to display your work.Be mindful of your space and keep your kitchen clean in order to perfect the perfect feng shui for your personality and your kitchen.

Is your Kitchen a Bermuda Triangle? How to Keep Your Kitchen Organised

Kitchens are kind of like babushka dolls. In one area/room we have other compartments forthings, in those compartments we put other things and so on and so forth. We always anticipateneeding more space. More space for our things can mean more space in our heads.When we don’t have a choice as to what size our kitchen area will be, whether it be indoor oroutdoor, we have to make do. And believe it or not in this case, less can be more.Here we have a few simple tips and tricks to keep your kitchen space organised and flowing:

Be mindfulBe mindful.. period but when it comes to the kitchen be mindful that everything needs a spot. Ifyou’ve picked it up from somewhere to use, make sure it goes back there. For some people thiscomes naturally, for others not so much. If you’re part of the not-so-much group. Put a little extracare into knowing where each item’s home is.

Be logicalIf your mugs are near the cleaning supplies, well, you’re in for a frustrating and potentiallyhazardous time. Generally, kitchens are laid out to assist you in this. If not, do your best to haveitems in their designated groups. For example, have the mugs above the coffee machine, thetoaster near the spreads and the cutlery within reach of all of this. This creates a better flow andis more convenient.

Be in the flowOn that note, flow in the kitchen area comes in the form of an invisible triangle. The “kitchenwork triangle” means that if you had to draw a line from your refrigerator to your stove, to yourwashing up area/sink, you would have drawn a triangle. This concept is used to determineefficient kitchen layouts that are both aesthetic and functional. Some of us do not have theluxury of having a room that allows this triangle flow and in that case, logic as mindfulnessprevail.Leave out the packaging and condense your goodsMason jars play a huge part in keeping an organised kitchen by keeping storage aestheticallypleasing and in unison. This looks neater but most importantly, you’re cutting back onunnecessary packaging. Which brings me to...

Reduce, reuse, recycleThey weren’t kidding when they came up with this. Not only for your own living situation is thisbetter, cleaner and actually more convenient but to be captain obvious, it does a great deal forthe environment.

At the end of the day. If everything has a well thought out, permanent place- there is less spaceto fuss with and less of an area to clean.

2019 Kitchen Trends - Kitchens Adelaide

Can you believe 2019 is only a month and a week away! Here are four 2019 kitchen trends you can expect to see in the new year. Looking to build a new kitchen or outdoor BBQ area? Get in touch with Justin at Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens for a FREE quote today.

Mixed Metal Finishings

Think brass pendant lighting, metal bar stools and copper rose gold taps. Mixing metals is an easy way to incorporate interest, depth and class in your kitchen.

Matte Black

Matte is the sexiest trend we can expect in 2019! It's sleek, sexy and endearing. Black is a strong colour and looks beautiful alongside dark and/or light timber furniture.

Two-Toned

Your kitchen is probably one of the most used areas of your home. For this reason, it's probably where you want to invest the most time and money to create a kitchen that inspires and encourages creativity. Two-tone kitchens do just this. It's also a totally affordable upgrade. All it requires is a lick of paint on the cabinets! Our main tip is to use darker colours on the bottom and lighter colours on top.

Stone

Stone as a building material is durable, sanitary, long-lasting, eco-friendly and low maintenance. It's also timeless and versatile to be paired with other materials. Stone has been used in kitchens for many years and is making an even bigger come back in 2019 as home owners look to incorporate natural materials in their home. Look at this beautiful kitchen that blends stone with gorgeous light timber.

Looking to build or renovate the perfect outdoor kitchen for you and your family? Get in touch with us for a FREE quote or general advice on building a long-lasting, quality kitchen to your budget.

Minimalist Kitchens

Minimalism as a life choice and home style has become a popular trend around the world. Chunky rugs and throws have been replaced with basic furniture. Scatter cushions have been packed up, leaving clutter free couches. And gone are the times when we displayed our appliances on our benchtop. As home owners look to reduce their carbon footprint and live on less, minimalist homes and minimalist kitchens have become a popular choice.

So what makes a minimalist kitchen? Is it the colour? The finishes? The fittings? We've defined a minimalist kitchen as a kitchen that only contains the bare essentials. And also a little bit by the colour. Nothing more than the few utensils, crockery and cutlery you need to function in the kitchen. A minimalist kitchen does't contain bread or ice cream makers, waffle machines or any other appliance you may have purchases on whim while watching day time TV.

Here are five minimalist kitchens we love...

"Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It's yous master piece after all."

The colours of this kitchen definitely assist with that minimalist feel. Light grey cabinets, light coloured laminate wooden floors and a white marble benchtop create an open, airy and tranquil space that helps achieve that minamlist look. The benchtop is not completely clear but it only contains the essentials (no blenders, toasters or kettles). The shelving is kept uncluttered too. The clear pendant lighting is simple and understated which contributes to the style too.

"I'd rather have extra space than extra stuff."

Again we see light colours used in this modern minimalist kitchen. Light laminate wooden flooring provides a bit of warmth against the sheer white bench tops and cabinets. The benchtop is kept almost completely clear with only a few tea and coffee containers and small pot plants which add colour to the room. Shelving has been built into the island which helps keep clutter off the top. Appliances are kept hidden away.

"Minimalism is an appreciation of space."

Aside from the shoes and train set, this kitchen is clutter free. Although they have their kitchenware visible, you'll notice the only have what they need (four plates, eight glasses, one wine holder, etc.) The more unnecessary kitchenware you build up, the harder it is to maintain the minimalist look. A kitchen like this could easily accommodate a single person, couple or small family.

"Less is more."

And now for something completely different. A minimalist kitchen in a darker shade works too. The secret to this kitchens minimalism is the available storage space/cabinets to keep clutter and appliances out of sight. The kitchen is lightened by the light timber benchtop, breakfast bar stools and flooring.

Are you wanting to revamp your kitchen to have a more minimalist style? Get in touch with Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens for a free quote.

Multi-material Benchtops

You want the building materials to complement your home's style, look good and be functional too. It's not always easy to get all those boxes ticked, which is why picking materials is usually a big headache for home renovators. But what if we told you that there are no rules and you could have both. YES PLEASE! Here are some totally inspiring example of home owners who totally owned multi-material benchtops in their kitchen...

When Timber met Concrete

Timber is classic, warm and traditional. Concrete is modern, cool and sexy. Put the two together and you've got yourself a practical, gorgeous, eclectic mix of beauty and durability. If you love the timber look but want to avoid water and ding damage by having it as a benchtop, extend a space where timber can be used a table alongside a polished concrete benchtop. Polished concrete as a building material is strong, durable and highly water resistant (when sealed correctly.)

Yelling Timber

If you don't have the space for an extended table to complement your benchtop, why not use both to crate your island or benchtops. Timber below, polished concrete on top. The chunky look works well for modern or industrial, while the sleek timber suits the more modern/contemporary style.

Timber on Top

If concrete tops are too harsh for your kitchen's style, switch it up and use timber instead. A simple timber top or waterfall ends looks classy and classic.

Steel Some Colour

Timber, stainless steel and polished concrete are by far the safer options when it comes to kitchen building materials, but many home owners have been turning up the spectrum and getting more colour into their kitchen. Laminate kitchen worktops or cabinets with stainless steel makes for a clean, modern and refreshing kitchen look.

If you're renovating or re-building your kitchen, we'd love to help. Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens is a locally owned and operated business helping South Aussies create more memories in their kitchens.

Copper in the Kitchen

Whether it's polished, worn or just painted plastic - copper looks amazing in a kitchen! A natural material that can be dressed up or down depending on your kitchen's style. From industrial to traditional, modern to contemporary, copper in the kitchen seems to work with ease, every time. Here's some inspiration go get some copper in the kitchen...

Pots, Pans and Cookware

Probably the easiest way to incorporate copper into your kitchen is with crockery, cutlery and cookware. Open shelving can nicely display these in your kitchen. Alternatively, they can be hung on hooks or on the ceiling.

Lighting

Throwing up some lighting is another easy way to get some copper in your kitchen. Again, the material works well in any style from sleek and modern to industrial and traditional. Unlike a metal like stainless steel, copper adds real warmth to a room.

Copper Splashback

A bigger job, but worth the effort.  Not only does copper look splendid as a splashback, but it durable, practical and wears well with age. Research also shows that copper is more germ resistant than stainless steel. 

Copper Taps and Sinks

For a subtle inclusion of copper in the kitchen, try a tap or sink (or both). Copper is really easy to clean and doesn't require expensive or environmentally unfriendly products to clean. Mild soap and water generally does the trick!

Benchtops

We've already mentioned that copper is easy to clean, wears well and is naturally antimicrobial. All these really tick the boxes for a benchtop, although it is easily scratched and dented. As long as you're happy to add a bit of character to it - that's okay! Copper benchtops come in a sleek or bulky design and look absolutely stunning in the kitchen.

Are you renovating your home or kitchen? Get in touch with us today to get a FREE quote for your kitchen.

Getting Colour in the Kitchen

Traditionally, kitchens are designed with natural materials or painted in neutral colours. Black, white, beige, etc, are usually the colours of choice. While neutral colours seem like the safer option, adding a dash of colour to your kitchen can really transform the space! Depending on how brave you are, you could give your kitchen a complete make over in colour, or just add licks of paint here and there. Accessories, chairs and appliances can also add some colour to the room. Here are some awesome examples of how good colour in the kitchen can look!

A Drop of Yellow

Where: The blinds and the breakfast bar chairs.

Yellow: Freshness, happiness, positivity, clarity, energy, optimism, enlightenment.

Why we love it: This is an easy and cost effective way to add colour to your kitchen without having to commit to a massive change to cabinetry or walls. The simple addition of colour in the chairs and blinds turns, what could be a pretty dull kitchen into something warm and sunny.

A Shade of Blue

Where: The cabinets and splashback.

Blue: Associated with sky and sea, depth and stability. Calming.

Why we love it: Blue is beautifully bold! Here, it takes up a lot of the kitchen, but works really well. It's inviting, fun and different. The timber and polished concrete complement the blue really well too.

A Dash of Red

Where: Splashback and walls.

Blue: Love, passion, fire, desire, heat and sexuality.

Why we love it: "No colour is as territorial as red. It stakes a claim." Derek Jarman. Red is a statement colour. It's for the fun, and brave. The contrast of the brick/plum red and candy red works well off-set by the white cabinets.  It's an inviting kitchen, with plenty of sass for the sausages to be sizzled in!

A Palette of Paint

Where: Cabinets and accessories.

Red, coral, orange and yellow: Joy, sunshine, happiness, success and creativity.

Why we love it: The combination of these colours screams the tropics! You can almost taste the cocktails and smell the coconut tanning oil when you look at it. Not only do these colours go really well together, but they are associated with feelings of joy, happiness, success and creativity which are fantastic emotions to kick off your day with! The hanging light looks like a coral which also works well in the unobvious tropical theme. It's also weaved the colour red through accessories like the couch cushion, kettle, mugs and dish cloth.

A Trickle of Turquoise

Where: Walls, cabinets, splashback and accessories.

Turquoise: Refreshing, calming, balance, clarity and cleanliness.

Why we love it: Aside from the fact that turquoise is my favourite colour, it provides a clean, refreshing and calming atmosphere to this kitchen. The space is my no means news, however they've managed to pull off a very modern look with their colour of choice. The bohemian splashback complements the walls and cabinetry well turning it into an alternative modern/boho style. The splash of yellow works well too!

Looking to renovate your kitchen? Maybe you're just looking for a re-vamp! Get in touch with Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens today to get a FREE quote.

6 Ways to Create Extra Benchtop Space

Ever cooked a meal and feel like you're playing some sort of game as you move through all the obstacles on your counter just to get what you need? A game that's no fun of course. There's something really satisfying about having a clear kitchen benchtop. If you're in need of some extra counter space, read on! Here are 6 ways to create extra kitchen benchtop space...

1. Sink covers

These were an absolute godsend when I lived in a pokey apartment in Uruguay. Although, it wasn't actually a sink cover - just an ordinary chopping board. Sink sliders, or covers, come in all shapes, sizes and materials (plastic, wood, steel) and in different textures too (wood for chopping, steel for drying, etc.) Sink covers are a cheap and easy way to instantly create extra benchtop space. Make sure they fit snug, so they don't wobble!

2. Single sink

Personally, I like to have one sink for washing and one for rinsing. But if you're shy of space, use a sink cover to create additional space to prepare on. Alternatively, you could look at having it removed altogether! At least with a sink cover you can use the sink if you need to.

3. Pull-out benchtop

If you've got a small kitchen with minimal benchtop space, try a pull-out benchtop. These temporary benchtops are concealed and look like an ordinary drawer. Once pulled out, they provide additional benchtop space to chop, dice and splice! Make sure it's built sturdy, so it doesn't wiggle under pressure. It also needs to be built to handle some weight.

READ: Kitchen Drawer Ideas

4. Pack away appliances

The cheapest way to create extra benchtop space! It only takes 21 days to achieve - once you've cemented the habit. Use empty cabinet space to pack away appliances you don't use every day. Even the ones you do use every day can be packed away if you need the space. The kettle and coffee machine are the only appliances you'll find on my benchtop.

5. Island life

You might not have benchtop space but if you've got the floor space you could build an island bench or simply place a table there for extra benchtop space. The island doubles up as an area to sit, socialise or share a meal with family or friends.

6. Declutter!

Clear some drawers for iPads, speakers, chargers, etc. Buy a nice bowl to chuck any loose items that constantly appear on your benchtop. Use canisters to sort any breakfast items that might live on your benchtop.  READ: Chaos Control Tips