Awkward Kitchen Corner Ideas

That awkward kitchen corner. Most of us have one and aren't sure what to do with it. Of course it could always be used for cupboard space but we've found some creative kitchen corner ideas to make the most out of your  awkward kitchen corners.

Eating Space

Re-vamp the kitchen corner into an eating space. Why not up-cycle some old furniture into a kitchen corner seating area and throw in a table for the perfect eat-in space?

Clever Cupboard Space

Deep drawers and lazy Susan's are a great way to make better use of that awkward corner space. If storage space is problem then this idea will make your cupboard space go a bit further. 

Display Cabinet

Use the kitchen corner to put up a cabinet or shelves to host some decorative items to add some character to your kitchen.

Office Space

Use the kitchen corner to create a mini office or study nook. Check out more ideas for kitchen office space here

Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are quick and easy to put up and can be used as storage for decor or just in case you need them!

Space Savers: design ideas for small kitchens

Having a small kitchen isn't any disadvantage.  There's been a big move towards smaller housing to save space and energy and there are plenty of things you can do to get the most out of your space. Here are some design ideas for small kitchens...

1. Sleek appliances

Sleek appliances (particularly in black and stainless steel) can create a less clunky looking space. If you can find multi-purpose appliances that is even better!

2. Wall mounted mugs

Putting up a couple of hooks or railings with hooks on your wall to hang mugs or cups is a great space saver and really achieves that popular hipster look a lot of home owners are going for. Just make sure you use the right materials to ensure the mount is strong enough to hold any crockery you choose to put on it.

3. Double up

Get more out of your wall space by putting up a shelf where you can utilise the shelf space as well as the area beneath it to hang mugs.

4. Mirrors

Our favourite design idea for small kitchens - mirrors! Check out our last blog on having mirrors on your kitchen. They are a great way to create space your in kitchen through light and reflection.

5. Let it hang

Hanging pots from the ceiling (preferably above a stove or seating area) is another great design idea for small kitchens. Not only does it make the pots easily accessible but if you don't have the cabinet space hanging pots from the ceiling is the perfect solution.

6. Hidden storage

Work storage into as many other areas/pieces of furniture that you can. A table for instance is a great opportunity to create extra storage you may not have had.

Kitchen Mirrors

Vain or genius design? We say genius design! Kitchen mirrors are a hot trend at the moment. Not only can they make your kitchen look bigger but they can also reflect a good view making your kitchen more attractive and it's perfect for achieving that Fen Shui style.

Above a stove

If you fancy keeping an eye on yourself while you cook, this could be for you! OR if your oven is situated in an area that reflects interesting kitchen items an above the stove kitchen mirror can be considered!

Full Length

Make your kitchen look bigger with a full length mirror. Perfect for student apartments and people on the go who may need to check themselves before leaving the home.

Splash Back Mirror

These are quite high maintenance to keep clean but look really great in the right kitchen! Be sure to install tempered glass rather than household mirrors as these will crack under heat.

Above the sink

This is probably the most popular location to place a mirror. Try picking a mirror style that mimics a window.

Mirrors on cabinets

Installing mirrors to your kitchen cabinets can add style and heaps of light to the room.

Pizza Oven Types

Pizza has been a popular food since the 18th century when the people of Naples began adding tomato to flat bread. Since then pizza has become a well love food in most homes and a pizza oven has become the perfect addition to a BBQ or outdoor area. There are several pizza oven types that we thought we'd share with you in case you're thinking of getting one for your kitchen!

Conveyor oven

Typically bought for commercial use as they cook pizzas nice and fast and push them out in an orderly fashion which makes them suitable for restaurant owners. They're generally much larger than other pizza oven types.

Wood-burning oven

Our personal favourite! Pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven gives pizza that authentic, rustic, smoky taste that you can't seem to get from electric oven. These ovens contain wood or coal heated at high temperatures (around 1000 degrees) The oven is built in a dome shape which reflects and intensifies the heat. These ovens can be small or large.

Pizza deck oven

These ovens contain racks that can cook multiple pizzas at once. Because of this feature these ovens are also often used in restaurants, however mini pizza deck ovens can also be bought.

Convection oven

These are commercial or residential and are usually pretty cheap to run. They can be electric or run with gas. They tend to be a lot more energy and cost effective that some of the other ovens.

Countertop oven

These small ovens are perfect for the home as they are small and easy to store away.

Our product picks!

Kitchen Island Types

The kitchen is probably one of the more difficult areas of the home to design and if you're keen on having a kitchen island it's worth knowing the different types of kitchen islands out there and what purpose it's designed for...

Dining

A kitchen island can double up as a work, storage space and a dining area. If you have the space for a kitchen island but not a kitchen island AND a dining table this is a good option.

Cooking

Some home owners opt for a cook top on their kitchen islands so that they can 'cook to a crowd' rather than facing the wall. This design is one for family orientated home lovers who love to cook. This design can be quite expensive though as ventilation can needs to be installed above the island.

Dining and Cooking

If you have the space kitchen islands can double up as a cooking and dining area. For this combo design the dining area is usually raised or lowered slightly in order to keep guests away from the heat of the cook top.

Teppanyaki

If you aren't keen on having your cook tops on the kitchen island why not consider teppanyaki grill? These are really unique to any kitchen, are great for entertaining and are easy to clean. Here's a bit more about teppanyaki cooking.

Washing

Washing up facing a wall can be demotivating! Having a sink for washing up or even for rinsing in your kitchen island can be very handy. You could also install a dish washer in your island. Check out our blog on picking the right kitchen sink for you.

Movable

These are perfect for smaller kitchens. If you want a kitchen island for food prep or storage but don't have the space these work really well. They can be rolled to the centre of the kitchen when needed and rolled off to the side when not in use. You can store crockery in shelving too. Big movable kitchen islands work too!

Kitchen Office Ideas

Working from home is a big thing in today's modern world but without a clear work space it can become tricky to focus. Here are some ideas of home offices in kitchens to inspire that clean, tidy and effective work space in your home!

Empty space

There's often unused space or a spare wall in or close the kitchen. Use that space to set up a small working area. You may have cupboard of shelf space that you don't use that can be removed and replaced with a desk. You can always re-purpose existing cupboard space.

Cork and chalk board

Having a chalk and cork board/splashback in your kitchen office is a great way to keep your bills or reminders organised and visible so you don't forget them!

Organisation

A board with railings to hang storage baskets is an effective way to keep your kitchen office organised.

Power points

Make sure you plan your kitchen so that your office appliances can reach the power points. Check out our blog on kitchen power point planning here.

Mount the monitor

Consider mounting your computer monitor to the wall to save yourself some desk space.

Folding office chair

Get a foldable office chair to save some space. Alternatively if the space is there get an exercise ball or stool that can be stored away under the desk.

New Year's Eve Outdoor Party Tips

If you're planning on celebrating the New Year in your outdoor area, check out these New Year's Eve Outdoor Pary tips to ensure your outdoor area is comfortable for you and your guests to enjoy the party!

Lanterns

Create extra light and an atmosphere with lanterns. These can be picked up from the Reject Shop or Cheap as Chips at a reasonable price. A simple piece of decor that not only serves a function but looks good. Tie them up to your deck roof in bunches for something different. You can also wrap the smaller lanterns around your deck poles.

Something for the kids (or adults)

Set up a piñata for the kids. These can be picked up from most dress up costume stores like Costume Box. If you're planning a kid free party, fill up the piñata with $1 gifts that people can wear after it's broken.

Keep mozzies away

Put away any fragrant candles or water to repel mosquito. Check out our blog on environmentally friendly insect repellents here.

Get snappy

Buy some selfie sticks (these can also be picked up for about $5 from the Reject Shop or Cheap as Chips) and hand these out to guests to take selfies throughout the party which can later be strung together to music to make a photo movie of the party!

Party pack

Put together a novelty party pack that guests can use throughout the night.

• Sparklers
• Mini champagne
• Party blowers
• Chewing gum
• Mini top hats

Spice Storage Ideas

We've posted a few blogs on how to keep your home and kitchen organised in the past but this week's blog is all about how to keep your spice rack/storage organised and easily accessible!

1. Suspended Spices

Glue your own empty/unused jars to the the bottom of your cabinets with some glue. The only hassle you might find with this idea is getting the jars to screw on correctly first time. I might take you a couple tried to screw the lid back from the bottom.

2. Vertical garden spice rack

We posted a blog on how to do your own vertical garden  last month. If you love fresh herbs and are looking for something different for your kitchen growing your own spices is just the thing for you.

3. Pull Out Cabinet

If you prefer to have your spices hidden away, popping a few shelves or racks into a cabinet. We recommend picking a cabinet close to the cooktop for easy access.

4. Spice Drawers

The battle of drawers versus cupboards seems to have been own by drawers in 2014! A spice drawer is a great way to keep your spices close and organised! Check out more ideas on storage drawers here.

5. Hang em'

Buy a simple rail and hooks and hook up a basket to the kitchen wall for your spices. If you have a long benchtop and wall you can set it up so that the hooks can be pulled along the rail and used at multiple points above the benchtop.

6. Magnetic wall

Add a magnetic strip to your splashback or wall and stick your spices there. You could even put up a magnetic sheet on the back of a door to store the spices there. A sleek real fuss free way to store spices!