Undercounter Fridge – A review

February 23rd, 2012 by andrew No comments »

After looking online for an undercounter fridge, and seeing that most of them ship for around $50, I decided to create a list of Amazon Prime eligible undercounter fridges.

Click here for my list of Amazon Prime eligible undercounter fridges.

Let me tell you, I love Amazon Prime and its free 2-day shipping. For only $79 a year you can get 2-day free shipping on many Amazon products. You do the math, but if you save $50 shipping on one item, you’re almost there to covering your $79. They also now offer streaming moview included!  Enough about Amazon Prime, let’s take a look at some undercounter fridges.

I’ve looked at many places online and collected the postive and negative comments regarding these fridges.

GE Profile Spacemaker GMR04HASCS 4.3 cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator
Comes in white, black, clean steel (faux stainless, no fingerprints)

The Good

  • quiet operation, good storage
  • good size freezer
  • can rack holds 9 cans
  • removable rack
  • lockable door

The Bad

  • door space small for 2 liter bottles
  • hinge only on right
  • no light
  • not energy star rated

Haier HNSE04 4.0-Cubic Foot Refrigerator/Freezer, White

The Good

  • Good value
  • Good storage options

The Bad

  • Not energy star rated
  • no light
  • no faux stainless

Some people complained of noise, others dismissed it. One person said the noise only happened once a day for a short time.

Danby DAR440BL 4.4-Cu.Ft. Designer Compact All Refrigerator – $188.97

The Good

  • Energy star rated
  • inside light
  • great for kegorator
  • stylish

The Bad

  • no freezer
  • door falls off

(a couple of people mentioned this, so I thought I should mention it… weird, I know)

 

Haier ESRN045 4.5-Cubic Foot Energy-Star Refrigerator/Freezer – $169.00

The Good

  • Energy star rated
  • good price

The Bad

  • only available in white

 

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Kitchen splashback – A few options

February 22nd, 2012 by andrew No comments »

Kitchen splashback

There are a few different options when choosing a kitchen splashback, or backsplash. (These terms are basically the same thing and will use the terms interchangeably) Similarly to the rest of your kitchen, you need to weigh out your options as far as cost and ease of installation. There are some great options that won’t break the bank, yet will still give you a great finished product.

The most common choice is using some sort of ceramic or porcelain tile. This is a classic look, but the kitchen splashback is a great place to add some color and fun to your kitchen. I want to look at a couple of different options.

A glass mosaic backsplash

Glass Mosaic Backsplash
This is a fun option that can bring a great deal of color into your kitchen. With its ease of cleaning, and fun patterns it is definitely something to consider. On the downside, there is a significant amount of labor involved in installing. I love this picture to the left, what fun!

Brick Backsplash
A great way to add character and charm to your kitchen is by installing a brick backsplash. One of the great things about a brick backsplash is they are versatile as far as design compatibility. The can go with different types of countertops and also different types of cupboards. A brick backsplash is also an affordable option.

A tin splashback

Tin Backsplash
When looking for an affordable yet fun kitchen splashback, one material to consider is tin. Getting an A+ for the DIY crowd with its inexpensive cost and ease of installation, tin offers a great look that can go either country cottage, modern or industrial. The other great thing about tin is that the pieces area already cut to the desired height, making it a snap to install.

So hopefully this gives you a quick overview of your options when it comes to your kitchen splashback. This is one area in your kitchen design where you should have some fun with color and design. So go for it!

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Kitchen Carcasses – A great place to save

January 4th, 2012 by andrew No comments »

Kitchen carcasses – Building a new kitchen on a budget
The term kitchen carcasses refers to the part of the cabinet behind the door. It includes the box, framework, and shelves. Since the doors are the most visual and the gets the most use sometimes the kitchen carcasses outlast the doors. So, if you can salvage your existing boxes you’ll be able to update your kitchen at a reasonable price.

kitchen-carcasses

Some IKEA kitchen carcasses

When remodeling your kitchen the first thing to assess is the current state of your kitchen carcasses. Check your cabinets for any soft spots, mold or large stains. If the kitchen carcasses are still in good condition, simply purchasing new kitchen door fronts will give your kitchen a facelift at a fraction of the cost. With the money saved on cabinet boxes you can splurge and get some really nice kitchen door fronts.
When building a new kitchen, you can purchase kitchen carcasses at an online retailer or at big box stores. IKEA makes inexpensive kitchen carcasses from particle board with really fine hardware. IKEA also has 3D planning software which makes it easy to design and order the exact measurements you need. You can mix and match their pre-made cabinets as well.

Basically, when remodeling or building a new kitchen, I would suggest paying attention to the kitchen carcasses. You might be able to cut your new kitchen cost by either salvaging your existing carcasses or buying some premade items at a box store or online retailer.

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High gloss kitchens – A sleek, modern look

January 3rd, 2012 by andrew No comments »

High gloss kitchens – A fresh look and easy to clean

High gloss kitchens offer a sleek modern look. First popularized in the 1950′s with steel cabinets and high gloss paint, high gloss kitchens have recently had a resurgence. The high gloss surface is very easy to clean, and typically high gloss kitchens are very durable because the materials are very hard.

Laminate high gloss cabinet

Laminate High Gloss
Formed over a shaped surface using a vacuum, laminate high gloss creates a glass like finish in any color. With its modern clean look and ease of cleaning, laminate high gloss kitchens are becoming more and more popular.

Glass
Glass kitchens are very popular in contemporary architecture. One of the unique advantages to glass over the other materials is that its reflective surface will make your kitchen feel bigger, much like mirrors can make a small room feel larger. While easy to clean, glass also shows smudges and fingerprints so keep that in mind if thinking about glass in your kitchen.

Nice use of glass in this kitchen

Acrylic High Gloss
As opposed to the laminate high gloss, the acrylic high gloss is solid. As a result, this material is very durable and holds its color and gloss over time. Even if it is scratched or dinged it will retain its color because the color is all the way through. If you’re on a tight budget however, acrylic high gloss might not be your best choice.

Lacquer High Gloss
A lacquer gloss finish starts with a form that is sprayed with lacquer that when dry creates a hard high gloss finish. This ultra modern look is also a more economical route to your high gloss kitchen.

Lacquer High Gloss

So, that’s a quick overview for high gloss kitchens. They can be clean, modern elements to your new home. Keep in mind that high gloss kitchens will show fingerprints and smudges so you’ll want to keep the Windex handy.  All in all, with their modern aesthetic, durability and ease to clean they are a great choice for any new kitchen.

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Kitchen Storage Cabinets

December 31st, 2011 by andrew No comments »

Kitchen Storage Cabinets – maximize your storage space

Kitchen storage cabinets are an important part of your kitchen. It is worth taking the time to assess whether you are using your kitchen storage cabinets as efficiently as possible.  Start by taking a look at the current state of your kitchen cabinets. Are you satisfied by your current use of space? Is there a better way to organize what you currently have? Perhaps your napkin drawer is over flowing but another drawer is half empty. If you find that nearly every space is maxed out you might want to see if there are some things you could get rid of or put away into storage. Do you really need two collanders? How many slotted spoons do you really use?

Once you have assessed all the different items in your kitchen, the next step is to upgrade your storage systems. The first key to improving your kitchen storage cabinets is making use of vertical space and the depth of the cabinet. Cabinets that have roll our shelves make best of use of space since things can’t get ‘lost’ in the back of the cabinet and therefore increases your usable space. If your kitchen storage cabinets do not already have roll out shelves these can be bought separately and added in to just about any existing cabinetry.

kitchen storage cabinets

Example kitchen storage cabinets

Making use of vertical space means adding in shelves or tiers so you can easily see everything you have. Often kitchen storage cabinets have things along the bottom but there are several inches of unused space towards the top of the cabinet. Adding in levels to your cabinets is an easy way to double your usable space. Using vertical space applies to your ceiling, kitchen walls as well as the sides and bottoms of your cabinets. Hooks can be used to hang mugs or even pots and pans. Pot racks hanging above an island can save lots of cabinet space just as a magnetic knife rack can clear out a knife drawer.

Improving your kitchen storage cabinets will help you not only store more but it also makes everything more accessible and therefore increases the overall efficiency of your kitchen.

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Kitchen door fronts – an inexpensive way to upgrade

December 31st, 2011 by andrew 2 comments »

Kitchen door fronts – it will look like you replaced your whole kitchen

When upgrading your kitchen it can be more affordable to replace just the kitchen door fronts instead of replacing the entire cabinet. Since the doors often wear before the rest of the cabinet replacing them can make your kitchen feel new again without the added cost of ripping out all the boxes. Choosing the kitchen door fronts that are going to be right for you has a lot to do with your own personal style and taste. The fronts are the most visible part of your cabinets and their style along with your hardware is going to set the tone for your entire kitchen. There are a few things to keep in mind as you make your choice including style, material, and of course price. Once you have a budget in mind the first thing to assess is the current style of your home.  Modern kitchen door fronts are going to clash with a country style home. So make sure you are picking out fronts that are going to fit in with the overall style of your home.

The traditional material for kitchen door fronts is wood though there are other option as well including glass, metal, acrylic, laminate, etc. Besides style and price it is important to think about how easy the fronts are to clean and how they will wear over time. Wood cabinets are ideal because the pattern in the grain hides dirt and wood is generally a material that ages well.

kitchen door fronts

Sample kitchen door fronts

Keep in mind that your kitchen door fronts do not necessarily need to be all the same throughout your kitchen. Complementary but slightly different fronts on the upper cabinets can provide nice contrast in a kitchen so consider choosing wood framed glass uppers with solid wood bottoms. Having some open shelving instead of upper cabinets can be a creative way to display some of your dishware and make some of your most used kitchen items more readily accessible.

Before making a final choice take time to look through different photos and spend time checking out the different cabinet options in the homes of friends and family. Though you can go to a show room to pick out your door fronts, it can be hard see what it will look like all together. Follow your own sense of style and enjoy the process!

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Used kitchens – A great way to cut costs

December 31st, 2011 by andrew 1 comment »

Used kitchens – some useful tips

When designing a kitchen on a budget the best option might be to look into used kitchens. There are many resources available to locate used kitchens and while you might spend more time finding the right match you will save money in the end. Though there are often sales and discounts on new cabinets, used kitchens are by far cheaper.

Used kitchens, obviously, will have some wear and tear so it is important to inspect cabinet boxes and fronts carefully before purchasing. Check that hard wear is rust free and the handles and drawer pulls aren’t loose. Inspecting the boxes can be a little harder and a flashlight is essential for seeing into dark corners. Make sure there are no soft spots or mold anywhere. Lighter cosmetic issues like stains and scratches can be easier to deal with as long as the bones are good.

You can start your search of used kitchens online on sites like ebay or craigslist and any other local add sites. There are also rebuilding centers like habitat for humanity that often have used kitchens. Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth either. Asking around among your friends, family and co-workers or using social media sites like facebook might put you in touch with someone doing a re-model who hadn’t even really thought about what to do with their used cabinets.

used kitchens

Sample of used kitchens

Keep in mind that layouts can be switched around and in some cases cabinets can even be cut up and divided so make sure you take precise measurements and take the time to think creatively about how the cabinets can be rearranged to fit in your space. Bringing along a contract or a friend with building skills can help you assess what will work best in your kitchen. Choosing a used kitchen doesn’t mean you can’t add in new elements as well. Changing out hardware, painting door fronts, and getting new counter tops are easy ways of making something old feel new again.

What has your experience been with choosing used kitchens instead of new?

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New Kitchen Cost – Tips for keeping costs down

December 30th, 2011 by andrew No comments »

What will my new kitchen cost?

Are you remodeling or building a new kitchen? Well, you’ve come to the right place to find out information on how much you should expect to pay. We will also provide you information on ways to cut your new kitchen cost without compromising quality. From my personal experience of building on a budget, I’ve got lots of great ideas to cut costs yet not compromise quality. So how much will you new kitchen cost? Well, we’re about to find out. The first thing we need to know is, how large is your kitchen? Obviously the larger the kitchen the more it will cost.  What level of finishes are you wanting? What type of appliances are you going for?  There are ways to cut your costs yet still come out with a great kitchen. Let’s break this down into the two basic kitchen elements.

Cabinets

There are a wide range of options when selecting cabinets and they will all affect your new kitchen cost. You can find some used ones on Craigslist, go for the Home Depot special, IKEA or get some fine handcrafted made for you. Obviously any of these options is going to vary greatly in price and quality. My first suggestion is to look on Craigslist. I’ve had so much luck finding great quality new and used cabinets on Craigslist. The sizing can sometimes be an issue, but you never know until you take a look. I will be providing some general Craigslist tips in another post that will definitely help with your new kitchen cost. If you strike out on Craigslist, I would try to find some kitchen carcasses (just the boxes), or have them made at IKEA. I’m generally not a big fan of IKEA, but I think they make pretty good kitchen carcasses. They are quality built and I like the hardware.  From here I would suggest finding someone to make your fronts for you. This might cost you a bit, but in the end you will have great looking cabinet fronts which is all anyone sees anyways.. right!

new kitchen cost - kitchen carcasses

Kitchen carcasses example

Appliances
Again, there are a multitude of directions to go when choosing appliances and all of them will affect your new kitchen cost. I might be beating a dead horse, but I would suggest looking at Craigslist. You would not believe the deals you can find on there. Especially these days in a down economy, people are have to scrap their remodel projects, and they’re looking to unload some of their purchases. Make sure you know exactly what you’re looking for, and the proper dimensions. Other places to look for deals on appliances are scratch and dent stores. Sometimes there might be a dent on the side of an appliance that is going to be up against a cabinet so you would never see it. You can save bundles at these types of stores.

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