Tips for Designing a Minimalist Kitchen

Posted on March 31, 2017 by - Interior Design, Kitchen, Tips & Advice

A minimalist kitchen is attractive and functional.

When it comes to home decor, sometimes less is more. Or at least that’s the case in light of the minimalist trend. Focused on improving your lifestyle through simplification, minimalism is not only a life philosophy, it’s a popular decorating theme. Due to its sheer functionality and tendency to become cluttered, the kitchen is a room that can really benefit from this kind of simplistic design. By implementing a few of its strategies, you will likely find that your kitchen is not just more visually appealing – it is also easier to use.

Simple does not have to equal boring. Use these tips to create a perfectly beautiful – and interesting – minimalist kitchen.

1. Get rid of the clutter
Your first step in route to a minimalist kitchen is to get rid of the clutter. And that does not just mean the old magazines and bills littering the counter. Take a look at the small appliances, fruit bowls and other decorative pitchers that reside in your kitchen and see which ones you can put away. The key to minimalist decor is creating as much empty space as possible, so make the most of storage that is behind closed doors.

If you do not have a lot of storage space, you may want to consider getting rid of some of the kitchen items you do not use regularly. The blog Becoming Minimalist reported that unless you are an avid cooking and baking enthusiast, you can probably get rid of the following kitchen tools that are taking up space on your counter and in your cabinets:

  • Knife block
  • Bread maker
  • Espresso machine
  • Rice maker
  • Panini press
  • Wok
  • Extra mugs

2. Rethink your colour scheme
If you really want to design a minimalist kitchen, grab your paint brush and get ready to rethink your colour scheme. A solid colour palette – preferably in neutral tones – is critical for this decorating theme. As an added bonus, this strategy does not only make the room look simpler. According to Apartment Therapy, using colours that are all in the same family with minimal contrast makes the area appear more spacious than it actually is.

Using neutral tones that are all in the same color scheme on your walls and cabinets will create an open, airy feel to the room.Using neutral tones that are all in the same colour scheme on your walls and cabinets will create an open, airy feel to the room.

3. Switch out your faucets
Your sink is a great place to work on the minimalist theme. Switch out your current faucets for a sleek, chrome option that will breathe a modern feel into your kitchen. To view a wide variety of choices for playing up this theme, visit a Wolseley Canada showroom where a sales associate will help you find the perfect faucet.

4. Get rid of the knobs
Ready for a weekend project? Simplify your kitchen by taking out your current cabinet doors and replacing them with plain, solid-coloured doors without knobs. If you do not want the doors to be completely plain, you can opt for a simple bar instead of more traditional round knobs.

However, if you are not looking for such a time-intensive project, just switch out your current knobs with a simpler option for a quick update.

Conserve Water Around the House With These Simple Tips

Posted on March 23, 2017 by - Eco Friendly, Tips & Advice

Conserve water around the house with these tips.

Drip… drip…. drip…

Hear that sound? A leaking faucet is not just an annoyance. It is one of the many ways that you waste water every day around the house. According to McGill University, Canadians use an average of 329 litres of water every day at home, only 10 percent of which goes to drinking and cooking. Because drinkable water is a limited resource that is necessary for human life, finding ways to cut down on wasting this essential liquid is something in which every person should be involved.

Making your house more eco-friendly does not need to be a huge project. In fact, there are multiple changes you can make that take little effort on your part – just a bit of foresight. Use this simple guide to get started improving your water conservation around the house today.

Assess your home
When it comes to saving water, the first step is to check your home for those pesky leaks. According to National Geographic, nearly 40 litres of water – or about 14% of a person’s indoor water use – is wasted each day due to leaks alone. And your faucets are not the only place where that liquid might be escaping. Make sure to stick your head underneath your sinks to check the pipes and look at the seals around your water heater.

Some of the leaks may not be as obvious. For example, water from your toilet tank may be escaping into bowl without any auditory or visual cues. The Regional Water Providers Consortium recommended putting a few drops of food dye in the tank -without flushing – and checking back in 15 minutes. If the water in the toilet bowl changed colour, you know that you have a leak.

How full is your dishwasher when you run it? Are you running your dishwasher before it is completely full? 

Implement new best practices
After you fix any leaks, it is time to assess the way you use water around the house. For instance, you can increase conservation simply by using your dishwasher more efficiently. Rather than running it every night before bed or an otherwise convenience-based schedule, be sure to wait order lasix us until it is full to reduce the number of loads you do each week. The same goes for the laundry machine. Unless you have a setting for different sized loads, try to avoid running a cycle just for a couple shirts that you could easily wash by hand. If you do have different settings, make sure that you are using the correct one to conserve water.

Being strategic with your showers is another way to conserve water in your home. McGill reported that 35% of domestic water use in Canada goes toward bathing. While you do not need to skip showers altogether – and probably should not either, for that matter – limiting the time you spend standing under the water is an easy way to be more strategic with your water consumption. Save those nice, long showers for special occasions.

Replace your fixtures and appliances
While changing your habits around the house can have a significant impact on your water use, you can reduce even farther by installing water-efficient appliances and fixtures. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this alone could reduce water consumption by about 30 percent.

Your shower is one part of your home that can really benefit from this strategy. National Geographic reported that during the course of a 10-minute shower, a low-flow showerhead will save you about 57 litres of water. If you shower every day, that is a savings of more than 20,000 litres each year. Changing the showerhead is a small fix that can have a big impact.

Your toilet is another component of your bathroom that can be more efficient in terms of water use. A low flush, high efficiency or dual model toilet can save litres of water with every flush, according to the Sustainable Sanitation and Water Management Toolbox.

To find the right water-efficient fixtures for your home, visit a Wolseley showroom and explore our wide selection. An associate will be happy to help you find the perfect solution to increase water conservation in your house while also elevating the style of your rooms.

5 Easy Kitchen Upgrades for This Weekend

Posted on March 13, 2017 by - Kitchen, Renovation

Upgrade your kitchen with these easy projects.

Whether you’re a gourmet chef or more of a microwave dinner kind of person, you probably spend a decent amount of time in your kitchen. Consequently, if you want to do some minor home renovation projects that you’ll be able to enjoy on a regular basis, the kitchen is a great place to start. A few simple changes can make even the dreaded chore of washing dishes more exciting – or at least more visually appealing.

When it comes to home renovation, sometimes little changes can make a big difference. Upgrade your kitchen this weekend with these five easy projects perfect for any skill level:

1. Paint the cabinets. 
Sometimes all it takes to freshen up your kitchen is a new coat of paint. You don’t even need to worry about the walls – simply changing the color of your cabinets can really alter the feel of the room.  While a bright shade may be tempting, you might want to reconsider. According Oprah.com, you should opt for a more neutral tone. Jesse Carrier, of  New York City interior design firm Carrier and Company, agreed.

“Go calm and light — you’re in the kitchen all the time, and you can grow tired of a bright color,” Carrier told the publication.

His personal recommendation is a white with a gray undertone, as beige tones can look dirty and stark white is institutional.

2. Install under cabinet lighting. 
There’s nothing like a little mood lighting – even if it’s for your kitchen. Add a bit of class to your countertops by installing under cabinet lighting. All you need to do is buy a few click on LED lights and stick them underneath your cabinets. Then, with the push of a button, you’ll be able to turn on the lights whenever you need them, no complicated wiring necessary. Better yet, you’ll also likely find that it’s easier to read cookbooks and labels with that extra bit of light shining lasix water pill from under your kitchen shelving.

You can't go wrong with an extra bit of light in your kitchen, especially when it comes to making your favorite coffee.You can’t go wrong with an extra bit of light in your kitchen, especially when it comes to making your favorite coffee.

3. Buy new knobs. 
Looking for a little change that can make a big difference? Try replacing the knobs on your cabinets and drawers. All it takes is a screwdriver and a little bit of time. You should probably go for something classic if you already have a busy pattern on your walls or elaborate lighting fixtures as focal points. But if your kitchen is simple, consider opting for something more unique to make a statement. It’s an extremely affordable way to dress up your kitchen.

4. Remove cabinet doors. 
If your kitchen is narrow, Better Homes and Gardens recommended giving the room a sense of openness by removing the doors from your cabinets. And what better way to show off all of your favorite decorative dishware? Once you take off the doors, the publication reported that you’ll need to fill the holes with wood filler and sand the areas until smooth before painting or staining the cabinets.

A sleek, chrome faucet can give a modern feel to your kitchen. A sleek, chrome faucet can give a modern feel to your kitchen.  

5. Replace your faucet. 
If you’re tired of your boring fixtures, there’s no need to deal them any longer. Replacing your faucet is an easy way to give your kitchen a different look. Go for something modern, like a minimalist, chrome touchless faucet. Or consider a more decorative option to finish off your farmhouse kitchen theme decor. With so many different styles, in regards to both function and appearance, changing this element of your sink can have a big impact on the tone of the entire room.

Want to see a variety of faucets and other essential fixtures to complete your kitchen upgrade? Visit a Wolseley Kitchen showroom, where our experts will help you make the perfect decision for elevating the decor of your room.

6 Tips for Promoting Efficiency and Reducing Your Monthly Utility Bills

Posted on February 13, 2017 by - Eco Friendly, Tips & Advice

Here's how homeowners can promote efficiency around the house in a way that benefits their wallet and the planet.

Sometimes, the best way to lower the amount of resources your family uses is to promote efficiency around the house. Not only does the planet benefit from your improved environmental footprint, but there are financial gains as well.

Lowering your electricity or water usage has a positive effect on your monthly utility bills. As Canadian Home Workshop reported, there is also a long list of government rebate programs and subsidies that allow for even greater savings for homeowners who promote efficiency around the house.

Along with promoting energy efficiency, simply being more mindful of how your family uses resources will lead to financial gains as well. Use this guide to select a few key changes to make:

1. Start with the small stuff
There are plenty of ideas that are worth considering before you dive into a larger project. They are quick and easy to implement and will add up considerably. Energy-efficient light bulbs make a meaningful impact on how much electricity your family uses. Your local hardware store will have a few other items that promote smarter resource use as well, from dimmer switches to environmentally friendly household goods.

Insulation is especially powerful for making a lasting change. Aside from fiberglass installations in the attic or basement, plastic film and rubber stoppers that reinforce doors or windows can minimize leakage from your home. That means less work for your air conditioner in the summer and your home heating system in the winter.

There are plenty of other small steps to take as well. Keep your fridge fully stocked to promote efficiency, consider taking shorter showers, and look for opportunities to reuse or recycle household goods. Over time, these little changes can result in considerable savings. As the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance found, your best approach is to combine a number of different steps rather than look for one single solution to lower resource use.

Energy efficient lightbulbs are small but powerful resources for homeowners.Energy efficient light bulbs are small but powerful resources for homeowners.

2. Make some key upgrades
Once you've made small improvements around the house, you should next eye a more serious change. Investing in a new appliance or fixture can yield a return on investment because of more efficient resource use. The latest refrigerators, washing machines and other systems monitor electricity use and are capable of doing a better job than an older model at a fraction of the operating costs.

A new toilet, shower or sink fixture, meanwhile, greatly reduces the amount of water your family uses on a daily basis. And not only does selecting a new system promote efficiency, but the newest models are quite stylish and attractive. To learn more about eco-friendly home fixtures, be sure to visit a Kitchen & Bath Classics Showroom.

3. Get smart about home heating
As Natural Resources Canada found, how you heat your home can have a lasting lasix price impact on your home heating bill. This includes not only what energy source your family uses but the actual system that exists in your home.

"Homeowners can achieve savings of 15 to 20 percent by being more efficient."

Making a change here can positively impact your utility costs. A simpler step is to install a smart thermostat. In this way, you can better account for when your home is empty and you're unnecessarily running the heat.

The best models come with accompanying smartphone apps that make it easy to monitor home heating use. NRCan found that homeowners can achieve savings of 15 to 20 percent by being more efficient when it comes to running the heat.

4. Hone in on hidden energy use
Doing what you can to promote efficiency around the home using the latest technology is a great way to protect the planet and also benefit from savings each month. But even with smart tools and systems designed to be more cost-effective, you may unwittingly be paying too much in electricity.

So-called phantom charges increase your utility bills. Even when they're not being used, electronics and appliances of all types use a small amount of electricity adds to your home's overall energy use over time. Jeff Smith of Pacific Gas and Electric told MarketWatch that 10 percent of a home's electricity bill can be attributed to phantom charges.

Disconnecting electronics is a smart place to begin in combating this problem. Next, consider appliances and technologies that boast energy-efficiency standards. Otherwise, power strips and outlets that have switches help reduce instances of phantom charges.

Power strips can help curb phantom charges.Power strips can help curb phantom charges.

5. Consider externalities
The next step in promoting efficient resource use is to take stock of things outside the house. For example, your pool may be using an unnecessary amount of electricity. Use a cover to keep things warm and stay proactive about cleaning up to reduce how much work your filter is doing.

To really become more cost-effective, change how you get around town. Carpooling reduces the amount of driving you do, as does biking or taking public transportation. Even a small improvement in conjunction with other steps on this list can make a sizeable impact.

6. Work with nature
There are quite a few changes to make around the yard that will further promote efficient energy use. Mother Nature can be a major ally on this front.

First, plant trees that will shade your home in the summer and provide a natural cooling system. To further drive benefits, select species that will drink up rainwater and reduce instances of flooding. A shallow depression full of thirsty plants serves as a rain garden to collect runoff. Place a barrel beneath your gutter to capture rain to be used for future landscaping so you need not inflate your water bill.

How to Make a Small Space Feel Bigger

Posted on February 7, 2017 by - How To, Interior Design

Use these tips to make a small space feel much more inviting and open.

There are plenty of steps you can take to make even the most cramped spaces in your home feel larger and more inviting. Simple steps or small renovation projects can pay dividends in the look of a room and completely change its overall vibe.

Whether in the bathroom, the kitchen or the living room, there are clever tricks and simple ideas to make things feel a bit more spacious. Here are some of the best tips to consider:

The kitchen
Whether you're hosting guests for a mid-morning brunch or simply putting together a weekday dinner, a small, cramped kitchen is less than ideal. Rather than undergoing a full-blown remodeling, however, there are plenty of ways to not only increase the amount of space but to give the room a more inviting appeal.

For example, the National Kitchen and Bath Association told the DIY Network that installing a new, sleek appliance can help in the functionality of your kitchen as well as improve its aesthetic charm. Similarly, replace an old sink fixture for a model that is refined and elegant. Chose one or two upgrades to help make your kitchen feel less crowded.

"In any kitchen, a simplistic approach is a good choice."

To further make your kitchen feel bigger than it is, you should find ways to reduce unnecessary clutter. This might mean consolidating counter-top appliances but can also be achieved by simply cleaning up a bulletin board or getting rid of decorative knick-knacks. In any kitchen, a simplistic approach is a good choice, but in smaller spaces this becomes essential.

There are also a few ideas that are less obvious but subtly make your kitchen feel more open. Better Homes and Garden stated that a white paint job can go a long way. This reflects light and creates a new sense of depth and space. Even replacing wooden cabinets with glass ones if effective to that end.

The bathroom
Many of the same steps to take in the kitchen can also be used to make your bathroom feel bigger and less cramped. One step to take is to swap out an opaque shower door with a glass one. Matt Plaskoff, a former consultant to the show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, told Oprah.com that this makes the bathroom feel like one big room, while a door that isn't transparent effectively cuts the room in half.

To physically add more space, you need to assess how much storage you truly need. If your drawers are full of useful items, then you may be best served furosemide 20 mg online swapping out a vanity for one that offers the same storage capacity but is a little more compact. Even saving a few inches can make a big difference in a small bathroom. If, however, you can afford to do away with bulky storage, there are many exciting options for making a positive change. A pedestal sink serves to open up the room and is an attractive new addition to any bathroom.

Overall, look to get creative about where you store your toiletries and extra towels. Replace bulky medicine cabinets for a simple, flat mirror. Install a shelf in the shower to place useful items. Make use of that hallway closet. Brainstorm what can be replaced or changed and consider additions that will be the most advantageous.

As in the kitchen, a fresh coat of white, eggshell or calming blue paint will give your bathroom a more open appeal. Consider changing out older light fixtures for simple ones that give the room character and also take up less space. For a larger project, consider installing a window or skylight to really open things up.

Even adding a simple shelf can make a meaningful improvement to your bathroom.Even adding a simple shelf can make a meaningful improvement to your bathroom.

The living room
Like the kitchen, your living room is one of the most dynamic places in your home. You want it to be as comfortable and feel as spacious as possible. This starts with how you furnish the space.

Bulky furniture, of course, takes up what precious space you have, but HGTV found that mismatched pieces only exacerbate this issue. Your best bet is to chose items that aren't just simple and sleek but also work together to give the room a cohesive charm. Select colors and textures that don't clash too much.

You also want to pick furniture that is as useful as possible. Ottomans that offer storage space, tables with drawers and other pieces can be used to reduce clutter while making sure everything you need is accessible. A large decorative mirror, meanwhile, subtly gives the room a sense of depth.

From there, consider making a few design changes that will physically open up more space. Mount a television on the wall or try consolidating bulky arm chairs into a single love seat.

Around the home you have many options for making small spaces feel better. Above all else, look for ways to reduce clutter, integrate elegant furnishings and err on the side of simplicity. Head to a Kitchen and Bath showroom to find ways to make a positive impact at your house.

The Latest High-Tech Trends in Bathroom Design

Posted on August 18, 2016 by - Bathroom, High Tech, Interior Design

Turn your old, tired bathroom into the restroom of the future!

The latest trend of "smart homes" – i.e. homes outfitted with technology that makes life simpler and  can be controlled remotely – has made an impact on design features  in nearly every room. Nowhere has this been felt more acutely than in the bathroom, where gadgetry and high-tech utilities can revolutionize the way that homeowners approach these rooms.

According to a recent Houzz study, homeowners are more apt to renovate their old, outdated bathrooms – and when they do, they are frequently installing high-tech features. With 46 percent of respondents saying they "can no longer stand the old bathroom" and 29 percent responding to a bathroom that is "breaking down," these renovations are more likely to include a tech upgrade in addition to overall functionality. One in five new toilets and one in 10 new showers in renovated master bathrooms have "at least one high-tech feature."

The following is a list of some of the latest and greatest tech innovations that homeowners are having installed in their bathrooms:

Chromatherapy showers
Chromatherapy is a new form of therapy where different colored lights are said to have an impact on mood. Cool shades of blue help maintain calm, while brighter reds and whites are said to help with energy regulation. Installing waterproof LEDs that can be controlled via remote can turn your shower into a invigorating color spa!

Custom digital shower experiences
Do you like a hot, long shower while your partner is more in favor of something cool and bracing? Would you prefer high pressure over a calm trickle? Many showers are now being equipped with technology that controls water temperature and pressure with unparalleled accuracy. These smart showers allow you to customize your experience and even save your settings so that, with a push of a button, your shower is exactly how you like it every single time.