Guest Post - Steps to Designing an Outdoor Kitchen

Are you finally coming round to the idea of building your own outdoor kitchen? Warm evenings and al fresco dining awaits! Having an outdoor kitchen is a great talking point for guests, and adds something different to any dinner party.

You might not be aware, but anything you can have inside can usually be implemented outdoors too. That goes for ovens, grills, sinks, cupboards, and everything in between!

Here are some things to consider when designing your outdoor kitchen:

Are you going for a more basic or luxurious outdoor kitchen?

You can still achieve a pretty awesome setup with a basic grill and worktop. However, more luxurious setups can involve sinks, cupboards, or even pizza ovens! Bear in mind that the more extravagant you choose to go, the more expensive your project will be, naturally.

This might also depend on the size of your property. If you happen to have a very large backyard with acres of space, you could design a more fully-functional outdoor kitchen. 

Is this outdoor kitchen going to be permanent?

There are a couple of considerations here. If you have fallen in love with cooking outdoors and would love nothing more than the al fresco lifestyle, feel free to jump right in with installing appliances and cooking apparatus! However, if you think this might be something you only do once in a while, ask yourself if you really need permanent features.

Also, if your property is rented, it could be better to steer clear of setting up a permanent outdoor kitchen!

Consider your costs

Sit down and have a real think about everything that might add up to the grand total cost of your outdoor kitchen:

• Appliances

• Furniture

• Permits

• Tools

• Electrician or plumber fees

Where in your backyard will it go?

If you live in the north of the country, or an area that receives plenty of rain or wind, make sure your outdoor kitchen will be well protected. Give your appliances plenty of shelter from the elements. 

Make sure you keep grills covered and regularly clean them after using them!

If your kitchen will be subject to extreme temperatures, be sure to think twice about using PVC or non-stainless steel appliances. These can get damaged in extreme weather conditions.

Jack Vale is a writer from Happy Writers, Co.  

Winter Safety Precautions to Protect Your Family and Finances

We partnered with a driving company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

Winter is here, which means it’s time to brace yourself for the temperature drops. In addition to getting used to the colder climate for a season, it’s also a time of more accidents and potential damage to your home.

Luckily, you can get ahead of those winter hiccups. Here’s how some simple winter preparations can save you and your family from costly repairs in the future.

Remember Car Maintenance

When it gets cold and icy out, cars have a higher chance of sliding or crashing into someone else. If you live somewhere that gets extremely cold or snows frequently, you should have your car inspected and maintained to the best of your ability. If you’re on a tight budget, at least invest in tire repair services. Durable tires are an important part of driving during the winter. When roads are covered in ice, it’s important that your car has plenty of traction when making tight turns. Tires that have deteriorated could cause your car to slide and cause an accident.

If you can afford to do more, have your brakes checked. You should also keep an emergency kit in your car in case your car stalls or breaks down. Common items to include are jumper cables, blankets, water, warm clothes, and nonperishable food items.

Seal your openings

Winter months typically mean higher heating bills, especially if your windows and doors aren’t properly insulated. Regularly dealing with drafts can expose you and your children to the cold air which can compromise your immune system. If you have older windows and can’t replace them, there are weather insulation kits you can purchase from the store as a temporary fix. Preventing cold air from entering your house will also reduce the need of running your heating system for an extended period of time.

Prepare your water pipes

A general rule is that if you live in temperatures that are 28 or lower, you should take precautions to protect your water pipes. If your pipes freeze, they can cut off your water supply. In severe cases, your plastic or metal pipes can burst and cause a myriad of damage. Water leakage can cause moisture to accumulate and may even cause mold to grow over time.

Certain areas like basements, crawl spaces, and garages are even more susceptible to damaged pipes because they don't get as much attention as common areas like your living room and bedrooms. Therefore, be sure to have them properly insulated before the temperatures drop too low to keep your water supply flowing and save you money on future water damage.

Winter months come with more than snowmen and hot chocolate. As a homeowner, you have to practice preventative care in colder climates. Simple tasks like preparing your windows, servicing your tires, and insulting your water pipes will keep both your home and family safe. Who knows, you may be able to finance a family outing with the money you save by prepping for the cooler weather.

Guest Post - Office Kitchen Design Tips

Designing an office space involves many aspects. While you have to ensure desks are set to promote productivity, you also want to include a space for relaxing and collaboration. That’s where the kitchen comes in. The ultimate office kitchen is functional and stylish, creating a friendly space for employees to eat together and rest. If you’re planning to develop an office kitchen space soon, follow these design tips to get started. 

Avoid The Open Plan Kitchen Design

While most homes have an open-plan kitchen, the office could be different. Smells, dirty dishes, and disorganized counters have no place in an office setting. Not only will this affect productivity, but it also sets the wrong image to visitors and clients. Ideally, you want the kitchen to be a separate area that only employees can access. 

Prioritize Functionality 

Having a counter that is easy to clean and stain-resistant might be expensive at first sight, but it should not be taken lightly in the long run. If you don’t have a dishwasher, is your kitchen large enough for a couple of people to wash their dishes? Also, storage is a must. For you and your employees too. Having enough space to store cutlery and containers can make any kitchen upgrade more. More than anything, your office kitchen needs to be functional and practical. 

Think About How The Space Will Be Used

Your employees don’t enjoy eating at their desks unless they are doing something; they need an area to go and rest. Having a kitchen created with enough space for your employees will be the best way to thank them for their work when they are at the office. Mix up different seating areas and tables to make sure everyone fits. Use the counter if you have to pull some high stools for to-go people that want to grab a quick bite.

Add a Coffee Station

A coffee maker is everyone’s best friend in an office. Investing in a good coffee machine is always accepted by everyone, including yourself probably. Having decaf and regular coffee to keep employees happy will make their work lives more manageable. Even if your kitchen space is small, a coffee station will add visual interest to the room that’s also functional. 

All these tips help you with our budget but help maintain a good work environment as happy employees make equally happy customers. These tips can help you transform any room into a great office kitchen you and your employees will enjoy.

Geraldine Orentas is a writer from Happy Writers, Co.

When Is It a Good Idea to Remodel Your Kitchen?

You may have been thinking about a kitchen remodel for some time. Or you may have just purchased a used home and feel like sprucing up the kitchen is a great way to either make it feel like your own or increase the homes value. Here are a few indications that now is the right time for you to remodel your kitchen.

Eliminate Inconvenience and Improve Functionality

You want your kitchen to function in a way that meets your needs. If your kitchen has an awkward layout or is too small, it can make any necessary or enjoyable task feel frustrating and like a chore. For example, if someone uses the refrigerator, maybe you cannot open cabinets. An awkward layout could also mean that you don’t have enough counter space to prepare meals. If this is the case, remodeling your kitchen could allow you to add storage space. You could reconfigure the space by including an island. You may install smaller appliances or make better use of the space by including a storage pantry area.

Your Family’s Needs Have Changed

A kitchen remodeling project can help turn your kitchen into a space that fits your family’s needs. Your family may have grown since you bought or built your house, so you need more space for everyone to move around or a larger table for everyone to eat together. You may want to add more counter space to your kitchen so that your children can use it as a place to do hobbies and homework. Whatever your family’s current needs are, a kitchen remodel could fill them.

Your Style Has Changed

Walking into your kitchen should not make you cringe. You should not feel like you traveled back in time because your kitchen looks outdated.

People tend to spend a lot of time in their kitchen. You deserve to have a place where you want to spend time. Remodeling your kitchen can help turn your kitchen into a comfortable space. This means creating pleasant surroundings that match your style. It could be simply changing the colors in the kitchen, getting some updated appliances, adding attractive backsplash tiles, or changing the linoleum floor for a hardwood floor. It is surprising how much a simple tweak can change a gloomy kitchen into something vibrant and contemporary.

You will be spending a lot of time in your kitchen. Make sure it is a place that is functional and meets your family's current and future needs.