How To Make Your Kitchen Cupboards More Efficient

Is your kitchen organised efficiently? Whether your kitchen is large or small, the way you arrange your kitchen cupboards can have a big impact on the flow of activity.

Here are some ideas to help you make the most of your space:

• Birds of a feather flock together
• How often do you use it?
• Help! My kitchen design is hopeless!

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

“Birds of a feather flock together” is a centuries-old proverb used to describe the idea that people with similar ideas, interests, and qualities will tend to congregate together. Conveniently, it’s also a great concept to apply to the organisation of your kitchen cupboards!

For ease and convenience, it’s a good idea to store similar kitchen items together. Some category suggestions could include:

• Everyday use | the items that are constantly in use – cups, glasses, plates, bowls
• Essential items | that you just can’t live without, including the toaster, blender, coffee machine, and hot water jug
• Cooking | pots, pans, oven trays, and large baking dishes
• Baking | equipment and utensils such as measuring cups and spoons, scales, food processor
• Special occasions | for when you break out Grandma’s silverware or the crystal glassware you’ve had since your wedding

The key is to arrange your kitchen cupboards in a way that makes sense within your household. This is sure to be different from home to home, as every family has different habits and norms of behaviour.

Why not turn this into a fun family brainstorming exercise? If you’re not sure how to get the family on board, you could order a couple of pizzas, and stock up on treats to give as prizes for ideas and contribution!  

How Often Do You Use It?

Now that you have the right organisational groups for your kitchen items, it’s time to decide which kitchen cupboards to use for each category. Aim to place frequently used items in the most accessible and convenient places, to make using your kitchen easy.

For example: 

• Plates, bowls, and cutlery | in a central part of the kitchen
• Pots, pans, and oven trays | kept close to the stove
• Glassware | can be stored near the sink or dishwasher
• Cups and mugs | beside your tea and coffee area
• Food preparation items | should be located under or next to the bench space where you most commonly prepare meals
• Special occasion items | anything used infrequently can be stored in hard-to-reach kitchen cupboards that may require a chair or stepladder to access

Some additional points to think about include:

• Young children in the house | with curious young children afoot, it’s important to ensure that any dangerous items are kept out of reach, or in childproofed cupboards
• Accessibility for older children | if you have older children using the kitchen, try and store commonly used items in cupboards that they can safely and easily be reached
• Injuries & disability | if you or a family member has back problems, an injury, or mobility limitations, it’s necessary to plan the kitchen arrangement around these needs

Help! My Kitchen Design is Hopeless!

Now what? Having done your best to organise your kitchen like a pro, you finally admit defeat. Your kitchen design is hopeless – what on earth were the designers thinking?

What’s the solution? You could carry on as you have been, putting up with a frustrating and painfully awkward kitchen design. On the other hand, why not consider a renovation project to install your dream kitchen? New kitchen cupboards, an island, gas hobs instead of ceramics – just imagine all of those design tweaks that your heart has longed for!

Express Kitchens offer professionally designed and manufactured kitchens, with a speedy 1 day installation that makes home renovations a piece of cake! Our services include:

• Free Home Consultation
• 3D Custom Kitchen Design
• 1 Day Installations 

Ready to Transform Your Kitchen?

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How to Design a Kitchen You Will Love!

When creating the perfect design for your brand new kitchen, there’s a great deal to be said for proper planning! As the saying goes, “if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right.”

This blog offers several tips to help you begin brainstorming your dream kitchen, including:

• #1 | Start with problem-solving
• #2 | Add in your dream luxuries & perks
• #3 | Maximise your space

#1 | Start With Problem-Solving

Do you know exactly what you want in your kitchen? Are you absolutely certain? The first step towards a kitchen design you will love, is to think of everything you dislike about your current kitchen. What inspired your desire to renovate?

Make a list of the problems you face in your current kitchen, for example:

• What drives you crazy? 
• What’s not working?
• Does the decor make you cringe?

Once you have a clear picture of everything that is bugging you in your kitchen, you can sit down and brainstorm the solutions to these problems. Ask yourself what the most satisfying outcome would look and feel like.

When it comes to creating a kitchen design that you will love for a long time, it’s vitally important to solve these problems first and foremost. Not to mention a fantastic starting point for design! 

# 2 | Add in Your Dream Luxuries & Perks

Now that you know what you DON’T want, it’s time to think about what you DO want. What are the extra features, perks, and luxuries that will make your kitchen design perfect for you?

Are you: 

• Fantasising about a dishwasher?
• Dreaming of entertaining guests at your kitchen island and bar duo?
• Wishing for kitchen cabinets that are easy to clean?
• Longing for more storage space?

Take the time to think carefully about which design features will contribute to the ultimate enjoyment of your kitchen.

TIP | Do it Once, Do it Right

People will often choose to forego these special extras that truly make their dream kitchen – particularly when trying to save money. It’s a common scenario that most of us have found ourselves in before – we think “Oh, I can add that feature to the kitchen somewhere down the track when I have more money to spend.”

Unfortunately, that day never comes! So, instead of feeling the delight of a fabulous new kitchen design, you’re left feeling frustrated and dissatisfied as you “put up” with the in-between kitchen that you got stuck with.

There’s a term in behavioural economics called “status quo bias”, which is “evident when people prefer things to stay the same by doing nothing” – particularly when there is a big or important decision to make. But, you ask, “what does this have to do with kitchen renovation?”

Since a kitchen renovation can feel like a big project to take on, it requires a significant amount of energy and attention – probably not something you want to do too often! While it is extremely important to be responsible with your finances, when it comes to an investment like a kitchen renovation, you want to get it right the first time.

# 3 | Maximise Your Space

We’ve all seen poorly-designed kitchens that feel poky and cramped – an uninviting prospect to be sure! On the other hand, a skilful design will make use of every bit of available space to create a kitchen that feels open and spacious. This can be achieved through elements such as colour, light, and the style of your shelving, cabinets, and benchtops.

If you’ve only got a relatively small space available, don’t worry! There are plenty of clever design hacks to help you make the most of a small kitchen.

The best way to make the most of your space is to get a customised kitchen design, made to fit the unique and exacting requirements of your available home space. Express Kitchens will come to you for a free 1-hour home consultation. Using fantastic 3D design technology, after our designer has discussed your needs, they’ll create the kitchen of your dreams.

Book Your Free Consultation Today

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How Interior Design Can Make Your Cheap Kitchen Pop

You don’t need to spend a fortune to create a beautiful, classy kitchen. We’ve posted previously about creating a quality cheap kitchen by substituting materials and opting for all in-one-design. Now we’ll talk about how you can add that extra element of style, sophistication and character to your kitchen using simple, affordable interior design ideas.

Below we’ll explore:

• Affordable ways to transform old appliances 

• How to use accessories to boost your kitchen’s style

• The value of statement furniture 

Affordable Design Hacks to Give Old Appliances New Life

Hate the look of your old, cheap kitchen appliances? Not a problem. Nowadays, there are super affordable ways to update your appliances without replacing them: 

• Vinyl – if you want to give your appliances a complete makeover, custom-designed vinyl can look amazing. Vinyl overlay produces a stylish, unique effect for far less cost than upgrading major appliances.

• Paint – did you know you can buy specialised paints to change the colour of your old fridge or stove? Check out this DIY job on a regular run-of-the-mill silver fridge.

• Stainless steel look – cheap kitchens don’t normally feature gorgeous, stainless steel appliances do they? Fortunately, nowadays you can actually buy liquid stainless steel paint. Make sure you check the paint is a suitable match for the surface type before you start work. 

Cheap Kitchens can Look Ultra Luxe with Stylish Accessories  

An easy way to glam up a basic, no-frills kitchen is through the clever inclusion of accessories. Here’s a couple of our top accessorising tips that won’t break the bank:

• Lighting – an eye-catching light pendant can instantly give your kitchen extra sparkle. Try shopping around on eBay or Gumtree for a second-hand, affordable design that suits your taste.
• Cabinet Hardware – your cabinetry might be simple, but adding statement hardware can boost it like nothing else. Again you can find extremely affordable options on sites like eBay, plus one-of-a-kind products on sites like Etsy. If you’re into funky printed ceramics, terrazzo, brass fittings, or even leather loop handles for a distinctive look, Etsy might just be the place for you.
• Art and Ornamentation – there are endless ways to spice up your kitchen with small affordable artworks. Perhaps purchase an eye-catching print series/modern art piece, or a row of vintage ceramic/metal food storage jars? You’d be surprised once you start looking, how many beautiful designs exist for something so simple as even a fruit bowl. 

Splash out on Statement Kitchen Furniture

There’s nothing like tacky, dated or cheap kitchen furniture to prevent your kitchen looking its best. If you’ve saved thousands by installing a cheap kitchen, consider forking out a few dollars for a couple of statement furniture items that will make the space pop. Here’s a couple of our favourite items:

• Stools – the humble benchtop stool needn’t be boring. Styles abound to complement any kitchen benchtop, from Victorian to retro to modern Scandi design. Second-hand sites like eBay and Gumtree are your friends once again and can offer you a smorgasbord of choices. If you have chairs in mind before your kitchen revamp, ask our Express Kitchens, designer about the best benchtop options to accompany them. 
• Wine cabinets – cheap kitchens don’t look so cheap when there are sophisticated drinks on display. A classy stand-alone wine cabinet can elevate your kitchen space and, be a work-of-art in and of itself.
• Cosy armchairs – If you’ve opted for a no-frills kitchen, and you have the room for it, a cosy armchair in the space separating the kitchen and dining areas can add a homey, welcoming touch. If you buy a second-hand chair, you can easily conceal flaws in the fabric with a throw or small, elegant cushions. 

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The History of Kitchen Cabinets Brisbane & Beyond

In the 1820s when Europeans started building in what is now known as the Brisbane region, home kitchens were viewed as exclusively the domain of servants. Servants generally had little say in how their workspace was designed, meaning kitchens of this time were a far cry from the functional, efficient, stylish spaces we know today. In fact, early Brisbane kitchens didn’t even have kitchen cabinets. Can you imagine the social hub of your house now without kitchen cabinets?

It wasn’t until the early 1950s that views on kitchens changed big time. Suddenly functional design and stylish aesthetics became a must for any new Aussie kitchen, and it’s no coincidence that it was about this time built-in kitchen cabinets became popular. From the late 1800s to the 1950s households had relied on multi-purpose, stand-alone cabinets popularly known as Hoosier Cabinets. However integrated, customisable cabinetry provided significant functional improvements on the Hoosier.

Below we’ll explore: 

• Styles and design of kitchen cabinets in Brisbane since the 1950s
• Modern innovation in kitchen cabinet design 
• The future of kitchen cabinets for Brisbane

Kitchen Cabinets in Brisbane Since the 1950s

1950s – Brisbane’s population boomed in the post-war 1950s, resulting in many new homes being built. Kitchens installed in this era were often designed in a U-shape, meaning they had ample space for kitchen cabinetry. The focus was on making food preparation more efficient, and handy cabinets played a big part in that. Homeowners began ordering the precursor to today’s  customisable integrated cabinetry. Steel cabinets were very popular in the 1950s and they came in a range of sizes, designs and colours. The colour trend of the day was pastels – think apricot, creams and light blues.

1960s – In the 1960s things got psychedelic. Kitchen cabinets in Brisbane during this era were often simple timber, but everything around them was colourful! Picture acid green or burnt orange tiles paired with vivid lino flooring.

1970s – Brisbane kitchens were hit with some less than appealing colour schemes in the 70’s including combinations featuring brown, avocado and gold. Significantly the number and size of kitchen cabinets in Brisbane homes continued to expand during this decade thanks in part to cheaper air travel. Why? The exposure to global cuisines led to a growth in the food adventurism of Australians – correspondingly Brisbane households needed greater storage space for a wider range of kitchen items. 

1980s & 1990s – wall-to-wall pine cabinetry was popular in the 80’s often featuring extra pine panelling on adjacent walls. In contrast, the 1990s saw milder colour palettes like cream and stone gain popularity, paving the way to the kitchens we know today.  Kitchens and kitchen cabinets continued to take on a bigger and bigger role, partly as a consequence of a national cooking fever, inspired by the precursors to today’s celebrity chefs. 

Modern Kitchen Cabinet Design and Functionality 

Kitchen cabinets in the new millennium have continued to evolve into the sleek modern cabinet designs we know today. While timber is still a popular kitchen cabinet material in Brisbane homes, many cabinets nowadays are made from engineered wood products coated with a layer of plastic laminate. These materials make for affordable, strong and moisture-resistant cabinetry. Individual cabinet spaces have also become uber-functional with numerous design hacks built in like: 

• Customisable roll-out shelves – which allow you to capitalise on space and to easily identify and access kitchen items and food-stuffs

• Concealed cabinet docking stations – to keep your device cables from cluttering up bench space

• Doorless or glass-doored cabinets – so you always know what’s available to use vs what’s sitting in the dishwasher. Plus it’s a great chance to show off your prettiest china

The Future of Kitchen Cabinets is Coming Brisbane 

The Internet of Things is coming to Australian kitchens but what does that mean for kitchen cabinets? 

Magically opening kitchen cabinets perhaps? In May 2019 Austrian hinge and runner firm Blum presented its smart kitchen concept at one of the world’s leading trade fairs. The range featured voice-activated cabinets, dishwashers and refrigerators that open and close in response to customisable commands. OK so it’s not quite magic, but we think it could be super handy when you’ve got dough-covered hands! This idea would appear fairly straightforward and presumably not too far away from real world implementation.

Other ideas are perhaps a bit less feasible, like the idea to create smart kitchen cabinets that know what they contain. This idea was discussed in a conference paper prepared by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing in India. The paper authors looked at creating a smart kitchen cabinet which would store food items fitted with Radio-frequency Identification tags (RFID). The cabinets would feature an LCD display screen that would pick up signals from the tags, alert users when certain food stocks were low and, prepare an automated shopping list!

If you need new kitchen cabinets Brisbane, there are plenty of ideas from different decades – and the future – to embrace. The important thing to ensure is that the cabinetry works for you, and that it matches your overall kitchen design. 

TO FIND OUT HOW WE INSTALL NEW KITCHEN CABINETS IN A SINGLE DAY 

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What’s Keeping You Out of Your Kitchen Cupboards?

While every kitchen has storage space available, countless homeowners find themselves bemoaning a chronic lack of space. However, is the real problem the kitchen itself? Or is it how we use (or don’t use) our kitchens? This article looks at what stops people from getting the optimal use out of their kitchen cupboards, including:

• Too much clutter
• Disorganised space
• Dirty and unappealing storage

Are Cluttered Kitchen Cupboards Bad for My Health?

Are your kitchen cupboards stuffed full of clutter? If you answered ‘yes’ to that question, it could be time to give your kitchen an overhaul. Did you know that a cluttered kitchen could be negatively impacting your health?

A Cluttered Home is Linked to Stress & Depression

A 2010 study conducted by the University of California researched the correlation between the state of female participants’ home, with their mood and stress levels. Findings showed that higher levels of stress and depressed mood were experienced by the women who described their homes as cluttered. Conversely, decreased levels of stress and depression was experienced by the participants who described a restful home environment.   

A Chaotic Kitchen Can Cause Overeating & Weight Gain

A 2016 research article looked at the connection between clutter, overconsumption, and mindset. Findings suggest that a cluttered environment and out-of-control mindset can contribute to overeating, specifically of sweet foods. 

I Can NEVER Find Anything in My Kitchen Cupboards!

Do you struggle to find what you need in your kitchen cupboards? You may be surprised to realise that, with the right organisation, you suddenly have significantly more storage space available. This can lead to greater peace of mind, and a feeling of being more in-control of your life. 

Organisation techniques have been taking the world by storm in recent years, with notable public figures such as Marie Kondo with her KonMari Method. Kondo’s method of organising and tidying up is centred around choosing to keep only those items that bring you joy. Some of the principles of the KonMari Philosophy include:

• Mindfulness and introspection
• Imagine your ideal lifestyle
• Asking yourself “Does it spark joy?”
• Letting go with gratitude
• Reconnecting with nature

Taking the time to go through the contents of your kitchen cupboards is a great opportunity to sort through your belongings and let go of anything that no longer brings you joy. It’s fascinating to see what you uncover when you begin to organise your space – who knows what forgotten items are tucked away in hidden corners?

I’m Scared to Open the Cupboards in My Kitchen…

Yes, life is busy. Work, family, children, life administration – your To Do list can feel never-ending! Unfortunately, cleaning is often one of those chores that gets pushed back, in favour of other, more pressing jobs. Especially cleaning your kitchen cupboards, where their true state of hygiene can be hidden away behind deceptively clean cupboard doors. Hence the saying “out of sight, out of mind.”

Are you afraid of opening your kitchen cupboards, for fear of discovering an overwhelming mess that needs cleaning? You may find yourself only using a small set of the available kitchen equipment, crockery, and utensils, so you don’t have to face the monster lurking in your cupboards.

If this sounds like you, could it be time for an intervention? While it might mean juggling your schedule to free up time to tackle your kitchen cupboards, the end result will be worth it! Emptying out your cupboards for a thorough cleaning will also give you the opportunity to declutter and reorganise in a way that feels good to you. 

Custom Designed Kitchens by Express Kitchens Brisbane

If decluttering, organising, and cleaning just isn’t enough to improve your kitchen cupboards – it could be time for a change! Why not opt for a kitchen remodel that works for you and fits the space in your home perfectly? Alternatively, you could simply improve your storage situation with a new set of customised kitchen cupboards from Express Kitchens Brisbane. 

FOR A CUSTOM-DESIGNED 

KITCHEN THAT WORKS FOR YOU

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