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Your kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your house and there are many reasons to do a kitchen remodel. It could be to update appliances or to purchase smaller ones, or expand the kitchen, especially if it is a smaller kitchen. When doing a small kitchen remodel to make sure that you make it a pleasant place to spend time, is functional, and user-friendly. Make a list of what you want to do after setting a budget.
Small kitchen ideas should be ways you come up with to save as much space as possible while having everything you need in the kitchen. As stated before, a small island in your small kitchen design can help save space when it comes to storage for your pots and pans or utensils. If you are not financially able to work an island into your small kitchen design idea, you can use a mobile butcher block cart. This is a good idea for food prepping or to just use as a buffet.
When doing a small kitchen remodel the first thing that you need to do is set a budget because this is a project that can become expensive. You want to make sure that you do not run out of money part way through the project. If your budget allows it you can do a complete kitchen remodel that includes replacing the countertops, cabinets, floors, and buy new appliances. This can also involve hiring a remodeling contractor because with complete renovations you will want to make sure that everything is done according to the local building codes. Many people cannot afford this large of an expense so they do small things. One important thing to do when doing a small kitchen remodel is to maximize the space. Use items that are functional and decorative.
One example would be a pot rack that can be mounted on the ceiling. By installing this it can free up cabinet space and counter space. It can also add visual interest to the area. The same purpose can be accomplished by mounting hooks under the cabinets for holding coffee mugs. Utilizing the space under the cabinets can be a great place to hang items so you can free up counter space. To increase usable space you could trade in a large kitchen table for a smaller table, remove a large center island, or add built-in shelves. Use brightly colored curtains when choosing ones to decorate your windows. Do not overload your walls with a lot of decorative items as this will make the room look smaller.
Two simple ways to begin your small kitchen remodel is to change the cabinet hardware or repainting the kitchen. You can also paint or stain your kitchen cabinets. When painting the walls keep lighting colors to give the illusion of more space. Also, allow as much natural light as you can into the room. If you decide to retile the floor use larger tiles to also give a larger space illusion. You can also replace some of the appliances in the kitchen such as you could trade in your large refrigerator if you no longer need a large one with a smaller one. To gain more counter space when replacing your countertop replace your larger sink for a smaller one.
It is important to update your kitchen's look from time to time because this is probably the most used room in your house. You should always buy kitchen furnishings to change your kitchen's old look so that you will not get bored with it. One great and easy way to update your kitchen's look is to replace kitchen area rugs. By just replacing them, your kitchen will look like a totally different room, which will make cooking and preparing food to seem more exciting. And if you are planning to buy a rug for your kitchen, here are some things you should consider.
There are many options when considering kitchen rugs but if the idea of canvas rugs hasn't crossed your mind, you might be pleasantly surprised to learn the many benefits rugs made from canvas...especially in the kitchen.
Maintenance
Interior decorators and homeowners utilize kitchen rugs made of canvas for several reasons. Primarily, canvas rugs, also referred to as canvas floor cloths, are extremely easy to maintain. A simple damp mop or rag cleans up spills of food and drink in a jiffy. There is little risk of staining when a protective varnish has been applied. And because the canvas is a tight weave material, with an added varnished finish, neither food particles nor dirt collects underneath.
Durability
As the kitchen often receives the highest foot (and paw) traffic, kitchen rugs need to be strong and durable. Canvas rugs can withstand excessive wear due to the durability of the canvas material. And if constructed well with sewn hems as opposed to glue, will hold up extremely well.
Low Threshold
Yet another benefit of using canvas floor cloths as kitchen rugs is their low threshold; placed below kitchen cabinet doors or at entry doors, a canvas rug lays low and flat so as not to bunch up or get in the way.
Furry Family Members
Whether placed at a kitchen door, at the kitchen sink or under a kitchen table, canvas rugs are ideal for a well-used room. For the 'paws' in the family, a smaller rug under a feeding or water bowl can really come in handy at keeping things neat and tidy.
Design for Your Decor
Yet another benefit with canvas rugs as kitchen rugs is the versatility in the design one can incorporate. If you search online for "canvas rugs" you'll find a plethora of websites representing artists devoted to this art form for it is indeed an art form. The art part not only comes from making the actual rug but as importantly, from the creative design work which is almost always hand painted.
Think of a canvas rug for your kitchen (or any room, for that matter) as art for your floors.
A hand-painted canvas rug as a kitchen rug offers limitless options with regards to color, design, and size; bright or subtle, modern or whimsical, you can find the perfect kitchen rug to work with your décor.
Canvas rugs can vary in size from smaller 2.5' x 3', perfect for the kitchen sink or door entry area, to larger 4'x6' rugs placed under a kitchen table or, making a statement on a generous kitchen floor area with an octagonal shape, for example. Additionally, many interior decorators employ canvas rugs as runners in galley kitchens to give a more spacious feel, adding a special decorator's touch.
Your choice for kitchen rugs isn't limited to the same old non-descript, off the shelf rug; with canvas rugs, the benefits include ease of maintenance, long term wear and decorator art providing both form and function to a room most deserving.
Now, go have some fun and start looking (online) at the beautiful designs available with painted canvas rugs.
Music is Scientifically Proven to Help You Relax and Fall Asleep
It’s not a secret that music is a powerful universal language. It can pump you up during the workouts, inspire you before going into an important job interview…. It can help you relax and reduce anxiety.
In fact, music has been scientifically shown time and time again to calm the autonomic nervous system, the endocrine, and psychological stress response. Classical music and sounds of nature seem to be particularly effective.
Well, there are many habits successful people suggest to help deal with stress like reading a book, meditating and thinking positive but all these require a lot of effort. It wouldn't be anything new if we told you that music helps you relax but what if we gave you the list of songs which Neuroscience suggests can help reduce anxiety by up to 65 percent. The research concluded below these 10 tracks are most effective anxiety reducing music songs.
1) Marconi Union – Weightless
2) Airstream – Electra
3) DJ Shah – Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)
4) Enya – Watermark
5) Coldplay – Strawberry Swing
6) Barcelona – Please Don’t Go
7) All Saints – Pure Shores
8) Adele – Someone Like You
9) Mozart – Canzonetta Sull’aria
10) Cafe Del Mar – We Can Fly
Music has been used for hundreds of years to treat illnesses and restore harmony between mind and body. But more recently, scientific studies have attempted to measure the potential benefits of music. These research studies have found:
Music’s form and structure can bring order and security to disabled and distressed children. It encourages coordination and communication, so improves their quality of life.
Listening to music on headphones reduces stress and anxiety in hospital patients before and after surgery.
Music can help reduce both the sensation and distress of both chronic pain and postoperative pain.
Listening to music can relieve depression and increase self-esteem ratings in elderly people.
Making music can reduce burnout and improve mood among nursing students.
Music therapy significantly reduces emotional distress and boosts the quality of life among adult cancer patients.
The soothing power of music is well-established. It has a unique link to our emotions, so can be an extremely effective stress management tool.
Listening to music can have a tremendously relaxing effect on our minds and bodies, especially slow, quiet classical music. This type of music can have a beneficial effect on our physiological functions, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones. Music, in short, can act as a powerful stress management tool in our lives.
Published by Zoe Sewell
5 years ago 
