With the trend for open plan living showing no signs of slowing, our kitchens have well and truly cemented their place as the heart of the home. From food prep to dining to homework and relaxing, these days the kitchen is often the most lived in room of the house.
If you are updating your kitchen and looking for ways to make it more family friendly, check out our list of the ten things every family kitchen needs…
 

A durable work surface

In a hardworking family kitchen you need a work surface that is attractive and tough. At Jewson Kitchens we have a choice of worktop solutions including a wide range of laminates which are a cost-effective and popular choice with families. Also available is Encore, natural wood, durable granite and Corian® which offers a uniform finish with the option to integrate the sink; perfect for those looking for a minimalist look.
 

Wipe clean walls

From food splatters to sticky fingers, kitchen walls can see a lot of action. Around food preparation areas wall tiles are a must and around the rest of the kitchen opt for an endurance paint specially designed for kitchens as it will offer increased resistance to grease and stains and will be tough enough to be wiped clean without damaging the paint surface.
 

An eating area

An open plan living/dining area often tops the ‘must have’ list of many house buyers so creating an eating area within your kitchen makes sense. If your kitchen can already accommodate a dining table, great news, if, however, your kitchen is small and an extension isn’t on the agenda, look for other ways to make it into a more sociable space – for example, could you sacrifice counter space for a breakfast bar?
 

A place to relax

If you really want your kitchen to be the heart of the home make it a place people can relax by installing a comfy sofa. Opt for a wipe clean finish, such as leather, as it will be less likely to absorb cooking smells and will be easy to clean.
 

The latest tech

Updating your kitchen is the perfect time to add some up-to-date technology, popular choices include a wireless sound system and a TV and don’t forget to include a charging area for all those gadgets.
 

A place for the kids to play

The great thing about a family kitchen is that it is a space where everybody can interact while doing their own thing. To encourage the kids to spend time in the kitchen (and to help keep the place organised), create a toy storage area – a few baskets will do, include table top games and craft stuff to encourage family friendly activities.
 

Child locks

Kitchens are full of hazards; asides from the risk of burns and scalds there are sharp knives, toxic substances and of course cupboards and drawers that can trap little fingers.
Kitchen cupboards can hold a world of fascination to young children who would happily ditch the expensive toys you bought them in favour a cupboard filled with window cleaner and furniture polish. To keep the little ones safe, be sure to install appropriate child locks on all cupboards and drawers and never leave a child unattended in the kitchen - better to be safe than sorry.
 

Soft close cupboards and drawers

Teenagers? Reduce the opportunity for door slamming with soft close cupboards and drawers! As well as no more slamming, the soft close action minimises the wear and tear on hinges.
 

A family sized oven and hob

Here at Linwyk Kitchens we have a wide choice of appliances from leading manufacturers. For large families, opting for extra hobs is a great way to make cooking meals easier.
 

Adaptable lighting

Depending on the time of day, your kitchen is likely to be used differently. In the morning, most families find the kitchen is a hive of activity while by the evening it is a place to relax and chat. Given the different activities your kitchen sees, installing an adaptable lighting solution is a must, think focused task lighting for food preparation, and ambient lighting for dining.
 
Here at Linwyk Kitchens we have a wide range of stylish, attractive and durable kitchens that have been designed to suit families and rooms of all sizes. From contemporary designs such as the Vienna to the more traditional Rutland Collection as well as the ever-popular shaker style kitchens.

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t have a dream-worthy kitchen remodel in mind. Most of us long for the day when we’ll finally be able to customize our cooking spaces. However, when that day finally arrives, doing so can feel like a Herculean task. There are so many unknowns: How do you even start something like this? Which improvements will appeal to buyers down the road?
If you’ve been asking yourself similar questions, this post is for you. We’ve compiled the essential do’s and don’ts of a successful kitchen remodel. Consider this your outline while planning your project and keep it on hand once the renovations are underway. Our tips will help you design a space that will be both functional and aesthetically pleasing for years to come.

DO: Consider how you’ll use the space

When most people think about a kitchen remodel, they have a similar finished product in mind: professional-grade stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and a huge island. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with this vision, it’s important to keep in mind that it isn’t your only option. Rather than just meeting the status quo, consider how your family will actually use the kitchen.
Maybe your kids do their homework there and you’d like a desk to be included in the design? Maybe you entertain often and need a long dining table to accommodate guests? Whatever your personal needs, make sure they’re a part of your design plan.

DON’T: Neglect your budget

This is true for all remodelling projects, but it’s especially important where kitchens are concerned. The average remodel costs thousands, so you need to make sure you’re spending your money wisely. As you design your ideal space, make two lists — a must-have list and a wish list. Then, price out each of your desired projects and compare them to your budget. The lists will give you a clearer idea of where to invest the bulk of your money and where to try and save.
There are many things you can do to make your remodel more affordable. Consider re-facing cabinets rather than having them fully replaced or purchasing your appliance package from a wholesale supplier. If you’re working with a truly limited budget, simply replacing drawer pulls and fixtures is often enough to give the room a fresh look.

DO: Pay special attention to the layout

The layout is a crucial element of a kitchen remodel, yet it is one of the most overlooked. It won’t matter how nice your new refrigerator is if you’re unable to open it fully because your countertop gets in the way. To ensure your new space functions the way it’s supposed to, hire a contractor who will help you draw up a working layout.
However, if you’re going the DIY route — or even if you just need a little reassurance — we recommend previewing the layout before committing to any purchases. To do this, collect the measurements of all the design elements you’re hoping to include in the space. Then, set out a corresponding length of string to give yourself an idea of how much room each element will take up. As you’re considering how each piece will fit together, be sure to include extra space for walkways.

DON’T: Forget about storage

Kitchens are often one of the most overstuffed spaces in a home. Between cooking equipment and food storage, homeowners often find that they don’t have enough space to store what they need. If you’re going to spend the money on a remodel, be certain you include storage options that are both functional and stylish.
When undertaking this task, the first thing you’ll need to do is take stock of your current inventory. Be honest with yourself about which items you want on hand and which only get used on special occasions. Then, brainstorm options for how to store these items as effectively as possible. For example, you may want to include a cabinet for pots and pans next to the stove or include a pantry that will allow easy access to after-school snacks.

DO: Make sure there’s enough lighting

There are so many visual components to cooking a meal — chopping up ingredients, measuring them out, reading the stove temperature. The last thing you want is to attempt any of these while squinting for more light. For this reason, kitchen lighting is one occasion where more really is more.
Try to envision yourself working in the space while considering where to add lighting. Of course, you’ll want to include some light by the stove, near the sink and over a kitchen island. Also take into account personal preferences, like where you’ll do the bulk of your ingredient prep or if you have room for an eat-in dining area. If you can, consider adding extras like under-cabinet lighting to make the room a little brighter.

DON’T: Play it too safe

Return on investment, or how much equity you’ll get out of an improvement when you go to sell your house, is a common topic among those considering a kitchen remodel. It’s not hard to see why when you think about how often buyers name an updated kitchen as a top priority. Unfortunately, though, this intense focus often leads homeowners to settle for cookie-cutter designs. We’d argue that choosing a happy medium and adding a little personality will help your finished product stand out from the crowd.
For those who think they may be staying in their home for a while, the sky is the limit. Choose a colourful statement island or patterned tile floor to infuse the space with a little of your personality. Those who intend to hit the real estate market in a few years can still add visual interest through their accessories. Think about adding bold lighting fixtures, patterned rugs or using statement furniture to make your kitchen feel like home.
Remodeling a kitchen can feel like an overwhelming task. Since it’s often one of the most used rooms in a home and one of the most sought-after features for resale potential, it can feel as though every detail needs to be perfect. With a little planning, you can ensure your vision for the space falls into place. If you are looking for any assistance with your kitchen remodelling give our team a call for the best prices.

It's time to assess your wardrobe. Take a breath, gather your strength and take the bull by the horns.

Step 1. Sort through your clothes

• Sort through your wardrobe with a ruthless mind with the objective of removing unwanted and unnecessary clothes.
• Pull everything out of your wardrobe and place it all on the bed
• Have three garbage bags handy Keep – Donate – Trash
• Sort through your clothing items and allocating them into the above garbage bags.
• Then sort through your shoes and accessories with the same mantra as above
• A general rule to follow is that if you haven’t worn something for six months, it’s time to donate the item to a charity or send it to the trash.

Step 2. Store seasonal and bulky items

If you own a huge walk-in robe with oodles of storage space, fantastic! You won’t be needing this next tip. For those who don't, read on...
Seasonal items take up a lot of necessary space in your wardrobe. Consider storing them in vacuum seal bags and then stacking them on the top shelves of your wardrobe, or in another room of your home.Not only do vacuum bags take up less space they are also great for keeping out dust and bugs. You can also store bulky items in a spare wardrobe if you have access to one.
 

Step 3: Re-arrange clothes for frequency of use

Now that you’ve reduced the quantity of clothes it’s time to refill your wardrobe. Keep your wardrobe organised and easy to use by grouping your clothes by type.
Start at one end of your hanging space and hang small items such as tops, shorts, skirts, and then work your way towards larger items such as pants and dresses.
Use this method for shoes and accessories too. Push your spring and summer shoes to the front of your shoe rack and winter shoes to the back. You’ll save time having everything you need arranged for their frequency of use.
 

Step 4: Return everything to its place

Your goal is to be able to see everything inside your wardrobe upon opening its doors.
Keep your wardrobe sorted by returning everything to its place after use and after washing. It sounds simple, because it is! The few minutes it takes to return your clothes to their rightful place works wonders in maintaining an organised wardrobe.
Create good habits and a sorted wardrobe will follow!

In the modern age, where kitchens are replete with all kinds of gadgets, pots, utensils and containers, having adequate storage space can mean the difference between functionality and impracticality.
It is vitally important that your kitchen has the space to allow for efficient, comfortable home cooking. Today, kitchen cabinets are so much more than a simple storage space. They are flexible, highly versatile focal points that can be adapted to suit your cooking needs.
Linwyk Kitchens would like to share with you some stylish, practical ideas for making your kitchen a dream space for smart storage.
 

Create a Stress-Free Space

Life is busy, hours are long and the last thing you want to come home to is a space that is cluttered and doesn’t allow for efficient end of day cooking. There are certain ways you can remodel your kitchen to allow for a clean, stress-free space.
When considering your renovation, have your kitchen custom-designed to the dimensions of the space. This will create an optimised space where freedom of movement and adaptability is paramount. Benches, islands and cabinets will be modified to suit their location and in turn you will have a comfortable, practical space to cook.
 

The Efficiency of the Island

 
Originally, the kitchen island was something that would be installed after renovation, opting for a mobile mini-island that barely served any purpose. Households are now viewing the kitchen island as something that serves many purposes. Having a kitchen island installed that allows under-counter appliances, seating, serving and, of course, a countertop for cooking is one of the most efficient ways you can optimise your kitchen space.
The kitchen island is an effective installation for the open-plan, streamlined kitchen space, and one that will make cooking an efficient and stress-free process.
 

Open Storage Solutions

Installing open shelves not only helps to free up the space but also keeps everything within view and ease of reach. By installing open shelves in your kitchen, you make finding all your drinkware, plates and appliances a breeze, and it’s great for when you have friends and family helping in the kitchen.
Also, have knife slots installed in your butchers block to further create an open, effective cooking space.
 

Optimise Your Cabinetry

 
One thing people become frustrated with after purchasing a house is the wasted space that comes with cabinets. Optimise your cabinetry. Have cabinets installed that suit the number and type of appliances you have. You can also install certain appliances that will free up and optimise your cabinet space. This includes appliance garages, roll-out trays for pots and pans, tray dividers and pull-out draws for herbs and spices.
One of our favourite appliances for optimising cabinet space is the corner cabinet carousel, an appliance which allows you to pull out kitchen accessories from those dark and dingy corners of the cabinet.
 

Organise Your Products

 
This almost goes without saying, but you want to organise your kitchen appliances so that they can be used in order of how and when they are used. By storing cooking essentials like herbs, spices, vinegar and oil together you are making the cooking process easier and more enjoyable. The same goes for storage of plates, glasses and mugs, store them close to the dishwasher so that once you have washed them they can be easily transferred to their cabinet.
 

Contact Our Team to Get Started

 
The team at Linwyk Kitchens are masters in creating stylish, optimised kitchen spaces for Sydney homes and businesses. We have the skills and experience to create designs that will not only allow for a practical cooking experience, but will also wow friends and family with its aesthetic style.
If you would like to get started on creating an optimised, storage-friendly kitchen space, feel free to get in contact with our friendly team of staff. We are committed to providing an exceptional standard of service, and will be happy to assist you with any enquiries you have regarding our kitchen remodelling designs.