| How to Make Your Kitchen Look Expensive Posted: 06 May 2020 05:00 PM PDT You likely spend a lot of time in your kitchen, so you want it to be an attractive, comfortable space. While kitchen upgrades can be costly, you don't have to spend a lot to make your kitchen look expensive. With a few budget-friendly ideas, you can make an old kitchen look new again, make your small kitchen beautiful, or instantly upgrade a boring kitchen. If you can afford a kitchen upgrade, consider investing in a new paint job, better cabinet doors, and other stylish additions that will give your kitchen a complete makeover. [Edit]Making Instant Style Improvements - Remove all magnets from your fridge to create a clean look. Your fridge is a convenient place to hang reminders, grocery lists, and your child's prized drawings. However, a cluttered refrigerator creates a disorganized, messy look. Your kitchen will look more stylish if your refrigerator is free of decorations, so clean everything off of the doors and sides of your appliance.[1]
- If your refrigerator is dusty or sticky, wash it with a dish detergent that has a grease-fighter.
- Store small appliances and kitchen tools in your cabinets or drawers. Keeping your appliances, cooking utensils, and frequently used kitchen items on your countertop may be convenient, but it also makes your kitchen look messy. An empty countertop looks more expensive than a cluttered counter, so don't leave these items out. Put all of your small appliances and other cooking gear in your cabinets or kitchen drawers so they're out of sight.[2]
- Designate an easy-to-access cabinet for appliances you use often, like your toaster and coffee maker.
- If you have a jar for your cooking utensils, place the entire jar in your cabinet so you can easily bring it out while you're cooking. When you're finished cooking, put the jar back in the cabinet.
- Hang a large piece of artwork to quickly upgrade your space. You don't need to spend a lot of money on art, so buy a piece that fits your budget. Choose the largest piece of art that will fit in the space you have for the maximum effect. Stick to a monochromatic color scheme for abstract pieces because they look more stylish. Alternatively, get a fine art painting or print.[3]
- For an affordable option, look for sales on canvas art at a craft store or big box store. You could also paint your own abstract art.
- If you can't afford a large piece of art, create a small gallery wall by hanging 3-5 pieces of art together on the same wall.
- Keep fresh flowers in a vase on your table or countertop. Fresh flowers make your kitchen look upscale and fresh. Get a new bouquet every week to brighten the space. The flowers will make your home look high-end without you having to spend much money.[4]
- Pick flowers that fit your style or the season. You might get wildflowers during the summer, poinsettias during winter, or pink roses during spring.
- Choose a monochromatic color palette so your kitchen looks sleek. Using a limited color scheme makes your kitchen look larger and more stylish. Stick to black, white, and gray or brown, tan, and beige for most of your decor. If you like, incorporate 1 other color to add a personal touch.[5]
- For instance, you might keep most of your kitchen white and gray but use mint colored hand towels or incorporate color in your wall art.
- If you have dark wood cabinets, you might paint your kitchen tan. Your rug and towels might be a mixture of brown and beige with a hint of a color, such as sky blue.
[Edit]Adding Stylish Accessories - Get a new rug to change up your floor. Replacing your floor can be costly, but you can get a similar effect by changing out your rug. Choose a rug that's a solid color or has an abstract print so it won't make your kitchen decor look too busy. Lay your rug in front of your sink, in the center of the kitchen floor, or between your cabinets and your kitchen island, if you have one.[6]
- For instance, you might lay a yellow and white striped rug in front of your sink or a large grey rug in the center of your kitchen.
- Avoid prints that could become dated, like a floral print, or a quirky design, such as a cat-shaped rug or a mustache rug. While these styles are cute, they typically don't look expensive.
- Cover an old countertop with a large wooden cutting board. Old countertops can detract from the look of your kitchen, but they're expensive to replace. Fortunately, you can upgrade your kitchen inexpensively with a large wooden cutting board. Choose an attractive wood that fits your design aesthetic. Then, keep it out on your countertop to cover part of the surface.[7]
- A great option is a big butcher's block cutting board. However, you might also try a bamboo cutting board for a less expensive option.
- Replace your cabinet and drawer pulls for a budget-friendly update. They may be small, but cabinet and drawer hardware affect the overall look of your kitchen. In fact, getting new hardware might make your cabinets look new. Purchase new hardware from a local home improvement store or online. Then, use a screwdriver to remove the old pulls and install the new ones.[8]
- For instance, you might install new metal pulls on your cabinets and drawers.
- Switch outdated decorative items for modern decor. It's fun to decorate your kitchen with what's in style, but your decor may look outdated as the styles change. This can make your kitchen look less expensive. Donate decorative items that aren't trendy anymore and replace them with styles that are more modern.[9]
- For instance, let's say you have faux grape vines draped over the top of your window frame. You might take this item down because it's no longer trendy. Instead, you could place a small succulent plant on your windowsill to bring a little greenery to the area.
- Similarly, you might have a large fruit-print bowl that you use for fresh fruits. You could replace this bowl with a bamboo fruit bowl.
- Hang curtains to add style to your windows. Choose curtains that are a solid color or sheer for a more expensive look. Pick a color that complements your wall color so the curtains help warm up the space. For a small window, hang curtains that reach the base of the window sill. If you have a large window that doesn't have cabinetry under it, opt for curtains that reach the floor.[10]
- For instance, you might hang sheer beige curtains if your kitchen is painted tan or brown. For a gray kitchen, you might hang solid pale yellow curtains.
- Install floating shelves to display your finest dishes. Your stemware or fine china can be an eye-catching addition to your kitchen decor. Plus, displaying them can be convenient because you can easily access them. Hang floating shelves that complement your kitchen colors. Then, arrange the items you want to display on the shelf.[11]
- Stemware and solid white dishes are the easiest items to display. Stack them neatly in rows and don't overcrowd the shelves.
[Edit]Investing in Kitchen Upgrades - Paint your kitchen a light color to brighten up the space. A bright paint color can make your kitchen look larger and sleeker. Additionally, painting your kitchen can instantly upgrade the overall look of your kitchen. Pick a white, pale gray, or light pastel color for your walls.[12]
- It's best to stick to a neutral color like white or gray. However, your kitchen can still look expensive with a pale yellow or sky blue.
- Install a stylish backsplash above your countertops. A backsplash runs along the wall over your countertop, and a nice tile or stone backsplash can look very expensive. Look for a peel-and-stick backsplash that fits your style at a local home improvement store or online. Then, follow the directions that come with your backsplash to peel it off the backing and apply it to your wall.[13]
- Peel-and-stick backsplashes look like real tile but are easy to remove and replace if you decide you want to change it.
- Install a chandelier or pendant light in place of your old lighting. Updated lighting adds a glamorous touch to your kitchen and may also brighten up your space. Choose a large light fixture, such as a chandelier or pendant. Then, use a screwdriver to remove your old fixture and install the new one.[14]
- You can browse lighting fixtures at a local home improvement store. However, you can also buy one online if you don't want to look in person.
- If you feel nervous about installing the light yourself, consider hiring a contractor or handyman to help you.
- Replace your cabinet doors with glossy or glass doors. Old, out-dated cabinets can make your kitchen look and feel drab. However, getting new cabinets typically means remodeling your entire kitchen, which is very costly. For a budget-friendly upgrade, purchase new cabinet doors that look modern and fresh. Then, unscrew the old doors and install the new ones.[15]
- You can buy new cabinet doors at a home improvement store.
- Upgrade your old sink faucet to a modern style. If your sink faucet is very old or damaged, it may be time for a new one. Choose a sink faucet that fits into the faucet hole in your sink. Then, follow the installation instructions to replace your old faucet with the new one.[16]
- Make sure you turn off your water before you switch out the faucet.
- If you're not sure what type of faucet you need, take the old faucet with you to the home improvement store and ask for advice.
- It's best to hire a plumber to help you install the faucet to make sure you don't end up with a leak.
- Lay faux wood flooring or tile to change the overall look of your kitchen. Old flooring can detract from the look of your kitchen, so it's worth replacing it if you can afford it. Choose a faux wood or latex tile to get a bigger bang for your buck. These styles look expensive but are budget-friendly compared to the real deal. Install your new floor yourself or hire a general contractor to help you.[17]
- Some flooring companies offer installation for an affordable fee.
- Apply a stainless steel finish to your appliances so they look new. New appliances can be costly, but that doesn't mean you can't have an expensive-looking kitchen without a large price tag. If your appliances work but are outdated, paint them with a stainless steel finish to make them look more modern. Purchase an appliance stain from a local home improvement store or online, then apply it as directed.[18]
- To make the stain stick better, sand your appliances first using a coarse sandpaper.
- The stain will create the look of stainless steel appliances.
- Keeping your kitchen decor sparse and tidy is the best way to make your kitchen look great.
- Don't incorporate too many colors and patterns because they can detract from the overall look of your kitchen.
[Edit]References |
| How to Clean a Nespresso Machine Posted: 06 May 2020 09:00 AM PDT Nespresso machines are convenient machines that use single-serve pods. They are generally hassle-free, but they still need to be cleaned regularly. You should clean the drip tray, empty the capsule container, and change the water every day. Descaling every three months provides a deeper clean and helps keep your machine working properly. [Edit]Doing Routine Cleaning - Clean the drip tray daily. Each day, remove the drip tray from your Nespresso machine and wash it. Use dish detergent and a clean cloth. If there is any buildup in the drip tray, make sure to scrub it away. Rinse the drip tray with warm water and let it air dry.[1]
- Also clean the capsule container the same way.
- Without proper cleaning, your drip tray will grow bacteria and mold.
- Wash the water tank daily. While you are cleaning your drip tray, remove the water tank and the lid from the machine. Wash both parts with mild dishwashing detergent. Rinse with warm water, making sure to remove all suds. If you don't use your Nespresso machine daily, consider washing the lid and water tank every few days.[2]
- Let the lid and water tank air dry before reassembling. You can also dry it with a clean cloth.
- Avoid letting water sit in the water tank. It can start growing mold or bacteria.
- Wipe the capsule detector lens with a soft cloth. Take a dry soft cloth to gently wipe the capsule detector lens. There is no need to use water or soap. You just want to wipe away any smudges on the lens.[3]
- The detector lens is located inside the machine. You can get to it once you remove the maintenance module, which is attached to the drip tray and holds the cups.
- Wipe down the external parts regularly. The coffee outlet and outside cover of the machine should be wiped down often. Consider doing this multiple times each week. Use a clean damp cloth to wipe down the machine.[4]
- The coffee outlet is the place where the coffee drains into your cup. Use the cloth to wipe away any buildup.
- Wipe down the outside edges and the inside walls where the capsule holder goes.
- Avoid strong cleaners on your Nespresso machine. When cleaning this machine, never use strong or abrasive cleaners. Use only mild, odorless detergents. Don't use sponges when cleaning. Only use soft cloths.[5]
- Never submerge any of the parts in water or other liquid.
[Edit]Descaling Your Machine - Descale your machine every three months. Your Nespresso machine will need to be descaled about every three months. If you drink a lot of coffee, you should descale it every 300 capsules. Some models have a light on the machine that blinks when you need to descale.[6]
- If you connect your machine to the online app, the app will tell you when your machine needs to be descaled.
- Ready the machine. Before you begin, make sure you empty the capsule container of all capsules. You should also empty the drip tray. Replace them back into the machine. Then, turn the machine on.
- Put your machine into descaling mode. Depending on your model, you will press different buttons to start the descaling mode. The buttons will blink, and the machine will beep when you can let go. This lets you know you are in the descaling mode.[7]
- The VertuoLine has one button you need to hold for around seven seconds.
- The Pixie, Inissia, and CitiZ models have two flashing buttons you hold at the same time for approximately three seconds.
- For the Prodigio, press the three coffee buttons at the same time. Hold them for three to six seconds.
- Fill the tank with descaling solution. Pour one container of Nespresso descaling solution into the water tank. Then, add half a liter of water. Close the slider and place a container large enough to catch all of the water from the water tank under the coffee outlet.[8]
- You can buy the descaling solution from the Nespresso website.
- Make your own descaling solution. If you don't want to buy a commercial descaling solution, you can make your own. Run the homemade solution through the machine just like commercial solution. Before using a homemade solution, make sure to check the instruction manual or call the manufacturer to make sure it is safe.[9]
- You can make a solution with citric acid. Use 1 part citric acid to 20 parts water. You can also use lemon juice or vinegar. Mix equal parts of either liquid with equal parts water.
- If you use citric acid or lemon juice, rinse the machine twice before making coffee. If you use vinegar, run five rinse cycles.
- Begin the descaling process. Press any of the blinking coffee buttons. This begins descaling your machine. The machine will run the water through the machine and expel the water into the container under the coffee outlet.[10]
- When the machine stops pushing the water through the outlet, it is done.
- Repeat the descaling process. Pour the water in the container back into the water tank to go through the descaling process again. Once again, press one of the blinking buttons to start the machine. The machine will do the same thing as before. When it is finished, it will stop running and the water will be back in the container.[11]
- Rinse all the parts. Toss out the solution that ran through the machine. Remove the water tank, drip tray, and cup support. Rinse them thoroughly with warm water. Make sure all of the residue from the descaling solutions is completely rinsed from the parts.[12]
- Reassemble the machine once you've rinsed and dried the parts.
- Rinse the machine. Fill the water tank with clean water and place the container back under the coffee outlet. Click one of the blinking lights to make the machine run the clean water through it. This rinses the solution from the machine. Pour out the water.[13]
- Place clean water into the water tank and hit the blinking lights to repeat the rinsing process once more.
- Exit descaling mode. After you have rinsed the machine with clean water twice, you are done with the descaling process. Press all the coffee buttons until the machine beeps. This lets you know you have exited descaling mode.[14]
- Let the machine dry for at least 10 minutes before you use again.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Get Food During Coronavirus Posted: 06 May 2020 01:00 AM PDT You're likely worried about the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and want to do everything you can to keep your family safe. Fortunately, you don't need to worry about running out of food, even if your community is under a shelter-in-place order. Your local grocery stores will remain open for shopping and delivery because they're providing essential services. Additionally, you can still order take-out from your favorite restaurants. [Edit]Going to the Grocery Store - Limit your household to one trip to the grocery store per week if possible. You likely don't need to worry, but trips to the grocery store do carry some risk as you'll be around other people. Try to limit shopping trips to once a week to minimize your risk of contracting the coronavirus. Buy everything you need for the week during that one trip.[1]
- It would be best to wear a face covering so you can protect others from getting sick.
- It's also best to send one adult from your household so there are fewer people at the store.
- Go during off-peak hours if you're shopping for your own items. Off-peak hours are the best time to go because the store won't be so crowded. Typically, off-peak hours are early in the morning or later in the evening. However, they can vary from store to store.[2]
- The peak hours may change since some people are off from work. If you get there and the store appears busy, it may be best to come back at a later time.
- Some stores are limiting how many guests can go in at once to help with social distancing, which helps both guests and workers reduce their risk of getting sick. If you have questions about this, call your store and ask what you need to do to comply with their social distancing policy.
- Check for special hours if you're aged 65 or older. Fortunately, many stores are offering designated shopping hours for older shoppers since you're at a higher-risk for complications from coronavirus. Typically, the store is less busy during these hours. Consult your grocery store to find out if they have special hours.[3]
- Try to go during the special hours if you can.
- Wipe down your cart with a sanitizing wipe. Carts might carry germs, so it's important to sanitize them before use. Most stores offer sanitizing wipes, but you can also carry your own. Use the wipe on your grocery cart's handlebar and anywhere on the cart you might touch.[4]
- Use sanitizer on your hands after you wipe down the cart.
- Sanitize your hands often while shopping. Carry a hand sanitizer that's at least 60% alcohol with you. To use it, apply a coin-sized amount to the palm of one hand and rub your hands together vigorously until the sanitizer evaporates.[5]
- Be sure to sanitize your hands before you enter the store and after you are done shopping. Do not touch your face while you are shopping.[6]
- Stay away from others while shopping. While you're shopping, it's still important to practice social distancing. Do your best to distance yourself from other shoppers and employees. Move away if someone is getting close to you.[7]
- In general, respiratory droplets that spread COVID-19 can spray up to away from an infected person.
- Order curbside pickup if you can plan your shopping list in advance. With curbside pickup, a store employee will collect your items, package them, and bring them to your car so you don't have to go inside. To use curbside pickup, download your grocery store's app, select the items you want, and pay for your order. Select a time to pick-up your order and park in the spot that says "curbside delivery."[8]
- You will likely need to order your groceries about a week in advance since curbside pickup is so popular right now due to the pandemic.
- Don't go to the store if you're sick or living with someone who is. If anyone in your household is ill, it's possible you could infect others. Stay in your home except to seek medical care. In the meantime, order your groceries for delivery or ask a family member or friend to get your groceries for you.[9]
- Make sure the delivery is contactless. Don't interact with the person dropping off your groceries. Ask them to leave the items on your porch in case you or someone in your household is sick.
[Edit]Ordering Groceries for Delivery - Join a CSA. CSAs, short for Community Supported Agriculture, are organized by local farms so that you pay a set amount in advance and then get a delivery of fresh produce every week. They deliver whatever is in season from their farm, but some of them also have the option to add extras (like eggs, or even, rarely, some staple supplies). In addition to regularly delivering fresh produce, it is a way to help support local agriculture during a disruption to the supply chain.
- Download a delivery app. Visit the app store on your phone and search for the delivery app you want to try. Click on "install" to download the app to your phone. When it's ready, click "open" to go to the app.[10]
- Good options include Instacart, Shipt, and Peapod. You might also use your grocery store's app, such as Walmart Grocery Delivery, Kroger Grocery Pickup & Delivery, or HEB Curbside & Grocery Delivery.
- If you have Amazon Prime, try Amazon Prime Now, which usually delivers in 2 hours. You can also get expedited 1-hour delivery for a fee of around $10.
- Some services, like Shipt, have an annual or monthly membership fee. However, some services, like Instacart, allow you to pay per delivery.
- Choose your groceries in the app. Scroll through the app to shop by item or department. Select the items you need and add them to your cart. Check the quantity to make sure you're getting everything you need.[11]
- Review your cart before you place your order to make sure it's correct.
- Select how and when you want your groceries delivered. When you're ready to order, go to your cart and click the "checkout" or "order" button. Click on the date and time you want your groceries delivered. Additionally, enter any delivery instructions in the space provided.[12]
- Since delivery services are so popular right now, you'll likely need to wait several days, or even a week, to get your groceries. Check the date carefully to find out when you can expect your order to arrive.
- You may enter "no-contact delivery" in the delivery instructions box if you'd prefer your groceries be left on your porch.
- Pay for your order. Review the total amount to make sure it's correct. Keep in mind that you might pay an extra fee to have your food selected, packaged, and delivered, so the total may be slightly higher than your normal grocery bill. Enter your payment information using a credit or debit card.[13]
- Tip your delivery driver in the app or in person. Part of your driver's income is based on tips, so it's important to give them something. Look for a tip box in the app and enter the amount you want to tip. Otherwise, offer your delivery driver a cash tip when they arrive.[14]
- In general, 20% is considered a good tip, but you might tip more because of the strain put on delivery drivers during the pandemic.
- If you're tipping cash, you might put the tip in an envelope that you can put out before the time of your delivery.
[Edit]Getting Takeout or Delivery from a Restaurant - Order your food at the restaurant if you want to pick it up. Many restaurants are staying open for pick-up and curbside drop off. Before you go, call the restaurant or visit their website to place your order. Then, arrive at your designated time to pick up the order. Follow the restaurant's instructions for pickup, as they may have a new take-out policy because of the pandemic.[15]
- For instance, some restaurants prefer that you wait in your car until they bring out your order.
- Place an order with a delivery service for a convenient option. Delivery is an easy way to get your food without having to leave your home. Use your favorite delivery app or try out a popular service if you're new to home delivery. Find your favorite restaurant on the app, select the meal you want, and click on the "order" button.[16]
- Delivery services include UberEats, Grubhub, Doordash, Postmates, and Instacart.
- Ask for no-contact delivery if it's available. With no-contact delivery, your food is left on your porch so there's no interaction between you and the driver. Additionally, you'll be able to pay and tip through the app you're using. This allows you to get food delivered while limiting personal contact between you and the delivery driver.[17]
- As the coronavirus pandemic continues, this service is becoming more widely available.
- Don't forget to tip your delivery driver through the app you're using.
- Pay for your order and tip the driver. Pay for your order through the app you're using. Enter your payment information and check for a tip line. Enter the tip and submit the payment.[18]
- In general, it's recommended that you tip at least 20% on food orders. However, you might choose to tip more in order to give the employees thanks for risking exposure to provide you with food.
- Transfer the food to your dishes and throw away the packaging. You likely don't need to worry about getting sick from food delivery. To be on the safe side, however, it's best to eat your meal off of your own dishes. Since it's possible for the virus to survive on surfaces for a period of time, handling the food packaging while eating carries a small amount of risk.[19]
- After you put the food on a plate or in a bowl, discard all packaging materials and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before you eat.
[Edit]Dealing with a Financial Need - Contact your local food bank to ask for immediate help. Like a lot of people, you may be losing income because your work hours are cut or you're temporarily out of work because of the coronavirus. If so, you're probably really worried about how you're going to feed yourself and your family. Fortunately, you aren't alone right now because your local food bank is ready to help. Call the food bank to find out how you can pick up groceries or have them delivered to you.[20]
- Check with your child's school to see if meals are available. While having your child safe at home can bring you peace of mind, feeding them extra meals every day can get costly. Fortunately, many schools are providing free meals every day for kids who are out of school. Contact your child's school or check their social media to find out if they're offering food pick-up.[21]
- If your child's school is giving out food, you'll likely need to pick it up in a vehicle so it's possible to practice social distancing.
- Some schools are working with local food banks to provide additional food and snacks.
- See if you qualify for SNAP or WIC under special coronavirus guidelines. Because the coronavirus pandemic is causing temporary unemployment for a lot of people, food assistance programs are being flexible about who can sign up. If you're losing income because of the coronavirus, you might qualify for benefits. Contact your local Health and Human Services Department to see if you can sign up for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which offers food stamps, or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).[22]
- If you're approved, you'll receive temporary assistance with purchasing food while your income is affected by the pandemic.
- As of March 2020, there's no evidence that the COVID-19 coronavirus is foodborne, so you likely don't need to worry about catching it from your food.[23]
- If you need food but are scared of exposure, tell your friends and family members that you need help. They may be able to drop off food for you.
[Edit]Warnings - Since grocery stores are typically very busy, going grocery shopping can increase your risk of contracting the coronavirus. Keep your visits short and infrequent if you can.[24]
[Edit]References |
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