Wednesday 12 September 2012

Maximizing a Small Kitchen Layout in Windsor & Barrie



Do you think your kitchen is too small to do anything with? Do you often find yourself wondering how you can make your small kitchen layout work better? Is bringing in a contractor to redmodel your kitchen not an option? There are some things you can do to help yourself out. 

Identify and Plan Accordingly

First, take a good look at your kitchen. What is the layout? Most small kitchen layouts are galley, two-way galley, L-shaped, and U-shaped. You need to identify the type you have.  A galley layout is one where your kitchen is positioned along one wall. The two-way galley has appliance, cabinets and countertops on two sides of the room, with an aisle running through the middle. The L-shaped and U-shaped layouts are pretty self explanatory. 

While each of these layouts has its pros and cons, each can be used very efficiently. Keep in mind the natural flow of traffic in each room. Do not put extra furniture or utensils in the way of this natural movement. For example, if you have a galley layout place dishes in the cabinet closest to the table, so short quick steps with get you there. This will allow you to move about the small kitchen nook without blocking the aisle where others may be entering. Remember to take the "work triangle" into consideration during your planning. See (Designing Your Kitchen to Fit Your Needs).

Place the Fridge at the End

If you have a family with children or teenagers the most commonly used appliance in the kitchen is probably the refrigerator. You can make the best of your small kitchen layout by placing the refrigerator next to the entrance of the kitchen. This will allow anyone to come into the kitchen and get a drink or snack from the refrigerator, without disturbing the person who is preparing the meal. Also, and easy way to not take up space, is to make sure the refrigerator door swings out towards the entrance it is next to instead of the into the kitchen.

Add a Workstation

If you find that your small kitchen layout works fine to feed your family of four but is not big enough to prepare a meal for a larger group, add a portable workstation to the area for the evening. There are many different types of workstations available, including those that have cabinet space underneath or those that will fold up and go into a closet at the end of the night. 

Find one that works for your specific situation. If your small kitchen nook just needs some extra space to chop or put ingredients, get a workstation that has wheels and can be moved throughout the kitchen as you work. Another option is to get one with hooks or a drawer to hold utensils so you can keep the station out of the way, but still use the available space.

Efficiency is most important in a small kitchen layout. If you are able to identify the type of kitchen you have you can make it work for you. Just keep your utensils close to where you will use them and allow traffic to move naturally,Free Web Content and you will minimize your problems.



Lakeside Interiors specializes in renovating existing kitchens as well as bathrooms and basements so, if you aren't looking for a "full contact" DIY experience, get together with us and we'll make your dream kitchen a reality for you!

If you would like to learn, we will be happy to have you work with us and acquire a few new skills as well as reduce the labour costs for your new kitchen.

We are now available on facebook as well as on linkedin. Like us on facebook and follow us on linkedin!

While you're on the site, feel free to download the 
FREE E-book there to help you with your bathroom renovation plan, more books are in the planning stages, but I started with bathrooms.

Get all the latest tips and articles delivered right to your inbox by signing up for our free newsletter. 

If you have any questions you'd like answered or you would like to see an article on a particular subject, feel free to ask in a comment window or contact us directly.

If you would like advice concerning your summer project or you would like a cost estimate for a project you are considering, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Lakeside Interiors dedicates a portion of its profits to the community we work in by using our skills to assist the elderly or disabled free of charge. If you know of someone in your area who could use our assistance, please let us know. 

This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor & Barrie Ontario
705-881-4456 in Barrie or,
226-946-9651 in Windsor or,
To receive this blog in your inbox,
Insert your email address at the
top of this page.
To receive our FREE weekly,
"Home Maintenance Tips" 
newsletter click here.

Thursday 6 September 2012

DIY Basement Renovation Vs Hiring a Pro.....What's The Best Way to Go?



Homeowners have long recognized that a basement renovation can instantly deliver a slew of critical benefits to their home. A finished lower level in a home potentially offers an extensive increase in useable area. Additionally, most unfinished basements are a blank canvas which allows for ultra-flexibility throughout the renovation. Finally, having more usable living space instantly boosts the value should the owners ever decide to sell their home. 

Hiring A Remodeling Professional Can Prove A Wise Decision 

While the decision to remodel is often a "no brainer", homeowners often struggle with one very important factor; should they go it alone on a DIY level, or should they partner with a professional remodeling contractor for the job. 

While doing it yourself may seem like an appealing proposition before you start the redesign process, it's easy for a DIY project to quickly get out of hand and over budget. If you're considering your labour options for a basement remodeling venture in your home, read on. 

Understanding some key benefits that a seasoned renovation contractor can bring to the table can help streamline the decision making process and ensure you make the right choice for your home.

Key Benefits To Hiring A Professional Contractor For Your Basement Update

First and foremost, teaming with a professional for your project instantly grants you access to their extensive skills, qualifications and work experience. 

A finished basement is a moderately challenging endeavor. Unless you've actually, (and successfully!) completed interior remodel jobs, chances are you'll be spending an exorbitant amount of time trying to ramp up with the many details that surround a redesign of this magnitude. 

Working with a pro instantly eliminates time wasted spinning wheels; your chosen remodeling contractor will come prepared with knowledge of the current code requirements and the conditions necessary to begin working on your job. 

Additionally, most unfinished basements are wide open, underutilized spaces. Creating a functional, coherent design that best utilizes the available space can prove difficult for a layperson. 

A seasoned professional renovator will have the insights you need to help create a cohesive layout for your new space, maximizing the area according to your priority list.

Finally, while taking the DIY route for your basement project may seem like a great way to save money, homeowners often find that this is not always the case. Inexperienced attempts to renovate can often result in costly errors. 

Also, when working on any type of home improvement, there's always a chance of the unforeseen occurring. Formerly undetected water damageBusiness Management Articles, poorly built structures and compromised structural integrity in the basement can all cause major construction glitches resulting in mounting costs if not managed quickly and efficiently. 

Partnering with a professional contractor from the start can help eliminate these risks and keep your job on track and on budget throughout the process.

The Best of Both Worlds

Some renovation contractors, Lakeside included, Will allow you to work with their crews to reduce your labour costs.

The obvious benefit of this arrangement is that you have access to the contractors expertise while at the same time, reducing the  labour required for the project. Not so obvious is the fact that you will not need to purchase or rent any major tools required to complete your project since your contractor will already have professional grade equipment.

Another subtle benefit is that you will likely learn several new skills during the process that will be of use to you in future projects.






Lakeside Interiors specializes in renovating existing basements as well as kitchens and bathrooms so, if you aren't looking for a "full contact" DIY experience, get together with us and we'll make your dream basement a reality for you!

We are now available on facebook as well as on linkedin. Like us on facebook and follow us on linkedin!

While you're on the site, feel free to download the 
FREE E-book there to help you with your bathroom renovation plan, more books are in the planning stages, but I started with bathrooms.

Get all the latest tips and articles delivered right to your inbox by signing up for our free newsletter. 

If you have any questions you'd like answered or you would like to see an article on a particular subject, feel free to ask in a comment window or contact us directly.

If you would like advice concerning your summer project or you would like a cost estimate for a project you are considering, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Lakeside Interiors dedicates a portion of its profits to the community we work in by using our skills to assist the elderly or disabled free of charge. If you know of someone in your area who could use our assistance, please let us know. 

This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor & Barrie Ontario
705-881-4456 in Barrie or,
226-946-9651 in Windsor or,
To receive this blog in your inbox,
Insert your email address at the
top of this page.
To receive our FREE weekly,
"Home Maintenance Tips" 
newsletter click here.


Sunday 2 September 2012

Bathroom Reno Budget Planning, Step by Step

Careful planning is the key to a successful bathroom remodel. Before you begin any work in the bathroom, create a budget, a floor plan, a list of supplies & a timetable. Let's break it down by subject.


First, create a budget. 
Understand before anything, that a complete bathroom reno will cost anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 if done properly (depending upon fixture & hardware choices). If you plan to re-locate the bathroom, this will add 20 to 30% to the overall finished cost and will increase in direct proportion to the distance you are moving it. Also bear in mind that once the original bathroom is removed, that area will need to be repaired as well.

Determine how much money you can comfortably spend, subtract 20% for emergencies and this will be your budget. Get written estimates for any budget item over $300 as well as for any work that will be done by the professionals, and always include electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and drywall installation costs in your budget.


Your budget will be your guide in the choices of fixtures & accessories you will be able to choose for your project. If your budget is on the low end, you will probably be unable to fit a custom ceramic multi-head shower into it.

Second, design a floor plan. 
Ask yourself, will you be working with the existing space or will you be adding or knocking down walls? If so, check to make sure you will not disturb the electrical wiring or plumbing. 

Next, measure the amount of space you have and draw a floor plan. In drawing the plan, first put in all the items that are fixed. For example, if the toilet needs to be in a certain spot because of plumbing or space limitations, it is a fixed item. Fixed items can be moved if necessary, however there will be a direct effect on the budget.

Experiment with how you like your floor plan, using different arrangements, with different types of cabinetry, fixtures, or even wall locations. You might try pocket doors to save space, corner sinks, floating sinks, pedestal sinks, L-shaped vanities and alcoves also save space. In addition, corner showers conserve space, and clear glass in showers or large mirrors create the illusion of even more space. Also, you may want to add a window or skylight to let in light.

Third, make a list. 
Make a list of all the building materials you'll need and make sure they will be available when you need them. Check on the availability of sinks, flooring, wall tile, countertops, lighting, medicine cabinets, showers, bath tubs, cabinets and cabinet handles, toilets, extra storage, taps, toilet paper holders, paint or wallpaper, chairs, as well as tools you may need buy.


Once you have all the items from step 2 included in your list, add all the materials and tools you'll need to install them (lumber, drywall, tiles, etc.). Once you have your list complete, start adding prices for each item, remembering to get written estimates for ALL items over $300. 

Fourth, create a timetable. 
Talk to experts or salespeople at home improvement stores to help plan how much time you'll need for each item on your list. If you're hiring a contractor, such as Lakeside, work with them/us to design a timetable you all can follow.


Add the time required to your list, and you'll be able to plot the time on a calendar along with delivery times required and the funds needed for each delivery. 

Plan your project according to the time you will have available. Put in a new toilet and sink one weekend, for example, and paint another. You don't have to do it all at once, so plan sensibly. Above all, be flexible and allow time for unexpected emergencies.


Hopefully, all will proceed as planned and your project will finish on time & on budget with your contingency fund of 20% being left over when you finish......it could happen!
When planning any home renovation project, especially in an older home, always remember Murphy's Law rules! If something can go wrong during the project.....it usually will, plan accordingly!





Lakeside Interiors specializes in renovating existing bathrooms as well as kitchens and basements so, if you aren't looking for a "full contact" DIY experience, get together with us and we'll make your dream bathroom a reality for you!

We are now available on facebook as well as on linkedin. Like us on facebook and follow us on linkedin!

While you're on the site, feel free to download the FREE E-book there to help you with your bathroom renovation plan, more books are in the planning stages, but I started with bathrooms.

Get all the latest tips and articles delivered right to your inbox by signing up for our free newsletter. 

If you have any questions you'd like answered or you would like to see an article on a particular subject, feel free to ask in a comment window or contact us directly.

If you would like advice concerning your summer project or you would like a cost estimate for a project you are considering, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Lakeside Interiors dedicates a portion of its profits to the community we work in by using our skills to assist the elderly or disabled free of charge. If you know of someone in your area who could use our assistance, please let us know. 

This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor & Barrie Ontario
705-881-4456 in Barrie or,
226-946-9651 in Windsor or,
To receive this blog in your inbox,
Insert your email address at the
top of this page.
To receive our FREE weekly,
"Home Maintenance Tips" 
newsletter click here.