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YOUR HOME YOUR WAY n THE BRANDON SUN n SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Kitchens: Spotlight on 3 key trends in 2024
Are you thinking about renovating your kitchen? Are you building a new home and designing your kitchen from scratch? Here’s a look at some of this year’s latest trends to inspire you. 1. Create a spa-like atmosphere. Melt away the stresses of everyday life by creating a relaxing, warm and uncluttered space. This means doing away with bright, clinical lighting (think low lighting!). Fill the space with soft, organic colours like san- dy brown and warm grey. Ideally, the cupboards should have no handles and focus on natural materials. 2. Curate a space for social in- teraction. Modern kitchens are designed to be a space for cooking together or breaking bread with loved ones. Spacious islands with rounded corners, along with stools or benches and other types of dining areas, are
all the rage. The focus is on creating a convivial atmosphere where family and friends can gather and enjoy each other’s company. 3. Make eco-responsible choices a priority. Incorporate sustainable practices into every aspect of the space. This includes using recycled materi- als, VOC-free paint and wood from sustainably managed forests. You can also choose intelligent or ENERGY STAR-certified electrical appliances, such as the refrigerator and dishwash- er, to reduce your carbon footprint fur- ther. Creating the kitchen of your dreams requires careful planning. Otherwise, you could exceed your budget or run into other unpleasant surprises. Call on the services of a kitchen design specialist in your area to ensure your project goes off without a hitch.
DARK BASEMENT 6 bright ideas to liven it up
Is your basement dark and gloomy? Here are a few clever tips to shine some light on the situation:
1. Use thin, full-length curtains. Sheer, lightweight curtain fabrics allow light to pass through while adding texture to your space. Long curtains can help create the illu- sion of bigger windows. Use wide curtain rods mounted close to the ceiling to help accentuate this sense of grandeur. 2. Multiply your light sources. In addition to overhead lights, in- vest in floor lamps, table lamps and wall sconces to brighten up your space. Recessed ceiling or floor lights are also worth considering. 3. Opt for reflective materials. Consider a glossy stretch ceiling, polished concrete floors or metal- lic accessories, such as gold frames, to help maximize light reflection.
4. Choose light colours. Light shades are a great option whether on the walls, ceilings, floors or furniture. In addition to reflecting light, they help visually enlarge the space. Choose a con- trasting colour for the walls to make the ceiling appear higher. 5. Install mirrors. Whether practical or decorative, mirrors are unparalleled when it
comes to reflecting light. 6. Use glass partitions.
Glass doors and partitions are ideal for dividing your space with- out compromising brightness. Use textured or frosted glass to add a bit of privacy.
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