When it comes to room transformations, this pink modern kitchen makeover is pretty impressive. Especially when you factor in that the couple only spent £1,200 on the transformation and the average kitchen refit costs around £8000!

Plywood cabinetry, micro-cement worktops and open shelving are all part of the new modern kitchen design created by interiors lover Emma and her partner, from Stoke-on-Trent.

Pink modern kitchen makeover

Having made huge savings on each room of her DIY projects, Emma knew she was going to apply the same cost-cutting principles to the kitchen, which was in dire need of an update. Working to a budget, Emma used a spreadsheet to keep track of all her costs.

‘We designed and fitted our own kitchen,’ she told Leader Floors, ‘and even made our own worktops. I also did the tiling and wallpapering myself, too, which I love to do!’

‘I like mixing pattern, colour, retro, vintage and industrial styles together. In fact, I don’t think I have one particular style – more a few that work together!’

Before

Image credit: ahouseonashbank / Leader Floors

The existing tiles, old-fashioned cabinets and panelled ceiling gave the original kitchen a dated look, which Emma was keen to change. However, to redo a kitchen of this size wasn’t going to be cheap – which is where the couple knew they needed to be smart and carry out some of the work themselves.

Emma also wanted rid of the blue painted walls – in fact, the only thing to stay would be the  Smeg fridge-freezer.

After: Pink painted kitchen

Image credit: ahouseonashbank / Leader Floors

You’d never believe this kitchen cost just £1,200 would you? The old cabinets have been replaced with sleek plaster-pink painted units, along with a white metro tiled splash back wall and open shelving. Spot the funky wallpaper on the inner wall, too!

So, how did Emma decide on the new design? ‘I’ve been drawn to plywood kitchens for years and I love companies like Plykea and Pluck,’ she says, ‘it’s the simplicity and natural textures that they use. I thought about how we could DIY this and started by designing the layout myself, before buying Howdens kitchen units, without any drawer or door fronts.’

‘I then used a company online to source and cut 18mm birch ply to the exact size we needed for the fronts,’ Emma continues. ‘When this arrived, we primed, painted and varnished all the fronts. Purposely leaving the edges exposed, so that when the doors are open you can see the raw materials.’

‘I sourced handles from Pushka, which were probably the most expensive items, but we wanted the kitchen to have a luxury feel, and I think good quality handles make that difference.’

Image credit: ahouseonashbank / Leader Floors

Next up came the micro-cement worktops. ‘We fitted moisture-resistant MDF boards as worktops and bought a micro-cement kit that we did ourselves,’ says Emma. ‘I absolutely love the texture and colours this has given the kitchen.’

The shelves were another DIY project. ‘We bought sheets of birch ply and cut them to size ourselves, using a jigsaw,’ Emma recalls. ‘We lightly sanded the edges, then varnished them to enhance the colours’.  The couple bought the brackets from a shop on eBay and sprayed them black.

If you’ve ever been inspired to tile your kitchen splashback, take a leaf out of Emma’s book, as she  did the tiling herself. ‘The wall tiles are from Johnson Tiles and the floor tiles are Porcelain Superstore,’ she says.

Details: Metro tiled pantry

Image credit: ahouseonashbank / Leader Floors

Hairpin legs on the bench, a black industrial-looking radiator and pendant lights all add to the finished look. While colourful artworks in frames decorate the wall. At the end of the kitchen, more open shelving fills the chic pantry idea, where the same metro tiles as used to decorate the walls.

You can see more of the couple’s home you on Instagram at @ahouseonashbank.

What do you think of this makeover? Has it inspired you to take on some DIY projects yourself?

The post Homeowner saved £1000s on this stylish pink modern kitchen makeover appeared first on Ideal Home.

So your shed is looking a little tired after the long, wet winter and you want to give it a colourful glow up. But if you’re not sure how to paint a shed, you just need to follow this easy guide to give your garden a mini-makeover in no time. With lots of garden shed ideas out there, you’ll soon be conjuring up all sorts of ideas for your own outdoor outbuilding.

The Great British weather can be hard on our sheds, summerhouses and outhouses, so it’s common for them to need painting, varnishing or re-staining every few years or so. And giving them a lick of paint, no only gives them a brand new look, but will help to protect them from any weather damage too, so it’s a win-win for all! Plus it’s a chance to update the ‘decor’ in your garden, just like you would a piece of furniture in your house.

Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Cuprinol says, ‘Whether it’s a workspace, a place to socialise or a sanctuary away from the house, sheds provide us with a little place of our own and a creative outlet for an individual’s unique artistic vision.’

How to paint a shed

Image credit: Protek

Before you start, make sure you have cleared any climbing plants or shrubs from around your shed, tying back tree branches or grasses so they don’t get damaged. If you have flowers or plants nearby that you don’t want splashed with paint, cover them in sheeting or bin bags, just while you do the messy bit, then you can uncover them again. Also check the forecast and choose to do your painting on a dry and reasonably warm day. If rain is expected in the next few hours, maybe postpone your project to a clearer day, so your paint has a chance to dry properly

You’ll also need to choose your paint colour. Whether you go for a creamy off-white, a pale sage green, pretty duck egg blue or something more adventurous like a bright cobalt blue, vibrant fuchsia pink or sunny cornflower yellow, go with a shade that will sit well with your plants, outdoor furniture and personality.

What you’ll need

• Tarpaulin or dust sheets to protect the ground
• A stiff or wire brush
• Masking tape
• Newspaper
• A wide, good quality paint brush
• A smaller paint brush
• A roller (this is optional)
• A stirrer
• Your chosen paint

1. Prepare your shed surface

First protect the ground around your shed by laying dust sheets or plastic sheeting. Even if your shed is surrounded by gravel, paving slabs or grass, you still won’t want splatters of paint all over it, so it’s best to cover it all before you begin.

Next check your shed for signs of damage, such as rot, or loose slats. Fix any slats with nails or wood glue and pin down any loose roof felting too.

Using a stiff or wire brush, remove any loose dirt, cobwebs or algae so that you have a smooth surface to paint on.

2. Mask off windows

Using masking tape and newspaper, mask off and cover any windows, then use the tape to carefully cover hinges, locks and handles, so you don’t have to worry about getting them splashed when painting.

Image credit: Cuprinol

3. Apply your paint

Using your stirrer (a stick, or off-cut of wood will do!) give your chosen paint a really good stir and then either decant into a plastic pot, or leave in the tin. Start at the top of your shed and using a wide brush, start applying your paint, as per the manufacturers guide. Be careful not to let it drip too much and use long, steady strokes that go along with the grain.

Use your smaller brush for any trickier, hard-to-reach areas and for going around windows or locks. For larger, flat areas, you could opt to use a roller, depending on how large your shed is and how quickly you want to get it painted.

Cover all sides of your shed, and if you want to, the inside too. Leave for the recommended drying time, before applying a second coat if needed.

4. Clear up and admire your handiwork

Once your shed is completely dry, remove the masking tape and newspaper, and un-cover the ground and foliage surrounding it. If drips have come through onto brickwork or patios, use warm soapy water and a hand-held brush to scrub it away carefully.

Then step back and revel in the glory of your new, painted shed.

Image credit: Protek

How do you prepare a shed for painting?

Always give your shed a good clean before painting over the surface. Built up dirt, cobwebs or climbing plants such as Ivy, won’t look great covered it paint, and will results in an un-even and un-sightly finish. Use a stiff, wire brush to remove loose bits of dirt and a damp cloth to fully prepare the surface. While you might be tempted to use a power washer to give your shed a clean, it’s worth steering clear of this option, as your shed might not be as waterproof as you might think, and you don’t want to end up flooding the inside! A power washer might also be a bit too fierce for shed to handle and you might cause more harm than good.

Do I need to sand my shed before painting?

Some sheds might benefit from a light sanding before you apply your paint, so it’s worth checking the advice on your chosen paint before you get started. If they do, it might be worth borrowing or hiring an electric sander, as sanding an entire shed using sand paper will be time consuming, not to mention hand-aching!

Usually however, a shed won’t need sanding first, but will benefit from a good clean instead.

What kind of paint do you use for a shed?

You’ll need to make sure you are using an exterior wood paint, to ensure it will withstand all weather conditions. An acrylic-latex paint will give the best finish and should stop you from having to re-paint your shed every year.

In terms of finish, most exterior paints will dry with a matt finish, however it is possible to buy ones with a more satin finish to them.

When it comes to colour, be as bold and adventurous as you want, and if you fancy using two shades to create a striped look, or several shades of the same colour to create an ombre effect, then you go for it!

The post How to paint a shed- a step-by-step guide to glow up your garden appeared first on Ideal Home.

When planning a kitchen, you’re likely to be inundated with new terms and jargon which, quite frankly, can be rather overwhelming. One term you’re bound to come across is the kitchen triangle rule. But what actually is it?

It’s fair to say that figuring out kitchen layouts can be one of the more – ahem – painful elements of designing your new space. But the there are a few rules of thumb and guidance which can help simplify the process and let you race ahead to the more exciting processes.

To help you with these, we’ve spoken the experts in kitchen design to break down exactly what the kitchen work triangle is. Advising how to achieve it and explaining how it could make your day-to-day life run more smoothly within your kitchen design.

What is the kitchen triangle rule?

Image credit: The Myers Touch

‘The kitchen triangle is based on the three main work areas within the kitchen, the sink, the fridge and the hob,’ explains Keith Myers, Director of The Myers Touch. ‘According to the rule, these should be laid out to loosely form a triangle. Enabling you to perform day-to-day tasks with ease and without any obstruction.’

Essentially, the kitchen triangle rule is placing these three zones in such a way that you have easy access to each of them from the others, creating a triangle shape. The theory is that whichever point of the kitchen work triangle you’re at, you can easily reach and use the other two. This is important because it makes the cooking and preparation processes run without interruption. The triangle rule will determine how much space should you have between a counter and island.

What is the purpose of a kitchen work triangle?

Image credit: Wren Kitchens

So now that we’ve established what we mean by the kitchen triangle rule, it’s fair to ask how exactly this might help your space work. ‘Having a coherent and well thought triangle of activity can help you to reduce by 25% your movement in your kitchen,’ notes Alice Pasteau, Retail Support Manager at Schmidt. Therefore it’s key to make sure you’ve chosen a layout which aids your daily life.

With the kitchen work triangle, you’re effectively trying to create an easy and free-flowing layout between your most used areas. ‘You need to make sure your space actually works for its main purpose, to cook,’ says Darren Watts, Design Director at Wren Kitchens. ‘Think carefully about which parts of the kitchen you’re going to be using the most. From a cooking perspective and how easily you can move between them.’

‘This method focuses on the fridge, sink and cooker which are the core elements to think about when mapping out your space,’ continues Darren. ‘After considering these elements, you can then begin to think about where your other appliances will sit, such as the microwave, dishwasher, wine fridge and so on.’ Once this is done, you’ll find it so much easier to work out how to plan a kitchen layout that suits your needs.

Why is the kitchen triangle outdated?

Image credit: Daval

In recent years, there has been some discussion about whether the kitchen triangle rule is still of benefit. This may seem surprising as now, more than ever, space is at a premium, and it’s key to creating layouts which help make the space work effectively.

However, this kitchen work triangle was developed when kitchens were simply places to prep food. These days, kitchens are so much more. They are spaces to relax, work and entertain.

‘Given that the kitchen has evolved into a busy and inviting living area, you need to consider health, hygiene and safety so that your space is carefully zoned with cooking, dining and food storage – including pantries and cooling appliances – separated to avoid accidents, inconvenience and cross- contamination,’ says Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director at Daval Furniture. ‘Effective spatial planning, a clever choice of materials and a well-considered treatment of the overall design will ensure an ergonomic kitchen.’

‘When planning a kitchen, it important to make it as practical and logistically efficient as you can,’ agrees Emma Stuart Stephens, Head of Marketing at Mereway Kitchens. ‘There is almost no right or wrong way to plan a kitchen and the positioning of appliances, it just needs to work in practice as well as aesthetically.’ Indeed, people often ask can you put the fridge next to the oven in a kitchen layout, and that answer, too, has changed over time.

That said, the kitchen triangle rule is a useful starting point when creating your dream kitchen. So while you don’t have to rigidly stick to it, you can take it as a loose guide to help you plan your space.

The post What is the kitchen triangle design rule? The experts explain all appeared first on Ideal Home.