Buying kitchenware should be exciting. There are so many colors and collections to choose from to really personalize your space whether you’re choosing dishes or appliances, and Le Creuset’s new white and gold line is so pretty it’ll be hard to resist adding these to your cabinets.
Le Creuset pots and pans are definitely investment pieces, but they’re so durable that they’re guaranteed to hold up for years. This new collection is simple, with all white cast iron and bright gold knobs. It includes three individual pots and a five-piece set that you’ll fall in love with.
If you’re not looking to buy the entire collection just yet, a Le Creuset Dutch oven should be your first purchase. They can be used on the stovetop or in the oven, making them such a versatile tool to have in your kitchen. You can use a Dutch oven for everything from soups to sauces, frying, and even baking bread. This white and gold piece is available in three different sizes that serve anywhere from three to eight servings, so you can choose which one is right for you.
The collection also includes a saucepan that holds one-to-two servings of food. This sort of pan is great for making sauces, of course, but is also ideal for other recipes that require a lot of liquid like hard-boiling eggs or cooking quinoa.
Le Creuset’s gold and white line also features a braiser pan and a five-piece set that comes with the Dutch oven, sauce pan, and a cast iron skillet, along with lids. You can’t go wrong with purchasing any of these (or all of them) so check out the whole collection online at the Le Creuset website.
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Look, mosquitos are awful. They buzz in your ear, leave itchy red bites, and can even spread disease. No, thank you. The insects may be great food for birds and bats, but you definitely don’t want them hanging around your backyard (trust us, mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus, malaria, and Zika aren’t health issues you want to explore personally). Fortunately, there are a few ways to repel mosquitos naturally, without the use of sprays.
First, you’ll want to make your outdoor living areas less friendly to mosquito eggs by getting rid of any standing water (including the water in clogged rain gutters, birdbaths, and flower pots). You should also cut back any high grass or brush that creates cool, shady, or damp spots that mosquitos favor.
Alternately, you can use the power of scent to help you out. Certain strong smells can both hide the scent of people (something that attracts mosquitos) and prevent the bugs from wanting to get close enough to bite you. This is why DEET bug sprays and citronella candles sell like hotcakes in the summer. There are also several mosquito-repellent plants with strong scents that humans find pleasant and mosquitos hate. The aroma needs to be in the air around you, at the very least, but ideally on your skin.
To get the maximum effect of these natural mosquito repellent plants, crush herb leaves in your hands to release their perfume and essential oils, and then rub the leaves and their oils over your skin.
NOTE: Some of these plants may cause skin irritation. If you have dry or sensitive, you should avoid using them. You should not use if you are allergic to any of these plants, and you should always do a patch test on a small section of your skin before using.
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This member of the mint family has white flowers and a gentle lemony scent, as well as some healing properties. Lemon balm is particularly good at keeping mosquitos away, but it’s also a fast grower, so be careful when planting it in your garden. It does well if you plant it in a pot on your patio, or other outdoor areas.
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This fragrant mint cousin contains a natural chemical called nepetalactone, which is both a feline attractant and a useful insect repellent. Though if you’re not interested in a bunch of cats moving into the area, skip this one and move onto a different plant.
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A 2009 study showed that the essential oil from this delicious staple from your indoor herb garden is toxic to mosquito larvae. Grow this amazing plant around any natural water sources, such as a pond, and it may control the rate of eggs being laid.
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Lavender can repel flying insects like mosquitos, moths, and flies. The flower’s perfume is well-known, and while it will scent the air, the most effective way to use it for pest control is to rub the plant on your skin to release its oils.
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In its concentrated form, peppermint is sometimes used as an insect repellent, and its oil has been shown to repel the adults and kill the larvae and eggs of several species.
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This perennial is actually marketed as a “mosquito plant,” and sometimes referred to as the citronella plant primarily due to its strong citronella scent. Unfortunately, though it’s the most heavily marketed, there’s some research that suggests it’s also the least effective garden plant at mosquito control. Still, there are some benefits to be had from rubbing the crushed leaves on your skin, and if there’s nothing else around, it will provide some protection.
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If you’re planning to gather around a fire, try burning a little sage or rosemary. The incense these plants give off when they burn not only smells good but is unpleasant enough to most species of insects that it’ll repel them — as long as you’re near the smoke.
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Mise en place—”things in place.” It’s the first thing any student at culinary school learns, the first thing any rookie cook learns on the line at a restaurant. You have to keep your things in place, your workspace clean, your tools and ingredients organized. But there are so many moving parts: dinner plates and wine glasses, cereal bowls and flatware, spices and pantry items, serving dishes and roasting pans, utensils and baking supplies. Where should you even start?
To put you on the path to organized bliss, IKEA Interior Design Specialist Charlene Tea answered pressing questions you shared about kitchen storage on @goodhousekeeping. The best part? Her tips and product suggestions below are applicable for every kitchen, no matter how big or small, and whether you rent or own.
1. How can you best make use of lower cabinet organization? What are the strategies to use for under the sink, pots and pans, or countertop appliances?
Interior organization is all about inserts. For lower cabinets, Tea suggests using UTRUSTA partition wires to keep items like baking sheets and lids in check, and pull-out wire baskets for pots, pans, and small appliances.
“No more digging through your cabinets to find things in the back,” says Tea. “Plate holders or bins with handles make it easier to grab stuff from lower cabinets, and it’s a natural way to keep the items contained and organized.”
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Under the sink, she advises installing a slide-out bin system to have easier access to cleaning supplies, as well as trash and recycling receptacles. “Store your cleaning supplies in easy-to-clean bins and use shelf inserts to make use of the vertical height to store more items,” she says.
2. What are the best uses of upper cabinets? How do you organize them to make them as efficient as possible?
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Since upper cabinets are at eye-level, use them for everyday items you want accessible, like plates and glassware. “You want to give priority to frequently used items,” explains Tea, adding that cabinets should be categorized by use.
“Be sure to separate food from dishes, cookware, and utensils, so each cabinet is sorted by its type to help differentiate,” says Tea. Things like cooking oils and spices should be in a cabinet near the stove, while dishes should be near the sink or dishwasher.
If you have a smaller kitchen with limited cabinets, Tea says you can use the shelves to create the separation between types of items. “Don’t forget shelf inserts or glass racks are very helpful to save space and maximize the storage use,” she adds.
She also notes that you should make full use of available vertical space, storing seasonal or rarely used items on the highest shelves or even on top of your cabinets.
3. My pantry is a MESS but we rent so don’t want to install anything. What can I do?
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The first step to a renter-friendly pantry makeover, according to Tea, is to readjust your shelves. “Store food that you use more often at an easy to reach level, and try grouping foods in similar heights to maximize your space, so you can store as much as you can while wasting as little as possible,” she explains.
If you need more shelves, use inserts to create extra levels for canned goods and jars with a variety of heights, and sort foods by type, so items that you use together are near each other — or better yet, grouped in their own basket and labeled.
Airtight plastic or glass containers are also a must-have for dry goods like pasta, grains, flour, and sugar. “Storing your food in clear containers shows what you have and how much, making it easier to plan your grocery runs,” says Tea. “They also make everything look neat and tidy.”
She suggests using every available nook. “Make use of the back of the cabinet door and clip up little items such as snacks or sauce packets so they don’t get lost,” she says.
4. What are the go-to strategies for organization in a small kitchen?
The first step to an organized tiny kitchen? “Purge!” says Tea. “Look through all of your utensils, gadgets, and small appliances, leaving only the items that you truly use and need.”
And make use of wall space: “Hang up some rails and hooks to store small cooking accessories or hanging utensils. It can free up valuable drawer and cabinet space for other items,” explains Tea, adding, “the KUNGSFORS system allows you to customize smart wall storage with options such as shelves, hooks, and clips all connected together.”
For food storage, buy clear containers that are stackable, which makes it easier to see what you have while saving space. If possible, add a small trolley or kitchen cart. “It provides extra storage and another work surface when you need it,” says Tea.
5. What do organized drawers look like—for everything from utensils to herbs and spices!
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An organized drawer makes items easy to find. The key to that relies on inserts—no messy tangle of utensils, no loose spice jars rolling around, and no jumble of plastic containers. IKEA has more than a dozen different utensil and flatware trays and bins, plus inserts for your most-used items. Mix and match to find the perfect combination to fit your drawers.
6. How would you balance closed organization with open storage?
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Tea likes a combination of open and closed storage in the kitchen. “Having some open storage is a nice balance,” she says, noting that it allows you to show off favorite pieces and keep everyday items handy. Open shelves also take up less visual space, creating a more spacious look in the kitchen.
Closed storage is just as important, though, and protects your things against grease and dust. “Consider only having open storage for your everyday needs,” notes Tea. Cabinet doors will keep your items grime-free and tucked away for when you really need them.
For more kitchen design inspiration and tips, visit IKEA-USA.com/kitchens.
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Mike Garten
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Ask any parent what room in their house gets the most action, and they’ll probably say the kitchen. While it’s where families often congregate, the kitchen also contains a lot of not-so-kid-friendly features—hot stovetops, sharp knives, breakable glassware—so designing mindfully is crucial.
Thankfully, IKEA has always designed with the whole family in mind, and kitchen solutions are no exception. You want a space that encourages little ones to learn how to cook, is reliable, and easy to maintain. Here’s how to get all of that and more.
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When laying out the kitchen, make sure parents can cook while keeping an eye on their little ones, whether they’re in an adjacent play room or doing homework in the breakfast nook.
If you have a one-wall kitchen that’s adjacent to the living space, add an island to create an area to work where you don’t have to turn your back to the kids. Consider placing the sink under a window to provide a clear view of the backyard while washing dishes.
This is a no-brainer, but sharp kitchen tools should be as far from little hands as possible. Instead of an easily accessible knife block, install a magnetic wall rack on the backsplash behind the counter for not only knives but shears, peelers, and any other sharp metal tools.
For other accessories that could do some damage, like a mandoline, cheese grater, or choppers, dedicate one drawer and secure it with a child lock. Even better, assemble a suite of kid-friendly utensils, bowls, cutlery, and an apron to give them their own set of tools to work with. (See more ideas on that below.)
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Encourage kids to join you in the kitchen and learn how to cook by giving them their own storage space. Stock it with kids’ utensils, their favorite dishes, as well as kid-friendly “grown-up” goods like containers, small pots and pans, and colorful scrub brushes.
IKEA has an entire line of kids’ kitchen gear tailored to cooks of all ages. There’s a knife and peeler set with features like rounded edges for ages 8+, and multicolor plates, bowls, tumblers, and flatware, made with recyclable plastic free of BPA. They also sell placemats, a pint-sized apron, and cute lunch boxes.
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Spills and messes are abundant when you live with kids. Whether you have a toddler or a teenager, installing surfaces that can quickly and easily be wiped down is a must. IKEA’s quartz countertops are extremely low-maintenance; the material is nonporous and highly scratch-, stain-, and heat-resistant. For a more budget-friendly option, laminate counters are just as easy to clean.
You’ll also want cabinet fronts that can be cleaned in a cinch. Flat slab is the way to go—no crevices for juice or crumbs to get stuck—and a high-gloss finish is the most durable. Lacquered or foil-finished fronts are equally easy to clean, while also being stain- and moisture-resistant.
Small children are constantly moving, no matter how many times you shout “no running inside!” The last thing you want is a small head to meet a sharp counter corner. IKEA’s custom quartz countertops are cut to your specifications, so you can choose to fully round the edges. (Bonus: Your hips will be protected, too!)
Seating—in the form of an eat-in table, breakfast nook, or bar stools pulled up to an island—is crucial for a kid-friendly kitchen. It welcomes youngsters into the room, giving them a place to do homework or help prep food, while keeping them away from the cook.
For young kids, consider a miniature table. While IKEA has a few primary-colored options, they also sell kid tables that fit a variety of kitchen styles, like the HAY-designed YPPERLIG table in ash with dark red edging and the solid pine SUNDVIK, in a black-brown stain or white finish.
IKEA’s UDDEVALLA fronts feature a blackboard surface, offering a whimsical twist for your kitchen cabinets. A chalkboard finish is of course fun (what kid wouldn’t want to write on the cabinets?) but also useful. Use the space to jot down needed grocery items, recipes, or reminders about upcoming family events. If you want to keep the update temporary, IKEA also sells adhesive blackboard panels that can be used to create a chalkboard surface on any wall.
Instill a love of cooking from an early age by getting your kids in the kitchen—IKEA Kitchen Services is here to help. Schedule an appointment to get started.
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Parents, you’re ready to take on elementary, middle, or high school like a pro.
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Whether it’s a need for more counter space or the desire to knock out a wall to add an eat-in table, everyone wants a roomier kitchen. Thankfully, when it comes to even the smallest spaces, IKEA has solutions galore.
From wall racks and mobile islands to expandable furniture and dozens of drawer inserts, IKEA makes it possible to maximize every square inch of your kitchen, no matter how small. With these ideas, you may even have room to spare.
Lower cabinets often become catch-alls for every miscellaneous appliance and a mess of pots and pans. The things you use the most tend to stick near the front, while everything else gets lost in the back. Which means when you do need to pull out the waffle maker, everything else needs to be pulled out, too.
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Banish this problem from your kitchen forever by installing drawers instead of doors. You can easily see everything you have, and know if there’s a corner that’s not being used to its full potential.
If you like the look of one seamless panel on your lower cabinet, you can install interior drawers behind a cabinet door. IKEA’s SEKTION kitchen range allows for nine (!) different drawer combinations, so you can find the best fit for your needs.
Drawer inserts are a tiny kitchen’s best friend. It may seem counterintuitive to add an extra item when space is already at a premium, but by keeping smaller items in check, you’ll be able to fit more, and find what you need with just a glance.
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Ikea
Wall space is often under-utilized in the kitchen, but taking advantage of that vertical real estate is a great way to free up stuffed drawers and crowded countertops. If you have a large blank wall, open shelving could be a good solution, but you might not have space for a shelf that sticks out 10 to 12 inches.
Instead, add a wall rack. The slim profile hugs the wall and you can arrange hooks where needed to hang utensils, towels, jars, even plants or herbs! If you’re working with just an open backsplash, you can add a single rod or magnetic knife rack.
No wall space? No problem. You can still go vertical. IKEA makes a clever rack that attaches to a kitchen island, so you can have hanging storage without needing to use a wall. It also has a high shelf that’s sturdy enough to hold things like large serving platters or mixing bowls.
A kitchen island may seem like a dream feature even in large kitchens, but they can actually work wonders in a tight space, especially if you live in an apartment where the living room and kitchen occupy the same space. Adding an island allows you to differentiate between rooms, incorporate a dining area, gain storage, and double your counter space—all with one piece of furniture. IKEA offers a variety of sizes, ranging from 28 inches to 50 inches wide, and narrower options at 22 inches deep, so finding one that fits your space is easy.
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For super small kitchens, a mobile cart is the answer. IKEA has five different three-tiered utility carts — each one a good home for pantry items, baking supplies, a bar cart, or miscellaneous storage — and five different carts with solid tops to give you extra counter space.
Flexibility is key in a small space, particularly when it comes to seating. You likely don’t need a dining table 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Opt for furniture that appears only when you need it. IKEA makes a variety of drop-leaf and extendable tables that range from as small as 10 ¼ inches long to 47 ¼ inches long. The NORDEN table is particularly suited for small kitchens, as it has three different length options and three middle drawers for storage.
For a table that practically disappears, add a wall-mounted drop leaf. Just flip it up when you want to dine, and when not in use, it acts as a narrow shelf. When it comes to seating, choose chairs and stools that can be stacked for simple storage so they get out of the way when needed.
There’s no room for excess in a small kitchen. To maximize your space, you need to pare down your goods. Do you really need eight place settings? When was the last time you used that mandoline? Why let a toaster occupy valuable counter space when your oven broiler can do the same thing? Products that can pull double-duty are keepers: chopping boards can be serving platters, frying pans can tenderize meat, vegetable peelers can slice cheese and chocolate, and colanders are perfect steaming baskets.
It’s time to say goodbye to the juicer you used once three years ago. Donate the items that aren’t essential and you’ll be amazed at the extra space that was there all along.
No matter the size or shape of your kitchen, or if you rent or own, IKEA Kitchen Services is here to help you make the most of it. Schedule an appointment to get started.
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Doing laundry is never fun—and if you have a big family, it can be even more of a burden. So if there’s any way to make the process just a little bit easier, we want to know about it. That’s why we were blown away when we saw the genius tricks blogger Rhonda Batchelor used to turn a 7-by-6 ½-foot laundry room into a truly multi-purpose space. Armed with a $400 budget and a long list of ideas, Rhonda managed to utilize every square inch of the room in the most surprising ways.
Don’t believe us? Take a virtual tour of her laundry room above.
Take a further look around Rhonda’s laundry room at Houzz, and visit Rhonda’s blog, Batchelors Way, for even more brilliant decorating tricks.
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Dinner parties and in-person book club brunches may be the stuff of daydreams right now, but consider this mandated pause on hosting the perfect opportunity to get your kitchen in shape for its post-quarantine debut. Gathering with others will be at the top of the to-do list when social distancing rules relax, so now’s the time to make sure you, and your kitchen, are ready to rock.
Togetherness—something everyone craves right now—has always been one of IKEA’s core values, and the retailer strives to give homeowners and renters the best tools to be able to bring friends and family together in their own homes. The kitchen is always the hub of socializing, so here’s how IKEA can help you turn your kitchen into party central.
To entertain even a small number of guests, or just your family, you need appliances that are true workhorses. A wide French-door refrigerator allows for easy storage of crudité trays, sheet cakes, and extra party snacks. A double oven lets you simultaneously roast and bake multiple dishes at different temperatures, while a five-burner stovetop ensures you have plenty of room to boil, sautée, and fry all at the same time. (And appliances from IKEA, like dishwashers, ovens, cooktops, and refrigerators, come with a free limited warranty—handy when they are getting so much use these days.)
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There’s nothing worse than ending a fun night with a mountain of dirty dishes in the sink. A high-capacity, efficient dishwasher is every entertainer’s savior. If room allows, consider installing two dishwashers and two sinks, one for prep and one for clean-up.
If real estate is limited, a wide, two-bowl sink lets you store dirty dishes while still having space to rinse vegetables and prep food. Add an expandable counter-top dish rack for easy drying.
Even if you have a formal dining room, chances are that guests will congregate in the kitchen, so incorporate seating for a designated gathering spot. Carve out a nook with an eat-in table, or add bar stools to a kitchen island or counter.
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IKEA has dozens of dining tables, chairs, and stools so you can mix and match to find the perfect combination to fit your space. In a smaller kitchen, choose a table with a drop leaf to create more space when guests are over, and opt for backless stools that can be completely pushed under the counter when not in use.
Keep in mind the National Kitchen and Bath Association guidelines for spacing when plotting out seating: In an area with no walkway behind a seated diner, you need 32 inches from the edge of the table or counter. If there is a walkway behind a seat, you need 36 to 44 inches.
Entertaining items like large serving dishes, punch bowls, and cake stands can be annoying to store. They take up a lot of space, often can’t be stacked, and wind up being in the way when not in use. The solution? Designate one cabinet or shelf as the “party pantry.”
Use it to store drink dispensers, ice buckets, paper napkins, and birthday candles. Organize items by category—backyard barbeque, Mother’s Day brunch, Thanksgiving dinner, etc.—and store smaller grouped items in boxes. This way, party supplies won’t jam up everyday storage areas, and everything will be easy to find when the next event comes around.
There are endless ways to personalize your kitchen design to meet your style of entertaining. If chilled champagne or seafood is always on the menu, consider adding an ice trough to your counter. If you’re an oenophile who regularly hosts tastings, a wine refrigerator is a must.
Add a glass-fronted cabinet with wine racks and interior lights to showcase your glassware as well. Cocktail connoisseurs will want a dedicated wet bar. Beer lovers: consider installing a tap (it’s simple, and totally worth it if you’re going to be entertaining more than a dozen people at a time). Amateur baristas can incorporate a coffee zone, with storage for mugs, beans, and an espresso machine.
It’s your party: customize your kitchen the way you want to. Whatever that means to you, IKEA Kitchen Services is here to help. Schedule an appointment to get started.
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