Kitchen upgrades are among the most common renovation projects homeowners tackle. Even so, it’s a big project for a first-time renovation, and the final results are sure to be stronger with some detailed planning from the start.

Take into account these five tips from the experts at Wellborn Cabinet to help first-time kitchen remodelers achieve the kitchens of their dreams:

1. Plan Your Budget

Establish a clear and realistic budget. Factor in costs for materials, labor and some extra for unexpected expenses. Sticking to your budget can help ensure you enjoy the outcome of the project while avoiding financial stress. Your contractor can help you strike a balance between your vision and financial resources. You may also find it helpful to consult with a real estate professional who can ensure your plans are in line with the overall value of your home and neighborhood.

2. Prioritize Functionality

Design with practicality in mind. Ensure there’s enough counter space and storage to create an efficient workflow. Consider the kitchen work triangle; that is, be conscious of the travel pattern among the sink, stove and refrigerator.

Additionally, look for opportunities to incorporate functional storage in unexpected places. One example is the exposed end of a cabinet run or side of the refrigerator, where there is often wasted space. One example is a shallow cleaning utility cabinet from Wellborn Cabinet that fits a broom, dustpan and everyday cleaning supplies neatly, giving you practical access to frequently used supplies. A variation on this cabinet offers a spice rack designed for easy access to cooking essentials. Other options in the line include an over-fridge cabinet with a combination of shelves, sheet pan or cutting board storage and a trash can-cutting board combination.

3. Choose Quality Materials

Consider factors such as durability, maintenance requirements and compatibility with your design aesthetic when selecting materials for your kitchen. You may be tempted to cut corners and stretch your money further, but quality materials are a critical element of successful renovations. Prioritize high-quality materials that stand the test of time. Durable countertops, solid cabinetry and reliable appliances typically save money in the long run, and they’ll enhance the overall look and value of your kitchen.

4. Hire Professionals

Work with experienced contractors and designers. Their expertise can help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your remodel meets all safety and building codes. What’s more, these professionals have likely encountered and overcome all kinds of challenges, which means they’ll be well-prepared to help you navigate unexpected obstacles and provide a wealth of knowledge from previous clients to help make recommendations for the perfect finished space.

5. Stay Flexible

Be prepared for unexpected challenges and delays. Stay adaptable and open to changes and remember patience is key to achieving the kitchen of your dreams. Materials go on backorder and paperwork gets misplaced all the time. Set a realistic timeline for your project that allows for some hiccups and try to avoid becoming too rigidly attached to any single element of the design, so if you have to make a modification, it doesn’t feel like a monumental sacrifice.

Look for more ideas and inspiration for your kitchen remodel at Wellborn.com.

As autumn approaches, the days get shorter, the evenings darker and the weather colder.  As we retreat indoors, reluctantly, at first, it’s a good time to look around your home. It is time to enjoy snuggling up under a blanket with the fire going and eating soups and strews, while reading a great book or bingeing Netflix. It’s also a good time to think about some new homewares to brighten up your living space, without breaking the bank.

Driftwood Designs has some wonderful designs, with a truly autumnal feel, that are guaranteed to brighten up those darker days. This publisher, design house and retailer incorporates the work of Welsh artist and illustrator Lizzie Spikes whose passion is creating illustrations that can be translated to homewares, cards, prints and so much more. This means her art can be incorporated into people’s everyday lives in the form of oven gloves, lamp shades, coasters, aprons and even clocks.

Here are a few ideas to get your own creative juices flowing:

Sunset and Starlings – Synonymous with autumn is the gathering of starlings and their enchanting murmurations. Driftwood’s Sunset and Starlings design depicts a murmuration over the sea against a warm and colourful sunset, reflecting off the water. The muted blues are broken by warm shades of yellow, orange and red to add a pop of colour to even the darkest room. The design is available as oven gloves to warm your kitchen as you cook or as a lampshade to, quite literally, light up the room.

Mushrooms – Another autumn stalwart is the mushroom, most species of which are gathered during this season. Driftwood has a fun and informative infographic design illustrating no less than 27 different types of mushroom, toadstool and other fungi, plus coding and names of each one. The colourful variety of the species shown make this a jolly design. Perfect for the kitchen, the illustration can be purchased in the form of tea towels, chopping boards, mugs and even a tin sign for the wall. Choose your favourite or go for a matching set.

Autumn Winter Coaster – Perfect to give any coffee table a new lease of life, the Autumn Winter Coaster is a stunning rural design, depicting fields and woodlands as the warm autumn colours merge into the bright whites and blues of winter. With Lizzie’s familiar animals, in the form of fox owl and squirrel, a set of these affordable coasters will definitely brighten up coffee (or wine) time.

Woodland Seasons – If you love the changing of the seasons but don’t want to limit yourself tojust Autumn, the Woodland Seasons design transitions through all four seasons. When wearing the Woodland Season oven gloves, the left hand it filled with spring and the design goes through summer and autumn until your right hand sports winter. With badgers, foxes and deer beautifully incorporated in this design, it will never get boring. It is also available as a lampshade, which you could choose to rotate regularly to fit the season – or simply your mood!

With so many designs available in the Driftwood range, you are spoilt for choice. Whether you are looking for autumn-themed designs or just love to add bright colours and artworks to your home,  there is sure to be something beautiful and affordable to brighten up your living space.

For the full Driftwood Designs range go to https://driftwooddesigns.co.uk/.

We all look for a “home”, not just a “house”. Mainly because your home is an expression of you, your personality and your lifestyle. And this is why when it comes to personalizing your home’s aesthetic, try leaning into your senses to inspire change within your space.

Talking about personalizing your home, inspiration can be found everywhere around you – from taking cues from Mother Nature to “shopping” your own house or, with a little help from Air Wick, finding and incorporating your home’s signature scent.

Give yourself a residential refresh with these tips:

Rearrange Living Spaces

Breathing fresh air into a room doesn’t always require a complete overhaul, or even any construction or DIY projects. Sometimes all you need is a little rearranging. Shifting furniture to better suit your needs or let more natural light in can significantly improve the space’s aesthetic.

Additionally, the items you currently own are most reflective of your style; try “shopping” your own house by repurposing items from other areas or rooms to give them a fresh feel. When decor pieces are overused in one spot, they may feel brand new in a different space. These are practical and cost-effective tactics to create a new and inviting space for both you and any guests entering your home.

Introduce Plants and Greenery

When sourcing your design inspiration from nature, adding greenery is an inherent way to bring in the beauty and freshness of the great outdoors. To personalize your home with plants, visit a nursery or local flower shop and choose ones that are appealing to you based on their shape, color or size. Live plants offer multiple benefits, like naturally purifying the air, and studies have shown numerous therapeutic benefits of spending time with nature. Therefore, designing with natural elements, like house plants or flowers, can bring a sense of serenity into your home.

Find Your “Scentscape”

A home upgrade rooted in nature includes more than just what you can see and feel, it also includes engaging the sense of smell. One of the latest home decor trends, “scentscaping,” is growing in popularity as a way for individuals to enhance the ambiance of their homes through tailored scent.

“Scent is an often-overlooked aspect of design,” said Egypt Sherrod, HGTV personality who is both an interior designer and real estate broker, and Air Wick partner. “People tour homes and experience spaces with all their senses. It adds a new layer to home personalization, as an authentic fragrance experience often heightens the aura of your space beyond its physical layout. Scentscaping is the perfect way to add a bespoke vibe for your home that reflects your personal style, in turn creating a welcoming atmosphere.”

With innovative devices designed to deliver carefully blended scents like Air Wick’s Advanced Plug-In Scented Oil, you can enjoy long-lasting pulses of scents inspired by nature in the comfort of your home for up to 60 days on low setting. With anti-fading technology, an on-demand boost button and adjustable intensity settings, you’ll notice the fragrances from the first drop to the last.

Update Colors

Introducing color to a room can transform its look, and the scale of change is up to you. You might repaint the entire space, simply paint an accent wall or even just spruce up a corner with a pop of color. Incorporating accessories or decorative elements with new colors can also create some variety, such as including pops of seasonal-inspired colors in artwork and textiles.

Switch Out Light Fixtures

A room’s lighting is an important detail for personalizing the type of mood and ambiance you are trying to achieve. Swapping out light fixtures for dimmers, for example, can create a brand new atmosphere, allowing you to adjust the light to the time of day and for your intended experience. Consider updating old lighting fixtures with new ones to enhance the presence of natural light or changing the bulb wattage to further impact the mood.

Embrace the Scent of the Season

If you tend to make frequent edits to your home’s design, you may also find the idea of experimenting with different fragrances appealing. A short-term scent can be ideal for seasonal swaps, like trading fresh spring blooms for sweet summer citrus, for example. Lasting for up to 45 days on low setting, Air Wick’s Essential Mist Diffuser fills the room with a gentle, fragrant mist with natural essential oils so you can set it and forget it. Adjustable settings are included on the device, and the cordless and portable design allow it to blend seamlessly into any home decor.

Scentscaping to Give Your Home a Personalized Style

Achieving your perfect scentscape begins with nature-inspired fragrances, including classics like White Sage + Mahogany, Lavender + Waterlily and Eucalyptus + Wild Berry. If sweeter scents are your preference, consider enticing blends like Pink Watermelon + Mimosa, Lush Honeysuckle + Raspberry or Hawaiian Guava + Tropical Flowers.

To establish a one-of-a-kind scentscape for your home, start with these tips from Sherrod:

1. Identify your scent preferences, whether leaning toward citrus, spicy, fruity, floral or woody notes.
2. Consider the scent’s intensity and the scent level you and your guests find pleasing.
3. If you plan on creating room-specific scents, or want to use different fragrances in each room, consider how these scents interact with one another to harmonize the scents with contrasts that add dimension.
4. Consider rotating your seasonal scents to freshen up your home and bring new energy to your space at different times of the year.
5. Maintain a scent balance so different scents do not overpower each other. Rather, create a soft and pleasing aroma that establishes inviting spaces throughout your home.