Plan Your Kitchen with Kitchen Planning Software


As technology advances in such a way that even the less ‘savvy’ can use many of the simpler software programs on the market, so has it helped many students, builders, decorators, and prospective homeowners master the use of simple kitchen design software.


It’s not really that difficult to use some of the home design software out there, especially if you start off with the simpler (to use) and cheaper versions. If all you need is to create a simple kitchen layout, easy-to-use software will suffice.

So whether you want a simple makeover, to build a new kitchen, or to transform your bathroom, you can use a basic design software program to conceptualise your ideas.

Savvy or Not, it’s Easy to Use Kitchen Design Software


For those who already use design software, using the basic programs is definitely not for you but if you are a novice using such programs for the first time, it’s best to dedicate some time to familiarise yourself with it. If you give yourself an hour (or thereabouts) to study the interface and see what it offers, using it will become a ‘breeze’ from then on.

All this this means is that you don’t have to be that savvy to use a kitchen (and bath) design software. You only have an edge if you’ve previously learned how to use CAD software. In that case, you are better off using a more professional CAD program for building designs, like AutoCAD, Autodesk or Chief Architect.


Comprehensive Library of Cabinet Designs, Fittings, and Finishes


With basic kitchen design software, you’ll find loads of design concepts in its library. You’ll also find a vast range of fittings, furnishings, cabinetry, flooring, and many other features you can play around with, until you get your desired concept.

From slate counter-tops to solid hardwood floors; contemporary kitchen designs to the warmer country style, whatever you can conceive in terms of designs and finishes can be found in the software’s library of designs and finishes.

At the click of a button; you’ll be able to fit in any of the under-listed (and more!) into your kitchen design concept:
  • Base and top cabinets
  • Sinks
  • Taps
  • Tiling and flooring
  • Splash backs
  • Counter-tops
  • Handles/knobs
  • Glass
  • Textures
You’ll even find things like kitchen pedal bins, light fittings, wall and floor finishes, door/drawer styles, and a whole lot more.

As a First Time User of a Kitchen Planner, What You Need to Know


If you are using kitchen design software for the first time, there are a few things to know and do.

Software programs don’t do ALL the work; you’ll first have to play your part, then the software does the rest to bring your idea to life. It will always depend on what you ‘feed’ in to it. It’s an important role you have to play to ensure you get accurate end results. You can then leave the rest of the task to the software.


Step 1

You must ensure to take accurate floor measurements of your kitchen and note it roughly on a sheet of paper. As long as the measurements are as accurate as is possible and you note the precise positions of doors, windows, water supply, electricity switches, sockets, etc… on the sketch (including their measurements), you have ‘crossed the first hurdle’.

Step 2

Once your measurements are done, feed in the shape and dimensions of the space into the program. It will in turn generate an accurate floor plan. At this point, you are almost done.

Step 3

This is where your creativity comes to play. It’s time to have fun with moving things around on the interface, and create a great fit of all you require in your design. Place cabinets, shelves, appliances, breakfast counter, dining area, furniture, etc…, wherever you may wish, changing at will and at a click of a button, until you are satisfied.

The last step is the most exciting part of using kitchen planner software. You can spend hours just having fun . . . placing objects, colouring, adding stylish features, changing cabinet doors and drawer faces, even adding décor items like a bowl of flowers, fruit baskets, countertop appliances. Just try it, you’ll love it!



Enjoy a Virtual Tour of Your Kitchen


When you finally develop a concept you are pleased with (whether simple or complicated), the kitchen planner will generate your design concept in 3D. It will generate and give you a virtual tour of your very own creation. Now you’ll see your kitchen as it will look.

You can move within your designed space from one end of the room to another, and if anything seems out of place, you can edit it quickly at the click of a button.

You can even get a view of your kitchen and see how it will look like with the infusion of both natural and artificial lighting (day and night).

So, if you decide to build a new kitchen or choose to remodel an existing one, it is strongly recommended that you borrow a leaf from the professional kitchen planners at home improvement stores and use a simple kitchen design software program to achieve what you desire for your kitchen style.

Who Should You Hire for Your Landscape Works?


If you are building a new patio or renovating an existing one, you may be in a dilemma as to who to seek for professional services.

If you are not really sure of your own expertise, and doubt you'll get a perfect job done, then you should consider calling in any of these three specialists.
  • Landscape designers
  • Landscape architects
  • Landscape contractors
Landscape architects and landscape designers generally provide the same kind of services. They conceptualise a task and develop their design ideas that is expected to be unique, breath-taking one-of-a-kind designs, no matter the size of the landscaping project. At least that's what most of their paying clients expect. They handle both residential and commercial projects.


Landscape contractors on the other hand, though some of them are capable of designing anything that has to do with gardens and landscapes, they are more into the building and construction aspects of outdoor rooms and other structural features. It is they that bring to reality the landscape designers creative designs, and give their clients physical real life structures for them to see, feel and use.

These landscaping experts, who fall under a blanket name, landscape designers, can provide their professional services from the design stage, and in most cases, through to completion.


What to Expect From a Landscape Designer


Professional landscape designers and landscape architects will design the patio, draw up its plans and supervise the patio construction works from beginning to end. If and when they are retained for services, they should:
  • Examine the plot and determine the best location for the patio.
  • Prepare a design concept and produce preliminary and working drawings.
  • Draw up the cost estimates and bid specifications.
  • Arrange for the contractor and subcontractors.
  • Ensure quality materials are used for the project.
  • Ensure construction works goes on properly and that high standards and good quality of works is attained.
  • Make sure that all works are executed on schedule.
  • Make a final inspection of the completed work before 'handing over’


Finding a Landscape Architect


One of the best ways to choose a professional landscape designer to handle your patio design and construction works is to have one that's referred by a satisfied customer. Or one that you've seen his or her work and what you've seen makes you confident of his unique creations. After all your reasons for hiring an expert’s advice and service is because you expect the best.

Other ways to find accredited landscape designers is through associations such as the American Society for Landscape Architects (ASLA) or the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Other sources are any of the landscape contractors associations that can be found in many localities. You can check from these sources on-line.


Hiring Landscape Contractor to Build Your Patio


Landscape contractors are generally experts in outdoor rooms and garden construction, and the role they play is to supervise subcontractors and coordinate construction works associated with patio building. If the patio building project is large, the landscape contractor is responsible for the hiring of the subcontractors such as the carpenters, plumbers, electricians and tile setters.

The landscape contractor is also responsible for the materials purchase, and if the project is large enough, can save his client some money by purchasing at low wholesale prices.

However, if the patio building task is a less complex one, a landscape contractor may come in with a jack-of-all-trades experience and do the job single-highhandedly, without the help of subcontractors.

After all minor and major decisions have been concluded, the landscape architect and/or landscape contractor will present a firm quote for the patio project. Clients are responsible for getting the complete legal written contract agreements that will be signed by both client and landscaper. The contract should include the following:
  • Scaled drawings and 3D presentations
  • Detailed Specifications
  • Type of materials to be used
  • Quantity of materials
  • Project schedule and duration
  • Clean-up agreement (and clearing debris from site)
  • Payment agreement and schedule 

Avoid Unnecessary Expenses


You will be able to avoid unnecessary costs if you can stick to the working plans presented by your landscape designer once your patio building project commences. Any change to the confirmed (by you) patio designs after this stage has proven to be expensive and is therefore good to note.

And whatever you do, ensure that the contracts signed are airtight, and if you don’t clearly understand the contract terms used, it's good to ask a lawyer to review such. You may save money in the long term.

Whatever the size of your outdoors, and whatever the final designs of your patio will be, employing the services of the landscaping professionals is a safe bet. This way, your garden and patio design will turn out a masterpiece.

Home Maintenance, Repairs, and Improvement Tasks Women Can Do


If you are a woman who lives alone or one who co-habits with other women, there are many home maintenance tasks you can do without the help of a man. It is no longer a men-only thing. As long as the task doesn’t involve lifting extremely heavy tools, materials, and other hefty stuff, many women can do a lot of DIY upgrade and improvement tasks around their homes.


Women now carry out kitchens and bathroom remodelling works from start to finish. They repair and recondition furniture. They paint walls and ceilings and even attend to those irritating plumbing problems. A woman can fix ironmongery, install a new doorbell, do minor electrical works around the home, and even fix a faulty dishwasher.


So, if you are a single independent woman, a single mother, or a young lady living alone, this is your ‘time to shine’. You can do this. And with the help of the millions of tutorials out there on the web in both content and video formats, we really don’t have any excuse calling in the plumber, tiler, carpenter, or house painter to take care of things. They’ll not only charge you a ‘bomb’ for a couple of hours work, but they also take their time, stretching it so they can charge you for a 2-day job. Something you can finish in half-a-day. If you can do-it-yourself, you will save yourself tons of money.

Get the Right Tools Collection


The first thing you need to prepare for if you decide to do your home’s maintenance works yourself is to get a collection of tools. So, how do you know the right types of home maintenance tools to have? Functionality. This is the most important benefit of any tool. Now which tools perform the most functions, and therefore are a must-have?

  • Hammer
  • Power drill
  • Combination pliers
  • Vice grip
  • Measuring tape
  • Screwdrivers set
  • Power circular saw
  • Utility knife
  • Pliers set

If ever you find that you need a particular tool that you don’t have, it will be time to get creative and use what you have around the home to get what you want.


For instance, if you need to replace the garbage disposal unit of your kitchen sink, and need more than two hands to accomplish the task, get ingenious by using the jack from your car to position and hold the unit in place while working on it from above.


You can either make or, buy a lovely easy-to-carry tool organiser or some box-like container to store all your home improvement tools. You can also sew (or buy) a pretty ‘workwomen's’ apron with functional pockets to hold smaller tools in a convenient place whilst doing your maintenance tasks. Have you seen the wonderful toolkits for home improvement tasks designed strictly for women? There is really no difference in its tool content, except that they come in lovely eye-catching feminine colours.

Some Household Repairs Women Can Do


Once you have the right collection which must always include a couple of power tools, you’ll be able to carry out home improvement and/or repair tasks like:


1. Fixing curtain rails using a simple power tool to drive loose screws back in.

2. Re-hinge or install kitchen cabinet doors, including fixing all necessary ironmongery.

3. Interior doors or existing doors about to get un-hinged.

4. Remove grimy tile grout and re-apply new grout filler

5. Fix/re-apply loose tiles.

6. Unblock clogged drains.

7. Fix broken furniture.

8. Paint an entire interior.

9. Tighten screws and lubricate squeaky hinges.

10. Fix a leaky faucet.

11. Use a plumbing snake to unclog blocked drains.

12. Install wood flooring or polish the existing one.

13. Apply wallpaper.

14. Assemble knock-down items.

15. Refinish or restore furnishings and furniture items.

16. Change bulbs, no matter how high the walls or ceiling can be.


If you are really stuck and don’t know how to go about a certain task, then do some research on the internet. Your first port of call should be YouTube. Remember, the web is today's library and contains millions of up-to-the-minute advice on the best ways to carry out home maintenance and improvement works. There are in-depth tutorials and tips, and much information on how to accomplish any kind of task.

Get Help If It’s Beyond Your Skills  


If you absolutely must, do get some help rather than mess things up. this, of course, applies to the more complex tasks. You can get a go-to-book on home improvement tasks and ensure you keep such books where you will quickly find them to refer to, not stuck in the back of a cupboard somewhere. And if you wish to acquire some knowledge on home repairs, maintenance, or remodelling, you can learn from:

  • 'Habitat for Humanity' - You can volunteer to take part in projects within your locality. You will be with other volunteers who are also learning how to acquire home-building and maintenance skills that you will use constructively at home.
  • Local Home Improvement Stores - You can get a few lessons at some local centres and home improvement stores if you have one within your locality. They will gladly tutor and direct you on how you can do certain things for yourself, including tasks such as painting, tiling, and carpentry.
  • Talented handymen on HGTV - There are TV shows always on about the best home improvement tips, new ideas and effective methods used. You can learn as much as is possible from watching professional designers re-do homes and carry out home improvement tasks. They always have the best home improvement ideas for making any DIY repairs or decorating jobs around the home easy.

If you are a beginner or a budding enthusiast, some home improvement stores can also teach you:
  • How to use a hammer, saw and lathe
  • How to operate and use simple power tools such as hand drills, sanders and jigsaws
  • How to sand and stain wood
  • How to paint interior walls easily

Some local DIY centres or Home Depot stores hold the best home improvement 'how-to- do-it-yourself' classes, and they have detailed tutorials that will guide you through every step. Additionally, you can also have online chats with home improvement department staff online. They are always helpful and will clearly explain what you need to know and do. Not only that, but you will also be advised on tools and other things you’ll need to purchase to get your repair jobs around the home done.


All it takes is willingness, perseverance, and a bit of courage to begin. This will perhaps be a call to unfold more of yourself as you may have hidden qualities that you never knew you possessed. Trying your hands out on home improvement and repair tasks is an area where you can actually discover your talents.


Further Reading:
DIY Home Improvement and Repairs – Do It Yourself and Save Money  
Simple Painting Techniques for Interior Walls
Bathroom Makeover Idea – How to Turn Your Bathroom into a Home Spa

What is a Floating Hardwood Floor System?


When you install hard wood strips on a cushioned underlay and not directly on sub-floors, it is referred to as floating hardwood floors.

Before the latest trends of using engineered hardwood floors, the most popular wood flooring system - tongue and groove wood panels – was bonded together with woodworker’s adhesive. Installed directly on sub-floors, one piece after the other, glue is applied into the groove of the first strip; the tongue of another was fixed into the groove and tapped into place with a hammer and a tapping block. And so this process continues and then is allowed to set.




However, with today's flooring installations and the popular use of engineered wood, installing is so much simpler, even a novice can carefully install wood flooring. It only requires a lock and fold system without the use of woodworkers glue.

The wood panels are fitted (slotted) onto a cushioned underlay that been laid on the sub-floor. The strips are connected one at a time, with the adjoining panels actually folding over to create a secured fit.

Benefits of Floating Wood Flooring

  • They are more comfortable on the feet, much more than hard cold floors like stone, marble, granite, or ceramic tiles.
  • They can be installed on an existing ceramic tiled floor (assuming you’ve gotten tired of your floor tiles), or on sub-floors made with particle boards or plywood sheets.
  • They require no nailing or gluing.
But not all engineered wood products can be floated successfully. If you are in doubt, check on manufacturer’s instructions and specifications on the pack before purchase.

Some homeowners are not quite comfortable with that ‘hollow feel’ you get underfoot with floating wood floors. If this applies to you, using thicker wood strips will reduce that effect.

Another way to counter that sensation is to use a higher grade underlay. This combined with the thicker engineered wood will remove that hollow sound, and the feeling you get underfoot won’t be much different from walking on a solid floor.


The Key to a Perfect Installation

It’s good to note that:
  • The floor must be clean and free of specks and dirt.
  • Floor must be even and level before the installation process commences.
  • Warped wood planks will make utter nonsense of the final wood floor finish
  • Don’t ‘net fit' one wood strip to another because doing so will cause tenting or buckling of the finished floor. Always allow for expansion room.

Installing floating hard wood flooring is fairly straight forward, as long as the right preparations have been done. Preparing the sub floor before installation of the wood strips is the key to a perfect floor finish.