The latest trend in appliances is the small multiple-purpose cooking device. Finally, some gadgets designed to keep up with our propensity toward multi-tasking! Here are a few of the newest, hottest small appliances for the kitchen that are seriously awesome and might make you the envy of all of your neighbors…

#1 – BAM! Don’t forget about Emeril – he didn’t forget about you. The master chef has designed a multiuse appliance to help you churn out gourmet meals in no time with a smaller amount of cleanup. The BAM! Machine is a 12-cup food processor, juicer and blender that comes with several attachments to expand its functions, as well as a few hand-picked Emeril-original recipes.

#2 – 3-in-1 Hand Blender: Oster designed a hand blender that does all sorts of handy tasks. You can mix your drinks with the hand-blender setup, cut and grate solids with the chopper attachment and carve your turkey with the electric knife. It may be because the holidays are so close, but this small appliance has me thinking it can help me with the entire Thanksgiving feast, from carving the bird to mixing the drink I know I’m going to need by the end of the night!

#3 – MultiCooker: Fagor designed one appliance for all of your cooking needs, from the six-minute rush to the 9.5 hour steep. The MultiCooker is a rice steamer, pressure cooker and slow cooker all in one. The downside, however, is that you have to choose one function at a time. But still, it’s very handy and the best part of all? You no longer need an entire cabinet to store these three appliances since they’re all part of this sleek and compact all-in-1 gadget.

#4 – Microwave Drawer: This idea is so simple and genius. Give yourself some extra countertop space with a lowered microwave drawer. The drawer can be set under the countertop and pulls out just like any other drawer. It’s great for shorter people and kids that want to heat up some nuggets for themselves.

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Eclectic bathrooms combine elements from different sources. They aren’t afraid to be quirky, edgy or a tad out of line. And as their style elements evolve, these bathrooms become something all their own.

Yes, most people use a theme of muted or neutral colors to make the bathroom look clean. But splashes of color really give the eye a bit of a tease, not to mention something unique to focus on. Items like a colorful piece of framed art, a vase of fresh flowers or a single wall painted in a faux finish or mural can liven the place up a whole lot, and are easily taken out or painted over when you’re tired of them.

Consider designing with asymmetry. Hard, sleek lines look amazing in bathrooms. Since we spend so much time in a tiny box-shaped room, it helps to expand the interior shape and aesthetic of the space with an asymmetrical countertop, tile pattern and vanity.

Hang large mirrored tiles on another wall and you’ve just doubled your pleasure. The mirrors can help with shaving and coiffing while also adding light and depth to the room.

Don’t be afraid to go at it like an eccentric. Get creative with your tub and sink fixtures. They certainly don’t have to match – a nickel finish on the sink can still look great in a room with a bronze-toned tub fixture. And instead of a typical overhead dome-shaped light covering, a great stained glass or artistic-looking pendant light hanging over the vanity makes a colorful addition.

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Here are 6 modern bathroom vanities that might have you spending more time staring at your cabinetry than at that beautiful face in the mirror.

#1 – The Contemporary Blue Glass Vanity-Solace by Bath Gems is certainly unique. Although it doesn’t present much storage space, it’s gorgeous with sleek lines and a modern sheen. We love the combination of different colored glass and steel. Best of all, the blue glass vessel bowl sink is included.

#2 – Another gem from Bath Gems is the Stratton. This is a vanity to delight basket lovers. The vanity looks clean and compact with a wooden basket weave motif on the front and a granite top with a drop-in sink. One intriguing feature is that it stands on legs, not flat on the floor, lending the piece a cool, casual furniture feel.

#3 – Classy and sleek like a polished Grand Piano or Billy Zane in a tuxedo on the deck of the Titanic (before disaster strikes) is the Black Lacquered Console by Devon&Devon. It’s black, shiny, curvaceous and stunning. The addition of this beautiful vanity might just mean you’ll have to class up the rest of your bathroom, but it would be worth it. The vanity offers a small amount of storage by way of two drawers and sits atop tapered cast-aluminum legs that come in a chrome or gold finish.

#4 – For a more traditional look, the Francisco Sink Cabinet offers Old World-style craftsmanship. Made of reclaimed wood and hand-pounded copper, this vanity looks like an heirloom treasure. It offers plenty of storage space with its eight drawers – four on either side of the central compartment. The beautiful wood is mirrored fabulously with the addition of warm copper door and drawer panels, a solid copper vanity top and copper sink.

#5 – The T450 is definitely not Old World; it’s a vanity for a very modern bathroom. The piece is simple in design yet clean and intriguing. This vanity is basically a set of two very wide drawers, one under the other in asymmetrical stacking. It’s a clever way to obtain storage space while keeping hideous plumbing totally behind the scenes. With the sink set off to one side, it gives the appearance of haphazard awesomeness just casually dropped into place.

#6 – Aptly named Traditional Bathroom Vanity, this cabinet is a throwback to French provincial style. It’s white with lots of beautiful trim work and sits upon claw feet. The simple elegance will give your bathroom a lovely focal point without going over the top.

Pick your favorite vanity from the list and we might just write a blog for you featuring more of the same!

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Many of the components that go into a kitchen remodel are the same as those in the bathroom: cabinetry, countertops and sinks & plumbing. For these items, there are a whole host of ways that you can change the appearance and functionality of your kitchen or bathroom for very little lost lettuce.

Cabinetry

Cabinets can be a very costly part of remodeling, especially in the kitchen where you have so many of them. If your kitchen or bathroom floor plan is good the way it is, then there’s really no point in replacing your cabinets one-for-one, unless they’re damaged or irreparable.

Instead, the doors, drawers and frames can be sanded down, painted or re-stained (or both). For a dramatic look, consider painting the frames a bold color (country blue, barn red or hunter green, etc.) and staining the doors and drawer fronts a natural or honey tone.

Up for a little challenge?

Pull the wall cabinets down and hang them back up at varying heights. This will change the focus of the entire room and provide a few overhead display spaces for your famous cookie jar collection. Another great way to spruce up the cabinets is to replace the handles or knobs. There are tons of very cool and artistic cabinet hardware available today. Just be sure to get something that will work in the drilled holes you already have in your cabinets.

If you do want to replace your cabinets, think about getting knocked down cabinets from a major supplier. They’ll be much less expensive, although they do cost a bit more in time and effort; knocked down means there’s some assembly required (like all of it). The good news is they’re very simple to erect and come with all the hardware and instructions to get you through it.

Bathroom cabinetry can be even easier to replace since you’ll really only need a few. Some great deals can be found at the thrift stores, yard sales, salvage yards, antique shops and classified ads. For very little money, you can probably score a very unique find that will alter the entire image of your salle de bain.

Countertops

Countertops can be tricky to alter without replacing the entire thing. If you’d like to replace the whole countertop, start by looking in the big box hardware stores for what’s in stock. Most likely, you’ll be able to find something suitable, but will need to make the proper cuts for the lengths and sink hole. Some stores may be willing to make the cuts for you, but you’ll need to provide proper measurements. Remember, measure twice, cut once. Measure once, and it’s likely you’ll have to pay twice!

If you’re handy with a power saw, you may be able to customize your own wooden or laminate tops. If you’re ready to invest in the best countertops, a concrete top would be ideal. They’re extremely durable, eco-friendly and can be molded into numerous variations of patterns and textures. Or want something simpler? You can rough up your existing wooden or laminate top and adhere tile on top of it for an entirely new look.

Sinks & Plumbing

The simplest thing you can do to brighten the kitchen or bathroom is to install shiny, new faucets and fixtures. There are tons of fixtures to choose from at large hardware stores. Many of them very durable, attractive and in fashion – all at prices guaranteed not to soak you.

Other plumbing fixtures can be found at stores as well, but the important thing to remember is that you’ll need to replace the old fixtures with new ones that have the same configuration. For example, you can’t replace a three-hole faucet (the countertop or sink will have three holes in it for the spigot and handles to emerge through) with a single-hole fixture (a faucet that has a control knob on it), unless you are careful enough to buy one with a matching plate to cover the two remaining holes. It’s even more difficult if you try to do the reverse – you’ll wind up needing to drill two more holes in your countertop or sink, which is difficult, to say the least.

If you’re planning to replace the sink as well, be sure to note the type of fixture that needs to go with the type of sink you’re getting. Sinks, too, can be found at the store, but they’re also more accessible in places like antique shops and salvage yards. Sometimes, you can even find a really neat old one-of-a-kind model for nearly the same price as a brand-new style.

The key to remodeling on a budget is to keep your eyes and ears open. Look for great deals and snatch them up when you can. Also, soaking up any how-to articles and classes that you come across is great for gleaning valuable information (it also helps to have a few handy friends who can pitch in).

Photo Credit: Budget Kitchen Cabinets, & Online Tips

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Depending on your needs, you may decide to add onto your home, but you may also want to consider adding a detached structure to your property. There are several advantages to both.

The cost of either type of addition is comparable. While it may cost a bit less to build more rooms onto your existing house, the project will also entail deconstructing portions of the homes in order to tie the new addition in, which will add costs. An attached addition may also mean constructing a whole new roof. And even though your new detached structure will come with the cost of laying new footings, so might your attached addition if you’ve decided to build out, as opposed to up.

The Attached Addition

Some of the benefits to adding onto your current home include the ability to enlarge certain rooms, making them more spacious and comfortable, as well as the capacity for bringing additional bathrooms or bedrooms to your dwelling.

Unfortunately, there are drawbacks to the attached addition, too. What drives many homeowners a bit bonkers is having to live in a mess during the construction phase. You may have your roof torn off, an exterior wall missing, and tools, materials and dust strewn about for months. And then there’s the noise. Especially if you work from home, the construction phase will cut into your productivity. Another disadvantage is that you’ll need to modify your plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems to accommodate the extra space and rooms.

The Detached Addition

A detached addition, however, nicely masks the mess and noise, because it’s all taking place OUT and away from your house, even if just by a few feet. The extra space you’re adding outside of your home can give you lots of options for multi-use areas. You can run your small business outside of your home while keeping your non-commute luxury, and during special occasions, your office can become a guest house with a private bedroom and bathroom for visitors.

If you have hobbies that are noisy or dirty, a detached addition can give you the extra space you need to enjoy yourself without tracking mud through the house or blasting awake the napping babies. Gardeners and woodworkers can once again pursue their passions without getting their spouse’s panties in a bunch.

A drawback may be your local zoning laws. You’ll need to check with your city or county before making any firm plans. Be sure you can have a detached addition at all, and see what restrictions they have on those types of projects.

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Here are eight great kitchen tops:

#1 – Granite has quickly become one of the most popular kitchen countertop materials. It’s cool to the touch, which is nice when you’re slaving over hot pots and pans. Not to mention the beauty! Granite is exceedingly aesthetic and comes in so many different patterns and color blends. Plus, it’s durable – three and a half years later, it has survived my mad cooking skills, my husband’s heavy handling and the blatant beatings from my two tweenage boys. Not a single gouge, scratch, nick or chip, it’s even kept that beautiful sheen.

Although I couldn’t ask for anything more, I know that there are a growing number of equally mesmerizing kitchen countertop materials out there:

#2 - Recycled Glass. There are a few different brands out there, but the finished product is always amazing. Like Alkemi, recycled glass countertops save materials from the landfill and re-use them in a resin of assorted colors. This method achieves a modern and unique kitchen top. IceStone and EnviroGlas are two of the most prominent manufacturers of the recycled glass top. The shiny tops with their luminescent flecks of crushed glass peering through the resin are just breathtaking.

#3 - Alkemi. This is a brand-new eco-friendly product. Alkemi countertop material is essentially recycled aluminum that’s been chipped up and embedded in a resin. It becomes nearly iridescent, capturing light from all angles and reflecting it back in a rainbow of colors. It’s extremely durable and approved for LEED credit. Alkemi countertops can come in different colors, allowing the metal to show through in a more subtle tone or totally visible display of the scraps – both are astonishingly unique and oddly beautiful.

#4 – Glass Tile. Tile has come a long way. We’re no longer locked into the single choice of terra cotta or ceramic. Glass tiles have become extremely popular, and not just because they’re pretty to look at, with their transparency and playfulness under the light, but because they offer a unique finish to countertops. Oceanside Glasstile offers a wide range of tiles with surfaces you would never guess are made of glass. You can get them in varying shapes and sizes for unique patterns or mosaics.

#5 – Metal Tiles. Eleek creates 100% recycled aluminum tiles for kitchen countertops and other surfaces. It’s a great solution if you like stainless steel countertops but have been itching for something a bit more unique. The aluminum tiles are available in a myriad of finishes. Eleek also makes other kitchen items from recycled aluminum, such as sinks and hardware, so you can have a nice theme throughout the kitchen.

#6 – Recycled Paper. It’s hard to believe, but what you have in your office shredder could be your next kitchen countertop. PaperStone and a few other companies have found a way to recycle regular paper and cardboard, combine it with industrial-strength resin and manufacture a durable, good-looking kitchen countertop. It comes in a handful of color options, but I’m sure as the technology for these types of countertops advances, the color selection will too.

#7 – Concrete. Although concrete has been around since near the beginning of time itself, it’s only recently that we’ve begun to use it to its full potential. With applications mostly known for outdoor spaces, concrete is finally making its way into the home. Concrete makes wonderful kitchen countertops, with its strength and ability to be molded into anything you can imagine. Concrete tops can be shaped and finished in a number of beautiful colors, patterns and styles and are easily custom-made.

#8 – Slate. We think of it as roofing and chalkboard material, but slate can also make great kitchen countertops. Surprisingly, slate has the durability and strength of other natural stones like marble and granite, but is a very low-maintenance material. Because slate is nonporous, it doesn’t have to be sealed like other stones, which makes for a more natural, unprocessed look.

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Here are some resources for beautiful green kitchen materials:

Green Kitchen Flooring

Rubber Flooring – Made from recycled tires, this flooring isn’t just easy on the environment, it’s easy on your joints, feet, knees, hips and spine. You can get rubber flooring for the kitchen in a roll or interlocking tiles.

Cork Flooring – Cork is another great flooring material that is eco-friendly and excellent for your joints. Be sure to look for companies that responsibly harvest the cork – it can be done without actually chopping any trees!

Bamboo Flooring – It’s hard to miss the beauty of bamboo or the growing popularity of this green material. Bamboo is a great way to get a uniquely textured solid wood in your kitchen.

Eco-Friendly Countertops

Concrete – It’s not just for basements, garages and sidewalks anymore! Concrete makes a solid difference inside the home as well. Concrete countertops are eco-friendly, durable, easy to maintain and can be finished in some amazing patterns, textures and colors.

Recycled Glass – They can now make countertops out of last night’s firewater. Recycled glass tops convert old liquor bottles and other post-consumer glass products into very attractive and unique countertops that are built to last.

Recycled Paper – Unbelievable, I know, but there are countertops available made from recycled paper. Flimsy as the idea may seem, these heavy-duty tops are made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled products.

Natural Wall Paints & Finishes

Milk Paint – Another good reason to give thanks to our world’s hardworking cows. Milk paint is an all-natural product that contains no VOCs or harmful agents. This product has actually been around since near the beginning of time – it’s about time we get back to our roots.

Earth Plasters- This type of wall finish can give your kitchen rich colors and texture without any of the toxins found in other types of plaster. Earth Plasters are non-dusting, mold and fade-resistant, repairable and moisture controlling.

Venetian Plaster – Another 100 percent all natural product, Venetian plaster can give your kitchen walls a great finish in a healthy and attractive manner.

Let There Be Light!

Self-Dimming Lights – I am so impressed with this product. These smart lights sense how much natural illumination lights your kitchen and then determines how much of its own power it needs to use at any particular time. These efficient lights will dim themselves automatically when more light is present and shine their brightest when needed.

Solar Tubes – These devices are great for adding natural light to a kitchen, especially if you can’t add a window or skylight. Sunlight is captured from your rooftop and carried down a tube into the light fixture on your kitchen ceiling and voila! Light.

Garden Windows- Whether you have windows in your kitchen or not, the addition of the garden window can easily enhance your kitchen lighting. Not only will they add light, but they give you an indoor growing space, possibly saving you some room on your countertops.

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Here are 11 tips for making your small kitchen remodel a burning hot success:

1. The Look of Light

You may not be able to make your kitchen any bigger, but you can certainly make it appear that way with these design tricks. Select lots of light colors like whites, beiges, natural woods, yellows, etc., for your flooring, cabinetry, appliances, and countertops. Reflective materials can also give the illusion of a larger space because they amplify light – stainless steel appliances and counters really help with this, as well as the addition of mirrored tile. More on selecting kitchen paint colors.

2. You Don‘t Need That!

Look for ways to maximize space – every inch you save is an inch you can use more efficiently. Downsize your double bowl kitchen sink to a single bowl, but be sure to get the deepest bowl you can find. The general rule is to conserve surface area and slim down appliance width. A bulky, side-by-side refrigerator can easily be substituted for a slimmer bottom freezer model. And if you’ve got a canned good pantry you rarely use, consider moving it around the corner or into an adjacent area.

3. Superfluously Redundant

Some things are better off obliterated. Lose the items that duplicate the functions of other appliances. A trash compactor and a trash can are unnecessary. Even the little overlapping accessories can add up, like large countertop mixers and hand mixers, manual and electric can openers, etc. These can be pared down without sacrificing anything.

4. Kitchen Junction

What’s Your Function?: I know you’re going to say cooking, duh, but take a good look at your pattern of use in the kitchen. What’s your ideal home kitchen? For some, it’s lots and lots of storage space. For others, it’s hi-tech gadgetry or convenience. Whatever your interest, try to figure out how you can best achieve that.

• For storage nuts, scale back the appliances and opt for more cabinetry. If you don’t need much countertop space, you can substitute tall pantry cabinets for some of your base and wall cabinets.
• If you’re all about wide, open countertop space, do away with pantry or oven cabinets and keep all appliances below.

5. You Got This!

You may not consider yourself all that handy, but the smaller the room, the easier it is to remodel it yourself. Large home improvement stores carry pretty much everything you need and by buying off the shelf instead of paying a contractor, you’ll save lots of dough. Pick out your own flooring, cabinets, countertops and appliances right there in the store. Know your limitations, though, and hire a pro when you need it. Jobs like cutting countertops, installing plumbing fixtures and adding electrical receptacles may be well worth calling a contractor.

6. Bright Lights, Big Kitchen

Visually, extra lighting will do a lot to expand the feel of your kitchen. You can add more light by simply putting in brighter bulbs, installing under-the-cabinet halogen lights, opting for touch lighting or any number of light features.

Or go one step further and add natural light. If possible, think about putting a window or skylight in your kitchen. If you already have a window, consider expanding it to a larger size or installing an additional window. Skylights are great, but if you’ve got a second story overhead, then that may not be an option for you. In this case, you could always opt for a solar tube, which carries light from your rooftop through a tube and into a fixture on your ceiling, no matter which floor of the house you’re kitchen is on. View our gallery of kitchen lighting ideas.

7. Into the Deep

Regardless of how much we use our kitchens, we all overuse our countertops. They’re not only work surfaces, but also tend to become our mail-pile receptacles, job/work centers, small appliance stands, dish dryer areas and so on. To give your kitchen more work space, order countertops that are deeper than normal. The standard kitchen countertop is 25 inches deep (to cover a 24-inch cabinet with a 1-inch overhang).

If you special order your countertops, you can get them any size you like. Consider upgrading to 30 inches deep for counters that will butt up against walls and 36 inches for tops out in the open (i.e. kitchen islands).

8. Deeper Yet

And if you’re going to give yourself more countertop space, you might also consider ordering your kitchen cabinets deeper as well for additional storage. You’d be surprised how little you’ll miss that extra 6 inches of floor space, but you’ll definitely notice the space you gain in storage and work area.

9. Get Some Closure

You can save even more space by utilizing built-in features in your small kitchen. Built-ins come in many different forms – some can be found in-stock at the hardware store, while others may have to be special-ordered or custom-made.

Built-in appliances can be framed in to help them blend in with your cabinetry for a more continuous flow. There are also built-in pantries and appliance garages for extra storage space, built-in small storage features for foods (i.e. potatoes, onions and breads), and slide-out or pop-up built-in shelving for stashing small appliances, such as toasters and mixers.

10. Use the Nitty-Gritty

Take advantage of tight little spaces. Waste nothing. Put tilt-out trays behind the false drawer fronts on your sink cabinet and use it for holding your sponges, empty trash bags and other small items. If your wall cabinets stop short of a window or leave a gap between the cabinet tops and ceiling, use that space for anything you can. You might put up small shelves or hooks next to the window to hold cookbooks or hang cooking utensils. Rarely used fine China or serving platters can be stored on top of the cabinets. And don’t forget the gaps between the end of the countertop and an adjacent wall. The space may be tight, but it’s probably big enough to stash a mop or broom.

11 – Wow ‘Em with Style

Instead of worrying about trying to make your kitchen appear larger, you could just make a few bold choices that completely transform the look. While the space may still be small, the main impression of the room will change to “Wow!” You can do this by using bold contrasts between materials like the flooring, cabinetry, countertops and wall colors. You don’t want to blind your guests with neon, but choose some vibrant colors that really make the room pop and then accent some features with those colors.

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We’ve searched the web high and low for the most comprehensive photos. Check out these 5 fantastic kitchen remodel photo galleries below:

Kitchens.com – Here to help the homeowner gain as much knowledge as possible about kitchen design, Kitchens.com features tons of information, industry resources and a photo gallery filled with pictures, ideas and floor plans.

SeaPointe Construction – This construction company is geared specifically toward kitchen and bathroom remodeling in South Orange County, CA, but don’t let the geography fool you – they have an extensive kitchen photo gallery for your leisurely browsing. Organized by style categories, such as traditional, transitional and contemporary, you’ll likely find some great ideas here.

CalFinder – This online national service provider is dedicated to linking quality and qualified remodeling contractors with homeowners who are ready to make a change. Not only will you find the right contractor you need for any job, but everything else that pertains to home remodeling: tips and ideas, articles from the Remodeling Blog and of course, sparkling kitchen photo galleries.

My Home Renovation – This New York/New Jersey-based website is a full-service design and remodeling company geared toward becoming a nationally recognized treasure. In their attempt, they have compiled an impressive kitchen remodeling photo gallery that’s full of great ideas.

KSI Kitchen and Bath – Based in Michigan and Ohio, KSI specializes in kitchen and bathroom planning and design. Not only do they help with a kitchen project from plan to installation, but they also carry several lines of building products to simplify the process. For a clearer sense of what they can do – and better yet – what you can do, take a look at their FIVE kitchen photo galleries.

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But thanks to modern medicine (and a funky UK design company), you can order an I.V. drip for your dehydrated vegetation. The Vitamin I.V. Plant Pot is a whole watering system complete with a sleek and stylish planter, a metal stand and refillable hydrating bag. The pot itself comes in either black or white and is made from lightweight fiberglass. Its shape is unique, somewhat like a space shuttle capsule, but much shinier.

The metal stand adjusts to fit the size of your plant and looks so oddly realistic – just like what great granddad sports around the home. Very stylish indeed. The tubing regulator can be set according to your plants’ hydration needs. You even have the option of dripping plain water or water that’s been infused with dissolvable plant food or fertilizer.

I’m not sure how long one bag of liquid lasts, but you won’t need to remember refilling it nearly as often as you’d be hand-watering, so at least you’ve bought yourself a matter of weeks. One thing is for sure – I may be pretty good now at remembering to water my plants, but as I get older, it will surely be handy to have self-watering planters. And if my kids have any trouble remembering to keep me hydrated, they can just get another one for me!

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