Kitchen Design

As we move into the exciting year 2024, the world of kitchen design continues to change. This is the start of a new age of style and innovation. New trends are coming out that promise to change the heart of our homes by combining usefulness and style. The kitchen used to be seen as a place that was only used for cooking, but now it's a symbol of modern living, where style and function work together perfectly. We expect a shift toward eco-friendly and long-lasting materials in the coming year, as more and more people look for ways to make their homes more environmentally aware. Smart technology and sleek minimalism are going to be big trends, making daily chores easier and more productive. In addition to being useful, the kitchen is ready to become an artistic space, with bright colors, complex patterns, and unusual textures making a grand entry. Smart Technology Integration In the realm of kitchen design for 2024, smart technology takes center stage, revolutionizing the way we interact with our culinary spaces. The integration of intelligent kitchen appliances marks a significant shift towards a more streamlined and interconnected kitchen experience. Picture a refrigerator that not only keeps your perishables fresh but also alerts you when items are running low, or an oven that suggests recipes based on the ingredients you have on hand. These innovations not only enhance efficiency but also make daily kitchen tasks more intuitive and enjoyable. Sustainable Materials The year 2024 witnesses a profound shift

Kitchen appliances are an integral element of any kitchen design. These home staples will be used regularly and need to be purchased with serious thought. This can make the process of upgrading kitchen appliances a little daunting for many consumers, so here we will explore this topic further with this simple guide. Assess Your Needs Replacing your kitchen appliances is the ideal opportunity to upgrade. Do you find your old stove frustrating as you can’t cook a full Thanksgiving meal? Is your icebox too small? Do you struggle to fill a standard dishwasher cycle? There are so many options for new appliances and you will be able to find the ones that perfectly suit your needs. Unless you plan on changing your cabinets, you will be restricted to the existing space in your kitchen, but many newer appliances can retain a standard size, yet allow greater functionality. For example, there are now standard 24” size dishwashers that have a 14, 15 or even 16 place setting capacity. Once you know what you need from your new appliances, you will be able to shop more effectively. Think About Bundling Bundling appliances can make a significant difference to the costs involved in upgrading. Therefore, it is a good idea to look at buying more than one appliance from the same retailer in one purchase. If you are thinking about replacing a single appliance, try to anticipate your imminent future needs to make some savings with bundling. Bundling can also help to ensure

Find the right place for your microwave Creative Design in the Kitchen One of a design professional's enduring issues with microwave ovens is where to locate them. Many designers fight the idea of locating the microwave over a range or in an upper cabinet. They argue (correctly in my mind), that it is not ergonomically sound for most homemakers because it is too high, and it's certainly not ADA compliant in an over the range location. One solution is an oven microwave combination. It's certainly doable, but it does require a 24" deep cabinet top to bottom instead of the more common 12" upper cabinet over the counter. However, a microwave above the oven is also likely to put the microwave controls a bit too high, and certainly not ADA compliant or universal design. An option we've discussed before is an under counter installation. The main disadvantage of installing a microwave under the counter is that the microwave oven is too low. Manufacturers have worked to overcome this with a slide out drawer and/or controls that are rotated upward. That's a great solution. Here is another possibility that builders or designers could work into their plan. I really like this one. Nearly any brand or model of countertop or even drawer microwave oven will fit in this location. This particular Jenn-Air is designed as a built-in microwave, and is available in either a 30" or 27" width. The raised granite breakfast bar is also super convenient. Of course this design

Kitchen BacksplashesMake your kitchen standout with unique backsplash colors and designsThe kitchen wall space above countertops and below the upper cabinets, is a great place to add color and creative touches, and contrast. Here are a few examples: Subway Tile continues to be very popular. In addition to the traditional white tiles that you see in...well in subways, these tiles are now available in a variety of colors, sizes and finishes. Glass patterns and mosaic tiles can be used to tie-in to other kitchen colors, and provide contrast at the same time. Range backsplashes provide another opportunity for differentiation. If you choose any material other than tile or glass to go behind a range or cooktop, be certain that it is heat resistant. You should also consider if you'll face any special cleaning issues due to smoke coming off the range. The space behind appliances and countertops, can get dirty quickly. On a practical side, glass and ceramic tiles can make cleaning a breeze. Choose materials carefully, and consider sealing your grout.The nice thing about backsplashes is that you get to determine how much contrast and color you wish to add, and where. Even if you're not doing a major kitchen remodel, adding or replacing a backsplash can give you an entirely new "look".Of course, another way to achieve a new look in your kitchen, is with new appliances, or sinks and faucets. For the best availability and lowest prices on major appliances and plumbing fixtures contact the professionals at

Launch Party Hosted at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center 12050 Ventura Blvd.Studio City, CA. 91604on July 10, 2014, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Come mingle with the best of the best and learn how easy it is to enter. KITCHEN DESIGN CONTEST LAUNCH PARTY! Enjoy fabulous food and creative cocktails while discovering the many different local and national prizes you can win. Sub-Zero and Wolf will also announce their new Trade Rewards Program that gives you points every time you spec Sub-Zero and Wolf. Points may be redeemed for luxurious prizes, including trips, shopping sprees, photo shoots and more. You’ll receive Trade Rewards points just for attending the launch party! Take advantage of: $145,000 in KDC prizes Free private photo shoot for your entries Our new Trade Rewards programs Luxurious gifts And did we mention cocktails? RSVP to Melissa Auten: Melissa.Auten@subzero.com or 657.269.5874 For information on major appliances and plumbing fixtures contact the professionals at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center. Two locations to serve you - Calabasas and Studio City: We Deliver and InstallAll Major Appliances877-696-2982 Studio City12050 Ventura Blvd.818-755-1111 Calabasas26767 Aguora Rd.818-880-0011 Showroom Hours:Mon-Sat. 9 AM to 6 PMSun 11 AM to 6 PM Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center facebook twitter

One of the last kitchen appliance choices that customers make is often the ventilation system. It is, nevertheless, a very important choice. The reason that the kitchen is the most frequently painted room in a house is because of wall discoloration or grease buildup, often caused by ineffective ventilation.The considerations on choosing your hood or vent include ducting method, vent type, location, vent volume (cfm), sound level, style, and as always budget.  Hood ducting methods may be to the outside or it may be re-circulating. Hood vent types include undercabinet mount, wall mount, island hood, liner inserts, and downdraftVent location will vary from blowers located inside the hood enclosure or located remotely.Vent hood volume is determined by the volume of air at a certain speed = cfm = cubic feet per minute.Sound levels for hoods are measured in sones.Hood styles vary greatly. An attractive hood vent can be a focal point of the kitchenHood prices can vary from a production budget model to a luxury European built custom hood costing thousands of dollars.As you can see, there is much more to making a good vent hood selection than meets the eye. Avoid making the mistake of choosing a vent hood that won't do the job you need. To review the selection of hoods at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center click on the links below for the vent hood type of your choice:Undercabinet HoodsWall Mount HoodsIsland HoodsLiner Insert HoodsDowndraft HoodsConsult the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center to make the

The term galley kitchen refers to kitchens located against a single wall or in a corridor. Galley kitchens may connote an economy apartment. However, space limitations don't necessarily dictate style, perfomance, or quality in a kitchen remodel. A galley kitchen in a home might have a wall with a sink, dishwasher, freestanding range, and micro-hood located in a row as in the picture above. It might also feature a cooktop with an oven below and a built-in or counter-depth refrigerator as in the first picture below. Or a luxury galley kitchen could include a pro range with a custom hood enclosure and integrated built-in refrigerator with cabinet panels. The constraints are not entry level, mid-market, or luxury. Just as in any kitchen it's a matter of what works where, fits your budget, and is best for your home value and kitchen needs. Consult your design expert and then talk to the appliance experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center. Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center 12025 Ventura Blvd. Ste B-105 Studio City, CA 91604 PH 877 696-2987

There's an old kitchen design principle called the work triangle. Refrigerator, range, and dishwasher make up a triangle and need to be located within a certain proximity of each other. But rules are made to be broken and there is a new trend in kitchen design that has appliances being located in new and sometimes unusual locations. For example, Sub Zero and other manufacturers now offer undercounter refrigerator and freezer drawers, beverage centers, ice makers, and wine cellars. Families can now use a small refrigerator in a refreshment area so the kids to get cold snacks when they come home from school. Freezers drawers in the pantry area can be used for long term food storage. The entertainment area can feature an ice-maker along with the wine cellar, and dish drawers next to the sink in the wet bar. Microwave drawers, warming drawers, built-in coffee makers, and duct-free downdraft cooktops also open up new location opportunities. The key is that design should be about how you want to live, and not follow outdated rules. For new ideas in appliances, visit Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center at 12050 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA. 91604, PH 877 696-2982