Blog posts of '2021' 'October'

Installing a splashback can be a great way of minimising mess in the kitchen. As the name suggests, decorative splashbacks are designed primarily with a practical purpose in mind.

They pick up the kinds of spills, splatters and splashes you would prefer not to set into your walls as permanent stains.

Quality splashbacks are also designed to be as easy as possible to clean and maintain. But just as is the case with the rest of the kitchen, some approaches to cleaning are more efficient than others.

With this in mind, here is a brief rundown of five simple yet effective guidelines for keeping your splashback and kitchen clean and serene:

1. Clean as You Go

It is far easier to give your splashback a regular wipe than to clean it intensively on occasion. What is great about kitchen splashbacks is how most everyday mess can be wiped away with nothing more than a damp cloth. Or perhaps, a quick squirt of an approved kitchen cleaner. The same also applies to all worktops and services around the kitchen. The longer you allow grease and grime to accumulate, the more difficult it becomes to remove. You will save time, effort and money by getting in the habit of cleaning as you go.

2. Go for a Minimalist Look

The sleek and sophisticated appearance of a kitchen splashback can be perfect for a minimalist kitchen. Minimalism is a desirable contemporary design trend which basically involves removing anything that does not need to be out in the open. De-cluttering and keeping things simple holds the key to a kitchen that is easy to clean. The less bits and pieces there are taking up space, the less there is to accumulate grease and grime.

3. Keep Your Tools Close to Hand

Instilling good habits where kitchen cleanliness is concerned is all about convenience. This is where it can be helpful to ensure your cleaning equipment is close to hand at all times. For a kitchen splashback, this could be anything from a pack of glass cleaning wipes to a bottle of kitchen cleaner to paper towels and so on.

4. Share the Workload

It is often said that a problem shared is a problem halved. In which case, why not share the workload with the other occupants of your household? You could perhaps delegate the duty of cleaning your kitchen splashback to your child or spouse; all members of the household benefit in some way from the kitchen, so everyone should contribute. Assigning responsibilities so everybody knows what is expected of them can be far better than handing out tasks.

Homeowners often assume that a kitchen can either be contemporary or cosy. The appeal of a minimalist modern kitchen is huge, but so too is the allure of something more classical.

In which case, is there a way of combining the two? Despite the fact that they may sit at opposite ends of the interior design spectrum, is it possible to create a modern kitchen that also feels cosy?

The short answer is yes, and it can also be surprisingly simple.

Choosing the Right Colours

Colour choice has perhaps the biggest impact of all on the look and feel of a kitchen. Even in a kitchen with predominantly contemporary design traits, colours like grey, blue and black can create a cosy and comfortable feel. The same can also be said for the installation of an elegant glass splashback presented in a colour that complements its surroundings. Particularly where a kitchen is predominantly white or painted in brighter colours, the introduction of something darker can completely transform the mood.

Layout Adjustments

It can be tricky to make a kitchen feel cosy when it has an open-plan layout. Open-plan kitchens are fantastically practical, but can sometimes feel sterile and devoid of character. This is where making adjustments to the layout of the kitchen can make a big difference, perhaps positioning furniture and fixtures in such a way as to create zones. Simple touches like bringing in large floor rugs and freestanding furniture can make a real difference, transforming an open plan kitchen into something much more cosy and classical in appearance. It is basically a case of taking a step away from the clinical and minimalist to focus on comfort and atmosphere.

Add Some Traditional Ornaments

The same effect can be created by bringing a selection of carefully-chosen ornaments and accessories into the space. Pottery and glassware in particular can be great for bringing personality into a kitchen, as can vintage canisters and a near-endless range of retro adornments. Swapping out contemporary cookware for more traditional equipment can also make a difference, as can retro-looking appliances and electronics added to your countertops.

Try Adding Texture

The kitchen is not normally the first place you think of where soft furnishings and fabrics are concerned. Nevertheless, these are exactly the kinds of things that can make all the difference in the world, if looking to boost the comfort and cosiness of your kitchen. Plump cushions, thick curtains and floor rugs all have the power to completely transform the look and feel of the space.

Open Display Cabinets

Switching out your cabinet doors for glass panels, or even removing them entirely will instantly bring character and personality to your kitchen. One of the most quintessential kitchen designs of years gone by is open cabinets and shelves, proudly displaying the crockery, tableware and glassware within. The modern minimalist kitchen is all about keeping things hidden classical and cosy.

Splashbacks in general have the potential to be hugely advantageous. They look great, they provide a robust layer of protection for your surfaces and they’re surprisingly easy to install. But when it comes to the various material choices available, toughened glass splashbacks take some beating. Considered by many to be the gold standard, toughened glass splashbacks can make the perfect addition to any classical and contemporary kitchen.
As for what makes this particular material the choice for the discerninghouseholds, key features and advantages to consider include the following:

Unbeatable Hygiene
First up, it’s the importance of good hygiene standards in the kitchen. One of the biggest benefits of toughened glass is the way in which it is 100% non- porous, making it completely impervious to grease, bacteria and general grime. Nothing is able to make its way beneath the surface, making it easy to keep things clean with a quick wipe. In addition, you’re able to use a wide variety of cleaning products with toughened glass, without risking damaging the material. It is therefore one of the most hygienic choices for the kitchen, where bacteria and germs could build quickly on other materials.

Heat and Impact Resistant
The average kitchen is a pretty heavy-duty place, where surfaces and wall coverings are put through their paces. High temperatures, sharp objects, rapid temperature changes - all things that have the potential to take a toll on most surface materials.
With toughened glass, you are looking at a protective coating with the resistance of up to 400° C. It is also an extremely durable material, which won’t crack or chip when occasionally bashed with a pot or pan. In fact, the likelihood of damaging a toughened kitchen splashback while going about your daily business is practically zero.

Long-Term Value for Money
With little to no maintenance required, a good glass splashback has the potential to last a lifetime. This makes it one of the most cost-effective home improvements you can perform in your kitchen, in terms of long-term value for money.
Toughened glass splashbacks are easy to fit, with no specialist tools or equipment required, after which, it takes little more than an occasional wipe to
keep your splashback in pristine condition. Choose the highest-quality splashback for your kitchen and it could still be doing its job and looking great
decades from now.

Aesthetic Appeal
Last up, the aesthetic appeal of a quality kitchen splashback is undeniable. This counts double where custom splashbacks are concerned, which can be personalised in a variety of ways to suit your home. Elegant, sophisticated and timeless, glass splashbacks can bring a touch of luxury into any kitchen. All coupled with the kind of practicality that can make all the difference, in what tends to be the highest-traffic room of the entire home.