Unique Kitchen Islands - Adelaide Benchtops

Everyone loves an island and we don't mean the one covered in palm trees touching the ocean. Nope! We're talking about kitchen islands. Here are some of our favourite kitchen benchtops right now. If you're looking for Adelaide benchtops, we can help. Send us a message on Facebook or through our website for a quote.

Why a kitchen island?

A kitchen island is a great solution if you don't have a lot of benchtop space. It provides additional benchtop space you may not have. Kitchen islands also act as a dining area or breakfast bar for friends and family. Of course, a kitchen island can also accommodate an additional sink, rinse area or cabinets. Islands can be built in all shapes and sizes. If you're looking for a kitchen island or Adelaide benchtops, Adelaide Kitchen Outdoors would love to turn your kitchen dreams into a reality.

Unique Kitchen Islands

Polished Concrete

Polished concrete is one of the most durable building materials out. It can with stand accidental bumps, scratches and spill. It comes in a range of colours and is suited to industrial and/or modern kitchens. READ: The Beauty of Polished Concrete or Benefits of Concrete Flooring.

Quartz

Quartz as a building material has really stood the test of time. Used in outdoor areas, kitchens and bathrooms, its versatility is a major plus. The uniqueness and beauty speaks for itself. Each slab of quartz is unique and the patterns within the slab add interest. Quartz comes in black/brown or grey/white.

Timber

Another classic building material, that's not only suitable for many styles but is also eco-friendly if it's reclaimed. This particular island has storage space for just about anything. If you like the idea of an island bench but don't have space, you can also get one on wheels that you can use when it's needed and wheel away when you're done.

3 Easy Ways to Make your Home Eco Friendly

Greener homes are the new black. As awareness of climate change, the impact of single-use plastics and landfill control increases so has our desire to be part of the solution, not the problem. There are plenty of simple things you can do in your home that will make a huge difference to the planet. Here are just 3 easy ways to make your home eco-friendly.

Grow your greens

Use wood pallets to create your own veggie patch. Growing your own veggies will reduce your plastic/packaging waste and you'll start eating homegrown, pesticide-free veggies! If you're nervous about becoming the next Ole Mac Donald, start small. Start by growing your own herbs and 'easy-to-grow' veggies like lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, bell peppers and tomatoes.

If you don't have a lot of backyard space, try a vertical herb wall.

Compost posthaste

Keep a compost bin near the kitchen door or in your kitchen with eco-bags to collect green waste. Pop the bag in your green bin where it will be composted to grow more fresh fruit and veg. You may think that your veggie cut-offs will be just fine rotting away in a landfill, but there actually isn't enough oxygen for veggies to decompose properly in a landfill. For greens to properly decompose they need space and the right space to do so. Make your own compost bin using wooden pallets.

Image source: Somerlap

That's a wrap

Ditch the cling wrap and use bee's wax or vegan food wraps. Pieces of fabric are soaked in wax, making them mouldable (but not sticky) to wrap around bowls, plates or mugs. They usually come in a range of sizes to accommodate your crockery. You can also wrap your fruit, veggies or sandwiches using the wrap. This should cut down plastic use in your home big time!

Tips for Reducing Plastics in the Home

When a problem seems so big, it feels like the only way to fix it is with a big solution. But single-use plastic waste can be easily reduced or better managed through some simple changes in your home. Start small. Sometimes it's the small things that have a great impact. Here are our tips for reducing plastics in the home room by room.

Kitchen

Go for glass!

Opt for glass or stainless steel containers instead of plastic. Although some plastics are recyclable, they aren't recyclable forever. They can often only be recycled between one and three times before they end up landfill. Glass can be recycled seven to nine times more than plastic.

Poo poo the pods!

Avoid using coffee pods in the kitchen. Many of them cannot be recycled at all. Although some coffee pods (like Nespresso coffee pods) are recyclable, many of them don't actually get recycled and therefore end up in landfill anyway. Instead of using coffee pods, use filter coffee.

That's a wrap

Instead of cling wrap, use bee's wax or vegan wax food covers. There are many overseas and local suppliers of this product. Try using re-useable sandwich bags too. Hello Fred has some great reusable sandwich bags (and other eco-friendly baby products.)

Bedroom and Living Room

Be mindful

When purchasing products for your home, be mindful of their source and content. Try purchase ethical products that are low in plastic or that can be recycled or re-used (like wood products). Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens uses a lot of reclaimed jetty timber in their products and can create custom furniture from reclaimed wood.

Be minimalist

Living with less is kind to the environment and kind to your wallet. The money spent buying and maintaining things can be used to buy experiences. New furniture or products are wrapped up in heaps of cardboard and plastic so buying second hand is also a good idea!

Bathroom

Go green clean!

Make your own body wash using sugar and coconut oil. The ingredients can be purchased in bulk and last for ages. Use bi-carb and vinegar to clean the bathroom reducing plastic waste and saving your lungs from harmful chemicals.

Colour Appliances That Make Your Kitchen Pop

Colour Appliances That Make Your Kitchen Pop

We all go through phases. And when the change isn’t in the haircut, it’s something we look for in the spaces we live in. Usually folk think that change in the kitchen requires costly and time-consuming renovations. To everyone’s relief, it is not.Here are a few ideas, design tips and appliance brands to consider when getting that change you’ve been wanting with minimal effort and just a pop of colour.

Start small

If you feel that there’s just a little something missing but you’re not ready for massive changes, look for smaller appliances that will give that colour pop. SMEG offers cheery, vintage-inspired appliances like kettles, toasters and traditional mixers in colours ranging from the traditional pastel colours to funky, vibrant colours. Not only will this particular brand provide what you’re looking for, but their quality and overall presentation is also a step above the rest.

Seasonal hues are in

Colours representing the seasons of the year have made their way on to kitchen appliances. There is something incredibly satisfying about walking into a kitchen that treats your eyes to the colours of your favourite season, even if the outdoors don’t match. BLUESTAR has over 759 colours available in their appliances, including refrigerators. They’ve also come out with their seasonal pallets, one being the Autumn Abundance pallet which sports colours of turmeric, spelt, bluefish and orange.

Build up the buttercup

A yellow on the walls can be a bit too loud for everyday space, and quite cliche for an area where you consume food. However, a soft buttercup yellow when used in the right way and with your appliances can give your kitchen the facelift it needs and bring in a warm and inviting light. The pastel yellow traditionally gives a 50’s look and appliances from NORTHSTAR provides a retro-inspired look. The overall feel is soft, cheerful and elegant. Match the buttercup appliances with some white cabinets and a colourful, loud backsplash wall and you’re in for business.

Mixing the old with the new

We’re big into the come back of the gorgeous olive green. Used frequently in the 70’s, this colour brings depth and earthiness to your space. Pair an olive green SMEG stove with white cabinets and silver or marble backsplash to give a very simple but very effective and classy pop of colour to your kitchen.Also fitting in with the retro-mod mode is the collection from Veronaappliances. Their burgundy duel fuel double oven range provides an entirely unique look with the perfect accent colors to up liven up your kitchen.

Trending with Citron yellow

If it’s in your blood, a more dramatic look can be obtained by using two contrasting colors. Again SMEG comes in with a citron yellow for its appliances. Pair this color with dark gray or midnight blue cabinets and walls to give a dramatic, artistic and vibrant finish.Colorful appliances are truly the perfect way to bring the change that you’re wanting. There are endless options of brands and colors to perfectly fit your needs and wants.

5 Kitchen Cabinet Handles You Need to Know About

5 kitchen Cabinet Handles You Need to Know About

Kitchen handles and knobs and finding the right fit for your style and your home may be more important than you think. They’re about beauty and functionality and can provide the perfect finish to your kitchen space as well as make access to your cabinets and drawers effortless and convenient.With all the thousands of styles and materials used, there are 5 handles to look out for and consider adding to your kitchen.

Stainless steel bar pull

Great for a modern kitchen, the pull bar is sleek and may work perfectly for the minimalist. The round shapes of the bar give a contrast to the 90-degree shape of the cabinets and drawers. Easy to grab and soft to the touch. Be wary of the length of the pull- you’ll want something on the lengthier side, again for easy grip, this also lends itself to design.

Crisscross rope

A trend which has come about is the use of rope crisscrossed to shape a pull. The look definitely lends itself to a more rustic, earthy kitchen design. It provides a beautiful and original look. Bare in mind the grip may be a nuisance and depending on the finish/protectant on the rope, it may wear easily. Being rope though, it is easily replaceable.

The gold bar

Going gold can give your space elegance and class. The colour provides enough oomph to be the accent colour and can be used throughout the space, contrasted with more simple colours that aren’t loud. White cabinets with turquoise or periwinkle and gold accents work brilliantly. A gold bar may not be the best option if you have little ones running around. Being on cabinets and drawers, the sharp corners become a potential hazard for head bonks.

Don’t forget the knobs

Kitchen cabinet knobs are important to consider for your space. While some folk find them more of a hassle for everyday use due to a lesser grip (depending on the knob), there is a huge variety of styles and shapes that you may fall in love with. For a more artsy space, porcelain knobs with floral or abstract patterns can become the main attraction in the kitchen.  A square, wooden knob works for a more rustic or modern space.

The cup handle

Cup handles can come in various metals and materials. They provide an easy grip, give an aesthetic of elegance and work well with almost all kitchen styles. Take into consideration the hand to cup size ratio of the household. Sometimes they can be too small for some members of the house to grab on to so make sure they are a decent size. Copper cup handles to give your space an exquisite and unique touch.Figure out which pull or knob works best for your lifestyle and needs when considering functionality. Always remember comfort, finish and don’t break the bank getting the perfect look. There is more often than not something for you in all styles.

5 Dog Friendly Garden Features

When it comes to dogs, what they find appealing doesn’t quite match up with what we do.Here are a few ideas for outdoor dog friendly features and designs that will delight both you and your pooch.

5. Keep the water flowing

A fantastic feature to add to your garden is a small fountain or pond. This is great for you aesthetically, it’s peaceful to listen to and your dog will always have water to drink. Be sure to keep the water clean. It will be hugely beneficial to have a feature that has a system which processes and cleans the water and then refuses it. Maybe give the fish a skip if you're worried your fish pets may turn into dog sushi.

4. Available shade and shelter

Your favourite tree can provide beauty to your garden as well as a spot for your dog to rest and cool down under. Tarps can also add a bohemian look to your outdoor space and will benefit everyone lounging outside on a warm day.

3. Add some paths

Dogs love to explore and wonder, they also make use of paths brilliantly. Create a path that both you and your dog can enjoy. Be sure to use comfortable materials! Use materials that won’t overhead and burn your dogs paws or catch onto its fur. Mulch and small bark chips make for a natural and easy to create path.

2. Safety first

Of course always bare in mind your dogs safety. Go for a fence that lends itself to your personal style, ties all elements of your garden together and provides a safe space for your dog to roam around in. Try a white picket fence if you’re going for a cottage look or sleek horizontal boards for a more contemporary look.

1. Something just for them

Granted your dog doesn’t bark at every little sound or falling leaf, one can give him or her their own personal window in a fence to peak out of. Or perhaps you’re aware of what your dog enjoys during play time, create a play area designed specifically for them. Make use of plants and hardscaping to create obstacles to weave through, to balance on or tunnels to roam through.*Remember to always know which plants can be fatal if ingested by your dog.The possibilities are endless when thinking up a space for both you and your furry friend. Create a beautiful space that works for both you and for them. 

8 Amazing Outdoor Trends for 2019

Outdoor is the new indoor when it comes to trending out your space. Having an outside space that allows peace, tranquillity and aesthetics is what it’s all about. Here are a few outdoor trends to incorporate in to your outside space.

8. Traditional craft, new materials and durable fabrics

Combine the new with the old while making sure the materials are both eco-friendly, attractive and durable. What used to be seen in your living room, outdoor design is adapting. This allows you to create an extension of your home with a different dynamic.

7. Mixed materials

It’s the year to incorporate a little bit of everything. Expect to see combinations of rope, timber, metal and upholstery in 2019- think powder-coated metal frame with rope detail and an earthy fabric. The same effect will be created by using gracefully aged and contemporary materials.

6. Entanglement with nature

Another trend into your 2019 outdoor makeover is the contrasting pairing of nature with hardscape instillation. A great example of this the use of porcelain pavers spaced out with strips of grass to create a checker-board or stepping stone pattern.

5. Chunky timber

Expect to start seeing furniture design that uses chunky timbers. Whether it be in tables, side tables or sofas- timber is making its way into 2019’s outdoor must haves.

4. Modular sofas

Modular sofas are great for both indoor and outdoor spaces. They’re multi-functional and easy to move around and can therefore adapt to suit your changing design needs and wants.

3. Neutral colours

Minimalism has reached popularity around the world and for a great reason. Have only what you use and need. This way of life has encouraged a growing use of more neutral colours. These colours provide more light and air. Giving a calm, clean feel to your space. These colours also contrast beautifully with the colours naturally present in the outdoors.

2. Powder coated aluminium

Another element that provides contrasting effects that compliment each other is powder coated aluminium. The industrial look combined with neutral colours from your furniture and decor and that which nature provides is definitely the thing to add to your outside area this year.

1. Blurring transitions

A great trend to take note of is the blurring transitions between indoor and outdoor. This is accomplished with fully folding walls and screens that allow (for example) a family room to open up seamlessly to your outdoor area. This is also happening with kitchen areas which can open up to the outdoors at the flick of a switch.One of the beauties of design is that it is ever evolving. These points are a great start to your design year and we’re excited to see what else is to come.

5 Ways to Make Your Kitchen Look and Feel Bigger

A huge amount of space in the kitchen certainly does help but can result in more mess and isn’t always necessary. Here are 5 minor adjustments that will result in your kitchen looking and feeling bigger.Use patternsIf you have a gallery style kitchen, patterns on the narrow floor will help to open that bad boy right up by making it appear longer and more spread out. Also use patterns on the walls - this adds dimension and the illusion of more space.Open and adjust shelvingGetting rid of wall cabinets and opening up and spreading out the storage space makes the room appear bigger. By adjusting shelving, you are maximising storage space and can neatly organise what you store. Make sure you’re organised and your taller items are behind shorter ones and you’re utilising storage helpers. Condense the items and don’t have the spread out, actually giving you more space but also giving you the feeling of having it.Create wealthMirrors create the illusion of more space and the number of stove burners are said to symbolize wealth. So while adding feng shui and used in a sophisticated way, placing a mirror behind your burner multiples the effect of more space and wealth by reflection. It also puts you in command of your own kitchen by giving you a view as to what is happening behind you.Get rid of what you don’t needAssess what you do and don’t use and clear your space by removing what hasn’t ever been used or hasn’t been used in some time. Decluttering makes your kitchen feel bigger and actually opens up more space.Counter clearKeep as little as possible on the counters. Even with the biggest of kitchen work spaces can appear small with unnecessary clutter. Store a few everyday appliances on the counters such as the coffee machine, a toaster and perhaps a knife block. Everything else can be neatly organised and stored away in drawers and cupboards.A smaller kitchen, while not always convenient, can be made to have everything you need and can feel a lot cozier.