A tiled mirror in the kitchen serves as a splash guard behind the stove and the sink and thus protects the wall behind from dirt. Tiles are also a design element and can also enhance the look of your kitchen furnishings. Here you can find out which tiles are suitable for a tile mirror in the kitchen and how to cut and attach the tiles.

What is a tile mirror?

A tile mirror refers to tiles attached to a wall. Tile mirrors can mainly be found in the kitchen above the stove and the sink. The tile strip does not reach the floor but usually ends behind the kitchen cupboards. Even in modern bathrooms, tiles are now often installed instead of completely tiling walls.

Choosing the right tiles

The different materials available have their advantages and disadvantages. Not all tiles are suitable for a tile mirror in the kitchen.

Earthenware:
These tiles are glazed and impermeable to water. They can be easily processed in a tile mirror.

Porcelain stoneware:
These tiles can be laid indoors and outdoors – also in an outdoor summer kitchen. They are frost-resistant and very tough. However, you shouldn’t treat them with wax or gloss cleaner.

Stoneware:
These tiles are also ideal for indoor use and are usually of high quality. The resistance is somewhat lower than that of porcelain stoneware tiles.

Ceramic:
Ceramic is ideal for a tile mirror in the kitchen. It is water and dirt repellent. The tiles are available unglazed or glazed. The colors of different batches can vary slightly. So when buying, you should make sure that you buy tiles from a batch so that your tiled area looks uniform in the kitchen.

Faience:
This handcrafted ceramic is also suitable for the kitchen and bathroom. These are available in countless decors that offer versatile design options for your kitchen. However, the thin tiles are prone to breakage. You should consider this when buying and purchase a few more tiles.

Porcelain:
The material is suitable for heavily used walls. It is insensitive to stains, can also be treated with chemical cleaning agents, and is therefore very easy to care for.

Terracotta:
Terracotta tiles are not suitable for a tile mirror in the kitchen due to their porosity and high maintenance requirements. Instead, the terracotta tiles are often used as floor tiles.

Correctly plan tile mirrors for the kitchen

The advantage of a tiled mirror in the kitchen: it is usually a manageable surface with straight edges. Therefore, with a little skill, such a splash guard can be easily attached without a professional craftsman.

Before you start cutting and installing the tiles, you should draw up an installation plan to determine the tile needs. This is especially true if you need to cut tiles to master sockets or corners, or if you want to add a tile mirror with a specific pattern.

For further information about kitchen cabinets, countertops or to add granite, marble, or quartz countertops to your kitchen, call Potomac Kitchen & Bath Now! You can also make a free appointment to get service in:

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A kitchen island is often an integral part of an open kitchen. Depending on the equipment, the island can be used for cooking, as an additional work surface, or for eating itself. How you can plan the kitchen island and much more, you will find out in this guide.

How big should you plan a kitchen island?

The size of a kitchen island depends a lot on the size of the kitchen. In theory, there is no upper limit. Note, however, that the depth should not be less than that of a typical countertop. That is at least 80 cm deep

The island shouldn’t be too deep and wide either, so that you can easily reach every place on the kitchen island. In addition, choose them only so large that you avoid unnecessary walking distances.

In general, the following applies: A large family who likes to cook a lot needs a larger cooking island than a single household.

Plan the distance between the kitchen unit and the cooking island

Plan the distance between the kitchen unit and the cooking island
There should be at least four feet of space between the kitchen island and the surrounding cabinets and work areas. In this way, two opposing drawers can be conveniently opened at the same time and all users have sufficient space and freedom of movement in the kitchen.

How expensive is a kitchen island?

A kitchen with a cooking island starts at a few thousand dollars. The specific price ultimately depends on the size of the kitchen, the built-in appliances and the desired materials as well as the general product quality

It gets more expensive if you want to use the kitchen island for cooking and washing up. Then the corresponding connections are added. To do this, the floor usually has to be opened in order to lay all the necessary connecting cables.

If you decide to make a higher investment, you will usually buy a more comfortable and durable kitchen with a kitchen island. When it comes to kitchens, it is usually worth thinking twice about a higher quality model.

What material should the kitchen island be made of?

When choosing the materials, use your existing kitchen unit as a guide. If you want a completely new fitted kitchen, it is best to buy everything from one manufacturer or to choose a model that goes together

But stylistic contrasts can also be something to look at. For example, choose the wooden kitchen fronts and combine them with a stainless steel kitchen island. White plastic for the fronts and a kitchen island with a slate look or in an industrial style also go well together.

Ultimately, the choice of materials depends on your taste and the desired quality: do you prefer modern, rustic or Scandinavian style?

What material should the kitchen island be made of?

When choosing the materials, use your existing kitchen unit as a guide. If you want a completely new fitted kitchen, it is best to buy everything from one manufacturer or to choose a model that goes together.

But stylistic contrasts can also be something to look at. For example, choose the wooden kitchen fronts and combine them with a granite kitchen island. White plastic for the fronts and a kitchen island with a slate look or in an industrial style also go well together.

Ultimately, the choice of materials depends on your taste and the desired quality: What type of style do you prefer?

Which countertop for the kitchen island?

When it comes to countertops, you have a wide range of choices. Stainless steel scores with high heat resistance and hygiene. However, the material is delicate. Scratches can be seen quickly.

A surface made of ceramic is robust against scratches. It doesn’t even bother with acids. However, it costs more. Another option is plastic. Plastic worktops are very easy to care for. They are also offered in many designs and are usually cheaper.

Surfaces made of wood or stone are classics. The same applies to robust natural stone such as quartz, marble or granite.

Especially with large projects, such as the kitchen renovation, there are many work steps that you or the craftsman have to do. In order not to lose track of outstanding work or materials, you should plan everything carefully in advance.

From the selection of the fitted kitchen to the delivery and installation of the new appliances and kitchen units, you leave nothing to chance.

A step-by-step plan, which you can use as a guide during your kitchen renovation, is helpful for good planning.

Renovate the kitchen- 8 steps

Thoroughly plan the kitchen

If you want kitchen renovation, extensive planning is essential. This organization not only includes the actual kitchen planning, but also all other work that has to be organized and carried out.

If you are planning the furnishing of your new kitchen with us, you will discuss with your advisor which works on the room should be done yourself.

Make appointments

If you have ordered the new kitchen equipment and the delivery time has been determined, you can arrange the appropriate dates with the necessary craftsmen. If work is still pending on the room, this should be completed before delivery.

Keep in mind that many craftsmen have full-order books. So you should plan at least one to two months in advance and ask for appointments. The earlier you inquire about and make an appointment, the greater the likelihood that your renovation will go smoothly.

Dispose of old devices

If you want to replace your kitchen with all the electrical appliances, you have to take care of the disposal of the old appliances. If these are still intact, you can either give them away or offer the old devices for sale online.

Even with defective devices, with a bit of luck, you will find a tinkerer who will remove and repair your old oven or stove. If this doesn’t work, you can take it to the nearest recycling center.

If necessary, you can also agree that the old appliances will be taken with you when the new kitchen is delivered. So you don’t have to take care of the disposal yourself, just plan how to store the old devices during the renovation.

Organize an alternative kitchen

For the duration of the renovation, you should think about how you can prepare food alternatively. If you don’t want to use restaurants or delivery services during the renovation, you can pre-cook your food and store it in a freezer or refrigerator. During the renovation, you warm up food in the microwave, for example.

Alternatively, you can buy mobile stoves or borrow them from friends. You will use these to prepare food during the renovation.

Keep in mind that the dishwasher and sink cannot be used. For a while, for example, you can use a large plastic tub to wash your dishes in it.

If you want kitchen renovation in winter, food can be cooled on the balcony or terrace. In summer, you shouldn’t dispose of your old refrigerator before your new one has been delivered. Just move it to another room while you work. Make sure to use cardboard or a towel to protect the floor from pressure marks.

Create space to work

If the delivery date for the kitchen is approaching, you clear everything aside that could stand in the way of the kitchen fitters. Make sure to protect sensitive wooden or tile floors with blankets or painter’s fleece. You can hang up annoying doors during the renovation.

If your kitchen is smaller, it is best to create a place outside the room where the fitters can put their tools. Here, too, make sure to protect the floor from scratches and pressure marks.

Check delivery

On the day of delivery, you take a close look at the furniture and electrical appliances. Make sure that what you ordered was actually delivered and installed. If something is wrong, make a note of it and have the supplier acknowledge it for you.

Assess the assembly work

Once the kitchen fitters are done, don’t let them go right away. While they’re there, examine his work:

Do all new power tools work?
Are all the joints perfect?
Are the water connections installed correctly?
Do all doors, drawers, and drawers open and close properly?
Are all kitchen cabinets reinstalled?
Is the wood of the new facades and shelves scratch-free?
Is the new bank perfect?
Are all handles installed correctly?
If there is a problem, you can write to the installer to confirm it.

Complain about defects

If you only notice something that has not been properly implemented after the fitters have left, contact the company or our customer service. The best thing to do is to do this in writing and provide photos of the defects that have been addressed. Describe exactly what you are complaining about and set a deadline for resolving it.

Kitchen countertops come in many materials – which one you choose depends on your requirements and your taste. This guide gives you an overview of the most common materials like granite.

Requirements for the kitchen countertops material

Your kitchen countertop is one of the most heavily used items in your home. When cooking, splashes and stains, scratches and nicks are inevitable over the long term. In the latter in particular, dirt particles settle. The higher quality the countertop in your kitchen, the better it repels dirt. Worktops made of natural materials such as natural stone or wood are particularly easy to care for.

Countertops made of granite or other stone are particularly insensitive and robust. They are break-proof, easy to care for, durable and insensitive to scratches, stains and heat.

Stone Kitchen Countertops

With countertops made of quartz or natural stone, you can achieve a particularly elegant look in your kitchen. Stone slabs are usually also particularly break-proof, hard, and hard-wearing. They are insensitive to heat and scratches, easy to care for, and durable. Natural stone countertops and quartz stone countertops differ somewhat in their properties.

Quartz composites are mixed with additional materials such as glass during production. This creates a wide range of decorations – and the non-porous surfaces of the material are particularly smooth and shiny compared to natural stone.

Natural stone such as granite, marble, and slate has an unmistakable pattern. Natural stone slabs are available in numerous colors and structures. Granite is particularly robust, it can withstand temperatures of up to 600 ° C. All natural stones are comparatively sensitive to acids.

Solid wood kitchen countertops

Solid wood countertops are very popular and fit in with a natural interior style. Just like panels with a laminate surface, the material is not scratch and cut resistant and not very heat resistant. In the case of open-pored solid wood, there is also the fact that it quickly stains and can draw in water vapor if it is not waxed regularly.

To do this, you can sand the surface of your solid wood panel with sandpaper if it is no longer attractive. The easy-care rule of thumb applies to daily cleaning: less is more. You wipe wooden worktops with a little neutral detergent damp – not wet.

Countertops with melamine resin coating

Melamine resin is particularly popular as a coating for chipboard. This layer is made up of several layers of paper that are impregnated with synthetic resin and then pressed or glued to the carrier plate.

The range of countertops with a melamine resin coating is diverse. The manufacturers use the coating for numerous colors and decors: Among other things, there are reproductions of natural materials such as wood or stone. Plain-colored models or worktops with imaginative patterns are also available.

Kitchen countertops with a melamine resin coating require some indulgence in the daily work in the kitchen. They are not as robust and heat-resistant as countertops made from natural materials. If you choose such a coated worktop, you should use cutting boards and trivets at best.

Countertops made of this material are 40 mm thick as standard, the slim-line version is 16 mm thick.