How you design the layout of your kitchen will make a big difference to how well it works when you are in there cooking up a great meal, but even if you have a tiny space to work with, there are certainly some neat design ideas that can help you to get the most out of your small kitchen.

There are so many little tricks you can use to max the space and functionality available, such as using an upright freezer for small spaces and hanging pots from the ceiling.

Here are so ideas and tips to help you get the best out of your small kitchen.

Using every available space

It might seem such an obvious thing to say, but you need to use every available bit of space in your small kitchen, which means that you need to take a close look at what you have got to work with and work out some innovative ways to utilize that space in the most efficient way.

Examples of the sort of simple tricks you can use, include making the most of the insides of your cabinets. Sticking a cork board on the inside of your wall cabinet and then attaching shopping lists and small but useful items, will mean that you are not taking up valuable wall space elsewhere.

Another idea to free up space in your cupboards and use what limited space you have, would be to hang your pots and pans from hooks on the ceiling. This makes them easily accessible and can add a certain charm to the decor at the same time.

Baskets and shelves

When you are working with a small kitchen and only have a few storage cupboards to put items away into, it is often not enough to just pack as much as you can in there and keep it out of sight.

What you need to do is try and get the most of your cabinets, and you can achieve this with the help of baskets and shelves.

Fitting stackable shelves inside your cabinets will not only create more storage space, but by having everything stacked neatly, it makes it easier to get to what you want without having to pull everything else out to get it.

Another neat trick is to get some baskets, which you can place in the-often neglected space above your cabinets, and then fill them with some extra stuff, which you might otherwise have struggled to find a home for.

Under the sink

Most of us have a range of cleaning products and other such items, stashed under the kitchen sink, but are you using that space as efficiently as possible.

A clever little idea to help you maximize that space and store a whole lot more besides the usual bleach sprays and other items, would be to install a tension rod across the width of the cupboard.

If you fit this rod just below the sink, you can then hang spray bottles from it, freeing up floor space on the cupboard for extra other items. You can even go the extra mile and install some other tension rods down the sides of the inside of the cabinet, so you can slide some trash bags along them and even make it easier to use them.

More dining space

A small kitchen can mean that you are potentially limited for dining space, which might be tolerable when you are dining alone or for two, but when you have friends and family round for a meal, this can present a problem.

A good flexible solution can be to add a bar-height table, which gives you extra counter space when you need it and somewhere for your friends to sit and eat with you when they come round.

You could also consider fitting a folding table to your wall, so that it is neatly tucked away when you don’t need it, but springs into action in seconds, when you are ready to sit down and enjoy a meal.

Get hooked

Hooks are a cheap and easy solution, but they work and when you are faced with limited space in a small kitchen, it really does makes sense to look at all the various ways you can hang things from hooks.

Hanging regularly used items like cutting boards is going to free up space and accessibility is not an issue as you can quickly reach and grab the board when you need it.

If you work on making the most out of the space that you have in the kitchen, you will be able to make some mighty meals that should taste better when you are not working in what might otherwise feel like a confined space.

James Davis is a design student who lives in a tiny apartment in NYC where he enjoys throwing exotic dinner parties for friends. He writes about DIY and decor, especially making the use of all available space, and his design ideas.

Cooling your home during the hot summer months can be a challenge if you don’t have the right system installed. If you choose one that doesn’t have the power to cool your home, or one that just doesn’t work well with the layout of your house, then you run the risk of making your system work harder than it should, costing you money.

Fortunately, there are several options for air conditioning systems out there that you can choose from to make sure you keep your house cool without breaking the bank. Here is a quick guide to rating different air conditioning systems as well as a few different types that you can research to find one that works for you and your family. Each type of unit has its pros and cons, so each will be discussed to give you the best information to make your decision.

How Are Units Ranked?

One of the most popular ways that air conditioning systems are ranked is by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ration, or SEER. Once you understand the ranking system, then you can quickly glance at the stats and see which type of system may be right for you.

The SEER is measured on a level of 13 to 28, and is derived by taking the total cooling in British thermal Units (BTUs) over the course of a summer season and dividing it over the total energy consumed over that same period. This may seem a little technical, but it is a fancy way of telling you how efficient each type of system is, with the higher the number being better.

The upshot of this is that the higher the number, the more efficiently your system runs, which means better cooling at lower costs. Of course, higher SEER are usually more expensive, so you may need to find a middle ground to satisfy your cooling and financial needs. Some state governments will give rebates for higher SEER, so see if you qualify before deciding.

HVAC Systems

HVAC systems are your standard air conditioning systems that use an outside unit to exchange hot air and a central unit, usually in the attic, to maintain temperatures inside.

Pros: HVAC units are some of the most efficient systems you can have, with an average SEER of 18. They work so well because they are attached to thermostats throughout the house that can turn the unit on and off as needed, limiting wasted power. They will also cool every room that is attached to the duct-work.

Cons: New units can be pretty expensive, so you need to know what your needs are before making it worth the money. Also, duct-work can leak and need to be replaced, which can also be expensive.

Window Units

Window air conditioners are the units you’ve probably seen attached to the outside of an open window. They were used much more in the past, but they still offer a cheaper alternative to HVAC units.

Pros: Window units are produced with varying power outputs, so you can find one that can cool just one room or an entire floor. They are also fairly inexpensive, ranging from $500 to $1,500, depending on the size and power. Window units are easy to install, so you don’t need to pay a professional to do so.

Cons: Window units aren’t as versatile because there are limited places you can install them, i.e., in a room with windows. It will take more time to cool a large area, as the cooling effect will move slowly throughout the room since there is no direct duct-work to move it along. For larger homes, you will need to install several units to stay cool.

Mini Ductless Units

These units are like the systems that are installed in hotel rooms, a single unit that plugs in, has it’s own thermostat, and can be installed anywhere near an electrical outlet.

Pros: Mini units can be placed throughout the home and individually controlled, either by hand or with a remote, to get the most out of each unit. They are usually rated with a fairly high SEER as well, so the efficiency can help keep your cooling costs down.

Cons: Depending on your needs, you could pay upward of $5,000 per mini unit. You will also need a professional to install each unit.

You can find more information on air conditioning systems and tips to keep your house cool all summer long at Academy Air.

Amelie Jordan is a stay-at-home Mom who uses her everyday knowledge of running a house and raising kids to write her useful and informative articles. A keen gardener, Amelie also enjoys carrying out small DIY and restoration projects around the house.

If you have been living in your home for a number of years it can be easy to not notice certain issues with your property creeping up on you, especially when you are looking at them every day and they even become something you learn to live with or just another thing for your to-do list.

A good example would be your windows, which might actually be giving you some strong hints that now would be a good time to get around to fixing your window, unless you want to face an even more expensive repair bill if you do nothing.

Condensation confirms it

The clues are there if you know what to look for and condensation on your windows confirms it, you have a problem with ventilation in your home, or it might be that moisture levels are higher than they should be.

The ventilation issue is a problem of sorts, but definitely not as serious as high moisture levels in your property.

Moisture can form on your windows as condensation or maybe even frost, when the temperature dial takes a dive below freezing. The big issue here is that this moisture can quickly escalate into a problem where you are then having to contend with the consequences of mold and mildew, and even rotting wood sills on your windows.

You will often find that newer houses are built so tightly that moisture can often find itself captured inside your home, which is not what you want, so you have to do something to eliminate this risk.

If your windows are telling you that there is a problem with moisture in your home by displaying condensation, you will need to find a way of reducing the moisture levels before it causes some damage to your windows, and beyond.

When the window is the problem

The above scenario makes the assumption that your windows are in good order, but if you find that condensation is forming between the panes of glass, it is a clear sign that the seals on your double or triple-pane window have deteriorated or failed altogether, which means they are failing to properly prevent outside air from coming in.

If you notice that moisture is trapped between these panes and is condensing into small droplets, or creates a fogging effect, it might be that the window needs some attention or replacing.

Get a window company to look at the problem. It might be that one panel that is letting moisture in could be replaced, or it might be that it is time to replace the whole window.

Possible gas leak

Double-pane windows are filled with gas between the two panes, so if you notice that condensation is forming in the center of the glass on the pane that is inside your home, this is a probable sign that you have a gas leak.

The fundamental point to remember in this situation is that once the argon gas leaks out, your window is basically providing minimal or even zero insulation.

If this is what is happening to your window, the only viable solution is to get the window replaced. Check to see whether there is any warranty left on the window before you go ahead and pay for the replacement yourself.

If you notice leaking around your window

Another problem to look out for is when you notice that water is leaking around the edges of your window.

There are can be several reasons for this. It may well be that your window is not closing tightly enough and some small adjustments need to be made in order to create a tighter seal.

However, if you are happy that the window is shutting as tightly as it can do and yet there are still signs of water getting in around your window, especially at the top, this could well be a sign of a problem that is not related to your window itself.

You may want to check the integrity of your roof or siding to see if there is a potential leak that is running down your wall and then entering the property through your window.

Good windows make a big difference

There are plenty of positives attached to having good windows in your home

Aside from the obvious curb appeal that is obtained when you have windows in your property that are well maintained and in a good state of repair, efficient windows help keep your energy bills low and improve the comfort levels and performance of your home generally.

So if you spot a potential problem that you windows are perhaps trying to tell you, aim to get the problem fixed as quickly as you can.

Bethany Pearce is restoring her own home and likes to share tips that she has learned along the way with other homeowners.