5 Statement Making Chest Of Drawers

Not many give attention to a bed cabinet or a chest of drawers. They are either found in one corner or where one simply can't notice them. Cabinets are not just an add-ons today, they are a part and parcel of the bedroom. They hold the bedroom together and of course, make a statement.

Here are 5 cabinets that add value to your bedroom space and also the ones you'll love:

1. Attraction Lumina's atmospheric LED lighting creates a fascinating ambience - stylishly setting the scene in your bedroom or dining space. The lighting system can be switched on and off by a remote control and can be adjusted to dim. And as always when you choose a Nolte, you choose lots of storage space.

2. Alegro is a cabinet-cum-shelf piece that stands out effortlessly. The body and front are in Imitation Sibiu larch with a Frosted aluminium handle. An abode for your bedtime reading.

3. Concept Me is all about more space for your finest undergarments or accessories. An end to stuffing, fraying and creasing – thanks to intelligent and structured organizers. Soft Close – the quiet and gentle closing mechanism. And when the drawers close so softly and quietly, we are sure everything will click into place for you too. The front of the cabinet is in Glass Silk grey finish and the body in Silk grey finish.

4. Livia bed cabinet or chest of drawers comes in a wide range of configurations. Along with bookshelf, handle or handle-less or height and size options. The body is in Platinum Oak Replica and the front is on Polar white.

5. Ipanema chests of drawers come with a world of choices when it comes to colours, finishes and fronts to match your decor. There’s always room for more storage, more space, more style. Showcased here, the body and front are in Imitation Icona beech.

The range of Nolte cabinets is matchless. You will find one that matches your decor, necessities like chests of drawers, consoles, TV units and ensures there’s always room for more. Explore more: www.nolteindia.com/cabinetry

How Walk-in Wardrobes Make A World Of Difference

Walk-in wardrobes are not like the ones you will see in the film ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’, where you enter and probably may not come out (giggle), but definitely once you have them in your bedroom you will feel as though you are in a wonderland. Here are some reason why it makes a big difference to have these beautiful walk-in wardrobes in your bedroom.

A place for everything

Whether it is a suit, gown, tie, sweater, trousers, lingerie or socks, you name it, there’s substantially a lot of place to accommodate your clothing or accessories compared to a standard wardrobe.

Convenience

With everything organised spick and span, it is quite easy to get ready even for a last moment hang out with friends or for a gig. Thanks to the shelves, dividers, drawers, light fixtures and mirrors, the shortcut to dressing up is right in front of you. All these save your time and also makes cleaning and maintenance easier.

Private dressing room

Sometimes your walk-in wardrobe can act like a private dressing room. There’s enough room for you to move about and get dressed in comfort. You could also use the mirror on the front of the wardrobe or add chairs next to mirror to get a dressing table feeling.

Uses space smartly

A walk-in closet has much more space, so you can divide your possessions into groups instead of cramming them all in together. A custom walk-in closet will maximize its available space with the help of storage features like racks, hooks and rails. That way, no space gets wasted. At the same time, your walk-in closet won’t look cluttered, cramped, or disorganized.

Walk-in wardrobes from Nolte

HORIZONT 3000 Custom Walk-ins
An oddly sloped ceiling? A column in the middle of the wall? Horizont offers customisability for
any room. A boutique-style dressing room with storage options beyond the ordinary. Shelving,
drawers, organisers, and numerous fitting elements for ease and convenience. Swivel foot racks, trouser racks, small item drawer arrangers, closed or open pullouts, space-maximising corners, and much more. In two exclusive colour options. Horizont 8000 is a hinged and folding door wardrobe system with several design options, a range of finishes and add-on elements such as TV units. A wardrobe system that offers virtually no limits to the design possibilities. Horizont 8000 is a hinged and folding door wardrobe system with several design options, a range of finishes and add-on elements such as TV units. A wardrobe system that offers virtually no limits to the design possibilities.

Novoplan Compact Walk-ins
Fast, convenient, and efficient - all benefits that arise from an approach of openness. Novoplan allows an unsurpassed level of flexibility - cabinets large and small, drawers, trays, racks - combine them any way you wish. Make the bedroom truly personalised. Comes in 3 colours.

And there’s nothing greater than having a nice, neat, organized built in closet and storage solution for all your sartorial elegance.

Nolte's Guide to Kitchen Care and Maintenance

Just as we are known for our eye for details, our kitchens are crafted to perfection for nearly a century. Each Nolte product is built in Germany to our benchmark quality. Despite that, there's also the customer's bit that makes the kitchens last for many years, all you have to do is clean your kitchen regularly and properly in order to maintain the high value of your new kitchen for years to come.  

    

While shipping or packaging, plastic film is used as an additional safeguard and thus provides effective protection for our high-quality furniture surfaces. Any adhesive residues that may be left after removing the plastic can easily be wiped away with a little alcohol-based cleaner on a soft cloth. Never use strong chemical products.

The high quality surfaces of a Nolte kitchen are very easy to look after.
Whether your kitchen is synthetic or made from real wood, certain detergents should not be used under any circumstances. These include harsh liquid detergents and abrasives. Polish, wax and solvents are also not suitable, and will in fact do your kitchen more harm than good. Do not use a steam cleaner.

The following always applies:
Our kitchen units are essentially made of wood and wood-based materials which must be protected against water and steam, even after prolonged use and despite the comprehensive measures taken to seal them.

Room climate
The materials used in the kitchen have all been designed for use in a controlled room climate and should ideally be used at a relative humidity of 45%-70% (18-22 degrees). Slight distortion or warping is a sign that the ideal room climate conditions (e.g. not enough or too much heating) have not been observed, and does not constitute a material flaw. This warping, which is typical of wood materials, is determined by the temperature and humidity of the present environment.

Typical material odours:
When new, almost everything has its own distinctive odour. This also applies to furniture and lacquers in particular. Our ranges of high-quality real lacquer finishes are no exception either as this property demonstrates the authenticity of genuine lacquered fronts. The airing process can only begin when the protective films we apply are peeled off after the kitchen has been fitted. Depending on room climate or how often a cabinet is opened, the length of time taken for lacquer to lose its odour may differ.

Cleaning the cabinets

Use a slightly damp cloth and a liquid household detergent / glass cleaner to clean the cabinets, shelves and drawers /pull-outs. Always dry with a soft cloth after cleaning.
If the cloth is too wet, water could penetrate cracks and gaps and cause the material to swell up. Make sure the sealing lip is cleaned from time to time. This will help to prevent dust from collecting inside the cabinet. It is completely normal for marks to appear around the seal as it acts a barrier.

This is why we recommend that the units be regularly opened and that provision be made for intensive ventilation of the kitchen area in order to eliminate odours due to cooking vapours and cooking residues in the furniture.

Abrasive detergents, anything containing thinners and artificial resins are not suitable for cleaning your kitchen.

Cleaning handles properly

When cleaning your kitchen unit handles, refrain from using substances which contain solvents and substances that damage aluminium, in addition to vinegar-based cleaners and cleaning products containing steel, as they can cause permanent staining.
If you use cleaning products that do not  display this information, try them out first – at your own risk – in a small area that is not obvious in normal use.

Care instructions for wooden fronts, solid or veneered

Wood is a living material with natural variations in colour and texture. Light of any kind will cause the colour to change, which is completely normal and natural. It is not a cause for complaint. Solid wood fronts are easy to look after. The surfaces have been sealed with several layers of high quality varnish. We advise you to clean your kitchen units with a slightly damp cloth. Always wipe in the direction of the grain, as this helps to remove dirt from the pores. Dry with a soft cloth after cleaning to prevent moisture from accumulating in profiles, corners and on edges. Dirt marks must not be left to dry and must be removed immediately. Avoid the use of  excessively wet cloths in this case.

Wood should never be exposed to very humid or very dry air as this could cause it to move – it will expand or shrink, despite the careful application of a very high quality varnish. Do make sure you use the extractor whenever you are cooking, or else ensure that the room is adequately ventilated.
Synthetic fronts

Unit fronts with synthetic coatings are easy to clean with any commercially available household detergent, ideally with a soft cloth, hand-hot water and a little washing-up liquid. Never use a polishing cleaner or hard sponge. Stubborn marks, such as fat splashes, paint or glue residue, may be removed with any commercially available plastic cleaner. Test on a small area that is not on view before using any of these products for the first time. Do not use any cleaners containing solvents, or steam cleaners!

High-gloss fronts

Please note that high gloss and varnished fronts should not be cleaned in the dry state.

The use of abrasive cleaning materials such as microfibre cloths, scouring sponges, etc. can increase the appearance of scratches. No complaints will be entertained in this respect. Traces of fine scratches visible in sunlight and halogen light are normal. These are due to the high gloss effect and are not a surface defect.

It is best to use a dustless, damp chamois (wash-leather) for gentle cleaning and also for drying off afterwards.

Glass fronts

As with all other glass items, please avoid hard knocks and bumps against the fronts when handling crockery or heavy pots and pans, for splintered glass can cause injuries and must be replaced. Glass fronts are best cleaned with standard household cleaning agents or a glass cleaning agent (e.g. for cleaning mirrors). Spray the surface as usual and wipe with a soft cloth. Ensure that corrosive substances or liquids do not enter the handle hole under high pressure, as they may damage the handle fittings.

Do not use any polishing agents, hard sponges or solvent-based cleaning agents and steam cleaners.
Fitted appliances

Self-cleaning system, activClean, active carbon filters, pyrolysis, catalysis – these are just a few of the technical processes that are too complicated to explain here. Instead, we recommend that you read the information provided by the manufacturers of your electrical appliances carefully, and follow them.

Steam and heat

Nolte Kitchen offers a variety of protective devices to protect your furniture against steam, humidity and heat. These devices will already be in place when you receive your kitchen, or else will be installed by the fitter.

Make sure that steam and heat from electrical appliances such as microwave, coffee machine, kettle and so on do not come into contact with the furniture, as bursts of steam will cause it to swell up.

Worktops

Surfaces: All our worktops are products made by renowned manufacturers and finished with a highly resistant laminate surface. Despite this, the worktop must not be used as a cutting surface, for knives will cause permanent damage. Earthenware pots and heavy or sharp-edged objects can produce scratches if pushed over the surface; such scratches, however, are not attributable to a defect in the material. In spite of our exceedingly stringent quality standards, signs of use will become visible more quickly on very dark and light decors than on others, depending on the degree of use.

Cleaning: Worktop surfaces should always be cleaned with a damp, soft cloth without any abrasive particles. Detergent or occasionally laundry soap can be added to remove particularly stubborn dirt. Soaking may also be necessary sometimes. If your worktop has a tangible surface texture, it should always be cleaned parallel to the direction of this texture. Special methods are described in the chapter Care instructions for worktops on our website.

Heat: Do not place hot pots and pans from the hob directly on the worktop. Always use a suitable trivet, as the surface of the worktop will suffer irreparable damage if exposed to hot pots and pans, no matter how briefly.

Water: Due to the joins between worktops, pools of water should never be allowed to remain on the surface. Note that soapy water flows more easily than pure water. We therefore recommend that pools of water be removed immediately to avoid damage due to swelling, especially near joins.

Genuine wood front edge: If your worktop has a solid wood front edge, special care must be taken. Heavy loads and impacts must be avoided, such as knocking crockery or utensils against the soft wooden edging. Visible damage must be repaired by suitable means (e.g. re-varnishing, repair).

Built-in sinks and hobs

Built-in sinks, hobs and anything not specifically listed here made of stainless steel are best cleaned with a sponge or fleece cloth and either washing-up liquid or any well-known special cleaner (stainless steel cleaner, metal polish etc.).

Abrasive cleaners must not be used.
Remove surface rust (oxidised iron particles, e.g. iron filings after the initial installation of water pipes) immediately with a commercial stainless steel cleaner.

Use gentle washing-up or cleaning liquids on sinks made of other materials such as  porcelain, synthetic material and acrylic ceramic, and on stainless steel.
Abrasive detergents will damage your sink.

Follow these tips meticulously and your kitchen will be around for many more years.

5 Modern Bedrooms That Are Stylish and Match Your Personality

Gone are the days when bedrooms were treated as just a place to rest or sleep. Today, bedrooms have evolved and become truly personal. They are a chic sanctuary for entertainment, for work, for dreams, for relaxation,  for de-stress and more. When you spend a lot of time in there, you surely want the place to be cosy, comforting, and impeccably stylish.

Nolte as an aficionado in bedroom furniture gives you an opportunity to fulfil your bedroom look fantasy. Nolte makes beds and side-tables that can be coordinated to match the wardrobe. You can choose suitable heights and dimensions, a headboard and a chest of drawers to go with the room from a wide range of exciting models. After all who wouldn't want a modern bedroom that matches your personality and taste? 

Concept Me
A design as unique as you. That very much defines what CONCEPT ME is all about. An all-new series of coordinated wardrobes, beds, and chests of drawers, engaging a new design concept of ‘boxed-out’ drawers and tall units. A perfect union of technique, quality, and durability. The wardrobe collection is presented in 7 body finishes and 17 front finishes, from exotic platinum oak to unusual fango glass. There are two height options and a range of widths that go up to 400 cm, with hinged or sliding doors, or even a logical mix of the two. Concept Me features sophisticated storage space functions and also Soft Close for the gentle closing of drawers and doors. With styles from pure to natural, a wide variety of sizes and infinite extendibility is possible. Simply combine the elements you like best. So don’t just get the most out of your life – get the most out of your bedroom, too. With concept me.

Belvento
Classic, timeless elegance, well-conceived functionality and pleasing comfort BELVENTO is the bedroom collection for demanding tastes. It is thoughtfully designed and  provides a sophisticated framework for practical details such as optional under bed storage drawers. Its silent system allows the doors to open easily and close. Belvento has body in three colours, front in four colours and allows you to tailor your bedroom with the wide configurations of your choice. 

Ipanema
You'll wonder when did bedrooms become so stylish. IPANEMA is not only beautiful, but also offers enough space for everything that needs a place. The collection offers six front colours in glass and wood finishes and four body colours. The upholstered headboard is available in three colours. It also gives one the freedom to choose a wide range of internal and external accessories.

Livia
Give yourself a personal retreat With LIVIA. Totally natural, with uncluttered designs, delicate features, and an atmosphere that leaves its mark on a room at first glance, transforming it into something really special. The front and body are available in three colours and interior finishes in two types. Livia has a separable double bed with adjustable foot, optional glass shelf with LED lighting, and an optional mirrored front.

Novara
NOVARA is everything about harmony, everything fits. Just the way you wish. Besides, Novara goes well with any decor set-up. Most importantly, it offers excellent functionality, lots of ideas, details, clear design vocabulary, and personality. The wardrobe is available in six colour combinations, beds in six, and chest in four. The glass and decor surfaces create attractive contrasts. The bed and bedside chests appear suspended in mid-air. The bed has an upholstered headboard with an option of headboard lighting. Novara also gives the option of glass shelf with LED lighting.

Check out the coordinated bedroom collection here: http://www.nolteindia.com/bedrooms 

How to Make a Small Kitchen Look Larger (Part - 2)

In our previous blog, we shared a few tips on How to Make a Small Kitchen Look Larger with the use of light colour palettes, adding more lighting to your space, replacing solid cabinet doors with glass ones, choosing glossy and shiny materials, installing mirrors, introducing reflective tiles, opting for smart storage, and going vertical. Here are few more tricks and tips to help you get a larger feeling in your small size kitchen.

Sleek and slim
Go for slim furniture and choose sleek appliances. When it comes to former, look for open table legs, translucent materials, armless chairs, small kitchen islands, narrow bar stools, tables and chairs with sleek legs and floating shelves that utilize vertical space. Together they reveal more of your space as you scan the room. When it comes to the latter, there are many high-efficiency appliances that allow people with small kitchens to have the same luxuries as those with large kitchens. All you have to do is make sure you upgrade your old, bulky appliances to a sleek, small model and get rid of an unused kitchen gadget altogether. When trying to accommodate a dining area with a small kitchen, consider positioning the table parallel to the worktop so it can act as a secondary prep space when necessary.

Go sleek and slim

Open shelves
Incorporate open shelving. Open shelves reduce the visual weight and lend the illusion of a more expansive space. For an even sleeker look, choose floating shelves over models with brackets. Open shelving keeps the space light and airy. Open shelves are extremely functional and make it so much easier to access dishes and glasses. These shelves obviously create the illusion of a spacious room far better than closed ones. Try replacing the closed shelves with open designs wherever possible. You can even go a step further and add minimal-style floating shelves, which further usher in an airy appeal.

Open shelves lend the illusion of more psace

Maximise your worktop
When planning the layout of a small kitchen, one of the most important aspects to consider is surface space. Sections of the uninterrupted worktop help to create the illusion of a larger kitchen, as well as providing practical prep space for cooking. Try to keep your cook top and oven in the same area to save valuable counter space. Have microwaves built into the cabinetry and keep all small appliances stored in either an appliance garage or a pantry to maintain a clutter-free workspace. Countertops often become crowded with cookware, collectibles, and appliances that overwhelm a small kitchen and make it look cramp. Eliminate clutter by clearing counters and cabinet tops. The more organized your kitchen is, the larger it will appear.

Maintain a clutter-free work space

Keep it simple
Simplicity is a key element in designing small spaces, and a minimal approach helps you to achieve this with ease. If your kitchen is truly tiny, it’s wise to keep the design simple, as you’re likely to have a lot going on in a compact area. Stick to one or two colours and choose similar shades for cabinets and walls. Display simple items that don't create a feel of clutter. Having too many displays will cause the kitchen to look much smaller, but the right amount can add to the warmth and provide an illusion of a larger space. Your smaller rooms can’t absorb the extra clutter that larger ones can. Get rid of any clutter that’s making the room look messy. Simply tidying up a small room can make it look substantially larger.

Handle-less
Handles on every cabinet door can be too busy for a small kitchen. Consider fitting them only to the base cabinet drawers, and opt for a handle-less feature on the upper cabinetry.

Handless cabinets makes it look less busy

Reduce traffic
Work with your kitchen traffic patterns. Try installing space saving and slender furniture and appliances. Try to winnow down and not crowd counters, shelves and cabinets with clutter. Choose furnishings with a small footprint. Select petite islands, slim chairs, lightweight stools, tables and chairs, foldable chairs, streamlined or stackable stools and narrow tables that don't eat up valuable floor space. Avoid chunky furniture legs or thick bases, which add visual bulk. Buy furniture with clean lines so that your eye is not distracted and the furniture piece allows you to see the floor and walls beyond, making the room feel larger. Think about the particular function of every piece of furniture in your kitchen, and how it contributes to the room. If it’s not going to be used, get rid of it.

Employ geometry
Geometry, a well-known fashion trick can guide your kitchen décor as well. Horizontal stripes make a person appear wider, and a room too. Pick broad striped flooring that runs horizontally to stretch the floor space. You can get the same effect with a huge striped rug or by painting wooden flooring the same way. Just as clothing with horizontal stripes can make a person look wider, striped flooring that runs from side to side, rather than following the length of a room, will stretch the apparent floor space. These broad stripes were created by alternating light- and medium-tone laminate floor tiles. Achieve a similar effect by painting existing wood or vinyl flooring or by covering the floor with a large striped rug. Choose geometric and striped walls and floors that draw the eye lengthwise or vertically and make the room appear longer or taller than it actually is. If you can't change the floor itself, add a patterned runner that will add the same effect. Symmetry is an important aspect of designing small spaces. Repeated patterns, textures and colours give the room a more spacious and appealing look.

Start with a thoughtful plan, steal these make-your-kitchen-look-bigger hacks and give them a shot. We hope we have inspired you and helped you in making your small kitchen feel larger with these simple, hassle-free tips.

How to Make a Small Kitchen Look Larger (Part - 1)

Imagine being in a small kitchen bumping into each other, searching for oven gloves, or reaching for pots and pans in the deep storage. If you think that the size of the kitchen is the source of all your woes, and going bigger is the only answer, do not despair. We have some tricks and tips that ought to make your kitchen feel a lot bigger.

Colour
The good thing about light colours is that they help to visually expand the space. The trick is to switch from dark colours to light on walls, cabinet fronts, furnishings, and floors. Doing this will make the kitchen look light, airy, and large. Stick to a few colours from the light colour palette as these will reflect light and make the space feel bigger. You can paint cabinets the same colour as the walls as these erase visual boundaries that might stop the eye and glide over surfaces without a break. This works like an optical illusion. This movement deceives the mind into thinking that the room is bigger than it actually is. Another trick is to use white on cabinetry, countertops, walls, and the ceiling. This trick aids in creating a seamless space without edges or boundaries and reflects light, enhancing the sense of space and making the walls recede. These simple visual tricks will give a smart and coherent look to your kitchen and in the interim usher an effect of serenity and expansiveness.

Light colours visually expand the space

Lighting
Choosing lights for your kitchen can get really tricky. Wherever there’s space for lighting make sure you use this occasion to the maximum. Use down-light with decorative fixtures over the island and prep station, use flush or recessed fixtures, use under-cabinet lighting, pendant lights add ambiance to meals served on an island or peninsula, and a mix of focused and recessed lighting as much as possible. Introducing these lights will help your kitchen look larger. Make sure your chandelier or pendant light is not too low or large, as it can obscure views out the window or of your fellow diners. Natural light makes any space appear larger and brighter. If you don't have large windows to let the sunlight in, keep the window embellishments and treatments minimal. For privacy, try window treatments in ultra-light hues or an opaque shade that allows light in.  Plus, adequate lighting improves functionality. Combine form and functionality by adding several layers of lighting.

Natural or artificial, lights help your kitchen look larger. 

Glass
If you are open to drastic changes in your kitchen, then you can replace solid cabinet doors with glass ones. Glass fronts lighten the look of the cabinets and tricks the eye by allowing it to travel past the cabinet frames, into the depths of the cabinets, so the walls feel farther away and helps the kitchen seem more expansive. Having a glass cabinet is not sufficient, ensure your cabinet is clutter-free and colour-coordinated from the inside and out as well. You need not always open the doors to see exactly what lies inside, and their transparent nature might even tempt you to keep your cabinets cleaner and more organized than normal. Glass cabinet doors are available in various styles that range from those with a classic wood frame to the trendy translucent ones.

Glass tricks your eyes

Glossy and shiny
When choosing materials, gloss finishes will help bounce light around the room, creating the illusion of space. Reflective surfaces, such as ceramic tile, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, glossy floors, satin paint, and glass tiles, subtly amplify the effects of natural and artificial light, thereby making small kitchens seem larger. Glossy finishes and polished shelves are a great addition to a small kitchen. Reflective surfaces further accentuate the lighting in your small kitchen and give it a lively, dynamic vibe.

Mirror
Mirrors are especially useful when there is no, or minimal, natural light in the kitchen. They can help to open the space up and bounce light around. A great design trick is to use mirrors to reflect spaces where the room opens up, like a doorway, alcove or window. Reflecting these spaces gives the illusion of extending the small space, making it look bigger.

Tile
Light-coloured tile, metallics, or glass tiles can almost serve as mini-mirrors and help increase the light in the room. These tiles act as a reflection and shine and bounce light. Try not to break up the visual flow of the floor; long lines and large tiles are better than small grids. Ceramic tiles are an example of reflective surface which amplifies the effects of natural light, thus making your kitchen appear larger.

Storage
Nothing makes a room feel smaller than when it is short on storage space so therefore, look for all the areas that could provide useful storage. When space is limited, you need sleek, effective storage that you can pack with everything from plates to pasta. Find creative storage solutions or go for deep drawers, recessed shelves, or sliding pantries that make the items more accessible and are a more space-efficient option than a standard cupboard. Changing cabinet doors to pullout drawers can give you access to dramatically more space.

Vertical cabinets make the kitchen look spacious

Vertical
Vertical lines are a fabulous addition to the small kitchen, and by drawing your eyes upwards, they actually help make the room appear far more spacious and relaxed. A striped pattern with a mix of dark and white tones often does the trick. A simple brick wall or a tile backsplash can also work brilliantly when done right. Keep cabinets long and leaner, rather than square to lead the eye upwards and emphasise the height of the room. Choose patterns and visual elements on walls and ceiling that help to guide the gaze towards the ceiling giving the impression of greater height. Just like the other tricks, this is another edition to the optical illusion.

Continue to read How to Make a Small Kitchen Look Larger (Part - 2) for more tips. 

Things to Consider Before Choosing the Right Worktop for your Kitchen

There are different things to consider before buying a kitchen, and worktop is one such. As most of the activities are centered on the worktop, measures have to be taken to make sure that when you choose a worktop you choose a surface that can withstand the daily onslaught of knocks, spills, hot pans, sharp knives and the occasional human error. The material choices are wide such as wood, granite, engineered stone, stainless steel, marble, glass and corian. The below factors will determine what kind of material will go into your kitchen worktop. 

On the top

Durability and Resistance: Some of the common accidents that happen in a kitchen include dropped pots, sharp knives, spilled wine or oil. Therefore, you need to pick an appropriate material which can withstand all kinds of toll and is resistant to stains, heat, steam, scratches, water, and grease. In other words, you need to choose a worktop that is durable, sturdy and robust. 

Whatever work surface you choose for the kitchen, areas adjacent to the cooking hobs should ideally be heat resistant. If you use your kitchen top vigourously then consider the wooden butcher’s block for chopping, or a cool marble or slate slab for pastry making. Spillage is common in kitchen, either you need to look for a top that is water-resistant or you need to go for annual sealing, and this is important to know prior to having it fitted. With children around, your worktop is susceptible to scratches, which is why you need to choose a tough material. Whatever activity goes around in your kitchen, keeping in mind the people and things that are likely to confront it is important. So, depending on your usage make sure your work surface is heat, water and scratch resistant.  

Durable and ability to withstand daily wear ad tear 

Maintenance: Strength and resilience are the greatest priority, but worktops must also be hygienic and easy to wipe clean. The best ones also resist the abrasive effects of scouring and will not absorb the stains from food, vinegar and oil. If possible use one length of worktop, keeping joins and seams to a minimum. This way there will be less of an opportunity for bacteria and dirt to build up in crevices. For similar reasons, sinks should be either flush-fitted or under mounted into the worktop. If you are someone who has no time for cleaning more than just a basic wipe down every day then you should consider a worktop that needs low maintenance. On the other hand, if you are a fastidious person, you probably won’t mind having a material that needs slightly more care and attention. 

Appearance: One of the most important things about choosing your kitchen worktop is the appearance. As they take up lot of space, worktops often become the focal point of your kitchen. Mixing materials is a growing trend so can mix and match the countertop to differentiate the space. Your island can have a different countertop and your main counter a different top finish. Besides, you need to consider practicality, if some finish doesn’t go along with the other it’s better not to mix and match. After all what matters is that the kitchen’s worktop should complement your cabinet or any other element in your kitchen. While choosing material, make sure one material doesn’t overpower another. It is also worth bearing in mind that natural materials will differ very slightly in appearance.

Perfect on the inside and outside

A match for your lifestyle: One of the important aspects to consider is to settle on a good fit countertop that blends with your lifestyle. Though you may admire a certain top finish, odds are that the material may not suit your lifestyle. Perhaps, there's another material that does.

Cost: As you can imagine, different materials come with different price tags and it is important to research each one, and decide what fits in your budget. There are so many different materials to choose from, which means that you will be able to get the look you are after, regardless of your budget. 

Does it fit your budget?

Thickness and depth: The thickness and depth of worktops plays an important role in the kitchen. Select the thickest worktop you can afford. The most common thicknesses are 30mm and 40mm, but a 40mm worktop, tends to have greater resistance to heat and damage and is less prone to cracking or warping. Main worktops should be 500 to 600mm deep (20 to 24in), while smaller work areas should be at least 300mm (12in) wide, but preferably large. 

How thick? How deep?

Height: Varying the height of your worktop not only offers practical benefits but aesthetic ones, too. Getting it right however, is all down to good planning and the skills of a professional kitchen designer and fitter. The height of worktops which usually varies from 850 to 900mm (34 to 36in), should be carefully adjusted to your own height for chopping, mixing and whisking at the right level. Some units have adjustable legs for this purpose; with others you can choose between plinths (bases) of several different heights to allow changes in counter level. Ergonomically, it’s important to have the correct height for different tasks. The standard worktop height is designed to work and cook at. The same level is not comfortable to sit at on a bar stool or chair and long-term use could potentially lead to bad posture or health problems. When varying the height of worktops for different zones, consider the materials to suit them. 

Edge form: Availability of edges depends solely on the countertop material. Some of the standard edges include square, round, bullnose, ogee, and bevel. If you have kids around, you might want to re-consider using sharp edges. 

What's best for you?

Eventually, the material you choose will have a huge impact on both the look and functionality of your kitchen. Whatever influences your choices, we hope it’s the best decision you have made. For more in-depth details about material choices visit: Choosing Kitchen Worktop Materials: Pros and Cons

Choosing Kitchen Worktop Materials: Pros and Cons

You may be almost closer to choosing the right material for your kitchen but are certainly in a dilemma as to which material is better than the other with so many choices available. Different people will have different needs besides; different materials will not only have a different appearance, but will also require different maintenance. Hence, it is important that you know everything about each material before you make your worktop choice. We have put together the different types of materials with pros and cons for each. 

Granite

Pros: 

Granite offers versatility, toughness, and a sleek look

It's both strong and durable

It has a cold surface which is perfect for pastry making

Lot of options when it comes to pattern and colour

It stands up well to splashes, knife nicks, can withstand high temperatures (heat) and other wear and tear

It requires minimal maintenance

It is water resistant

Anti-bacterial 

Cons:

Expensive

It can stain easily. Stains like that of wine and citric acids must be cleaned up at once. 

Granite is porous hence it must be sealed to avoid stains or liquid to penetrate in. 

Extra care should be taken to make sure you use chopping boards for prepping and trivets with hot pans.

It is heavy, so you'll need very sturdy cabinet boxes to support the weight. Besides it becomes difficult to transport and maneuver if it's heavy.

Glass and Stone worktops by Nolte

Glass

Pros:
Non-porous 
Looks modern, stylish and sleek
Reflective, so can create the illusion of space in smaller kitchens
It is long-lasting and toughened to increase durability
Heat, acid and water resistant
Easy to clean and hygienic
Maintenance is easy as the pores don’t hold onto stains, and it’s unaffected by water
It doesn’t need sealing and is heat resistant to 400C
Lots of colour, size, shape and texture options. It also offers a unique look with glass types that are crafted, tempered, etched and textured

Cons:
Expensive
Requires regular cleaning to keep marks and fingerprints under control and to remove smudges
Prone to scratches. Polished tops scratch and joins are visible
Can crack, chip or break, can’t be repaired must be replaced

Marble

Pros:

Adds natural look to your kitchen creating an elegant and sophisticated feeling

Highly resistant to heat, cracks, and breakage

Marble has a cold surface, so it is a traditional choice for pastry and baking stations

It can develop a patina over time

It won't chip or dent

It has a smooth surface

Wide range of patterns and colours

Cons:

Expensive

It is porous, so be prepared to cook and entertain with care

Susceptible to stains easily, even with sealing

It is delicate. It can scratch and chip. 

It can be etched by acids (citrus, coffee, alcohol, some cleaning products) even if you seal it.

It is pricey and needs sealing and protection 

Quartz

Pros:

Durable

Non-porous so doesn’t require sealing

It is hygienic and has a built-in antibacterial protection

Low maintenance and easy to clean

Highly stain resistant 

Heat and scratch resistant

Available in a far greater range of colours and patterns 

Cons:

Expensive

Very heavy (cabinets may need to be reinforced)

Needs professional installation

Seams may be visible

Exposure to sunlight over time can cause discolouration

Stone and Solid Core worktops by Nolte

Stainless Steel

Pros:
It doesn’t corrode, rust or stain like regular steel
It's nearly indestructible, durable and robust
It is practically impervious to heat and bacteria (naturally antibacterial)
It also provides a very distinctive look 
It is stain proof, spill proof and temperature-proof
Easy to clean and maintain
Helps to reflect light
It is waterproof and acid resistant
Very light in weight

Cons:
It is extremely expensive due to the custom fabrication
Can nick, scratch and dent
Can show fingerprints and must be wiped off frequently
It is noisy as pots, pans and dishware clang against the surface
Chemicals can affect its colour and cause unwanted etching
It has anti-bacterial properties
Difficult to integrate into large areas

Solid Surface (like Corian, Hi-Macs…)

Pros:

It is non-porous, so no sealing or special cleaning required

Extremely robust and Seamless

Hygienic

Easy and low maintenance 

Color and pattern options are extensive

Does not fade or age with time

Cons:

Expensive

Doesn't stand up to hot pans and can be scorched 

Not scratchproof; cannot withstand sharp knives, deep cuts, scratches and dents and can get stained. But, the scratches and stains can be resolved through proper maintenance.

Wood Worktops by Nolte

Wood 

Pros:

Matches both classic and contemporary kitchens

Develops a patina and character with use

Withstands cutting and chopping 

Long-lasting, timeless material and looks great with age

It is naturally anti-bacterial

Relatively simple to install and easy to repair

Each piece is unique, giving your kitchen its own particular character

Comes in a wide range of styles, wood grains and colours

Cheaper than granite or stone options

Cons:

Requires food-friendly sealing and routine maintenance than other materials

Easily damaged by burns, dents, spills and scratches leading to scorched and stained worktop 

Vulnerable to moisture, heat, acid, corrosive chemicals or stains if it comes into contact with rust

Water damages wood countertops easily

Shrinks or expands with extreme dryness or moisture

It needs oiling a couple of times a year to seal the surface

Will discolour if installed around the sink

Engineered Stone

Pros:

Durable and five times harder than granite

Wide variety of colours than natural stone countertops

Non-porous, so there’s no danger of mould

Low maintenance

Resistant to scratches, stains and chipping

No sealant required

Cons:

Expensive

Not heat proof

Regardless of whether you choose solid wood, glass, genuine glass, stainless steel, solid-core or stone, you might want to make a note that: Nolte kitchen worktops are premium quality and ultra-versatile. It is also possible to choose the thickness of your worktop: 50mm, 40mm, 25mm or 12mm. The kitchens are characterised by carefully matched details for additional comfort and a harmonious appearance. They all stand out through their exceptional appearance and make your kitchen something special.

Things to Consider Before Remodelling or Designing Your New Kitchen

Re-modelling or designing a new kitchen is a daunting task as it involves planning, decision making, choosing designs, aesthetics and meeting several challenges. To understand these aspects and to be able to function appropriately in terms of activities concerned in the kitchen, here are some good questions to start with. 

Asking questions is vital to determine what type of kitchen will suit your space

Questions to ask yourself: 

1. How do I want to use my kitchen? What is my lifestyle? Do I like to cook and entertain in the kitchen? 
2. How many people use the kitchen and who are likely to be in the kitchen at the same time? 
3. How often do I use my kitchen- daily basis or occasionally?
4. Will I need space for dining? Do I want somewhere to eat in the kitchen- a table or breakfast bar? Do I want to hold dinner parties there?
5. Where will my work triangle fit in?
6. How can I maximise storage space?
7. Do I need to match or connect to the existing house or the adjacent rooms?
8. Do I need more sunlight and natural warmth? How do I want the orientation of sunlight in my kitchen?
9. What’s my budget?
10. What’s the size of my kitchen floor space? Is there room for an island? Does space allow for a prep sink? Where can I squeeze in extra storage? This will determine what layout will suit your kitchen.
11. Is anyone in my family elderly or disabled?
12. Apart from cooking and preparation, what else is my kitchen used for? Bills, checking mails, homework, entertaining?
13. What style would I like my kitchen to be? What colours, flooring and wall coverings do I prefer?
14. How much storage do I need? Do I want open shelving or closed cupboard space?
15. What kind of appliances do I want?

Your floor size will determine what kitchen layout is apt for you

Questions to ask an architect: If you need help to start, hire an architect or directly approach the retailer who will be able to guide you. Having an architect lessens most of your burden about the project because they will assist you from the beginning till the end. 

1. Ask your architect his/her previous installations, how many projects have been completed, the portfolio of the kitchen projects completed, how long has their company been in business? Or what sets their firm apart from other architects with similar experience? What are their signature styles, thoughts on design philosophy, and what inspires them. Once you get answers to this, you will get to know whether the architect’s style appeals to you or matches your expectation. You will also know whether the architect is experienced enough and get guidance on what style can be implemented for your kitchen.
2. What’s popular right now? Asking your designer what’s trending now will help establish their level of knowledge and enthusiasm for design. If you want a very on-trend kitchen, you’ll need a designer who’s up to date with the latest styles and who can help you pick colours, materials and accessories accordingly. Similarly, if you’re not interested in the latest trends, your designer should be able to suggest suitable alternatives. You could ask them what features contribute to a timeless style of kitchen and how best to create a look that will last.
3. How do I choose the right style of kitchen for my home? A kitchen design must work with the rest of your home’s interior. If you want to complement your home’s existing style, let your architect know this so they can work towards this goal. Whatever your end goal is, it’s essential you let your architect know, so they can create your ideal kitchen. 

Architects can guide you to meet your kitchen needs

Questions to ask the retailer or kitchen brand: When you visit the kitchen showroom, first thing to do is disclose your budget so that you can achieve the look you want using materials, finishes and options within your budget. Setting a budget and sticking to it is important.

1. Ask to check for quality. Look at showroom cabinets and inspect how sturdy they are. Don’t be afraid to pull open drawers and doors and inspect areas that receive the heaviest wear, such as edges and hinges. Find out what the carcases are made of.
2. What are my choice of range, colour and material? Whether it’s cabinets, appliances or worktops, there are many material options to choose from. Your architect should be able to advise which is best for you. They should also guide you through the options, recommending the best ones to suit your needs and budget. You may have to choose a finish that’s fairly similar, or go for a slightly different cabinet style that does come in your finish of choice. Be flexible and ask your architect to help you select the best possible combination.
3. Once you book for the kitchen design, ask them who will be your everyday contact? Good communication is crucial to a successful project. Make sure you keep in touch often and also meet your architect too to check on the work.
4. Ask for care and maintenance manual as well as 3D drawings. Reading a standard two-dimensional plan can be confusing. Ask them if they can show you 3D images that can be rotated and viewed from multiple angles. Also ask for images to see how the design will look in real life.
5. Does the company have its own installers? This is always the best solution because it will give you peace of mind that your new kitchen is in the hands of people who are knowledgeable about that particular product and know how to install it efficiently.
6. How much time do you need to make my kitchen? Find out when the kitchen is due to arrive and how long will it take to install. Get a written estimate for extra peace of mind. Duration vary between companies. If you order a kitchen from a European company, it will generally take longer, because the kitchen has to be exported. Bespoke designs also take longer. If you know the time scale for each phase of your project, it will help you plan for it and ensure it all goes smoothly. Getting an estimated completion date from the point of order is also a good idea.
7. What kind of documentation will I receive when the project is done? Getting a full set of mechanical photos before insulation is installed, the operating manuals for installing equipment care for things such as counter tops and tile and a well-marked electrical panel is important. Confirming that you will receive these things before you get started will help ensure that you finish the project with all the information you need.

Drawings help you visualise what your kitchen will look like

Make sure you do your research before taking any step. Asking the above questions and getting answers will help you meet the challenges that come throughout your kitchen journey. We wish you the best.