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4 Ways to Brighten Up Your Kitchen

Did you spend the winter thinking that your kitchen was a little dark? Colder temps, short days, and gloomy weather can certainly make the most popular space in our home feel dull at times. As the seasons start to change outside, you may be feeling the urge to brighten things up inside—we do, too! Whether you’re looking to go into full renovation mode, or would rather make just a few updates here and there, we explore the top four ways to brighten up your kitchen. 1. Get Lit One way to brighten up your kitchen to is literally brighten it up—with light! Whether this means removing heavy drapes or maybe even a wall (yeah, we went there), or installing a new window or glass doors, taking advantage of the windows in your house will allow natural light to stream through and provide a nice view of the outdoors while in your kitchen. If you’ve maximized all the natural sunlight possible, you can move on to playing around with artificial sources of light. It’s important to understand where you spend your time in the kitchen (at the stove, meal prepping on the countertop, or sitting around an island, for example) and

How to Approach a Kitchen Renovation

It’s no secret that we love the kitchen. And it’s no secret that American families love the kitchen, too. It has become the most popular room in a home; one that is used to gather family members, friends, guests, and even our furry loved ones. This is especially true as our connectivity and entertainment has been made mobile. While Dad follows a recipe on his iPad, the kids stream videos on their phones and Mom catches up on email from her laptop—all within the confines of a kitchen island. That’s why more and more homeowners are looking to update their kitchens to achieve better functionality, maximum comfort, and an eye-pleasing design. Whether you are a DIYer or prefer to call in the experts, a kitchen remodel can take a lot out of you—a lot of time, money, and energy. To help keep the process as streamlined as possible, we’ve put together some tips on how to approach the massive project of renovating your kitchen. Consider hiring a kitchen designer. Though this might not be a step that is in everyone’s plan (or budget, for that matter), partnering with a kitchen designer who understands your needs and vision can take a

5 Easy, Apple-icious Recipes

Ahh cooler temps, changing leaves, and football. All these can only mean one thing: It’s time to go apple picking! To help celebrate the onset of fall, we’ve rounded up five of our favorite apple dishes that will make your tummy happy and your kitchen smell amazing. Glazed Apple Fritters This recipe comes from our friends over at Kitchn and is the perfect sweet treat to bust out as soon as those temperatures start to dip. These fritters are sugary, fluffy, and stuffed with apple goodness—sure to please everyone. Get the recipe here. Cranberry-Apple Sweet Potatoes For a side dish that’s easy enough for weeknights and delicious enough for Thanksgiving dinner, look no further than Midwest Living’s Cranberry-Apple Sweet Potatoes. Simply spread all the ingredients in a baking dish, slide into the oven, and bake! Get the recipe here. Hot Toddy Mocktail Get ready to impress with this crowd-pleasing mocktail from Good Housekeeping. To make the ‘cups’ just slice the tops off the apples and carve out the center. Pour in hot cider and garnish with a cinnamon stick straws and star anise. (If you need a bit more warming up, add a dash of honey whiskey.) Get the recipe

How to Up Your Grill Game

As the weather gets warmer, hundreds of grills across the country start to heat up in anticipation of barbeques, outdoor parties, and grilling the family dinner. Having a beautifully designed outdoor kitchen or grill area can expand your entertaining, seamlessly blending the inside with the out. So whether you imagine yourself sliding homemade pizzas from your own pizza oven or hearing the sizzle of burgers on your gleaming new grill, making your home the ultimate outdoor destination is as easy as B, B, Q- with no walls to worry about, creating an outdoor kitchen or grill area is significantly easier and can be more cost effective than redesigning inside. Here are a few tips for making the most of your outdoor space. Start with the big stuff.We can help you decide which grill will function best for you- with options ranging from professional-grade to charcoal, electric to gas, Aitoro has a grill to suit every need. A grill will determine your outdoor space’s focal point and will provide the foundation for creating the rest of your space. Aitoro can also help you select top-of-the-line refrigerators, ice makers, smokers, and even kegerators to really maximize the uses of your outdoor kitchen.

Getting Prepared For Holiday Cooking

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Use Lemons to Make Your Home Smell Incredible

Nothing exudes a warm welcome quite like a home’s signature scent. Unfortunately, there are more than a few reasons why a home’s fresh scent could devolve into something less than pleasant. The great news is that attaining a simple and clean smell in your home is not as complicated as you think. You don’t have to rely on artificial air fresheners — lemons have an incredible versatility that makes them much more than a flavorful add-on to our favorite meals and drinks. The acidity of these bright fruits make them highly efficient cleaning agents, and they can be used in a multitude of ways. These lemony home hacks can keep any fresh-scent killer from wreaking havoc. Turn your home into the balmy and charming place you want it to be, with these surprisingly simple and fun DIY solutions: Natural room scents This is a great way to cover up unwanted smells and keep your house feeling clean. A quintessential combo for spring that will have your home smelling like fresh air is simple: two lemons two stalks of rosemary a teaspoon of vanilla Mix these ingredients into a pan on the stove with 2 quarts of water, bring to a

A Minimalist Kitchen Makeover

Minimalism has recently become a trendy aesthetic and lifestyle. A minimalist lifestyle centers on only holding onto objects and thoughts that serve us while minimalist design entails pared-down stylistic elements such as basic shapes and a monochromatic color scheme. Channeling both minimalist lifestyle and minimalist design into your kitchen makeover can yield a sharp and simple space that encourages deliberate living. Zone Touch & Slide Induction Cooktop [1] Cooktops are an essential in any kitchen, making it necessary for even a minimalist kitchen. No heat is wasted during induction cooking because only the cookware is heated, not the cooktop surface. This means that in addition to being more energy-efficient than gas or electric cooktops, the Induction Cooktop won’t burn your hand if you accidentally place it on the stovetop. The Zone Touch & Slide Induction Cooktop is especially great to prevent kids burning themselves if accidentally touching the stove! Get Rid of the Unnecessary [4] If you’re taking on minimalism with a clutter-crazed kitchen, you’ll want to downsize from what you already own. First of all, if you have a habit of using paper and plastic, challenge yourself to stop using all disposable materials. Depending on them forces you into

Turn Your Freezer From Frightening To Fresh

Let’s face it: keeping your freezer organized is probably not on the top of your to-do list. After all, it’s easy to throw things in there and then forget about them until you need them next, or discovering it’s time to throw them away. But grabbing your frozen goods should not have to feel like an excavation in the arctic. With a well-organized freezer, you’ll feel satisfied and stress-free whenever you reach in for your favorite fruits, treats, or meals. Take note of our top four ways to keep your freezer clean and spacious! Throw it away The first thing to do when freshening up your freezing is to get rid of foods that are past their prime. Keep the nine-month rule in mind (or twelve months for steaks, chops, and roasts), and throw away anything that exceeds this time period. [1] Also, remember that freezing can change the texture of foods, so anything that would be affected significantly would realistically fare better consumed sooner and kept in the fridge. Do not freeze these! Salad greens are certainly not items that we want to waste, but they not only become soft and limp when frozen, they also lose their flavor.

Make Great Use of Small Spaces

Living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to feel cramped and confined. While it’s easy to slip into the habit of cluttering your home, organizing your appliances and belongings will make a world of difference. Your options for more space are endless once you know how to effectively de-clutter your home! Check out our functional tips to optimize storage and maximize your space — you’ll feel happier and more comfortable in your home than ever before. Kitchen It’s safe to say that kitchens are busy rooms. With all of your groceries, cooking appliances, and family members coming in and out, it’s not hard to feel cramped. But with a little creativity and time, your kitchen can (and will!) feel like the relaxing and happy space you’ve always wanted. First and foremost, organizing your fridge provides a much-needed sense of relief. Take a moment to think about the items that are completely necessary, and then set a goal regarding the rest. Whether it’s getting rid of food and drinks that are bad for you, or throwing out anything that’s expired or making a point to use items that will expire soon, changing the way you view your food storage

Spring Entertaining Recipes

Spring is officially here! Bright flowers and thick grass will soon peek through the ground, making way for outdoor entertainment — finally! What’s more festive than a spring dinner party? Blend together tasty food, delectable wine, and warm weather, and you get a sweet aroma of fresh beginnings. Get inspired for your first dinner party of the season, and don’t forget to get creative with your unique taste! Red or white wine? That is the question… Wine is a versatile crowd-pleaser — it not only tastes delicious, but marries with all kinds of flavors, complementing tastes from bold and vibrant to light and simple. No matter what you decide to serve, you’re sure to find a great bottle to pair well with your meal. A very general rule for beginners is to remember is that tart, acidic foods go best with dry white wines, sweet or spicy foods are complimented best with sweet white wines, and hearty or bitter foods should be paired with red wines. Remembering these basic pairings will guide you in choosing the kind of wine that you enjoy best! Whet your appetite Whether sweet or savory, appetizers prime the tastebuds for a larger, denser meal. Incorporating

How To Organize Your Fridge

Your refrigerator is the starting point from which all memorable meals begin. It’s a treasure chest whose glow beckons children and adults alike to gaze inside. But most importantly, it’s the loyal guardian of your groceries, working overtime to keep your perishables fresh and safe. While optimizing space is key to a neat and well-kept appearance, food safety should be your first and foremost concern in fridge organization. You may be aware that different parts of your refrigerator offer different temperatures, and it’s important to know which foods should go where and why. Here’s how to effectively organize your fridge in a way that helps keep you and your family safe from spoiled food, and keeps your food fresher and more delicious for longer! Keep It Out Let’s face it: we often overestimate what belongs in a refrigerator in the first place. Despite popular belief, certain foods such as tomatoes and garlic do not need to be refrigerated. In order to clear up as much free space as possible for perishable items at risk for food-borne illness, common foods like bananas, bread, squash, olive oil, coffee, onions, and potatoes can be safely stored in non-refrigerated areas. Bread, of course, can be kept in the freezer for a much

Opening Spaces—and Possibilities