Styles

Depending on the style of your kitchen, there are many different options.  Deciding the purpose of your new glass doors is the first step. If you are looking to display your best dishes Clear glass is ideal. Clear glass makes for the best sight lines, and will always be my first choice, however, not everyone wants to stay organized year round. Frosted or detailed glass may be better for your lifestyle. There is also stained glass, seeded, beaded, and even mirrors are used as an alternative! For now we are just going to go over a few of the basics.

 

Clear Glass

In white and gray kitchens, clear glass is an opportunity to add a splash of color. That said, it shouldn’t be your first choice if you aren’t good at staying organized, or don’t have enough storage to display some ‘show’ dishware.

 

Frosted Glass

Frosted glass is common in modern and contemporary homes. It also allows a sneak peek of the contents in your cabinets without a clear view. In other words, you can get away with having a dish or three out of place.

 

Reeded Glass

This design is created by taking a roller to the glass surface. It has a textured, wiggly, appearance. As with frosted glass, the view into your cabinetry is obscured. This style works in both contemporary and traditional homes.

 

Stained Glass

While this doesn’t work in all home types, incorporating stained or detailed glass creates a wonderful vintage/retro vibe. You can even do frosted stained glass to add even more dimension and hide your messes!

 

Glass only on your upper cabinets

If you have two rows of uppers, install glass across the top row to insert a visual break into the expanse of cabinetry. Adding glass here adds dimension to your kitchen and makes your ceilings feel larger.

Look at the colors you wear

 

A big key to the colors that make you happy is hiding in your closet. While we all have our neutrals, look at your accessory items. Scarves, jackets, whatever pop of color that is hiding in there. While you may not want hot pink on your walls, you’ll start to notice a trend: Do you have more bold colors, Neutrals, or pastels? Are these colors in the warmer color pallet (Ie: red, yellow, orange) or the cooler side (Green, blue, purple)? Once you can answer that question, you’ll know what section to look at in the paint isle!

What color pallet is your furniture, cabinets, trim/molding and accessories?

 

If your furniture is super bold, it may not be best to also have bold walls. Unless you plan on replacing all of your furniture, we would recommend sticking with your favorite neutrals. And same is true on the other end! If your furniture is more neutral, looks like you have to go a bit more bold!

Now, if you’re scared to commit to a bold color, it is safe to do two neutrals and accessorize with blankets, pottery and art. 

What are you trying to achieve with the space?

 

Just like there are different styles of kitchens, there are different styles in every room of the home. Keeping a general theme is good, but that doesn’t men everything has to match. Does the room plan to be used as a game room? A place to wind down? Zen room? Sit in the space and imagine how you plan to use the space and pick colors accordingly. 

Great! I think I’ve finally picked out my colors, now what?

 

Bring multiple swatches home of varying shades before you invest in the paint. Brighter and darker than your “chosen” color preferably. Paint generally looks lighter on walls than it does on the swatch. buying samples may be a good idea so you can see exactly what it is going to look like in different times of the day.

 

And last bit of advice.
Trim and molding are high-gloss.
Walls are generally a satin finish, unless it is a bathroom.
Ceilings are always a matte finish.

At worst, if you don’t like the color you chose, you can always paint over it! Good luck and happy home refreshing! 

What is it?

 

Engineered quartz is a man-made product. It is around 90% ground quartz mineral and around a 10% mix of resin, polymer and color pigment. This is the ability for quarts to take on many different color pallets and unique patterns to match any kitchen.  

How much is it?

 

Engineered Quartz doesn’t have just one set price. There are many factors: location, quality, color, manufacturer, thickness and installation. If extra features are added, such as holes drilled for the faucet and a waterfall edge, the cost will only go up. It is, however, on average, cheaper than natural stone! On average in the U.S. it is between $50/ft to $75/ft installed. The cost range is due to all the variables listed above. 

Pros

 

There are a lot of pros for quartz countertops! Here are just a few:

Wide variety of color options
Since quartz is engineered, any color pigment can be added to create the best color pallet for your kitchen. There are options of having a solid color, added speckles and even veining that imitates natural stone.

Durability
It is an extremely durable substance, resistant to chipping and chemicals. It is also non porous which means it is stain resistant.

Long lasting
The longevity of Quartz is so good, many manufactures will offer 10 to 15 year warranties! With easy maintenance, quartz will last much longer than the warranty too.

Cons

 

Feels cookie cutter
Some people mew view quartz as a knock-off and generic. Since it is cheaper and still acceptable as an updated countertop, many new builds will choose quartz over a natural stone. 

Visible seams
Since every countertop is made by hand, there is no way to match up patterns, since they aren’t naturally occurring and can’t come from the same “slab”.

Can’t handle the heat
One of the biggest downsides to quartz is that it isn’t heat resistant. This means hot pots and pans will always need to be placed on something to protect your countertop. 

Daily use and hosting guests

 

The answer to this may dictate your entire kitchen design. Depending on how often you host special events and gathering decides a lot of factors. Factors like: Seating, fridge size, open concept, prep space etc. If you rarely host, or when you do, you’re not doing the cooking, focus more on how your kitchen functions for daily use. Obviously make sure there is enough space for everyone who lives in the home, but beyond that, it’s free game!

Looks and function

 

This one is hard, because most people spend as much time looking as their kitchen, as using it. When dealing with a strict budget, sometimes there has to be trade-offs in terms of having a beautiful kitchen vs. a functional one. 

For the person who doesn’t cook much but would rather increase value of their home, aesthetics are probably going to more important. Lifestyle is the most important part in making a decision like this. 

If the location of certain appliances make your kitchen work-flow harder, the cost of relocating may eat into your the budget you have set aside for nice counter tops or custom cabinetry.  

Value and cost

 

Just because something is the most expensive of it’s product, does not mean it is the best. Splurging on a fancier product may be tempting. In situations like this, it is best to analyze with your head rather than your heart.

If this particular item will greatly benefit your life, the function of your kitchen, solve a pet peeve, or increase the value of your home, it may be worth it. If it would be nice to have, but you may not utilize its full potential, you should pass. 

Let go of your perfectionist instincts

The first step to having a stress-free Thanksgiving, is to know that you aren’t perfect, and neither is your home. While, there is still time to reface the cabinets in your kitchen, or update the hardware, there is more to the holidays than a show-worthy kitchen. If that is something you’re in dire need of, hop on it fast! Cabinet refacing is a short, stress-free process that could bring your home from an 8 to a 10 within a weekend.

If you’re not ready to do a quick remodel, no worries, there is no shame is having a non-perfect home. The holidays aren’t about your space anyways, they’re about friends and family.  

 

 

Figure out the basics

Now that you’re comfortable knowing that your home may not be perfect, it is time for the real planning!

 

• Figure out how many people are going to be invited.
  Knowing how many matching plates, napkins and how much food you need is necessary for a fully functional Thanksgiving.
  
• Order your Turkey now.
  Assuming you plan on serving Turkey. If you plan on cooking an alternative, make sure plans are set so you’re able to have everything for the day of. Otherwise you’ll be scrambling and stressed because you have no main course. 
  
• Who will be bringing what?
  Not every family does this, but if you are a ‘pot luck’ Thanksgiving-er, make sure to figure out what everyone is going to bring. Research recipes, and take into account any food allergies your guests may have.  

 

Clean

This is something that you should probably start this weekend. Don’t do the cleaning that you’ll have to re-clean in a week anyways, but the big, less touched things. Get rid of the clutter in your coat closet, empty out old food from your fridge and clear out space in the pantry. This way you’re not struggling for space later on! 

Pick out decor

Whether you plan on going the DIY route, or running off to your local Home Goods, after you figure out your guest list and meal plans, decor is the next thing on the list! Centerpieces, candle holders, napkin rings, maybe a set of matching plates etc. 

 

Shop for non-perishable items

Trying to beat the grocery store rush, start shopping for your non-perishable items now. This will help a lot with the stress of shopping later on. Also, start a cooking list soon. As mentioned before, you should start looking at recipes, within a week before, make sure you have your recipes picked and all ingredients and spices purchased. 

 

Week-of plans

The weekend before, and days leading up to Thursday is when you should do your deep cleaning, and shopping for your perishable items. Also, if you’re like me and never use your dining table unless you have guests over, there is nothing wrong with setting your Thanksgiving table up a few days early. Here is a how-to, just in case you’re a first timer. The more prepared you are, the less stressful it will be!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

   

Step 1: Empty your cabinets

In my case it was easy, as I was packing up getting ready to move. Everything needed to be cleaned out anyways! I started by just taking two trash bags, one for stuff I want to sort, and one for trash (i.e. Expired items, empty bottles, broken hair ties, unusable makeup etc.). 

Step 2: Pare down

Once you have your two bags, one that is entirely trash, and one that you need to sort through, it is time to sit and sort. Trash should be sorted into trash and recycling, then disposed of. Next is to sort everything else. Things you decide you don’t want, but are still usable, should be donated, and everything else should be set aside in a bag or box. 

Step 3: Group ‘like’ items

Teeth: Toothbrushes, dental floss, whitening products, mouth wash etc.
Hair: Brushes, combs, products and appliances (hair dryer, curlers, straighteners etc).
Skin care: Face wipes, washes, lotions, acne cream, makeup remover etc.
Shaving: Razors, shaving cream, electric razors, after shave and lotion specifically for after shaving if that is your thing. 
Cleaning products: Bleach, toilet bowl cleaner and sponges.
And the list goes on, but you get the idea! 

Step 4: Clean

Once everything is sorted and the bathroom is empty, it is time to clean. Use a vacuum to get everything loose out of the cabinets first. Once there is no lint and dust, scrub away!

Step 5: Relocate

This is the most important part of the entire process. Make sure you aren’t hording unnecessary products before starting. Think about where you reach when you are ready to brush your teeth. Do you want to bend down to get your hair products from under your sink? Will you really use all the products enough to make it worth storing in the bathroom?

Now that everything is organized and placed where it is convenient (and make sense), keep it that way! It is easy to fall back into the same habits. It may take doing this a few times for it to really stick, but once you find a system that works for you, your life will be much easier! 

Start with countertops 

Countertops require a lot of thought, especially kitchens with a large island. Counter tops are the biggest item of a color and texture, so it is the most important. Choose a countertop that is durable and easy to clean. Feel free to go Here to read up on the few most popular countertop materials. 

 

Cabinetry

Cabinetry is just as important as countertops, but can have a bit more flare. Do not choose too many colors when picking out your cabinets, as it can get too busy or start to be tacky. Keep in mind that if you choose a bold color, it won’t be as easily changed as the color of a wall, so choose wisely.  

Use additional finishes to pull the space together

Let contrast be the focal point. Choose a backsplash to contrast well with coutertops and cabinetry. Floors are usually decided based on other rooms in the house, just make sure the colors won’t clash with what’s in your kitchen.

Try to keep materials natural and not have too many varying types. Wood, slate, stone, and marble are all common and safe choices when choosing finishes. Lighting, stools, hardware and appliances are all the finishes touches that make a whole space feel put together. Less is more!

Determine island’s function

Before dreaming about your dream appliances, decide what your island’s main function is going to be. Food prep, entertaining, eating or cooking? Many islands have a side dedicated to cooking and a side for eating.

What appliances do you need in your kitchen island?

You need to plan for function as well as spacing. If this is going to be your food prep area, make sure to have trash and recycling nearby. If you plan on having a sink in your island, you need to consider also incorporating a dishwasher as well. 

How much storage do you need?

If your kitchen layout has tons of wall cabinetry and storage, island storage may not be necessary. But for the average person, we have more stuff than space. Consider how much extra storage you need. Don’t forget about neat storage solutions too, such as pull-out spice racks, trash cans and cabinet drawer conversions.

The floor around the island requires some calculation. 3 feet of floor space on the ends of the island should be adequate to keep traffic jams from happening. The working sides of an island should have 42 inches of space as a minimum, but more than 5 feet usually isn’t necessary. If there is an entertaining//eating side of the island, it should be facing toward the exterior of the kitchen, toward the dining or living room.

Lists

Writing down(or typing out) a full detailed list is the the most efficient way to start out any project. Lists are extremely important because you will be able to lay out all your thoughts without missing any details. 

The most important list that needs to be well laid out and organized, is your scope of work. This is basically a detailed list of everything to be done, from start to finish. Having detailed specifications makes it easier to obtain multiple quotes. This ensures that it will be a fair comparison since all the builders will be quoting from same criteria.

 

Make sure everyone is on the same page

When dealing with multiple contractors (i.e. Plumber, Electrician, Cabinet Company) give your list of specifications to each subcontractor. This list should include times they will be in your home, and locations. This ensures that no one is working on-top of each other. Discuss the specifications with your subcontractors as they will be able to provide extra help and advice.

 

Plan everything ahead

Before making a single phone call, make sure every detail is planned out. Planing as you go will add extra stress and add time constraints which may result in you making a choice you aren’t too pleased with. Take a couple of weeks to organize all your thoughts. Write your specifications, draw up the plans and make all the decisions before proceeding. This will save you time and a lot of extra money

Stand by your decisions

This is a hard task, as there will be a massive amount of questions being thrown your direction. Your best bet will be to try to pre-empt as many of these decisions as you can. An even better solution would be to provide the information in advance. Making decisions under pressure will lead to impulse moves you may regret later. Taking too long, however, could hold up the project. This will cost you time, money and the patience of your builder.

 

Factor in a contingency

Even with the most prepared person, problems and surprises can, and most likely will arise. It is always a good idea to factor in a 10% to 20% contingency within your budget for these matters.  In situations where walls are being torn down, and carpet ripped out, it’s important to expect the worst. Don’t let any issues throw you off your A-game. After all, your are the creation behind your home renovation.

We aren’t all lucky enough to have a massive kitchen. There are plenty of ways to maximize the space of an inadequately sized kitchen. Here are a few tips that’ll make you realize how much space you actually have! 

Build up

If you are completely redoing your kitchen, consider extending your cabinetry upward! Extending your cabinets close to, or all the way, to the ceiling will double your storage.  The less accessible cabinet spaces are a great space for your less used formal dishware or bulk goods. 

 

Keep the space bright

The biggest mistake a homeowner can do is choose dark tones for a small space. Keep smaller kitchens with light or white woods. This will make the space feel more open and happier. 

Adding hooks, racks, or tiny shelves in the inside of your cabinet doors can almost double your storage capacity by utilizing all the vertical space. This is great for spices, mugs and towels. Take ideas from Tiny Homes. The amazing thing about tiny houses is that they incorporate every square inch of the space for storage. While your kitchen may be a bit bigger than a tiny home, it never hurts to snag a few ideas! 

Glass and mirrored cabinets

Whether open cabinets, glass, or mirrored cabinets are your cup of tea, they are all great additions to making your kitchen feel more open. The idea behind this is that it extends sight-lines. Being able to see a foot further through the back of your cabinet takes away the bulkiness of the cabinets. Mirrors will reflect light and give the illusion of much more space.