Storage can be quite a task in a small kitchen. Having a small and tight layout means that you do not have a lot of space for various things such as drawers, cabinets, shelves, storage features, and an island. In such cases, it is necessary to use every last inch of the space available in a judicious way. If you want to store more in your small kitchen, you must use some strategies that can utilise the space that you have in a wonderful way and can also enable an easy-to-use and easy-to-access storage solution. By using space saving ideas for the kitchen, you can turn a cluttered and cramped kitchen into an efficient and compact kitchen workspace.
Avoid storing everything in your tiny kitchen otherwise, it will feel cramped and small. A cluttered kitchen not only looks ugly but is also quite difficult to work in it. Reduce the number of dishes, cookware, glassware, utensils, and similar items. You can also bring down the number of appliances by removing all the appliances that you never use. Once you have decluttered your kitchen, you can use the tips mentioned in this article to redesign your kitchen. The tips mentioned here do not need a lot of money and time. You can add simple, low-cost changes to your kitchen to make it pretty and functional. Here are some low-cost simple kitchen designs to help you get started.
Open shelving.
You can increase the storage capacity of your kitchen by installing open shelves. Open shelves can transform a blank wall into a stylish, functional, and efficient storage option. These shelves can be used to store cookbooks, dishware, pantry items, and lots more. You can also put hooks on the bottom shelf to hang utensils, mugs, and other similar items.
Dividers in cabinet space.
You can utilise the limited space in your small kitchen by using dividers. dividers, as the name suggests, divide space in your cabinets. Dividers can be vertical or horizontal. Just slide them into your cabinets and use the extra space. Dividers can help you create a more organised kitchen in no time.
Use a small kitchen island.
Add extra storage space in your kitchen with the help of a unique and custom kitchen island. Instead of having an excessively large kitchen island, try to have a smaller one that can handle everything that you throw at it. Add shelves and hooks to your kitchen island to make it multipurpose. This would help you use kitchen space efficiently.
Knives on a Magnetic Knife Strip
An easy and effective way of storing knives is by using a wall-mounted magnetic strip. While knife blocks are efficient, they are also quite bulky and can take up a lot of precious space, especially in a small kitchen. Knives are some of the most frequently used objects in a kitchen and keeping them in a handy position can save you a lot of time. By using magnetic strips you can save a lot of space and use it for anything else instead. Mount the knife magnetic strip in a location where you use knives frequently. You can also put the chopping board next to this arrangement for easy access.
Double-duty shelf
You can use double-duty shelves in a small kitchen to use space efficiently. These shelves are versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes. You can put dishes and seasonal platters on these shelves while the lower portion can be used for daily knickknacks and spice jars. You can also use double-duty shelves in the inner portions of other storage cabinets.
Over-the-window space
In a small kitchen, every last inch of space is important. A simple shelf over the window can prove to be a game-changer in a tiny kitchen. It can help you make your kitchen uncluttered and organised. You can also put some small plants in this place or can grow herbs that you use in your kitchen frequently. Some nice colourful vases will add a quaint charm to your kitchen.
A Tall Glass Pantry
A tall pantry with a folding door is a great way to utilise space in your small kitchen. It is also a practical method of using space and can be used to store non-perishable food items, pots, mugs, utensils, etc. You can also use these shelves to put your ovens, microwaves, and other such equipment in one single unit so that it looks organised and seamless. To take things further, install some pretty accent lights that will not only look good but will also prove to be quite functional.
Side Cabinets
Tall side cabinets can not only provide you with a lot of space but can also add a modern twist to your traditional kitchen. These cabinets are aesthetically pleasing and look stunning. They are also highly functional and can store a lot of items. Glass cabinets can be used to display plates and cutlery, or they can also be used to store groceries, packs, and other perishable items. Try to match the colour of the cabinets with the other items in the kitchen for a seamless look.
Storage Baskets on Top of the Cabinets
You can add rattan baskets on the top of cabinets to add extra space to your small kitchen. They are incredibly handy and can be used to store fresh produce such as vegetables and fruits. You can also put your spices and other similar daily-use products in these baskets for easy access.
You can also add glass bowls and containers to store knick-knacks in your kitchen.
Smaller kitchens can benefit a lot by using vertical space. Using vertical space you can make your kitchen more functional, classy, and pretty. Be sure to choose your products and colour shades wisely so that they complement each other nicely. The small kitchen storage ideas shared in this article can help you make your kitchen look pretty and functional.
The kitchen is one of my favorite areas in the house. It is where people socialize a lot, especially when people unintentionally gather in the kitchen area to cook, eat, or get some beverages. Because of this, you must consider designing their kitchen to be more relaxing, accommodating, and inviting.
Thus, whether you are building or remodeling your kitchen, the design must show your personality and the vibe that you want it to have. Here are some ideas and designs that you may add to your kitchen.
1. Install Lights and Fixtures
Homeowners mostly overlooked the kitchen, settling for only a functional area where people gather to cook food or get drinks, but the kitchen can be more than that. With lighting and fixtures, you can quickly switch the vibe from a dull and glooming area to an aesthetically inviting place.
Proper lighting also ensures safe cooking, food preparation, and cleanliness. It helps you quickly see dirt and debris that may mix with the food you are preparing. Also, it enables you to spot cracks you need to fix and areas you need to clean.
However, you need to install the lights in specific locations strategically. Placing them in particular areas in your kitchen ensures visibility, safety, and aesthetics; most importantly, they make your food look appetizing.
Aside from that, you can seamlessly secure and hide your duct system, HVAC system, and kitchen’s necessary wiring and components through duct access doors and panels.
2. Put a Kitchen Island
Homeowners may have learned the best kitchen ideas and designs on the internet. It could be through Pinterest, TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube. But whichever they get the inspiration from, building or remodeling their kitchen with a kitchen island is a win-win situation as it offers aesthetics and usability. With easy-to-access free kitchen designs online, homeowners can add endless personality and style options to the kitchen islands.
Gone are those days when kitchen islands’ only purpose is just a prep area for cooking. Today, you can utilize them as a kitchen table where you can enjoy breakfast while socializing with your family and friends or entertain guests while cooking and preparing meals.
Adding kitchen islands is perfect for people who have frequent visitors or those who love to throw parties. Add island seating, and it becomes the kitchen’s ideal spot to gather around and enjoy the moment on every occasion. So, make use of your kitchen space whether you have a smaller kitchen or not. Remodel it and add a kitchen island!
3. Set a Pet Space
Contrary to what most people believe, cats and dogs must not be in the kitchen. Interior designers made a way to ensure that the pets can freely roam around the area and drink water from their water station without worrying that they might have access to trash bins or food storage. Fortunately, there are technologically advanced bins that can keep dogs from sniffing and eating food waste and other harmful materials that may affect their well-being.
Regardless of your kitchen layout, making a pet-friendly kitchen is easy as it has a standard rule. In general, the pet’s watering station or designated area must be a couple of steps away from the busy kitchen areas to prevent them from reaching the food and simultaneously avoid any accidents.
Additionally, pet owners can add an aesthetically pleasing dog nook that matches and blends seamlessly with their kitchen design if the kitchen has extra space. However, pet owners must ensure that the kitchen area is always clean and that the cleaning solutions, pointy and sharp tools, utensils, and poisonous and toxic food and chemicals are out of the pet’s reach.
4. Invest in Organization's System
Organizing your kitchen is an underrated idea, but it can surely make it look clean, orderly, and pleasing. While the kitchen’s vibe is the product of its design, the organization system makes it attractive for guests.
But the primary advantage of organizing your kitchen is knowing when the food expires. The First In, First Out (FIFO) method, which requires you to label food and beverages, will help you track the spoilage date, which food you need to keep, and which you need to throw away. With this method, you can also keep track of your groceries, making it easier to identify and list what you need to buy.
5. Consider Installing Walk-in Pantries
You must consider adding customizable walk-in pantries to organize and stock multiple non-perishable items in your kitchen. By adding it, you can guarantee that you have enough space to keep food items that you need until the next grocery date.
Its capacity also serves as extra storage areas for appliances and supplies you do not usually use, freeing some space in your countertops and cabinets. Thus, if you have a family of five or more or someone who buys groceries in bulk, consider installing a walk-in pantry in your kitchen to store and organize your weekly or monthly stocks in one place.
Keep in mind that kitchen designs must address the area’s aesthetics, storage, cleanliness, and efficiency. May the five kitchen design ideas help you decide which kitchen design you will add to maximize its space and enhance its ambiance.
Same kitchen, same aesthetic, same designer, different cabinetry lines. What does that look like?
When a client came to us for a kitchen remodel, we worked on a few renderings, showing what different cabinetry lines can offer them. Here’s a look at the same kitchen with two different lines – Waypoint’s stock cabinetry, which allows some modifications, and Dura Supreme’s custom cabinetry.
Waypoint (stock cabinetry with some modifications)
Stock cabinetry is pre-built and sold at stores or directly by manufacturers. They have more readily-available designs and sizes than custom cabinets. The downside, though, is that they don’t always fit perfectly into your space, so you need to be prepared to make some compromises.
Client’s kitchen, rendering with Waypoint.
Dura Supreme (semi-custom/custom cabinetry)
With custom cabinetry, manufacturers work with different dimensions and layouts based on the customer’s unique needs and preferences. It is expensive in the short run, but tends to be better value in the long run, because it can be designed to fit your space perfectly; it won’t restrict or hinder your kitchen functionality or flow, so you won’t need to replace it in a hurry. Custom cabinetry gives you more options in terms of design, material, size, and finish.
Client’s kitchen, rendering with Dura Supreme
Helping our clients make the best decision
In general, there are a few things that go into choosing a cabinetry line:
Lead time – One reason a client may choose one over the other is lead time. Put simply, it can become a question of how long it will take to get the cabinetry installed and complete the remodel. Often, a remodel is done ahead of a big family event. That’s why time can be a significant factor. Read: How we remodeled a kitchen in 8 weeks, in time for one client’s new baby’s arrival.
Budget – This is another important factor. We help our clients compare pricing. We also create renderings because we believe our clients should be able to see what they get at different price points before making a final decision. Learn more about kitchen cabinetry costs and the design choices that affect them.
Design – Once a client knows which cabinetry lines can deliver what they want on time and within budget, they can compare the final look and feel, as well as little details and differences between them.
Through our consultation process, we share relevant information and high-quality renderings to help our clients make the right choice.
What did the client choose?
After considering all the information we offered and evaluating the renderings, the client chose Waypoint. This cabinet line offers a lower lead time and price point than Dura Supreme does, which makes it a practical choice. They’re able to do this because they offer stock cabinets with some modifications.
What we love about Waypoint
While Waypoint cabinetry gives you the benefits of stock – lower cost and lead time – it does not compromise on quality. Made in America, as opposed to mass-produced in China, Waypoint cabinetry is made to last; all Waypoint cabinets come standard with plywood ends so they’ll stand up to years of use. While custom cabinetry may sometimes be beyond reach, we believe quality never should be.
Waypoint also has well-thought-out options and modifications that give us a good degree of flexibility as kitchen designers such as:
25 door styles
3 finishes – Cherry, Maple, and painted.
10 wall height options
8 modifications:
Reduced depth
Increased depth
Void door
Void top drawer
Matching interior
Inverted frame
Cabinet front only
Recessed toe kick
These options made it possible to give our clients what they were looking for. Here’s what they selected:
We did, however, encounter certain challenges with Waypoint in this kitchen.
Challenges we faced working with Waypoint’s options.
They don’t offer taller wall cabinets.
They don’t offer wood tops, so those had to be sourced separately.
We couldn’t customize widths and heights
These are some issues that have to be worked around while installing stock cabinetry. Because we are committed to working with only top-rated manufacturers, you know you’ll get high-quality, beautiful cabinetry no matter which of our cabinetry lines you choose. However, semi-custom and custom cabinetry certainly have their pros.
Would Dura Supreme have had any advantages over Waypoint in this design?
1. Customizable widths and heightsfor a better fit.
Dura Supreme lets you customize widths and heights, which would have helped us overcome some of the challenges we encountered in this client’s kitchen with Waypoint. Better customization options make Dura Supreme easier for us to work with as we design your dream kitchen – it helps us give customers the best possible recommendation to create your perfect kitchen.
2. Framed as well as frameless
Durapoint offers both framed and frameless cabinetry, while Waypoint only offers framed. Take a look at the cabinet specs below to see the difference.
Waypoint specs
Here’s a drawing of a standard Waypoint base cabinet. They are constructed using high-quality materials and hardware, making them a good option if you want framed cabinetry. They don’t, however, offer frameless cabinetry, which lends itself well to contemporary kitchen styles.
Dura Supreme offers both framed and frameless cabinetry, as seen below.
3. Tighter reveals
The space between doors, drawers, and cabinets, or “reveal”, is tighter in full-overlay Dura Supreme cabinetry than in Waypoint’s. This creates an overall cleaner look, as shown below:
4. Paintable door that retains its smooth finish
Dura Supreme offers a paintable door made of a high-density fiberboard. The benefit of this material is that it does not expand and contract. Waypoint, on the other hand, only offers painted cabinetry in a maple species; with this option, there is the risk of hairline fractures wherever you have joints.
5. A wider range of options for door styles, finishes, and more
In addition to offering both framed and frameless, Dura Supreme gives you many choices to help you achieve the look you want:
53+ door styles
Multiple wood species and paint options
34 wall height options
63+ custom modifications.
With Dura Supreme, you are sure to get quality cabinets with lots of options for your home. They have been producing quality kitchen cabinets for over 50 years, and our clients love them. They deliver the perfect balance of precision, quality, and value, allowing their clients the options they want without breaking the bank.
Here’s a more detailed comparison of what Dura Supreme offers as compared to Waypoint.
Reasons you may end up replacing stock cabinetry sooner than you think
With cabinetry by top-rated manufacturers such as Waypoint, you can rest assured that they will last. Their selection is well-designed, made from quality materials. But durability alone doesn’t shorten the lifespan of your kitchen cabinetry; there are many other reasons you may end up replacing them, most likely with custom cabinetry that will solve the issues inherent to stock cabinetry. Here are three:
They look outdated
Limited options can often mean compromising on getting the right aesthetic. In the client’s kitchen we showed you in this blog, framed vs. frameless is an example of how you may need to accept an older style when purchasing stock. The frameless options Dura Supreme offers look sleek and contemporary, which would give your kitchen a much more up-to-date look. If you pick a style that’s already on its way out, chances are, you’ll find your kitchen looking outdated much sooner than expected. As a result, you may start thinking of new cabinetry fairly soon. Choosing custom cabinetry, on the other hand, could keep your kitchen looking new for much longer.
Better organization
Custom cabinetry means custom organization. Everyone has a unique set of requirements and preferences when it comes to how drawers and shelves are set up. Custom cabinetry allows you to dive into these details and make sure your space is tailored beautifully to your specific needs. With stock, you’ll get a good setup, but you may find yourself changing how you store and arrange things in your kitchen to suit the cabinetry rather than having it designed to suit you.
Other upgrades at home
Over time, you are likely to upgrade your kitchen and home with sleeker appliances and better quality items, i.e, nicer things. You may reach a point where your cabinetry doesn’t fit in with the evolving look and feel of your space. When that happens, you’re likely to start rethinking your cabinetry and wanting to up the luxe factor to align with the rest of your space.
Verdict
Choosing a manufacturer such as Waypoint can certainly help you achieve a beautiful kitchen on time and on budget that suits you now. However, it may not be the right fit for you down the road, not too far into the future. That’s why we always encourage our clients to envision the space they really want as part of their remodel preparation process. It helps to think a few steps ahead!
Budget and time permitting, we believe exploring custom options offered by a manufacturer such as Dura Supreme can give you better results in the long run.
Of course, at the end of the day, it comes down to what you want to accomplish within a certain timeframe and budget. With a strong design team and high-quality cabinetry lines like ours, you’re sure to find the best way forward for your kitchen remodel at a price point that suits you, with beautiful results guaranteed.
Want our expert recommendations on your new kitchen? Get in touch with us here.
If you’re planning a remodel, measure your current kitchen accurately to create a design that can be executed perfectly, bringing your dream kitchen to life.
How well you measure your kitchen can be a factor in how smoothly your kitchen remodel goes. If you don’t get your measurements right, your design won’t come to life as expected. Because it’s so important, many of our clients request Bath Plus Kitchen’s Measurement Services, available with our Standard and Ultra Kitchen Design Services packages. This prevents issues such as:
Gaps between pieces (e.g., between countertop and stove).
Not enough space to accommodate certain features comfortably, such as a kitchen island.
Want to learn how to do it yourself? This blog will guide you through it.
Keep in mind that if you don’t measure your kitchen correctly, you may be able to fit everything you wanted into your kitchen space, but it won’t be a perfect fit. Accuracy here is essential while preparing for a remodel. It makes for a better experience, which is why one of our custom cabinet lines has even developed a special system for flexibility and ease-of-use. Proper measurements help your kitchen designer work out the best way to create a kitchen for you that functions seamlessly and looks fantastic.
When our designers at Bath Plus Kitchen meet with a new client, getting a clear picture of the current kitchen helps them make their best recommendations for the space. To plan the perfect kitchen remodel, we offer guidance on measuring the space and compiling ideas. Once we have a clear picture of what you’re looking for and the space we’d be working with, we can get to work.
Chances are, you know how to use a tape measure. You’ve probably used one for various projects around the house, but here are a few tips to make it easier:
Make friends with the lock button – While you may be able to take quick measurements by keeping the tape extended, the lock button will improve accuracy and also allow you to pause to note your measurements down comfortably.
Try out the belt clip – This one’s straightforward; use it to avoid a tape measure hunt in the middle of mapping out your kitchen!
Use the hook tab – Where possible, hook the tape onto whatever you’re measuring, so you can check if everything is aligned before you note down a measurement. When used together with the lock button, you can double check each measurement to make sure it’s accurate before moving on to the next one.
Get familiar with the tape measure marks – Many tape measures have lines/marks of various lengths to indicate units of measurement. If you haven’t done so yet, look closely at the little lines between every inch on the tape. This varies, but you may find marks for 1/16”, 1/8”, 1/4″, 1/2″, and 1”. Some even have a black arrow for every foot. Keeping this in mind can make it easier to count as you measure.
2.Straightedge
You’ll need one to draw the layout of your current kitchen, indicating measurements.
3. Graph paper
Along with written measurements, a graph or grid paper is a great way to help explain your current kitchen’s layout to your designer. Of course, your remodel team will do their own measurements, but greater accuracy from the get-go can only make things easier! Get started with these tips:
Use our free downloadable graph paper to measure your kitchen
Measure the perimeter of the room to frame your drawing.
Based on this, decide on your scale key and make a note of it. For example, you could decide that every square represents 5 inches. You can then create a drawing to scale.
4. Pencil(s)
A simple pencil and eraser will get the job done. However, feel free to use colored pencils or markers to make your drawing more detailed.
A few general tips on measuring your kitchens
Measure clockwise – Start at the top left corner of your drawing and then start measuring clockwise, marking all the measurements clearly.
Label walls, windows, and doors with numbers and codes – Add descriptions and labels to facilitate your discussion with your designer.
Find the center of all permanent features – This will help you measure items such as windows, doors, big appliances, as well as plumbing and electrical components.
Measure horizontally and vertically – Take horizontal measurements from halfway up your walls. Vertical measurements are important as well, where you can note the total height as well as a breakdown of measurements. For example, if measuring a window, you can measure from the floor to the window trim, then window height, and finally from the top of the window to the ceiling. You can add these up and check if it matches the total height of that wall. Cross-checking measurements like this will improve accuracy.
Include the trim for windows and doors – When you measure windows and doors, include the trim or frame in your measurements.
What to measure
Once you’ve put together your supplies, you can move on to measuring and drawing.
Step 1 – Create a floor plan
Keeping in mind your scale key, draw the perimeter of your room. Everything else can be detailed out from there. Getting the perimeter right is important because it lets the designer know how much space they’re working with.
Next, mark the windows, doors, and archways. Be sure to indicate which way they open, and whether they lead outside or into another part of the house. This will give your kitchen designer a sense of the basic usable space, the shape of your kitchen, and whether or any part of the kitchen can be opened out.
Step 2 – Create a wall plan
Measure the exact length of each wall. To do this right, measure the length in 3 places:
Along the floor
Halfway up the wall
At the ceiling
Why measure the same thing thrice? For the most part, walls are not perfectly square. This means that the three measurements you just took can be off by a few inches.
Use the widest of the three measurements for your wall plan. This is what you’ll use to order your kitchen cabinetry to avoid any awkward gaps. It’s a good idea to inform your kitchen designer about all three measurements, to give them a full picture of what they’re working with.
Your designer will also need to know what’s on the other side of each wall, so note that down as well. For example, if the living room is on the other side of one wall, you could label it “interior wall” and write “living room” outside it. Similarly, you can label a wall an “exterior wall” if the other side of it is the outside of your house.
Step 3 – Make note of any obstacles
Think of this as telling your kitchen designer more about your walls and what’s connected to them. Some items to note are:
Gas and electricity meters
Boilers
Radiators
Extractor fans
Appliances
Water stopcock
Plug sockets
Light switches
TV sockets
Measure their width from their widest point, and mark their position on the wall. Of course, you may need professional help to get some of these, but try to identify as many as you can.
Step 4 – Measure the windows
While measuring windows, be sure to include the trim. Start measuring from the top left corner of your drawing, and go clockwise.
Measure the distance between that corner and the edge of the window trim and mark that on the diagram.
Then, measure the width of the window and mark that. Label it ‘Window #1’.
Keep going clockwise until every window has been marked,
Then, get the height and width of each window
Also measure vertically, noting the distance between the floor and the bottom of each window and the distance between the top of the window and the ceiling.
The objective here is to get the size and placement of all windows.
Step 5 – Measure the doorways
This is similar to the way you measured windows. Again, start measuring from the top left corner of your drawing.
Measure the distance between that corner, halfway up the wall, and the edge of the door trim. Mark that on the diagram.
Then, measure the width of the door and mark that. Label it ‘Door #1’.
If there’s more than one door on a wall, measure again from the left corner to the edge of the second door’s trim; i.e., don’t just measure between doors.
Keep going clockwise until every door has been marked.
Then, get the height and width of each door. For the height, measure from the floor up to the top edge of the door trim. Note these details down, with additional diagrams if possible.
Step 6 – Pipes, vents, outlets, switches
When you discuss your new kitchen with your designer, you’ll probably talk about new appliances and features you’d love to have in your dream kitchen. To tell you what’s possible and what will need rewiring or replumbing, a kitchen designer needs to know the dimensions and positions of the key items. You can share the locations of:
Electrical switches
Sockets
Drainpipes
Venting ductwork
As with measuring doors and windows, start in the left-hand corner. On every wall, identify the plumbing and electrical items. Measure from the corner to the center of the item and mark it on your drawing.
Step 6 – Final check
Now it’s time to check if your measurements are accurate. If you have a rectangular room, it would follow that parallel walls are the same length. You could check if the measurements match and measure again if something seems off. Take a look around your kitchen and compare it to your drawing to see if you’ve represented it correctly.
Once you give your kitchen designer the measurements and your ideas, you can move on to the exciting part – designing your dream kitchen! We’d love to hear what you have in mind and introduce you to our process. Get in touch with us to learn how we can transform your kitchen.
2021 kitchen cabinetry trends are showing a new interest in both contemporary design and a return to nature. In our blog on 2021 kitchen design trends, we looked at how so many preferences have emerged and grown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, these trends can be a wonderful source of inspiration and help you create a space that meets your evolving needs. Before we look at some 2021 kitchen cabinetry trends, here’s a list of kitchen design choices we expect to see more of this year:
●Open layouts
To create a single shared space, barriers such as walls and doors are eliminated and distinct functional areas are integrated into a single shared space.
●Large islands Islands can provide seating and storage, making them very appealing to homeowners looking for flexibility. Some clients are even opting for a second island.
●Smart appliances
Device charging, entertainment, and emergency power for essential appliances such as fridges are going to become more important in 2021.
●Organic, natural textures and tones
2021 kitchen design trends tell us that we can expect to see more stone, marble, natural wood, and earth tones. Incorporating more organic materials and textures into interiors helps people de-stress and connect with nature.
●Mixing cabinetry color and finish
Popular choices will be painted and wood grain, with a different color on the island. We saw this last year as well with the kitchen design trends for 2020.
●Clean kitchen styles
Research by NKBA shows that the top kitchen styles are likely to be contemporary, transitional, organic/natural, and minimalistic. This suggests that, on the whole, cleaner looks will be preferred to more ornate traditional styles.
●Modern-style countertops In line with the kitchen styles that are becoming more popular, kitchen countertops will also take on a modern aesthetic. Solid surface countertops that are homogenous are an excellent choice for a clean look.
●Sinks with smart features Smart faucets and innovative sinks are going to be important 2021 kitchen design trends as people upgrade to more professional functions.
●Flooring is hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, or tile
Some popular choices this year will be hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, and tile (ceramic or porcelain).
●Under-cabinet lighting and flexible lighting controls
Flexible and passive lighting controls are anticipated to be more popular than traditional switches. Under-cabinet lighting is expected to be prominent as part of a sleek, contemporary look.
●Large windows and French doors
This helps bring in more natural light. When designed well, they create a smooth transition from indoors to outdoors as well as a sense of openness.
●Integrated entertainment or outdoor kitchens
Building on the desire for more open space, indoor-outdoor kitchens and living areas are growing in popularity. We can also expect people to spend on premium lighting, fireplaces, comfortable furniture, and outdoor cooking appliances.
To dive deeper into this and get more specific, it’s great to look at kitchen cabinetry trends, which both inform and respond to overall kitchen design trends.
As homeowners integrate kitchen, living room, and office spaces, cabinetry preferences are changing. There are many factors to consider, such as:
●Creating consistent design, aesthetic, and color schemes through kitchen and living spaces.
●Keeping the kitchen well-organized so it’s easy to tidy.
●Maximizing storage efficiency and space
●Making everything easy-to-use for all family members who may be spending more time at home now.
At Bath Plus Kitchen, we work with cabinet manufacturers at the top of their game, who are known for their style expertise and consistent quality. View our portfolio to learn about the work we’ve done with their gorgeous cabinetry.
These manufacturers are on top of (and, often, ahead of) the trends, so we believe that when it comes to 2021 kitchen cabinetry trends, they can offer incredible ideas and inspiration. If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, keep reading to find what top trends these cabinetry design experts are catering to now!
2021 kitchen cabinetry trends – 10 trends to look out for now
Slab doors
Contemporary cabinets with slab doors by Plain & Fancy
For Plain & Fancy, a top-rated cabinet manufacturer we work with, vintage cabinetry was the top-selling style. In 2020, those dropped to 5%. Instead, their customers are choosing slab doors, like the ones in the picture above. Here, you can see white acrylic cabinetry in full overlay, creating a very clean and bright look. On the base and wall cabinetry are slab doors that enhance this clean, contemporary aesthetic. For warmth and contrast, the designers chose flat panel doors in walnut with a natural finish for the island and accent wall. This is a great way to add character and uniqueness to your new kitchen while still maintaining sleekness.
White and custom color finishes
White and off-white finishes have been popular for a while, and Plain & Fancy expects them to remain favorites. Of these, their Cascade White finish has been the biggest winner. One door style in a white finish that has been doing well is their Vogue door style.
Plain & Fancy also believes custom color will continue to be a popular option. They are committed to helping their customers “dream in color” and choose from their extensive gallery of colors or even create their own shade. We highly recommend testing out their Custom Color Picker to find shades you love (which you can then add to your ‘Saved Favorites’). Here’s a snapshot of what it looks like: Custom Color Picker by Plain & Fancy.
We love it when our customers come to us with an exciting color option and an openness to explore interesting palettes. Our designers enjoy hearing about your personal preferences so they can dive deeper into customization and help you create something fabulous. That said, sometimes it helps to get a little inspiration from the color trends of the year. Plain & Fancy’s Shane Achey notes that what’s in style can differ depending on whom you ask. He shares what color experts at Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, and Farrow & Ball have chosen, summarized below.
A lot of us are drawn to more calming tones now, making grey neutrals a popular choice. The Sherwin-Williams color marketing director explains that color such as Urbane Bronze makes it easier to establish the home as a personal haven during times of uncertainty. It’s also safe to bet that this color won’t go out of style anytime soon.
Tip from Plain & Fancy: Layer with complementary tones, including not only beige paints but also, white oak or ash cabinets. Copper and wrought iron details can instantly add a hint of sophistication to any space decked out with this neutral hue.
●Valspar: 12 muted hues These colors include shades of blue, grey, and cream, with something for everyone in this modern collection. Giving each color its own webpage, Valspar offers an in-depth exploration of every hue, including a quote from an expert, why it’s trending, how to style it, and a ‘how it feels’ video with a sound bath.
Farrow & Ball have also chosen multiple colors for 2021. These shades tend to be earthy, along with a few rich colors. They have divided these into four categories – Rich and Warm, Clean and Timeless Blues, Earth Colors, and Natural Greens. Here’s a look at their ‘Rich and Warm’ set:
We hope these trending colors serve as an inspiration and help you discover new design possibilities, especially for your kitchen cabinets.
White oak
This year, we expect white oak to remain a hot seller. Plain & Fancy notes that from top-grade cuts to the rustics that were once considered low grade are all varieties of white oak will stay in demand. They predicted this popularity a few years ago, introducing 14 beautiful white oak finishes in 2018:
How do you know if it’s the right option for you? Plain & Fancy Purchasing Manager Rick Yohn says, “it is a great look for those customers that appreciate the natural beauty of wood. Six of our new finishes (Silver Shore, Driftscape, Weathered Shore, Narvik, Montane, and Lynx) are very transparent finishes and will not hide color variation. Again, great for those who love that wood look.”
They offer an exciting option for contemporary kitchen designers – reconstituted rift white oak – in the two-door styles shown below, Allegro (L) and Chicago (R).
Frameless cabinetry
While designing their dream kitchens with us, many of our clients are drawn to Bellmont’s Euro-style, built-to-order frameless cabinets. They’re certainly not alone in choosing this contemporary style over traditional framed cabinetry.
Framed cabinetry – In this cabinetry style, the door hinges are attached directly to the frame, which strength and sturdiness. Rails and stiles are used to create a face frame, similar to a picture frame. One of the great things about frameless cabinetry is that they offer flexibility with adjustable shelves and the option to use many different doors. They work well with a more traditional style.
Frameless cabinetry – Instead of securing door hinges onto a frame as you would with framed cabinetry, they are secured directly to the inside of the box. That way, all you see after installation is the flat door and drawer fronts. This creates a sleek, simple aesthetic that works well with a more contemporary style. The two main reasons homeowners today are choosing frameless cabinetry are:
●A cleaner look
●Better accessibility and space.
As Bellmont explains it, “the full-overlay, flush-fitting doors, and drawers offer unobstructed interior access, giving you more storage space and organizing options than traditional face frame cabinets.”
Bath Plus Kitchen’s Eric Shipe demonstrates the differences between framed and frameless cabinetry below.
Wall-to-wall cabinetry and made-to-measure kitchen designBecause of the growing preference for open layouts and more integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, kitchens need to be easy to clean and reorganize.
Wall-to-wall cabinetry makes it easier to keep your kitchen looking neat. It gives you freedom from worrying about keeping open shelves tidy. On a busy day, you can still pack everything away into your spacious kitchen cabinets and have your kitchen looking clutter-free.
When the goal is to maximize storage space and functionality while keeping things looking organized, a made-to-measure kitchen design fits the bill. Nobilia offers a flexible height system and made-to-measure kitchen design that supports more creative freedom in planning. To them, this was the next logical step in their grid reorganization. They are combining a more consistent line layout with increased planning reliability, a surplus of storage space, and quality improvements in the details. This system offers a new level of personalization and flexibility while still achieving a holistic, perfected look through optimized symmetry. All of these updates align perfectly with the 2021 kitchen cabinetry trends we’re seeing.
Nobilia’s flexible height system for cabinetry. Individual fine-tuning is made possible by their four different plinth heights and three worktop heights. This helps them create an ergonomically optimized activity height for a variety of activities, such as meal preparation, cooking, and washing dishes
With their made-to-measure kitchens, you get wonderful benefits such as:
●More side depth. What Nobilia says is true – you never have enough storage! That’s why they increased the storage space of all their wall cabinets and dresser units with a new side depth of 350 mm.
●Continuous fronts. These create an especially linear look.
●Flush fronts. To optimize the design lines, all Nobilia’s shelf units are now produced with front flush as the standard. These shelf units can also be supplied with adjustable shelves for a surcharge to provide even more flexibility.
Nobilia understands their clients’ aesthetic and functional priorities for their new kitchens. They believe flexibility, individuality, and storage space are what customers want, and they’re determined to provide this in new and innovative ways while still adhering to their high standards of quality and design every single time.
Contrasting finishes
If you want your kitchen to reflect world-class contemporary design, look no further than Nobilia’s fronts and trends. These reflect the biggest 2021 kitchen cabinetry trends to look out for. Take a look at what’s new at Nobilia to see how they pair different finishes to create stunning kitchens:
●Warm Concrete Shade
Nobilia describes concrete as the epitome of modern industrial style. As customers lean increasingly towards a more natural, pared-down, organic feel, they offer this new, warm shade of Terra grey for their RIVA range as a “contemporary interpretation of cool coziness”. The dark wall unit offers contrast.
RIVA 839 - CONCRETE TERRA GREY REPRODUCTION
●Elegant Wood Appearance
Nobilia’s new walnut décor embodies pure elegance and caters to the current demand for a more natural feel. The matte black carcass pairs beautifully with it to create a sophisticated look.
RIVA 840 - WALNUT REPRODUCTION
●Cottage-style cosiness
Their NORDIC doors deliver the cottage-style coziness with a new framed door in a white, genuine lacquer design. The result: Fronts with a minimalist look, inspired by popular Scandinavian style. The wood aesthetic on the island and backsplash add a touch of traditional comfort.
NORDIC 782 - LACQUER, HONED WHITE
●Glass appearance with wow effect
Nobilia’s new ARTIS line offers fronts and upright panels made of polymer glass. ARTIS thus offers a virtually unlimited range of products. The satin matte finish glass appearance achieves a stunning depth effect and sets the scene for exquisite designs in kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. In the kitchen below, the flawless glass finish contrasts beautifully with the wood aesthetic.
ARTIS 937 - GLASS APPEARANCE, TITANIO MATT
Nobilia demonstrates that the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating a contemporary kitchen that expresses your individual preferences and taste. We also love how they’re changing perceptions of laminate cabinetry, showing how beautiful, high-quality, and versatile they can be.
Clean lines and minimalist design
Clean, contemporary kitchen design is a clear winner when you look at 2021 kitchen cabinetry trends. Bellmont delivers this with their VERO series, inspired by Italian minimalist design. It boasts a true absence of handles that emphasizes clean lines and soothing symmetry for an elegant, harmonious look. What goes into achieving that? There are three key features:
●Linear rail technology – Bellmont’s sleek and simple integrated rail system provides a slender, unseen channel for easy access to drawers. This gives it a clean, crisp appearance. Without interference from handles and hardware, your kitchen becomes more efficient, making it inviting to do more there.
●Clean lines – Precision-cut frameless cabinets give you straight lines, minimal gaps, and pleasing geometric patterns. This makes visual transitions between materials and color palettes smoother.
●Uninterrupted access – Without handles and hardware, you can focus on the real stars – the door styles and complex finishes. It reinforces the lack of clutter while enhancing the convenience of the handle-free frameless design.
Nobilia offers excellent options in the realm of handle-less designs, achieving clean looks like the one pictured below.
Their Handle-less Line N kitchens are available in 11 ranges and 49 front designs. These kitchens are available in all carcass colors. The entire range of surrounds with all 47 worktop décors and 94 upright colors is available. Nobilia also offers recessed handles in 9 colors. The L profiles for horizontal recessed handles can be equipped with LED lighting for a surcharge.
Sleek integrated finger-pulls Another way to allow the beautiful cabinetry faces to shine unobstructed is integrated finger-pulls, offered by top manufacturers such as Dura Supreme. They offer two sleek and sophisticated Integrated Pulls, now available with both Crestwood and Bria Cabinetry. These built-in hardware options are perfect for contemporary and transitional designs and are available with a beautiful, brushed Aluminum finish.
Recessed design lighting Nobilia makes sure every aspect of your kitchen is perfect, including recess design. They create decorative and functional wall views with elegant panels. Their niche cladding selection is gorgeous, artistic, and unique, and would look stunning when highlighted by recessed lighting. This is something we expect to see more of in 2021 kitchen cabinetry trends.
An exciting feature they offer for this includes the ability to switch back and forth between cool white and warm white lighting, as Eric Shipe demonstrates in the video below.
Nobilia’s lighting systems are designed to illuminate workspaces as well as to create an atmosphere. They understand – and we agree – that lighting requires careful planning and consideration. After all, when you invest time and resources in your gorgeous new kitchen, you wouldn’t want unimaginative lighting to take away from the elegance and ambiance you’ve worked hard to establish!
Here are two valuable tips from Nobilia to make sure your lighting is doing your kitchen, including your new cabinetry, justice:
●Ensure that work area lighting is uniform and shadow-free as far as possible in order to optimize day-to-day tasks in the kitchen.
●In addition to general room lighting, creating additional small islands of light, mainly near the seating areas in the kitchen, makes for a homely and comfortable ambiance. Thanks to efficient LED technology and modern control options, this can be realized simply and cost-effectively.
Walk-in pantry Walk-in pantries are great especially if you love to cook and/or have a large family. For starters, they offer more storage space with floor-ceiling cubbies, shelves, and drawers. The generous space means things are easier to organize which in turn means they are easier to access and use. All of this can make cooking more appealing and can even minimize food wastage when ingredients get used instead of lying forgotten in the back of a cabinet or drawer. When planned well, your walk-in pantry can accommodate certain appliances that don’t have a permanent spot on your kitchen counters such as a juicer or slow cooker.
If this item on our list of 2021 kitchen cabinetry trends sounds good to you, you’ll love the NEW Pass-Through Tall Cabinet from Dura Supreme, designed for creating a seamless walk-in pantry.
Dura Supreme’s New Larder Cabinetry is another great option to consider, pictured below:
These cabinets are highly functional and are designed with a number of internal storage features that will help you keep most countertop clutter items and small appliances behind beautiful cabinet doors. They offer specialized internal options such as:
●Storage Center
●Beverage Center
●Baking Center
●Optional organizational features such as apothecary drawers and a flat Roll-Out Shelf
Looking at these 2021 kitchen cabinetry trends tells us that homeowners today want to create contemporary spaces that prioritize comfort and ease. Clean looks and even cleaner design will make your kitchen efficient, organized, and a joy to spend time in!
Ready to discuss your new kitchen cabinetry with our design experts? Get in touch with us here.
Kitchen cabinetry costs surprise many first-time remodelers. It can be very expensive and will take up a significant percentage of your kitchen remodel costs. The good news is, if you plan well, you can find the perfect cabinetry for your budget. Knowing your options will help you make better choices that fit your priorities. To help you find the most suitable aspects to focus your expenditure on, we’ve put together the different choices you will need to make while selecting your cabinetry.
1. Installing new cabinetry vs. refacing existing cabinetry
Cabinetry has one of the biggest parts to play in creating the look of your kitchen. Some homeowners opt to simply reface their cabinets. This entails steps such as covering cabinet boxes and sides, adding new cabinet fixtures, and installing new drawer fronts. Refacing costs less than getting brand-new cabinetry.
Still, most kitchen remodels involve a change of cabinetry because homeowners want to update the kitchen’s aesthetic and improve functionality with new features and storage ideas. This decision will mean costs for removal, new cabinetry, and installation. Unless you are quite skilled, get a professional to do this for you, or you could damage your walls. For safety reasons, cabinet installation is best left to qualified professionals as well. This can be around 40-50% of the kitchen cabinetry costs. Full-service remodel firms such as Bath+Kitchen will take care of the entire process for you, from design to installation.
2. Custom or semi-custom vs. stock cabinetry
Custom cabinetry tends to be the most desirable choice for many reasons, closely followed by semi-custom. Stock cabinets work well for smaller budgets, but you are likely to find a limited selection of materials and styles there. That’s why our clients prefer the custom and semi-custom options we offer via top-rated manufacturers that prioritize quality and variety, such as Bellmont, Dura Supreme, and Plain & Fancy.
3. Natural wood vs. engineered materials
You can expect engineered materials such as MDF and particleboard to cost less than solid wood. There are some excellent MDF doors out there for you to choose from that are high-quality and beautifully-designed, such as Bellmont’s shaker-style door:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8I93nBFeC0
These often look new for longer than some solid wood doors do.
If you love the classic look of solid wood, consider factors such as grain, color, and construction. Also, you’ll find that each wood species comes with its own price. Oak and Hickory can be more affordable than Maple or Cherry. Here are some popular choices:
Red Oak
White oak
Hard maple
Hickory
Cherry
Birch
Ash
Pine
4. Traditional vs. Contemporary door styles
There are different basic kitchen styles you can opt for such as traditional, transitional, contemporary, and modern. For traditional and transitional kitchens, raised panels express the desired aesthetic well. These kitchens favor detail so cleaner styles wouldn’t have the right impact. These more ornate or decorative door styles will cost more than slab doors, which are suited to contemporary and modern kitchens.
Other styles that can increase your kitchen cabinetry costs are mullion frame doors and open frame doors, which require glass inserts. Some clients opt to make these the predominant door style in their kitchen. A more budget-friendly option is to use a few of them as accents while using solid panels for the most part. Choices like these will shape your kitchen cabinetry costs.
5. Glaze vs. laminate
Cabinet finishes vary considerably in terms of cost. Glazed doors can offer a beautiful vintage look but can be much more expensive than a laminate. That said, there are a wide variety of laminates to choose from today, ranging in quality and price. Explore Bellmont’s door finish gallery to get a sense of how many options there are and what kitchen aesthetic they’re best-suited to.
Dura Supreme, another cabinet manufacturer we work with, breaks their door finishes into three main categories – contemporary, painted, and stained. We also work with Plain & Fancy, who let you customize your color (try out their Custom Color Picker and save your favorites!) in addition to offering an exquisite selection of door styles and finishes.
With these well-reputed manufacturers, you can rest assured that anything you select will be high-quality and look beautiful in your home.
6. Drawer base vs. standard base
Drawer base cabinets are more expensive than standard base cabinets. By designing strategically, you can create a combination of drawers and shelves that work for you, like in the kitchen below:
The red arrow points to a standard base cabinet with 1 drawer and 2 drawers. The blue arrow points to a 3-drawer base cabinet. You can also get 2 drawer and 4 drawer base cabinets. How you design this will impact your kitchen cabinetry costs.
Then, the drawers themselves come in a range of designs, all priced differently. Soft-close, dovetail drawers are the starting point for all of our kitchen cabinetry. They have solid ⅝” thick sides with a ¼” plywood bottom and 75-pound load capacity. Drawer sides and bottom are protected with a clear UV cured-coating.
Upgrade options include:
Walnut drawers with additional hand sanding. This gives you tight, flush joints and two coats of clear catalyzed conversion varnish for durability.
Alder drawers with additional hand sanding. Similar to the walnut drawers described above, this gives you tight, flush joints & two coats of clear catalyzed conversion varnish for durability
LEGRABOX drawers by Blum. Key features:
Slim 1/2” thick drawer sides constructed with a powder-coated steel finish in a mid-tone grey.
A higher load capacity – 88 pounds standard and 150 pounds for 42 to 48” wide drawers.
The soft close guides feature progressive runners, providing fluid-like running of the full extension action.
Unlike standard wood drawers, their drawer faces are attached directly to the LEGRABOX drawer sides with a concealed mechanized coupling bracket. This gives you an additional ⅝” of storage.
The Ambia-line of accessories is designed specifically for LEGRABOX drawers.
7. Framed vs. Frameless
Framed cabinets work well with more traditional kitchens and can cost around $500-1000 less than frameless cabinetry. If you want a sleek aesthetic that’s similar to a lot of contemporary European styles, frameless is the way to go. Not sure what the difference is? Bath+Kitchen’s Eric Shipe explains it in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-TvjR84zhc
8. Made in the USA vs. cheaper imports
Considering several crucial factors such as quality, design, aesthetic, safety, longevity, and ecological impact, we highly recommend choosing cabinetry manufactured here in the US. There are many cheap alternatives available today that can even be ordered online, but they come with their own price. Many of them are low quality and won’t last. In addition, there are potential health and safety risks. Their negative impact on the environment is an important consideration as well. At Bath+Kitchen, we work exclusively with top-rated US cabinet manufacturers to ensure you always get quality cabinetry that is safe for your home. We take the time to study quality carefully and are transparent with our clients about every detail of the cabinetry they choose.
Other factors – considering your space
In addition to your preferences, it’s essential to evaluate your specific space and note any unique features as well as constraints that need to be factored into the design. Some of the options below could work well for your kitchen, giving you the kind of look and experience you want. Again, what you choose will shape the total cost of your cabinetry.
Taller wall cabinets
30” high wall cabinets with a soffit (a structure used to fill the space between your cabinets and the ceiling or hide wiring) above will be more affordable than a 36” or 42” high wall cabinets with fascia and crown molding. If an existing soffit needs to be removed, there will be additional labor costs.
If you have 9’+ ceilings, choosing stacked cabinetry can look impressive and elegant. However, they can add thousands to the cost of your project by increasing your kitchen cabinetry costs. Here’s are some stacked cabinets we’ve done for clients in
Here’s what they look like in a contemporary kitchen we remodeled in Arlington, VA:
Tip: When choosing wall lift up cabinets, consider ceiling height as the doors will require additional space to open up fully.
There are different types to choose from as well, illustrated below:
Wall tilt up doors
Wall Lift up door, about 33% more than tilt up doors, allows for an easier to reach handle
Wall lift over the top about 41% more than tile up doors
Wall bi-fold tile up doors
Wall tilt up door bottom
About accessories
From basic accessories that keep your budget in check to elaborate pieces that enhance the look (and cost) of your cabinetry, there are so many options to choose from. You could find exactly what you’re looking for at Kessebohmer – premium German manufactured accessories, Rev-A-Shelf, or the Ambia-line of accessories designed specifically for LEGRABOX drawers. If your budget can accommodate it, these additional features can enhance your cabinetry experience:
Tip-On push to open drawers, a mechanical drawer system that doesn’t require electrical.
Getting ready to design and order new cabinetry? Here are 5 of HGTV’s cabinetry trends for 2021 to help you get started:
Side-by-side color combo cabinets (as opposed to up and down).
2. Glass door cabinets
3. Natural wood
4. Luxe pulls and mix-and-match hardware (eg: knobs and handle pulls)
5. Under-cabinetry lighting
When you plan your budget for your kitchen remodel, we suggest making high-quality cabinetry a top priority. Kitchen cabinetry costs may feel high, but it’s important to look at the big picture – your cabinets have the power to shape the look and feel of your kitchen while also improving resale value. It’s an investment and, several years of experience and many happy clients later, we can help you plan it to perfection!
Kitchen countertop costs, like kitchen cabinetry costs, can vary tremendously based on your design choices, from simple to spectacular. They will constitute a significant percentage of your remodel costs. To ensure you find the perfect choice for your kitchen and budget, it’s a great idea to explore your options and understand how they will impact your costs. Kitchen countertop costs are calculated on the basis of two main factors – materials and installation. Installation costs will depend on your contractor or remodel company. When investing in a new kitchen, it’s best to choose a company with proven expertise. In our work as one of the top-recommended kitchen remodeling companies in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, we have found and fixed many design and installation issues that came from cutting corners. It’s easier and cost-effective to choose quality from the start.
This kitchen remodeling project in Washington, DC was started by Bath + Kitchen about a year after the kitchen was remodeled by a flipper. The flipper took dozens of shortcuts in construction, made design mistakes, used cheap materials, and committed permit fraud. Here’s how we turned this around.
While installation costs will be difficult to control, material selection is where you can shape your kitchen countertop costs. Meaning, what you choose will drive the price up or down. To give you a basic idea, here are the price ranges you can expect, excluding installation:
Budget – $10-$50 per square foot plus installation
Mid-range – $60-$90 per square foot
High-end – Starts at around $90 per square foot
Keep reading for a closer look at different materials you can choose!
What materials should you choose for your countertops?
The possibilities are endless, but we’ve put together a list of the most popular choices based on what our clients have been interested in.
Heat-resistant and virtually impenetrable, Dekton is a sophisticated blend of the raw materials used to produce the very latest in glass and porcelain as well as the highest quality quartz work surfaces. These ultra-compact surfaces are made using Sinterized Particle Technology to create a revolutionary material and a leading product. Their thinner 1-2cm slabs fit beautifully in a cleaner, contemporary kitchen. For a mitered look, thicker options are available. Dekton’s advantages include:
View the Cosentino product guide to learn more about Dekton’s advantages and applications.
Note: It is not a through body color. That means the edge, while the same color as the top, will not show the pattern.
Natural stone and top-quality marbles
Common slabs such as Carrara – $45-75 per square foot
Premium slabs such as Calacatta and Portoro – up to $300 per square foot.
Standard thickness: 3 cm
The luxurious look and feel of marble is tough to beat. It also has some practical qualities that homeowners enjoy. For example, if you’re someone who loves to bake, cold marble can be an excellent surface for kneading dough.
They, however, are high end and can also be high-maintenance, requiring sealers periodically to preserve their beautiful aesthetic. If you are happy to invest in maintaining them, natural stone or marble is a stunning choice.
Particleboard core with hardwood veneers – a more practical and affordable choice, available in Bath+Kitchen’s cabinetry lines by Plain & Fancy, Dura Supreme and Bellmont. They offer wood tops with a particle board or plywood core, with thickness options of ¾” and 1 ½”. These tops can be painted, stained (veneer), or laminate.
To give you an idea, here’s a look at Bellmont’s wood countertop specs:
– 3/4” thick wood veneer panel with 3/4” x 1 1/2” solid wood banding on edges.
– Edge detail can be specified using door edge profiles; #6 not available.
– Build-up strip around perimeter, 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ plywood or particleboard (matches header box option).
– Bottom of panel is NOT finished.
– Not available with Villa III detailing; Villa II sand thru will only be on hardwood edges.
– You can provide dimensions and indicate finished edges when ordering through their portal.
– They are priced by the square foot.
Dura Supreme’s tops offer a number of edge profile options. When ordering these, you will need to specify the overall size (including applied solid stock or molding) as well as the cross-grain dimension before the width. Your order should indicate edge height x depth (cross-grain) x width (with the grain). For example, WT1-1/2” (edge height) x 25” (cross-grain) x 48” (with the grain).
– Their wood tops are available with 3/4” plywood or furniture-board with solid stock or molding applied to the specified edges. The price includes panel and applied solid stock (3/4” or 1-1/2”) or molding.
– Maximum panel size is 48” deep x 96” long excluding solid stock or moldings.
– Maximum nonstandard, “Extra Long” (Veneer core only) panel size is 25” x 120” excluding solid stock or moldings. Exception: Not available in Rustic Hickory.
– Non-Standard Wood Top code must be specified for any wood top with angles, notches or clipped corners, or for any Extra-Long top (over 96”).
A beautiful and timeless option, solid wood countertops are still loved by many homeowners. Different species of wood work differently in a kitchen, so it’s important to consult an expert. Even when you choose well, wood can be a tricky surface to maintain. Like marble, staying on top of it is key.
Quartz
Plain – $45-55 per square foot
More color – $55-65 per square foot
With a look similar to Calacatta and Carrara – $75 per square foot
Standard thickness: 3cm
The Spruce describes quartz (not solid quartz) as “a form of engineered stone, made from ground-up particles of stone bound together with plastic resins”. On average, it costs around $40-100 per square foot. For homeowners who want the look of natural stone at a lower price point and without all that maintenance, quartz is a great option.
Laminate countertops
On average, these cost between 25-50% less than quartz or natural stone countertops.
Note: With laminate countertops, a flush mount or top mount sink is required. Undermount sinks will not work.
At Bath Plus Kitchen, we love Nobilia’s laminate worktops which, interestingly, make incredible backsplashes or “niche cladding”, pictured below.
They come in 38 mm and 16 mm (slim line). Unlike natural stone or quartz, these don’t require 1-2 weeks to be measured and fabricated. They’re also very easy to install – both countertop and backsplash – and this can be done right after your kitchen cabinets are installed. Here, the countertops and backsplash can match or compliment your cabinet finishes for a cohesive look. Note: Nobilia’s quartz tops are not available in North America at this time.
When selecting a laminate countertop for your kitchen, ensure they can handle heat and water. Some laminate countertops, such as Northern Contours’ 3D Laminate Surfaces, won’t hold up well against heat but are perfect for a bathroom or laundry room. Identifying the top strengths of such surfaces can help you find the best place for them.
3DL Surfaces by Northern Contours.
Stainless steel
On average – $60 – $100 for the materials, $70 – $130 with installation.
If a professional kitchen is what you dream of, consider stainless steel countertops. They are non-porous, easy to clean, and send the message that you take your culinary endeavors seriously!
Concrete
On average, $50 – $100 for the materials, $60 – $130 with installation
Poured concrete countertops need to be made by experts who can guarantee a flawless finish. They lend beautifully to a modern aesthetic and look very impressive and unique. Of course, there is the risk of cracks to consider. That’s why it’s essential to get a professional opinion on these before you move forward with this choice.
Recycled materials
On average, $10-70 for the materials, $20-100 with installation.
These countertops are typically made with paper, glass slabs, and glass tiles. They signal creativity and innovation, as well as eco-consciousness. Reclaimed wood is another option in this space. Of course, it will require the maintenance of any other solid wood countertop.
When we work with clients on their kitchen or bath, one key decision we guide them through is edge profile. There are multiple edge profiles to choose from, such as these ones from Silestone:
Straight Beveled
Based Eased
Bullnose
Ogee
Mitred
Demi-bullnose
Most of our clients choose the Basic Eased edge shown below, which appears square with a slightly eased top edge while maintaining the surface’s thickness.
Tip: If aspects of organic materials such as marble and wood appeal to you, but you’re not too keen on the maintenance, consider adding small pieces strategically. You could have a marble section for working with dough, for example, or an inbuilt solid wood butcher’s block-style chopping board. The rest of your kitchen can use an easy-to-maintain option. This kind of selective placement could lower your kitchen countertop costs.
Other factors that impact kitchen countertop costs
DIY vs. installation (labor) While using low-cost materials such as tile, you can go the DIY route if you have the required skills. It gets tricker if you’re using high-end materials such as marble and natural stone for many reasons. One of these is simply the weight; since most slabs weigh too much for one person to move, it is better and safer to hire a pro. Also, when investing in a good-quality countertop, you don’t want damage or improper installation to ruin its finish. That’s why choosing a professional is your best bet. This can cost you between $10-30 per square foot for labor on average, which varies by location.
Removal of existing countertop As explained, it’s best to work with a pro, especially if your countertops are natural stone or other high-quality materials. It will require cutting the silicon adhesive, removing the backsplash, and a few other steps.
Cabinet preparation Ensuring that your cabinets are in good condition is important for the maintenance of your countertops. If your cabinets aren’t level, they could cause pressure points that may eventually break the countertops, particularly natural stone. Professionals will make sure: – The surfaces are level – They have enough supports
One approach is to redo your cabinetry together with your countertops because it is a great idea to replace both at the same time, correcting any possible issues. In our previous blog, we explain the design choices that impact kitchen cabinetry costs. Redoing your cabinetry and countertops together will ensure you create a cohesive setup, like the Nobilia setup Bath+Kitchen’s Eric Shipe demonstrates below:
Another approach is to do this as part of a full kitchen remodel. If you’re not sure what’s best for your kitchen, Bath+Kitchen’s design experts can help.
Sanding, polishing, and sealing
These will depend on the materials you’ve chosen, and your remodel company or contractor should be in a good position to choose the right options. The finishing and maintenance of the surfaces will add to your kitchen countertop costs.
Need more help selecting the right countertop? An important factor in selecting your countertops will be your kitchen style. For some ideas on what would work best, take a look at our blog. We examine quartz, granite, marble, and other natural stones, explaining the pros and cons of each.
Before you begin your remodel, learn about the kitchen design trends for 2021. Modern-style countertops will be popular in 2021. Solid surface countertops that are homogenous are an excellent choice for a clean look. Functionally, too, they make sense because they are non-porous. Quartz will remain a popular choice as well.
Choosing the right materials and layout for your countertops is a big part of your kitchen design and experience. Through our showroom and virtual consultation, our designers can help you find what would suit your needs best, so you can make the most of your kitchen and enjoy every moment spent there! Schedule a consultation to get started.
A white kitchen typically conjures up an image of a spotless kitchen. But it’s a lot more than that. Also, it is a location where you can get inspiration and feel confident in yourself. Many homeowners choose to have a white kitchen. It complements a range of styles and is classic and elegant.
Moreover, white walls, worktops, and cabinets give the impression that the room is large and bright, but they also need a lot of maintenance, just like white clothing or white furniture. White cabinets make dust and dirt more visible, requiring regular care. Here are some tips that will assist you to maintain your white kitchen successfully.
1. Use Multiple White Shades in Kitchen
Adding softer hues to your white kitchen area has many benefits. Ideally, an all-white kitchen represents cleanliness, purity, and freshness. But sometimes, it can backfire, and make it look sterile. Plus, your all-white kitchen could really use some color. Therefore, pick three or four distinct tones of white and apply them to various surfaces across the kitchen.
Avoid blending warm and cool whites when bringing in various colors of white. Cool tones appear bluer, whereas warm tones appear more yellow. The majority of paint merchants will display their cool and warm whites separately, making it easier for you to spot whites that belong to the same category.
2. Clean it Regularly
There’s no shortcut to cleaning it regularly for the best results. Cleaning your white kitchen thoroughly and frequently is the best method to keep it looking nice and new. Stock up on basic cleaning supplies and household detergents, and you should be ready to go. It only takes a soft washcloth and some warm water to get the job done.
3. For Stains, Use Vinegar
According to cleaning experts, removing stubborn stains from white surfaces is a breeze when using white vinegar mixed with warm water. Try mixing equal quantities of water and vinegar in a spray bottle to wipe up your backsplash or kitchen cabinets if they have been splattered with oil because vinegar is also excellent at cutting through the grease.
Tip: Don’t use vinegar on marble countertops; instead, use a cleaning solution designed specifically for genuine stone. Also, you can remove pesky blood stains by using hydrogen peroxide with water.
4. Install an Exhaust System
Airborne grease and food particles can quickly accumulate on surfaces. To keep cooking grease out of cabinets and other porous surfaces, install a powerful exhaust system or range hood. The exhaust fan protects more than just your lungs from the fumes created while cooking. When applied properly, it also helps your kitchens become less greasy and oily. As when you start cooking, delicious fragrances fill the air, and since they must land someplace, your counters are their preferred location! To avoid this from happening, turn on the chimney/exhaust fan.
5. Install Cabinet Liners
You can install a cabinet liner to keep your cabinets appearing white and also in good shape. A thin plastic sheet called a cabinet liner is placed between the cabinets and the door. It protects the cabinet from dampness and prevents the door surfaces from scratches. Your cabinets can be shielded from dust and spills with the aid of a cabinet liner.
6. Include Natural Textures
Natural components like hardwood shelves or wooden cabinet doors might help break up the white. You can give your countertop a brand-new look by vinyl-wrapping it if you don’t frequently cook or use hot objects and you’re up for some DIY. If remodeling is not an option, you may still incorporate these aspects by using wooden utensil racks, rattan decorative items, or cheese boards that are displayed artistically. But we advise keeping these far from the sink and stove.
7. Utilize natural light
A white kitchen benefits greatly from natural light from windows or skylights because it enhances the light and airy atmosphere, making your interior visibly more appealing. Additionally, window decorations in adjacent rooms can differ. Use shades that can be fully raised during the day for natural light to enter your indoor space.
8. Keep Out of the Direct Sun
Plan your kitchen to keep white cabinetry out of direct sunlight. To avoid having white cupboards and appliances appear dingy, look for ways to utilize natural light avoiding direct sunlight.
9. Choose your plants wisely
Other varieties of potted plants, in addition to the typical herbs like oregano and rosemary, can liven up a kitchen. If you want to avoid having your plants wilt, choose strong ones and keep them away from direct sunlight.
To prevent pest infestations near your area, inspect your plants closely and frequently. For a splash of greenery on the racks without the hassle, some prefer artificial plants in the kitchen. Avoid using dried flowers since they are prone to fire hazards.
To Conclude
A classic white kitchen is a timeless trend, and it never goes out of style. By taking care of your surfaces, you may prevent yellowing and stains and take pleasure in the peace of a spotless white kitchen. We hope these ideas will help you keep your white kitchen elegant and clean.
The kitchen has to be the favorite place for many people, especially for avid chefs that love cooking. Besides, the kitchen is a space where many spend a lot of time either fixing themselves something to eat or storing up vital consumables. Kitchen accessories alongside are the most vital parts of a kitchen set up and decide how effortlessly you can walk and work in your cooking space. There are some key accessories when you are designing a new kitchen or renovating an existing one. While everyone would love to have a fully optimized and organized storage, the truth is, not everyone has the luxury of having a MasterChef style arranged in a hyper-organized setting to store their kitchen accessories. So, if you’d love to upgrade your kitchen with a small budget and want to make sustainable choices, this is a must-read.
1. Update or Add Layered Lighting
A well-layered lighted kitchen improves its appearance – the emphasis here is on layers. While depressed ceiling fixtures ascertain general illumination, accessory lights function as an accent and cover the island. Upgrading it is a way to add style to your kitchen since it gives the first impression. You need not break a bank for a light fixture, but if you’re willing to splurge, you can explore a stylish chandelier.
2. Add a Focal Backlash
Backsplash, when harnessed appropriately, not only takes a lot of hits and heat but also doubles as the center of attraction, seeing it covers a good expanse of space. Adding a backsplash does wonder to amplify the feel of your kitchen. For something even more exciting, you should go for patterned ceramic tiles, particularly for a small space or a single wall that could make a big impact.
3. Create a Functional Island
Have your kitchen island play jack of all trades and multi-functional, including tailored elements to the basic unit. To get yourself an intensified storage and extra workspace, consider a shelving unit on one side and a table section at chair height on the other side at the end of the island, providing useful storage space for cutlery. You might also consider purchasing a new countertop with an overhang and adding legs extending your island without seating.
4. Pantry Unit
A definite must in every kitchen is the pantry unit. A pantry unit is regarded as a cupboard with a difference, storing all your non-perishable food products, groceries, bottles, jars, and other appliances. Although you can only customize the pantry unit based on the space available, it undoubtedly improves the style statement in your kitchen, particularly when you combine it with beautiful finishes, like sophisticated handles and lighting.
5. Explore Wall Art Painting
Alongside wall paints, finding the perfect backdrop to complement your lifeless kitchen wall does not have to be overwhelming. Start with a theme with exemplary designs of your choice and step it up with other frames. For instance, thecoffee painting by ElephantStock is a game changer for wall art paintings. This painting makes the corner of your minimalist kitchen stand out while maintaining the room’s simplicity. You can also check out other paintings that would suit your kitchen to create focal points, improve texture, add colors, and integrate elegance.
6. Change your Cabinet Hardware
Using a minimum investment of time and money, you have no idea what big an impact you can make by upgrading your cabinet hardware – talk about a quick and easy update that commands a colossal difference in the style of your kitchen. The best part is that you can change your cabinet hardware in just a few hours without spending much and yet transform your space’s entire appearance and atmosphere.
7. Use Cutlery Organizers
If your kitchen is modular, then a cutlery organizer is one important kitchen accessory you should have. Try out cutlery trays or a pull-out cupboard to display different-sized items stored in them, especially for deep but not too wide space. They all look sleek and can blend into your existing kitchen without a hitch. That being said, different cutlery stands, with partitions to display cutleries, are available for traditional kitchens.
Conclusion
Whether vintage, modular, contemporary, old French, or English, all kitchens have a lot in common. While most of these stylish and sophisticated items are expensive, you probably still have most of them on your to-do list for a kitchen revamp to suit your style. Instead of focusing on what you possibly can’t get, do what you have and still get the kitchen of your style on a budget. Good luck!
