Its probably no surprise to homeowners that the top remodeling project is the kitchen, followed closely by the bathroom. A budget friendly kitchen remodel will only affect some parts of the kitchen, such as replacing countertops usually along with the sink and faucet, or updating cabinets with pull outs and refinishing them. A full scale…

Analyze your kitchen; where can things be stored, off the counters and hopefully, out of sight, but still be accessible when needed? A kitchen island can be installed with drawers on at least one side, and shelves on another. One side often is left for casual dining. Lower cabinets are at their best when pull-outs…

Some homes have kitchens with seating available at an island. These are convenient for the busy family where everyone cannot always eat at the same time, so conversations can occur while meal prep is continuing. Another more common situation is the eating/ dining space is just a few feet from the kitchen, which as anyone…

Solutions to not enough storage, or not storage of the right type in your kitchen include options such as: 1.Use the space above the cabinets, or install cabinets that go to the ceiling. 2. Install pull out shelves in the lower cabinets. 3. Have an island built in the kichen, with all the shelving, drawers…

We remodelled a kitchen recently that had reached it’s “sell-by” date and was in need of a make over. The footprint of the cabinets was kept the same, but cabinets, flooring, countertops, sink, faucet and appliances were new. Countertops were 3cm stone with full height backsplash and a beautiful detail where the peninsula meets the…

Kitchen islands have become almost a requirement for any kitchen, as long as there is enough space for it. They can define the kitchen space, as so often the home has an open floor plan, with fewer walls than homes used to have. A thoughfully designed kitchen island provides these options: Your contractor can advise…

Most rooms in a house can benefit from layered lighting, ambient, task and decorative. But the room that benefits the most from this concept is the kitchen. Light located where it’s needed is the first step in upgrading kitchen lighting. It is both safer and more workable to have light strips installed under the upper…

Since the kitchen gets used so much, and every day, it has an oversized impact on how we feel about our homes. Are they efficient, easily navigated, with thoughtful well designed storage? Are the materials selected for surfaces complementing each other and working together as a united style? Here are a few photos of a…

Kitchens need updating, of course. But when planning that next remodel, think about improving the convenience, as much as the finishes and style. One major improvement in modern kitchens are the myriad cabinet styles that are becoming more and more in use. This is shown at its best in the pull outs that have been…

Wall space is usually minimal in a kitchen, but it is wise to select muted colors that don’t overcome the backsplash and cabinet treatment. In our pacific northwest area, cabinets are often chosen in natural wood tones, such as oak, and walnut. Perhaps it’s all the forests and nature we are surrounded with. If cabinets…

The main concerns of people thinking about removing a wall to open up a kitchen are loss of storage; after all, what is on that wall? Usually cabinets, below and oftentimes above the counter. And what is on the other side of that wall? If it’s not the dining area, then maybe keeping the wall…

Typically kitchen faucets can be expected to last 15 years or more, but there are signs that it’s that time, even if 15 years hasn’t gone by yet. High quality faucets will be worth having repairs, but a typical, low cost faucet should probably just be replaced. Here are some of the indications that it’s…

Kitchens that are open to the dining or living rooms are still requested. For a busy family, being able to move between these rooms with little or no barrier makes for more efficient moving about. Soft-close drawers with hidden storage; more of the kitchen noise can be reduced with quietly closeable drawers. Storage can be…

When planning a kitchen remodel, it is often a need to replace the countertop; if you are not sure what you want, going with a less expensive material will give you time to think about what material to install in the future. A good contractor can help you decide what is important to you in…

One of the more popular kitchen changes we see is the open concept kitchen. This means removing a wall or sometimes it can be a peninsula that has a cabinet hanging down from above. This blocks off the space as effectively as a wall would. Replace the flooring in the the kitchen. A vinyl plank…

The biggest improvements that really make a difference are the main surfaces and fixtures that affect everyday use. Nearly all kitchen remodels include countertops, backsplashes, sinks, cabinets and faucets. As in any home remodel, how you use your home should influence any changes you make. Be sure to think about future changes your family might…

Installing pull outs for the undercounter cabinets is a great way to make space you already have more functional. Even that pesky corner that seems to absorb pots into a dark recess so that you never see them again, can be made useful. Some homeowners choose to turn undercounter spaces into drawers (as seen in…

The old fashioned cabinet style for undercounter storage is gradually giving way to the far more useful and efficient drawers. This seems like a “no brainer”, but for decades homeowners suffered with the poorly organized cabinet design. Todays homeowners often request at least a few pull out drawers installed during a kitchen remodel, and not…

A typical kitchen cabinet finish should last 10 years or more, depending of course on the finish and how it is cared for. Everyday use can leave scratches, dents and wear out paint especially where we grab the pulls to open and close. You will know when this has gotten to the point that you…

The best kitchen will be the one that works for you; your family size, ages, and meal prep styles. After that, functional spacing, appropriate arrangement of cabinets and appliances, and a color scheme that you love. Lighting that allows you to see the countertop corners under the cabinets, pleasing colors that go well together make…

If you like the open-concept home then here are some additional benefits that you may not have thought of. Those single level homes (mostly) with kitchens open to the living and dining area have the added benefit of incorporating again in place features. After all, it will be easier to navigate with fewer walls, whether…

Do people still have walls removed to open up their kitchens? Yes, open concept kitchens are still popular, and for good reasons. The open feel with more natural light is enjoyable for both the food prep person and the rest of the family, and company. Even if the wall that is to be removed is…

Kitchen cabinets that extend to the ceiling offer a range of benefits, the first being maximizing storage space and streamlining the cabinets. You won’t have spiders building their webs above those cabinets that have a gap between them and the ceiling, and you’ll never have to climb up there to dust. That extra storage in…

Kitchen islands are a popular design feature. More than half of renovating homeowners either add an island or upgrade an existing one when remodeling their kitchen. If they have the room, bigger is better. Features often incorporated in the kitchen island are; Kitchen islands can serve as a decorative element in the kitchen with unique…

Kitchens need upgrading every 10-15 years, due to the heavy use the countertops, sinks, appliances, etc., receive. So if this is your year for that much needed upgrade, what is on your list for replacing or adding to that kitchen? Here are the popular items that people are asking about for their kitchen remodel. Islands…