Whether you're completing a full kitchen remodel or simply looking for a few finishing touches, finding kitchen cabinet hardware with just the right look is like proudly donning your favorite jewelry or fashion accessory. And, if silver-toned hardware options have garnered your attention, you are not alone. Chrome, nickel, and stainless steel kitchen hardware are all highly popular. Each provides a unique variation of neutral silver tones, and work well in both contemporary kitchen designs, and adorn traditional spaces as well.

Popular white kitchen cabinets gleam with pizzazz, do you agree? If you are considering white to reface your existing kitchen cabinets, or for new cabinetry altogether, you are not alone in your color choice. From HGTV to Pinterest, editorial style guides feature white cabinetry that appeals to many individual preferences and tastes.

From traditional to contemporary, rustic farmhouse, shaker, or sleek and streamlined transitional looks, a kitchen anchored with versatile white cabinetry brings a crisp, fresh appeal to a range of design styles. Additionally, white enlarges the appearance of a space and helps reflect available light — all a plus in prep areas. Plus, aging eyes will appreciate the extra boost of brightness, especially in a kitchen workspace.

When planning your budget for a kitchen remodel, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) recommends allocating 10-25% of your home’s value. The NKBA also cites kitchen cabinetry as the largest expense, accounting for up to of 30% of your overall kitchen remodeling budget.

So, there are two things to consider with these costs in-mind:

• Can the cost of kitchen cabinets be reduced?

And, since the investment is so substantial for cabinet doors,

• How can I maintain the like-new appearance of my cabinets and extend their lifetime?

As you’re thinking about kitchen improvements, or contemplating a whole remodel of the most frequently used room in your house, a quick check list will likely include kitchen cabinets, flooring, appliances and countertops. However, before you get too far down the path in planning, pause to also consider how to make your kitchen distinctly yours. There are ways to incorporate your unique lifestyle and design tastes into your kitchen and they are well worth the time and expense because personalized elements are almost always what make your new kitchen your favorite room to walk into.

Although kitchens have long-been thought of as the heart of the home, they have become even more critical and central to daily life as we’ve been staying-in more due to the globally impacting, hard-to-kill COVID-19 virus. Shortly back in 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture cited that Americans over 18 years of age spend 37 minutes in food preparation and cleanup. Given time to compile meaningful data from 2020, the increase of kitchen activities is sure to be notable. The bright side of current circumstances is that we are, in-fact,spending more time at home with family and loved ones, dedicating more of our time to a task that, for most of us, gets pushed to the end of busy days as a necessity – cooking!

If the recent focus on home makes you to think about improving your kitchen and how to make this central gathering spot more conducive to your lifestyle, we also recommend considering how to create a space that resists bacteria and stays clean longer.

Do you ever think about how much time we spend in the kitchen? It's no surprise when the kitchen is where we prepare meals, store food, cookware and more. But, the kitchen also takes center stage as a gathering place and a general hub of daily activities. So, if you're thinking about remodeling and looking for ways to get more organized in the process, we gathered some practical kitchen storage solution ideas to help inspire a more functional and efficient kitchen of your dreams.

When we spend so much of our time at home in the kitchen, doesn't it make sense to invest in appliances and technology that can help make your daily activities a little easier? Think smart refrigerators, touchless kitchen faucets, under cabinet lighting and more. Innovations like these not only lend a proverbial helping-hand, but they can also aid in keeping your kitchen more sanitary and safer for everyone.

Home is your sanctuary, and your kitchen is the heart of it. More than just where you cook, it is a gathering place for family and friends. Why wouldn't you want that important room to be one of the cleanest spaces in your home too? With the right materials, your kitchen can not only be easier to clean, but a breeze to maintain as well.

One of the first features you may notice in a kitchen is the countertop. However, when it comes time to select a kitchen countertop of your own, it may require considerations beyond just the appearance. There are a lot of factors to consider. But the answer to the big question — "What's the best kitchen countertop material?" — really comes down to whichever one makes the most sense for your household, kitchen-use and design-style preferences. Granite countertop shown in Steel Grey

The idea of taking on a complete kitchen renovation all at once may feel daunting to some people. It's easy to understand why: kitchen remodeling is a significant investment into the value of your home and the quality of your life. For some homeowners, doing the whole job all at once may not be a practical or financially feasible option at the moment. This is why taking a phased approach to remodeling can be an attractive solution.

When you begin your kitchen remodeling project, one decision you will likely face is which backsplash material will work best for your budget as well as your lifestyle. Many homeowners prefer the maintenance-free beauty of Corian^® Solid Surfaces, because it is a highly durable and affordable material that can complement most granite, quartz and even laminate countertops.

Here's a scenario we come across more frequently than you’d think: Homeowners have existing granite countertops that they really like, often recently installed or just well preserved, and they don’t want or need to replace them. But the cabinets underneath are noticeably not “up-to-snuff” anymore. What should they do?

In 2020, kitchen backsplashes are as varied and ranging as the homeowners who select them. They can be anything you want them to be, and you can select what best suits you and your unique preferences. What's more, they can help make your kitchen a reflection of your personal style. The backsplash is one of the more visually-prominent details in a kitchen, and House Beautiful magazine says that newer trends include statement-making backsplashes that serve as focal points. Whether homeowners are choosing 4-inch or full-length styles, they are finding backsplashes can contribute greatly to their new kitchen designs. 

We love granite for its stunning appearance and naturally occurring variations that make each slab a unique piece of art. Granite is easy to clean and requires little maintenance, making it a popular choice among homeowners. Plus, the durability of natural stone is perfect for kitchen countertops, backsplashes, bar tops, wall caps and more.
PHOTO CREDIT: Christian Giannelli Photography, 2020

You already know all of the reasons why your current kitchen design isn’t working for you overall or in-part. But, if you need that extra push to move forward with updating your kitchen, the 2019 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reveals that 74% of those surveyed have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are home since completing their remodeling project. Not only that, but 78% also feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think about their kitchen remodel. With a huge portion of the kitchen-remodeling budget often going towards cabinetry, cabinet refacing offers homeowners an affordable alternative, with a multitude of transforming options.

Black cabinets in a small kitchen? You bet! While it's true that dark colors can make a space appear smaller, it isn't always the case. It really depends on how much light is in the room. Many homeowners are drawn to dark cabinetry — including black. When integrated thoughtfully, black cabinets can make your kitchen design feel elegant and sophisticated, even if the space is small.

Open floor plans have been popular in the design world for years — and it's no surprise. Space is something that we all tend crave in kitchen design. Functional design that allows ample room to move about can help you better enjoy your space . But, openness can sometimes impede upon privacy. It doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re looking for smart, creative ways to open up space in your kitchen, we’ve gathered some great examples of kitchens with floor plans to inspire you.Photo Credit:  Andy Ryan Photographer, 2019

There are virtually no limits to the cabinet options you have when you start remodeling your kitchen. This is why our experts recommend selecting your kitchen cabinet door style first, because it is much easier to coordinate other design elements — think countertops, backsplash materials, flooring and more — when your cabinets are the center of your design.

A kitchen backsplash, which sits on the wall between your countertops and cabinetry, protects your drywall from spills and stains in the kitchen. Some homeowners prefer to extend up their countertop material up the wall to create a simple backsplash, while others cover as much, or as little, as they like with tiles or other durable materials. Before you start pouring over all of the available backsplash materials and styles out there, first consider whether a standard or full backsplash works best for you and your kitchen design.

[UPDATED: 1/14/2020] Are you looking for new ideas for your kitchen refresh or remodel? We have collected some of our most inspirational kitchens renovations from over the last six months, all expertly installed by Kitchen Magic. Check out these before and after photos to see just how cabinet refacing can completely transform your kitchen — and save you about half the cost of all new cabinetry.Photo Credit: PhotoSynthesis Photography, 2019

Although interior design trends are beginning to move away from all-gray kitchen cabinets, the color remains a popular choice for homeowners who prefer something other than white, but still want to enjoy a neutral color palette. The key to selecting a countertop that complements your gray cabinets is creating contrast, and our experts are here to show you how.

In 2019, we shared 12 amazing Remodel of the Month kitchen transformations, each with a backstory as unique as their designs. Every month, these projects helped countless homeowners envision their own dream kitchens. As we say goodbye to this year, we wanted to take a moment to recap the projects that were most popular with our readers.

Winter is no time to slack on your seasonal interior decor. Because most people end up spending more time indoors when the days get shorter and colder, injecting a bit of style, color and interest into your home's decor can help liven things up. 

No matter what kitchen design style you have, simple seasonal accents are a wonderful way to create focal points or infuse the room with a pleasing mood, all without doing a big overhaul. Don't be afraid to get creative or include some personal flair, either. Personalizing your winter kitchen decor can give the room a warm and welcoming feel.

Whether or not you are currently mulling over a kitchen renovation, here are two lesser-known facts of life you should consider:

1. Choosing a kitchen design can be tricky.
2. Everybody loves a fun quiz.

We here at Kitchen Magic have combined these two not-so-essential truths to bring you the ultimate kitchen design style quiz. Take it and let us know how well it matched your true self on Facebook. Enjoy!

Autumn brings crisp air, balmy breezes, and delightful aromas from spicy cinnamon to warm vanilla. While you're embracing all of the cozy colors and textures this season has to offer, check out our easy Thanksgiving decor ideas that are sure to amaze your guests.

It’s that time of year again. Time for our annual fall trends report, where we give you the latest and greatest in kitchen design, functionality and style. And oh boy, have we got a lot of great trends to cover! So many, in fact, we have enlisted the assistance of our very own design specialist, JT Norman. As someone with his finger on the pulse of all things kitchen design, his top eight trends for this season make up the very informative and fun list below.

A lot of attention gets paid to lighter, brighter color trends in kitchen designs today, but there are also some really inspiring styles using wood cabinets in darker hues—even in traditional cherry—which many people now associate with a dated look. We've gathered some great examples here, and explain how to incorporate darker wood, even cherry cabinets, into fresh, new designs. 

So, you've selected your cabinet door style, and your finish and/or colors are nailed down. Aaaaaah. Now, you can sit back, relax and…wait! Don't put your feet up just yet. You still have some very important decisions to make about cabinet hardware—the knobs and pulls that put the finishing touch on your kitchen remodeling project.

Integrated living space is just another way of saying, ‘open floor plan.’ Households have historically been compartmentalized, in part due to heating and cooling efficiencies. Today, the lines often have been blurred between traditional rooms in the home. Now, a vast expanse of strategically placed furniture and lighting fixtures can be all that separates one area from the next. Homeowners enjoy the openness of integrated living because it creates a warm, welcoming environment for parties and guests. If you’re interested in incorporating integrated living spaces, we suggest using your kitchen as the epicenter of activity.

Yes, we know it seems way too early to be thinking about Christmas …But the reality is it really isn’t too early if you are contemplating a bespoke new kitchen and want it installed in time for cooking this year’s Christmas Dinner! Is this you? If you think this might apply to you, then here’sWant A New Kitchen in Time For Christmas 2019?…Here’s Why You Need to Come See Us Now! [Read More]

The post Want A New Kitchen in Time For Christmas 2019?…Here’s Why You Need to Come See Us Now! appeared first on http://www.lwk-home.com/kitchen-blog