Kitchen Cabinet Chicago

Did you know that there is more than one type of granite counter top? Most people don’t know that granite comes in two different types but it does and the difference in price is night and day. The two main types of granite counter tops are slab counter tops and tile counter tops. The reason these two are so different is mainly because of how much granite is actually used for each one of these counter tops.Something that a lot of people know about granite counter tops is they are somewhat expensive when you buy an entire slab but if you can stick to tiles then you will save quite a bit of money.

The nice thing about granite tiles is they look pretty similar to a granite slab, the biggest difference is there will be small grout lines on the counter top. The one thing I would highly recommend when you do get granite tiles is that you get at least 10% more tiles just in case one breaks. The reason why you do this is because the tiles are relatively thin and if one would crack or break you would want to have the same slab handy so that you can replace the tiles when needed.The most common type of granite is a granite slab countertops and the nice thing about this is it will last a very long time. Granite is a very hard rock that gets shaped, shined up, and then sealed to create a counter top. Many people that own granite counter tops don’t realize how much work actually goes into them in order to get them to look the way they do and that is part of the reason why they cost so much money. If you are going to get a granite counter top then you need to know that a granite slab is the most expensive simply because there is more granite and it will last longer. Granite counter tops are a great thing to get and the best part about them is that you don’t have to spend thousands to get them, if you want to get granite counter tops on a budget then stick with tile and you will be very happy with the results.

When planning to replace or update your kitchen cabinets, there are many options. Sometimes in order to afford an update, homeowners have to do a good bit of research to decide which route is the most economical to produce the look they want.

Fortunately, there are many options that will allow you to do an update on your kitchen cabinets without spending a fortune, especially if you can do some of the finishing yourself.

One of the first things to consider is what type of material you prefer for your cabinets. Wood cabinets are among the most popular and economical choices because there are so many different ways you can go with wood cabinets.

Staining Your Cabinets

Oak is a wonderful wood for Kitchen Cabinets. Oak is one of the best types of wood for staining and the great thing is, you can choose any shade of stain you prefer if you have oak. It looks great whether you want a dark, elegant look or you prefer a lighter tone to keep your kitchen a little lighter overall.

Painting Your Cabinets

If you want to paint your cabinets, choose either maple or birch. Birch is the most economical choice if you’re going this route. Birch is a very smooth wood that accepts paint very well, and you can even purchase “paint grade” birch if you know you are planning to paint your cabinets.

These are just two of the many ideas for updating your kitchen cabinets in an economical way.

Get quality and style at great savings at DirectBuy where you will find a wide selection of Kitchen Cabinets and Kitchen Remodeling products from leading manufacturers at wholesale prices that can help you save up to 50% off retail.

No matter how much space you have available or what budget, it is possible to create the kitchen of your dreams. Here are some of the most popular kitchen styles which you can recreate:

Contemporary

For a great contemporary kitchen, rich wood finishes, high tech appliances and luxury gloss is the look you need to aim for. 

Floor to ceiling cupboards give you plenty of storage space, leaving the worktops uncluttered and wraparound surfaces that link the sink, worktop and splashback look great too.

 

Transitional

A transitional kitchen will have elements of contemporary and traditional design. A transitional kitchen is eclectic and combines manmade and natural materials, textures and finishes.

A mission style kitchen might be made transitional by adding bamboo flooring. A tuscan kitchen might be made transitional by using steel appliances or having some high tech lighting. You could have a cherry style kitchen with contrasting paint colours. The sky is the limit with transitional kitchens. 

Transitional fixtures and mouldings are not elaborate but should have some degree of ornamentation.

 

Traditional

A traditional kitchen has an elegant and formal look like the European and American homes of the 18th to the early 20th centuries. 

Features in a traditional kitchen might include natural materials like stone or wood, antique appliances and fixtures, raised panel cabinet door styles, rope and crown moulding, corbels and fluting and cabinets in mahogany, cherry or walnut. 

An Italian style traditional kitchen will rely on elegant cabinetry with onlays, rope moulding and custom carved reliefs. These cabinets are usually painted cream and have intricate raised panelling.

A Victorian style traditional kitchen will feature Cathedral arch doors, raised panels and ornate trims and mouldings. Heavy, dark woods are usually used for Victorian style cabinets.

For a Georgian style kitchen walnut, cherry or mahogany woods give a formal finish. Stacked cabinetry to the ceiling, heavy crown moulding and square panel raised doors are common. Black accents are often seen.

Other traditional kitchen styles include Federal, Queen Anne, Early American, Manor, Shaker, Edwardian, Neoclassical, Colonial, Farmhouse, Regency, Cottage, Cape Cod, Bungalow and Plantation.

Rustic

A rustic kitchen will often feature a regional flair. You will see leather pulls, knotty alder, hickory or pine, wood panelling, wooden ceiling beams and rich, warm earthy tones.

 

Old World

An old world kitchen should hark back to its pre 17th century European style. The raised panel cabinetry is often painted and might have beadboard, cracking, cup and dish racks, bun feet and valence legs.

In an old world kitchen you might see stone floors and walls, furniture-look cabinetry, mosaic tiles, copper or pewter accents, rich deep colours, plaster or brick walls and appliances hidden behind panels.

Tuscan is another old world style. A tuscan kitchen relies on natural materials. The cabinets will often be cream, earthy or yellow. Other old world kitchen styles include French chateau, Italian villa, Dutch cottage, Mediterranean, Castle, Gothic and Normandy cottage.

Country

A country kitchen is often welcoming and bright, featuring woven baskets, painted and glazed cabinets and decorative moulding and shelving. 
In a country kitchen, you might see checked, striped, floral, plaid and gingham patterns, antiques, handmade items, metal or chicken wire cabinet inserts, beadboard and calico or chintz window coverings.

In a French country style kitchen you might find oak or cherry cabinetry, framed cabinets in recessed or raised panels, pantry and plate racks and decorative shelving.

In a traditional English country kitchen the cabinet design is normally square and accented by curves. Natural cabinets in oak or pine are popular. A large wooden mantle range hood, intricate moulding and wood cutouts in valances look authentic in an English country kitchen.

For a farmhouse kitchen, use light or dark stained wood and use heirlooms or antiques for authenticity. For a cottage kitchen, you can use driftwood-like finishes for a seaside flavour. For a lake flavour, you can use darker wood but keep it natural looking.

Other country styles include Swedish country, garden country and Tuscan country.

 

Art and Crafts Kitchen

An arts and crafts kitchen relies on a natural look with good quality craftsmanship. Recessed panel doors with thick frames feature in an arts and crafts kitchen and you can contrast the finish of the door frame against the panels.

In an arts and crafts kitchen you might see natural, neutral colours, clean strong lines, mullioned glass doors, rich woods, stained glass lighting fixtures and windows and recessed or inset panel cabinet doors.

With a Shaker kitchen, which is similar, you might see beech, maple, birch or oak veneered wood. Inset flat panel doors go better with a Shaker kitchen style and you can use wide rails in the cabinet frame.

 

Modern 

With a modern kitchen you should expect slick, polished finishes and modern windows and timber joinery. Stainless steel is widely used in modern kitchens. The lighting is normally recessed into the ceiling or halogen lights can be used.

Design Notes: To function for a family of seven, one of whom had trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, this kitchen required a gas cooktop with a French burner; a warming drawer, and wall ovens with speed, steam and convection capabilities. Simple horizontal lines keep the design clean and contemporary, with a painted green wall, onyx tile backsplash and reddish quartz countertop for color.

Products and Materials: Wolf rangetop and vent hood; Miele oven and microwave; Wood-Mode cabinetry; bamboo flooring; countertops in bamboo, concrete and CaesarStone quartz.

Kitchen Remodeling is a great investment in your home. By remodeling your kitchen you can add value to your home, and at the same time save money with energy efficient kitchen appliances, or by replacing your drafty kitchen windows.Kitchen remodeling is very broad and consists of many smaller areas. Maybe you’d like to improve your current kitchen, make it more user friendly and beautiful.

The areas of a kitchen remodel are:

Kitchen Appliances - Ovens, stoves, cook tops, refrigerators, dishwashers, range, microwaves, hoods, and exhaust fans.

Kitchen Cabinets - Wood cabinets in oak, maple, cherry, hickory, pine, birch, metal and plastic. cabinet refacing, and kitchen storage items and kitchen islands.

Kitchen Countertops - stone, marble, quartz, granite, solid surface, wood, metal, and Formica countertops

Kitchen Flooring - Hardwood flooring, cork, bamboo, laminate, linoleum flooring. Installation, repair and refinishing your floors.

Kitchen Lighting - Light controls, chandeliers, fixtures, lamps, fluorescent lights, recessed and spot lighting.

Kitchen Sinks and Fixtures - Kitchen faucets, stainless steel, brass, plastic and glass handles.

Kitchen Windows - Skylight windows, double hung and single hung windows, casement and garden windows for growing herbs and plants.

If you want to improve your kitchen it is vital to plan it properly. If you don’t plan well, you might end up with an expensive bad kitchen which you are unhappy with.

In the past, kitchen design planning involved the stove, sink and fridge work triangle and the work surfaces took second place. Today there is a lot more to think about. Do you want a modern style kitchen? Do you want a rustic style kitchen with a kitchen pantry? Do you have your own ideas about how to blend styles to give your kitchen your own personal touch?

It is common these days to see professional style kitchens entering the domestic scene. Kitchens are a fashion accessory in some ways and there is more choice than ever these days. It does however take a lot of planning to create the perfect kitchen and there are various things to think about before you start, including your budget, your personal tastes, the space you have available and more.

Ask yourself a few questions before you start your new kitchen plans. Are you going to be cooking for large numbers of people regularly? Do you want your kitchen to be a place for people to congregate during a party? How many people in your house will cook? Does someone in the house like baking? Do you like spending a long time cooking or do you prefer making quick and easy recipes?

You might want to leave the planning of your new kitchen to a kitchen planner rather than do it yourself. This is cheaper than you might think. Home Depot, B&Q and similar places have staff with plenty of knowledge so if you purchase some appliances you might get free kitchen planning help from the shop.

Don’t go overboard. You might think that expensive marble would look nice as kitchen surface but if you want to move house in the future, you can’t take it with you and the price of a modestly priced house won’t include the extravagant outlaying you have made in the kitchen.

It is easy to look at magazines featuring amazing kitchens and dream of having one just like it. It’s not quite that easy though and the problem most people have is money.

The phrase ‘kitchen remodeling’ might be synonymous with ‘very expensive’ but it doesn’t have to be. There are a few great ways to ensure your new kitchen designs can be within your budget.

The first thing to do is to think about your floor plan. You might want to have an island fitted in the centre of the kitchen or change the layout in another way.

One option which can increase the space of your house without having to have an extension is to take down an exterior wall. This will probably lead to changing two rooms in your house and can increase the property price too.

What about a gallery kitchen? These kitchens aren’t as pokey as you might imagine. You can always attach your kitchen to the dining room to make a special living space which is roomy and comfortable.

If you want a hassle free way of just putting something down and having done with it, what about an island? Islands are simple to fit and they don’t have to match the rest of the kitchen.

Easy Kitchen Planning and Remodeling

You only get one chance to plan your new kitchen so take your time. It is important to understand the different aspects of your new kitchen’s design.

Kitchen Work Triangle

The kitchen work triangle of the kitchen is an imaginary line drawn from the centre of the fridge to the centre of the sink to the centre of the stove and back to the fridge again. The triangle should be a maximum of 26 feet and no single leg of the triangle should be shorter than 4 feet or longer than 9 feet. The work triangle should not intersect an island by more than 12 inches.

If you have only one sink, it should be between or opposite the refrigerator, cooking surface or preparation area. This is so you won’t waste steps, be interrupted by foot traffic or be cramped.

Some people feel that the work triangle is too restraining for some kitchens. If there is going to be more than one person cooking, an L shaped kitchen design might work better.

Kitchen Countertop Heights

You should have 2 heights of kitchen countertop, one between 28 and 36 inches from the floor and one 36 to 45 inches from the floor. This makes the kitchen better for cooks of different heights, cooks who might want to sit down and bakers who want to knead dough at a lower, more comfortable height.

Make sure no appliance, entry or cabinet blocks anything when opened. If you have an island cabinet, nothing should hit it when opened. Between 42 and 48 inches is a good minimum planning distance between cabinets.

Kitchen Accessories

You should include at least 5 storage or organizing items. Maybe include pull-out shelves, tall cabinets, raised base cabinets, storagebins, pull-out pantries, roll-out bins and lowered wall cabinets.

Windows and Skylights

These should equal a minimum of 10% of the total square footage of the living space including the kitchen or the kitchen itself.

Maybe you saw Erin’s post about a cupcake stand that channels your inner Martha Stewart: What better to fill it with in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day than heart-shaped treats, a feat that’s easier than ever thanks to this Sweetheart Baking Pan ($20 from Sur la Table). The removable bottoms make cleanup a breeze, and the commercial-grade aluminumized-steel finish is safe for the dishwasher. Now if only I could score a recipe for whatever it is they baked to use in that picture…