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Kitchen Redesign Ideas for More Counter Space

Tue, 19 May 2020 06:04:26 GMT

These kitchen redesign ideas and tips can help you make the most of your countertop space!

Perhaps you have a small kitchen to start, or your current budget does not make it easy to replace all your countertops. No matter the situation you are in, having limited counter space means you have a less-than-ideal amount of work surface to prep meals upon, and probably an even smaller amount of space for countertop storage. Using smart kitchen redesign ideas can drastically improve the appearance and functionality of your kitchen counters.

Add a Kitchen Island or Rolling Cart

Adding a kitchen island is a straightforward means to create more counter space and under-storage. However, if you can’t invest in building a kitchen island at the moment or your kitchen layout constraints make it impractical, you can substitute with a handy rolling cart. This way, you have extra work surface when you need it, there’s additional shelving for your smaller items, and you can move the cart depending on when it’s in use.

Hang or Mount Your Kitchen Tools

Rather than setting your cooking utensils in jar holders and knife blocks on the counters, clear away that space for cooking use instead of storage. You can install a bar or hook system to hang utensils as well as pots and pans. A magnetic strip can keep your knives in reach while not taking up precious drawer space. Many homeowners have already used several kitchen redesign ideas to mount smaller appliances to clear the countertops, including mounted microwaves and toaster-ovens.

Make The Most of Your Sink

When you need to use a worktop, you probably won’t be using the sink for that task at the same time. A large cutting board placed over the sink basin transforms it into a temporary prep area. Why not take it a few steps further by installing a versatile galley workstation?

Add Pull-Out Worktops

Some drawers can be modified to turn into pull-out worktops when the extra counter space is needed. There are kitchen redesign ideas that add smaller butcher block tops to existing drawers or full extendable islands with collapsible table legs for more support.

Installing Open Shelves

It may seem silly to suggest installing open shelves as a fix for more counter space. In reality, kitchen redesign ideas that create more storage potential leaves the counter free of clutter. Open shelvings are less expensive and easier to install than other cabinetry. By storing your nicer kitchenware and dishware on open shelves, you can store other items in cabinets. Ultimately, those items that would have been left on the counters can get put away behind cabinet doors, thus eliminating visual clutter as well.

Design Your Dream Kitchen With Design Solutions, Inc.

Design Solutions, Inc., located in Annapolis MD, is here to help homeowners throughout the Maryland areas redesign their bathrooms, kitchens, and homes. Want to create a greener home? Ask us about sustainable design for your Maryland home.

Founder, president, and artistic director Joni Zimmerman continues to create and maintain a service and team that meets the needs and exceeds the expectations of the community it serves. Get in touch with us today to begin your redesign journey. Call us today at (410) 757-6100 or visit our contact us page to speak with one of our team members.

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Should I Add Banquette Seating to My Kitchen Redesign?

Fri, 08 May 2020 06:03:03 GMT

In our book, there’s no argument that banquette seating looks great in any number of kitchen styles, but is this type of tucked-away seating a good fit for your kitchen redesign project?

When you go to a restaurant, are you a fan of sitting at a booth as opposed to sitting at a table? If the answer is yes, you could bring a touch of this style to your kitchen redesign by adding banquette seating! Banquette seating comes in various sizes and designs. If one of the many existing styles don’t quite match your vision, custom-built configurations could help complete your kitchen redesign. In our book, there’s no argument that banquette seating looks great in any number of kitchen styles, but is this type of tucked-away seating a good fit for your kitchen redesign project?

Where To Put Banquette Seating

Banquette seating looks perfectly befitting for an eat-in kitchen . In an open or closed kitchen layout, L-shaped, U-shaped, curved, straight-bench style banquettes and more can replace some of your current eat-in kitchen chairs with this stylish furniture piece. You could also tuck it away into an alcove to make a delightful breakfast nook. Some homeowners even decide to convert part of their kitchen island into banquette seating.

The Functionality of Banquette Seating

People love banquette seating for more than the visual interest it adds to any kitchen setting. This type of accommodation is quite functional and practical too. Bench-like seating can fit more seats into a space than individual chairs. For larger households, such as families with children, this is an attractive option. Also, this seating solution takes up less space than a standard table and chair arrangements. Banquette seating can be tucked against a wall or corner, freeing up space in smaller kitchens and rooms.

Cozy and Comfy Feel

Many styles of banquette seating look super inviting, which is perfect for someplace as warm and lively as your home kitchen. The set up gives off a cozy and comfy feel, which the addition of cushions or an alluring color palette further enhances.

Showcase Exceptional Design

Many pre-built banquette furniture sets already demonstrate exceptional style. It’s sure to be the crowning feature in any home. With custom-built designs, this type of seating can be taken to a whole new level. Clever ideas include creating hidden storage in the benches or building a bookcase around it. You can opt for more contemporary constructions, with painted finishes and upholstery. Or, you can show off a wood banquette set that complements your traditional kitchen style.

Design Your Dream Kitchen With Design Solutions, Inc.

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How to Add Color to Your Kitchen Remodel

Fri, 01 May 2020 06:01:10 GMT

There are plenty of places to infuse more color into your kitchen remodel, and we’ll give you six considerations to start!

After looking for ways to bring more color into your home interior, now is the time to invite new shades and hues into your kitchen remodel! Even if you’re not quite ready for some daring changes to your kitchen’s color-scheme, like fiery coral or bold black, you can make a few adjustments by adding the warmth of wood or statement metal finishes. There are plenty of places to infuse more color into your kitchen remodel, and we’ll give you six considerations to start! Get in touch with Design Solutions, and let us help bring your kitchen redesign vision to life.

Countertops

Beautiful countertops make a statement in any kitchen remodel. If you want to add color to this part of your kitchen, you don’t even have to install all new counters. In fact, it’s quite trendy to mix-and-match countertop materials. The various stone, wood, and engineered materials that makeup counters come in many colors, patterns, and finishes. If you have granite or soapstone counters along your kitchen perimeter, try out a butcher block or marble slab for your island countertop.

Painted Cabinets

Painting your kitchen cabinets instantly sets a new tone in any kitchen when you’re looking to mix things up. Your choices are only as limited as what can come in cans of paint — which is to say you have plenty of options. You won’t have to budget for new cabinet purchase or installation to transform your kitchen. If you want to keep the warm quality of your wood cabinets, you can use a range of dark to light stains that will allow any grains and knots to show through.

Open Shelves

Open shelves are easier to install than full cabinets, and it lends plenty of opportunity for color as well. The shelves themselves can be in any color or material that you like. They can blend in or stand out from the walls they’re mounted on. You can further play with your desired color scheme by using higher shelves to display colorful items and use the lower ones to keep everyday cooking essentials in close reach.

Backsplash Tiles

Backsplash tiles can come in many shades and finishes. What’s more, homeowners are using backsplash tiles to create unique patterns or multi-color designs. A lovely backsplash design instantly draws the eye without overly competing with the rest of your kitchen remodel.

Appliances

Are you tired of stainless steel appliances? Coordinate or make a prized piece pop with new devices in trendy colors. There are black and white appliances and tons of other shades in between. Consider switching out your current refrigerator, oven range, or ventilation hood for one in a vibrant new hue, like chic crimson or hunter green.

Furniture

Another area you can play around with color is the bar stools if you have kitchen island seating or the table and chairs in your eat-in kitchen. Again, this is another excellent opportunity to add small pops of color with relatively inexpensive changes. Also, consider if your overall kitchen design is missing something in terms of texture and finish. You can also put it back with your choice of furniture, like rustic wood chairs or something softer with upholstery.

Design Your Dream Kitchen With Design Solutions, Inc.

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Fun Tips for Feng Shui Kitchen Redesign

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 05:57:04 GMT

Whether you’re a believer of feng shui or not, these fun and intriguing tips for kitchen redesign are certainly worth a read!

For your next kitchen redesign project, consider implementing some feng shui practices into your design and decor. Feng shui is a philosophy that examines the human relationship with our living and working environments around us. Through principles of placement, the practice aims to create harmonious energy flow in our homes, and ultimately to make us feel more at peace and living in balance. The kitchen represents the element of fire, as well as being regarded as a reflection of our happiness, health, and wealth. Whether you’re a believer of feng shui or not, these fun and intriguing tips for kitchen redesign are certainly worth a read! You may be surprised to find that many of these ideas for positive energy flow encourage practical use of the kitchen space.

Location in the Home

Some bad positioning in floorplans can require more extensive renovations to fix, but some kitchen redesign can counteract negative energy. Still, these ideas may be interesting for you to know. Your home’s front door should not lead you directly into the kitchen. While a kitchen is typically considered the heart of the family home, it can get quite chaotic to have coming-and-going leading through the kitchen. Bathrooms represent a water element. The kitchen and bathroom door should be at a distance from each other, and the bathroom should never open to the kitchen. Fire and water elements can clash with each other, not to mention homeowners typically don’t want any associations of their kitchen with a restroom.

Kitchen Color

Adding color to the kitchen interior can seem like a matter of personal preference, so, by all means, make your selections based on your taste and what can translate to a timeless style. With feng shui, however, there are a few general rules one can follow. The kitchen redesign already symbolizes fire, so overwhelming amounts of red and orange can create an energy imbalance. Conversely, shades of black and blue, which pertain to the water element, sway the imbalance in the other direction. Feng shui dictates warm beiges as the ideal color of a kitchen since it invites in earth elements which symbolize our health and relationships.

Contemporary Flair

If you’re a fan of contemporary design, you’ll love this tip. Good feng shui in a kitchen redesign encourages adding metal and wood accents. Metal invokes calmness and productivity. This is a wonderful opportunity to change up your hardware, from light fixtures to the kitchen sink faucet. Just keep it in check if you already have stainless steel appliances.

On the other hand, wood symbolizes strong family bonds and fortune. Wood can readily be found as butcherblock countertops and cabinet finishes, or as kitchen furniture and utensils. Adding potted plants or herbs would also work, and they already fit in nicely in a kitchen.

Hide Negative Associations

Eliminating visual clutter is a good principle of design. In feng shui, visual clutter manifests as negative energy blocks. Having ample storage — a must in all kitchens — allows everything to have a place and potentially out of sight. Kitchen knives hold negative associations due to their sharp edges, and they are ideally stowed away in drawers. Trash cans and recycling bins are some more apparent associations with clutter and bad energy. Using trash bin cabinets, or keeping the receptacles out of view in the pantry, can eliminate the poor energy flow.

Design Your Dream Home With Design Solutions, Inc.

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Why Work With a Professional Kitchen Designer?

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 05:52:23 GMT

Hiring a professional kitchen designer is how you can turn your okay kitchen remodel into an outstanding one!

When it comes time to complete a kitchen remodel, you can’t underestimate the importance of working with a professional kitchen designer. You may have your perfect vision from flooring materials to appliance upgrades, or perhaps you happen to have the know-how to tackle some DIY aspects of the project. However, hiring a professional kitchen designer is how you can turn your okay kitchen remodel into an outstanding one! Here are three irrefutable reasons why you need to work with a professional kitchen designer.

Aesthetics, Style, and Function

Any given homeowner may go through one or two kitchen remodels in their life. In contrast, a professional kitchen designer has made it their life’s work to perfect kitchen redesigns for their clients! You can trust throughout their years of dedication and passion for interior design that they can certainly help you create a fabulous kitchen too. Designers stay up to date with the latest design trends, what’s performing well in the real estate market, knowing your local safety and building codes, and finding the hallmarks of craftsmanship and quality in kitchen furniture.

Plus, they take the time to develop personalized solutions for every homeowner’s lifestyle, existing interior space, and budget. This goes a long way in helping homeowners avoid costly mistakes or delays. Further, kitchen designers can tackle your unique kitchen redesign challenges. The resulting kitchen design demonstrates a perfect marriage of personalized aesthetics, timeless style, and superior function.

Experts with Insider Info

Most kitchen designers are certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, and the truly exceptional are recognized with local and national awards. Professional kitchen designers are typically highly involved in continuing education, attending trade shows, and following industry publications. By hiring a kitchen designer, you can work with an expert with insider information that homeowners won’t be able to find anywhere else.

They Do the Heavy Lifting

A professional kitchen designer goes beyond helping you conceptualize your dream kitchen remodel. They take the lead on your project and help coordinate the actual execution of your kitchen renovations: the designer contacts and schedules meetings with their network of manufacturers, suppliers, vendors, and contractors. Organizing meetings and managing communication throughout the remodeling process is just as vital to its success. Often, the designer is the one accepting deliveries and overseeing contractor work to keep the project on track, thus relinquishing homeowners from this time-consuming responsibility.

Design Your Dream Kitchen With Design Solutions, Inc.

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