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The Latest Trends In Bathroom Cabinetry

by | Jun 12, 2025 | Homeowners, Interior Designers

Believe it or not, your bathroom cabinets are the key to the room’s overall appearance. Just be careful not to let appearance distract you from the ultimate goal of safety and storage. Fortunately today’s cabinets are masters of organization. They include improvements like built-in drawer dividers, cosmetic trays and appliance garages. From hand cream to hair dryers and electric toothbrushes, the goal is to keep everyday items within easy reach and electronic items dry. For bathrooms with enough room, you have options like linen towers and closet-like spaces to hang clothes so they’re ready to put on right after the shower. And under-cabinet lighting is for more than just kitchens. Cabinets with light rails and other forms of built-in illumination keep countertop and floor surfaces evenly lit. This is especially important as bathrooms usually have more wet surfaces than any other room. When it comes to appearance, another trend is cabinetry with a more furniture-like look. This uses more and smaller pieces with bun feet and raised panels. Generally made of wood, the most popular options are dark cherry and walnut. If you opt for painted surfaces - white, ebony and gray are the most popular as they go with virtually all bathroom styles. White makes the space appear larger but if you prefer ebony, consider using a light color or even white countertop. Another new practice is to match the cabinetry in the bathroom with that of the rest of the house to create consistency. Cabinets transform bathrooms from ordinary to relaxing retreats. With good organization and efficient lighting, they save time and keep you safe. Most of...

How Kitchen Islands Are Shaping The Future Of Kitchens

by | Jun 5, 2025 | Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers

More than just expanding cabinet storage and countertop surfaces, kitchen islands have evolved into a gathering spot where family and guests hang around. Island design and comfort now draws cooks and visitors together to increase functionality, aesthetics and socialization. Along with food preparation and meals, kitchens are more open. Kids do homework and adults take care of paperwork. Additional activities like these promote family time as meals are prepared. For those whose children have moved away from home, this time goes to enjoying a glass of wine with guests before dinner gets to the table. And dinner is more likely to stay at the island with more comfortable seating. Still used for storage and counter space, islands also accommodate appliances like stoves with downward vents. And don’t forget about sinks where approximately 90% of the time is spent. The convenience of doing multiple tasks in one place shortens steps and work time. The ability to socialize more makes everything feel easier. Universal Design further expands function with varying countertop heights. This enables anyone at any height, especially children, to participate in food preparation and other activities without having to climb stools or reach overhead. Incorporating different materials from the rest of the kitchen adds even more appeal. One way is to use fabrics for surrounding stools and chairs. Fabrics contrast well with hard surfaces to soften the overall look. As a result, islands stand out as design objects and look more like furniture that seamlessly blends into the living room. The future will see more variation in island shapes and heights. Seating room will be expanded and rather than...

When Custom Cabinetry is Worth the Investment

by | May 29, 2025 | Homeowners

No one disputes the higher cost of installing custom cabinets. But if this new kitchen or remodel is going to be the kitchen you’ve always dreamed of, consider the advantages of going custom over typical stock cabinets. For one thing, true custom cabinets fit perfectly into every space to give you the best use of corners, spaces between windows as well as the height or length of every wall. No matter how big or compact your kitchen is – even a couple of inches changes how well it functions. Custom cabinets also achieve looks that stock cabinets can’t. You may have features like a banquette seat, a kitchen island or more than one food preparation station. Seamlessly integrated custom cabinets will draw attention to those spaces you want to highlight. And here’s where even a couple of inches makes a difference. If the goal is to have a clean, modern appearance - stream-line your cabinets with appliances such as refrigerators, ovens and stove tops. Now when it comes to sinks, some styles also stream-line well with the surrounding cabinetry. But whether you choose this style or one that overlaps, finding stock cabinets that securely fit around the sides and bottom could be difficult. Again the best bet is to go custom to guarantee a good, secure fit. Deep drawers are a surprisingly affordable upgrade to the more typical three-drawer models because some companies build deeper drawers at around the same cost. This cabinet style is not new, but the variety of divider systems now available makes them a popular alternative to traditional lower cabinets. For example, interiors can be...

Are floor to ceiling cabinets safe to use?

by | May 22, 2025 | Homeowners

As discussed in “How to draw more natural light into your kitchen,” there are a number of ways that floor to ceiling cabinets can change a kitchen. While it’s hard to argue the advantages they offer, it’s important to understand how best to use them. You see, placing items too high or too low can be hazardous to your health. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In our quest to live in beautiful homes, it’s easy to overlook safety and function. The best home design incorporates both. This is the goal of Universal Design (UD) which adapts homes to everyone’s capabilities without sacrificing appearance. When it comes to cabinetry, it’s important to minimize the number of times you have to reach up or bend down to retrieve items, especially those used most often. Not only inconvenient, it can put you off balance. This might seem counterintuitive to floor to ceiling cabinets… but there’s no reason not to have them. The following tips show the best ways to access all your kitchen cabinets: Store frequently used items where it’s most convenient – preferably from waist to shoulder height. Light weight items are best stored on top and bottom shelves. Medium weight items should be kept between knee and eye levels. Heavier items should be stored between mid-thigh and shoulder height. These guidelines help homeowners retrieve everything they need quickly and easily without challenging their balance. It’s one reason why Universal Design is gaining momentum. But here’s the best part. Well designed homes built and remodeled with Universal Design principles are beautiful, therefore, you don’t have to hesitate to...

Farmhouse kitchens are more popular than ever

by | May 15, 2025 | Homeowners, Interior Designers

The increased popularity of farmhouse kitchens is easy to understand. With kitchens becoming the focus for friends and family interaction, this style is comfortable, cozy and loaded with charm without being cluttered. While similar to country, farmhouse style uses salvaged materials like reclaimed wood that retains a certain level of sophistication. Even antiques fit it but not ones that are too delicate. The idea is to create a down-home feeling that invites everyone to relax and enjoy each other. Typical materials include: reclaimed wood wide plank floors wrought iron and vintage accessories larger, comfortable furniture particularly pine furniture architectural salvage To get started, you want to work with a color palette of warm or cool neutrals. Colors like cream, beige, grey and silver sage make good starts. What’s important is to use the colors you like but stay with light or neutral shades. Since woods are a key component, look for pieces with some wear and tear but not ravaged. Details like scratches, knots and nicks add authenticity and individuality. Mix woods with metals, but don’t forget fabrics like cotton, canvas, wool and chenille. It’s important to use a variety of textures to prevent the space from looking flat. When it comes to metals, layer in a mixture of light fixtures, hardware and accents like railings. A good rule of thumb is to use no more than three metals per room. Organic materials keep an ‘outdoor’ connection.  Wood floors are best but don’t rule out stone. When it comes to additional architectural details consider wicker, rattan, sisal and other natural materials. Whatever you choose, don’t try to cram in...