The design style of a space is becoming much more important in today’s changing environment as more time is being spent at home cooking meals, entertaining friends and spending time with family. Each kitchen should reflect the type of individual and family you are…. as well as the style of the rest of your home. Discovering your style can seem stressful to most, mainly because most people are worried they will make the wrong decision and be stuck with that cabinetry style, tile color or drawer pull forever. The key is finding the balance between careful consideration and hasty decision making.

We feel an easy way to begin this “style discovery” is by doing your research.  Creating a file of “tear sheets” of kitchens and design styles you gravitate to in magazines and advertisements.  Our IdeaFolio™ is also a good resource where you can collect all your favorite design elements in one convenient place.  An IdeaFolio™ is your own personal space for collecting ideas and products from virtually anywhere on the Merillat site.

You can delve into the limitless offerings of the internet by researching different design eras and developments the kitchen industry has experienced.  Reading blogs, watching design videos and joining social networking groups of kitchen and design enthusiasts will create connections with other design experts of which you can ask questions, look to for advice and learn about the industry.  From this wealth of knowledge you can start deciding, right off the bat, what you do and don’t like. Keep a log or a “look book” of this data, imagery and advice and begin to connect the similar pieces that you like the most… you are well on your way to planning the perfect kitchen.  Let us know what your favorite blog and/or social network are to help get advice and answers on your kitchen design questions!

Considering the personality and preferences of the primary users of the space is important to the planning of a successful kitchen design.  Creating a space that reflects the design style and functional needs of family members spending much of their time in the kitchen will ensure minimal adjustments at a later date.  For example, major decisions, such as cabinetry finish and style, should be taken into serious consideration first, as these are things that are the most expensive to change in the future.  More unique personalities can really shine through on other applications that are relatively inexpensive yet ever-changeable. For instance, a favorite color choice for the walls, using unique materials for your backsplash or an inventive choice of drawer pulls are ways to create a custom, fun experience quickly and at minimal cost.

Choosing the right design style will not only draw entertainment and personality back into the kitchen, but also aid in bringing the element of enjoyment back into cooking and spending real time with family and friends.  The fun of kitchen design begins with style.

With so many flooring choices available, it can be overwhelming to come up with the best fit for your kitchen and your needs. To help you along the way, we have created this handy two-part post describing the advantages (and disadvantages) of various types of flooring on the market today. So take a look and see which floor might work best for you!

Wood Flooring
Popular wood flooring choices include maple, oak, pine, and bamboo. Wood floors are installed before cabinets and often laid out in narrow strips, planks or patterned parquet squares.

Advantages

• Available in a variety of colors, looks and finishes
• Simple to keep clean with broom or vacuum (if the floor is polyurethane-coated)
• Quite durable

Disadvantages

• Fading: must be careful where rugs and mats are laid out.
• Warping and buckling when moisture is contained between boards
• Often expensive
• Needs to be refinished to eliminate major marks and scratches
• Can be slippery

Tile Flooring
Many different styles of tile flooring are available including ceramic, porcelain, mosaic and quarry tile.  These tiles are laid and assembled using grout.

Advantages

• Comes various colors, designs and sizes
• Durability
• Stain resistant (if glazed)
• Suitable for radiant heat

Disadvantages

• Can be hard on the feet
• Slippery and more dangerous to fall on
• Can be pricey
• Individual tiles can crack over time
• Unglazed tile needs to be treated periodically with sealants

Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is a good budget-conscious alternative. It is scratch resistant and softer than tile or hardwood, easier on the feet and gives dropped dishes a better chance for survival!

Advantages

• Variety of colors and designs
• Less expensive than alternatives
• Soft on feet and dishes
• Requires very little maintenance
• Scratch, scuff and stain resistant

Disadvantages

• Easily dented by furniture, heels and other objects
• Peeling can occur
• Cheaper look and feel than more expensive alternatives

Stone Flooring
The stones that are often used for kitchen floors include slate, marble and granite. They offer an elegant and durable look, but often come with a hefty price tag.

Advantages

• Very durable
• Can be used over a radiant heat system
• Elegant and high quality look and style

Disadvantages

• More expensive
• Slippery and can be dangerous to fall on
• Stones can chip
• Stains and dirt often show on light colored grout between the stones
• Must apply sealants periodically to prevent stains
• Stone can be cold and uncomfortable on the feet

Check out Part 2 of this series for information on additional flooring types!

Merillat Accent Collections were created to help bring high-design and sensibly chic qualities to everyday spaces. The decorator accents can be easily used with any Merillat Classic kitchen, and we’ve made it simple to create endless options with our three distinct style groups.

Tapestry Collection
A remarkably simple way to create a stunning kitchen with a traditional design that includes a breathtaking wave and leaf design.

Estero Collection
A stunning, well-crafted Mission-style collection that can instantly take the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Windmere Collection
An eclectic evolution with an ornate rope design, Windmere is an easy way to transform any kitchen into a decorative statement.

Each of our style groups offer several different sized legs, feet, corbels and crown moldings to help add the finishing touches to make your kitchen really stand out!  Below is a brief description of the various accent pieces you may want to consider.

Crown Molding
Crown molding can add a stunning effect to the look and character of your kitchen. Molding can completely transform your room from traditional to modern, or contemporary to period.

Corbels
Decorative corbels can make any home look more elegant and classical. Kitchen designers often use corbels to add visual definition to a space and soften sharp edges on cabinets, bars, kitchen countertops or islands. Corbels come in different sizes applicable for decorative shelving or countertop support.

Feet and Legs
Furniture-like feet and legs transform ordinary kitchens into one-of-a-kind statements. These different sized accents provide flexibility to use them in areas underneath cabinets, sinks, islands, vanities and more.

Today, homeowners have many options to determine the appropriate kitchen remodel or renovation budget. You might know you want new cabinetry, but are not sure how to budget in the cabinetry with new flooring. Should you spend more on lighting or appliances? What about plumbing and electric? These answers all vary depending on the final goals and functionality you want your new kitchen to serve.

Talk to an Expert

Whether you are doing a complete makeover (floors, cabinets, electric, plumbing, accents and appliances) or starting slowly with a few elements (cabinets and flooring), the best method for determining your budget is to talk to an expert – a certified kitchen design professional who can help you establish your priorities  within the budget you have in mind. This will help you avoid spending an inappropriate amount in one area or on one item, and not having enough to complete the job.

For example, most kitchen design experts would advise that you spend more on cabinetry than you do on flooring. Chosen well, your cabinets can last for decades. Spending money on quality cabinetry construction with thicker, stronger backs and shelves, wood boxes and dovetailed drawers will benefit you in the long run.

Budget Guidelines

Overall, experts advise that your kitchen remodeling budget shouldn’t exceed 15% of your home’s value. Of this budget, at least one half of the cost should be designated for cabinetry. Another 15% can be expected for appliances, flooring and other goods like lighting, plumbing, fixtures, etc. The remaining 35% includes the costs of labor, design, contracting services, permit fees, etc.

Self-Service Tools

Should you prefer to budget your project without the help of an expert, there are a number of kitchen budget tools and calculators available for your use. We particularly like Fine Homebuilding’s new calculator. Here you can estimate your dream kitchen upgrade by selecting from different countertop and cabinetry choices, and mix and match by price and material. Another good source for kitchen remodeling information and tips is The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA).

Planning is Key

To sum it up, planning ahead is crucial to a successful kitchen remodel. You should know exactly what you want and how much you want to spend before the project begins. Being very specific in your planning is the best way to avoid blowing your budget and enjoy the kitchen of your dreams.

We’ve put together a few tips to help your remodeling go smoothly:

Set up a temporary kitchen. Set up a temporary kitchen in the garage, basement or utility room. You may even keep some of your old cabinets for temporary storage.

Label, Label and Label. Label your commonly used kitchen items in clear plastic storage containers to make it easy to find.

Remove Breakables. Put away breakables and valuables in rooms adjacent to the kitchen. Items in next room may even suffer damage during construction or when work crews are carrying equipment in and out.

Protect your Floors. Map out the path the contractors will take from your door to the kitchen and protect those floors by laying down carpet scraps, old rugs, plastic drop cloths or cardboard.

Pre-plan your Meals. If you’re still going to have a freezer during the remodel, make big meals ahead of time and freeze them in smaller portions. This way you can defrost single-meal portions and reheat them in the microwave.

Remodeling can go smoothly if you plan accordingly.  And in the end, you will have a brand new kitchen that you can enjoy with your family and friends for years to come.

The Driehorst’s Good Life kitchen project is well underway! It is exciting to think in a short-time that this family will be able to have their kitchen transformed to not only be functional, but beautiful as well.

During the project, the Driehorsts along with Amy from KSI will create an organized space for a growing family of six. Fortunately, with a few storage accessories and some insightful tips this goal is more attainable than imagined. And with a little planning, any homeowner can create a clutter free space ready to accommodate a busy lifestyle.

Click on any of the images to see a closeup.

As a designer, one of the first things I consider is making sure to include enough storage solutions. I always look at kitchen organization and storage by viewing the room in sections. All kitchens have a cooking zone and a cleanup zone, and some kitchens may have an island, pantry or specialized niches. Each of these areas lend themselves to various storage opportunities. Click on any of the images shown to see a close up. You can also view all of Merillat’s accessories.

One thought for storage in the cooking zone is including a spice drawer organizer next to the cooktop, or a drawer organizer kit that accommodates everything from tableware to larger cooking utensils, these features can be adapted to any homeowner’s specific needs. Extra wide or deep drawers are a perfect storage solution when installed under a cooktop, as they are ideal for storing and organizing bulky items like pots, pans and mixing bowls. In addition, extra wide pull out trays make retrieving large pots and pans effortless.

Clean-up zones are very important and something homeowners often overlook. Simple things that make a huge difference are tilt-out sink trays, which keeps soaps and sponges out of sight, an under sink tote and base waste basket help to keep things well organized. Also, a cutting board kit close to the sink makes for easy cleanup during food prep.

My favorite tip is to think about items that need special storage and change over time as your needs and family grows and diversifies. Storage solutions like pigeon holes, plate racks and wall lattices can be used to display special items like collectibles, wine bottles or fine china and can accommodate many uses.

People are using their kitchens for so much more that just cooking these days and more than ever before kitchens have to be dynamic and adaptable. Being smart about storage not only brings order to your kitchen, but your life.

Good luck Driehorsts! I can’t wait to see your new finished space.