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Can The Right Kitchen Cabinets Improve Your Health

Can The Right Kitchen Cabinets Improve Your Health?

If you’re trying to improve your health, you might be overlooking an effective way – your kitchen cabinets. Yes, kitchen cabinets improve your health.

As strange as that might sound, your health often centers around what and how you eat. The right cabinets have a surprisingly huge impact on that.

Before jumping on a fad diet, look into changing your kitchen cabinets. It could be the perfect solution for a kitchen and health makeover all in one.

Encourage More Cooking At Home

In a 2019 survey, 56% of Americans choose to eat out 2-3 times each week, while 6% say they eat out every day. Whether it’s due to a busy schedule, picky eaters or just no desire to cook, people eat out a lot. And usually, it’s not always the healthiest choices.

The right kitchen cabinets improve your health by encouraging more cooking at home. When your kitchen is designed for your needs, you’re more likely to want to spend time cooking. Even if you’re only fixing quick meals or just fixing breakfast and lunch while going out for dinner, you’re still cooking more at home. This gives you more control over what goes into your food, such as picking more natural options versus processed foods.

Design For Easy Access

Before you just remodel your kitchen to start eating healthier, it’s important to understand what needs to change. How often do you decide to eat out because you can’t get to your pots, pans and even ingredients without a struggle?

Always design your kitchen for easy access. By using custom cabinets, you’ll be able to organize items in your kitchen for easier access. Imagine a shelf that slides out, giving you instant access to neatly stacked pots. Or, what about slide out bins that keep your canned goods organized without anything falling over?

You can also customize your kitchen layout to make prepping and cooking easier. Set up your cabinets so that the items you need most for cooking are always within reach.

Set Up A Recipe Area

Another common reason people eat out is they don’t know what to fix or how. Let your kitchen cabinets improve your health by creating a recipe area. You might have a cabinet with a glass door to showcase a recipe book collection. Then, add a light under the cabinet along with a pop-up recipe book holder. This can also hold your tablet to access digital recipes. Keep a notepad or tablet nearby to jot down your grocery list as you pick out interesting recipes.

Having an area made specifically for picking out things to eat encourages you to try your hand at cooking. Of course, with the variety of cooking tips and guided videos on many cooking apps, even beginners can cook amazing meals with ease.

Add In A Prep Station

Every kitchen needs a great prep station. Having room to actually prep meals makes cooking far more enjoyable. You might even consider turning a few hours on a weekend into family meal prep day. Gather your family and have everyone pick out recipes for the week ahead. Then, start prepping what you’ll need and store it to quickly fix your meals throughout the week, even after a busy day.

Kitchen islands work great for this. They give you extra counterspace and allow you to store more cookware and small countertop appliances.

Make Your Kitchen Feel Welcoming

The most important thing to consider is to make your kitchen feel welcoming. Kitchen cabinets improve your health by not only making things easier to find, but making your kitchen feel like a fun and relaxing place to be. The right door design, hardware and colors transform a kitchen.

For instance, if your kitchen feels dull and gloomy, brighten things up with a much lighter stain or even a bright white paint. You can also change the design to make the space feel more open, even in a smaller kitchen.

Ready to improve your health with custom kitchen cabinets? Contact us today to learn how we can help.

Image: Conscious Design

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Grayson Homes kitchen cabinets Raleigh NC
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Creative Ways You Can Use The Color Black In Your Kitchen

Black is one of the most dreaded colors for kitchen décor. People usually prefer brighter and more inviting colors. However, you can integrate the color black into your décor and end up with a fantastic outcome. Black might be a hard color to use overall, but it is a beautiful accent for any kitchen. Here are some ways to use black in your kitchen cabinets Raleigh NC.

Black Cabinetry

Dark cabinets are one of the most exciting and notable kitchen trends today. After years of all white and neutral designs, black has emerged, defying all expectations. The power of black cabinets projects a robust and modern style. The idea of using black cabinetry is easy; implementing it is still hard.

Use Black as an Accent

Many people are interested in using black in their cabinetry but do not dare to make black a primary color in the overall kitchen style. Using black to accent different pieces serves as a strong focal point. Kitchen islands are perfectly suited for dark cabinets. Standalone cabinets also work well as a go-to option for using dark-color accent pieces. Black countertops can make other colors pop.

Adapt Look to Different Styles

One of the most versatile colors is black – it goes with every other color. It has many options that represent an excellent opportunity and significant challenges. However, without proper and strategic styling, the tone can make your space seem dreary or drab. Black won’t work with all kitchens and styles, so approach with caution where and how much it’s used.

Spice Up Black’s Elegance

Dark cabinets are beautiful and look refined on their own. Suppose you want to take this sophistication up a notch. In that case, you can enhance the cabinets by incorporating gold-colored hardware, accents, or trim.

Use Sleek Additions to Increase the Contemporary Appeal

Black is a unique color that can evoke a classic style and edgy trends. If you go for a contemporary design, the emphasis must be on clean lines instead of the color itself. If you prefer a sleek, modern look, you can go for slab doors or flat panels. Open shelving is also an excellent option for a kitchen featuring dark colors. Glossy versus matte finish is another consideration – each creates a different feel.

Keeping it Traditional

For those who go for a traditional look, you can achieve the results with decorative elements such as black crown molding or intricate hardware. Display these on raised or flat panel cabinets.

The Farmhouse Look

The farmhouse look is a challenging style to incorporate black. The key to success is giving this trend a modern twist. Use brushed finishes. This technique can mean light-colored brushes on dark cabinets or dark-colored brushes on light cabinets. This “distressed” look can be made trendy using nonconventional color combinations.

Edgewood Cabinetry

Dark colors require a little more creativity to make the most out of them. Be bold and try a style that makes your space unique. Edgewood Cabinetry can create custom kitchen cabinets Raleigh NC. We offer you various designs where dark cabinets can be integrated to reflect your style and personality. Call us today at 919-339-7300.

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How To Design A More Social Kitchen

Kitchens have long since been a place where you go in, cook and get out. But, when you design a social kitchen, you turn your kitchen into the entertaining hub of your home.

Instead of spending the evening away from your guests, they get to join you in the kitchen for drinks, snacks and conversation.

From gathering the family together for meals to hosting events with friends, turn your kitchen into a truly social area. While your living room might get jealous, your kitchen’s going to love the attention.

Islands Are Ideal To Gather Around

For a truly social kitchen, you need an area for everyone to gather around. That’s why you need a kitchen island. They provide a central area to gather and plenty of space to sit drinks and snacks. Plus, it also helps keep people out of the cook’s way if you’re trying to socialize and prep a meal.

Plus, islands also give you a place to add stools or chairs for people to sit. Think of it like a mini-dining room table. Larger islands actually work well to replace your dining room, allowing you to expand your kitchen.

Keep The Room Open

If you’re trying to keep the kitchen cozy, but not crowded, opt for an open floor plan. The more space you have between your cabinets, island and walls, the better. This gives everyone room to mingle around freely. Even with a small kitchen, you could opt for a smaller island to give everyone more space.

Keep The Cooking Area Free

Odds are, you’ll still need to cook when using your social kitchen. Maybe you’re prepping more snacks or even the main meal. However, it’s hard to get things out of your oven with several people right in front of it.

Instead of getting frustrated, design your kitchen to keep the cooking area free. The kitchen triangle design works best and keeps everything within easy reach. Your social area is then just outside your triangle, making it easy to socialize and cook at the same time.

Add A Bar Or Drink Cart

A great addition to any social kitchen is a custom bar or a drink cart. Everything you need to make drinks is in one place and easily accessible. Plus, it creates a dedicated social area. Some people actually add a bar to their kitchen island to conserve space in small kitchens. You can even have a pull out area in your island just for this.

A cart works well if you need to save space when you’re not entertaining. They also serve as a good alternative to an island if you don’t have room.

Storage Keeps Counters Clean

Obviously, you want your social kitchen to look amazing. Cabinets piled high with clutter aren’t going to do that. Keep your counters clear and clean by optimizing your storage space. While you can buy all types of organizers, it’s usually easier to design custom cabinets that cater to your storage needs. For instance, you might need storage for special types of small appliances or a display cabinet for special dishes.

Make Room For Seating

While standing and mingling is nice, seating is a good idea. This is especially true if your social kitchen is mainly used for your family to eat. You don’t need large, clunky chairs though.

Design a kitchen island with an overhang for stools to sit under. This keeps the stools out of the way until you need them. Some people even have small benches instead that slide against the island.

If you have the space, you can even add a bench or some stools along a free wall along with a shelf for holding drinks and food.

Brighten The Space

It’s not unusual for kitchens to focus all of their lighting specifically around the stove and refrigerator area. But, with a social kitchen, you need to brighten the space. Get creative with light fixtures throughout the kitchen. You might also want to opt for lighter countertop colors to reflect the light and make the space look larger and more welcoming.

Ready to design your dream social kitchen? Contact the pros at Edgewood Cabinetry today to get started.

Image: Lisa Fotios

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7 Considerations For Your Custom Kitchen Design

7 Considerations For Your Custom Kitchen Design

Choosing a custom kitchen design isn’t as simple as just gathering a ton of Pinterest kitchen pictures. While all of them might look like your dream kitchen, you still have to customize it to your needs. It’s always a great idea to look at other kitchens to get great ideas. After all, you never really know what’s possible until you step outside of your own kitchen. However, a custom kitchen has to be perfect for you. Take what you love about other kitchens and use the following considerations to create a design you’ll love for years to come.

1. Choosing A Comfortable Cabinet Size

7 Considerations For Your Custom Kitchen DesignOften times, you hear people talking about cabinet sizes in relation to what they can store. This is an important consideration. A custom kitchen design means you can adjust cabinet sizes to best fit your needs. One thing you don’t hear about often is adjusting the size to your height. Yes, you should focus on storage, but if you can’t comfortably use your cabinets, you won’t like your kitchen.

Ensure your cabinets are at a comfortable height. Even if your top cabinets should be easy to reach. You can even have a stool built-in to your kitchen to make it easier to reach things. If you opt for completely custom cabinets, you can get everything you need.

2. Customizing Storage

No kitchen design is complete without custom storage. Standard shelves and drawers aren’t always enough. In fact, most kitchens need customized storage. From built-in organizers to pull-out shelves, there is a way to store almost anything without compromising. Figuring out all the innovative options isn’t always easy, but searching for kitchen storage ideas on Pinterest is a great option. By building storage into the original design, you won’t have to adjust your cabinets after they’re installed.

3. Creating A Work Triangle

You work in your kitchen in a specific way. Most people don’t really think about it. However, experts refer to this as the kitchen work triangle. You’ll want to incorporate this kitchen work triangle into your custom kitchen design. It makes using your kitchen so much easier. The idea is to ensure optimal productivity between your sink, stove and refrigerator. By getting the spacing just right, you never have to move too far nor feel too cramped.

4. Picking The Right Countertop

Home Kitchen Makeover On A BudgetWhile you should definitely consider looks when it comes to your countertop, there’s so much more to it. For instance, do you want a material that’s difficult to clean, even if it looks amazing? What about how difficult it is to maintain, such as adding new seals every year? Another consideration is your budget. Thanks to all the varieties of countertops available, you can pick a budget-friendly option that looks and functions almost like the more expensive options.

5. Customizing With Modern Conveniences

It’s easy to get caught up in the layout and cabinets for your custom kitchen design, but what about customizing your kitchen with modern conveniences. For instance, why not have a fold-down panel that hides all your outlets? Or, what about a charging drawer to keep your phone and tablet protected while you’re using the kitchen? For amazing ideas to create a more functional and innovative kitchen, Victoria Elizabeth Barnes has a great list divided into categories.

6. Budgeting While Getting What You Want

Budgets are important for your custom kitchen design. Before you get too attached to any ideas, set a solid budget. Decide where you will and won’t compromise. For instance, if you’re married to a granite countertop, you might have to compromise when it comes to appliances or flooring. If you’re having custom cabinets built, talk to the builder about your budget to begin with so you can plan together the right custom cabinetry plan for you.

7. Building In Storage For Small Appliances

People are relying more and more on small appliances in their kitchens. All-in-one appliances are even popular now to combine several smaller things into one. However, these all take up valuable counter space. When creating your custom kitchen design, consider how you can build in storage for these specific appliances. You might create a dedicated cabinet with shelves sized for those appliances or have cubbies built into your island to store often used appliances.

Eager to design your custom kitchen? Contact us today to learn how we can help you create the perfect custom cabinets for your new kitchen.

Image: House Method

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Edgewood Cabinetry custom cabinet

Getting the Most Use Out of Small Spaces in the House

Whether you live in a large house or a studio apartment, there is underutilized space. Many people complain about not having enough storage in their homes, but seeking out and using these “hidden” spaces can solve this problem. These small spaces are often in plain sight in smaller rooms such as the laundry room, mudrooms, entryways, or utility rooms.  Custom cabinets can turn these spaces into storage.

A Little Ingenuity Can go a Long Way

Persistent clutter around a house will never fix itself. Eventually, this starts to affect the occupants’ psychology. Most people reach a point where they have to declutter and organize. Take the time to plan the organization, so the result is pleasing to the eye, and the build-up of clutter doesn’t get repeated.

There are many articles on how to declutter and organize small spaces in your house. Here are a few of the most popular solutions:

Wall Space

Edgewood Cabinetry custom cabinetWalls are the underrated space-saver in a house. Many homes have clutter all over the floor, but nothing on the walls, but in a small space, every square foot is luxury real estate, and walls are the unutilized land.
Use shelving units that extend to the ceiling. Add shelving above doorways, couches, beds – any part of a wall that is usually blank can be used.

Install sconces instead of table lights for lighting. Table lights or freestanding lamps take up floor space. Free up that space and attach lighting to the walls.

Attach hooks and racks to store sports equipment. Hang bikes on the wall instead of leaving them in a small basement or garage, taking up precious floor space.

Doors

Another underutilized space around the house is the backs of doors. This space is perfect for hanging cleaning utensils, jewelry, towels, bags, shoes – just about any small household item. It keeps these objects accessible but out of sight. Don’t forget the doors of the cabinets. These doors can also provide extra storage space by adding a few hooks.

Skirted Furniture

What To Do With That Awkward Under The Stair SpaceThe space underneath furniture such as a sofa, chairs, side tables, and beds can be used as storage space. If the furniture has a skirt, this space is easily used as storage. It’s not seen due to the skirt, so no fancy storage containers are required. If the furniture is not skirted, used decorative baskets or colored storage boxes for a beautiful aesthetic.

Room Color

The color of a room does not add more space, but it can give the feeling of more space. If adding more shelving to walls (especially if the shelving is floor to ceiling), keep the walls and furniture a light color, so the room doesn’t feel like it’s getting smaller.

So before thinking you have to move to a bigger house to get more storage space, take a good look around your home. There may be more space there than you think.

For more information on creating space-saving custom cabinets for your home contact Edgewood Cabinetry at 919-339-7300.

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Rustic Kitchen

Designing A Rustic Kitchen – This Is What It Could Look Like

Dream of having a rustic kitchen? Even if you live in the city, you can still get that beautiful rustic look.

You don’t even need a log cabin or a country cottage. By using the right types of materials, it’s easy to transform your kitchen into a modern rustic dream.

All you really need is to use a few key design elements and you’re all set. Whether you want a full rustic look or just certain parts, use this is a guide to see what your rustic kitchen could look like.

Natural Wood Tones

Natural wood tones are vital to creating a rustic kitchen. From the floor to the cabinets, varying wood tones help convey that natural country feel. Darker tones are often used on cabinets and islands to help them stand out.

A lighter wood helps to brighten the floor and make the space feel more open. Of course, it’s perfectly fine to switch these around as well. If you want a lighter room, consider a white bleached wood stain. You still get the natural look of the wood, but the brightness of white too.

One thing to keep in mind is to let the natural grain and knots shine through. This is why most rustic kitchens have stained wood versus painted. This helps preserve the natural look.

Using Stone Elements

The rustic kitchen theme was born from necessity. Originally, homes were built with what was available. This included cutting down trees (hence the natural wood look) and using various stones in the local area.

While it’s much easier to build a kitchen now, you can still add those unique stone elements. Using natural large or small stones to build a backsplash or to serve as a divider wall helps to contrast perfectly with the wood. If you have a darker wood or stain, using a light colored stone will help brighten the room.

Of course, stone also works for your flooring. Just remember to coat it to seal all the pores and make it much easier to clean.

Exposed Beams

Typically, exposed beams are a sign of an unfinished project, but not with a rustic kitchen. Instead, they add a natural look and feel to the room. Plus, they work great for adding room to hang pots and pans.

You can also use them to better arrange lighting using antique fixtures. These can blend into the beams or go between them to give them feel of more natural lighting.

Mix Modern And Rustic

A rustic kitchen doesn’t mean you can’t have modern elements. In fact, it’s becoming common to mix the two. Surprisingly, the kitchen still looks more rustic than modern. Steel grey appliances work perfectly with light and dark woods, though they blend well with lighter woods and stains.

The contrast of modern looking appliances and fixtures gives your kitchen a unique look and feel.

Add Open Shelving

Cabinets are a must-have in any kitchen, but for a more rustic look, add more open shelving. Using open shelves for your plates and to hang pots and pans instantly makes your kitchen seem more rustic. Instead of everything being contained, it’s on display and within easy reach.

An alternative is to have a display shelf above your cabinets. Traditional rustic kitchens often have areas to display knick-knacks and treasured dishes.

Create Rustic Accessories

Of course, you’ll want to make your rustic kitchen truly unique with some handmade elements. Yes, you can build a few things to make your kitchen your own. For instance, you might build a small crate to hold oil and vinegar or salt and pepper.

If you’re not sure where to start, try one of these beginner’s woodworking projects. Anyone can do these and you’ll feel proud seeing your handiwork in your kitchen or other areas of your home.

Get Inspired

Have tons of ideas running through your head or do you need a little more inspiration to make it all come together? House Beautiful, Architectural Digest and Elle Decor showcase beautiful rustic kitchens in a wide variety of styles.

Ready to create your dream rustic kitchen? Contact Edgewood Cabinetry to see how we can help.

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custom cabinetry custom kitchen remodel

What Permits Are Needed For Remodeling Your Kitchen

You’ve carefully planned out your dream kitchen and now you’re ready to get started. What’s the first step?

Depending on what you’re having done, you may need kitchen remodeling permits. Certain home improvements and changes do require you to get a permit.

However, not every change requires a permit. Use the tips below to figure out when you might need to check about a permit before your remodel.

Why Bother With Permits

Since it’s your home, you might not think permits matter that much. However, if you’re hiring contractors to help with the kitchen remodel, they may not work on your project at all without the proper permits in place. After all, it’s their reputation at stake. If you work with a contractor that says they’re okay with skipping out on permits, find someone else. This is a sign that they’re not reliable and may do more harm than good in your kitchen.

Another problem is if you ever want to sell your home. The changes will be discovered and you might not be able to sell or rent your home without having to tear down all the hard work or paying fines, paying inspectors and still getting permits. In fact, some cities may even increase the permit cost if you didn’t get the permit before remodeling.

One final thing to consider about kitchen remodeling permits is they are for your own safety. For instance, you wouldn’t want to tear down a wall that’s necessary for supporting your second floor. Permits are designed to verify the safety of whatever home improvement you want to make.

When You Don’t Need A Permit

Legally, you don’t need a kitchen remodeling permit for basic kitchen improvements. Some kitchen remodeling projects that don’t require permits include:

  • Getting new cabinets
  • Refacing cabinets
  • Painting cabinets
  • Re-doing your kitchen floor
  • Painting the kitchen
  • Installing new appliances (if no electrical work needs to be done)
  • Adding an island (no electrical or plumbing changes)

Outside of a full-scale kitchen remodel, you usually don’t have to worry about permits. Of course, there are a few exceptions to this rule.

When You Do Need A Permit

The exact kitchen remodeling permits you need will vary based on what you’re changing and where you live. You should check with your local government office if you have any questions. Discuss your project and what you’re changing to ensure you have all the permits you need. You can also talk with reputable contractors to see if there are permits you’ll need to obtain before getting started.

If you’ll be making any plumbing or electrical changes, you will need to get a permit. For instance, if you need to re-run plumbing if you’re changing the location of your sink or adding in an island with its own sink, a permit may be required. If you need to re-wire the kitchen to add different appliances, change the lighting or anything else, a permit is necessary. Plumbing and electrical permits are necessary to ensure the changes are on record and are safe for the home.

One more major permit you’ll need for remodeling your kitchen is any changes to your home’s structure. For a kitchen remodel, this means adding or removing walls. Since walls are a major structural component, you need to acquire a permit before changing anything. The city will check the blueprints to ensure the removal or addition of a wall won’t compromise the integrity of the home. The last thing you want is your ceiling caving in on your new kitchen just as you get done.

One final thing to consider is whether you’re remodeling an existing kitchen or remodeling another room to turn it into a kitchen. Changing the purpose of a room, especially when it requires major plumbing, electrical or structural changes, does require a permit in most cities.

Our advice is to always ask your city office before proceeding with your project to be safe.

Ready to start your kitchen remodel? Contact us today to learn more about our custom cabinetry services.

Image: Bryan Boatright

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Transitional Kitchens

Custom Kitchen Cabinets are our Specialty

We have designed, built and installed beautiful, high quality custom cabinets for hundreds of homeowners. Take a look at some of our work to get ideas for your own home. We love what we do, so if you are looking for new cabinets or a new kitchen, just give us a call.

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Traditional Kitchens

Custom Kitchen Cabinets are our Specialty

We have designed, built and installed beautiful, high quality custom cabinets for hundreds of homeowners. Take a look at some of our work to get ideas for your own home. We love what we do, so if you are looking for new cabinets or a new kitchen, just give us a call.

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