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Edgewood Cabinetry kitchen renovation

Considerations When Redesigning Your Kitchen

Most people think of the kitchen as the heart of the home since it’s where food is prepared. We want it to be aesthetic and functional as possible and go the extra mile to achieve our dream kitchen. However, such a venture is not without pitfalls. If you have an existing kitchen built over a decade ago, it certainly won’t meet modern standards for convenience and aesthetics. It may even have outdated fixtures and setups that can’t keep up with current demands.

Redesigning Your Kitchen

Consider redesigning your kitchen from the ground up. Though such kitchen renovation projects require careful planning and foresight, these considerations will help you ensure your new kitchen truly is a space where you can enjoy spending time. A modern kitchen requires a modern solution. Here’s a look.

Stick to the Current Kitchen Layout

Sticking to the current kitchen layout will help save you money. You won’t have to spend money on expensive and time-consuming reworks for plumbing, electric circuits, and gas lines. These reworks require dismantling existing walls and flooring just to layout new lines. You will have to make do with some design limitations. This option means that the fridge, outlets, fixtures, and sink will have to stay in place. If money is not a problem, do a complete kitchen redesign by all means, including re-routing all utilities and a completely new kitchen layout.

Seek Professional Help from Designers

Seeking professional help from designers can fine-tune what you’re envisioning for your kitchen redesign. If you want a spacious kitchen with a high ceiling, your designer can make it happen. They can offer invaluable advice so that your plans run smoothly until the end. Whether you prefer cove lighting or layered lights, flooring tiles or vinyl, and granite or quartz countertop, your designer can choose which item is most appealing for your kitchen—all per your preferences.
A designer can be the ultimate guide for your kitchen redesign. Their expertise fills in the gap on the technical side of things and can narrow down the considerations of which products to purchase, how to reconfigure walls and ceilings, or what type of appliance to choose. Having someone narrowing the choices makes life easier for you.

Go for Durable Flooring with Style

The kitchen flooring will certainly take a beating in the foreseeable future. Daily food preparation entails the inevitable spills, dishware drops, or kitchen dance parties, so you may want to consider a floor that is up to the task. Select something easy to clean, and that will wear well. The kitchen sees a lot of household traffic, so take some time with this selection.

Opt for Solid Countertops

Solid, smooth countertop material offers fewer grooves and corners for dirt, grease, oil, and bacterial build-up. Hence, making solid materials such as granite or quartz the ideal choice for kitchen countertops. They are easy to clean, but they also offer that natural stone allure that homeowners fancy.

Sufficient Lighting

Lighting is more than a design feature; it’s also one of the essential safety features of any kitchen. Working in a dimly lit space while cooking can lead to mistakes that result in injury. To fully illuminate your kitchen space, consider layering light using a mix of recessed lighting, under-cabinet lighting, cove lighting, and surface-mounted fixtures.

Give Your Kitchen Some Personality

The final piece of any great kitchen is its great personality. The look and feel of a kitchen is another important aspect because it’s this trait that swoops your guests off their feet and determines whether you have a kitchen that you can treasure. Stay away from commercial subway tiles, industrial furniture, or overall white color as it can look industrialized and utilitarian. You want space where you can enjoy spending time, not feel like a sterile commercial kitchen. Colorful backsplashes, stained furniture, custom cabinets, accent pieces, and flooring will give your kitchen personality.

The bottom line is: functionality and personality should be balanced. A kitchen can be highly functional complete with fixtures and appliances but have a sterile feel. Don’t forget to add a little spark of yourself.

Contact Edgewood Cabinetry

Let us design custom cabinets for your kitchen renovation. Contact Edgewood Cabinetry for more information on what we can do for you. Call 919-339-7300 to set up an appointment.

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Edgewood Cabinetry kitchen cabinets Raleigh NC
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Big Considerations for Kitchen Remodeling

Like all home projects, a kitchen remodel can get out of hand without careful planning. According to data from the Research Institute for Cooking and Kitchen Intelligence, 47% of homeowners who have undergone kitchen remodeling wished they could have done something different given a second chance.

The good news is such a scenario is entirely preventable. It just takes some careful considerations and forethought to make sure the process goes smoothly from start to finish. Though there are numerous factors to consider, the most important one is getting your hands on quality products that maximize functionality and provide lasting comfort. Regardless, failure to consider other factors will surely put your project at risk, so before you start tearing down those old kitchen walls, here are some considerations.

Consider a Flexible Budget

Edgewood Cabinetry kitchen cabinets Raleigh NCWeighing the costs of a kitchen remodel is one of the most challenging and essential tasks. Since a budget creates constraints, big decisions such as design changes, which appliances to be used, or type of lighting are influenced by it. If the budget doesn’t permit a specific desire, you will be forced to cut out other items to accommodate the change.

With a flexible budget, you are giving yourself more leeway to accommodate changes. This flexibility means that you are opening yourself up to more options and opportunities to weed out bad decisions, whether it be a more lavish design, brighter kitchen space, or updated cabinetry.

Since a kitchen remodel is a lifetime investment, you might pour in reasonable sums of money to your budget to make sure that you get your hands on your dream kitchen.

Stick to the Current Kitchen Layout

Basing the new kitchen design to the current kitchen layout will help you save you more money. In particular, significant parts of the kitchen, such as plumbing, electric circuits, or gas lines, shouldn’t be touched to avoid unnecessary expensive re-works.

Consequently, some design aspects will have to be based on the current kitchen layout meaning the fridge, outlets, fixtures, and sink will have to stay in place. However, this approach is not written in stone provided that you are willing to spend more. If your design preferences require a complete overhaul of the kitchen, including major re-routing works, then, by all means, do it.

Consider New Appliances

Edgewood Cabinetry home tips kitchen cabinetsSince you are remodeling for a better kitchen space, new appliances should be on your item list. The only downside of it is its high upfront cost. If your budget allows it, then, by all means, purchase the newest appliance in the market.

On the other hand, you can always opt for a downgraded version provided that it meets your expectations in terms of quality and energy-efficient features. The appliance is guaranteed to realize returns throughout its lifetime in the form of fewer utility bills, longevity, and convenience.

The placement of new appliances such as dishwashers or microwaves may require additional wiring or plumbing.

Seek Professional Help from Designers

No one knows better than you how you want your kitchen to look, but seeking professional help from designers can enhance your plans smoothly from start to finish. They are aware of the most common kitchen remodeling mistakes and will guide you accordingly. Since they are professionals, have the technical expertise to execute what you are envisioning. Years of experience under their belts make them the ultimate guide for your project, whether it be which products to purchase, how to reconfigure walls and ceilings, or what type of appliance to choose. The designer can offer fantastic advice based on your specific needs.

Kitchen remodels can be expensive, so let us make it unique with custom kitchen cabinets in Raleigh NC at an affordable price. Call Edgewood Cabinetry at 919-339-7300 to set up an appointment to help you with your dream kitchen plans.

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Edgewood Cabinetry cabinets

A Basic Guide for Keeping Your Kitchen Cabinets Clean

Proper maintenance of kitchen cabinets can save you a lot of money. It also gives the kitchen a good appearance boost. The kitchen is one of the essential rooms in the house. Clean, well- maintained kitchen cabinets could boost the value of the property. Here are a few simple steps that will keep those kitchen cabinets clean and glowing.

Basic Kitchen Cabinet Cleaning

Edgewood Cabinetry cabinetsStart by wiping the cabinets with a slightly damp, lint-free cotton cloth and use a second cloth to dry and buff cabinet finish. Use mild soap and water to remove daily spills, grease, and oil, then wipe with a soft cotton cloth. Avoid using a harsh detergent that might destroy the finishing. Don’t use soaps with dye, ammonia-based cleaners, self-polishing waxes, or abrasive cleaners. Using furniture polish on cabinets might seem smart, but it’s not recommended.

Clean Spills Immediately

Keeping the cabinets dry is vital to maintain them in good condition. Use a dry cloth to wipe spills immediately with a “blotting” motion. Areas where water is common such as around sinks and dishwashers, are prone to moisture. Wipe immediately and never allow detergents or water to dry on the cabinets.

Avoid Excess Moisture

Edgewood Cabinetry custom kitchen cabinetExcess moisture is the worst enemy of furniture finish. Wet towels shouldn’t be draped on the cabinet doors or surfaces. Towel racks shouldn’t be attached to cabinet door interiors, and tea and coffee makers shouldn’t be placed where the steam hits the cabinets directly. If you notice excess moisture when cooking, open the windows to help it dry off and wipe any remaining moisture.

Avoid Excess Heat

Don’t place cabinet appliances where heat is applied directly or directed on the cabinet surfaces. The wood’s stability and finish are heavily impacted by temperature.

Never Use Abrasives

Never use steel wool, scouring pads, or powdered cleaners to clean the cabinets. These cleaning methods penetrate the cabinet surface, allowing moisture to enter, therefore damaging the cabinets and the finish. If there are stains, use mild soap and warm water to clean but avoid scratching the cabinets.

The proper care practices recommended above extend the life and beauty of your kitchen cabinets. Remember, leaving water on the cabinet surface for a long time harms the finishing, and any warranties do not cover this. Wipe spills immediately and avoid using harsh detergents and scratching methods to clean the cabinets.

For more information on caring for your custom kitchen cabinets, contact Edgewood Cabinetry.  Call 919-339-7300.

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Edgewood Cabinetry kitchen cabinets Raleigh NC

Revitalize your Cabinets With Cabinet Restoration

Maintaining cabinets can be trickier than some people realize. Whether painted, stained, or finished, wooden cabinets will wear with age. This aging is especially true for kitchen cabinets exposed to oils, grease, smoke, and steam. Bathroom cabinets face a similar issue as a result of steam and high humidity. Some people might be tempted to replace such cabinets. However, as long as the cabinets are adequately maintained, restoration remains a viable option.

Restore Old Cabinets

Edgewood Cabinetry kitchen cabinets Raleigh NCRestoration is a good idea for people who find themselves with old cabinets that might fit perfectly in the room but are not the desired design. If the cabinets are in good condition but not matching the perceived vision of the new owner, restoration rather than replacement is an option in such instances.

Refacing Cabinets

Old cabinets can be changed to a new look by refacing. This method effectively replaces the cabinet doors and fixtures to be more in line with the desired look of the room. Repainting or refinishing the cabinets is another way to achieve this. Refinishing is also an effective method of restoration for cabinets exposed to grease and smoke. Even a fresh coat of paint can help, especially when the cabinets have started to peel from humidity. If moisture has caused the wood to warp, refacing can restore the cabinets depending on the extent of the damage.

Save Money & Keep The Same Cabinets

Remodeling Your KitchenRefacing and other restoration methods are often much more cost-effective than outright replacing cabinets. For one, installation and construction costs are avoided. When it comes to cabinets, restoration costs are almost always less than replacement, since there’s rarely a need to install or replace anything besides the paint or the doors. The home user can do a simple restoration. Before performing such tasks, it’s best to examine the cabinets, learn the extent of the damage, and see how easy or difficult the restoration might become. Refacing can be done by the home user as well, but having it handled by experts guarantees a uniform, crisp, fresh look throughout the room in question.

Cabinets don’t need to be replaced as often as people might think. They can be refaced and restored to keep their original beauty and use while still matching new design choices. Peeling paint can be retouched, old hinges can be replaced, and outdated designs can be refaced. All it takes is the right know-how and the right experts.

Get A Custom Cabinet Estimate Today

Want to know how much it’ll cost to give your kitchen a new look with cabinet restoration? Contact the best at refacing kitchen cabinets Raleigh NC – Edgewood Cabinetry. Call 919-339-7300 and set up an appointment today.

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Edgewood Cabinetry cabinets

Squeezing the Most Storage Out of Your Cabinets

Are you looking to pick up the clutter around your home? Most homeowners often complain about a lack of ample storage to accommodate all their items while maintaining the aesthetics of a room. What they don’t realize is that there’s much more storage than meets the eye.

Storage space often comes at a premium! If adding more cabinets is not an option, it’s essential to make the best of the existing space. It’s possible to improve the home organization and increase storage space by tinkering with the custom cabinets. How so? Here are simple adjustments to improve your storage space drastically.

Useful Cabinet Organization Ideas

Edgewood Cabinetry cabinetsModify Double Door Cabinets: Most double door cabinets have a divider (center stile) between the doors. The stile takes up valuable storage space that could otherwise make the cabinet more spacious and accessible. Possible ideas to get rid of the divider include detaching it vertically and fixing it one of the doors (i.e., creating a dummy stile that opens with the door) or installing new double doors that meet.

Organize and Manage Wires: Having wires and cable lying around haphazardly is a painful eyesore – not to mention the risk of tripping accidents and health issues due to dust bunnies! When it comes to wire management, the trick lies in creativity. Think out-of-the-box to find a solution that works best for your space. For items that are rarely unplugged, such as desktops, consider threading the cables along the underside of a wooden surface. Outlets for highly portable devices such as mobile phones should be easily accessible – inside a drawer, on the sidewall, or a countertop.

Sometimes the Places You’d Never Think of are The Best

Cabinet Space Above the Refrigerator: Most pre-made overhead cabinets above the fridge are either too small or too deep for easy access. This odd size and location lead to a waste of valuable storage space. Consider removing the small unusable cabinet and installing new cabinetry that encases the refrigerator. It is more aesthetically, desirable, and easy to reach. Another great idea is to use vertical dividers for the storage of kitchen appliances such as plates or trays

Keep Your Garbage Can Out of Sight: Garbage cans are a necessity in any kitchen – but that does not mean they’re allowed to make the kitchen messy. Stash unsightly trash cans in a ‘makeshift trash drawer’ under your 36-inch countertop drawer.

For ways on how to make the most of your space with custom designed custom cabinets, contact Edgewood Cabinetry.  Call 919-339-7300 for planning your custom cupboards.

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Edgewood Cabinetry home tips kitchen cabinets

Why Do You Need To Buy Kitchen Cabinets Before Appliances Or Anything Else

A beautiful, well-designed kitchen is a showpiece for any household. Now when we talk about a well-designed kitchen, we start to ponder over appliances, tiling, and other details but tend to forget one essential part. Cabinetry is the foundation of the room, and it is mandatory to plan proper shelving and cabinets before proceeding with other details. The sequential order, while remodeling or constructing a new kitchen should be hiring a well-trained designer to design your kitchen, then planning the cabinets and finally purchasing appliances and kitchen goods to fit in the cabinet based on their sizes. If you’re still not sure as to why cabinet designing must be prioritized over other stuff, consider these reasons:

Why You Need to Design Around Your Cabinets

Edgewood Cabinetry home tips kitchen cabinetsPlanning and space utilization: As mentioned previously, cabinetry forms the foundation of any kitchen. You can always exchange your appliances for newer ones, but cabinet building can only be changed while undergoing renovations. Most people are not fond of the exhausting task of redesigning and renovating frequently. Once the cabinets have been designed, overall placement, sizes, and adjustment of everything else can be decided.

Budget-friendly: It’s better to prioritize cabinetry and invest appropriately in quality so that there is no need to spend again and again to make adjustments. Cabinets should sustain throughout the lifetime of the home. Updating the kitchen can then be done by replacing doors, tiles, or lighting as per the resident’s changing mood or the latest interior decorating trends.

Don’t Cheap Out on Cabinetry

Edgewood Cabinetry kitchen cabinets Raleigh NCDo not skimp the budget when deciding on cabinetry. Overall budget allocation to cabinets should be around 30-50% of the total remodeling budget. Don’t exchange the dollar investment on this crucial element for purchasing some sophisticated fridge, microwave, or other feature that has a much shorter lifespan; however, if the budget is very low, save money on the countertops. Countertops are much easier to upgrade and less expensive than changing out cabinetry.

Custom-made cabinetry allows the client to get exactly what they want in the space available. Many space-saving elements can be incorporated into a small space. For more home tips on the best cabinetry for your kitchen, contact Edgewood Cabinetry at 919-339-7300.

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Edgewood Cabinetry custom cabinets

Getting the Most Use Out of Your Laundry Room

Cleaning and organizing the main areas of the house is a primary concern in most homes. The laundry room rarely gets the attention it needs. It often is a dumping ground for clothing and other items resulting in persistent clutter. However, there will come a time when the clutter will start to interfere with the function of the laundry room, and you will be forced to organize it. Planning how to use all the space in the room will help keep it uncluttered in the future. Here are a few ideas for custom cabinets and shelves that will make use of every inch of space in the laundry and keep it organized.

Laundry Rooms Are Meant For More Than JUST Cleaning Your Clothes

Edgewood Cabinetry custom cabinetsWall Space: Walls are the underrated space-saver. In a small space, every square inch is luxury real estate, and walls are unutilized land. Put shelves above the washer and dryer, the door, the standing sink, or any unused corner. If you have space, make those shelves floor-to-ceiling. Use these shelves for storing laundry and cleaning supplies.

Back of Door: If the laundry has a door, use it for storage. There are numerous door organizers on the market. There are metal shelves that use most of the door. There are clear plastic pocket organizers. Add hooks to hang clothes or towels. Use part of the door or all of it. It’s an excellent place for storage.

Baskets and Storage Cubes: Once you have shelving, use baskets or storage cubes to organize supplies. Label the containers, so you and others know what’s in them and where to return items when used.

Utilize All of Your Home’s Space

How To Design The Ultimate Large Appliances StorageDrying Rack: With today’s fabrics, many cannot be thrown in the dryer. So a drying rack is needed. Any laundry room can have a drying rack. If the laundry room is small, hang the drying rack from the ceiling or have one that folds flat to the wall when not in use.

Cabinets: If there are cabinets in the laundry room or if you add them, use all the space in the cupboard. The efficient way to do that is to add wire drawers that pull out — no more lost supplies in the back corner of the cabinet.

Pedestal Drawers: Front-loading washers and dryers can often be placed on pedestals for more effortless loading and unloading. Be sure to use the drawers in these pedestals for storage. Extra laundry supplies or even a supply of paper towels or toilet paper can be placed here.

Folding Station: If you don’t have a countertop place to fold clothes, try a folding station that hangs on the wall. This way, you can use it when folding but then collapse it against the wall when not in use.

Standing Sink: A shelf added between the legs of a standing sink can be useful for storing cleaning supplies. Make this dead space useful.

So get in there and start decluttering and organizing. You’ll be glad you did, and when done right, you will never have to do it again.

Need some custom cabinets for organizing? Contact Edgewood Cabinetry. We can turn your laundry room into storage heaven. Call 919-339-7300.

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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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Edgewood Cabinetry kitchen cabinets

Is Your Hardware Making Your Cabinets Look Dated?

Home decor styles can become outdated very quickly, especially in the kitchen. Practically overnight, the colors, appliances, countertops, and cabinets can look old. Have you noticed cabinets with visible hinges are all in older-looking kitchens? And if it’s been a while since you’ve renovated your kitchen cabinets, you need to become familiar with the latest features to make your kitchen stylish. One of these fresh features is European Hinges.

Cabinet Hinges

Edgewood Cabinetry kitchen cabinetsEuropean hinges, commonly known as the “invisible hinge” or “concealed hinge,” is a modern form of cabinet hinge that, upon closing the cabinet door, becomes invisible providing a sleek and clean look to a kitchen. You cannot see the hinges on the exterior of the cabinet. These hinges are mounted on the inside of the cabinet so they can be used for a wide selection of door types.

Bulky, traditional metal hinges work well for rustic styling but can disrupt the smooth surface of some cabinets, plus they may also collect dirt, dust, and moisture. This quality of being hidden makes these hinges a great updated design choice for any kitchen or bathroom.

Hearing a high-pitched squeak or creak isn’t an issue with European hinges when the cabinet door is opened and shut. These hinges never need to be oiled because there is no metal against metal contact – making them silent when used. With the soft-closure feature, European hinges also don’t let the door bang shut.

Door Knobs & Drawer Pulls

Knobs and pulls are the quickest and easiest to update a kitchen. Metal colors frequently change with kitchen styles. One year brass will be hot; next year, brushed nickel is the style. Without changing the kitchen cabinets (an expensive proposition), you can change their look by changing the hardware. Cabinet and drawer hardware comes in a wide variety of styles and price ranges. Anyone can afford this change, plus this is a definite Do-It-Yourself job.

Talk to a Professional to Learn More

Work with a design professional (free at local home stores), as they not only can help you select the best hinge and hardware solutions but also help with any questions about installing them correctly. You can create a neat and sleek, finished look of your kitchen space by installing making some small changes.

For more information on updating your kitchen cabinets, contact at 919-339-7300.

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