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kitchen island with green chairs

Are you dying to remodel your kitchen cabinets but worried about some of the things you’ve heard? Don’t give up yet. The truth is myths and misconceptions abound in home remodeling. That’s why it’s so important to separate fact from fiction before making remodeling decisions. Let’s talk about common kitchen cabinet remodel myths, debunked.

You Save Money by Doing Your Kitchen Cabinet Remodel Yourself

It’s true that the initial expense of doing a kitchen cabinet remodel yourself is less than paying a professional. However, you sacrifice quality. Plus, it’s possible to encounter problems you’re completely unprepared for. For example, do you know what to do if you find mold or rotted wood behind your old cabinets when you remove them? It’s a real possibility.

Any time you remodel your kitchen, there is a potential to find unexpected problems. And that means the entire project quickly goes wrong. So unless you are very skilled, leave your kitchen cabinet remodel to the pros. Otherwise, you may spend far more to fix your mistakes than it would have cost to pay a professional from the beginning.

It’s a Good Idea to Hire a Handyman Instead of a Contractor

Like attempting to do a remodel yourself, it’s often tempting to hire a handyman in order to save money. After all, a handyman charges less than a contractor. So it’s a good deal, right? Wrong. Handymen are typically skilled at a variety of simple projects. But they don’t have the same level of experience and skill as a contractor. It helps to compare them to doctors. Handymen are like the primary care physicians of the home improvement world, while contractors are the specialists.

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, you definitely want a specialist. That’s because they’re prepared to handle any problems that arise. And they make sure all the work in your kitchen is up to code, too. Plus, home inspectors and insurance agents often want proof that anyone working on your home is licensed. So save yourself the hassle. Hire a contractor for your kitchen cabinet remodel.

A Kitchen Cabinet Remodel Isn’t Worth the Investment

Some people believe that a kitchen cabinet remodel isn’t worth the investment. That’s because trends change so quickly. And since you typically don’t get a 100% return on your investment, a kitchen cabinet remodel doesn’t always seem to be worth the cost. However, this is a myth. You just need to look at the big picture.

First, think of the benefits you receive from a kitchen cabinet remodel. Your entire kitchen looks better. You get more storage. Your cabinets are more functional. And if you choose high-quality cabinets, they last for many years to come. As it turns out, those are all qualities potential buyers look for, too. So your kitchen cabinet remodel also helps your home fetch a higher selling price when the time comes.

Custom Storage Options and Accessories Are a Waste of Money

When you’re trying to stick to a budget, custom storage options and accessories feel like frills. And that leads many homeowners to opt out of including them. But that’s a mistake. After all, the Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence surveyed homeowners and found that the thing they most regretted about their kitchen remodel was not adding more options for organization. Don’t make the same mistake.

Instead, think carefully about the options and accessories you want to include. Those that save you time or bring you a sense of peace are well worth the investment. For example, pull-outs that store trash out of sight help your kitchen feel more serene. Lazy Susans give you easy access to jars. And corner cabinet organizers provide a way to keep your plastic dishes and lids tidy. Remember, you never regret including options you love.

Need more help separating remodeling myths from facts? Check out our FAQ page to learn more or contact us to discuss the project you have in mind. We look forward to speaking with you soon!

New kitchen cabinets are a major investment. You want to know that your money is well-spent on cabinets you’ll continue to love for many years to come. That’s why it’s important to prepare before you purchase. Here are four things you should know before buying kitchen cabinets.

1. What’s Your Budget?

Quality kitchen cabinets aren’t cheap. In fact, new cabinets often make up 50% of the cost of remodeling a kitchen. But selecting well-made cabinets is a worthwhile investment. After all, you likely use your kitchen cabinets on a daily basis. And installing new cabinets dramatically changes the look of your kitchen, so it’s one of the best ways to upgrade your space.

However, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and trouble if you know your budget going into the project. That way, when you start getting quotes, you’ll have realistic expectations and can also prioritize what you want most if you’re working with a limited budget. For example, you may decide to keep some custom features but go with a cheaper species of wood. Or maybe the style is most important to you, so you’re willing to sacrifice some custom upgrades.

2. What Style Do You Like?

Cabinets come in a wide variety of styles, and that’s especially true when you work with a custom cabinet company like Edgewood Cabinetry. Having some idea of what you’re looking for saves you time during the purchase process (although we’re always happy to help you decide!). Do you love the European aesthetic with lots of embellishments? You want traditional cabinets. Prefer a minimalist design instead? Modern or Shaker styles will likely suit you best. Or maybe you’re dreaming of a country kitchen, in which case country/rustic cabinets are a perfect fit.

You should also think about the type of wood you like, along with the color of paint or stain you prefer. For example, Edgewood Cabinetry offers many wood species, such as mahogany, maple, oak, cherry, hickory, and pine. We can finish your cabinets with stains and glazing if you want to highlight the natural wood-grain. Or we can color-match any color of paint to give your cabinets the perfect look.

3. How Much Do You Want to Customize?

You’ll need to decide whether you want stock,  semi-custom, or fully custom cabinets. Stock cabinets are the cheapest option since they come in standard sizes. However, you should beware of purchasing stock cabinets on price alone. Many stock cabinets are made of particleboard or plywood covered in veneer and are not built to last. At Edgewood Cabinetry, our stock cabinets are always built from natural wood and are of the same superior quality as our custom cabinets. They’re simply made in standard sizes and don’t come with custom features.

Semi-custom cabinets are cheaper than fully-custom cabinets but still allow you to add some custom features. You can modify accents or add accessories, within the confines of standard stock cabinet sizes. If you’d like a few custom features but don’t have the budget to invest in fully custom cabinets, semi-custom cabinets are the way to go.

Finally, custom cabinets give you an unlimited range of options. You can customize every detail and add as many features as you like. Plus, custom cabinets are built to fit your space, so they don’t leave awkward gaps. And they allow you to maximize space by transforming every available inch into usable storage. The sky is the limit when it comes to custom cabinet options, so this is the choice to make your dream kitchen come to life.

4. What Options Do You Love?

Think about how you use your space and which features you need. Custom options and accessories always raise the price of your cabinets, but it’s a worthwhile investment to increase the beauty and utility of your kitchen. For example, you can add lazy Susans, drawer inserts, cabinet organizes, spice racks, pull-outs, and more. Decide what features are most important to you and which are nice-to-haves. That way, you’re prepared to make decisions when you begin getting quotes.

Ready to get started on your new kitchen cabinets? Contact us here. We’re happy to help.

8 Ingenious Kitchen Storage Ideas to Make the Most of Limited Space

A small kitchen doesn’t mean you can’t have storage space. You just need the right kitchen storage ideas.

By making the most of the room you have, you’ll be able to store more and stay surprisingly organized. You just need a little bit of a kitchen makeover.

From simple organizers to transforming unused space, storage opportunities are everywhere in your kitchen, even the smallest kitchen.

1. Turn A Small Closet Into A Pantry

If you have a small closet near your kitchen, transform it into a pantry. You don’t need much space to do this. A simple coat closet you might not be using is all you need. Adding some shelves, bins and door storage helps reduce clutter in your kitchen. Consider having a folding basket that hangs inside the door to make transporting items from your pantry to your kitchen a breeze.

Sabrina’s Organizing and In My Own Style showcase this idea perfectly. You can also check out ways to maximize your pantry storage or even create a butler’s pantry with a large enough closet.

2. Transform A Corner Into A Pantry

Despite what many people think, a pantry doesn’t have to be big. If you have an unused corner in your small kitchen, transform it into a corner pantry. You can add some shelves and a door to store spices, cans, chips, dry vegetables and more. By going from floor to ceiling, even short shelves add a lot of space.

3. Use Your Vertical Space Carefully

Vertical space storage is one of the most ingenious kitchen storage ideas. Floating shelves allow you to display glasses, plates and bowls while giving you easy access. Add shelving above a window for extra storage.

Using hooks, wire racks and other organizers, you can transform your empty backsplash into storage for utensils and even pot lids. Some people even hang pot holder gloves and store cooking utensils in them to add a decorative touch. A freestanding rack or thin cabinet also helps make the most of the space.

You could even just add a wall of wire baskets for storing herbs, vegetables, fruits and snacks. Get creative. Don’t be afraid to dive into Pinterest for extra inspiration, or check out My Amazing Things to get started.

4. Add Wall-Mounted Containers And Bins

Bins, containers, baskets or any other type of small storage items work great when mounted to a wall. Use certain spices more often than others? Add some heat-proof baskets on the wall above your stove. Got free space on the side of a cabinet? Add some small bins to store plates, utensils or smaller cleaning items.

Since there are an endless variety of bins and containers you can use, let them also showcase your small kitchen’s personality.

5. Add Pull-Out Pantries Where Possible

Pull-out pantries are amazing and one of the more underutilized kitchen storage ideas. These go between cabinets that might have a gap or alongside the end of a cabinet. They blend in with your existing cabinets, but pull out much like a drawer. Use them to store small items, such as canned goods and spices. Some people even use them for root vegetables by having several bins for onions, potatoes, turnips, etc.

6. Use A Mobile Island

A small kitchen might not have room for a traditional kitchen island. However, a portable kitchen island works perfectly. Since you can move it wherever you need it, it’s never in the way. This gives you more room for prep, storing small appliances and having storage underneath for pots, pans, appliances and more.

7. Customize Cabinets With Built-In Organizers

The organizers you buy separately never seem to fit quite right. This leaves you with unused space in your drawers and cabinets. However, custom cabinet organizers are made to fit perfectly, no matter what your storage needs might be.

Need a smaller Lazy Susan? You can have one custom built to fit your cabinet, including have several rotating shelves. Want a utensil organizer that doesn’t slide around? Have a drawer built where the organizer is a part of it already. Replacing older cabinets with custom cabinets lets you not only make better use of your space, but implement all your kitchen storage ideas.

8. Use Slide-Out Drawers And Shelves

Often, you might not take advantage of storage space simply because it’s hard to reach. This leads to cluttered spaces, especially countertops. One of the simplest, yet most effective kitchen storage ideas is to use slide-out drawers and shelves. Have some small items in a cabinet? Add a slide-out drawer to contain everything. It’ll slide out above your shelves for easy access. Slide-out shelves let you not only add an extra shelf or two if needed, but ensure you reach everything in the back easily.

Ready to customize your small kitchen to store more? Contact us today to learn how we can help.

Image: difisher

How To Design A Butlers Pantry

A butler’s pantry is the perfect addition to any kitchen. It provides prep room, storage and even more. It’s even a great place to hide bulky countertop appliances for a cleaner main kitchen. While they were once used as a place for the butler to store and clean the china and silver, they’re now bustling areas to help with cooking and entertaining. Designing a butler’s pantry gives you the chance to create the perfect area for your needs. Much like a kitchen, you can customize your pantry any way you want.

Determine Its Purpose

How To Design A Butlers PantryFirst, determine your butler’s pantry’s purpose. Some people use them mainly for storage. This lets them use the area as more of a more organized walk-in pantry with a small prep area.

Others prefer to use the area mainly for prep, which means having plenty of counter space, a sink and warming areas for prepared dishes. Some even add a wet bar for an out of the way place to mix drinks without getting in the way of the cook in the main kitchen.

Add Plenty Of Storage Room

No matter what the purpose of your butler’s pantry, incorporate plenty of storage room. You’ll typically want to store things, such as:

  • Less often used appliances, such as large mixers
  • Alcohol – wine coolers are ideal for a butler’s pantry
  • Extra dishes and fine china
  • Extra food (when doubling as a pantry)
  • Baking equipment

You’ll want to have ample room to store everything for easy access when you’re using the area for prepping meals and entertaining.

Make Room For Prep

Edgewood Cabinetry cabinetsOne of the main purposes of a butler’s pantry is to have extra space for prep. You don’t always have enough room in your kitchen to prepare ingredients, lay out all your necessary dishes and keep prepared dishes warm while everything else finishes.

You’ll want ample counter space for prep. It’s also a good idea to work warming areas and a refrigerated area into your design. A small refrigerator stores things like cold appetizers while keeping your main fridge uncluttered.

Consider Entertaining Elements

Often, a butler’s pantry is used to help with entertaining. You can set out trays and have a wet bar for people to serve themselves or make it easy for you as the host to quickly get what your guests need. The best part is everyone stays out of the kitchen so the cook doesn’t get disturbed and the main course is served up on time.

This is another reason to have plenty of storage. The last thing you want is for your guests to see your butler’s pantry in disarray.

Make Cleanup Easy

Sometimes, it’s easy to get so caught up in everything else that you forget about one important design element – cleanup. The type of countertop and backsplash you use can drastically affect how long it takes to clean your kitchen.

We’ve written several guides on helping you choose the best countertop for your kitchen, including:

You want surfaces that are easy to wipe off. Grout work in the backsplash might look good, but you may want to avoid it in areas where you’ll prep messier foods. You’ll also want to consider adding a sink and small dishwasher. A sink, at the very least, gives you a place to rinse things off and clean your hands.

Try To Complement Your Kitchen

Finally, try to create a complementary design to your kitchen. This creates a seamless look between both areas. Your butler’s pantry should be similar to your kitchen. You’ll likely want to keep the same cabinet design and colors.

While you don’t have to keep them the same, it’s a common trend. You could also go with an exact opposite to make the rooms stand out. If you’ll have more guests in your pantry than kitchen, you’ll want to design with that in mind. You may want a more elegant look versus a more functional look like you’d have in your kitchen.

Every butler’s pantry needs custom cabinets to complete the look. Contact us today to find out how we can help.

Image: Becca Tapert

The Ultimate Kitchen Storage Solutions For 2020

The right kitchen storage solutions make your entire kitchen easier to use. You’ll even be able to forget about rummaging around looking for that perfect pot or pan. Some storage solutions are as simple as adding a shelf or organizer. Others might require custom-built cabinets for your specific storage needs. The best part about choosing storage options for your kitchen is you can customize them the way you want. After all, you should always have the kitchen of your dreams.

Roll-Out Island Storage

The Ultimate Kitchen Storage Solutions For 2020Are you making the most of your kitchen island? Add roll-out shelves behind cabinet doors to easily reach larger countertop appliances, baskets of root vegetables and anything else you need easy access to. With fold-down legs built into one of the shelves, you can even convert it to a small desk for kids to help out. If you don’t have an island, you can always custom build a portable kitchen island to fit your space better.

Open Shelves For Easy Access

Who has time to deal with doors and drawers? One of the top kitchen storage solutions for 2020 is open shelving.  These provide easy access to your most-used pots, pans, utensils, plates and more. Plus, it adds a bit of decoration to your kitchen, as long as you keep everything stacked and stored neatly. Use hooks under shelves to hang utensils and potholders. You can even add a shelf over any windows for more storage.

Cabinet Slots

Home Kitchen Makeover On A BudgetIt’s never fun trying to get the right baking pans, cutting boards and serving trays when they’re usually stacked on top of each other. They might even be underneath a stack of pots in the back of the cabinet. Customize your kitchen storage by adding vertical slots for your more slender items to slip into. Then, you’re able to reach what you want without dealing with any stacks.

Sink Storage

The faux drawer at your sink doesn’t have to be fake. In fact, turn into storage for sponges and small cleaning brushes. A small, slanted drawer pulls out just enough to fit a few small items. While it might not seem like much, it keeps at least a few more items off of your countertops.

Miniature Pull Out Pantry

While a walk-in pantry is always wonderful to have, you might not always have room. Or, maybe you need even more kitchen storage space. Either way, opt for a miniature pull out pantry. These are small custom pantries that slide between two cabinets. They’re usually wide enough to store spices, cans of foods, cleaning supplies and other smaller kitchen supplies.

Pantry Doors Inside Cabinets

Miniature pantry not quite enough? Try pantry doors inside cabinets. While you’ll need to reinforce the cabinet doors to prevent sagging, add several inches of extra space inside your cabinet doors. This is a great addition to cabinets that typically store larger items, but don’t completely fill the cabinet.

Pot And Plate Drawers

A popular kitchen storage trend for 2020 is skipping cabinets when it comes to pots and plates. Instead, store it all in drawers. Instead of having to reach up to into cabinets for your breakable plates, you reach down into a drawer. Instead of trying to dig out pots in the back of cabinets, you simply pull out a drawer. Consider using pegs to create custom dividers for your plates and even bowls to stack between.

Custom Wine Storage

Your options are wide open when it comes to wine storage in your kitchen. As long as it’s a cool, darker place, you’re all set. Kitchen islands with custom wine racks built in work extremely well. You might also consider adding a wine rack under open shelves that connect the shelves to the countertop.

Corner Drawers

What are you supposed to do with that awkward corner space? A Lazy Susan doesn’t have to be the only answer. Instead, try corner drawers. They look a little weird when you pull them out, but they offer a far deeper storage space and it makes getting to things much easier.

If you’re ready to customize your kitchen storage, contact us today to find out how Edgewood Cabinetry can help make your kitchen easier to use.

Image: Cooktime

Kitchen Storage Ideas Whats In and Whats Out

Kitchen storage ideas are everywhere, but which ones are best for your kitchen? It’s a good idea to take a look at what works and what doesn’t before you invest in any kitchen cabinet remodel.

The most important rule when it comes to kitchen storage is to do what’s most practical and convenient for you. After all, it’s your kitchen and you want it to be easy to use.

As you try to decide, consider ideas that work for all types of kitchens. Also, consider ideas that look great on paper, but rarely work out well in an actual kitchen.

In – Retractable Pan Racks

Stacks of pans are never fun to deal with. They’re heavy and you can easily scratch your pans. Instead, opt for a retractable pan rack that slides into your cabinet. Store your pans and their lids neatly. Simply slide out the rack to get the pan you need.

Out – Space Above Cabinets

On the surface, this might seem like one of those absolutely genius kitchen storage ideas. After all, you can use the space to store decorative items or items you don’t use often. In reality, that’s just space collecting dust. You could use it for taller cabinets and an extra shelf inside those cabinets to store more items without worrying about your kitchen turning into an army of dust bunnies.

In – Under Cabinet Hanging Storage

For some, this idea might seem more like an out. However, if you have ample space between your upper cabinets and your countertop, adding a rail to hang commonly used cups and cooking utensils can be an ideal way to save space and quickly reach kitchen items. You can hang items directly from the bottom of your cabinets, but a rail along the wall or under the cabinets looks neater.

Out – Storing Items Too Far Away

One of the top kitchen storage mistakes you can make is storing items too far away from where you’ll use them. For instance, if you store most of your dishes in the dining room, but usually eat in the kitchen or living room, you’ll waste a lot of time going back and forth. The same holds true if you store your favorite pot on the other side of the kitchen from your stove.

The best kitchen storage ideas make it easier to use your kitchen. Always organize your storage so items are close to where you’ll use them the most.

In – Side Cabinet Storage

Side cabinet storage is one of the top kitchen storage ideas that never goes out of style. While you can go overboard with this one, it’s a great way to store smaller items. Adding small shelves, racks or hooks to the sides of cabinets allows you to gain more space for spices, cookbooks and cooking utensils. You can also add small herb pots on cabinets near windows to grow your own fresh herbs all year.

Out – Relying On Organizers

Cabinet and drawer organizers are great, but not if they take up all your space. Only use these if they help. Adding too many plastic organizers and Lazy Susans can harm your storage potential. Use these sparingly and opt more for built-in storage options.

In – Inside Door Storage

Prefer kitchen storage ideas that hide your items? Add small racks and baskets to the inside of your cabinet doors. While you shouldn’t store anything heavy, this makes a great place to store small or thin items that could easily get pushed to the back of your cabinets. Storage bags, cutting boards, spices and cooking spoons all store well on the inside of cabinet doors.

Out – Too Much Open Shelving

Open shelving is one of those brilliant kitchen storage ideas that gets overused. Having a few open shelving areas works well for commonly used items or even a few knick-knacks. However, this is also an opportunity for things to get knocked off easily or gather dust. Use glass doors to store items you want to see without the risk of them getting broken or lost. Save open shelving for very specific items that you’ll use almost every day.

In – Other Great Kitchen Storage Ideas

If you’re looking for even more inspiring kitchen storage ideas, use the following resources:

Now that you’re feeling inspired to add different types of storage to your kitchen, contact us today to learn how we can build custom kitchen cabinets for your unique storage needs.

Image: Josh Hemsley

Organize Kitchen Cabinets

It’s a secret that seems to be impossible to discover – how to organize the kitchen cabinets so you always find what you need without endless searching.

While there isn’t just one perfect way to do this, there are some smart ways to make the most of your cabinets without piling them full, constantly having to bend over or reaching way over your head.

The first step is to clean out all your cabinets, purge whatever you don’t need and then get ready to start organizing.

Use Different Storage Containers

Product packaging isn’t always your best friend. This is why using square or rectangular storage containers helps you make the most of your cabinets. Store cereal in clear airtight containers that stack easily. Do the same with cookies and crackers. Whenever possible, transfer items to containers that are easy to stack and easy to see inside of.

Assign One Function To Each Shelf, Drawer or Cabinet

Are your spices stored over multiple cabinets? Maybe your canned goods are all over the place. Take the time to assign a single function to every drawer, shelf and cabinet. For instance, you might have one drawer just for eating utensils and another for cooking utensils. One cabinet might be dedicated strictly to baking dishes and pans. It may take some trial and error to figure out what works best where, but it’s well worth the time. Don’t forget you can have your kitchen cabinets custom made to best fit your needs.

Utilize Drawer Organizers

Drawer organizers can be your best friend. Just remember, use organizers wisely to avoid losing space in your cabinets and drawers. These organizers keep your drawers from becoming a free for all. Organize any smaller items, such as utensils quickly.

Take Advantage Of Lazy Susans

A Lazy Susan is a must-have for organizing kitchen cabinets. Of course, they’re also ideal for organizing your countertops and other areas too. Easily get to those hard to reach items by placing them on a Lazy Susan. You can even have a pull-out version for those back corner cabinets. If it happens to get cluttered, check out these tips for organizing even the messiest Lazy Susan.

Put Your Most Used Within Easy Reach

No matter what else you do, always put your most used items within easy reach. If you use a certain frying pan often, don’t put it on the bottom of a stack in the back of your cabinet. If possible, dedicate a cabinet to your most used cooking supplies. The less you have to reach, the easier it is to get more done.

Use Pullout Shelves

Pullout shelves work much like drawers. However, they ensure you’re able to reach everything in the back without any problems. This is ideal for items that may be hard to see, such as spices or pot lids. Be careful not to put heavier items on these as it may cause the shelf to bow when you pull it out.

Hang Small Things On Cabinet Doors

Don’t forget about all the space that’s on the inside of your doors. Kitchen cabinets are often used to store smaller items. For instance, consider placing hooks on the door that you use to store pots and pans. Hang lids and cooking utensils for easy reach. You can also place small baskets inside the door to store sponges, storage bags and other smaller items.

Hang Bulky Or Oddly Shaped Items

You don’t always have to stack everything in your kitchen cabinets. Sometimes you gain more space by hanging oddly shaped items. Place hooks at the top of your cabinets to hang larger pots or any bulky items. You then leave the bottom of the cabinet free to store stackable items or even smaller odd-shaped items, such as waffle makers.

Eliminate Reaching Back With Pullout Baskets

Much like pullout shelves, pullout baskets work well to organize your kitchen cabinets and eliminate too much bending and reaching. These are ideal if you don’t already have pullout shelves built-in. You can get them in various sizes to organize like items. For instance, if you don’t need a spice cabinet, have a smaller pullout basket to store all your spices.

Keep A Sturdy Stepstool On Hand

Finally, you’ll need a sturdy stepstool from time to time to reach those items stored at the very top of your cabinets. These are items you rarely use. However, you’ll save time by having a small stepstool hanging on the outer side of your cabinet.

Want to learn how to better organize your kitchen cabinets through custom sizing, shelving and organizational features? Contact us today to find out how we can help.

Image: cooktime

custom cabinets edgewood cabinetry

 If you are building a new home or remodeling your current home you are probably considering kitchen plans and trying to determine how much kitchen you need.

This is a question that has been asked by homeowners for years. In fact, in 1934 Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company released the results of a three year study to help people determine appropriate kitchen size for their family. The theory was that you could estimate the household occupancy based on the number of bedrooms and from that you would know how many people would need to be provided for. The size of the kitchen should relate to the amount of people. They concluded that the actual occupancy should be considered three more people than the number of bedrooms and for each person 6 square feet of wall cabinet shelf area was required. In the standards of modern day this would be considered a small kitchen. So, how should you figure out the right size kitchen for today? Here are some considerations:

Overall Functionality

It is likely you will want to include a refrigerator, stove, oven, sink and dishwasher in your kitchen but what you will need to determine is the correct size of each appliance. Many people focus on the color of the appliance. Will they buy stainless steel, white or black? Really, the size will make the most difference in the functionality of your kitchen. Examine what kind of meals you prepare to determine if a double oven would be beneficial. If you eat out a considerable amount a large refrigerator or warming drawers may not be necessary. It is important to keep in mind your future plans as well, however. You may not be cooking at home frequently now but when a baby arrives that may change.

Ergonomics

Determining kitchen ergonomics can be difficult when you don’t have the actual kitchen in front of you but instead just a concept on paper. Use your imagination to think through the entire process from bringing the groceries into the home, to putting the items away in the cupboard and the refrigerator, to preparing a meal, serving the meal and then cleaning up after the meal. Are you walking long distances with the hot food you just removed from the oven? Are the cabinets for plates and silverware a hike from the dishwasher? Is the kitchen traffic pattern reasonable? You want to think through these details to determine if the kitchen is too big, too small or inappropriately designed for your everyday use.

Storage

Many homeowners dream of extensive cabinet space but it is important consider how many items you have to place in cabinets. You want the right amount of storage for the amount of items you will be storing. You don’t want to wind up spending excessive amounts of time opening cabinet door after cabinet door to retrieve items. It is important to be realistic about what you will really use. If you are considering an island it is also important to consider space requirements. You will need the right amount of clearance around the island or the kitchen will feel overcrowded.

Resale Value

If you may sell the home in the future it is important to consider resale value. You do not want too large or expensive of a kitchen because you won’t get that money back. If your kitchen is not in line with the kitchens in your neighborhood you will lose money when you move. On the other hand, if you kitchen is not up to par with those in the neighborhood you may have trouble finding a buyer or take a financial hit when you go to sell.

At Edgewood Custom Cabinetry we can help you create a kitchen that is the right size for you and your family. Contact us to learn more or request a free quote.

Wine bottles can be many things: collectable treasures, sentimental objects, or even just simple refreshments.  But when you incorporate beautiful wine storage into the kitchen, they can also become art.
Built-in wine storage can be stained to fit right in with existing cabinetry, or it can be painted or finished differently to create an accent piece.  Let’s look at some examples of different types of wine storage to see the variety of styles being used.
Some homeowners prefer to have their wine storage high up, such as in this traditional kitchen, which is still convenient for adults, but mostly inaccessible for curious children.  The criss-cross design offers a generous amount of bottle storage, and the bright labels add a punch of color to the room.
In this very contemporary kitchen, the built-in storage is lower to the ground, and purposefully does not match the all-white cabinetry that surrounds it.  It helps break up monotone, and also accentuates other decorative wooden elements in the kitchen.
This country kitchen epitomizes the notion that a wine storage can become decorative art in the right space.  The ornate details and geometric design draw the eye right to the wine rack, which matches perfectly with the rest of the elements in the breakfast nook and makes great use of an otherwise under-utilized corner.
These are just a few examples of how built-in wine storage can elevate your kitchen design, while also providing a practical, organized space for favorite bottles.  Contact us to learn more about designing the perfect wine storage for your home!