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Breathe New Life Into Your Kitchen with These 7 Simple DIY Tips

Changing the look of your kitchen is easier than you might think. If your kitchen is in need of a refresh, you don’t have to wait until you can do a full  remodel. Breathe new life into your kitchen with these seven simple DIY tips.

1. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

Painting your kitchen is one of the easiest ways to give it a fresh look. Furthermore, it can be accomplished in a single weekend! Choose light colors to brighten your space. Or go for a two-tone look, with a dark color on the bottom and light on top.

2. Choose a New Backsplash

Adding a new backsplash will instantly refresh your kitchen. Bright colors and patterns will add a focal point and pop of color to an otherwise monotone kitchen. In contrast, if your kitchen already has a lot going on, choosing a more muted backsplash will lend a calmer vibe to the room. HGTV has some great ideas here.

3. Organize Your Counters

Clearing counter space will help your kitchen feel larger and more relaxing. Accordingly, you’ll want to store anything you’re not using out of sight. If you must store items on the counter, choose functional storage containers that are also decorative. Colorful canisters, decorative bottles for oil and vinegar, fun or sophisticated fruit bowls, and stylish bread boxes are all great choices to clear counter space while adding personality to your kitchen.

4. Bring the Outside In

Including plants or other natural elements in your kitchen is a wonderful way to increase the ambiance, to say nothing of the indoor air quality! There are plenty of plants that thrive in the kitchen, even if you’re not a master gardener. Good Housekeeping has an excellent list of hardy plants here.

Adding cut flowers is another excellent option. Alternatively, in the fall and winter, you can opt for decorative touches like dried corn, pumpkins, berries, and pinecones.

5. Put a Rug Down

Rugs have the ability to instantly transform the look of any room, and that includes your kitchen. If your kitchen has a neutral color scheme, a brightly-colored rug could be just the pick-up you need to lend a cheerful note to the room. Additionally, keeping a selection of rugs around allows you to refresh your room as often as you want simply by switching them up!

Remember that you should always choose rugs that have a rubber backing for use in the kitchen. Since most kitchens have smooth floors, a rubber backing is essential to prevent accidental slips and falls.

6. Change Your Window Treatments

Hanging new window treatments is one of the simplest ways to breathe new life into your kitchen. Sheer curtains add a light, flowy touch to your kitchen, while heavier fabrics like burlap can be perfect to offset dark colors, like navy. Or opt for blinds to add a clean look. Keep in mind that patterned window treatments may make small windows look even smaller, so save those for large windows instead.

7. Reconsider Your Lighting

Having the right lighting can make or break your kitchen. Consider adding a new light fixture to make a dramatic difference in the look and feel of your kitchen. Alternatively, just experimenting with different bulbs can give your kitchen a fresh new look. Keep in mind that counters look best with bright lighting, so something as simple as strips of stick-on lighting underneath your cabinets can really brighten up your room.

Breathing new life into your kitchen doesn’t have to break the bank or require an extensive time commitment. Try the above tips to quickly and easily refresh your kitchen.

While simple DIY projects can go a long way toward breathing new life into your kitchen, sometimes you need a professional touch. If you’re ready to remodel your kitchen with customized cabinets and kitchen solutions, check out just a few of the ways you can get the customized style and storage you need here.

Need help? Contact us today, and we’ll be happy to walk you through our options and design process.

Image: Pexels

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Edgewood Cabinetry remodel

Tips for Staying on Budget During Your Remodel

If you are planning to remodel your house for future resale or to upgrade the home to improve aesthetics, increase functionality and efficiency, careful planning, and budgeting is essential. Budgeting assists with decision-making to accomplish desired goals with money to spare. Failure to do so can result in doing more harm than good to your house or, worse, empty your wallet.

Planning and budgeting for any remodeling project must go hand in hand. During the planning stage, you first need to figure out which portion of the house requires remodeling to improve convenience and functionality. Your wants and luxury preferences should be considered last.

Once you have decided what the remodeling project will entail, budgeting is the next task. The purpose of budgeting is to have an overview of how much money is needed to accomplish the project. There are numerous factors required to be considered to come up with a precise budget. A miscalculation in this part can result in unexpected costs. Here are some tips on how to budget:

Create A Rough Estimate Of The Overall Costs

The first thing you need to do is estimate both material and labor costs. Doing this gives you a bird’s eye view of the scale of expenses you will carry. This calculation will be your ceiling and reference in evaluating bids from your contractors.

Selecting a Contractor

You must have at least three contractors included in the bidding process; otherwise, you are left with no other choice if you cannot agree on terms with one contractor. More contractors in the bidding process give you the bargaining power to lower the bid cost further due to competition.

Factors that you must consider in shortlisting your contractor include low unit rates, completed projects, technical expertise, client customer care, and available workforce. If these factors are met, you are now ready to sign the contract.

Search For Materials At A Bargain Price

As a homeowner, one angle you can take in staying on budget is having the materials “Owner-Supplied”. Consequently, this allows you to control material prices completely. Doing this gives you more leeway in saving money in the form of less material costs. However, you need to guarantee that you can find materials at a bargained price. You can look for salvage yards, second-hand stores, or ordering in “bulk” with suppliers who can give you discounts.

Do It Yourself

While there are remodel projects only suitable for professionals, there are other tasks ideal for homeowners with moderate DIY skills. The only downside of this is the risk of producing an unsatisfactory result, which can incur additional costs on rectification. But if you do well, you can save significant savings in the form of decreased labor costs. Therefore, if you are confident about your DIY skills, then this is something worth considering. Here are some projects suitable for moderate DIY skills: painting walls, installation of wallpaper, light demolition, or wall finishing.

Wait For Sales Before Making Significant Purchases

If you are supplying the materials to your contractor, you can make significant savings by making big purchases only if there are big sales available. You can wait for American holidays for appliances, Black Friday for electronics, and every summer for furniture. Having the discipline to wait on big purchases can help you save significant savings.

Stick To The Approved Contract

The approved contract must be strictly followed to the letter to stay on budget. The ambiguity of some items must be cleared to prevent unexpected problems that may arise due to confusion. And as much as possible, avoid design changes once the contract is awarded to ensure ease of execution and preventing other mundane tasks such as revising the contract, formulating a new work execution plan, or allocating additional manpower, which can incur additional costs. If you do make changes, make sure those changes are reflected in the written contract signed by both you and the contractor. Verbal changes will not hold up legally if it comes to that.

For excellent, high-quality custom cabinetry for your remodel contact Edgewood Cabinetry.  Call 919-339-7300 for more information.

 

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How To Design That One-Off Cabinet

Most of the time, people want standard cabinets, such as a set of kitchen or bathroom cabinets. These are fairly straightforward.

But, how you do design that one-off cabinet? A single cabinet shouldn’t seem that daunting, but suddenly, you have the freedom to do almost anything.

Whether you’re adding a little extra storage or replacing a damaged cabinet, use this opportunity to add something unique to your home decor.

Make The Most Of Your Space

The most important part of designing a one-off cabinet is to make the most of your space. Even if you just have a tiny spot, add in a cabinet to store smaller objects, such as storage bags. A small drawer could give you easy access to chip bag clips or a notepad for jotting down quick notes.

Since this cabinet isn’t required to fit in perfectly with any of your other cabinets, it doesn’t have to be the same height or width. This is especially true if you’re placing the cabinet in a room with no other cabinets. For instance, you might want to design a cabinet that also doubles as a side table in your living room.

You could even consider floating cabinets. They work much like floating shelves and are great for a more fun design.

Stand Out Or Blend In

Now, you have to decide if your one-off cabinet should stand out or blend in. Maybe you want to make a statement and have a bright red cabinet in the middle of your natural wood tone cabinets in your kitchen. This could be your special cabinet for storing your cheat day snacks.

If you want your cabinet to stand out, consider using a vastly different color or a unique shape. Much like the floating cabinet idea from above, get creative and think outside the box. If you need a little inspiration, look no further than these unique styles from Fresh Home and Apartment Therapy.

Of course, you might prefer your cabinet to blend in. This is especially important if you’re trying to replace a damaged cabinet. For this, you’d want to design your one-off as close to your existing cabinets or decor as possible. For instance, if the room the cabinet will be in has a contemporary design, a rustic cabinet style would stick out like a sore thumb.

Another way to help your cabinet to blend in is to have it do double duty. Your cabinet could function as a rolling chair in your kitchen or feature hooks for hanging coats on either side.

Try Unique Shapes

Cabinets don’t always have to be a box shape. Your one-off cabinet can be nearly any shape. For instance, you might have more of a triangle shape if you’re adding storage space to an attic bedroom. And yes, circular cabinets are possible too. While they’re not always the most practical, they are great for decorative purposes and work well if you want a mirrored door.

Another option would be a stair-step style cabinet. By hanging this type of cabinet on your wall, you create staggered shelves as well. It’s a fun design that gives you even more storage space.

Tie In With Other Surrounding Area

The final thing to consider is how your one-off cabinet will tie in with the surrounding area. Even if you want it to stand out, you still want it to tie in somehow. Make your cabinet part of your home by including some common theme. For instance, if it’s a kitchen cabinet, you might use the same type of countertop on it, even if it’s a unique shape or color.

A popular option is to continue with the same home design style as the rest of the decor. For instance, a rustic theme might mean using wood recovered from an old barn. Even if it’s painted a bright color, it’ll still match with your theme.

Ready to start designing your one-off cabinet? Contact us today to create your own unique design.

Image: shadowfirearts

 

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Cabinet Designer

7 Questions To Ask Your Cabinet Designer Before The Build

Your cabinet designer serves as a partner for helping your remodel dream come true. However, you should ask a few important questions before jumping right into the build.

From getting a little background to ensuring they understand what you want, stunning custom cabinetry involves communication at the beginning of the project.

Take the time to fully discuss what you want and get valuable insight to help make your next remodel even better than you thought possible.

1. Can I See A Few Samples?

If you’re looking for something specific, it’s perfectly okay to ask your cabinet designer if they have any similar samples from past projects. By showcasing what they’ve worked on, you’ll know for certain if they understand what you’re looking for.

Plus, you’ll ensure they have the expertise to deliver the high-quality cabinetry your kitchen, or any other room, deserves.

2. Have You Ever Worked On This Theme Before?

Take a moment to discuss the theme of your kitchen remodel with your cabinet designer. This can drastically affect the final design of your cabinets. Maybe you want a traditional look or something more modern. Perhaps you love the earthy feel of the farmhouse style. No matter what style or theme you’re considering, tell your designer about it.

You should also ask if they’ve ever tackled your theme. If not, it’s a good idea to show them samples to give them an idea about specific features, such as the type of wood or door styles.

3. What Type Of Finishes Should I Consider?

Before you start building, it’s important to ask about finishes. You might think painted works best, but after discussing the care of painted cabinets, you might opt for stained. Of course, the opposite may be true. This is another reason to discuss your theme. Having a gloss stain might be ideal for your theme or a matte paint could be exactly what you need to make your cabinets pop.

4. Does This Design Fit My Budget?

Budgets are always something you should discuss. No matter how much price comparisons you do, only your cabinet designer is going to know for sure how much your design is going to cost. To avoid getting your hopes up only to have them dashed when the estimate comes in, discuss your budget with your designer.

Even if your design costs more than you hoped, your designer can still help you make tweaks to the design to still get you the cabinets you want.

5. Are There Any Trends I Should Consider?

You likely have at least a basic vision for your cabinets, but have you considered any new trends? Ask your cabinet designer about the latest trends in cabinets. You might just find that adding in a trend or two could make your remodel even better.

Remember, don’t get too carried away with trends. Ensure you’re still getting cabinets that you’ll love for years to come.

6. What Layout Options Do I Have?

Bring in measurements of your kitchen along with the sizes of your major appliances. Then, ask your cabinet designer about your layout options. You don’t always have to keep the exact same layout. However, your designer can quickly tell you which layouts work best based on your kitchen’s dimensions and the placement of appliance outlets. For instance, without some rewiring, your stove doesn’t have much wiggle room to move around.

7. What Is The Timeline For This Design?

The final question you need to ask is about the timeline for completing the design you want. If you’re hosting a party soon, you’ll likely want the cabinets finished and installed by then. Talk about this with your designer.

By getting a timeline estimate upfront, you’ll know how to better plan around the remodel. You’ll also have an idea of when to invite everyone over to check out your new kitchen masterpiece.

Want to discuss your custom cabinetry options with an expert team? Contact us today to find out how we can help with your cabinet remodel.

Image: Helloquence

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kitchen remodel budget-raleigh nc-edgewood cabinetry

Top 10 Reasons a Kitchen Remodel Goes Over Budget

You’ve decided to remodel your kitchen, come up with some great ideas, and set a budget.

Unfortunately, going over on a remodeling budget is a common complaint.

How can you avoid those kitchen remodel budget buster blues and keep your budget on track?

Here are ten of the most common reasons for a kitchen remodel budget going bust:

Starting in a rush

This is a major project with lots of decisions to make. Budgeting time for design and decision-making beforehand will prevent costly mistakes later.

Not hiring an experienced designer

A good designer can help you get the kitchen you want at a budget you can afford.

Dilly-dallying over decisions

Not choosing paint colors, tile, faucet, cabinet hardware, etc. is like throwing a monkey wrench in the works. The tile guys can’t finish their work on schedule if you decide that you just have to have that special-order tile for the backsplash, after all. Remember, delays equal money!

Changing your mind – a lot

Everyone changes their mind about something during a remodel. However, making frequent changes can cause a domino effect. Changing your mind about the sink at the last minute might mean rescheduling the plumber!

Oh, and make sure everyone knows about any changes you’ve made. Otherwise, you may discover you’re paying to have things undone.

Stretching the budget with the contingency fund

Every remodeling project needs a contingency fund. Any time you’re dealing with electrical, plumbing, or even walls, there will be surprises. That’s why you need a contingency fund.

If you raid the contingency fund in order to buy that fabulous (but pricey!) apron-front sink or antique light fixture, what will you do if a nasty surprise shows up?

Distracting the workers

Talk to them about the job, of course, but don’t just chit-chat or get in their way. Especially don’t let your kids and pets get in their way! Not only is it dangerous, but do you really want to pay them for helping you catch the cat that darted out the door while the drywall was coming in?

Not keeping track of what you’re spending!

It is so easy to spend a few dollars more for an upgraded faucet or prettier light fixture or… After all, it’s just a few dollars more – until it isn’t! A few dollars here and there can add up to hundreds or even thousands if you don’t keep a running total.

Accept the reality that if you want to spend a little more on one item on your wish list, you’ll have to spend less on another.

Adding extras

If you didn’t need a wine fridge at the beginning of the project, you probably don’t need it now.

As long as you’re here…

Contractors carefully schedule their workers’ and subcontractor’s time. If you ask the plumber to fix the leaky faucet upstairs, you’re throwing off that careful schedule. Guess who’s going to pay?

Not listening to your designer and contractor 

You hired them because they have the experience and expertise that you lack. Their suggestions will often help keep your project on budget – and on time!

 A lot of different elements must work together harmoniously in a kitchen. If you want your new kitchen to come together as a beautiful and functional workspace, contact us. We can help you achieve that – and stay on budget in the process!

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bathroom renovations-resale-edgewood cabinetry

Do Luxury Bathroom Upgrades Help Sell Your Home?

Experienced and seasoned real estate agents advise home sellers that upgrades and renovations make a big difference to home buyers.

They often state that luxury bathrooms and kitchens are what buyers want most.

A recent first-ever Remodeling Impact Report, by the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, proves it true.

Bathroom renovations ranked third in projects that appeal to home buyers. Only kitchen upgrades and complete kitchen renovations listed higher for desirability. Adding a new bathroom ranked fifth. This makes bathrooms and kitchens the most important areas to focus on when considering upgrades or renovations.

Even better, bathrooms and kitchens are the top four for increasing the value of a home resale. An estimated bathroom renovation costing $26,000 adds $15,000 to a home’s price, or a 58 percent recoup of the job cost. Adding a bathroom with an estimated cost of $50,000 increases the home’s value by $26,000, or 52 percent of job cost.

Remodeling magazine confirmed the return on investment in their 2016 Cost vs. Value report. They examined 27 common remodeling projects, and their finding showed a luxury bathroom remodel or luxury bathroom addition has a 56 percent and 58 percent cost-value ratio.

Moreover, Remodeling magazine found the demand and value for such remodeling projects have increased since 2015. They stated, “Bigger and more expensive projects, rising new-home prices, curb appeal, and energy efficiency all contributed to a slight gain in remodeling projects’ payback at resale, the 2016 Cost vs. Value report shows.”

If you would like to talk more about luxury bathrooms, or need more information, please contact us.

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cherry kitchen-edgewood cabinetry

10 Things You Can Expect With Your Remodel

Taking on a huge remodel can make the homeowner feel nervous.

There are many concerns to consider. For example, the overall cost of the project, completion time and expectations throughout the remodel can keep the homeowner up at night.

Below, we have addressed some of these concerns and given you 10 things to expect during your remodel.

  1. It’s rare that any project comes together according to plan. Expect to make a few changes along the way.
  2. When modifications are necessary, it is possible that additional materials will need to be ordered. This could cause delays to occur.
  3. Additional Expenses. It is also difficult to hit a budget exactly. It’s usually suggested for you to expect about 20% more expenses than your original budget.
  4. No remodel would be described as quiet. For this reason, many homeowners choose to stay away from the home while the construction is taking place.
  5. Since a remodel will likely take several days or weeks to complete, you should expect to be inconvenienced during the construction process. For example, you may not have access to your kitchen while it is being remodeled.
  6. Construction and remodels are messy. Sealing off the construction area from the rest of your home will help keep dust in its place.
  7. It is efficient for your construction team to leave supplies lying near where they will be used next. So, don’t expect to come home to a neat construction area.
  8. After you have started the demolition project, you will probably second guess your decision to remodel. This is completely normal, but the finished product will put those fears aside.
  9. Good Working Relationship. Developing a great relationship with your construction team early is both desirable and necessary, and will be something your construction crew strives for.
  10. A Grand Finale. After everything is said and done, you will be excited about the finished results and about enjoying your home a bit more.

Remodels are stressful when you don’t know what to expect.

But, by learning more about these items, you can put some of your fears aside and look forward to the finished look of your new home. To get started with a remodel of your own, contact us today.

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kitchen remodel costs-edgewood cabinetry

Latest benchmarks on costs: Kitchen Remodels

What can you expect to spend on a kitchen remodel?

It’s a good idea to have a general sense of costs before you start dreaming about granite counters and stainless appliances!

The figures below are from the 2016 edition of the cost versus value report from Remodel, a site devoted to all phases of the remodeling business.

A major kitchen remodel

Based on updating a 200-square-foot kitchen would include a layout of 30 linear feet of semi-custom wood cabinets, including a 3-by-5-foot island; laminate countertops; and a double stainless steel sink with a single-lever faucet. Include new energy-efficient wall oven, cooktop, ventilation system, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and custom lighting. Add new resilient flooring. Finish with painted walls, trim, and ceiling.

Cost in South Atlantic states (including North Carolina): $56,901

Recouped when home sells: $36,438 (64%)

A minor kitchen remodel

Might involve a 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinetry and countertops. In this scenario, you would leave the cabinet boxes in place but replace the fronts with new raised-panel wood doors and drawers, including new hardware. Replace the wall oven and cooktop with new energy-efficient models. Replace the laminate countertops; install mid-priced sink and faucet. Repaint trim, add wall covering, and remove and replace resilient flooring.

Cost in South Atlantic states (including North Carolina):$18,907

Recouped when home sells: $16,425 (86.9%)

As you can see, you will get back more of your investment by doing a minor remodel, but that may not be your objective. The usual guide is that a kitchen remodel should cost about 5-10% of the home’s value. Depending on how you define a major or minor remodeling job, your cost could be below or above that.

It’s useful to understand how that money is spent. Below are the approximate figures for the main costs of the remodeling job:

Cabinetry and hardware – 29%

Installation – 17%

Appliances and ventilation – 14%

Counters – 10%

Flooring – 7%

As you can see, cabinetry is the major cost of a kitchen remodel, averaging nearly one-third of the total. It pays to hire a quality-minded shop like Edgewood Cabinetry, where we will work with you to provide the result you desire at a reasonable price, along with careful and efficient installation.

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choosing cabinets-edgewood cabinetry

5 Ways to Save Money on Your Kitchen Remodel

The kitchen is the heart of the home, but many homeowners really don’t enjoy their kitchen in its present state.

Either its been the same for years and it’s time for an update, or you bought a home based on its location and layout, and now you’re ready to make it your own.

But this is one of the biggest financial investments a homeowner can make, so it’s important to be wise. Here’s 5 ways to save on your kitchen remodel without cutting corners.

  1. Make the kitchen more efficient, instead of larger. The trend of knocking down walls and increasing the size of kitchens makes it a cost prohibitive project for many homeowners. Choosing cabinets with organizational features that makes the space more functional will allow homeowners to create a more usable kitchen in the same footprint they have now. Some popular choices are drawer dividers, roll-out skinny cabinets that hold canned goods or baking pans, and built-in recycling centers.
  2. Find top-of-the-line appliances, for bargain basement prices. Every home improvement store has a row of clearance appliances that have to be marked down. Maybe they were returned because the store delivered the wrong one to a customer, or it has a little dent on the back that no one will see. These items are marked down considerably, and still offer the full warranty for a fraction of the price.
  3. Find unique lighting. You can choose one from the store, but uniqueness and character are popular themes in today’s home improvement trends. Check out estate sales or home recycling shops for some antique or retro choices that no one else on the block will have. You’ll also get them for a great deal.
  4. Avoid major layout changes. Another popular trend is moving the kitchen sink from its current location, to the kitchen island. While this might help functionality, it creates a huge expense to move all the plumbing. Others move the stove to the island, which sometimes means moving gas lines. If these changes aren’t very high on your priority list, you can save a lot by staying with your current layout.
  5. Check into custom cabinetry. Buying cabinetry from the big box stores isn’t necessarily the best choice. An experienced cabinet maker can often provide a better quality product, for the same price. And it allows you the opportunity to add features, accessories, and finishing touches that truly make it your dream kitchen.

In the Clayton, NC area, Edgewood Cabinetry has been creating custom cabinetry for 30 years. We offer a high quality product at a reasonable price. To find out more about our services and price match challenge, contact us.

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