In September of 2018, I spent a week in Italy cooking for a yoga retreat. The retreat was housed on an old Tuscan vineyard in cottages that were originally built in the 1500s for farmhands and their families. I was immediately overwhelmed by the thought of all the women who, for hundreds of years, had prepared meals in that same tiny space.

The experience was humbling in the same way I feel humbled by travel itself. It connected me to the vastness of life on this planet beyond my little experience of what it means to be me.

The kitchen itself was about the size of a dining room table. It had a 2-burner stove and a finicky “RV-size” oven. It wasn’t the first tiny kitchen I’d cooked in, but it solidified a truth that would come in handy just a couple of years later:

The size of a kitchen has little relevance to the quality (or quantity) of the food that comes out of it.

Fast forward to April 2020. My husband and I had just sold our house of 16 years and moved into a 43-foot 5th-wheel toy hauler. In comparison to many RV kitchens, mine is humongous. But, compared to the kitchen in our former suburban house, it is absurdly tiny – especially for someone who makes a living as a recipe developer and food photographer.

RV living area, including kitchen cabinets and sink, and wall cabinets.

4 Creative storage solutions

Maximizing the use of space is something that RVers excel at. I am constantly learning from other nomads who post photos of their creative storage solutions on social media. Here are 3 ideas that have worked well in our tiny kitchen:

1. Utilize the space under cabinets. I didn’t want to give up mugs and wine glasses but didn’t have the cupboard space for either and wasn’t sure how to keep the glasses from breaking on travel days.

The solution was to hang them underneath our upper cabinets. The mugs are suspended on simple hooks. The wine glass rack is a genius design, created by my talented brother. The rack holds 8 bottles of wine and 6 glasses, all nestled in felt-lined compartments that keep them secure and protected during travel.

RV kitchen corner with hanging mugs
RV kitchen area with hanging glasses.

2. A flat spice rack built on the outside of one of the cabinets.

This is another genius design built by my brother that allowed us to take advantage of the cabinet wall next to our oven. Spices take up a lot of room and they are super difficult to organize (and keep organized) in a drawer or cupboard.

This simple spice rack makes them accessible and easy to keep organized.

RV kitchen area with built-in spice rack.

3. Use the top of your stove for extra counter space. If you have limited counter space it can be extremely helpful to have a wood stove. I like to use this for prep work before I start cooking. Anyone with a small kitchen knows that it’s more difficult to measure and chop as you go – there’s just not enough counter space to hold multiple ingredients.

Chopping and measuring in advance makes the process of cooking in a small kitchen so much less chaotic. And a stove top cover creates a significant amount of increased counter space.

RV kitchen stove with a wood cutting board.

4. Adding a couch and ottoman with storage. Soon after moving into our 5th wheel, we removed the typical “RV style” couch and replaced it with a couch and ottoman from Home Reserve. Besides loving the look and feel of our new sofa, each seat, and the ottoman, includes storage.

People always laugh when I tell them that our ottoman is full of baking supplies, but it’s true.

RV Ottoman with storage space underneath.

Living in a small space does not mean we can’t entertain

Since moving into our 5th wheel, we’ve hosted many small and large gatherings, with as many as 40 guests. There’s been a substantial amount of trial and error in figuring out what works for larger groups, but here’s what I’ve learned so far:

  • When feeding a crowd, soups and stews, and casseroles are the way to go. They are easy to serve and keep warm, do not require separate serving dishes, and can be made ahead of time. Also, aside from maybe a salad and some bread, they don’t require a bunch of side dishes.
  • Stick to finger food for dessert – things like cookies, brownies, and cupcakes. Nothing that requires slicing, plating, and serving.
  • Paper plates are great, but plastic utensils suck. I opt for paper plates when entertaining a crowd but draw the line at plastic utensils. To save drawer space, I keep a container for utensils on the countertop with easy access to knives, forks, and spoons for 36 people.
  • Set up an outside drink station on a folding table. Food inside, drinks outside.

Yes – hosting a party in an RV is crowded and chaotic. So what? Everyone you invite knows what they’re getting into, and honestly, the sheer madness of all those people in a tiny space is part of the fun.

What is a Blind Corner Base Cabinet?

If you buy our unfinished or custom cabinets online and plan to install them yourself, you need to know how to handle the corners where two rows of cabinets meet. One option is to install a diagonal corner cabinet, such as a Lazy Susan, with a door in the corner. However, a more standard approach is to have the two rows meet at a 90 degree angle. With this approach, a blind corner base cabinet is installed such that a portion of the corner cabinet is hidden by the one adjacent to it. The hidden section provides storage without giving up space in a corner.

What is the Cabinet “Pull”?

Blind base corner cabinet installation requires a minimum and maximum “pull.” You must “pull” the blind cabinet a certain number of inches from the wall to create proper clearance for the door and drawer to open without interfering with the adjacent cabinet.

Measure the pull distance from the wall to the opposite edge of the blind corner base. The number of inches left over between the wall and the cabinet is known as dead space. The need to pull a blind base cabinet from the wall is what makes it unique in how it functions, since no other cabinet type requires this.

Cabinet pull diagram

In addition, you usually need to add a 3” filler strip to join an adjacent cabinet to the blind corner base while leaving enough room for the doors and drawers to open properly. Without this filler, the doors and drawers that meet in the corner may be too close and will hit each other when opening.

Attach the filler to the stile of the blind corner cabinet. The stile is the vertical strip of wood that extends beyond the door and drawer in the direction of the open blind side.

In the aerial view below, you will see an example of a blind base cabinet installed and labeled with what is required for it to function properly. Here we have shown both the minimum and maximum pulls.

Blind cabinet layout.

Minimum vs Maximum Pull

The amount of stile that is visible depends on how far the corner cabinet is pulled from the wall. See below a visual of how much stile will be seen based on the respective minimum and maximum pulls applied. If the blind base is installed at minimum pull, you will see less of the stile. Alternatively, if it is installed at maximum pull, you will see more of the stile.

Blind cabinet at minimum and maximum pull distance.

In the images below you will see examples of blind bases with built in clearance installed and what is required for them to function properly. Most blind base cabinets are not made this way, but it is possible to have them made to extend all the way to the wall to make maximum use of corner storage space. However, it may be hard to reach all the way into the corner.

Diagram of blind cabinet with filler strip.
Blind base cabinet installation layouts.

This is a quick article on kitchen layout design, assuming you are lucky enough to be able to plan your own kitchen layout or redesign a poorly laid out kitchen. Where your appliances are located will determine how easily you can work in the kitchen or how crowded it will feel if too many people are in there at the same time. If you have the flexibility, separate your kitchen space into three sections. Place your food storage (refrigerator, freezer and pantry) apart from your cooking appliances (range, oven, cookware), and apart from your clean-up area (sink, dishwasher and dish storage). See below for some common examples.

Also consider the symmetry of your layout and select base and wall cabinets that align with each other vertically as much as possible. For instance, place a 36-inch wall cabinet directly above a 36-inch base cabinet. Try not to choose too many different sizes of cabinets or it will look more like a puzzle than a well laid out row of cabinets.

By Scott Murfey, Dec. 19, 2014

Remodeling Trends

Remodeling Trends

As we close out another year, many of us look forward to the rejuvenated possibilities and fresh starts that a new year presents to us. One way that new opportunity might manifest itself is in giving some part of your house a make-over. In fact, according to the National Association of Home Builders, home remodeling is at an all-time high, and it’s anticipated that it will only continue to grow in 2015. Here are ten of the home remodeling trends that we anticipate to see a lot of in the coming year:

1. Cabinets: The trend here is definitely fresh and simple cabinets with a modern look and feel. As a more affordable option, some people are refinishing their existing cabinetry to try and achieve that updated feel.

2. Countertops: While beautiful and durable granite is still a favorite, there is another strong, nonporous material called Caesarstone that is quite popular. Caesarstone is a quartz composite (93% quartz) that is resistant to stains, scratches and heat, and also doesn’t need sealing. In comes in a wide variety of colors, uses recycled material, and is easy to clean.

3. Backsplashes: When using granite or Caesarstone countertops, a natural stone or tile mosaic backsplash is an excellent compliment. They add texture and an extra visual component. Many of the more modern kitchens are using a glass backsplash to finish off a clean, polished look.

4. Sinks: The most popular current trend in sinks right now is the deep, single bowl. While the single-bowl size is large enough to accommodate pots and pans, people are utilizing fitted strainers and dish drains to maintain the benefit of a double sink. As for materials, stainless and quartz composites are popular for the bowl, while satin nickel is still most popular for the fixtures.

5. Color: To create the sophisticated modern look in the kitchen that works well with the natural stone of countertops and backsplashes, we are seeing a lot of charcoal shades, along with black and white.

6. Bathrooms: This next year will see many people knocking down walls and expanding their bathrooms to create that luxurious spa environment. It will continue to be popular to either rip out the tub to build a large walk-in shower or create separate tub and shower areas altogether. Other popular upgrades include double vanities and separate water closets.

7. Flooring: Pre-finished wood flooring is a popular trend as it offers a durable finish, easy installation, and come in a variety of colors, designs and textures.

8. Universal Design: The idea of universal design is to create a home that is customized to accommodate everyone living in it. This includes kitchen and bath upgrades to increase functionality and in general, knocking down walls to create a roomier, open, communal living space.

9. Green homes: 2015 will continue to see homeowners opting for a living space that is free of toxins and chemicals. Additionally, people are also becoming more and more energy-conscious which is reflected in the move towards energy-efficient appliances, materials, and designs.

10. Outdoor space: Not only are we seeing all of the above upgrades and additions to the houses themselves, but this next year will continue to see a growing focus on the outdoor space. This includes outdoor fireplaces, livable-screened porches, and luxurious eating and socializing areas.

These are just a few of the trends that we anticipate seeing continue and expanding into 2015.

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Looking for some new kitchen design ideas for your remodel? We’ve created this handy infographic to help you out along the way! Find out the most popular themed kitchens, most popular kitchen materials, and how to create your favorite kitchen design theme.

  • Traditional Kitchen Theme: Use raised panel cabinets, granite countertops, marble backsplash, and maple wood flooring.
  • Transitional Kitchen Theme: Use flat paneled cabinets, marble countertops, ceramic backsplash, and ash wood flooring.
  • Contemporary Kitchen Theme: Use shaker style cabinets, concrete countertops, stone backsplash, and tile flooring.
  • Modern Kitchen Theme: Use flat/high gloss cabinets, quartz countertops, glass backsplash, and vinyl/high gloss flooring.
  • Rustic Kitchen Theme: Use inset/distressed cabinets, butcher block countertops, brick backsplash, and travertine or chipped flooring.
  • Industrial Kitchen Theme: Use a custom cabinets, stainless steel countertops, ceramic tile backsplash, and concrete flooring.

History of Kitchen Design – Infographic

The History of Kitchen Design Infographic by Kitchen Cabinet Kings

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When you consider your pet to be an important part of your family, it makes sense that you want to consider its needs before you remodel your kitchen. Your remodeling project ideally should make it easier for all of your family members, including your cat, dog, or other fur companion to spend time in this room without being at risk of being hurt or inconvenienced. As you consider what ways you want to alter your kitchen, you can incorporate these pet-friendly ideas as you work.

Dogs in Kitchen Cabinets

 

Hardwood Flooring

One of the easiest ways you can make your pet feel at home in the kitchen is by installing flooring that will safe and comfortable for it to walk on every day. Carpeting, especially loose varieties like shag, can get caught on a pet’s nails and foot pads and cause it to get injured. However, hardwood flooring like wood or tile is easy to walk on, safe for your pet’s nails, and also easy to clean up if your cat or dog leaves dirty footprints behind it.

Sleep and Play Areas

People who own cats know how difficult it can be to keep their feline friends off the table and counters. Cats and even some dogs like to jump up on the counters and tables to take a nap or be closer to their humans. With that in mind, you can dissuade this behavior by designating pet sleep and play areas in your kitchen. Taking the door off a cabinet or siding off a kitchen island and putting a bed inside will give your pet a place of its own to sleep. Likewise, putting a cat tree or even shelves on the wall for your felines to climb and play on will keep them off your tables and counters.

Food Storage

If your pet genuinely is a part of your family, you will want to find a way to feed it along with your kids and spouse in the kitchen. While your family dines at the table, your pet can munch on its own food when you create a pet-feeding drawer just for its needs. This drawer can contain your pet’s food and water dishes and slide out during mealtimes. After it is done eating, you can slide the drawer back to keep the pet food out of sight.

Pet Safety

Of course, allowing your pet in the kitchen should entail some safety measures as well. Cats, for example, are often adept at opening cabinet doors that are not locked or hinged securely. Dogs can jump up and accidentally turn on loose stove burner knobs. You can prevent accidents and your pet being hurt by pet-proofing your kitchen. Installing catches on the cabinet doors, using knob covers on the stove, and even using small appliances that can be installed directly under your cabinets can keep your kitchen intact and your pet safe.

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Kitchen Remodeling Trends Intro

Does your kitchen need an upgrade? Are you looking to remodel part of your home to increase its resale value? Good news, homeowners, you will probably recoup 74-83 percent of the cost when you upgrade your kitchen.

According to the annual cost versus value report for home remodeling found that a kitchen upgrade costs an average of $18,856 to $54,909; however, you can recover up to $40,000. Plus, in the past year, the value of a kitchen remodel increased by 7 percent, translates to an additional $2,000 return on investment for homeowners.

All of this data points to one conclusion: whether you’re making minor upgrades or breaking out the sledgehammer for a complete overhaul, 2014 is a great year to remodel your kitchen.

We asked 25 top kitchen designers in America what are the most common trends they noticed in kitchen remodeling for 2014 and compiled this guide. Below you’ll find the most popular responses in each category.

Sink Trends in 2014

The kitchen sink gets a bad rap; people associate it with germs and dirty dishes, but it has quickly become one of the most popular upgrades when homeowners start remodeling. In 2014, stainless steel is out, non-traditional materials are in.

A beautiful, trendy kitchen sink not only complements a well-designed kitchen, but is also the foundation of function for cooks — everything from preparation to clean-up happens at the sink. A good sink has counter space on both sides, so the drying assembly line has ample room to work.

The following trending sinks fit different people with different tastes and lifestyles. One (or even a few) of these sink trends could inspire your next remodel!

Single-basin Sinks

Single Basin Sink

Many home cooks are ditching the standard two-basin sink for something more functional — the single basin sink. These sinks are typically the same size as a sink with two basins, which means there’s more cleaning room. You’ll now have the space shuck corn, clean the catch of the day, and wash berries to create the perfect summer meal.

Copper and Brass Sinks

Copper/Brass Apron Sink

If stainless steel isn’t in style, what is? More homeowners are opting for copper or brass kitchen sinks. Often, this trend pairs well with the rustic farmhouse look that many homebuilders and trend-setters are opting for.

The different color of copper makes it a popular choice. You can choose a sink that looks like a new penny, or opt for a dark, antique color. For a minor remodel, leave your current sink, but change the faucets to a complementary brass color.

Integrated Sinks

Integrated Kitchen Sink

An integrated sink is made of the same materials found on your countertop, giving a sense of continuity with the rest of your counter. This design is a great option for homeowners who want to replace their countertops as well as their sink, and want a smooth, unified look. This also gives the homeowner flexibility with materials, allowing them to select from quartz, marble, and everything in between.

For those who love a modern, sleek look in their kitchen, choose an integrated sink. It makes your kitchen look high-end, but the cost won’t reflect that. Because this seamless design doesn’t create dips or crevices between the sink and the counter, there’s less room for gunk, dirt, rust, or mold to build up around the sink.

Prep Sinks

Stainless Steel Island Prep Sink

If one sink is good, two must be great! Prep sinks are becoming an increasingly popular choice. A prep sink offers more flexibility and space to budding chefs who can leave washed fruits and vegetables in it – conveniently near the stove – while dirty dishes rest in the main one.

Prep sinks also allow designers to get creative with sizes and shapes. Many people opt for a non-traditional shape, like a crescent or oval, for their prep sink; it’s a small, creative touch that all of your neighbors will be jealous of.

Apron-front Sinks

White Apron Front Sink

For a quaint finish to a charming kitchen, choose an apron-front sink. These sinks harken back to a quieter time. They’re sometimes described as farmhouse sinks as well. The basins sit lower than the counter and the front ends protrude off the cabinetry. The lower level makes it easier to clean and prep in the kitchen, because you can get closer to the sink. This country-style sink combines aesthetics and functionality. Look for it in classic materials like porcelain, stainless steel, and copper.

Countertop Trends in 2014

If one of the increasingly popular sink trends is integration with the countertops, then choosing the right material is twice as important. Skip the tile and go right for the meat: heavy stones like granite, marble, and soapstone are en vogue this year.

Creative Stone Choices

Engineered Stone Countertop

Decorators have started branching out into different stone types to work with the budgets and style preferences of home remodelers. While quartz and soapstone provide clean finishes, engineered stone is stain resistant, durable, and environmentally friendly. If you’re not afraid of heavy lifting, choose a heavy stone to set your countertops.

Stainless Steel Countertops

Stainless Steel Countertop

Stainless steel sinks by themselves are out, but integrated stainless steel sinks and countertops give your home a restaurant feel. These are one of the most durable countertop options, even though they can scratch and dent under pressure, and the reflection makes your kitchen appear larger. Choose this option if you’re looking to remodel your kitchen to sell your home; it’ll look large and modern, which is exactly what homebuyers look for.

Butcher Block Countertops

Butcher's Block Countertop
If you don’t want to go with granite and other heavy stones, another popular trend is Butcher’s wood. Butcher block is made of straight cuts of wood that are glued together for increased sturdiness. While these countertops require more maintenance than granite, they can be made to match or compliment your hardwood floors. They also come in a variety of wood including cherry, maple, and bamboo.

Flooring Trends in 2014

Wood is always in, and it’s the second most popular kitchen flooring choice after ceramic tile. In 2014, many designers are watching this material gun for first.

Obscure Wood Choices

Bamboo Kitchen Floor

Two of the fastest growing wood choices for kitchen flooring in 2014 are bamboo and reclaimed wood. Bamboo is actually sturdier than most woods, especially engineered bamboo, and it grows twice as fast as most other wood options. Reclaimed wood comes from antique beams and old logs salvaged from rivers. With more designers opting for a rustic feel, it makes sense that this flooring choice is popular.

Wider and Longer Planks

Wide Plank Kitchen Floor

Ideal plank length is seven inches with an ideal width of six feet. Wider and longer planks of wood make a space look larger and smoother. Smooth wooden floors paired with flat (tile-free) countertops are one way to give your kitchen a finished look by just changing two elements.

Increased Color Variation

Gray Wood Kitchen Floor

You can use your hardwood flooring to anchor down your kitchen or lighten the room to contrast dark countertops. Different wood choices – from bright blonde woods to soft greys – turn your flooring into a statement piece. Hardwood floors aren’t something to be ignored; they’re a feature element.

Backsplash Trends in 2014

Backsplashes go in and out of style faster than other kitchen trends, but with a little elbow grease, it’s possible to stay up-to date on trends without breaking your bank. Check out these trends for 2014.

Rustic Brick Backsplashes

Rustic Brick Kitchen Backsplash

If you haven’t picked up on this trend already, the rustic farmhouse look is back with reclaimed wood and copper sinks. To add this element to your backsplashes, choose the rustic brick look. Brick is a challenge to install but will stay in style for several years. When done right, guests will ask if it’s the original brick from the building, even if you have a stucco home.

Use Tile Here

Tile Kitchen Backsplash

If you still want to incorporate tile into your kitchen without using it on the countertops or floor, then consider tiling your backsplash. This small space increases your options for size and color as you can create a water look with tiny blue squares or add an element of sand with large tan planks. Whatever element you’re missing in your major renovations, you can find in your backsplash.

Match the Countertops

Kitchen With Matching Backsplash and Countertop

Be careful with this. If you have an incorporated sink that matches your countertops and you continue using marble or engineered stone for your backsplash, everything could start to blend together. Matching the backsplash to the countertops works well if there are enough differentiating elements – like the cabinets, stove, and flooring – to give each element its own flavor.

Kitchen Technology Trends in 2014

There’s an app for that! Chefs and tech geeks are coming together to incorporate smart technology into the kitchen. While many of the innovations are far from ready for public distribution, there are a few upgrades that can easily increase the value of your home.

Wi-Fi Enabled Refrigerators

Wi-Fi Enabled Refrigerator
Image courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

There’s so much your refrigerator can do before you even open it. Smart refrigerators cost between $1,700 and $3,600; they come with an 8-inch LCD display that’s Wi-Fi enabled and comes with its own set of apps. These refrigerators can display photos, leave memos, create grocery lists, check the weather, and browse recipes based on the contents inside. Not only is it a fun tool to play with, but it also reduces the clutter of attaching memos and lists to your refrigerator.

USB Wall Sockets

USB Wall Socket Charger

Homeowners looking to make small changes to upgrade the value of their home before placing it on the market should consider upgrading to USB wall sockets. Each socket costs about $30 and comes with two USB ports along with traditional wall plugs. Anything that charges when plugged in through a USB can go right into the wall; no adapter necessary.

Prep Pad

Wooden Prep Pad

This is a smaller device that costs about $150, although it’s more of a gadget than an “upgrade” in the strictest sense of the word. The Prep Pad measures the appropriate serving size for the food and displays nutritional value and percent of your daily diet on your iPad. In layman’s terms, it’s a smart cutting board.

Kitchen Eco-Friendly Trends in 2014

Going green is always in style. Here are a few modern ways to decrease your impact on the environment through your kitchen remodel decisions.

Eco-Friendly Paint

Eco-Friendly Kitchen Paint

Paint is made up of VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds; these compounds keep the ingredients blended but have the nasty habit of releasing into the air when paint is applied. When combined with other pollutants, VOCs create smog.

Look for low-VOC paint (with 50 g/L) or certified green paint with zero VOCs. Not only are you helping the environment, you’re also keeping the air inside of your home clean.

Recycled Materials

Recycled Material Countertop

We’ve touched on recycled materials a bit throughout this guide, with reclaimed wood and bamboo as obvious eco-friendly materials. However, there are other options like 85 percent recycled glass and Squak Mountain Stone made up of recycled paper, recycled glass, and low-carbon cement.

Remember, knowledge is power. Ask where the materials came from and what they’re made of before you buy them.

Energy-Saving Appliances

Kitchen with Energy Saving Appliances

You probably know to look for Energy Star appliances, but do you know how the EPA awards that label? The product must contribute to significant energy savings nationwide and provide the same performance as its less-efficient counterpart.

Also, if the product costs more, the consumer must be able to make up the cost through decreased utility bills within a small period of time. This means that it’s worth paying more for an Energy Star appliance, because you’re guaranteed to get your extra cost back.

Cabinetry Trends in 2014

Image courtesy of kitchencabinetkings.com

Designers are thinking outside the box to make cooking easier with unique kitchen cabinets, from built-in space racks to roll-out trays. The name of the game in 2014 is efficiency.

Specialty Cabinets

Pull-Out Spice Rack Cabinet

Instead of building a kitchen with cookie-cutter cabinets that can’t fit anything, consider trendier specialty cabinets. Look into hidden storage options like spice racks, inserts for hanging pots and pans, and multi-layered pull-outs for dry goods. This option is better for homeowners who aren’t planning to sell for a long time, as you can create the perfect layout and grab any gadget or tool you need on a moment’s notice.

You can also add built-in dividers to drawers to organize silverware and cooking utensils. These drawers keep more clutter off your counters and hide it away in an organized fashion.

Distressed Finishes

Distressed Leg Pull-Out Spice Rack

Popular finish choices for 2014 include – you guessed it – aged and distressed. Choose a cabinet finish that complements, but doesn’t match your floors and countertops. A distressed look is created when parts of the finish are rubbed away to expose the wood underneath, and they’re then refinished with a glaze to darken all of the grooves.

Pair distressed cabinets with a subtle marble or wood countertop and an integrated or apron-front sink. This style is both rustic and classic, and will handle wear and tear better than perfectly finished cabinets. Your cabinets are distressed, but you won’t be!

Color Schemes

Vibrant Yellow Kitchen

Instead of a wood finish, some people are grabbing a brush and adding a splash of color on their kitchen cabinets. Pastel blues complement the browns from your flooring, while a spicy red warms up the room.

One trend that we’ve seen more of is painting kitchen cabinets two different colors. For example, designers are painting the doors a different color than the trim or painting the top cabinets a lighter color than the bottom ones.

Because cabinets occupy most of your kitchen wall space, think of your cabinet designs like your wall color. They will affect the mood of the room and the way natural and artificial light fills the space. What feels do you want to evoke in your design?

Kitchen Appliance Trends in 2014

Aesthetic is important, but if your appliances are broken or outdated, you won’t spend much time in your beautiful kitchen. In 2014, homeowners are choosing restaurant-quality appliances. After all, everyone wants to be Gordon Ramsey in the confines of their home.

Chef’s Stove

GE Monogram Chef's Stove

If you’re embracing the stainless steel design, then a chef’s stove is a must. In fact, 50 percent of homeowners said it was their dream kitchen appliance. These stoves can handle woks, griddles, and everything in between. Installing a professional grade stove means you’ll never blame the appliance for ruining your food.

Double Ovens

GE Monogram Double Oven

This one goes hand in hand with the prep sinks we discussed earlier. If you’re making a full Thanksgiving dinner, you can’t fit the turkey and the pumpkin pie in the same oven. Double ovens give you more space, options, and flexibility to create perfect meals.

Refrigerators

Refrigerator with Integrated Wood Panels

We’ve already touched on Wi-Fi refrigerators, but what about their design patterns? Some prefer to stick with the stainless steel, but designers tend to be split between hiding their refrigerators behind cabinet wood paneling or making them a focal point by choosing one in a non-conventional color like red.

In short, Instead of a bulky white or silver box, people are opting for furniture-like appliances that match their designs.

Dishwashers

Custom Panel Integrated Dishwasher

While stainless steel dishwashers are always going to be highly sought-after, many other dishwasher trends are beginning to make waves. For people looking to create a seamless look throughout their house with an integrated sink and a hidden refrigerator, they’re choosing a dishwasher that will also blend in with their cabinetry.

The standard one-size-fits-all dishwasher is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Many homeowners are choosing to fit double dishwashers into their kitchens. These dishwashers have full separate compartments that can run at different times. They let you wash delicate crystal and heavily soiled baking dishes separately.

There’s also in-sink dishwashers that let you run a small load in half the time it takes to clean them normally. Many internal dimensions are changing as well. Some dishwashers now allow for taller pots and pans on the inside while the outside remains the same size as a standard washer. Many people are also looking for more noise regulated dishwashers since more homes are embracing the open concept. No one wants to hear the noisy dishwasher while they unwind in the living room after a big meal.

What Do You Think?

Rustic and hyper-modern are two common trends in 2014. Homeowners are either investing in smart appliances and stainless steel restaurant-grade everything, or they’re going back to their roots with copper sinks and reclaimed wood. This combination has actually created a third option: the transitional kitchen, which walks the line between the two.

Which of these trends do you like? Do you love the look of copper? Does aged wood make you feel distressed? Your remodeling choices will keep a trend going or make it die, so tell us what works and what doesn’t!

Whichever path you choose to take, make sure it’s something you love. After all, you probably spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

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Are you curious about the latest kitchen design trends? If so, you’ll be interested to learn about this year’s biggest trend; it’s all about transitional design, which is helping people bridge the gap between traditional and modern style kitchens. Most people want simplified and streamlined kitchens, but not everybody wants to jump right into the modern style. If you’re wondering how to kick-start a transitional kitchen design, read on.

Blending Materials

Transitional Kitchen Design: Blending Materials
A telltale sign of transitional kitchen design is the blending of materials. In traditional kitchens, you usually find primarily wood and stone. In modern kitchens, you find a lot of steel and glass. Transitional kitchens have it all; you might encounter a wood floor, concrete and marble countertops, and a stainless steel fridge. It’s industrial, but still has a warm feel to it.

Neutral Color Scheme

Transitional Kitchen Design: Neutral Color Scheme
You don’t want to dull down your kitchen with bland wall colors, but you do want to go for mostly neutral colors in varying shades. Transitional kitchens have a feel of timelessness and sophistication and neutral colors tend to reflect that best. Of course, don’t be afraid to put in some popping colors here and there, especially if it doesn’t jar the senses. Different shades of brown probably offer the best start when trying to find the best colors for this style.

Good Texture

Transitional Kitchen Design: Good Texture
Taking liberties with texture can add to the fun of creating a transitional style kitchen. Transitional design still comes off as intriguing, despite its simplified nature. This can help make up for the seemingly subdued feeling of the colors at first. It’s part of what’s so special about transitional style kitchens; they don’t shock you at first, but the closer you get while inspecting them, the more impressed you become.

You can use cool tile surfaces with interesting patterns. Try putting polished stone surfaces in one area and rough stone in others. You’ll find endless possibilities.

Streamlined Cabinets

Transitional Kitchen Design: Streamlined Cabinets
You’ll generally notice low profile cabinets in transitional kitchens. There’s not an abundance of intricate design or fancy hardware on the cabinets in here. This sounds similar to modern style, but using materials like wood for all the cabinets helps keep you from getting too close to modern. The goal is to make things feel uncluttered by getting rid of the fancy, while also keeping your kitchen inviting by using warm, earthy materials.

Keeping the Balance of Old and New

Creating a balance between the old and new styles is key; you could even say it defines transitional design. It starts off by borrowing elements from past styles and mixes them with new, contemporary features to create something refreshingly different. The best part of the design is the freedom to choose where and how to mix these two to create your own unique balance. It’s a great way to express your lifestyle without feeling like you have to conform to one side or another.

Don’t fall out of the loop with design trends; if you like what you see, give this design a try. Whether you have a modern or traditional kitchen, a transitional kitchen design might be just a few steps away.

A designer checklist for avoiding installation problems

A designer checklist for avoiding installation problems in the field

Verify refrigerator dimensions

Provide sufficient clearance

Verify type of range

Verify type of range 2

Dishwasher placement

Dishwasher placement 2

 

Dishwasher placement 3

 

Cooktops and built-in ovens

 

Check ventilation needs

 

Ensuring proper clearance

 

Ensuring proper clearance 2

Heat shield requirements

Appliance considerations

Microwave placement

Microwave placement 2

 

Sink sizes

 

Clearances around doors and windows

 

Clearances around doors and windows 2

 

Clearances around doors and windows 3

 

Clearances around doors and windows 4

 

Fillers for cabinets

Staggering heights of corner cabinets

Varying cabinet depths

Varying cabinet depths 2

Working with square corners and blind cabinets

 

Cabinet clearances

 

Ensuring proper cabinet clearance

 

Calculate correct moulding quantities

 

Note hardware location

 

Glazed finishes