Kitchen Design Tips: 3 Must-Knows from the Pros

Before designing the kitchen of your dreams, there are several things you should consider. From custom cabinetry to distinctive sink designs and other decorative elements, the options to personalize your space can seem endless. Appliances, paint scheme, countertop material and layout all play an important role in the type of feel you want to convey. So whether you’re looking to portray simple and clean, southern charm, or ornate elegance, we’ve got 3 must-know tips from industry professionals to inspire design ideas and make the process streamline and stress-free.

#1 Include Organizational Elements

– Install pull-out drawers rather than reach-in, traditional cabinets for greater efficiency in the kitchen.

– Utilize Super Susans to optimize space and make kitchen corners fully functional.

– Convenient and environmentally friendly, double bin trash pull-out drawers can help you separate waste and recycling, making cleanup a breeze.

Image Credit: Kohler

#2 Consider Sink Design

Stainless steel, enameled cast iron, top mount, under mount – if these terms are foreign to you, not to fear. Joining us today we have the talented industry professional, Travis Rotelli, from Kohler’s Design Center. Travis sheds light on the different types of sink materials and designs that will help tie together your kitchen aesthetics:

“One of the ways to give your kitchen space a fresh look is to replace the sink and faucet. And it isn’t as hard as you may think, plus there are beautiful and functional options to help make your kitchen space work for you. Kohler offers kitchen enameled Cast Iron sinks and stainless steel sinks, along with a wide array of faucet designs. The beauty of Kohler Cast iron truly lies in the details. Made from a minimum of 80% recycled material, Kohler cast iron is extremely durable, beautiful and lasts a lifetime. On top of that, it is available in a minimum of 15 colors so you can truly coordinate a cohesive color scheme to make the sink beautifully blend in, or be the absolute star of your new space.” –Travis Rotelli, Interior Designer at the Kohler Design Center

Kohler stainless steel offers excellent design options and provides an extremely easy-to-clean surface. The styles range from soft smooth lines to tight cut corners, offering single and double basin and even apron front designs. The Vault sink (top left photo) has a really thin rim, so when a drop in design is what you are looking for, your cleanup time is drastically shortened.

Both Kohler Cast Iron and Stainless steel kitchen sinks have options for a drop in, under-mount or apron front installations. So whether you are looking for a quick refresh of your kitchen or are rolling up the sleeves for a full gut remodel, you can find the right fit for you by assessing which design will best compliment your space. When you’ve picked the sink of your choice, Mr. CabinetCare’s professional installation team will be there to make your vision come to life.

For Kohler’s full reference guide on how to pick the perfect sink, click here.

#3 Decide on Doorstyle

Choosing your door style is not only one of the most exciting aspects of planning your project, it is also a significant decision with a big impact on the final appearance and feel of your space.

When deciding on a door style keep in mind that the combination of door style, material, and finish all create the overall look of your cabinetry.  A door style can look completely different when stained compared to when it is painted.  Using these three elements you can create the perfect look for your project.

Finding a door style that fits within the kitchen design you want to achieve is best.  Door styles with details and molding applied to the face are great for Country, British Colonial, Estate, Mediterranean, and Coastal styles.  Clean lines and minimal detailing is complementary to Transitional, Industrial, Contemporary and Craftsman styles.

In the last few years the simplistic Shaker style has experienced a significant uptick in popularity.  We have seen it used in beautiful applications across a variety of different design styles.  The Shaker’s classic appeal will help it transition through time, keeping cabinetry from looking dated.

Select a few styles to compare and consider how they will work with your overall project and which material and finish options best achieve the appearance and feel of the room that you are trying to achieve.

Image Credit: Decore-ative Specialties

Source: Joel Boyles, Director of Marketing, Decore-ative Specialties

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