Friday, February 5th, 2010
Cabinets for the den or living room are different from any other room in the house. Unlike a kitchen or bathroom where cabinet designs have a standard and specific purpose, these rooms serve a variety of functions and the storage needs to reflect that while still matching decor. It also gives you an opportunity to get creative with the styles and use of space.
Bookcases And Large Storage Cabinet Designs:
Storage in dens and living rooms help to keep the room organized and looking great. Traditional bookcases with elegant details such as crown moldings or custom accents are great for holding books and decor items. Some are having special inserts added into some of the shelves to hold movies and music.
Complete wall units added to these spaces house all of the necessities including TVs, DVD and media devices, home theater systems, and a media library. These pieces often become the focal point of the room with their rich graining and range of colorings. Large wall units are being designed in sections as well. This allows the homeowner to rearrange the pieces in many different ways to accommodate changing needs and tastes.
Built-ins are another great option. Spaces that contain stairs can have a custom cabinet design created to match the unique shape and space of the area to maximize the room’s storage. Cabinets can be built around couches and tables too.
Fireplaces:
Artistic cabinet designs created around the den’s fireplace create a stunning focal point in the room. Hardwood covering the back wall and a decorative mantel can go around the fireplace. Custom cabinets on either side can house decorative items or be used for extra storage. Other materials such as granite, marble, and slate are being incorporated into the designs as well. For an added look of luxury, custom wood boxes and holders for tools added directly into the original cabinet design or created separately to match the original design look fantastic.
Movable Units And Accents:
Separate cabinets are extremely popular in dens and living rooms for their versatility. Curio units are great for holding small antique items and collectibles. Wardrobes are ideal for holding electronics in smaller spaces because they still allow the homeowner to hide them away when they aren’t being used.
When it comes to spicing up the cabinetry, virtually anything goes. One of the most popular options is hand carved columns, appliques, and supports to give any design a custom handmade appearance. Glass or crystal doorknobs or replica door pulls completes the look and feel of a piece. Pot lights and glass shelving are also used in many different storage systems to bring attention to the items being stored in them.
The perfect cabinets will only increase the enjoyment you get out of your home and add to its value making them a worthwhile investment. There are an unlimited number of options when it comes to custom cabinet design for dens and living rooms. The only rule is that they function and are appealing for you and your family.
Cabinets for the den or living room are different from any other room in the house. Unlike a kitchen or bathroom where cabinet designs have a standard and specific purpose, these rooms serve a variety of functions and the storage needs to reflect that while still matching decor. It also gives you an opportunity to get creative with the styles and use of space.
Bookcases And Large Storage Cabinet Designs:
Storage in dens and living rooms help to keep the room organized and looking great. Traditional bookcases with elegant details such as crown moldings or custom accents are great for holding books and decor items. Some are having special inserts added into some of the shelves to hold movies and music.
Complete wall units added to these spaces house all of the necessities including TVs, DVD and media devices, home theater systems, and a media library. These pieces often become the focal point of the room with their rich graining and range of colorings. Large wall units are being designed in sections as well. This allows the homeowner to rearrange the pieces in many different ways to accommodate changing needs and tastes.
Built-ins are another great option. Spaces that contain stairs can have a custom cabinet design created to match the unique shape and space of the area to maximize the room’s storage. Cabinets can be built around couches and tables too.
Fireplaces:
Artistic cabinet designs created around the den’s fireplace create a stunning focal point in the room. Hardwood covering the back wall and a decorative mantel can go around the fireplace. Custom cabinets on either side can house decorative items or be used for extra storage. Other materials such as granite, marble, and slate are being incorporated into the designs as well. For an added look of luxury, custom wood boxes and holders for tools added directly into the original cabinet design or created separately to match the original design look fantastic.
Movable Units And Accents:
Separate cabinets are extremely popular in dens and living rooms for their versatility. Curio units are great for holding small antique items and collectibles. Wardrobes are ideal for holding electronics in smaller spaces because they still allow the homeowner to hide them away when they aren’t being used.
When it comes to spicing up the cabinetry, virtually anything goes. One of the most popular options is hand carved columns, appliques, and supports to give any design a custom handmade appearance. Glass or crystal doorknobs or replica door pulls completes the look and feel of a piece. Pot lights and glass shelving are also used in many different storage systems to bring attention to the items being stored in them.
The perfect cabinets will only increase the enjoyment you get out of your home and add to its value making them a worthwhile investment. There are an unlimited number of options when it comes to custom cabinet design for dens and living rooms. The only rule is that they function and are appealing for you and your family.
Tags: Cabinet, Designs, Living, Room
Posted in Living Room | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
Kitchen Cabinets are by and large the core of any kitchen. They can be highlighted by kitchen appliances such as the refrigerator, stove, cooktop, dishwasher and microwave, or these appliances can be modified to blend in by using panels that match your kitchen cabinets.
Shopping for kitchen cabinets can be intimidating, especially for a first time buyer. There are hundreds/thousands of major kitchen cabinet companies, and many more smaller custom kitchen cabinet shops where you can get any cabinet made from any species of wood that your mind can imagine. Add to that list the explosion of RTA Kitchen Cabinet importers, and the laminated cabinet manufacturers, and suddenly the list can be overwhelming. Not to mention the fact that higher price always means high quality in construction, or more features being available.
In the past, pricing had always been the way to categorize kitchen cabinets. Traditionally, tthe higher-quality cabinets simply cost more money. As I mentioned before, with more and more importers conforming to the KCMA (Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association) building standards, some of the RTA Kitchen Cabinets or Stock kitchen cabinets can actually be a sturdier cabinet than the traditional, made to order cabinets. Regardless of what type of kitchen cabinet you decide to go with, it does not take much effort to spend tens of thousands of dollars on the actual kitchen cabinets.
Most kitchen cabinet manufacturers build their kitchen base and wall cabinets in standard sizes. The kitchen base cabinets are often 34.5 inches tall and 24 inches deep. They come in widths starting at 12 inches and can go up to 48 inches often in increasing width increments of 3 inches. Kitchen wall cabinets are often 12 inches deep and 30 inches or 42 inches tall. They also come in the same size widths as the base cabinets. Wall cabinets also come in several different heights and depths for locations such as over the refrigerator or over the microwave/hood range unit. With custom kitchen cabinets, you have even more choices available, since the kitchen cabinets will be created specifically for your kitchen space.
Different semi-custom kitchen cabinet manufacturers make different-sized kitchen cabinets for all sorts of special looks and situations. It is not uncommon to have one cabinet extend beyond adjacent cabinets to create a distinguished look. It pays to shop around to see all of the different possibilities and special cabinet features offered by the custom and semi-custom kitchen cabinet manufacturers.
One of the biggest advantages to true custom kitchen cabinets is the ability to make one giant base or wall kitchen cabinet instead of separate boxes that are screwed together by the installer at the jobsite. A custom-cabinet maker can easily make one giant base cabinet 8 feet long that installs as if it were a piece of furniture. The same is true for wall kitchen cabinets. The advantage of this method is the lack of vertical seams where two traditional cabinet boxes would mate up to one another.
Pay particular attention to the materials used to build the kitchen cabinets. Some kitchen cabinets are made with minimal-quality engineered lumber, particleboard, or fiberboard. . If you plan to load a wall cabinet with heavy traditional china, the weight of the dishes may cause the cabinet to pull apart over time. This is particularly true when it comes to the semi-custom cabinets that the name brand cabinet manufacturers sell at the big box stores (which is why price is not always an accurate gauge of cabinet quality). Many of the RTA Kitchen Cabinet manufacturers use solid plywood sides, which obviously creates a strong kitchen cabinet box than a particleboard or fiberboard box. When it comes to custom cabinets, the material choices are endless and can usually be specified by the customer.
Another factor that will determine the price of kitchen cabinets is the material used to hold it together. Custom kitchen cabinet manufacturers will often use a combination of dovetailed joints, wood biscuits, and glue to create tight joints. Mid-grade kitchen cabinets will have a wide range of materials holding them together (staples and nails on the lower end, to cam lock assembly and wood glue on the higher end). Most RTA Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers utilize the cam lock system, which creates a nice sturdy cabinet, and when enhanced with wood glue, can last a life time. Steer away from any kitchen cabinets that are using staples, wooden dowels, or just screws. The strength of the cabinet will be compromised at the joints with these weaker joining materials.
I have been remodeling houses for over 10 years, and have been able to weed out some of the kitchen cabinet choices that didn’t work for me. If you are interested in learning more about my personal preferences, check out my author bio.
Tags: Cabinet, Cabinets, Choosing, Kitchen, Price, Range, right, Shopping
Posted in Kitchen | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
Choosing a countertop for your kitchen cabinets can be overwhelming. Depending on your taste and budget, kitchen countertops can be a very expensive investment. Laminate countertops that have been the industry kitchen cabinets standard for decades, but now there are a wide variety of solid core, stone and butcher block countertops to choose from.
Let’s talk about Laminate Countertops. This is by far your least expensive option. The typical laminate countertops for kitchen cabinets now are up to 400% more durable than they were just ten years ago. They are more resistant to scratching scuffing and burning. They also come in a huge variety of colors, textures and patterns and finishes. The drawback to laminate is that they CAN be affected by excess heat, say from a pot, and the edges will be exposed. If you are looking for a clean look and durability, laminate countertops will not be your best choice.
Let’s talk about finishes. There are three main types of finishes. Gloss, semi-gloss or satin and textured.
Gloss finish is very shiny. It can mimic with great success, stone like polished granite and marble on your kitchen cabinets. It is, though more durable than in the past, the finish that is most prone to scratching and scuffing. It also can show wipe marks more often. So, using this finish above your kitchen cabinets in front of a window or strong light is not usually a good idea. Using a light color will help hide wipe marks. This is a finish you would prefer in an area where your kitchen cabinets get the least amount of use. Using counter protectors on your kitchen cabinets is a good idea with this finish.
Semi-gloss or satin finishes on your countertops are more durable and easier to keep clean because they don’t show wipe marks as easily and are more resistant to scratching and scuffing. This finish is the most popular for today’s kitchen cabinets. Expect to get many years of service out of a laminate counter with this finish on you kitchen cabinets countertops..
Textured finishes on your countertops can add a lot of interest, but are harder to clean if the texture is very deep. In a deep texture, dirt and grime can settle into the bottom of the grooves, wrinkles or patterns and be a nuisance to clean. Another problem in high use areas is the tendency to wear on the high spots of the texture. This finish on your kitchen cabinets countertops works best in a low light, warm setting like bars and game rooms.
Let’s move on to Solid Surface Countertops. Solid core or solid surface countertops are used mainly where you want to eliminate any visible seams in your. They are as durable or more durable than laminate kitchen cabinets countertops but lack the obvious seam line that laminate kitchen cabinets counters inherently have. Sinks and drop levels can be incorporated into one visibly seamless kitchen cabinets countertop. They can also be repaired. This is because the color and pattern goes all the way through the surface. Expect to pay more for this kitchen cabinets countertop material.
Wooden kitchen cabinets countertops, or butcher block tops, are obviously not as durable as other materials. While they are not as durable, they actually get better looking as they get older. As scratches and wear begin to take their toll, butcher block counters become more interesting and warm feeling. They are re-finishable and can last for many years. We recommend still using a cutting board for slicing meat and vegetables, since it is much easier to scrub the bacteria out of a cutting board than out of your kitchen cabinets counter. Be fore-warned, there will be some upkeep with butcher block kitchen countertops. Follow the manufacturers recommendations on care. This material goes well with country or rustic lodge style kitchens.
Another option for your kitchen cabinet countertops would be tile. The options for tiles are endless…. from ceramic, to porcelein, to marble, each one will offer it’s unique properties and challenges. While this is a cost effective solution when looking for a countertop for your kitchen cabinets, it also presents some of the biggest maintenance issues. Ceramic tiles will tend to crack if something hits them or if they are not laid properly. You also have to worry about grout lines, which need to be sealed and cleaned properly, since they will have a tendency to accumulate dirt and debris. It also makes it harder to wipe down your kitchen cabinet countertops.
Stone kitchen cabinets countertops usually are you most expensive but most durable. Nothing says wealth and class like stone or marble on your kitchen cabinets. The most important aspect of stone is the installation and finishing. Choose a contractor with lots of experience and a excellent reputation.
Once of the newest trends in kitchen cabinet countertops is concrete. Concrete kitchen countertops provide the durability of solid surface or stone countertops, a wide variety of stains and finishes, and a more attractive price than stone. It can also be poured in unique designs to match the flow of your kitchen cabinets. With concrete kitchen countertops, it is important to find a contractor who has poured and installed them before, since the concrete will crack if not installed properly.
With so many choices for kitchen cabinet countertops, you can really make your kitchen a one of a kind centerpiece for your home.
Tags: Cabinet, Choosing, Countertop, Countertops, Kitchen, Option, right
Posted in Kitchen | No Comments »
Sunday, January 11th, 2009
The term bathroom cabinets used to be utilized adamantly to describe any old medicine cabinet or a place where you could store things in your bathroom. The cabinet was often a small white box that did not really cause any emotions when viewed. You simply knew that this box was used for a medicine cabinet or other bathroom necessities.
Today when you hear someone speaking about bathroom cabinets your vision of what these cabinets look like is completely different from that of days prior. People automatically envision gorgeous wooden or designer cabinets that are mounted on the wall encircling the entire bathroom. The cabinets of today are both utilized for their storage capabilities as well as their appearance.
People utilize the term bathroom cabinets a lot more in today’s society as well. This term is utilized to describe any means of a cabinet that can be found within this room. Often times the cabinets are larger in stature and give off a luxurious and elegant type appearance. To hear the term medicine cabinet, many people would probably be taken aback and not have any clue what you are talking about.
Many bathroom cabinets can also be utilized as a bathroom vanity that consists of a crystal clear mirror on the front of the door. Although not all cabinets have to bare this particular attribute, people that seek out an elegant appearance for their bathroom will opt for the impressive mirror cabinets.
When you are thinking about the bathroom cabinets in terms of style they can be put into two separate groups. You have both your American style cabinets as well as your European style cabinets. The traditional or American style cabinets will often be enclosed within a frame. While the European style cabinets will consist of open edges that have what are known as trim strips aligning the outside of them.
There are three different classifications to bathroom cabinets. You can have cabinets that are stock made cabinets, which look just like the cabinets that you will see in the store without any added additions. You can opt to get your cabinets custom made, the name speaks for itself the cabinets will be made to your specifications. Or you can get semi-custom made cabinets. You will find a lot more people opting for semi-custom because they can still keep the overall appearance of the cabinet that they like but add some of their own personal touches to it as well.
The way that we view bathroom cabinets presently has changed over the past 100 years. Many people have cabinets that align their whole entire bathroom to give their room the look of luxury along with the space for things that they need to store in this intricate space.
Bathrooms are commonly utilized throughout the day for various reasons. Bathroom cabinets just allow us the opportunity to set in luxury as we do what we need to do and then exit the bathroom. Every bathroom has to have some means of a cabinet in it.
Tags: Bathroom, Cabinet, Enhance, Luxury
Posted in Bathroom | No Comments »