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March 15, 2021
Welcome back to our Guide to Building Your Dream Kitchen! In the first half of the guide we walked through the first five steps in building your dreaming kitchen, in the second half of the guide we will cover selecting your cabinets and hardware, countertops, light fixtures, window dressings, and more.
Now that you have chosen a style for your kitchen, it’s time to select the best materials for your cabinets and hardware to coincide with your design. You’ll want to determine what finishes, colors, patterns, etc. will help you bring your kitchen cabinets to life. Try not to lose sight of budget during this step! Your budget will be a major factor in selecting the best cabinet material and hardware for your kitchen. Before you get started you should have your budget set and know how much you are willing to spend on each design element. Each kitchen design style has commonly used cabinet material and hardware, here’s an idea of what other people are using.
You will most likely see two choices when it comes to traditional style cabinets; wood or wood veneer. Classic kitchens lean on embellished cabinetry. Wood cabinets offer the option for traditional finishes, different stains/glazes and unique raised panels. Traditional style kitchens typically feature cabinets in natural wood colors; white or cream with crown molding and simple hardware. Cabinet doors with glass panels have gained popularity over the past five years with the elegant touch they add to traditional kitchens.
The most common hardware colors in traditional kitchens are gold, brushed nickel, bronze, and oil-rubbed bronze. Choosing your kitchen's hardware is where personal style and preference come into play. Vertical bar pulls are often popular, as well as knobs, pull cup handles, and ring pulls. There are also many unique novelty pull and knob options that can add a personal touch to your kitchen.
Modern style kitchen’s offer more variety in the realm of possibility for cabinets than you would see in other kitchen styles. Metal, laminate, glass and wood veneer are all common cabinet materials for a modern kitchen design. Flat-panel and slab doors are typically used in modern style cabinets, raised panels will rarely if ever be seen in a modern kitchen unless contemporary where you may see sleek, slightly raised panels or recessed panels. Cabinet doors are typically smooth, and may not feature any visible hardware on the front. All-white cabinetry is a very popular choice in modern kitchens, but you can also opt for gray or other unique colors to create a unique look.
Sleek, simple, or non existent is the aesthetic style for modern kitchens. Matching the kitchen faucet and other metal design elements, cabinet hardware tends to be gold, matte black, silver and brushed nickel. The hardware can also be used as a contrast piece from other metal elements to create a unique look. Little or no hardware has gained traction in contemporary kitchens, sticking with smooth doors that open from beneath. Knobs, horizontal pulls and vertical pulls, are popular options for a modern kitchen design.
Transitional style kitchens give you freedom to be creative with material and color design when choosing cabinets. Wood, wood veneer, laminate, and glass are all popular cabinet materials for a transitional kitchen design. Recessed panel cabinet doors, glass front doors, and inset panel doors are well-known to be great for a transitional-style kitchen. Colors range from cream and white to natural wood and light gray in a transitional design, and can vary depending on how contemporary or how classic you wish your kitchen to be.
The hardware varies with transitional kitchen design not sticking to any one design. Knobs, pulls, and even handles can all be incorporated in a transitional-style kitchen. A cohesive look can be achieved by combining knobs and pulls throughout the kitchen. Hardware can be used to push your kitchen design further into the modern style or the traditional style. To create a more classic transitional feel consider using knobs, where matte black pulls can help you achieve a more contemporary look. Elegant knobs or patterned knobs are another great way to add unique touches to your transitional kitchen.
You will find nearly any style of cabinet in an eclectic-style kitchen, giving you the freedom to be creative and have fun with your design. Glass, metal, mirrored, laminate, and wood are all popular choices for an eclectic kitchen design. Cabinet colors range from light wood and white to soft cream and gray. Colored cabinets can be utilized on the kitchen island to add a pop of color and personality to your kitchen.
The hardware found in eclectic style kitchens is similar to that of modern style kitchens in it’s sleek and simple design. Eclectic style may feature novelty handles adding a unique and personalized touch to your kitchen. Matte black, brushed nickel, and silver are all popular hardware finishes for an eclectic design but sometimes eclectic-style kitchens forgo hardware all together for a unique look.
Vintage style kitchens put emphasis on natural wood colors, cream, white, beige and sage. There are a couple popular options for cabinet styles in vintage kitchens; recessed and raised panel doors, as well as frosted glass panel doors. Crown molding is used to create an old-fashioned and vintage design in the kitchen adding to the appeal.
Rustic hardware is commonly seen in vintage kitchen styles ranging from handles and knobs as well as vertical and horizontal pulls. Brushed oil rubbed bronze and brushed nickel are popular choices for vintage kitchen hardware because of their old-world appeal. When searching for vintage-style hardware, you’ll want to look for detailed pieces that will solidify your timeless design.
Wood, glass and metal are all popular choices for design in glamorous kitchens. Cabinets featuring recessed panels are paired with crown molding increasing the elegance of the kitchen.Glamorous kitchen cabinets are usually white, cream, gray and black in color but they will often match well with the countertops and other design elements creating a sleek, cohesive look. Glass doors have become increasingly popular in this kitchen style, these cabinets are a great way to display dinnerware.
Matte black and silver hardware are commonly used in glamorous kitchens, matching the kitchen faucet, appliances and other metal design elements. Simple hardware works best in this kitchen style; knobs, horizontal pulls, and vertical handles complete the elegant look. When searching for the perfect hardware for your glamorous kitchen, think sleek and sophisticated, and opt for hardware that will give your kitchen a stylish look.
Granite countertops are an excellent choice for a traditional-style kitchen. This natural option offers unique patterns with every slab, making for a custom, one of a kind look with each countertop. Granite is commonly found in a neutral color palette and comes in a variety of patterns from detailed to muted. In a classic kitchen, granite can be a beautiful focal point, however, laminate and solid surface also offer similar patterns for a more affordable price. Solid surfaces can also be found in traditional kitchens with their equally beautiful and similar patterns to granite, as well as more subtle designs.
When it comes to modern kitchen design, quartz is by far the most popular choice for countertops. White quartz or marble are often featured in a contemporary-style kitchen. You may have seen black countertops in modern style kitchens as well, that is another popular choice. The pattern of a modern kitchen countertop is typically minimal, with veins of gold, silver, white, or gray, which create a stunning design. We recommend choosing a countertop with a light or dark bedrock, or both! Next pair the pattern of the countertop with an accent color in your kitchen to create an interior that compliments each other. Laminate and solid surface countertops also offer beautiful patterns that pair well in any modern kitchen design.
There are numerous possibilities for a transitional kitchen design, you can decide from virtually any countertop on the market. Quartz and granite are the more commonly seen luxurious materials alongside their counterparts laminate and solid surface as the affordable options. Light colors like white, cream, and soft gray are common transitional kitchen countertop choices, however dark browns, tans, and blacks are also popular. The choice is completely yours and with any of these materials, you can create a stunning transitional kitchen design. Quartz is by far our favorite countertop material and offers many options for creating a transitional kitchen design. Solid surface, laminate, and granite materials all offer beautiful patterns, perfect for a transitional kitchen design.
Quartz, solid surface and laminate are fantastic choices for an eclectic kitchen design with their wide selection of colors and patterns. When styling an eclectic kitchen, you have more freedom to be creative. Choose a rich, dark countertop in a charcoal gray or choose a lighter countertop that will offer a neutral base for your eclectic design. Quartz is an excellent fit for an eclectic kitchen design, a material with subtle, yet beautiful patterns. Solid surface is also a gorgeous option for an eclectic-style kitchen design.
Granite has been a long standing favorite for vintage kitchen designs offering a unique pattern with each slab. This countertop material is certain to stand out while achieving the historic-look you are going for in this style. With a natural color palette, granite is perfect for neutral tones and pairs well with wooden elements, which tend to be popular in vintage kitchen designs. Quartz countertops also offer several beautiful designs that pair well with a vintage kitchen, as well as solid surface which can resemble granite or quartz. We love granite for a vintage inspired kitchen and the right granite material can truly complete your vintage kitchen design.
A glamorous kitchen design relies on the countertops to make a statement, quartz does just that as it’s a luxurious and glamorous material. To create a glamorous kitchen, you’ll want to choose a countertop material that offers an elegant and sophisticated base for the rest of your kitchen design. Quartz comes in a variety of options from white, gray and cream to stunning patterns offering simple yet stunning design to your kitchen. If you are looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, solid surface countertops offer similar patterns to quartz, without the high price tag. We love quartz for a glamorous kitchen design because of the beautiful marble-like pattern many slabs feature.
Light fixtures will take your kitchen design one step further completing the look of your traditional kitchen. When it comes to design, lighting is one of the elements that provides the finishing touch that sets the stage, mood, and creates the feeling home. For a traditional kitchen, classic chandeliers are a beautiful choice, especially linear or light candle style chandeliers. Additionally, any sort of bronze or gold light fixtures go beautifully in a traditional kitchen design.
Your modern kitchen design can be taken to the next level with the right light fixtures. With modern style kitchens we recommend selecting polished lighting that pulls together the other features of your design. Exposed wire pendants are a popular choice in modern kitchen design, as well as contemporary glass covered lighting, and industrial exposed bulb. For a contemporary kitchen design, lighting is key to pulling it all together. A great way to do so is if you have silver hardware, incorporate silver in your light fixtures, while if you have gold or matte black hardware, utilize those colors instead.
Transitional style kitchens can become slightly more modern or lean more towards traditional depending on the light fixtures you choose. Complete your achieved look with contemporary lighting styles or classic lighting styles. Linear chandeliers add a striking appeal to transitional style kitchens, as well as hanging caged bulbs and even hanging lanterns. Any of these and more are great options that pair beautifully with a transitional style kitchen design.
Lighting is one of the most fun and utilized ways to show off personality in an eclectic style kitchen. There are so many unique lighting options that can transform your kitchen into the look you are going for. Whether you prefer simple and modern or bright and bold, eclectic light fixtures can be a gorgeous focal point to your kitchen design. Some beautiful options to choose from are glass covered pendant lights in a bright colored casing, a modern circular chandelier, a small circular chandelier with an exposed bulb, or even an exciting armed chandelier with exposed bulbs.
When designing a vintage style kitchen, lighting is a key element that makes a major difference in creating a truly old-fashioned kitchen design. There are a lot of gorgeous vintage light fixtures on the market but we recommend checking out antique shops and thrift stores from some great, unique finds. Vintage style kitchens have grown in popularity giving you more options with brand new designs that encompass vintage style as well. We love vintage chandeliers, dual built in fixtures, classic stain glass covered lighting, and feathered or other classical material covered fixtures.
A glamorous kitchen design is completed with glamorous lighting to give the full effect of your elegant styling. Matte black, gold, and rose gold have all become popular options for light fixtures in glamorous kitchens adding a touch of modern flare to the design. We love a unique matte black chandelier with faux exposed candles, and dome pendant light fixtures are beautiful as well. Industrial chandeliers pair great in a glamorous kitchen, and offer a luxurious touch to your design.
The last step to completing your kitchen design is deciding on the right window treatments for your style and space. Window treatments are often overlooked, however they make a big impact in the overall aesthetic of any design and can give your kitchen the final touch you’re looking for. We will go over the most common choices homeowners make with window treatments to help you decide on the best option for your dream kitchen.
Blinds are a popular window treatment for homeowners. This option gives you custom control over the amount of natural light you let in, how you wish to open your window treatments and can be motorized for added practicality. Blinds come in a variety of sizes, materials, colors, patterns and transparencies giving you the complete freedom to custom your style. Select from vertical or horizontal slats and numerous different styles to find the perfect dressing for your kitchen windows. If you’re looking for flexibility and customization, blinds are a great choice for your kitchen window treatments.
The most popular blind styles include:
Vertical blinds
Mini blinds
Real wood blinds
Faux wood blinds
Shades are another common choice for kitchen window treatments. Similar to blinds, they also come in various materials, sizes, and patterns to suit your needs, but differ from other treatments they are made as one piece of material. Shades can be adjusted to fit any type of window coverage; full, partial, or none giving homeowners nearly the same flexibility as blinds. Shades can also be motorized for easy use, as well as offer cordless opening for a crisp and sophisticated look.
The most popular shade styles include:
Cellular Shades
Solar Shades
Roller Shades
Roman Shades
Woven Wood Shades
Shutters are a beautiful, timeless window treatment that will fit any kitchen's interior design. They offer a fresh look to your kitchen and come in various materials, including vinyl and faux wood, that can be customized in shades of white to match your color scheme. They’re very easy to clean and offer adjustability of natural light and privacy. Whether you prefer a more modern style or like to keep it classic, shutters can add a unique flair to any kitchen design and you just can’t beat the classic look that shutters create.
The most popular shutter styles include:
Vinyl Shutters
Faux Wood Shutters
Now that you are prepared with the steps in designing your dream kitchen, it’s time to prepare and embark on your journey. We recommend you begin with establishing your budget and working step by step throughout this guide. Visit one of our beautifully decorated model homes or check out our design studio to become inspired and prepared to build the kitchen of your dreams!
If you have more questions or are ready to build your dream kitchen or dream home, we are here to help. Visionary Homes understands the importance of making your house a home and we are the trusted Utah home builder for every lifestyle. Please call (435) 229-4702 or fill out the form below to learn more!
The post The Ultimate Guide to Building Your Dream Kitchen – Part 2 appeared first on Visionary Homes.
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