Top 9 Materials for Kitchen Countertops

If you’re planning any kind of kitchen remodeling or feel like the time is right to give your kitchen a fresh look, getting some new kitchen countertops installed is a great way to start. Countertops are an essential element of any kitchen installation and have a real impact on the overall look and feel of the space.
However, choosing from the many different types of kitchen countertops can be a challenge. There are a lot of colors, patterns, styles, and kitchen countertop materials for you to pick from, and each one has its pros, cons, and unique features. This guide will cover some of the best kitchen countertop materials, one by one, helping you decide which is right for you.

Granite

granite stone When it comes to kitchen countertop materials, granite is one of the most desirable options out there. Many homeowners opt for granite counters when carrying out a kitchen remodeling or redecorating project, and people love the unique allure and elegance of this material.
Granite is well-known for its unique beauty, able to elevate a kitchen space with ease and transform dull and tired kitchens into pictures of perfection, with its intriguing patterns and strength able to have a truly powerful effect on any room.
It’s also reputed for its high cost, and while prices have come down over the years, it remains one of the more expensive kitchen countertop materials.

Pros:
● Incredible strength and durability
● Won’t be affected by heat
● Can add value to your home
● Lots of colors and patterns
● Minimal maintenance
Cons:
● Comes at a very high cost
● Needs to be installed professionally
● Has to be sealed to reduce the risk of stains

Marble

marble stone

Right up alongside granite as one of the kings of the kitchen countertop world is marble. Beloved throughout history, dating all the way back to ancient times, and instantly recognizable with its unique patterns and silky surface, this material is quite special in more ways than one.
The main benefit of marble is its uniqueness. Every piece is a true ‘one of a kind’ creation, as no two slabs are ever quite the same. This can help to make your kitchen feel equally unique and special too, and many homeowners say that marble is the most luxurious of kitchen countertop types.
However, all of that luxury comes at a price, as marble is also one of the most expensive options, which leads to many homeowners only using a single piece of it for an island or one section of their kitchen.
Pros:
● One of the most beautiful types of kitchen countertop
● Resistant to water and heat
● Every piece is unique
● Adds a lot of value to the home
Cons:
● Lacks the strength of granite and other materials
● Very expensive
● Cannot be installed by the homeowner
● Can stain easily

Quartz

quartz stone Quartz is another hugely popular countertop material, but it’s important to understand exactly what this is, as some people mistake countertop quartz for other kinds of quartz. The countertop material referred to as quartz is actually a man-made material, comprised of around 90% quartz particles, blended together with other minerals and resins. It is not solid quartz, mined from the earth.
However, it’s still a beautiful material, known for its strength, ease of use, and accessibility, and it’s available in a huge range of colors and options too, offering something for homeowners with a wide range of tastes and preferences. It’s also a low-maintenance option, so you won’t need to spend much on the upkeep of quartz countertops.
Pros:
● Can be installed DIY
● Low maintenance
● Lots of color options
● Can be custom-made with ease
● Stain and heat resistant
Cons:
● Can be quite costly to buy
● Heavy and difficult to install
● Lacks the allure of materials like granite or marble

Ceramic Tiles

ceramic countertop Ceramic tiles are another option you might like to consider when planning a kitchen installation or remodeling, and there’s certainly a lot of advantages to this material. For starters, tiles are strong, affordable, and low-maintenance too.
They can be installed by a DIY enthusiast with relative ease, and they’re available in a wide range of colors and patterns, so you can find something that suits the style and theme of your kitchen.
At the same time, ceramic tiles can be seen as a little outdated and are more associated with country-style or rustic kitchens, so won’t necessarily blend in as well in a contemporary home, and they can crack and need to be replaced under pressure.
Pros:
● Many different patterns and colors to choose from
● Good value for money
● Easy to install
● Suitable for DIY installation
● Heat resistant
Cons:
● Can crack due to impacts and accidents
● Grout between tiles may attract dirt
● Not quite as modern as materials like granite or marble

Laminate

laminated hardwood Those who want to save money on their kitchen countertops or simply don’t want to splash out on fancier materials like marble or quartz can choose laminate counters instead. Known for being very affordable, these types of counter are made mostly from MDF, with a laminate veneer bonded around the outside.
The core is cheap and simple to make, helping to keep costs low while still offering strength and durability, and the laminate covers come in a range of different colors and styles. You can even find laminate countertops designed to imitate other materials such as quartz or marble, so this is a cheap way to get that elegant look without having to pay the same price tags.
Pros:
● Lots of different colors and patterns to choose from
● DIY installation is quick and simple
● Excellent value for money
● Low maintenance and easy to clean
Cons:
● Doesn’t have the same prestige or elegance as real granite, marble, etc.
● Won’t increase the value of the home
● Not as soft or smooth as other materials
● Can be chipped or scratched quite easily
● Difficult to repair; usually needs replacing when damaged

Stainless Steel

stainless steel

Stainless steel isn’t one of the first materials people think of when it comes to types of kitchen countertops, and this material has been overlooked and underused over the years, but is starting to see a surge in popularity as the concept of industrial-themed kitchens and homes begins to evolve.
It can be a really impressive choice, adding shimmer, shine, and strength to the kitchen and really serving as a statement piece that may improve your home’s value and turn the heads of any guests or visitors who come to stay.
It’s also well-known for being a very tough and resistant material, able to stand up to heat very well and withstand impacts and pressure too. On the downside, it can be highly expensive and may scratch easily from knives and other implements.
Pros:
● One of the strongest materials for use as kitchen countertops
● Thoroughly resistant to heat
● Works great in modern and industrial style kitchens
● Super easy to clean
● Adds value to the home
Cons:
● Doesn’t work as well in older-themed kitchens
● Can be very expensive
● Easy to scratch so needs to be treated with great care
● Can make noise when used

Wood

wooden countertop Wood is another possible material to consider for anyone wanting to make some changes or upgrades to their kitchen’s aesthetic and theme. It’s a popular choice for other parts of the kitchen, like kitchen cabinets and drawers, and it can work well when used as a countertop surface too.
One of the best things about wood countertops is that they come in a wide range of types. You can choose from maple, oak, and many other species of wood, each with its own colors and grain patterns, and many people feel that wood adds warmth and beauty to a kitchen, working well in country-style or farmhouse kitchens, especially.
It’s also easy to clean and simple to work with when preparing food and cutting up ingredients, but it can scratch, crack, stain, and get damaged quite easily, so you have to treat it with care.
Pros:
● Brings warmth and elegance to space
● Works well in old-fashioned and modern kitchens alike
● Various wood grains and types to choose from
● Can easily be sanded and resealed for repairs
Cons:
● Can be expensive to install and repair over time
● Can easily get stained or water-damaged
● May harbor bacteria so needs to be cleaned thoroughly
● Can scratch or crack

Concrete

concrete countertop Another interesting option you might like to choose for your kitchen countertops is concrete, and there are many advantages to this material, starting with the fact that it’s really resistant to heat, scratches, and general wear and tear.
Concrete countertops can last for many years when looked after, and they can come in a surprisingly vast range of colors and styles too, adding a unique and elegant look to modern and contemporary kitchens.
On the downside, because concrete is such a heavy material, the installation process can be quite tricky as the slabs may need to be cast right there in the kitchen itself.
Pros:
● One of the strongest materials you can use for your kitchen countertops
● Available in a myriad of colors to suit different styles
● Very sleek and modern
● Can withstand heat and scratches very well
Cons:
● Needs to be treated regularly due to its porous nature
● May crack under pressure
● Needs to be installed with a lot of care and precision, which may lead to high costs
● The unique look of this material might not be to everyone’s tastes

Soapstone

soapstone Like many other materials on this list, soapstone is a naturally occurring stone that is famed for its beauty and soft touch. It’s notoriously silky and smooth, being very pleasant to work within the kitchen, and it has plenty in common with granite, being a dark gray in color most of the time and having unique streaks and patterns that add character and definition.
Soapstone is therefore seen as something of a luxury and trendy material for kitchen installation projects, and it has the unique ability to develop an attractive patina over time, which only makes it more attractive and alluring to the eye.
It’s also a tough and resistant material, standing up well to bumps, impacts, and stains, but it can scratch quite easily, so owners have to be careful.
Pros:
● Beautiful color and style adds instant allure to any kitchen space
● Resistant to stains and impacts, so can last for many years
● Won’t be affected majorly by high temperatures
● A fresh alternative to granite for those who want something slightly different
Cons:
● Must be installed professionally to avoid issues
● Has to be treated with mineral oil
● Can scratch quite easily so has to be used with great care and precision
● Can develop a dark patina over time that won’t be to everyone’s taste

How To Upgrade A Bathroom On A Budget?

You don’t have to spend a fortune to make your bathroom look amazing. You can improve your bathroom and find affordable ways to make your home seem luxurious.

A bathroom redesign doesn’t have to be a major project. Here we have gathered several tips on how to upgrade a bathroom for a more luxurious look. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort. Adding some new bathroom features for a splash of personality can be one of the steps you can take toward your bathroom upgrade.

Make The Most of Your Small Bathroom

A small bathroom can be tough to organize things as comfortably as you need as the bathroom serves you for so many things. There are a few tricks to solve storage problems. Clear away space in your bathroom cabinets by using vertical space. Extra hand towels, washcloths, and other small bathroom items can be stored in a wall-mounted rack or storage unit with individual open cubbies. Larger towels can be rolled to fit inside the narrow slots.

You can also use a cabinet under a faucet or use a mirror that doubles up as a cabinet and solve the storage problems. These are quite affordable bathroom solutions to make use of every inch of your small space.

Add Beautiful Patterns With The Tiles

Creating a beautiful pattern with the wall tiles is another affordable bathroom idea to add a sophisticated touch to your existing design.

Using tiles is one of the top and relatively simple ways for bathroom remodeling. You can elevate your bathroom design by using interesting patterns and layout techniques. Our tiling experts will be glad to help you with the installation and create intricate designs and layouts that enhance your bathroom’s decor.

Turn Unsightly Plumbing Into Your Design

If you have pipes and unsightly plumbing in the home, own it! These can look good, polish and treat your pipes and leave metals exposed, it can give a really old-style look in your bathroom and this can look luxurious.

If your plumbing is chrome or bronze, for instance, you can choose accessories that match. Create a color scheme that suits and turn the unsightly plumbing into a design feature. This can provide a classical design.

Choose Statement Flooring Option

Flooring is another one of the bathroom ideas to give a luxury bathroom look and style. One of the bathroom remodel ideas that you can use is to get your flooring replaced. You can make a real statement with this.

Some people opt for exposed wood or laminate flooring when creating a bathroom floor design. However, it isn’t always best to have a wooden flooring design in an environment with so much water. Tiling may be a better option. There are thousands of different tile styles and you can choose a design to match walls and accessories to give a luxury bathroom look.

Tiles can look either modern or classical, and you can choose for your bathroom remodel floor to be either simple or complex, with patterned tiling designs.

Use Accessories As Much As You Can

Accessorize! This is such a simple tool and one of the easiest and inexpensive bathroom upgrade solutions. There’s always a need for accessories in your bathroom, as well as different fixtures and fittings. All of these should fit within a style and give a level of consistency to your bathroom.

Accessories don’t have to cost a huge amount to look luxurious, either. Once you have redesigned the basics such as flooring and fittings, you should think hard about which types of accessories will work. Don’t just throw the old accessories back in, and look at decorations which will complement the design features you already have in place.

White Kitchen Cabinets Flooring Ideas

If you are planning to refresh your home with some kitchen remodeling, there are a huge number of options when it comes to kitchen flooring ideas. The right kitchen tile flooring for your home depends on several practical factors as well as style. Take a look at the pros and cons of each of these flooring materials to help you decide on the best tile for kitchen flooring in your home:

Hardwood Floors

Although hardwood floors were once seen as a risky choice for kitchens due to the potential for water damage, today’s modern finishes and sealants make it a much more durable option. However, they will need to be resealed every few years or so, depending on the type of wood and sealant used.

Hardwood floors are easy on your feet and can give your kitchen a light and airy feel. It can be damaged more easily than some other flooring types as it can be dented and scratched, but a well-used hardwood floor can give a room a homely, lived-in feel that might appeal to you, especially in a family home. If it does not appeal, one advantage of hardwood is that it can be sanded down and refinished fairly easily to make it look like a brand new floor again.

Laminate Floors

Laminate flooring is made by pressing together composite wood at high temperature, before stamping the appearance and texture of hardwood onto the surface of the laminate. Laminate is cheaper, more durable, and easier to clean than hardwood. High-quality laminate flooring does a good job of looking and feeling like the real thing, but you may notice the difference with time and wear, or spot a repeating pattern in the laminate print.

Tile Flooring

Both ceramic and porcelain tile flooring share several advantages.

Tile flooring is very easy to clean and maintain. It is completely non-porous without the need for resealing or other treatment. As a result, you won’t need to worry about food stains or mud leaving any permanent marks on your flooring. Because of this, how to clean tile floors is as simple as sweeping and mopping, with no extra steps or concerns about stains and moisture. It also will not be damaged by heat or moisture, as long as the grout lines are properly sealed.

Overall, tile flooring offers a wide range of styles and great durability at an affordable cost, making it viable for a wide range of kitchen flooring ideas. The only downside is that tiling can be cold on bare feet and may become slippery when wet depending on the type and texture of the tiles.

Ceramic Flooring

Ceramic tiles are a highly durable material that won’t stain or be damaged by water, and they are extremely hard and unlikely to chip or break when a dropped object hits them. Their main drawback is that they can be a little cold and hard, especially early in the morning when they have been cooling down all night.

Stylistically, ceramic tiles are one of the most flexible options as they can come in a wide range of colors and patterns, and can be made to mimic other materials such as wood, stone, or brick.

Porcelain Flooring

Porcelain tiles are an extra hard type of ceramic tile. They are even more durable and less porous than regular tile flooring. Porcelain flooring shares many of the same benefits as ceramic tiling, including the ability to mimic many other materials. In fact, porcelain is available in a wider range of forms and textures that look like other materials such as natural stone tiling, giving it an advantage over ceramic tiles in this area.

Although it is more long-lasting than other types of tile flooring, porcelain can also be more brittle due to its additional hardness. This means it may shatter or crack under heavy impacts that a ceramic tile might have survived with a minor chip.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is versatile, easy to clean and maintain, and inexpensive, with little to no upkeep costs. It can fade and wear out faster than other materials though and can need to be replaced every ten years or so. It is available as sheets and tiles, and also in more modern forms that can mimic the look and feel of other materials like wood and stone, with less maintenance.

Natural Stones

A natural stone kitchen floor can be durable, long-lasting, and highly attractive. While still a fairly hard surface regardless of the type of stone you choose, natural stone floors can feel softer and warmer underfoot than you might expect, as they tend to retain heat better than ceramic and porcelain.

Common natural stone flooring materials include polished marble, which is one of the most attractive and luxurious flooring options. It can scratch and stain fairly easily, and it may not be the ideal choice for messy cooks or large households with kids.

Slate tiles are also a popular choice. Slate tiles can be smooth and polished, but you can also opt for uneven, roughly textured cleft tiles. These give a kitchen a more rustic look, and also provide extra grip when the floor is wet. Slate is extremely hard and durable, even by the standards of other stone floorings.

Cork Flooring

Cork tile flooring achieves a great balance of comfort and durability. Cork can be dyed almost any color, allowing for a wide range of styles and patterns.

Cork tiles are treated to seal them from moisture, however, this treatment can be damaged with wear, and moisture that finds its way through the sealant may damage the cork or cause mold.

Cork flooring is much warmer than many other types of floor tiles, and also much softer. If comfort is a priority, this might be the best choice of tile for kitchen flooring. This is more comfortable for your feet, and can also reduce the risk of plates and glasses shattering when they are dropped. This softness does also make the floor more prone to damage, however, and it can be a good idea to use pads to protect it from heavy furniture, which may leave indentations. Pet claws can also cause enough damage to the sealant to risk moisture damage, so cork floor tiles may not be suitable for families with cats or dogs.

Conclusion

Take these factors into consideration when picking your new kitchen flooring and you will be sure to have a new kitchen you will love for years to come. No matter what type of flooring you choose, installation is crucial to ensuring your floor looks great and stands the test of time. If you need any help or advice in flooring your new kitchen, contact us for a free consultation.

Laundry room cabinets – tips and ideas

The laundry room is often one of the most overlooked spaces in the home, but it’s also one of the most functional rooms, responsible for housing your washer and dryer in order to keep your clothes, bedding, and other fabrics clean and fresh. 

It’s also a room that often tends to be on the small side, as people don’t want to use up too much floor space on laundry rooms, so you have to be very economical in terms of how you store all of the different items you need, getting innovative with your laundry room cabinets and storage solutions.

The average laundry room needs to house the actual washer and dryer, of course, but also needs to hold detergent, bleach, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, stain removers, and additional laundry supplies. 

It can also be a good place to store other functional accessories for the home, like spare towels, cleaning rags, cleaning products, ironing equipment, drying racks, laundry bins, and so on. With so much to store, you need to choose the right location, layout, and cabinets for your laundry room.

Where Should the Laundry Room Be in My House?

laundry room cabinets Before we take a closer look at some laundry room storage cabinets ideas and innovations you might like to try, let’s first consider the room itself. If you’re thinking of adding a laundry room to your home or building a new home and trying to find the perfect spot for the laundry room, you might have some questions.

The main thing here is to think practically. Your laundry room needs to be in a part of the house which is easy to access, so you don’t have to carry huge loads of laundry up and down several flights of stairs just to get there. 

It needs to be convenient, and it has to have the proper plumbing and electrical points to cater to the washer and dryer, but you also need to think about the noise of the machines and make sure that they won’t bother people trying to sleep in surrounding rooms. 

You’ll also need to make sure the room is sufficiently spacious to accommodate the machines and other items you want to include, as well as being on a level floor that can support the heavyweight of your appliances.

Taking all of these factors into account, a laundry room can work well on the ground floor of your home, ideally near a kitchen or bathroom to make the plumbing easier to hook up. The basement is also a great location for a laundry room as the floor will be strong and solid and the vibrations of the machines shouldn’t bother anybody.

Laundry Room Cabinets Design, Color, and Type

A lot of people want to make their laundry room look appealing and attractive, but aren’t sure where to start. They may ask, for example, “Should laundry room cabinets match the kitchen cabinets?” or “What color and style is best for laundry cabinets?” 

Ultimately, the important thing to remember here is that your laundry room is yours. It’s up to you to decorate it however you like, in a manner that pleases you and makes you happy. 

If the room is located beside the bathroom or kitchen, you certainly can carry the theme across to maintain a sense of harmony between the spaces, but there’s also nothing wrong with going in a different direction and choosing a fresh and unique color palette for space.

The options are effectively endless for laundry room cabinets, walls, floors, and themes. You can go in any direction you like, but many people tend to like these rooms to feel light, open, and airy, contributing to the clean and fresh vibes associated with washers and dryers in general.

Lighter colors like whites, blues, and grays can therefore be great choices, especially if your laundry room is quite small, as this will help to open the space up and make it seem bigger. 

You can also choose between different styles of laundry room storage cabinets, including sleek and chic modern cabinets with minimalistic designs that work well in contemporary homes or more rustic cabinet doors with wooden features to fit in with more of a country-style property.

Laundry Room Storage Cabinets Ideas and Inspiration

There are a lot of different ways in which you can play around with the look and design of your laundry room and laundry room cabinets too. Here are just a few ideas to inspire you:

  • Contrast – If your washer and dryer are white, as many are, contrasting them with darker shades on the cabinets can be a great way to add some character to your laundry room.
  • Matching – On the other hand, matching the color of your laundry room storage cabinets and your appliances can also be a great way to go, allowing you to give the room a harmonious look.
  • Sleek – Opt for sleek cabinets without too much decoration or detail to create a laundry room with a very modern and elegant feel and aesthetic.
  • Traditional – You might also opt for a more traditional design with wooden cabinet doors that can work well in homes with rustic styles.
  • Light Tones – Opting for light and airy tones in your cabinets can help small spaces look larger, as well as helping dark or dimly-lit rooms feel brighter and more welcoming too.
  • Bright and Bold – If you love color and liveliness in your home, you might want to go a little wild in the laundry room with a totally original cabinet choice, adding splashes of bright and bold colors like reds, greens, or blues.
  • Above-Appliance Storage – It’s common to fit laundry room cabinets directly above the washer and dryer, and this can be really convenient for storing things like towels, hangers, and detergent. Make sure you choose cabinets that are the right size for the items you want to store in them.

 

How to choose kitchen gadgets and equipment

Whether you’re buying equipment for your brand-new kitchen, or are looking to upgrade your existing one, there are few things more enjoyable than buying new kitchen gadgets and equipment. Adding new tools to your setup can make cooking both easier and more rewarding for you and your family.

But with so many kinds of kitchen gadgets out there these days (such as the popular air fryer), you may be at a loss for what to get. Not to worry though – we’ve prepared a few tips to make the selection process easier. You won’t be spending any unnecessary money on flavor-of-the-month kitchen equipment on our watch.

With that being said, here are some of the most important things to keep a note of when choosing your future kitchen appliances.

Make a list of things you need

kitchen appliances First thing’s first – make a list. Most people tend to make mental notes on almost everything, whether it be for grocery shopping or to-do lists. However, this can be a huge problem for two reasons. 

The first and most obvious problem is that you may forget what you were supposed to get. Even if you were planning out your shopping list for hours the day before, it’s easy for an item or two to slip past your memory, especially if it’s a long list. This can end up with you having to go on more than one trip to the store, which can be a real hassle.

Another problem with using mental notes is that it doesn’t solidify your purchases. Without writing down a list of what to get, you don’t feel like you’ve confirmed what you’re buying. This can end up with you purchasing gadgets you don’t need on the fly because you feel like you could just add it to your mental list. 

Aside from avoiding these problems, making a list of what to get also helps you pinpoint exactly what your kitchen needs. Not much of a baker? You can hold off the oven purchase for a later date. Need instant cooking solutions? Better get a microwave. With a list, you can easily figure out what you need in your kitchen.

When making the list, don’t just list equipment right away. You should first list down what you want to do with your kitchen. For example, you could note that you want to be able to bake, make ice cream, and roast meat. In the same manner, list what you DON’T need. You could write down that you don’t plan on cooking rice at home.

With these written down, you can then begin to figure out what you need and don’t need. In the example above, you’d probably list down an ice cream machine and oven, and avoid purchasing a rice cooker. As you can see, by identifying what your kitchen needs, you can easily figure out the relevant equipment.

Will your equipment fit, considering your space

The next factor to consider is your equipment’s fit. Sure, you may have the money to buy a large oven and stove, but it wouldn’t matter much if you can’t fit it. Remember that your kitchen can only hold so much equipment at once, and plan accordingly.

For starters, it’s probably a good idea to measure up your kitchen. This is especially important for large kitchen appliances, such as dishwashing machines. Also, take into consideration all the doorways nearby, and remember to leave enough space for people to walk through where they might need to. Aside from this, you’ll also want to remember that your cabinets can hold some of your kitchen equipment. Depending on your cabinet size, you could either fit an entire air fryer or just a set of measuring cups inside. If you have a bit of extra space in your kitchen to work with, consider cabinet installs.  You’ll want to install kitchen cabinets if you have more kitchen equipment than what can fit on your countertop.

Don’t forget about safety

So, you’ve managed to maximize every inch of your kitchen and you’ve filled it to the brim with all sorts of trinkets. But is it safe? Many people forget that the kitchen is home to some of the most dangerous equipment in the house, including high-voltage equipment and sharp tools such as knives. One mistake can lead to some serious consequences, and you’ll and to make sure that never happens.

When it comes to kitchen appliances, be sure to have all your kitchen appliances connected to wall outlets. It can be tempting to use extension cords, but this can risk damage to your appliances, or worse. If you can’t bring your appliances to a wall outlet, consider having a wall outlet installed to where your appliances are instead. It’ll cost a little bit of money, but it’s well worth the added safety that it brings.

You’ll also want to keep all sharp equipment and electric appliances out of reach from both pets and children. If left unsupervised, they may end up damaging your appliances or hurting themselves. 

There are a few ways to accomplish this: for starters, keep all sharp objects safely stored in cabinets that are out of reach from children and pets. It’s also important to remember that some kids and pets are quite crafty, and will look for ways to reach the cabinets. Try keeping objects such as chairs away from the cabinets to prevent them from reaching them.

Be sure to also disconnect any appliances when not in use. It’s easy to overlook, but leaving appliances connected, despite not being in use, can still pose a risk to your home. You don’t want to take any chances, so try forming the habit as soon as possible if you haven’t already.

Choose energy-efficient equipment

kitchen gadgets With technology becoming more advanced, there are certain appliances that offer more energy-efficient alternatives. A great example of this is the air fryer. It not only provides an easy, no-hassle way to fry food, but it’s also more energy-efficient compared to using a regular fryer or stove. Energy-efficient equipment can save you a hefty penny and help towards minimizing your carbon footprint at the same time.

With that being said, energy-efficient kitchen gadgets and equipment often come at a cost – a heavy upfront cost, that is. You’ll find that many electric appliances and energy-saving equipment cost a little more than their conventional counterparts. These cost differences can add up if you’re buying many pieces of equipment at once. If you can’t afford them, try prioritizing equipment you know you’ll be using often so you make the most out of the cheaper energy usage.

Finally, don’t fall victim to the many energy-efficient products you may come across. Often, the “energy-efficient” term is used as a buzzword to lure in customers. And while they may definitely save up on energy usage, they might not perform nearly as well as your average equipment. So, if you’re sure you want to invest in more energy-efficient alternatives, remember to pick equipment you know is of good quality. They’ll last longer and perform a lot better than products that may be cheaper.

Budget for your kitchen gadgets and equipment

You probably know this by now, but kitchen equipment and gadgets aren’t exactly the cheapest things in the world. They’re a heavy investment, and unless you’re going to be using the equipment often, you may end up with rarely used gadgets in your cabinets. To prevent this from happening, you should keep your spending to a minimum and plan ahead with your budget.

Remember the list we talked about earlier? If you’re a little tight on cash, here’s a quick tip to easily figure out what to buy. Arrange all the items on your list, with the most important equipment on top and the least important ones at the bottom. Then, write down all the prices of the kitchen gadgets and equipment beside them, and add their costs one by one, beginning with the top item. Stop when you’ve reached your maximum budget, and you have your final list of to-buy equipment.

Remember to prioritize the essentials first, such as a stove or microwave. Think of what you definitely can’t live without, and start from there. If you’re buying many of an item (such as plates or cups), limit the amount to the number of people in the household, plus one or two extra for guests. Don’t worry if you couldn’t get all the items you wanted at once. You can always go back to the store and buy them when you have the funds to do so. 

As a final tip, try to balance price and quality with every purchase. Cheaper items may hurt your wallet less, but they may not last as long or perform as well as other, more costly brands. Find what works best for you and stick to your budget, and you should be fine.

Conclusion

Kitchen equipment is essential to spice up your meals and make cooking easier and more fun. By following these tips listed above, you’ll be able to maximize your budget with the necessary equipment to bring your kitchen to life.

 

Kitchen Cabinet Trends to Avoid

Whether you’re planning out the construction of your new home or are just looking to renovate the old kitchen, the kitchen cabinet is no doubt an object of importance. It’s one of the first things people see when they enter the kitchen and serves both visual and functional benefits for anyone there. 

If you want to make your kitchen look and feel great to be in, though, you need to know what you SHOULDN’T be doing. A lot of kitchens look bland or messy because of a lack of planning and understanding of design theory.

Don’t worry, though – we’ve listed some of the most important kitchen trends to avoid implementing so that you don’t turn your lovely kitchen into a colorful mess.

Matching Every Detail Possible

One of the most important kitchen trends to avoid is that you do not have to match your kitchen cabinet with its surroundings. A lot of people make the rookie mistake of having their cabinets look exactly the same as the rest of the kitchen. And while this may not look bad, it takes away a lot of the creativity from the kitchen’s overall look.

Let’s say, for example, you have a white custom kitchen cabinet that matches your white tabletop and white backsplash, with a few rustic accents here and there. The problem with this is that the kitchen cabinet isn’t given any sort of identity, with it just blending in the background with everything else. It can even end up being hard to spot from a distance. 

If you want your kitchen cabinet to pop and stand out, you need to know how to contrast it with the rest of the kitchen. Of course, you shouldn’t go overboard, like painting it bright pink in a monochromatic theme.

Ornamenting every possible part of your kitchen cabinets

kitchen cabinet ornament

matching kitchen cabinet ornaments

If your kitchen cabinet looks a little dull, you may be tempted to ornament it with a few bits and bobs to add color and variance. While that’s all good and fun, it can be an issue if you go overboard and turn your kitchen cabinet into an ornamental hodgepodge. Having too many ornaments can be incredibly distracting to the eye, and can even destroy the overall theme of the kitchen if you place the wrong ones.

 

A great alternative to adding ornaments would be to give the cabinet itself some design. The main purpose of the ornaments is to add interesting shapes and colors to the look, and you can accomplish this without even adding ornaments. Adding shapes and textures to your cabinet can pop out more than most ornaments.

 

If you must add ornaments, make sure that it fits the overall theme of your kitchen. For example, adding a set of traditional tea cups will look great on the shelf of a rustic kitchen, but will feel out of place in a more modern setting. Also, keep in mind that you should only add ornaments in moderation. Remember, ornaments add to a look – they’re not the centerpiece. While too few ornaments can make your kitchen look bland, too many ornaments will just make it feel messy. This not only makes it difficult to look at but can unknowingly distract you while you are cooking. 

So while ornaments aren’t bad by any means, keep in mind that they should never be the focus of your kitchen. The kitchen cabinet can look great on its own, and adding ornaments that match its overall theme will improve the look, too.

Wrong countertop type to go with your cabinets

A countertop serves as the overall centerpiece of the kitchen, as it serves many purposes. Because of this, many people spend absurd amounts of money on the fanciest countertops to either impress guests. However, this often ruins the look of the kitchen. The reason this happens is that the countertop fails to match the cabinets.

Imagine that the kitchen is one big framed painting. If the countertop is the canvas, then the cabinet serves as the “frame”. Because it wraps around the countertop, the kitchen cabinet must match the canvas, or else it will feel out of place. 

If you want to go the safe route, a simple trick would be to get a countertop that directly contrasts the color of your kitchen cabinets. This is especially true if your kitchen cabinets are black or white in color. The white and black contrast is a classic that never gets old, and it’ll look great without too much effort.

Another option to go for would be to match the colors instead. A white countertop with a white kitchen cabinet looks great. Keep in mind the previous point, however, and don’t go overboard with the matching. Matching the colors of the countertop with the kitchen cabinet works best when you have color contrasts in other places. Should you match your countertop’s color with the cabinet’s, be sure to add contrast elsewhere, preferably in the backsplash. This leads us to our next point:

DIY backsplashes that have nothing to do with your design

backsplash You’ve seen it on Pinterest, Instagram, or even Facebook – DIY kitchen designs that look too good to be true. And while they are definitely doable, you shouldn’t go willy-nilly with the DIY just because you can, especially when it comes to your backsplash. The backsplash can dictate an entire look, so have to be extra careful with it.

Kitchen backsplashes can generally be classified into two different categories: plain and patterned. Plain backsplashes are just that – simple colors that cover the whole kitchen. They’re nothing too special but are great if you want to shift the eye’s focus towards other parts of the kitchen, such as the countertop or kitchen cabinet.

On the other hand, patterned backsplashes can pop out on their own, depending on what design you go for. Some designs, such as a brick backsplash, are a little less fancy, whereas tiled backsplashes can be works of art by themselves.

 

So the next time you see a fancy-looking DIY backsplash idea or video on a social media page, you may want to hold back on trying it out unless you know it’ll work with your current kitchen. DIY projects are definitely fun, though, so try finding a backsplash project that complements the rest of your kitchen if you want to do a solo project in the future.

Combine or not combine laundry room with kitchen, that is the question

Finally, here’s something worth considering – should you combine the laundry room with your kitchen, or have them as separate rooms instead? Well, there are quite a few considerations to make when answering that question, namely budget, space, convenience, and, of course, design.

The first and most important thing to consider is your overall budget. If you really want to separate both rooms, but don’t have the funds to do so, you may as well just find a way to make the laundry room fit well with the kitchen. On the other hand, if you lack the funds to combine both rooms together, at least you can worry about designing the two rooms separately.

Space is another consideration to make. If you have the laundry room combined with the kitchen, you will definitely save yourself a little bit of space. On the other hand, having a dedicated laundry room may take up space that could have been used for something like a pantry. 

Then there’s the overall convenience. Sure, it may be more convenient to have multiple things in one room, but for a lot of people, having a laundry area in the kitchen can be distracting. The smell from the kitchen can carry over to the laundry too, and vice versa. And you’d have to schedule your laundry before or after cooking unless you want to deal with the noise of the washing machine. For home cooks and chefs, they’d probably sacrifice the convenience that comes with combining the rooms for a cleaner and more dedicated kitchen.

Finally, a brief discussion on the overall design. We discussed how certain kitchen cabinet trends can ruin the look of the kitchen, and this can apply to the laundry area, too. Having a laundry area can really break the theme of the kitchen, especially with the unique look of laundry equipment. Sure, you could cover or hide them in cabinets or shelves, but that’d require extra money and effort.

On the other hand, with a dedicated laundry room, you don’t even need to worry about designing it. Most people don’t bother making the laundry room look fancy, and having it out of sight can give you that added creative freedom when designing the kitchen. 

Overall, we’d recommend separating the laundry room from the kitchen, but only if you have the budget and space to do so, of course. You can always work around designing with the laundry equipment, and while it may not look perfect, it can save you quite a bit. If you want to dedicate your kitchen to cooking only, though, it may be worth investing in a separate laundry room.

Conclusion

Kitchen cabinets may seem like nothing more than storage containers to some, but they’re vital in completing the look of your typical home kitchen. The kitchen cabinet has to match the overall theme of the look and should pair well with both the countertop and the backsplash. Adorning the cabinet with too many ornaments can result in incredibly distracting looks. Finally, if you can afford it, try keeping your laundry room and kitchen in separate areas. Now that you know what kitchen trends to avoid, you’ll be able to design the perfect kitchen setup.

Kitchen Storage Tips and Ideas That Can Make a Difference

 

Not all homeowners have the luxury of a large kitchen space. You just have to be creative in organizing and use every available space in your cooking area. There are tricks to avoid clutter and store cooking essentials in an orderly manner.

Get some inspiration from our kitchen storage ideas to make your space functional and less messy.

Pull-Out Pantry

Storage is the one thing that we don’t have enough of in our kitchen. It’s a matter of organizing and being creative in our kitchen storage ideas, or lack thereof. We have the pantry cabinets, which help us avoid clutter to keep the cooking area clean and orderly. 

Consider investing in pull-out pantry shelves to go with your custom cabinets to maximize your storage space. 

A pull-out pantry shelf is a combination of a shelf and drawer with a sliding mechanism that can be pushed back and forth, allowing access to the back and sides. This is made of steel, plastic laminate, or wood and does not need knobs or handles to open or close. Just hold the front of the shelf and pull it towards you until you can reach what you need.

Glass-front Cabinets

You’ll just love glass-front cabinets as one of your small kitchen storage ideas to make your small space look larger and lively. 

Glass-front door cabinets come in many styles and designs from the sleek-looking single panel door to the four-panel door for a vintage feel. Think about frosted glass, clear glass, or textured glass depending on what you want to accomplish.

Display your chic fine china or dishware to make your kitchen appear classy and elegant.

Hang Boards & Plate Rack

plate rack

No kitchen space is small with your kitchen cabinet storage ideas

Discover the endless possibilities with hang boards and plate rack, if you don’t have floor space, use your wall space.

This is very useful to people with limited space. Wall mount racks will allow storage of kitchen equipment, leaving room for things on the floor.

Their different height and depths serve as a kitchen cabinet storage solution to 3, 6, or more pieces of equipment. Use hang boards for your pots, pans, and cutting boards, also your plate rack will keep dishes out of the way. It keeps everything organized, so it’s easy to find them whenever you need them.

Add Shelves in Your Backsplash

Paint your kitchen walls with any color you like, but your backsplashes will add style and functionality to your cooking space.

Want to add more pizazz? Get your wheels turning and ponder about creative kitchen storage using shelves in your backsplash.

Make a statement with your stove space and use tiles that will extend to the ceiling. Then add reclaimed wooden shelves that will work together with the design. Put your ornate wares on display and tuck the less attractive ones in the custom cabinets.

Sometimes a kitchen that is simple says it all. A natural wooden shelf mounted against a white tile backsplash keeps things light yet excites the eyes. Open shelves will keep usable space clear by adding extra storage and spruces up the place.

Include glass shelving in your kitchen storage ideas, tuck it underneath your mounted cabinets. It gives you space to place glassware and since glass is transparent it will give the effect that glassware is floating.

Wine Rack

Whether it’s one bottle or 50, consider a wine rack as one of your small kitchen storage ideas to stock wine easily. Make your space give every appearance of being classy when placed on the countertop, the floor, or mounted against the wall.

If space is an issue, a wine rack is a sensible kitchen cabinet storage solution. Choose a rack model that holds six or 12 bottles and can be placed on a countertop. There are models that do the dual-task as a serving or end table. An iron rack topped off with wood or glass will give a positive statement to guests about the owner’s elegant taste in design. These types of rack store wine, show it, and hold the bottle when uncorked.

Add Floating Shelves

kitchen floating shelves Embrace floating shelves in your kitchen storage ideas. It will trick your eyes into believing that wood is hanging in the air without any support. Floating shelves are a creative kitchen storage way of incorporating into your interior design since it is both striking and functional.

Walls will be less cluttered and overloaded given that floating shelves take less space and make way to truly display your pretty kitchen accessories.

The additional room around the gliding racks will make it more appealing to the eyes and gives the impression of a light atmosphere.

It is beautiful and unique making your wall look distinctive. Floating shelves will catch the attention of guests and will make your interior set-up look chic and classy.

Add a Crockery Unit       

If you have a small cooking space a crockery unit will be a great addition to your small kitchen storage ideas. Combine contemporary and traditional style of furniture with classy wooden shades of walnut, honey, mahogany, teak, and natural finish. The grains of the wood will add charm to the surrounding interior. 

The crockery units vary in design and capacity to fit your requirement.

This piece of furniture has glass doors to store your earthenware in an organized and neat manner.

Great kitchen cabinet storage ideas such as using a crockery unit will protect your earthenware from damage. No falling down or breaking because crockery units are built with specialized compartments for storing different crockery plates, cups, bowls, and glasses.

It is all-in-one furniture that has drawers, closed cabinets, a counter-top, and shelves. Do your kitchen chores on the countertop and the cabinets beneath can be used as a storage space for cutlery and other kitchen accessories.

Best Kitchen Corner Cabinet Ideas

It often happens that a kitchen is the first thing that crosses the mind of a homeowner when purchasing or remodeling a house. It is a room in the house where structure and usefulness must be balanced to provide the best result. Too much attention on one element and the other suffers. And since most of us are not fortunate to have space, storage options are a crucial part of a functional kitchen design. In a limited space where every inch is accounted for, you should know how to use corner space in a kitchen.

When it comes to corner cabinets for the kitchen those with angled front steal the show by adding charm to the cook room. The unique corner cabinets bring contrast to clean, straight lines and functions as a space saver too.

Get some inspiration from these corner kitchen corner cabinet ideas we prepared and you’ll discover that a small space is not a problem.

Corner Drawers

kitchen corner cabinets

Corners are pretty tricky. Some great ways of handling the kitchen corner cabinets dilemma are by way of cornered drawers. Corner drawers are built at 90 degrees, which allows them to perfectly shape at the sharp corner.

Certainly, they look awkward and not very roomy, but they are actually fantastic corner kitchen cabinet ideas that let you use every bit of valuable space beneath your kitchen counter. It matters little whether you pull them out from the left or right. You can use chic knobs to complement the looks, which are part aesthetic and part practical.

Use the Lazy Susan design in the interior, rotate the pies to fetch anything that’s stored in the rack. You don’t have to bend on all fours to get the pot or pan like in your outdated custom cabinets, the cooking utensil you need will slide out conveniently. The corner drawers can be separated into small segments for an excellent organizational tool.

Swinging Pullouts

Why bother to look inside for your utensil when you can swing it out in front of you?

This is one of the corner kitchen cabinet ideas that’s gaining popularity. It is lazier than Lazy Susan, the smooth-rolling shelves swing out from inside corner kitchen cabinets to give you easy access to everything that’s inside. While Lazy Susan keeps things inside and is not properly lit, you’ll have enough light with swinging pull outs to pick out the utensil you need when it comes out in the open. No bending needed, you just pull the door.

Complete your cabinets remodeling by adding a swinging pullout feature. Mount a set of wire shelves in the interior of the cabinet and fasten some to the door. Pots, pans, and other cooking accessories can be easily stockpiled and accessed.

Accordion Cabinet

As far as the cabinets are concerned, the accordion design is one of the best. It is unique, attracts attention, and can be opened in a jiffy.

The doors open like an accordion and are a great storage solution. You can easily gain full access to the contents of the shelves behind the door. When you open the accordion door it will not get in the way of the doors of your other corner cabinets for the kitchen.

Accordion cabinets are pretty trendy corner kitchen cabinet ideas, they can also be used in limited spots in the house like bedroom, bathroom, and storerooms.

Diagonal Kitchen Corner Cabinets

 

When you are undertaking a kitchen makeover  kitchen cabinets you scratch your head and ask yourself – how to use corner space in the kitchen?

it’s best to replace your kitchen corner cabinets with diagonal

cabinets. Although you are losing some storage space, in return, you are benefitting from a solution to the kitchen corner problem. They can be attached to the wall and blend well with the appliances and other custom cabinets.

Diagonal cabinets can be used to bring together the elements of the kitchen nicely and serve as the focal poi

nt of your cooking space.

You can install a Lazy Susan or pull out drawers. Use it to store your fine chinaware and show them off to your guests.

 

Wall Mounted Kitchen Cabinets

Wall cabinets are the top cabinetry that is hovering above the counter space. They can look unique as the kitchen but they are usually built to match the base cabinets for a continuous cabinetry run.

Don’t leave the corners short, you can use corner kitchen wall cabinets to maximize space. Typically wall cabinets are made of paneled doors, a box frame, and a hanging rail. Be creative and use some great corner kitchen cabinet ideas.

Why not replace the door with glass? And match the color of the interior with the shade of your cabinetry. Install a bottom edge molding to cover the exposed portion of the lower edge. Top it off with your fine kitchen wares on the shelf. It will serve as the focal point of your cooking space and great storage too.

While at it consider other corner cabinet ideas by using an accordion-type of cabinet doors. It looks enough to attract attention and is convenient to use.

Curved Cabinets

Interior designers never run out of kitchen corner cabinet ideas, they have the knack to turn something boring into exciting.

Recently, you’ve been thinking of renovating your kitchen, you were not content with the existing cabinetry. you went online for corner cabinet ideas and noticed curves on the designer’s website.

Suddenly, you want to shake up those box type cabinets into curved cabinetry. Everything should be curved, it should be the hero in your culinary space from the kitchen corner wall cabinets to the island.

Advice, do not go overboard with the number of curves. Limit this to one large piece like the kitchen island or your top or base cabinetry. This will give the piece a chance to stand out from the rest and not get lost visually. Light up this with a subtle palette to provide symmetry and cohesion to foster calmness in your space.

Small Bathroom Ideas With Style & Function

The bathroom might be the smallest spot in your house, but we spend a great deal of time every day to maintain hygiene and to prep each morning.
Since it has frequent visitors, you want it to look pleasant and appealing as the other spaces in your house. Decorating a small bathroom poses as a design challenge, it will stimulate your creative juices to come up with unique schemes. Any add-ons to a limited space can become clutter.
Grab some inspiration from these small bathroom ideas to make your tiny washroom look lovely.

Create a Wet Room

The concept of unobstructed interiors has been a focus in a small bathroom remodel. And wet rooms are classic examples of barrier-free interiors. Walls are raised from the floor, no inner walls, no door or shower curbs blocking the way, and a drain at the center of it.

Go beyond the customary designs, get the feel of fine-grained wood without using the real stuff. There are tiles that look like wood and it will add dimension and interest. Or use classic styling with stone-like tiles for a vintage-looking wet room that seems like it fits an older home that got style.

Use a glass panel or shower curtain to avoid any splash in the dry area.

Use Multi-Functional Furniture

functional cabinets

When you update the bathroom use multi-functional furniture to maximize the small space, you have as well as to avoid clutter.

A toilet and a vanity unit combined is a great two-for-one deal. It’s a space saver and a storage space both above and below.

Give up the wall-mounted cabinets repair, knock it down and go for a multi-level storing unit. Use the shelves to display towels, sponges, plants, and other bathroom necessities. Movable tiered storage holds a great deal in limited spaces, and it can hang on walls or doors.

Install toilet cove shelves instead of cabinet refinishing. To achieve a rustic-inspired bathroom, consider using reclaimed planks to display or store items.

Aside from its use as a seat, a stool can be used to show your bathroom items and it won’t take much space.

Be Smart with Cabinets

Bathroom makeover ideas from interior designers suggest that enclosures like wall cabinets eat space and make it look smaller. While it might make some space seem nice, it won’t work in a small bathroom remodel. There is a tendency to hide things in the cabinet that serves as clutter, it attracts germs, and accumulates dust.

Make it Appear Big with Mirrors

The use of mirrors is one of the oldest methods to update the bathroom, it can alter the appearance and tone of the space. If it is on the small side mirrors can make it look big, they reproduce light and generate the illusion of space.

A mirror with a wooden frame will serve as a striking focal point atop a mini vanity.

A large mirror reflects its surroundings, making the bathroom appear twice as big.

Interior designers use mirrors as one of their bathroom makeover ideas.

Trick the Eye with the Tile

Most of us don’t have the luxury of a spacious bathroom some small bathroom ideas with tiles will give you the virtual transformation that you wish. What is important is how you decorate and choose the right tiles. With myriad tiles to choose from decorating a small bathroom with the wrong ones will give you nightmares.

Here are some concepts to guide your selection.  small bathroom ideas

Size Does Not Matter

Either big or small tiles will do as long as the design fits your small bathroom ideas.

Large tiles will have lots of waste from cutting and interrupt the design, the decision is yours to make. Conversely, these will give a calm effect and make the tiny space look large. Jazz up your room with white or grey tiles that are rectangular-shaped.

Avoid mall bathroom tiles with a heavy design these stir up a busy feeling. Go for mosaic tiles with light colors and simple features this will serve as a stunning backdrop around the basin zone. Metro tiles are an ideal option for a small bathroom remodel.

Think About Patterned Tiles

Patterned tiles create a busy feeling, so practice caution when you’re using this style. The floor space is a giveaway. to keep the eyes glued consider some patterned floor tiles in your small bathroom ideas. This is will make the room larger than it is without cramping.

Consider Tiles With Reflective Surfaces

Tiles with glossy, glass, or mirror finish will reflect the light to create a feeling of space.

Tile Floor to Ceiling

Tiling the from floor to ceiling provides a sense of continuity making the small bathroom feel spacious.

Keep it Simple

If you’re having difficulty in figuring out your small bathroom remodel, just keep the design simple.

Taking down those well-placed bathroom cabinets might be costly and tedious than some DIY cabinets repair. Some materials, your time, and the proper tools will do the trick. A bit of cabinet refinishing afterward by stripping, sanding, priming, and then painting. After the grueling task, you’ll be rewarded with a good-conditioned cabinet and nice-looking small space. Importantly, you did it.

The right lighting system and light shades will add freshness. Coat your shelves, cabinets, and some decors with the same light tint for a unified appearance.

For small bathroom ideas select simple furniture and avoid clutter to make it look spacious.

Matching Hardwood Floors to the Kitchen Cabinets

When you start your kitchen remodeling it will be useful for you to have a design scheme that features matching colors. Thus the whole interior design will stand out. The process of matching hardwood floors to the kitchen cabinets is a necessity, as it attracts a lot of attention in a kitchen.
We have collected some useful info for you on matching hardwood floors to the kitchen cabinets. Here’s a quick look at what we will be covering in this article in more detail.

  • Choosing an appropriate color scheme
  • Selecting the right kind of hardwood
  • The importance of the countertop material
  • Don’t forget the accessories

Choose the Color Palette

When choosing colors for kitchen cabinets, you don’t have to play guess. There are color schemes available that allow you to know precisely what shade of which color you will get. They even name shades by number.

The Lighting

matching ahrdwood floors to the kitchen cabinets Lighting is, naturally, mostly affected by the inner lighting and the availability of outdoor daily light. Needless to say, colors look differently on daily electric lights, and there are numerous types of electric light.

However, there is one other trick design experts usually hide when it comes to outdoor daily light. The color of the daily light entering your window is greatly affected by the surfaces just outside of it and their colors. For example, if there is a large wall close to your window, the color of the wall will surely affect the saturation inside of your home. Of course, the color and transparency of the windows themselves play a crucial role. These are all the factors you need to get ahead to really predict how kitchen cabinets and countertops colors will actually look.

Choose Your Hardwood

Why is the surface so important for matching hardwood floors to the kitchen cabinets?
Well, first of all, human beings see colors because the light bounces off the surface. It bounces in numerous different ways and every particular way produces a specific shade of color. So, while the light itself is necessary to make it even possible to see colors, the surface is the primary determinant of the shade.
Some hardwood already comes colored, like bloodwood. It is a name for several trees, unrelated to each other, but known for their red or yellow shade, like the ivory birch (baloghia inophylla) or a  marblewood, marbled baloghia (baloghia marmorata), and many more…

Quality

matching hardwood floors to the kitchen cabinets

Good quality hardwood will both look good and last long. In fact, if done right and properly maintained it can last indefinitely.
A kitchen particularly is a busy part of the house. There’s lots of action, fumes, walking, dropping things, collateral damage, etc… This is actually the primary reason to paint the hardwood in the kitchen, to protect it. It can be costly and very inconvenient to often do cabinet repair or, god forbid, flooring replacement. It can ruin the entire concept.
Looks and aesthetics come second to practicality, at least in this part of the house.
Matching hardwood floors to the kitchen cabinets is a good idea and it can really look good, but things get a lot harder when you also need to factor in performance and practicality. That is the true challenge of any designer, which is why you need to know your wood and also realistically predict the circumstances in your kitchen.

 

The Countertop Material is Important

For all these reasons and more, designers usually recommend more durable materials for the countertop. Now, the beautiful thing is that kitchen cabinets and countertops may or may not have to match in color, but they can supplement each other. They can make the contrast, which can be pretty good if all your other wood surfaces are in matching colors.
Countertop materials usually used range from granite, marble, soapstone, and even porcelain, to the butcher block, laminate, and other similar solid surfaces.

Use Accessories For Matching Hardwood Floors to the Kitchen Cabinets

Backsplash, knobs, cabinet pulls, all these details are very important and also have a high contribution to the overall picture of your kitchen. While it is not always possible, having all knobs and cabinet pulls in your kitchen matched sends a powerful message and looks astonishing.
It may be possible to match the knobs and pulls on your existing kitchenware with a bit of cabinet refinishing and remodeling. However, the backsplash is also important, for in some cases it can really cover a large area.
And, lastly, the color of your appliances, the stove, the fridge, and others can give that final touch to finish the whole picture, or in some bad cases it can give off that feeling of unfinished business. So, plan accordingly towards your possibilities and try to predict as many factors as you can for matching hardwood floors to the kitchen cabinets.