Two-Toned Cabinets: Pros and Cons

Remodeling a kitchen is daunting, you have to consider the layout, appliances, accessories, and the color of the kitchen cabinets.

So, are two-toned kitchen cabinets still in style?

There are multiple cabinet design ideas and trends, but what we know for sure is that two-toned cabinets are timeless and always in style. Much the same as subway tiles, modern style lighting, and metal installations, two-toned kitchens are the craze these days. It’ll energize your kitchen and allow you to mix different materials to create the drama that you want for your space.

What are Two-toned Kitchen Cabinets?

Interior designers portray two-tone cupboards as any cabinetry that occupies kitchen space that fuses two unique colors. It comes in many forms, it can refer to the color of an island different from the cabinets. Or cabinets with both halves having distinct shades.

The whims of homeowners vary, some would go for a cabinet refinishing with mixed colors and others prefer two colors to fashion the kitchen of their dreams.

However, not all two-tone kitchens work out fine. A well-designed kitchen can transform it into a beautiful space, while you don’t want to step into the room in a half-baked style.

Let us walk you through some of the benefits and drawbacks of a two-toned kitchen.

two-toned kitchen Benefits of Two-tone Kitchen Cabinets

Two-tone kitchen cabinet trends have been popular for quite a while and for wonderful reasons. People have been hopelessly attracted to the several benefits that this design offers, let us look at some of them.

Fits any Style of House

Whether your house is the traditional or contemporary style, the two-toned cabinets will easily adapt to your kitchen area.

If it is fixed properly, a two-tone kitchen will totally change your space. It is an excellent opportunity for bringing together various styles and ideas, and a great for including a pinch of personality to every nook and cranny. It is the best time to combine separate spaces into an extensive greeting area.

A splash of color will work fine with contemporary kitchens, while old-fashioned kitchens fit all kinds of wood. Some kitchens have succeeded in combining the old and new styles into something remarkable that really works. Two-tone kitchens are trendy, when you get it right, it will perk up the busiest part of the house.

Enhance Aesthetic Allure

What is simple will look chic with two-toned cabinets. It is a brilliant way to ground a kitchen from the base up to the top cabinets and make a drab space look interesting. And it goes beyond paint colors by adding various materials in your cabinet. Consider mixing aluminum and glass doors with wood, or replace door handles with modern design.

Two-tone kitchen cabinets take many forms, pretty popular among homeowners is to have a different color from top cabinets with the bottom ones. Most people go for a darker color at the base for better effect or go differently with a darker tone on top cabinets for a pleasant impression.

A Small Kitchen Looks Larger

While at it in your cabinet repair consider a two-tone color, contrasting shades will give the illusion of a bigger space. Lighter color on top cabinets and darker cabinets beneath will draw the eye to the more radiant shade, giving the impression of a spacious kitchen than it actually is. A lighter shade on the top cupboard will make your kitchen look brighter because of the reflection of sunlight coming from the windows.

Increase Resale Value

Since two-toned cabinets are a craze right now, this feature in your house is an excellent opportunity to draw potential buyers. If you’re considering selling your house, a two-tone cabinet is a great boost to savvy buyers who are in the market for a ready to move-in house.

Disadvantages of Two-tone Kitchen Cabinets two-toned kitchen with cabinets

Application of a two-tone color in your kitchen is about stating your personality and design tastes throughout the entire space, combining two unique features to provide a pleasant appearance.

Sadly, most homeowners confine their kitchen design in a tiny area, typically on cabinet doors, often the desired results are not achieved. It creates a very cranky look and takes a lot on the eye to focus in a small area.

For a two-tone kitchen to function properly the chosen colors should work well and the styles blend. Light or bright colors should be combined with dark stains and should merge with anything installed in the kitchen to improve its look.

Conclusion

Well-designed two-toned cabinets will elevate your kitchen design to the top. Keep the design simple and do not overdo it by combining shades and styles in a small area.

Refinishing Your Bathroom Vanity Cabinets

Are you wondering how to refinish your bathroom vanity cabinets? Refinishing can be a good way to spruce up the bathroom and ensure that your home looks fresh and well-finished, even if the cabinets aren’t brand new. You can do this yourself if you have the DIY knowledge. So how should you go about refinishing bathroom cabinets?

Our guide gives you the steps needed to get to a perfect finish.

Step #1 – Remove All the Drawers, Doors and Handles or Knobs From Vanity

Before you can refinish the bathroom cabinets, you need to remove all the doors, knobs, and handles. You will be working with the individual parts of the cabinet, sanding and refinishing them, which you can’t do with all of this hardware in place. You might even replace the hardware at the end.

Step #2 – Remove All Varnish to Feel the Surface is Smooth to Touch

Sand your doors down to make sure all traces of the previous sheen are gone. Sanding off any varnish ensures that the painting bathroom cabinets will adhere better to the wood. Ideally, you want to use a sponge sanding block with two different grits; medium on one side and fine on the other. The medium grit is used first, and the finer grit adds the final smooth finish. Be sure to wipe or vacuum away any sanding residue, to make sure it does not get stuck under the paint.

Check, and double-check, that the whole surface is now smooth to the touch before you move forward.

refinishing bathroom vanity cabinets Step #3 – Apply the First Coat of Paint

As soon as all varnish is removed and the surface feels smooth to touch, you can apply the first coat of paint. Use painter’s tape to protect any surfaces that you do not want color on. There is no need to use primer, but you can if you like. Consider painting bathroom cabinets either from the interior or exterior surfaces. Paint the exterior doors first, and then you can prop the cabinet against a pedestal to allow it to dry. Replace them back in the cabinet and paint the interior. It is very important to do before refinishing bathroom vanity cabinets.

Step #4: Apply a Second Coat of Paint

Re-sand all the surfaces again to remove and bumps that may appear from painting. Use the fine grit side of the sanding sponge. You can then apply a second coat of paint, ideally a semi-gloss latex paint in the color of your choice. Be sure to do the exterior and interior surfaces. Often once the paint dries, the fresh new look of the bathroom cabinets draws your eye to the old hardware. This now looks out of place against the sleek new finish. Flat paints hide uneven surfaces better, so if you are using high gloss paint, you may want to spend a little extra time sanding. The gloss is infamous for pointing out every small bump.

Step #5 – Let It Dry

It sounds like the easiest thing in the world, but you would be amazed at how many people are impatient and do not do this properly. It is vital that you take your time and let the paint dry properly, even if it is as boring as…well, watching paint dry.

If you don’t do this, you risk smudging and ruining the finish when it is time for the next steps, and this can be immensely frustrating. You might even have to go back a few steps in extreme circumstances.

On top of this, you can get the paint everywhere, in places you simply don’t want it.

Step #6 – Install New Hardware

This means a little bit of knowledge is required and you need to find handles that fit. You may even go back to the original manufacturer or find the product name in order to get the ideal hardware.

Make sure that the new handle pulls you get to require the same holes as the original ones. If you end up with hardware lacking two holes for attachment but only have one hole, then you will need to start drilling. This can be tricky because you need to make sure to line the second hole up precisely. If you put a hole in the wrong place, you have to patch it up, re-sand and re-paint. So take your time and get the hole placement right the first time around rather than risk having to redo the job.

Conclusion

As DIY tasks go, refinishing your bathroom vanity cabinets isn’t the most difficult, but it does require a degree of accuracy and plenty of patience. Making a mistake can lead to having to start again or to cabinet repair.
Follow our steps for a hassle-free refinish and you can ensure that you enjoy a modern looking bathroom without the expense of new cabinets.

How To Redo Bathroom Cabinets For Cheap

Paint the Vanity in the Bathroom

Do not throw out a sturdy vanity when it all needs is a little bit of updating. Painting the vanity can give it a new look, and it is easy to do.

How to Paint the Bathroom Vanity

These instructions can help you if you are refinishing an existing vanity. You will have to take off the doors and other hardware so it would be a good time to update the knobs and pulls as well. If you are looking to do a complete makeover, you can also replace the sink, faucets, and backsplash.

Redo Bathroom Cabinets For Cheap

Prep the Vanity

  • Step 1
    Remove the cabinets, doors, drawers, and any other hardware that is on the unit. If you are looking to replace the top of it and the sink, so now it should be a good time to take them out as well.
    Take off the drawer fronts as well if possible.
  • Step 2
    Use a trisodium phosphate and a sponge to wash the vanity. If there is a residue left behind from rubber cabinet bumpers use mineral spirits to remove it. After this wash this area with the TSP.
  • Step 3
    If the wood surface is covered with a bright finish use sandpaper with 220 grit to remove the gloss. Check the inside corners to remove any molding.
  • Step 4
    Remove any paint that is damaged if the surface of the vanity has been painted before. Using sandpaper feather the edges and put a latex primer on any bare spots.
  • Step 5
    A heat gun can be used to remove a film of glue if the surface is covered with melamine or thermofoil. Once the film is removed use mineral spirits to wipe any residue off.
    If the film is bonded to the vanity, use the 220 grit sandpaper to sand the surface until it is dull.
  • Step 6
    Vacuum any sanding dust off the surface and wipe it down with a clean and damp rag.
  • Step 7
    Use painter’s tape to make off the undersides of the top, the walls, the floor, and the inside part of the cabinet frame.

Priming the Surface to Paint

  • Step 1
    A separate primer should be used on the surface of the vanity.
    When working with bare wood that has been sanding apply primer and then sand it smooth.
    If there are dings or damages to the surface use putty to patch them up, sand them, then apply the primer
  • Step 2
    If the surface is thermofoil or melamine adds a shellac-based primer.
    Two coats may be needed.
  • Step 3
    After applying the first coat of the primer at the area, wipe it clean.
    A second coat of primer may be needed. After applying this coating allow it to dry overnight.

Painting the Vanity

  • Step 1
    Brush on a coat of paint and allow it to dry.
    Once this coat is dry, an additional layer or two may be needed.
    Remove the painter’s tape, apply the third coat of paint, and allow it to dry overnight. Once the vanity is dry, it can be reassembled.
  • Step 2
    Drill the holes needed for the doors or the drawers and the new hardware.
    Screw in the drawers and the door handles.
  • Step 3
    Add the door hinges and the door to the frame of the cabinet.
    When using two facing doors adjust the position on the hinges until they are even.
  • Step 4
    Reattach the drawer fronts, making sure they are easy to open.
  • Step 5
    A fresh coat of paint will give the vanity a new look and costs less than replacing it.

Remodeling With Shaker Cabinets

If you are looking to remodel your kitchen, one of the biggest decisions that you will come across will be what type of cabinetry you are going to opt for. There is a mountain of choice out there, from old school timeless designs to new age, high tech options.

Kitchen cabinets are one of the most important features in our kitchen. They hide away all of our clutter and act as one of the main functional pieces of our kitchen, while at the same time they quite often become the main focal point of the room.

It is essential to strike the correct balance between fashion and functionality by equipping your kitchen with some cabinetry that does it all.

In this article, we will take a deeper dive into shaker cabinets. We will cover what exactly shaker style cabinets are and some different styles for you to consider for your new kitchen remodeling. So without further ado, let’s get into it.

 

shaker style cabinets What are Shaker Style Cabinets?

Shaker style cabinets are one of the most popular styles of kitchen units around. They are smart, simple, and stylish and will typically fit in with most kitchen designs, whether it’s a classical style or a modern look.

They are usually designed with a five-piece door that features a recessed panel in the center. This is what gives them a clean and simple look. However, as time has gone on, there have been many alterations to the traditional shaker style cabinets, and now you can find some variations that offer decorative flairs and features.

Time for a quick history lesson. Shaker cabinets go right back to the 18th century when the Shaker religious group migrated to the American colonies. They brought with them their highly skilled craftsmanship and carpentry, which included the shaker style cabinet design that you see today.

The hallmarks of Shaker craftsmanship were clean, plain, functional, and durable; all of these traits can still be seen in the cabinets that are on offer today.

Styles of Shaker Cabinets

Shaker style cabinets are simple in their design yet practical and functional. They lend themselves to almost any design in the kitchen space.

They are incredibly flexible aesthetically, meaning that they will fit in with almost any kitchen concept, contemporary or traditional.

While all of these cabinets look similar, there are a few variations that you can add to customize them and make them your own.

You can opt for a shaker cabinet that has its hinge barrels exposed. This gives an extra feature to add some color to. The current trend is to opt for bronze metal hinges on darker wooden cabinet frames. This allows the color of the bronze to pop with the contrast against the darker cabinet frame.

If you prefer to have a cleaner and more minimal design, then you can opt to have the hinge barrels concealed.

One other area of customization you can get creative with is the shape, size, and material of the cabinet pulls and handles that you can find on the cabinets. If you are more traditional, then you can opt for the wooden style. If you have a more contemporary kitchen, then something like brass would give off a clean, modern look.

Other than that, the most significant variable that you have to consider is the width of the four-piece frame, which is usually anywhere from 2.5 inches to 5 inches. This all depends on your available space and the type of storage you wish to use it for.

If for whatever reason, you decide that you are not happy with your cabinet design later down the line, then you can always look for a service like cabinet refacing in Las Vegas to get a totally new design on your cabinets.

This essentially replaces the cabinet skins and allows you to change the design and color of the hinges as well as the cabinets themselves.

Comparing Shaker to Arts and Crafts Style Comparing Shaker to Arts and Crafts Style

If you are looking for an alternative that is similar to shaker cabinets, then you should consider looking into mission style (arts and craft) cabinets. Mission furniture came along a little later (19th century) than shaker cabinets, and when they did, they took over the whole scene.

Mission furniture is typically made from oak and offers a more formal style than the shaker cabinets. Usually, you can see the grains present in the wood coupled with exposed joinery and give off a more rustic feel that may not be suitable for more contemporary homes.

Both shaker and mission styles are high quality builds and offer durable yet functional designs. It’s highly unlikely you will have to do a great deal of cabinet repair once you have these installed into your home.

All in all, these versatile cabinets would look great in just about any kitchen, regardless of the design.

Best Kitchen Trends 2020

Now that we have finally entered into a new decade, what better time to revamp your kitchen with some of the best new kitchen trends for 2020?

Long gone are the days where the kitchen was a cold dark room hidden at the back of the house where the only thing that went on there was cooking and dish cleaning.

The kitchen has now become the focal point of our homes and provides a place where families can gather together and talk over breakfast in the morning or during the preparation of your evening meals.

With plenty of new and innovative designs to choose from, it can often be overwhelming when deciding on what route to take with your new kitchen overhaul. In this article, we will look at some of the best kitchen trends of the moment that you can implement into your home to give it that touch up that it deserves.

Colorful Kitchen Tiles Colorful Kitchen Tiles

Who doesn’t love a bit of color? Inject a bit of life into your kitchen with some colorful kitchen tiles that can genuinely make it stand out as a focal point in your home.

Whether you want to add some stylish backsplash designs with some colorful tiles or to spruce up your flooring, you can choose from a wide range of colors that have come back around this year.

Over the past few years, the all-white kitchen has been all the rage. While this will most likely never go out of fashion due to it’s clean and clinical look, the time to add a splash of color seems to have arrived.

Why not opt for some calming blue tones to give your kitchen a more relaxed feel? Or how about some beautiful rustic colors to give your home that farm-house feel.

Whatever you decide, make sure that the scheme will last for at least 4-5 years. Choose a color that will keep you feeling good for the long term – that means avoiding anything too extreme and shocking.

Unexpected Color Mixes

To keep in the theme of colors – now is the time to get creative with the latest kitchen trends. You have so many potential canvases to use for your color arrangements; the kitchen floor, backsplash designs, custom cabinets, and even your appliances.

Feel free to take the shackles off and have an experiment with your kitchen cabinet color scheme. Color choice is something deeply personal to all of us, so take your time with it and don’t feel constrained to the regular color schemes, get adventurous! Buying new expensive cabinets is not necessary, consider cabinet refacing.

two islands Two Islands

The kitchen island has been a popular trend for many years now. It has become a status symbol for stylish homeowners while adding an extra functional aspect to the kitchen. But now its 2020, the time for bigger and better has arrived – and what’s better than one island? Two islands!

If you are lucky enough to have a larger home and space isn’t an issue, then you should surely consider inserting a double island into your kitchen design.

It can be extremely useful in terms of functionality, one island for the preparation, and one island for cooking/serving of the food. This is especially helpful in busier kitchens where there may be more than one meal being prepared at any given time.

You can opt for two symmetrical islands next to each other, one larger and one smaller, or you can even get creative and mix up the materials and color scheme on each. The possibilities are endless.

Matching Countertops and Backsplash

One of the most asked questions when it comes to kitchen design is if the countertops and backsplash designs should be made out of the same material?

The answer for 2020 is, yes! Having a sense of uniformity in your kitchen looks fantastic, and if you choose from the right materials, it can really make your kitchen ooze with class.

Whether you want to go for a subtle quartz finish, a granite style, or even a marble look, your kitchen will look truly stunning if you can pull off a stylish matching countertop and backsplash.

Open Cabinetry

Okay, this one may seem a little far fetched at first, but hear us out. There has been a rising trend of having open cabinetry, and it appears that 2020 is the year it is really catching on.

It may seem crazy to want to have all of your clutter on display for all of your guests to see; however, if it is done right, it can look incredibly stylish and daring.

It is best coupled with a minimalistic design; otherwise, the clitter would become overwhelming and would dampen any of the aesthetics that open cabinetry would bring in the first place.

If the thought of having totally exposed cabinetry is little too much for you, then maybe you could consider experimenting by having just one section of your kitchen. That way, you can still hide away all your kitchen clutter while still getting that chic minimalistic look.

How to Remove Mold from Wood Cabinets

Mold spores are actually really common, but they really thrive in certain situations and rooms in the house. The kitchen and bathroom are two of these rooms, and mold in kitchen cabinets can be a big challenge. It doesn’t have to be terminal to your wood cabinets though. Mold in cabinets can be cleaned and removed, so it isn’t necessarily time to give up and get new cabinets!

Types of Mold You Can Find in Your Cabinets

Some of the molds that can be found in cabinets can even originate on the food that is kept within, but much of it is standard household mold varieties. There are around 10-12 types of mold that your home is likely to fall foul of.

If you want to know how to remove mold from wood cabinets might help you to work out what kinds of mold are growing.

Categories of Household Mold

Allergenic: These are the types of mold that cause allergic reactions or respiratory problems.

Pathogenic: Pathogenic mold can be a big issue for people already suffering from any kind of illness.

Toxigenic: This is also sometimes called toxic mold, and needs to be taken seriously. These molds produce substances that are actually toxic to humans and can be extremely dangerous.

What Causes Mold in Kitchen Cabinets?

wood cabinets

The spores that cause mold are very common, but they need certain conditions if they are going to thrive. Commonly, mold in cabinets is because the conditions in the kitchen are perfect for mold to grow and expand. In the kitchen, this can be far worse than other rooms.

One of the main causes is moisture, and this can come in the form of moisture in the air. If you are cooking without using the extractor fan this can be a huge problem. There’s a lot of moisture that can get into the air and humidity that can cause mold.

Other forms of moisture can cause mold, for instance, if you have any leaking from pipes, even if it is tiny. Under-sink areas can be very commonly impacted by mold and cause a lot of trouble due to the moisture.

Other molds in kitchen cabinets can come from old food being left out, poor cleaning and more. If you put plates and dishes away without having them properly dried, the moisture in these can contribute to mold, which can use it to spread. If food is left for too long in the cabinets you can also experience mold that starts on these and then spreads to your cabinets. This is less common, but it is possible, so make sure you clean out the out of date food!

How to Remove Mold from Wood Cabinets?

So now that we understand more about how the mold originates, well focus on how to remove mold from wood cabinets. This means how to clean mold from wood or may even mean having to reface the cabinets or get them repaired rather than remove mold from wood cabinets. It depends on how bad the mold in the cabinets has become.

Remember that mold is not just something that doesn’t look very nice, it can be a genuine danger to you and those spending time in your kitchen.

wooden kitchen cabinets

While a bit of mold isn’t enough to justify calling in emergency services, it should definitely be high on your to-do list to clean the mold in kitchen cabinets, especially as food prep takes place in the kitchen.

Removing mold can be done with a deep clean if you reach it quickly enough. Bleach and specific mold removers can be used.remove mold from wood cabinets So how to get rid of mold using these products?

Fill up a bottle with a specific mold remover and cleaner. Spray all over where the mold is and use a brush rather than a cloth to clean the mold. You need to really scrub here, a little once-over isn’t going to be enough. A toothbrush might even be needed to get into the hard-to-reach areas.

Once you’ve done this, spray with a bleach solution all over to make sure fungus and bacteria, as well as mold in kitchen cabinets, is killed off. You need to prevent moisture though, so make sure you wipe this down afterward.

There are plenty of methods to remove mold, you don’t have to panic if there is just a small amount, but if things get out of hand it might be time to get some cabinet replacements during kitchen remodeling and make sure you avoid the same moisture issues getting to these new ones. It’s not worth taking any risks.

5 Must-Know Tips Before Starting Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchen remodeling is a big deal, and not something to just do on a whim. If you don’t think it through in some detail then you can easily find that you make some serious errors and don’t end up with a design you are happy with.

Once you have asked “should I remodel my kitchen?” and established that the answer is yes, there are a lot of things to consider when designing a kitchen. It’s worth talking to the professionals and getting the job done properly and correctly, but there are certain kitchen remodeling tips you can be aware of before going into the remodel. This will mean you are more prepared and equipped for the remodel you have ahead of you. Crucially, it means you won’t make mistakes in your kitchen remodeling design!

Kitchen Remodeling Tips 2 Design

Obviously, this is a real chance to imprint your personality upon your kitchen. You can make decisions based on what you prefer and the design features and functions you are looking for. Do you want a modern or rustic feel? Working with a professional can allow you to learn about the different types of remodeling designs available and whether a new and modern look is on the cards or whether you might want something more classic.

Your kitchen is a room where a lot gets done, and you need the design to work functionally, too. Things should be easy to reach and grab while cooking and cleaning.

Materials

As already mentioned, your kitchen sees a lot of use and a wide variety of different activities take place there, you need the right materials for this. A lot of industrial kitchens use steel and very strong materials which are also simple to clean.

If you are looking to get professional cabinet remodeling or cabinet repair then think about the types of surface materials you want. Is a strong wood suitable for your cooking and cleaning needs?

Kitchen Remodel Storage

We would all love unlimited storage and drawers and cabinets that magically create extra room for us, but the truth is that we need to be efficient with the space we do have to make the best of the kitchen we are remodeling.

One of the best kitchen remodeling tips is to think carefully about the space you have and the space you can have. Don’t have unrealistic expectations, but think about how a kitchen company can help you make the most of every inch of your home.

There are many different styles of drawer and cabinet that can be used to create more space and provide layers that can add to your storage. You may be wasting spaces in your home, so think about efficiency and how you can maximize space. You might even consider getting rid of some appliances.

Budget

When you are doing your sums, make sure you are on the side of caution. Don’t assume you will be able to cut corners when it comes to the price as this is rarely the way. Also, if something goes wrong, you need to have accounted for this financially.

When you create your budget, add 20% as a cushion for extra costs in case you need other services or need to buy something for the kitchen. If you don’t end up spending it then this is a bonus, but be prepared that you might have to part with some cash you hadn’t originally accounted for.

One of the top kitchen remodeling tips we can offer you is still to look for the best possible value, but this doesn’t always mean going for the cheapest. It is better to pay a little more for something that is going to last longer and to have a backup fund in case things end up more costly than you’d imagined.

Pastel Colors Palette Colors

There are lots of colors to think about in a kitchen. When you buy your fridge or cooker it will have color already, and of course, you will need to decorate. Tiles, cabinets, and more all add chances for expression with colors to be added. A coherent color scheme is always a good idea and stops your kitchen from looking messy.

Bright, pastel colors are a good way to create a nice vibe in your kitchen. They look natural rather than looking clinical like a hospital! They also are relatively simple to look clean and can work in either modern or more classic designs. When you are choosing a color scheme, make sure that you look towards pastels, at least for most of your colors.

Tips for a Kid-friendly Kitchen

Your kitchen is probably one of the central hubs of your home, and you don’t want to have to stop your kids from going in there. It is also an area of the house that can become hazardous if you don’t put the right precautions in place. In this article, we’re looking at how you can make a kid-friendly kitchen when in the process of cabinet installs or by retrofitting child proof kitchen drawers and baby-proof cabinets to make sure you don’t have to worry about your kids getting into anything they shouldn’t.

Kid-Friendly kitchen What to Put In Upper Cabinets For Kids Safety

You should always put certain things in the upper cabinets. Even if you have installed child proof kitchen cabinets with cabinet locks, they’re not always 100% and your child might work out how to get around the lock. Curiosity might get the better of them. This is rare, but to be on the safe side you should put anything toxic or potentially harmful in an area kids cannot reach.

Bleach and cleaning products such as dishwasher tablets should be a top priority to put in a place kids would never be able to reach. No kid-friendly kitchen should have anything that a child could accidentally ingest within reach. Also, cutlery such as knives and anything sharp that could do child damage should be well out of reach.

Avoid Sharp Edges and Corners on Furniture

If you are looking to create an environment where your kids can walk around and you don’t have to worry about them banging their heads, try to make child-proof kitchen drawers, tables and cabinets with edges that won’t hurt too much if a child does bang their head.

Sharp edges are not something to mess around with. When you are getting cabinets installed, you can potentially even buy a certain design to ensure that the corners are not sharp for kids.

Use Skid-Proof Materials For Floors

You don’t want a kitchen that is like an ice rink for your kids. Adults tend to have developed better balance and awareness, so even a surface we wouldn’t slip on could be a hazard for little ones. Try to make sure that your surface isn’t one that can be a slip hazard. You may also want to consider putting a rug down to stop children from slipping around. You can also think about your child’s footwear and give them some slippers to wear in the house, but it is best to actually treat the surface of the floor first and foremost.

Unplug Electronic Devices Not In Use

This is a simple one, but it is easily forgotten. Kids can be very curious and if there’s something plugged in, they might want to experiment with it. Your toaster or microwave might become their new favorite plaything when you’re not looking. This is not something you should take any chances with. All electronics can cause some level of hazard, so unplug them for the best safety possible.

Child-proof kitchen

Repair Loose Cabinet Doors

Over time, cabinets can come loose or get damaged. This can cause a hazard for kids, and even make it easier for them to damage things. For the best baby-proof cabinets, you should get a cabinet repair company to ensure all of your cabinets are in the best condition they can be. Having child proof kitchen cabinets only works if the cabinets themselves are not broken.

Cabinet Safety For Kids

Cabinets might be an area that needs extra consideration. Cabinet safety is essential. Even if you move the items that are very dangerous out of your cabinets, you can still end up with issues. Kids will love making a mess or breaking things in your cabinets given half a chance.

Cabinet locks are a good way to keep kids out. These are something adults can bypass but most kids struggle with, so they add an extra layer of safety. There are multiple designs of catches and locks to stop kids getting in.

Also, think about the materials the cabinets are made out of. Kids’ curiosity means they might get up close to them and get any lacquer or inorganic materials on their hands, which they may then ingest.

Make Rules

Communication really is key in the world of parenting. As your kids get old enough to understand safety, make sure you set up rules. There should be clear boundaries as to what they can and can’t do in the kitchen.

Explain the areas that can be a hazard and make sure children know to stay away from the stove, not to play with anything in the kitchen and to avoid all of the hazards in a kitchen. Children should understand why these things are hazards, not just be told to stay away from them. Otherwise, they will still be curious.

Best Color Combinations for Small Kitchen

Even in these modern times, the kitchen remains to be the heart of an American home. It is where we prepare our meals, and therefore, it should be kept neat and spacious. However, because of congestion in most urban cities, the amount of space for each home, including the kitchen, becomes significantly smaller.

An ideal kitchen would still look large and spacious enough to work on regardless of space. Luckily, there are basic design rules we could live by. Are you a do-it-yourself homeowner who wants to be hands-on with how your home would look? You could use the following cabinet color combinations for small kitchens so it can appear bigger.

best kitchen color combinations Color Combination Ideas for Small Kitchens

Basically, the rule of thumb is to go with light colors. To make the room appear bigger, light tones are the best colors for a small kitchen. The lightness of your walls, counters, cabinets, ceilings, and floors create the illusion that the kitchen is bright and spacious. If you feel like you have limited choices, below are the different categories of kitchen color ideas for small kitchens:

  • White and off-white colorsYou can never go wrong with white. It is a clear color that can go well with many different home themes and design inspirations. White is very classic and elegant. The best thing about white is that among all other colors, it reflects the most amount of light. The walls can seem like they are receding with this color. White can make your kitchen appear bright, clean, and spacious. One of its advantages is that there is no better way to spot grease and other dirt in your kitchen easily. If white feels too crisp, you can also use off-white for a more relaxed look.
  • Monochromatic scheme
    If you want a touch of boldness and a well-defined kitchen look, you may go for monochromatic colors. These are best for sleek and stylish modern or industrial style finishes. Here, you can still use dark or black cabinet colors for small kitchens. A touch of white is still recommended, but you can also use different shades of gray. The high contrast between black and white is strong on the eye, and it can also minimize visual clutter. White and black are not the only neutral colors you can use. Shades of brown may not be monochromatic, but a neutral scheme is also good kitchen color ideas for small kitchens.
  • Colors with low contrast
    To create low contrast, we go by the rule of sticking to light colors. The easiest combination would be white plus any pastel colors. This would be the perfect opportunity to put in your favorite pastel colors that give you the feeling of home. It can be the cool waves of the ocean in light blue or the warm colors of light yellow or pastel orange. Low contrast colors will give a sense of continuity in your space. You would not need to have a hard time choosing the cabinet colors for small kitchens. You can choose a slightly lighter or darker tone from your wall color. It can also apply to your shelves, backsplash, counters, and more.
  • Bright, glossy paint
    Another way to use bold colors is by using bright and glossy finishes in your kitchen. A vibrant red, blue, or any primary and secondary color can still make your kitchen look spacious if you use glossy paint. It creates a high amount of luster that reflects light and enlarges your space. Aside from shiny paint, you can also use metal appliances to add to the luster and light of the room. Along with the right lighting, the glossy cabinets and counters can make a very stylish kitchen.

best color combination for small kitchens Best Color Combinations for Small Kitchens

Picking all the light colors you like can turn out to a color palette disaster. Some colors work well, while some bright or bold colors do not go well with others. The right color combination is essential, especially if you are going for a particular look. There are ways to mix and match the colors mentioned above. Below are some examples if you are having a hard time choosing a color combination:

  • White and natural wood tones
  • White, off-white, and soft blue tones
  • White, mint-green, and aqua tones
  • White, black, and yellow tones
  • White, black, and any color tones
  • Shades of gray tones
  • Blue, brown, and copper tones
  • Turquoise, yellow, and chartreuse tones
  • Spice-colored tones
  • Natural green, cream, and wooden tones

Redesign Your Small Kitchen

In summary, lighter colors, as well as natural shades, provide a warmer and spacious vibe to your kitchen. With this information, choosing the best colors for small kitchen is now made easier.

Still, redesigning your entire kitchen, from your walls and tiles to your cupboards and cabinets, can be a huge work. With the help of makeover and cabinet makers Las Vegas can offer, you can have the colors and combinations perfect for your kitchen and cabinet refacing.

Protecting Cabinets from Wood-Eating Bugs

More than just a storage space, cabinets can also function as an accent to add color and style to any room. And because they are functional and contribute to your home’s aesthetics, you make sure that it is properly maintained. You want to keep them looking immaculate and polished, just like when they were newly installed.

Aside from regular cleaning and sometimes even polishing, you should also check for the presence of any wood-eating bugs. It is an essential part of cabinet maintenance since insects that eat wood can destroy your cabinets. Find out what these harmful insects are, how to recognize and prevent infestation, and how to treat damaged cabinets.

Recognizing the Signs of Infestation

Small but terrible, wood-eating insects can destroy your cabinet and even reduce it to dust! They chew up the wood from inside out and weaken the structure of wooden cabinets. Over time, the structural strength of the cabinet will fail, and the cabinet may break down.

Termites

Checking for signs of infestation will allow you to catch the onset of invasion and stop it from spreading and causing considerable damage. The following signs indicate the presence of insects that eat wood:

  • Exit holes in woods – These are tiny holes with a diameter of 1-2mm for the smaller beetles and 3-7mm for the larger beetles.
  • Frass or bore dust – This is a fine, powdery substance composed mainly of feces and some wood fiber usually found below or on the infested wood.
  • Tunnels in infested wood – These tunnels are marks left by beetle larva as they bore through the wood. The tunnels can measure up to 7.5 mm in diameter.
  • The wood crumbles – It first appears around the edge and corners of the affected wood. The hollowing causes the crumbling of the wood due to the tunnels made by wood borers.
  • Weak and damaged wood – The cabinet floor, panels, and door may begin to weaken and give way, especially when pressure is applied.
  • Mud tubes on or around the cabinet – These are tunnels the size of a regular pencil made from soil and wood particles created by termites.
  • Termite galleries – these are the hollow spaces that typically run parallel to the wood grains.
  • The sound of scraping wood – Sometimes, when they are active, you can hear the beetle larva inside their tunnels as they scrape the wood.
  • The presence of insects and insect eggs – The most apparent indication would be the presence of insects, whether dead or alive and insect eggs. Laid in clusters, the eggs are usually white or greyish depending on the type of insect. They are small, from 0.35mm-2mm long, and are typically found in crevices, joints, cracks, and exposed ends of the wood.

Types of Wood-Eating Bugs

Different kinds of wood eating bugs target different types of wood. Some insects like hardwoods, while others prefer pine; some insects don’t really eat the wood, while others actually do. But they all do damage just the same. Here are some common insects that eat wood:

wood-eating bugs

  1. Termites
    What are they – These are winged insects that create tunnels and eat wood. Two common types of termites that infest the wood are the drywood termite and the subterranean termite. The drywood termites infest from above the ground, usually dry area. Subterranean termites thrive on areas where moisture or humidity is present. They are common in places with warm or tropical climates. Signs of their presence – Mud tubes, termite galleries, and tunnels.
  2. Wood-Boring Beetles
    What are they – Ranging from tiny (1/8 inch) to large (2 inches) in size, wood-boring beetles can be flat or round-headed with an antenna. Common types of wood-boring beetles include bark beetles, wood wasps, or long-horned beetles. Signs of their presence – Exit holes, bore dust, and tunnels.
  3. Carpenter Ants
    What are they – Large ants that can be red, black, or yellow depending on the species. They may or may not have wings. They burrow and nest in softwood materials, like insulation board and rotting woods. Signs of their presence – Wood shavings around the area where they nest.
  4. Horntails
    What are they – Large insect that resembles a wasp and has a long but rather harmless stinger. They usually target softwoods such as pine, spruce, or cedar. Signs of their presence – Large exit holes, around half an inch in size.
  5. Carpenter moths
    What are they – These are highly-destructive pale and hairless wood-boring larva that lives up to three years. An adult carpenter moth has a thick body and mottled gray or brown wings, spanning about 2 inches. Signs of their presence – Exit holes and tunnels.

Infestation Treatment and Prevention

In worst cases, infestation treatment is best left to the professional pest control companies. But if caught early on, the infestation can be stopped and kept under control using the following methods:

  • Use a commercial insecticide to kill bugs and larva. Spray or apply the product twice for the best results. Be sure to allow the first application to dry completely before putting the second application.
  • You may use boric acid (borax) or diatomaceous earth to kill ants, termites, and beetles. You can apply the said powders directly to the cracks and crevices with the use of a powder duster.
  • You can also sprinkle or inject poisoned bait. It works by attracting foraging insects, which will spread the poison back into their colony.

Of course, prevention is always better than cure. Keeping the area inside and around the cabinet clean and dry will help keep insects and bugs away. Spraying a liquid termite barrier can also help significantly by stopping the infestation before it could start.

Damaged wood cabinets can be replaced though it can be costly. For minimal damages, a cabinet repair will be sufficient. Being proactive in preventing wood-eating insects from doing damage to your cabinets will help avoid expensive replacements and pest control service.