UseYour Space in Large Kitchens Wisely

You have all the square footage you could ever desire for your dream kitchen. Now What? Be careful at this point to find a qualified kitchen designer. It would be a shame to find your new kitchen just cabinets and countertops. Let's get some design flair and excitement in your home's hub. Not only do we want to customize the cabinetry to your wants and needs, we want to make your statement heard as your visitors view your masterpiece. A WOW factor that will catch that coveted 'gasp' of excitement each time your visitors return. Lets get serious, the contented joy you will feel each time you walk into your kitchen is your end desire. It's your domain, so make it yours.

Good Design is a Great Place to Start in Your Kitchen

Even though money might not be an issue, it is best practice to set an investment range to stay within. In a remodel there are many elements to consider. Adding or removing walls can be considered. Are you going to completely alter the existing kitchen space or leave your major components such as appliances in place? In new construction it is always best to design your cabinetry needs prior to walls. In this way we can tell your builder precisely where you need the walls going up.
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Bells and Whistles

There is so much fun looking at and specifying all the accessories, cabinetry and countertops. What is important to each person varies as the shape of snowflakes vary. Start early with your lists. Are you baking a lot and need an oven with convection? Hate pre-washing your dishes and want a highly efficient dishwasher? You might choose a three bowl sink in your cleanup area. Prep sinks are a great option as well. Be sure you don't go to small. A small notebook with sleeves/pockets is a great way to organize your thoughts and lists. Magazines and books are very helpful too. Be sure to write a note on each page you mark. It has been to often our clients cannot remember why a page is marked. The options are much more than there is room in this blog to post. So get started sooner than later.

 

Island Ideas in a Large Kitchen 

Having a larger kitchen has it's perks. An island or Islands are one of those perks. I will state again this is why you need a Professional Qualified Kitchen Designer. Designing kitchens now for nearly 30 years, I have found the increased desire for large kitchens. It can be more difficult to design for larger kitchens because of their size. My homeowners don't really want to skate through their kitchens. Placement of islands is even more important. And making the decision of station placement is important too. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind:

• Work stations might require extra appliances. You might have two or three sinks in your kitchen. Prep, clean-up, bar etc.
  
• Island seating could be aligned in different areas of the kitchen.
  
• Materials for your countertops come in various sizes. Be sure to consider the size restrictions of your choice before moving forward.
  
• Be sure to take to heart the recommendations of your designer, you really do not want a ping pong sized island in your kitchen.
  
• A jog in your cabinetry height can do two jobs. Add flair and interest to your kitchen and allow you the choice of materials you desire.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Ultimately the choice is yours. With guidance from your Kitchen Designer along with your personal desires and research you will be well on your way to the dream kitchen you deserve.

At Cornerstone Cabinet Company, an ASID Industry Partnered Phoenix/Scottsdale cabinetry company we specialize in cabinetry for your kitchen and your entire home. We will work with you to be sure your desires are met. Whether you are putting in the kitchen of your dreams or remodeling to sell, our designers are ready to serve you in bringing your dreams to reality. Cornerstone Cabinet Company in Phoenix AZ and surrounding areas is here to serve you. Call Chris today to set your appointment 480-710-7363 for your design consultation. With the expertise we have in the kitchen & bath design industry, we will handle your project as if it were our own. Our goal is your total satisfaction.

Solutions for Very Small Kitchens

So many people are straddled or blessed with small to tiny kitchens. Depending on your views it could be either for you. The question for those of us with small kitchens is how to best design the space. We will look at some ideas to help you in preparation of your small/tiny kitchen remodel or 'small space living' new home. It is all in the design how well your small kitchen will flow and function. As always we suggest you find a qualified Kitchen Designer that has the expertise to design the best kitchen for you no matter the size.

Let's Start by Going Vertical

 

 

That's right vertical, the walls are our friends in a small kitchen. Between a shallow depth decorative rack pushed up against an unused wall, utilizing the space above your cabinets and/or wall organizing systems that can be ordered for any area in just about any finish, we can add so much storage to your small kitchen. It becomes a fun task for your designer to work with you finding the perfect mix of styles, colors and functional accessories to please your senses.

Rising to the Designing challenges of Small/Tiny Kitchens 

 

One of our challenges is the pairing up of a great hardworking, neat & tidy minimal kitchen. As designers we take pride in producing a kitchen with your needs and wants. We help you to make the decisions necessary to fit your new digs. Our owners are encouraged to start thinking in a minimalist attitude and hone down their kitchen collection to the bare minimum. It is a good practice to remove your non-essentials from your kitchen anyway.

Of course we have a large assortment of small European style appliances to choose from nowadays that help to alleviate space issues.

Time to get to the Design

We have the list of wants, needs and the essentials you plan to bring to your new kitchen. Now the fun begins. Very small/tiny kitchens have a tendency to attract clutter. To avoid this we will put all our skills toward finding a home for each item. We can achieve this by ordering custom cabinets that can be made any size or shape to allow for best designing. From pull out spice, deco appliance fronts, pull out tall thin pantries to open shelves we can design every inch to work on your behalf.

Laying out your kitchen becomes more important in a small kitchen. We have to give thought to each cabinet and appliance that is used. This is why it is so important to get with a qualified Kitchen Designer. A Kitchen Designer will be able to work in tandem with you to provide you with the best solutions for your design needs.

We at Cornerstone Cabinet Company, are an ASID Industry Partnered Phoenix/Scottsdale cabinetry company specializing in cabinetry for your entire home. We will happily work with you on your small/tiny or any size kitchen, bath, office or entertainment area. Our designers are ready to serve you in bringing your dreams to reality. Cornerstone Cabinet Company in Phoenix AZ and surrounding areas is here to serve you. Call Chris today to set your appointment 480-710-7363 for your design consultation. With the expertise we have in the kitchen and bath design industry, we will handle your project as if it were our own. Our goal is your total satisfaction.

Kitchen Myths – The Rules Don't Always Work in Today's Kitchens

 

Common Design Myths Debunked

When did designer ideas become rules we are to follow? Many of these rules do not make much sense at all. Whether you plan to build or remodel it can become a taxing and difficult project. There are decisions most would never think to ask. Then of course those complicated rules. Rules that could cost you efficiency in your kitchen. Or rules that destroy the design and look you had hoped for. So let's take a look at a few of my most common so called rules I come upon frequently.

• The amount of space between the island countertop and other countertops needs to be more than 36”. I prefer 48” when possible and is a must for a two cook kitchen. If you have a single cook kitchen then plan for at least 42” of space.
  
• Many people feel the dishwasher should be placed in conjunction to whether you are right or left handed. Not true. Dishwashers can be designed into your kitchen design where it works best for you. Since humans are creatures of habit, it won't take long to become pleased with the dishwasher location.
  
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  Stop and think about how often you actually look out your window when washing dishes. Exactly! Why be forced to put the sink under the window then? In the early days of kitchens the sink was needed there to toss out the used water. In our present day kitchens we are free to design the kitchen sink where it works best for you.
  
• Even though the rules would allow a tiny island in the kitchen, why? You might have a small landing space while you destroy the flow of the kitchen. Your kitchen becomes cramped and not as enjoyable.
  

We all know we are required to follow common sense and building codes guidelines. All myths and rules must be reconsidered on each project. The work triangle is not as important as once believed. The kitchen of today is the hub of the entire home. The ergonomics of the family to the space is what matters most. We must take into consideration who is going to be working in the kitchen and what their needs are. We like to have committed work domains and storage area for your needs.

The Expense for Designers is to Great

We disagree -

When you try designing your own kitchen usually there are mistakes that have to be fixed along the way. This extends the down time which usually cost money and patience. By hiring a professional you can avoid many of these headaches. Give us a call now with your design and cabinetry needs 480-710-7363 Cornerstone Cabinet Company Bringing Your Dreams To Reality.

Serving in the Greater Phoenix / Scottsdale / Tempe / Mesa / Gilbert Arizona areas.