There’s nothing like entertaining family and friends during the holiday season. It’s an opportunity to gather and celebrate the holidays and cherished relationships.
If you’re planning to host celebrations this holiday season, now is the time to prepare. And since people almost invariably gravitate to the kitchen during these events, you may want to pay special attention to turning your kitchen into that warm, welcoming, functional, and aesthetically pleasing environment you’ve always wanted.
Certainly, no one relishes the disruptions – and in many cases, the costs – that come with a full kitchen remodeling project. But it’s important to understand that refreshing rather than replacing a kitchen can be an ideal option for many homeowners.
A kitchen refresh can be defined in many ways. But few would argue that a refresh focused on two elements – countertops and flooring – would not make a significant difference in the appearance and functionality of most kitchens. And while refreshing a kitchen’s countertops and undeniably is a serious difference-maker, even upgrading one of these two key elements can be an excellent option.
Today, we’ll look at the first, refreshing countertops.
NEW COUNTERTOPS – A VISUAL AND FUNCTIONAL UPGRADE
Perhaps nothing else has the visual impact on a kitchen that fresh, stylish, new countertops does. Outdated, worn countertops can bring the overall look of any kitchen down, while new countertops can completely change the look and functionality of a kitchen.
Countertops come in a variety of materials and colors:
- Natural stone countertops such as granite can immediately add a feeling of quality to a kitchen. These countertops are durable, generally easy to clean and are available in different shades and colors.
- Quartz countertops are similar to natural stone, but as they are composed of 93 percent quartz, they are non-porous, extremely hard and nearly impervious to any type of scratching. Like granite, they are highly resistant to heat and come in a wide range of colors.
- Solid countertops are made of a variety of materials and composites. These materials are easy to maintain, tough and as they are available in a broad spectrum of colors can be coordinated well with flooring, paint and cabinet colors. Many varieties of solid countertops are lower-priced than stone or quartz.
- Ceramic countertops are also extremely hard, impossible to burn and are available in a wide range of colors. They’re also relatively easy to clean. However, ceramic can be susceptible to chipping, and grout can require regular cleaning.
- Laminate countertops are a budget conscious choice, but today’s laminate countertops differ greatly from the Formica counters of the 1970s and ‘80s. Patterns are realistic and range shades from white to nearly black. They’re also easy to clean and durable. They can be burned, so extra caution is a must when taking pots and pans off the stove or out of the oven.
EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THE KITCHEN SINK
It’s important to remember that refreshing your kitchen’s countertops gives you an excellent opportunity to replace your kitchen sink. If you’re still living with a builder grade sink from the 1980s, it’s time to look at the tremendous range of options available today.
Stainless steel, with its durability, ease of cleaning and nearly bulletproof reputation, remains popular. But many homeowners today are choosing ceramic sinks, which are generally available in white or black, and are also tough and easy to maintain.
The choices of kitchen sink don’t end with material and color. For example, “farmhouse” style sinks – essentially large, deep, single bowl almost utility sinks – have become increasingly popular in recent years. These sinks are extremely practical, with some featuring removable bottom and/or top grates and slide-in cutting boards. Of course, traditional double-bowl sinks are still the choice for many homeowners.
Finally, a new sink deserves a new faucet. Modern kitchen plumbing fixtures offer the traditional “two-handle or one-handle” options, but new, single touch faucets allow a user to just tap a faucet and turn water on or off – ideal for users who are juggling food preparation and cleanup simultaneously.
ENVISION YOUR REFRESHED KITCHEN
Refreshing your kitchen is an exciting proposition. To ensure you get the results you want, it’s important to plan, make smart choices and work with experts.
Our experienced staff is waiting to learn about your home, your kitchen, your goals and your budget. We’ll take the time to listen, then make the right recommendations for your situation. One of the tools we offer is CliqStudio, home of Natalie Seymour, our Senior Interior Designer. Natalie holds a B.A. in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Phoenix and an Associates degree in Interior Architecture from the Roosevelt Academy in Middelburg, Netherlands.
With great listening skills, communication and rendering technology, Natalie is able to make the vision in your head come to life with a 3-D reality program before finally coming to fruition on installation day.
Contact us today and let us help you transform your kitchen in time for a wonderful holiday season!