Tag: kitchen remodel

Do I Need a Coffee Bar?

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Do you need a coffee bar? The short answer is “yes!” One of the coolest things about being a Realtor is that we see how people are setting up their homes. Recently we have been tracking a trend to include a dedicated space in kitchens or adjacent eat-in spaces for coffee bars. Since 74% of people looking to remodel their kitchens have coffee bars on their “wish list” we’re digging deeper into the coffee bar obsession.

Classic movies of the 1950s often featured cocktail stations or bar carts. Check out the bar cart in The Seven Year Itch (1955) with Marilyn Monroe and a homemade martini. Flash forward to today where everyone is looking to recreate their favorite drive-through coffee brew whether it is a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte or a Dunkin Cereal and Milk Latte. The home coffee craze, whether iced or hot, has lead to the coffee station trend.

Coffee not your thing? How about a smoothie bar, hot chocolate bar, or energy drink bar? So many possibilities to explore once you delve into this trend. Whether it’s a dedicated section of your kitchen countertop or a separate built-in area, all of our buyer clients appreciate the option to skip the drive-through and concoct a brew at home.

Whatever you choose for your beverages we highly recommend setting aside an area dedicated to your favorite drinks. If you’re looking for design ideas for your current kitchen or searching for a dedicated coffee bar in your next place, get in touch. We’d love to help make your at-home beverage dreams a reality.

5 Kitchen Remodeling Ideas That Will Last the Test of Time

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houzz

p: Houzz

It’s easy to get swept up in the latest design trends, but if you choose something that’s too trendy you may regret your choices a few years down the line when the fad is long gone. Chances are you’re only going to remodel your current kitchen once, so it’s important to get it right!

It’s best to stick with the classics to ensure your remodel is timeless and will retain it’s marketability and value. Here are our top 5 picks:

White never goes out of style. White is fresh, clean, and bright, a no-brainer for the kitchen. Because it is a standard color for manufacturers, you’ll find white cabinets, tile, counters, faucets, sinks, and appliances at any price point, making it an ideal choice for any budget. You don’t have to go all white in the kitchen – add your personal touch with wall color, colorful small appliances, or display colorful dinnerware.

wood floor houzz

p: Houzz

Install hardwood flooring. Buyers love hardwood floors – it’s one of the most requested wish-list features when searching for a house. Hardwoods add warmth to a space and make it feel more inviting, and as the ‘heart of the home’, you want your kitchen to feel welcoming. With such a large variety of woods and stains available, hardwood flooring will pair well with any kitchen style.

Choose Shaker-style cabinets. Shaker cabinets look good in any setting thanks to their clean, simple lines – something that will never go out of style.

Kindesign

p: Kindesign

Carrara marble countertops are timeless. Carrara marble has been used in homes for thousands of years – it’s white color and lacy graining look great in a white kitchen. It’s readily available, making it less expensive than other high-end choices, such as quartz.

Subway tiles are classic. Choose a white or neutral subway tile for the backsplash to blend with any look. Ceramic subway tiles will guard against moisture, are a snap to clean, last forever, and always looks classy.

6 Low-Cost Kitchen Cabinet Upgrades

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If your kitchen cabinets look a little shabby, your whole kitchen will look outdated. No need to break the bank and completely replace the cabinets, just give them a simple facelift with one (or all) of our inexpensive kitchen cabinet updates:

fanofugifts.com

P: fanofugifts.com

Paint – Nothing will create a bigger impact than a fresh coat of paint. This is a project you can take on yourself, but the key is in the prep. Start with a thorough cleaning to remove any grease or dried on gunk. Fill holes and nicks with putty and sand to create a smooth, even surface. Lay cabinet doors flat to paint, and wait until completely dry before painting the other side. Create some visual interest by mixing up colors on upper and lower cabinets, or on cabinets and islands.

Hardware – Installing new hardware is probably the easiest way to dress up tired cabinets, but you need to be careful here as cabinet hardware can get very fancy and expensive. You can find simple, contemporary hardware in packs of 10 or 12 at Lowes or Home Depot.

BHG

P: BHG

Ditch the Doors – Remove outdated cabinet doors and go for the open-shelf concept. They will make any kitchen look larger and you can accessorize the shelves to reflect your personal style.

Molding – Adding crown molding to the top of cabinets will add height and create a more high-end look. This added touch of luxury isn’t as pricey as you may think – three-inch, primed composite crown molding with a dentil design costs as little as $20 for 8 feet.

Glass Inserts – Changing or adding a decorative glass insert will give stock cabinets a custom look. Not all cabinet doors can accommodate a glass insert – check the backs of your doors to see if the center panel can be taken out. Glass inserts typically cost between $7 – $9 per square foot.

Task Lighting – You can easily add lighting under and inside cabinets with battery powered peel-and-stick LED lights. At about $8 each, you can afford to buy several and scatter them around. Under cabinet lighting is not only practical, it will also make the room feel much brighter and bigger as the dark shadows under the cabinets would otherwise visually shrink the space.