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7 Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Kitchen

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Kitchens are one of the rooms in your home, which make your house special and unique. Kitchens are a place we gather with friends and family and cook our daily meals. Shouldn’t it be a room you are proud of? Here are some signs that it is time to upgrade your space.

  • Not enough space for your family or company:

Kitchens are the heart of the home, it’s where we spend our time cooking and eating and it’s also a space where we like to entertain our guest. If your kitchen is too small to do any of these then it may be time to update and expand or rearrange. Renovations can be simple or very extensive, but if your space isn’t working then it is probably time to change it up.

  • Cleaning is a hassle:

Cleaning in itself is already a hassle, if anyone else tells your otherwise run in the opposite direction, because they are crazy. Cleaning doesn’t have to be such a hassle. In today’s kitchen markets there are so many new options for kitchen finishes and appliances that are much easier to clean and keep clean. Don’t spend another minute cleaning the grout on your tile countertop, call a friend, ask to borrow their sledge hammer, and go to town.

  • Outdated appliances:

This is an easy one to detect, but a hard one to justify. For most of us as long as your appliance work efficiently and look fine you are probably happy, but what most people don’t see is that simple appliance changes can really update the look, storage and functionality of your kitchen. Appliances that are even so much as ten years old could be considered outdated with how far technology has come.

  • Lack of counter space:

Counter space is an underrated commodity in homes today. Counterpace is key in any kitchen whether you are using it for prep space, storage space, or somewhere to put the snacks for that party, its all-important. Adding more cabinets to support a counter top may not always be an option, but improving your storage inside the cabinets you have can help give your more space by eliminating the clutter on the countertops. Pullouts and dividers can be installed in any cabinet to help get you organized.

  • Stained, scratched or cracked flooring:

The options out there for flooring today seem limitless and you really can’t go wrong with any of them, although I would suggest choosing a surface that compliments the existing finishes in your home. Choose a floor that suits your lifestyle. If you have large pets maybe don’t choose a hardwood and go for a tile or if you can’t stand the cool touch of tile you could opt for an engineered or hybrid flooring that are both durable and functional.

  • Not enough light:

We aren’t in the stone ages anymore so please stop cooking in your candle lit dungeon. Lighting can be a cheap and easy fix to making your space feel new and fresh. Dark spaces feel small and gloomy, brightening up your space will make it feel larger and will give you the ability to add a finish to your space that suits your style.

  • Thinking of selling your home:

If you are thinking of selling your home with a kitchen that belongs in an episode of The Brady Bunch then stop right there. Invest some money into your home whether its new everything of just some simple fixes, it will all pay off for you in the long run. Most home buyers today are looking for something move in ready and are willing to pay a premium for that. By investing some money into your kitchen you could see a greater return on the sale of your home, allowing you to use that equity to invest in your next home.

Make your house a home again by upgrading your outdated kitchen, give yourself the space to entertain again and enjoy those moments with friends and family, give yourself the space to stay clean and organized, and add those finishes that make your space unique and special to your lifestyle. Make your kitchen the room in your house that you can truly be proud of.

 

Check out St. Louis’ Premium Cabinets

Call us today at  314-499-8800  to schedule an appointment.

How to Make Your Kitchen Cabinets Attractive

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Are you curious about what you add on your kitchen cabinet to make it more attractive?  A while back people used put microwave, electric can opener and much more placed under the wall cabinets as a form of art, but these days everything has changed and now you can attach maybe your smart phone and tablet plus other added decorations to hide unnecessary outlets like electric wires and so forth. Below are attractive add-ons that could work well in your cabinet, check it out:

Lighting: This will work for you especially if you are a minimalist, you do not have to leave your cabinets clear and void. Under cabinet lighting illuminates the area for food prep, particularly during evenings.

The most appropriate lighting to use is the LED strip light, keep in mind to always consult with your electrician for the most suitable lighting application because they keep on evolving over time.

Power: Likewise, you should try to make your outlet inconspicuous; it does not make sense spending all your money installing the perfect backsplash tile with unattractive power cords creeping out.

An under cabinet power outlet strips is definitely the way to go, nonetheless, seeing your electric cords hanging down from underneath your countertops is not attractive.

Tablet mount: An under cabinet tablet mount works out for anyone who is on the move, you might want to watch a cooking video, check your emails or have a personal Skype call. It is important to remember that if you have multiple devices that you want installed in your kitchen, always check out the lighting system so that they could use the same power outlet, it makes your kitchen seem so modern and technological.

Knife block: Consequently, this adds a little oomph to your cabinet, whoever came up with the knife block is a genius! It is slim and convenient; through the touch of a finger you can just swing the knife in and out.

Jar opening: You do not need to struggle with opening your bottles and jars, a jar opening is easy to install and it works best with people who have arthritis or if you need assistance with opening tough lids.

Stemware rack: Under the cabinet is exactly what you need for this stemware design, a perfect gift for anyone who like hanging out in the kitchen, it is functional and store a large number of glasses on a small amount of space. Nonetheless, if you do not use glasses more often you won’t need these beauties as they attract grease and dust.

Bottle holder: Subsequently, this wine bottles work well with the stemware but it should be at a range where the bottles will not feel the kitchen heat, the perfect way to optimize the space underneath your wall cabinet.

In conclusion, there are some ways that you might have used to make your kitchen more attractive and beautiful which you might want to share, feel free to contact Premium Cabinets.

5 Things to Consider When Designing Your Dream Kitchen

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Top 5 things to Consider When Designing Your Dream Kitchen

  1. Apron/ farmhouse sink

  • Apron sinks can add a great decorative look to your kitchen. Many companies are creating and designing these sinks to fit in with traditional, modern, and contemporary kitchens with many different colors and materials to choose from.

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  1. Grey

  • Grey is one of the hottest trends in kitchen design today but don’t forget that trends come and go. If you love the idea of grey cabinets then maybe consider accenting your white cabinets with a grey island or vice versa.

  1. Glass Accents

  • Don’t be afraid to show off what’s inside of your cabinets, try accenting a few cabinets throughout the kitchen with a glass feature.

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  1. Built in amenities

  • When designing your dream kitchen try to remember how it’s going to function on a day to day basis. Built in amenities, such as trash can units, nested cutlery, or even spice racks can really help out with the functionality of your new space.

 

(Trash Can Unit)

(Trash Can Unit)

(Nested Cutlery)

(Nested Cutlery)

(Spice Rack)

(Spice Rack)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Island

  • The island is the center piece of your kitchen. This is where family and friends will gather, so don’t be afraid to give some extra attention to detail when designing your island. Having an Island is also a great opportunity for extra storage and additional seating in your space.

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Thank you,

John Morgan, Jr.

Premium Cabinets

tel:314-499-8800

PremiumCabinets.com/st-louis

 

Re-Facing Versus Replacing

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10 Reasons to Re-place vs. Re-face

You have grown tired of your old “golden oak “cabinets from 1982. They need to go, but what to do? Re-face or Re-place? Decisions…decisions…decisions…

Maybe you have been told re-facing will be less time and money. Sometimes, that is the case. Sometimes not.

Here are 10 reasons re-placing may be the better option.

  1. Costs as much to reface as replace.
  2. Your 40 year old cabinets are in great shape inside and out. Really?
  3. Paying for labor when you reface, paying for cabinets when you replace
  4. Bigger mess in home during refacing. Trust me on this one.
  5. Many more interior cabinet options today, then when your kitchen was installed.
  6. Fixing problems (leaks, etc.) not just covering them up.
  7. Layout can be changed to reflect current lifestyle, tastes, needs, wants, etc.
  8. And no, it does not necessarily cost more to change your existing bad layout.
  9. More availability of finishes, styles, etc. when you replace.
  10. To summarize; if you could paint your 20 year old car, or buy a new one for the same price, what would you do.

If you need more convincing, go on-line to businesses that do re-facing and read the comments. I have one “mega national chain” on my news feed with some very un-happy clients who opted for re-facing. Many have an issue with veneer peeling off and having to replace old cabinets after all, which costs even more.

At Premium Cabinets, we want to educate our clients, so they can make the best decision for their family, their finances and their life style.  After all we want our clients to always,  “Love where they Live!”

Leslie Allison

Premium Cabinet Studio

9214 Nieman Rd

Overland Park, KS  66214

‘A Custom Look Without the Custom Price!’

Preparing for a Kitchen Remodel

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So you think you want to tackle a kitchen remodel? The first thing that needs to be planned is the budget.  When working with clients, sometimes they are reluctant to share exactly what their budget is.

It makes a huge difference in getting the look and quality that you expect.  Here are a few things to take into consideration:

  • The first is what can you afford? On average the kitchen is the most expensive room in the home and kitchens sell homes. Call your local realtor if you need some advice on your project. Think about how you will pay for your remodel? Home equity loans are usually the source, but often retailers will offer financing. Savings, credit cards work a tax refund or if a dearly departed loved one left you a “little something”.
  • How long are you going to live there?  If this is your “forever home” design it the way you want it.  If 5 years or less, keep it general enough to appeal to the masses.
  • Is your neighborhood modest or up-scale? You don’t want to have a gourmet chef’s kitchen in a middle-class neighborhood. If so you will lose money.  Be careful not to over improve.
  • Know the cost break down. Labor will cost about 20-35% of remodel costs. The kitchen typically is the most expensive room in a home with cabinets being the biggest chunk of it.  Here is a breakdown of the costs on average:
    • 35% cabinets
    • 20% labor
    • 20% appliances
    • 10% windows
    • 5% fixtures
    • 3% fittings
    • 7% other

Always tell your designer / remodeler what your budget is.  Never be embarrassed to share that number with them. They should be aware, so they can give you the look you want, with the function you need, all within your means.

After all, they want you to be happy and “Love where you Live!“

 

Leslie Allison

Premium Cabinet Studio

Overland Park, KS

Kansas City

Love Where You Live

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The kitchen is the heart of your home.  Cabinets need form and function.  They can be a major expense when remodeling your kitchen.  With thoughtful planning and design, you’ll enjoy them for years.  A few things to consider:

Kitchens sell Homes!  The Kitchen is not the room to “skip on.”  According to Home Advisor most home owners spend between $11,194 and $28,646 on a kitchen remodel.  You can expect to recoup 67% to 93% of your remodel cost depending on your local real estate market.

What’s Your Type?

Typical cabinet types: stock, semi-custom, and custom.

Stock cabinets start around $70 per linear foot and usually have limited colors and styles.  They are sold assembled or RTA (Ready to Assemble) and immediately taken home for installation.  Often they are made of MDF (particle board) to keep the cost down.

Semi-custom cabinets cost $150 to $250 per linear foot and can be configured to your space, allowing a more precise fit for your kitchen.  Lead time for these cabinets may be 4-6 weeks delivery.  These may be made of MDF (particle board) or solid wood.  Be certain to ask exactly what the cabinets are made of.

Custom cabinets are usually the most expensive option with costs of $500 and up per linear foot.  These could take 2-3 months depending on the cabinet maker schedule.  This option includes added features and exact specifications.

Features to Look For:

Solid Wood Construction

For durability and moisture resistance, components including shelves and drawers should be furniture grade wood such as birch, maple and cherry.  “All Wood” can be MDF (particle board) be certain to ask what the cabinets are made of.

Dove-tail Construction

Dovetail Joints create a strong, square, true, long lasting joint.

Soft Close Drawers and Doors

The drawer/door is eased to the closed position, gently and quietly by hydraulics.

Full Extension Drawers and Full Overlay Doors

Many cabinet drawers only extend about 80%.   Quality cabinet drawers extend completely.  Full Overlay Doors simply make your cabinets/kitchen more attractive.

Hidden 6 Way Adjustable Hinges

Cabinets with no visible hinges that can be easily adjusted in seconds to perfectly line-up the doors.

A little research to compare manufacturers, retail sites, showrooms, websites and catalogs will save you time and money.  Above all, trust your taste.  It’s your kitchen and it should complement your personality, your family needs and the rest of your home, so choose what works for you.

 

Leslie Allison
Premium Cabinet Studio
Overland Park, KS
Kansas City