10 Creative Ways to Use the Space Between Your Kitchen Cabinets & the Ceiling
Most homeowners consider the space between the kitchen cabinets and the ceiling unattractive and a waste of precious square footage. This design feature is intended to create a more open feel. And standard-dimension cabinets are not installed to reach the ceiling because they’d be too high to reach. So, what are you supposed to do with that awkward gap? 10 Ways to Use the Space Between Your Cabinets and Ceiling We’ve come up with some creative ways you can maximize the space between your kitchen cabinets and the ceiling. 1. Extend the cabinets to the ceiling With custom kitchen cabinets, you can add an open shelf below the cabinets, allowing you to move the standard cabinets up to the ceiling. Another option is to select taller-than-standard cabinets, creating an extra top shelf inside your cupboards, and completely eliminating the gap. Keep in mind, the top shelf will be difficult to reach, so it’s best used to store items you don’t
5 Easy Ways Your Kitchen Can Save You Time & Money
Inflation is a topic we hear about constantly these days. When they reach their limit on financial frugality, some people work more hours to make up the difference. So, Canadians are looking for ways to save both time and money. Surprisingly, your kitchen design can help! 5 Tips for a Kitchen That Saves You Time & Money By incorporating a few strategic kitchen features and practicing a couple of helpful habits, your kitchen can lower your grocery costs and make efficient time management possible. Here’s how to use your kitchen to help you save time and money. 1. Set up an information center to prevent impulse purchases The rising cost of groceries has significantly reduced the number of unplanned items Canadians buy, a recent study found. Impulse buying has become a luxury since sticking to our budgets is more difficult. An information center—sometimes called a command center—in your kitchen can minimize the temptation to buy on impulse. Set it up
14 Effective Techniques to Make Your Small Kitchen Look & Feel Bigger
You don’t have to choose between cramped or convenient in your small kitchen. Whether you’re planning a kitchen renovation or designing a kitchen for a new home, there are clever ways to make your small kitchen seem more spacious. 14 Ideas to Make Your Small Kitchen Look & Feel Bigger We’ve rounded up 14 of our favourite ways to make your small kitchen roomier. You don’t have to employ them all. Implementing even one or two will make a big difference in your small space. 1. Select Colours & Materials Strategically White is a small kitchen’s best friend. It reflects light and creates the illusion of a larger space. Multiply the effect by using several shades of white throughout your kitchen. If white doesn’t appeal to you, stick with lighter hues like light yellows or pale grays to create an airy feel. If you’re determined to incorporate darker colours, be sure to keep the darkest shades in the lower third
Top 10 Kitchen Upgrades to Add Value to Your Home
The kitchen is one of the top 3 most important rooms of your home. It can significantly elevate the design, functionality, and value of your property. But an inefficient or outdated kitchen can actually diminish the look, feel, functionality, and value of your home. But which kitchen upgrades add the most value to your home? 10 Kitchen Upgrades to Add Value to Your Home A kitchen renovation is a big investment. (See How much does a kitchen renovation cost?) If you want to get the best bang for your buck, you must be strategic in choosing which elements of your kitchen to upgrade. These 10 kitchen upgrades will get you the best return on your investment. 1. Put in new countertops Durable countertops are crucial because they undergo a lot of wear and tear—chopping, hot cookware, and more. The countertop is also one of the largest surfaces in your kitchen, so it greatly affects the visual appearance of the space.
10 Practical Ways to Upgrade Your Laundry Room
Gone are the days of traipsing into a dark and dingy unfinished concrete basement to use the washer and dryer. Our laundry rooms are high-functioning spaces, deserving a more dignified design. Is it time to upgrade your laundry room? How to Update Your Laundry Room: 10 Simple Ideas These 10 practical ways to upgrade your laundry room will make this ongoing household chore more enjoyable and add value to your home. 1. Hide the washer and dryer If your home doesn’t have a separate room for your washer and dryer, you can improve the look of the space by hiding the appliances behind a curtain. Better yet, have them installed inside a closet. If you want to dress it up, put decorative doors over the opening. 2. Add more storage It’s surprising how much space laundry takes up. Maintain a tidy laundry room by adding enough storage to keep dirty laundry out of sight. Pull-out drawers can store laundry bins
The Top 10 Kitchen Design Trends for 2023
Most homeowners don’t update their kitchens every year to keep up with the latest trends. But if it’s time to renovate your kitchen or design a brand new custom kitchen, it’s good to be aware of what’s in style right now. A classic kitchen has its place, but a kitchen with on-trend design elements is top-notch and increases your home’s value. Riverstone’s Top 10 Kitchen Design Trends for 2023 These are the top 10 kitchen design trends we’re excited about for 2023. 1. Lower Cabinet Drawers Lower cabinet drawers might be our favourite design trend because they’re incredibly practical. Drawers hold so much and are far more accessible and convenient than a bottom cupboard shelf. 2. Slab Backsplash Marble, stone, or quartz slab backsplashes are replacing subway tiles. The slab backsplash can be a bold statement in your kitchen. It’s also practical because it’s seamless, so it’s easier to clean than a backsplash with grout lines. 3. Butler’s Pantry Also
3 Helpful Ways to Reset Your Kitchen for the New Year
The holidays are a busy time of year, and even the most prepared household experiences a disruption in routines. There’s a general sense of disorder when the festivities are over. So, as the new year approaches, we long for a fresh start. Taking some time to reset your kitchen will help you step back into normal (or new) routines with ease. 3 Quick Tips to Help Prepare Your Kitchen for a New Year These three simple tips are all you need to get your kitchen in order and help you set up for a successful start to the new year with less stress. 1. Plan Some Meals You need to eat. Period. After turkey feasts, limitless chocolate, and way too much of our traditional holiday goodies, we’re stuffed to the brim. So we sink into our easy chairs and declare, “I won’t need to eat till next year!” But the reality is, you’ll wake up tomorrow and your body will
How to Prepare Your Kitchen for a Busy Holiday Season of Entertaining
The holiday season is upon us. Your to-do list is growing and your calendar is filling up with events. You look forward to most of it, but there’s also an element of overwhelm. How will you get it all done? With a bit of forethought and time, you can prepare your kitchen for entertaining during the busy season to reduce stress, streamline your routines, and simplify your role as a holiday host. 7 Ways to Prepare Your Kitchen for the Holiday Season Pull out your calendar and to-do list right now and schedule these tasks. You’ll thank yourself later for the time you took to prepare your kitchen for the holidays! 1. Clean out your fridge When you host guests over the holidays, you buy more food than usual. This season typically involves more refrigerated goods like specialty cheeses and meats for charcuterie boards or appetizers. And if you have out-of-towners spending the night, you’ll want to stock up on
8 Invisible Bathroom Problems You Can’t Afford to Ignore
There might be a time for the “don’t-look-at-it-and-it-will-disappear” approach. But when it comes to bathroom problems, ignoring them only makes them bigger. To make matters worse, many serious issues in a bathroom are invisible, so you might not notice them if you’re not actively looking for them. Keep Your Eyes Open for These 8 Hidden Bathroom Problems As part of a regular home maintenance routine, be on the lookout for these hidden problems in your bathroom. 1. Unsuitable materials The bathroom is a unique room in your home because of the high moisture levels produced in this space. All the materials used to create your bathroom must be sealed or protected against moisture. Is your drywall water resistant? Is there a vapour barrier between the drywall and insulation? Is the paint mildew resistant? Is the grout water resistant? Is there silicone caulking sealing the edges where your tub and toilet meet the floor? If the answer to any of these
10 Clear Signs It’s Time to Renovate Your Bathroom
A bathroom renovation can be a big investment and an inconvenience to your household. How do you know if it’s time to remodel your bathroom and worth the ordeal? In this post, we’ll look at the top 10 reasons to take the plunge and spend money on a bathroom renovation. 10 Reasons to Renovate Your Bathroom The cost of a bathroom renovation is enough that it’s not something you jump into impulsively. Before you start on a project like this, evaluate the cost-benefit ratio and be sure it’s worth the time and energy. There are definite signs that it’s time to remodel your bathroom. If any of these 10 things apply to your bathroom, a renovation project is in your future! 1. Plumbing Problems Minor plumbing problems like a leaky faucet can easily be fixed without a major renovation. But if there are bigger issues, or if you have a leak behind the walls, ignoring the problem could lead to
How Much Does A Bathroom Renovation Cost in Calgary?
If you’re considering renovating your bathroom, your number one concern is probably, “What’s a bathroom renovation going to cost? And is it worth it?” 10 Notable Benefits of a Bathroom Renovation Sometimes it’s necessary to remodel your bathroom for the sake of safety—regardless of the cost. Safety hazards like water leaks, mold and mildew, or rot in the flooring or walls must be dealt with to prevent further damage and to protect the health and safety of your family. But no matter what you spend on your bathroom renovation, there are always significant benefits. A bathroom renovation can actually reduce your utility bills when you replace fixtures with energy-efficient and water-conserving models. An updated bathroom will increase your property value. And remodeling your bathroom is an opportunity to create more storage, a more functional layout, and luxurious features. The benefits of a bathroom renovation are clear, but the question remains: What’s your bathroom renovation going to cost?. 10 Factors That
Improve Rental ROI With These Top 5 Kitchen Upgrades for Rental Properties
Kitchen upgrades lead to plenty of valuable benefits for you as a landlord—increased property value, less maintenance, and attracting a better pool of applicants, to name a few. Statistics show that there is always value in a kitchen renovation. 3 Important Considerations Before Upgrading the Kitchen in Your Rental Property Your inclination might be to renovate your rental property kitchen with the lowest possible budget. But it’s important to consider the kind of renters you want to attract and the value of durability. You don’t want to be renovating after every tenant; you want something that can withstand the test of time. Don’t worry! This doesn’t mean you need to put in a high-end custom kitchen. There is a happy medium that maximizes your investment. Here are three other things to think about when upgrading your rental property kitchen. 1. Simplicity is key Your tenants want to customize the home as much as possible. They also have a monthly budget.
10 Tips for an Amazing Ensuite Renovation
An ensuite renovation can be trickier than a main bathroom renovation. It’s usually a smaller space, and if you share your ensuite with your spouse, coming to agreement on all the design details can be a challenge. 10 Helpful Design Ideas for a Successful Ensuite Renovation To help you experience an ensuite renovation you both enjoy, we’ve made a list of our top tips and design ideas. 1. Think about the future of your ensuite In home design, it’s important to think beyond the present. Tastes change, needs change, and there’s also resale value to consider. The most practical way to design your ensuite is with a neutral foundation. If you like bold colours or statement pieces, you can play with wallpaper or paint, add accessories that pack a punch, or even get a little wild with your light fixture or mirror. But stick to more timeless looks for the tub, tile, and other elements that are more difficult to
3 Surprising Things to Expect During the Bathroom Renovation Process
You’ve finally decided to renovate your bathroom, and you can hardly wait to see your new and improved space. All that stands between you and your dream bathroom is the renovation process. But that process can be painful if you’re not prepared. Do you know what to expect during your bathroom renovation? What to Expect During Your Bathroom Renovation At first glance, these expectations might seem obvious. But the mistake many renovating homeowners make is not actually thinking through the renovation process, not preparing for it—mentally and physically. This leads to unnecessary stress. Here’s how to avoid that. 1. Expect your bathroom to be unavailable It’s possible to survive a renovation of almost any room while living in the house. You simply modify your routines while your spaces are out of commission. But a bathroom renovation makes this much more difficult—even impossible, at times. “What’s the big deal?”, you think. “We have another bathroom (or two). We’ll just use those
How to Make Your Bathroom Look & Feel Luxurious
For most people, a dream bathroom is one that looks and feels luxurious—whether that means a spa-like space, a room that resembles a 5-star hotel suite, or high-end, state-of-the-art features. Is it possible to transform your own bathroom into a place of indulgence? 10 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Luxurious We believe any bathroom can become elegant and inviting. Here are 10 tips to help you create a luxury bath experience in your own home. 1. Prioritize privacy A luxury bath demands a sense of seclusion. If you’re designing a new home or bathroom renovation, prioritize privacy by locating the bathroom away from the busiest areas of your home. Tucking your bathroom away in a corner of the house turns this room into a retreat. 2. Enhance your tub or shower Decide if you want a tub, a shower, or a tub-shower combo. Any option is the right option if it’s the one you prefer, and all three can be
Is a u-shaped kitchen layout right for me?
What kitchen design layout is right for you? Many factors determine the answer to this question. This post focuses on the u-shaped kitchen layout to help you decide if it’s right for you. We’ll look at the pros and cons of a u-shaped kitchen layout and give you some tips to make a u-shaped kitchen work for you. What is a U-Shaped Kitchen Design Layout? A u-shaped kitchen layout has 3 connected sides that form a “u” or horseshoe shape. This layout provides an open feel, allowing you easy access from the wide open end and plenty of freedom to move around and work in the middle space. 5 Advantages of a U-Shaped Kitchen Layout Why would someone choose a u-shaped kitchen layout? What are the benefits? Let’s look at 5 pros. 1. Abundant Counter Space Because a u-shaped kitchen has 3 connected walls, this layout provides plenty of counter space. This allows multiple work areas and can accommodate more
7 Ways to Use Custom Cabinetry in Every Room of Your Home & Why You Should
Did you know custom cabinetry isn’t just for your kitchen? There are no limitations on cabinetry design, and there are valuable benefits of using custom cabinets in every room of your home. The possibilities are truly endless. 3 Benefits of Custom Cabinetry Instead of Furniture Why would someone choose custom cabinetry in the bedroom or the living room or any other room instead of furniture? Here are 3 reasons why custom cabinetry is a superior choice. Built-in Functionality: Custom cabinetry makes home maintenance easier. For example, you know how awkward it can be to try to vacuum behind or beside furniture? That problem is eliminated with built-in custom cabinets. Better Quality: Most furniture is built cheaply. Custom cabinetry is much higher quality, which makes it longer lasting and a better value in the long run. Home Value: Custom cabinets can add value to your home because it becomes a part of the house. It adds storage space, organization features, and
15 Easy Kitchen Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Looking New + Kitchen Maintenance Checklists
The usual daily dishwasher cycle and consistent wiping of the countertops can only go so far in maintaining your kitchen. Eventually, this high-use space requires a little extra TLC to keep it in tip-top shape. These easy kitchen maintenance tips will help you keep your kitchen at its best—efficient, clean, and safe. Daily Kitchen Maintenance Checklist A daily kitchen cleaning routine simplifies the maintenance of your kitchen. Empty the dishwasher Wash dirty dishes as they happen (after each meal or snack) or put them in the dishwasher Wipe countertops and cooktop Sweep the floors and spot clean Put out a fresh dishcloth and dish towel You can get these tasks done very quickly and easily if you’re consistent. Cooking is simpler when you start with a clean kitchen, and your morning coffee is more enjoyable when you’re not digging through yesterday’s dirty dishes to get to the coffee pot. Shine the Sink A shiny sink automatically freshens up your kitchen
How much does a kitchen renovation cost?
For anyone considering a kitchen renovation, cost is of primary concern. How much is your kitchen renovation going to cost? It’s a big question, and the answer is always, “It depends.” Maybe you’ve already decided on a budget for your kitchen remodel, but you know you need to prioritize. What costs the most in a kitchen remodel? Where should you focus your budget, and where can you compromise? Let’s look at the factors that affect the cost of a kitchen renovation to help you plan, budget, and prepare for your remodel project. 10 Factors that Affect the Cost of a Kitchen Renovation These 10 factors determine how much your kitchen renovation will cost. Some components of a kitchen cost more than others, and some are easier to change if you need to decrease your renovation costs. 1. Home Value Experts recommend spending between 10-15% of the market value of your home on your kitchen renovation. Use this as a guide
How to Make Your Kitchen More Kid-Friendly
A timeless family-friendly kitchen design can support family connection. In this post, we want to focus specifically on kids in the kitchen. Let’s explore how you can encourage your kids to be in the kitchen—and why you should want to. 9 Benefits of Kids in the Kitchen Perhaps the most obvious benefit of involving kids in cooking is that you have help and won’t have to do all the work yourself. But there are so many more reasons to cultivate kitchen confidence in your children! The advantages are life-changing and long-lasting. Lay a foundation for a healthy lifestyle When you include your children in the preparation of family meals, snacks, and packed lunches, they learn how to make healthy food choices. You can explain why you use fruits and vegetables and talk about a balanced diet. Teaching your children to cook at home gives them the skills necessary to avoid processed foods or resorting to a fast food diet. Expand
10 Practical Ways to Remodel Your Kitchen to Make it More Functional
Is it time to remodel your kitchen to increase functionality? If it feels like you never have enough space to store things, or if the layout makes cooking in your kitchen frustrating, a custom kitchen renovation might be the answer. How to Remodel Your Kitchen for Maximum Functionality Design your new kitchen with these top 10 practical tips for a more functional kitchen. 1. Incorporate the work triangle The work triangle is like an imaginary line between the sink, the cooktop, the fridge, and back to the sink. It’s the standard for kitchen design—and has been for the last 100 years—because it optimizes efficiency no matter what the size and shape of your kitchen may be. When your kitchen is designed based on the work triangle, movement is minimized so you can access all the key elements of your kitchen in as few steps as possible. You get minimum movement, maximum convenience. This design concept also allows for appropriate counter
How to Choose the Best Flooring for Your Kitchen Renovation
Your kitchen flooring is an important selection. It’s the foundation of your entire kitchen design, and it’s also the foundation you stand and walk on as you work in your kitchen. It must be beautiful and durable at the same time. Here are some tips for choosing the best flooring for your kitchen renovation. 5 Things to Consider When Choosing Kitchen Flooring The prominence of your kitchen flooring makes it crucial that your choice isn’t based on colour or price alone. There are various factors to consider. Let’s look at 5 key things that determine the best flooring for your kitchen. 1. Ease of Maintenance The kitchen is arguably the messiest area of your home. Your flooring collects crumbs and catches spills. It gets sticky and needs regular cleaning. When choosing kitchen flooring, ask “How easy is it to clean and maintain this flooring?” Choose a material that’s water-resistant and stain-resistant. 2. Comfort You don’t think of flooring as something
How long does it take to get new cabinets installed?
By the time you order your new kitchen, you’re eager to see the finished product. You’ve laboured over door styles and hardware choices, and you can envision how fabulous your new kitchen will look once it’s installed. So how long will that take? How long must you wait to see your dream become reality? “How long does it take to get new cabinets installed?” has sort of become a custom cabinet version of “Are we there yet?” We get this question a lot, and it’s perfectly understandable! We’re excited because you’re excited! This is how we answer that question. 5 Factors That Determine How Long Your Cabinet Installation Takes The answer to “How long will it take for my new kitchen to be installed?” is truly: “It depends”. There isn’t one answer that works for every kitchen. The length of time to install your new cabinets depends on several factors. Size The size of your kitchen and the number of
9 Simple Ways to Design a Timeless Family-Friendly Kitchen
Traditionally, we consider the kitchen the heart of the home, and for good reason. In the kitchen, you nourish your family with food, meaningful conversation, and homework help. The design of your kitchen should support these connections. So how can you create a family-friendly kitchen? How to Design a Family-Friendly Kitchen Every family is unique, so the kitchen design that works best for someone else might not work best for you. That said, there are a few universal tips to make sure you optimize your kitchen for your family. 1. Evaluate your needs What’s important to your family? How do you want to use your kitchen? Think about your needs and make a list to understand your kitchen design goals. Here are a few things to consider: Do you want your children involved in preparing meals? How many people do you expect to be in the kitchen at the same time? Do you want your children to prepare some foods
Knobs & Pulls: How to Choose the Right Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
You complete the perfect outfit with coordinating accessories—jewelry, a belt, and shoes. Pick the wrong accessories, and your outfit doesn’t look right—classy clothing appears awkward, the colour combination doesn’t jive, or the outfit just doesn’t feel “finished”. Kitchen cabinet hardware is the accessory that can make or break your kitchen style. The knobs and pulls you choose can either perfectly complete your kitchen design, or disrupt the flow and create style confusion. Select the Right Kitchen Hardware How do you choose the right hardware for your kitchen cabinets? It’s more than looking at a catalogue and picking out the one you like best. Selecting the right hardware for your kitchen involves considering several factors: Knobs vs. pulls Style Finish Feel Cost Let’s look at these factors more closely. Knobs vs Pulls You can use a combination of knobs and pulls in your kitchen. It’s common to use one type of hardware for your kitchen drawers and another type for the
9 Ways to Organize Your Kitchen to Make Eating Healthy Easier
It’s the first week of a new year, so you fill your fridge with healthy options and the best of intentions. A week later, you’re dutifully preparing a healthy snack and notice an unpleasant smell from the fridge. Your hands wade through the abundant fruits and vegetables, and land on a mushy bunch of rotting spinach. Ew. Another week goes by and, once again, you open the fridge looking for a snack – healthy or not. You notice the contents are drastically different from two weeks ago. Gone is the colourful cornucopia of good-for-you options. In its place are takeout boxes and plastic packaging. The purpose of this post is not to beat you up about your slow-but-sure return to old habits. We’ve all been there! In fact, healthy eating in Canadians decreased by nearly 2% every year for the last 5 years of the most recent report. Instead, we want to offer you encouragement. Maybe it’s a simple matter
15 Easy Ways to Conquer Kitchen Clutter
Kitchens are notoriously clutter collection zones. As the heart of the home, you use your kitchen for far more than cooking – homework with the kids, socializing with friends, sorting mail, and more. But you can conquer kitchen clutter by implementing just a few handy techniques. How to Conquer Kitchen Clutter Here are 15 ways to help you keep your kitchen clutter-free. 1. Evaluate necessities Go through your kitchen and be completely honest with yourself about what’s necessary and what’s not. Yes, it’s handy to have a pen or two in the kitchen, but do you really need 30? Or what about your bread maker? Do you actually use it? If not, will you use it within the next 3-6 months? Get rid of any item that’s unnecessary. A helpful trick is to put a piece of tape on any kitchen item you’re unsure about. When you use it, take the tape off. In 6 months, go through your kitchen
10 Foolproof Ways to Update an Old Home
Old houses are full of character and history. But eventually, certain no-longer-charming elements simply need modernization. (Does anyone really love popcorn ceilings anymore?) There are endless ways to update an old home, but in this post, we’ll focus on 10. How to Update an Old Home Some old homes might need a complete overhaul, but many can be modernized with just a few updates. You may be able to pick and choose from this list to achieve a perfect blend of old and new for a timeless look that lasts for years to come. 1. Renovate a Single Space If your budget is tight, you might have to narrow your focus down to a single space. The kitchen or bathrooms get the most use and often look the most dated. A kitchen renovation or bathroom remodel can freshen up your home, even if you can’t touch the other areas yet. See also: 10 Signs It’s Time to Renovate Your Kitchen
Should you relocate or renovate? Pros & Cons You Need to Consider
You own your home, but it has limitations. Maybe your family is growing and you need more space, or you’d like to live in a different neighborhood. Whatever your motivation, you’ve come to the point of asking, “Should I relocate or renovate?” If this is you, you’re in good company. A vast majority of Calgarians (82.5%) are satisfied with the neighborhood in which they live, yet 21% of Alberta households plan to move within the next 5 years, according to the latest data available from Statistics Canada. Upgrading to a larger home or a better quality home, and a change in household or family size are 2 of the top 5 reasons for relocating. But if Calgary home owners like their neighborhood, would it be better to renovate instead of moving to a new house? Let’s explore the pros and cons of relocating and renovating. Pros & Cons of Relocating Sometimes renovating isn’t an option. If you want a different
Superior Quality & Attention to Detail Results in Your Dream Kitchen
Many kitchen cabinet companies boast quality products, but superior quality combined with attention to detail make a massive difference. A new kitchen won’t be your dream kitchen if it just looks fabulous on the outside. The hub of your home is a high traffic, high use space that takes a beating in countless ways. Slammed drawers, moisture from cooking, hot pots on the countertop, chopping and slicing, and a host of other activities demand quality materials and construction if you want your kitchen to last. Let’s take a closer look at the components that make your kitchen cabinets superior quality, and how attention to detail results in your dream kitchen or renovation experience. Why Custom Cabinets are Superior in Quality Not all cabinets are created equal. On the outside, a stock cabinet from a big box store might look the same as a custom cabinet, but several factors make the custom cabinet superior to stock cabinets. The design of
