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
3 Reasons Our Experience & Expertise Gives You a Better Kitchen Renovation Experience
Choosing the right designer or project manager for your kitchen renovation is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the entire process. The right person for the job will give you confidence and peace of mind, streamline the experience and minimize stress, and communicate clearly. Why Experience & Expertise Makes Your Kitchen Renovation Better With so many kitchen renovation companies to choose from, experience and expertise should be at the top of your list of criteria. Here’s why. 1. Confidence & Peace of Mind A kitchen renovation is a big project, and during the process, it can feel a bit unsettling. As your old kitchen is dismantled and removed, you’ll stare at a gaping space where you once enjoyed delicious meals and made precious memories. You wonder, “Are we doing the right thing?” When you place this monumental task into the hands of an experienced expert, you can have confidence and peace of mind for several reasons.
Relationship Matters: How the Manufacturer of Your Kitchen Cabinets Impacts You
Whether you’re getting a new kitchen or embarking on a kitchen renovation, the relationship between the kitchen cabinet manufacturer and your kitchen designer and supplier has a significant impact on the quality of your kitchen and your experience during the entire process. Most homeowners don’t think much about their cabinet manufacturer. You’re understandably more concerned about choosing the right designer for your new kitchen. That’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make in this process! The right kitchen designer will instill confidence and help turn your kitchen dream into a reality. But there’s more to a great kitchen than the design. You want quality cabinets that fit your budget and you want the entire process to be as stress free as possible. This is where the relationship between the cabinet manufacturer and your kitchen designer and supplier makes all the difference. Manufacturer Matters The manufacturer of your kitchen cabinets matters just as much as the designer and supplier,
Custom Cabinets vs Stock Cabinets: What are the advantages?
Your kitchen cabinets are like permanent furniture. They dominate the look and feel of the space, and you want them to last a long time. They are truly an investment. So as you shop for kitchen cabinets, you may wonder about the differences between custom cabinets vs stock cabinets. What’s the best option for your new kitchen or kitchen renovation? Custom Cabinets vs Stock Cabinets: 4 Key Considerations Cabinets are essentially boxes and doors with shelves and drawers. A cabinet seems like a simple thing, yet there are many factors that make the difference between a quality cabinet and one that’s basically disappointment in a box. The manufacturing process determines the design, style, functionality, cost, and quality of your kitchen cabinets. Let’s look at 4 key elements of a cabinet to compare custom cabinets with stock cabinets. Materials Joints Hardware Selection Stock cabinets are mass produced, and therefore more affordable than custom cabinets, but they’re only available in predetermined sizes
How to Choose the Best Bathroom Layout for Your Home
No matter what size your bathroom is, the layout makes all the difference. You can have beautiful fixtures, perfectly coordinated colors, and a luxurious feel, but if your layout isn’t good, the whole space will be frustrating because it won’t be functional. So how do you choose the best bathroom layout for your home? In this post, we’ll look at: Key components of good bathroom design 5 essential bathroom layouts Tips for choosing your bathroom layout Whether you’re renovating your bathroom or building a new home, use this as your guide to creating a bathroom you love to be in. 4 Key Components of Ideal Bathroom Design As you’ll see later in this post, there are some common bathroom layouts that work well in most bathrooms. But there’s room for creativity, and some bathrooms have unique dimensions, which makes the usual floor plans tricky to use. That’s where the key components of good bathroom design come into play. When you
3 Inspiring Concept Board Ideas for Your Bathroom Remodel
Is it time to renovate your bathroom? Planning is the crucial first step, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Have some fun and create a concept board to inspire your bathroom remodel. Whether your goal is to maximize the space in your bathroom, simply to make your bathroom look better, or a complete overhaul of your bathroom, a concept board is a good place to start. What is a Concept Board? If you’ve spent any time browsing for interior design ideas online, you’ve likely seen a concept board. In addition to inspiring your home improvement projects, It’s a tool for visually communicating design concepts, ideas and potential products you’d like in your space. Each concept board is unique. Your concept board is a collection of things you like and that inspire you, including patterns, colors, textures and images. It’s a visual representation of the look and feel you want your bathroom to have. Physical concept boards can simply be
9 Simple Ways to Make Your Bathroom Look Better
Is your bathroom looking a little drab? Do you want to make it look better without too much drama? A bathroom refresh sounds exciting, but maybe the reality of what’s involved seems daunting to you. This post will assure you that a new look for your bathroom doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are 9 simple ways to make your bathroom look better. 1. Get rid of clutter Decluttering your bathroom is a great way to start improving its dull state. Eliminate what’s unnecessary in your bathroom to make the space look cleaner. This gives you a better idea of the space you have available for items you actually need or want to keep. Does decluttering seem like a big job? Start small. Remove nearly empty bottles of lotions, creams, shampoos, and other toiletries you haven’t used for the last month.Focus on one unnecessary item at a time, and before you know it, your bathroom will be clutter-free! 2. Change
5 Obvious Things People Don’t Tell You About Bathroom Renovations
You have your dream bathroom in mind, and you’ve decided it’s time to renovate your bathroom. But even with the most detailed plan, there’s bound to be a few surprises. That’s the nature of bathroom renovations. To help you be even more prepared, here are 5 things about bathroom renovations. They seem obvious at first glance, but upon closer inspection, are valuable tips to make your remodel project less stressful. 1. Contractors are not mind readers Effective communication with your contractor is crucial to a successful bathroom renovation. What you really want and what you really mean can easily get lost in translation. Whether you are talking to a designer or a contractor, it’s vital that you clearly communicate your vision. In the planning stages, the more detail you can provide, the easier it is for your renovation team to understand your wants and needs. You might think it’s over-communicating, but in addition to sharing what you want, tell them
10 Places to Put the Microwave in the Kitchen
Wondering where to put the microwave in the kitchen? You are not alone. It’s a common conundrum. Moving your microwave to a new spot can get complicated quickly. The electrical outlet complicates things. If there’s no outlet in a convenient location for the microwave, rewiring turns a minor location shift into a massive job requiring a professional. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for ideal microwave placement! Here are 10 places to put the microwave in the kitchen. Elevated Locations An overhead microwave keeps your countertop clear and saves space. Here are 5 overhead spots for your microwave. 1. Over the range This is the most common choice in kitchens. Position your microwave above the stove to keep it up and out of the way. This makes access easier and saves space. Be sure to consider the size of your microwave. Too large, and it’ll overwhelm the space; too small, and it’ll look awkward here. 2. A drink station A
15 Design Ideas for Small Bathrooms
Are you frustrated with the lack of storage in your small bathroom? Are you ready to change up the style? Renovating a bathroom can be stressful, especially when space is limited. However, there are plenty of ways to improve the storage and style, no matter how small your bathroom is! These 15 design ideas for small bathrooms will refresh the space and keep it chic. How to Update a Small Bathroom 1. Mirror a wall or incorporate multiple mirrors Whether it’s a large one that covers a wall or multiples for design, mirrors give the impression of a larger space. The reflection of light gives the room a brighter feel, even if the bathroom doesn’t have a window. A large mirror that reflects a small bathroom gives the impression of magnifying the room. 2. Use a glass shower door instead of a shower curtain A glass shower door opens up your bathroom and makes it feel more spacious. Other benefits
10 Practical Design Ideas for the Awkward Kitchen Corner
The corner space where two banks of kitchen cabinets meet is called a “blind corner”. It’s often wasted space because it’s deep, dark, and inaccessible. Even when the design provides access by including a cabinet door, it’s difficult to reach items stored at the back unless you have exceptionally long arms and flexibility. There are many tried and tested solutions to the blind corner cabinet conundrum. Here are 10 of our best practical design ideas for the awkward kitchen corner. 1. Lazy Susan A lazy susan is the classic go-to for corner cabinets. Spinning shelves allow you to access anything in the cabinet without having to reach. This type of cabinet typically has a bifold hinged door. There are 3 main types of lazy susans: Full circle shelves set back into the cabinet so the door can fully close Pie-shaped shelves to allow for the folding door Pie-shaped shelves attached to the door so they automatically pull out when the
Watch Out! Don’t Make These 8 Common Bathroom Design Mistakes!
Despite the small size of a bathroom, it takes hundreds of decisions to complete a bathroom renovation. Careful planning makes all the difference. If you want your remodel project to be a success, don’t make these 8 common bathroom design mistakes! Mistake #1: Selecting the Wrong Mirror Size A mirror adds more to your bathroom than just a place to view your reflection. It has a significant effect on the look and feel of your bathroom. Some bathrooms use the mirror as a decorative piece, but the risk is having a mirror that’s too small. The bigger your mirror, the more open your bathroom feels. A typical bathroom mirror should be approximately the same width as your bathroom countertop. If you have a pedestal sink, or if your bathroom doesn’t allow for a mirror as wide as the countertop, the mirror should be slightly wider than the sink. If you use a mirror that’s too small, it’s not as helpful
How to Choose the Best Lighting for Your Kitchen
From early morning till late at night, your kitchen serves as a place to eat, socialize, and work. Light plays a key role in the functionality, ambience, and character of your kitchen. So how do you choose the best lighting for your kitchen? In this post, we’ll look at: 3 main types of kitchen lighting; 6 areas of your kitchen that need lighting; and Key components of perfect kitchen lighting. We’ll also give you some tips for choosing the best lighting for your kitchen. 3 Types of Lighting Your Kitchen Needs A well-lit kitchen is crucial considering all the ways you use the space. It’s a social hub in your home, a transit zone, a workspace, and a display area for decor. A multi-purpose space requires multi-purpose lighting. A single light fixture simply cannot do it all in your kitchen. Proper kitchen lighting uses a layered approach. Let’s look at the 3 layers of lighting your kitchen needs: Ambient lighting
How to Choose the Perfect Kitchen Design Style for You
Your kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s a cliche, but it’s true. Today’s households use the kitchen for more than preparing food. It’s a place to hang out, do homework, and entertain. So you want that space to be a one you love, one that reflects your style. “But I don’t know what my style is!” Don’t worry. This is easier than you think. In this post, we’ll take the pressure off and demystify how to choose the perfect kitchen design style for you! Top 3 Kitchen Styles in 2021 It’s not necessary to choose a kitchen style that’s trending right now. If what’s “in” doesn’t suit you, there are plenty of other options that are just as fabulous. But if you’re curious about what’s popular in the kitchen design world, here are the top 3 kitchen styles homeowners are choosing in 2021. Modern Farmhouse If you browse online or in magazines for style inspiration, it won’t take
How to use the work triangle & zones for the perfect kitchen layout
When you renovate your kitchen or design the kitchen for your new home, you want the perfect layout. A new kitchen is a big investment, so you want to be sure it’s going to be both beautiful and functional. The kitchen work triangle and kitchen zones are two concepts that can help you plan the perfect kitchen layout. What is the kitchen work triangle? For the last century, the kitchen work triangle has been the standard for kitchen design. It’s like an imaginary line between the sink, the cooktop, the fridge, and back to the sink. Basic guidelines for the kitchen work triangle are The position of the cooktop, sink, and fridge creates a triangle pattern. Each “side” of the triangle should be between 4-9 feet. The sum of all 3 sides of the triangles should not be less than 13 feet and not over 26 feet. There should be no obstacles intruding the triangle (such as cabinetry, island, or
How to Choose the Best Countertop for Your Kitchen
Remember the days when laminate was the only option you had for your kitchen countertops? Things have changed! With so many surfaces available today, you might wonder how to choose the best countertop for your kitchen. In this post, we’ll look at what you need to consider when choosing your kitchen countertops, and the pros and cons of the most common countertop options. 5 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Countertops Choosing the right countertop for your kitchen is about so much more than picking a color or pattern that matches your cabinets. 1. Maintenance Maybe it’s because laminate is so easy to maintain, but it surprises most people that some countertop surfaces require ongoing maintenance. Any natural stone requires regular maintenance to ensure it stays properly sealed, for example. 2. Cost Cost is an obvious factor to consider when choosing your countertops. You can stick to your budget and have the best countertop for your kitchen. Modern countertop surfaces
How to Add Colour to Your Kitchen
The major components of a kitchen are often relatively neutral, but that can become boring after a while. Whether you’ve just installed new white cabinets or you’re still cooking amidst natural wood cupboards, you’ve probably wondered how to add colour to your kitchen. For this post, we’ve asked Holly Wiebe, our in-house interior designer, for some pro tips. 9 Ways to Add Colour to Your Kitchen Without Commitment It’s easy to add colour to your kitchen without commitment. These inexpensive ways give you the freedom and flexibility to change your colour scheme often. Try changing the colours with the seasons or for special occasions and holidays. Kitchen linens like dish towels and dishcloths Small appliances like your stand mixer Serving dishes and dinnerware A bowl of fruit Fresh flowers Art pieces Drapery Seat cushions on dining chairs or bar stools Runner or mat in front of the sink and/or stove The amount of colour you want to add to your
10 Signs It’s Time to Renovate Your Kitchen
Want to renovate your kitchen but can’t seem to convince your spouse it’s time? Or maybe you’re the spouse that isn’t convinced! Or maybe your kitchen has been hinting and you’re in denial. Let’s take the guesswork out of this huge decision. If the heart of your home shows these telltale signs, it’s time to renovate your kitchen! 1. Your needs have changed If you’ve lived in your home for a while, it’s likely the kitchen you loved at first no longer meets your needs. Adding children or older parents to your home might make your kitchen feel too small. Or if you’ve become empty nesters, maybe a smaller kitchen fits you better now. Family size is an important factor in your kitchen needs, but lifestyle plays a part, too. Maybe you entertain a lot these days, or you prefer eating at your island instead of a full-size dining table. If you enjoy cooking with your spouse or kids, your
Don’t Make These Top 10 Bathroom Renovation Mistakes!
Of all the major renovations Canadian homeowners have planned, 24% (a majority in this survey) are bathrooms. Even though it’s the smallest room of the house, a bathroom renovation can quickly get out of hand. Avoid these common bathroom renovation mistakes to keep your remodel project simple and affordable. Mistake #1: No Plan It’s tempting to plunge into a bathroom renovation without a plan. How hard can it be? Replace the tub, shower, toilet, vanity, sink, lighting, and voila! But a bathroom renovation without a plan never goes smoothly. There’s more to planning a bathroom renovation than picking out your design. Electrical regulations and plumbing need to be factored in. Now is the time to reevaluate the functionality of your current layout – maybe it’s time for a change. A professional designer or contractor can help you come up with a plan for the entire renovation, ensuring everything will meet legal requirements and avoid delays or unforeseen costs. Mistake #2:
