Kitchen Design

Maximizing Comfort and Functionality: A Guide to Secondary Suite Kitchens

a secondary suite kitchen

Earlier this year, we explored the value of transforming your basement into a secondary suite. At the time, homeowners in the City of Calgary had 9,497 legal suites. At the time of this writing, that number has risen to 11,715. More homeowners are balancing the rising cost of living by turning part of their living space into a revenue property.  Whether it’s to accommodate family members, generate rental income, or simply create a more flexible home, the design of secondary suite kitchens plays a pivotal role in the overall functionality and comfort of these spaces. This guide will delve into crucial considerations, practical tips, and innovative ideas to help you create a well-designed and efficient kitchen for your secondary suite. 3 Key Considerations for Secondary Suite Kitchens In the intricate dance of space and functionality, secondary suite kitchens demand careful consideration and strategic planning. The challenge lies in crafting a culinary space that fits seamlessly into the suite’s overall design … Read more

Open Shelving vs. Cabinets: Pros and Cons for Small Kitchens

an okotoks kitchen with open shelving and custom cabinets

Open shelving has seen increasing popularity in recent years. Which is better for small kitchens—open shelving or conventional cabinets with doors? Both options have merits, but they also come with drawbacks. In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of open shelving and cabinets to help you make an informed choice that suits your space, style, and storage needs.  Pros of Open Shelving With so many advantages of open shelving, its trending status is no surprise.  1. Visual Openness Open shelves can help you highlight visual elements in your small kitchen, like brickwork, wallpaper, backsplash tile, or an accent paint colour. Turn your shelving into art by displaying your spices in clear glass jars, showcasing seasonal dishes, or featuring a stunning vase with flowers.  Additionally, open shelving can make a small kitchen feel more spacious by creating a sense of airiness.  2. Accessibility With open shelving, everything is within easy reach. You can quickly grab what you need … Read more

7 Tips to Improve the Space, Style & Functionality of Your Small Kitchen in Okotoks

pots hanging from a rack in a small kitchen in okotoks

Are you grappling with a small kitchen space? Many Okotoks homeowners in today’s housing market face the challenge of making the most of compact kitchens while maintaining functionality and style. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of tips and design ideas to help you transform your small kitchen into a functional and visually appealing space. 7 Practical Tips to Transform Your Small Kitchen in Okotoks Whether you’re planning a kitchen for a new home or preparing to remodel your kitchen, these practical tips will help you maximize your small kitchen so it can be a room you love to be in.  1. Apply Colour Psychology for Small Kitchens When dealing with limited space, colour matters immensely. White is a small kitchen’s best friend because it reflects light. If white doesn’t appeal to you, light colours create a sense of openness and airiness, making your kitchen appear more spacious. Add pops of colour with accessories or small decor items to … Read more

How to Enhance Your Cabinet Design With Crown Molding: A Complete Guide

white crown molding on a grey wall

Custom cabinetry in any room of your home provides ideal storage solutions, upgraded value, and personalized design. You can elevate your cabinet design with crown molding, an elegant and increasingly popular custom cabinet feature.  In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the benefits of crown molding and how it can transform your space into a stunning visual masterpiece.  What is Crown Molding? Crown molding is a decorative trim typically installed along the top edge of cabinets. It serves two purposes: Crown molding adds visual appeal to your cabinet design, and  It creates a seamless transition between the cabinets and the ceiling. Crown molding can be traced back to classical architecture and has evolved over time to become a staple in modern cabinet design. 3 Benefits of Crown Molding in Cabinet Design Whether you’re renovating a fixer-upper, designing a brand new home, or simply wanting to elevate your home’s look, crown molding offers multiple benefits.       1. Enhance visual appeal and add elegance … Read more

3 Compelling Reasons to Choose Soft-Close Cabinetry

partially open and well organized kitchen drawers with soft-closing feature

When renovating your kitchen or designing the kitchen for a new home, most of your selections affect what your kitchen looks like, including your kitchen design style, countertops, flooring, lighting, hardware, appliances, fixtures, and more. But there’s an invisible feature that can make all the difference—soft close cabinetry. The benefits of soft-close cabinetry are definitely worth considering. But first, what is soft close cabinetry, and how does it work? What is soft-close cabinetry? Soft-close cabinets are equipped with hinges or drawer slides designed to close your cabinet doors or drawers slowly and automatically. This functionality was a high-end upgrade for many years, but it’s quickly becoming standard in new homes.  Soft close hinges and drawer slides employ a hydraulic mechanism that slows the motion of the door or drawer as it closes. A soft-close cabinet door or drawer is nearly impossible to slam.  The first time you encounter soft-close cabinetry, you’ll likely experience an odd sensation because of the gentle … Read more

10 Creative Ways to Use the Space Between Your Kitchen Cabinets & the Ceiling

modern white kitchen with tall cabinets to minimize the space between your kitchen cabinets and 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 … Read more

14 Effective Techniques to Make Your Small Kitchen Look & Feel Bigger

how-to-make-your-small-kitchen-look-and-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 … Read more

Top 10 Kitchen Upgrades to Add Value to Your Home

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.  … Read more

The Top 10 Kitchen Design Trends for 2023

top-kitchen-design-trends-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 … Read more

Improve Rental ROI With These Top 5 Kitchen Upgrades for Rental Properties

improve-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. … Read more

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