Remodeling a Small Kitchen?
27 December 2006
If you're stuck with a small kitchen space, you are probably looking to improve the situation. If you cannot expand the size of your kitchen, you may be able to make it feel like a larger room.
The amount of counter space is always an issue in a smaller kitchen. But when you're remodeling, your counter top can help the kitchen feel larger. You can choose just about any style of countertop material but you want to make sure that whatever it is - granite, ceramic tile, Corian, or a laminate - that it is both a very light color and contains a reflective surface.
The key to making the room feel bigger is to give the room more light. It opens the space up. The more light you have the better. A dark room, with black or dark brown cabinets and wall paint, will feel like it is closing down on you. Adding natural and artificial light, light paint colors, and a light colored counter surface will do wonders for a small kitchen. By adding under-cabinet lighting, and making sure your natural light or task lighting hits the counters, you'll increase the brightness in the room. With a reflective (shiny) surface you'll do an even greater job of flooding the room with light.
Recessed lighting glaring on a beige-colored granite counter could help make your small kitchen seem like a bigger and brighter room. It's an option to discuss when you're talking with your kitchen designer.
If you're planning to remodel your small kitchen counters, keep Construction Deal in mind. We can match you to a local kitchen countertop company who can help install the right counter for your room and make it work for you. It doesn't cost anything to post and it can save you time and money (time by not having to search through a phone book and call companies at random and money by helping you get multiple bids to choose from!) Good luck with your project!
RELATED POSTS:
Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas
The amount of counter space is always an issue in a smaller kitchen. But when you're remodeling, your counter top can help the kitchen feel larger. You can choose just about any style of countertop material but you want to make sure that whatever it is - granite, ceramic tile, Corian, or a laminate - that it is both a very light color and contains a reflective surface.
The key to making the room feel bigger is to give the room more light. It opens the space up. The more light you have the better. A dark room, with black or dark brown cabinets and wall paint, will feel like it is closing down on you. Adding natural and artificial light, light paint colors, and a light colored counter surface will do wonders for a small kitchen. By adding under-cabinet lighting, and making sure your natural light or task lighting hits the counters, you'll increase the brightness in the room. With a reflective (shiny) surface you'll do an even greater job of flooding the room with light.
Recessed lighting glaring on a beige-colored granite counter could help make your small kitchen seem like a bigger and brighter room. It's an option to discuss when you're talking with your kitchen designer.
If you're planning to remodel your small kitchen counters, keep Construction Deal in mind. We can match you to a local kitchen countertop company who can help install the right counter for your room and make it work for you. It doesn't cost anything to post and it can save you time and money (time by not having to search through a phone book and call companies at random and money by helping you get multiple bids to choose from!) Good luck with your project!
RELATED POSTS:
Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas
Labels: granite counters, Small Kitchen Remodeling, Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas, Stone Counters
Jerusalem Stone Countertops
19 December 2006
Want to know what the latest trend in countertops? No, it's not granite. Although granite is more popular than ever - the latest is a natural stone countertop material called Jerusalem stone. Yes, it's from Jerusalem and it's very similar to a limestone countertop but it's not as porous. It's very durable, like most of the harder natural stones.It's a great choice for a countertop because it's very light in color. It can brighten up any dark or windowless kitchen or bathroom and it's a perfect contrast to a dark wood color in your cabinets. The lighter options include a tan, gray, gold and cream colors. It's got the smooth finish that everyone craves in their natural stone - similar to a marble counter, but at less cost. And, like any natural stone surface, it will greatly increase the room and home's value.
The cost is pretty high - it can range from $150 to $250 per square foot, depending on thickness and size as well as your edging choices. The product will need regular sealing, like most stones, and spills must be cleaned up immediately.
If you'd like to talk to a countertop installer about your natural stone counter options, why not post your request with Construction Deal? We'll help you find a quality counter installer - for free - and you'll have multiple bids to choose from, which can save you money.
Labels: Countertop Material Options, granite counters, Jerusalem Stone, Natural Stone Countertops, Stone Counters
A Butcher Block Countertop
13 December 2006
Everyone loves the look of wood. Wood furniture, floors, and even wooden beams overhead. It brings a bit of the outdoors inside. It's a warm and natural look and, believe it or not, it is also an excellent option for your kitchen countertops.Professional chefs and home chefs have been using them on kitchen counters and kitchen islands for years. Because wood is a neutral material, it can be used with any design style - French country to modern contemporary. It goes well with stainless steel, natural stone or tile backsplashs, and it's available in a variety of woods, colors, and stains. But a wood or butcher block countertop is more than just aesthetically pleasing. It's extremely practical, too.
Butcher block counters are made from hardwoods, like maple or oak. And just like a small cutting board, you're able to cut directly on the surface of a butcher block countertop - you won't mark the surface and you won't dull sharp knives.
These counters are very durable. They are made by gluing strips of hardwood together, then adhesives are added and the wood is heated and pressure-treated. Oils are added to bring out natural colors and the countertop is finished, ready to go, and resistant to water. If there are any deep or obvious scratches, the surface can be sanded.
As far as passing along germs from foods, the wood surface is a porous material. However, studies have shown that a treated and sealed wood counter are just as safe as a laminate or solid surface counter - the properties of the wood actually prevent germ colonies from surviving long on the surface.
Wood counters are usually more expensive than laminates or tile countertops, but less expensive than granite and other natural stone material. Usually a butcher block counter runs from $60 to $85 a square foot.
If a Butcher Block Countertop is right up your alley, you can always use the Construction Deal website to find a local countertop installer. We've got a network of countertop companies ready to bid on your project - and it's free to use!
RELATED POSTS:
Installing Concrete Countertops
Bamboo Countertops? Yes, Bamboo Countertops
Kitchen Counter Options
Granite Countertops
Labels: Butcher Block, Countertop Material Options, Countertops
Solid Surface Countertop Options
05 December 2006
An option for your countertops is what is known as solid surface counters. These counters are basically made out of solid plastic. Colors and particles are added when the surface is made to give a wide range of designs with a natural stones mottled or veined look.Advantages of Solid Surface Countertops:
- Stain Resistant
- Water Tight
- Scratch Resistant
- Easily Maintained
- Great Warranties Available
- Inexpensive
- Durable
When you're ready to replace your current countertops, post the project on Construction Deal for free - we'll connect you with a nationwide network of countertop installers. Free. Saving you time and money (multiple bids mean you get the best price!)
Labels: Countertops, Solid Surface Countertops
Maintaining Your Granite Countertop
04 December 2006
Granite countertops are usually the first choice in countertop material whenever a homeowner decides to remodel the kitchen or bath. The natural stone is a beautiful addition to any room because of depth of colors and the unique character of the polished surface. Granite is truly durable as well as being stain and scratch resistant (with proper sealing.)Granite is such a dense stone that it resists chips and gouges. And, if you spill a glass of red wine, you can easily clean up the surface with a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts hot water. It's the perfect low maintenance countertop material!
Save money - avoid any of the granite cleaning products on the market today. For regular cleanings, to make sure your countertop surface remains protected as well as germ-free, it's important to clean up with regular dish soap and water, or with the vinegar cleaning solution. If you get a particularly tough stain in your granite surface, let the stain soak in straight vinegar overnight. This should take care of any lingering problem. Avoid using any bleaching product on your granite countertop.
Do not use any harsh abrasives or steel wool pads on the surface. Even though the material is scratch resistant, you'll want to avoid the possibility of any marks or on rubbing off the protective sealer on the surface.
When you're ready to have granite counters installed in your home - contact Construction Deal. Simply post your request, for free, and we'll send it out to Granite Countertop Installation Pros in your area. This saves you time - no need to call companies at random from your yellow pages book! And it saves you money - you'll have more than one bid from Countertop companies to choose from!
Labels: granite counters, granite countertop
