5 Popular Kitchen Trends in San Diego

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kitchen trends

Sunny San Diego, California is known for beaches, sunshine, culture, openness, architecture and more. Though one thing most people don’t associate with San Diego is kitchens. Yes, kitchens. Part of our area’s iconic architecture includes the place that keeps us all from going hungry.

So let’s talk a little more about San Diego kitchens. They’re trendy, and if you haven’t already you should start taking notice. Updating your kitchen based on San Diego kitchen trends can take your home to the next level.

If you’re ready to give your kitchen a modern look, we’re breaking down the top five popular kitchen trends.

Kitchen Trends 101

What’s hot and what’s not changes quickly. That’s why our trends keep in mind not only what’s in style, but also functionality. You don’t want to get stuck with a kitchen that looks nice but isn’t actually any good for cooking.

As far as San Diego centric trends, we’re ahead of the curve when it comes to style. Plus, we have the added benefit of year-round warmth that allows unique home designs that don’t work in colder climates.

Let’s break down our San Diego-centric designs.

Reclaimed Wood

San Diego loves the environment, and we strive to keep our planet healthy. This means opposing the needless destruction of our forests. We like to keep it green in any way we can. So, we’ve turned to reclaimed wood to make our kitchens new without harming the planet.

Unfortunately, cut wood is already cut. But we can make a difference by using only reclaimed wood. It’s versatile enough to use on every part of the kitchen, and that’s exactly the new strategy.

Design experts are using reclaimed wood for everything from islands to shelves to cabinets. The used wood gives a vintage look that’s in style right now for everything from clothes to cabinets.

Islands

Kitchen islands promote an open-air feel that’s excellent in warm climates like San Diego. The central island promotes an open-air feel that works well with our warm ocean breezes. Plus, islands are prime candidates for reclaimed wood!

A kitchen island provides an excellent central gathering place in the kitchen, as well as making an appealing centerpiece. Islands also provide extra kitchen space for appliances and cooking.

They’re great for customization as you can design an island as large or as small as you’d like. Islands make sure the rest of your kitchen can really shine.

Industrial Kitchens

The younger generation likes to cook, and they also like to set trends. It’s no surprise then that among kitchen trends the industrial look is grabbing hold. Industrial appliances make cooking easier and faster than ever before.

Metal appliances combined with darker colored cabinets and countertops make normal kitchens look for at home in a restaurant. The sleek look helps hide dirt and also compliments kitchen islands excellently.

Hardware

Hardware refers to your kitchen knobs, pulls, plumbing, and other fixtures. The big thing here is upscale hardware. While never the centerpiece, hardware has a subtle effect on your kitchen’s overall look.

Shoddy hardware isn’t noticeable, but it keeps your kitchen from looking its best. It’s like wearing a necklace. It’s probably not the centerpiece of your outfit, but it helps accentuate what’s already there.

Remodeling Your Kitchen the Right Way

Taking advantage of the latest kitchen trends means remodeling your kitchen to have it looking as good as possible. And, remodeling means finding a high-quality design team.

As it happens, our design team has years of experience bringing to life the latest kitchen trends. If you’re looking to remarked your kitchen, get in contact with us today.

Filed Under: Blog, Kitchen Remodeling

4 Kitchen Tips For the Ultimate Resale Value

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kitchen tipsWhat if making a few changes to the kitchen could help you sell your home?

Everyone who sells their home wants to make a profit. And making a profit is about making the kind of changes that enhance your home’s resale value.

The kitchen is one of the biggest factors when people buy a new home. Keep reading to discover four kitchen tips to improve your resale value!

1. Kitchen Tips to Avoid

Before you know what to add, you should know what to not add. There are certain changes to the kitchen that will harm your chances of a sale. And some of these changes even harm the resale value!

If you have a kitchen island, be careful where you place it. Anything that gets between the sink and the refrigerator is a turn-off for buyers.

Avoid ceramic flooring. It’s tempting because it’s durable and good-looking. However, it hurts your feet after standing on it a while, and buyers know this.

Finally, don’t go cheap on the cabinets. Spend good money investing in cabinets that are durable, beautiful, and tall. Trying to save money with cheap cabinets means you lose money on selling your home!

2. Open Some Space

If you have the money and you have the vision, opening up your kitchen space can do wonders for your resale value. You do this by knocking down the walls keeping your kitchen separate.

This makes your home look even bigger. And it provides the kind of open floor space that buyers are really craving!

3. Taking It for Granite

There are certain kitchen features that only appeal to certain kinds of buyers. However, the one thing that appeals to every buyer is granite countertops.

Such countertops add elegance and class to any kitchen. They are practically expected in luxury homes, and they can add the appearance of luxury to any kitchen.

Granite is also a pretty competitive material in the home furnishings market. That means that you can afford to check around and find the best-looking countertop that is still in your kitchen price range.

You still have options if actual granite is out of your price range. Pulverized quartz is cheaper than granite but offers patterns that look almost exactly like granite.

4. Natural Color Schemes

Adding a new paint scheme to the kitchen is a major part of many renovations. However, you should stick to natural colors for any repainting that you do.

Bright and unnatural colors can make the room look “loud” and chaotic. This is very likely to drive prospective buyers away.

Try to use natural colors, but avoid making everything white. This makes the kitchen look inviting without looking generic.

The Bottom Line

To improve the value of your home, you need to improve your kitchen. However, chances are that you don’t know where to start when it comes to kitchen tips!

You don’t have to renovate on your own. At Envision Design, we can take any room in your house and add elegance, class, and value.

To discover how we can transform your kitchen, contact us for your free consultation today!

Filed Under: Blog

5 Backsplash Tile Designs to Consider for Your Kitchen

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Backsplash TileChoosing the backsplash tile for your kitchen is no small feat. Since the kitchen is the heart of the home, it deserves special care throughout the entire design process.

And the decisions we make are endlessly exciting. Will the countertops be granite or marble? Will the cabinetry be a dark stain or white?

Since the backsplash is going to be right up against those countertops and cabinets, everything must blend together perfectly.

We’ve handpicked some of the most stylish designs for you. Let’s see which one fits in with your kitchen dreams.

Mexican Backsplash Tiles

Do you enjoy a good taco night? Well, pair that pitcher of sangria with a beautiful display of Mexican backsplash tiles.

Their color and energy will radiate off your kitchen wall, inspiring endless nights of delectable dishes and heartfelt fun.

These backsplashes tend to do well with white or wooden cabinetry. The stain can be either light or dark.

Given their flair, they tend to act as the focal point in the kitchen. Some homeowners even dedicate an entire accent wall to Mexican tiles.

This takes the heavy lifting off any other textured or layered patterns you might be considering anywhere else throughout your kitchen.

White Subway Backsplash Tiles

Folks, the white subway tile is never going out of style. How could it? With its pristine lines and glowing shades of cleanliness, it will forever be the go-to tile.

Many homeowners choose to tile an entire wall in their kitchen with white subway tiles. That’s an elegant path to take.

However, just trimming your countertops with a brushstroke of white subway tile is finery at its best.

If you select copper or bronze fixtures, they’ll gleam amidst the soft glow of your white subway tiles.

Seaglass Backsplash Tile

Do you and your loved ones enjoy a good clam bake or a fresh tray of oysters?

Then a beautiful blue-green sea-glass backsplash is just the ticket. It will evoke waves of calmness and serenity, and make you feel like those ocean waves are right outside your door.

With sea-glass, the options are endless. You can install tiles with a matte finish or a glossy sheen.

You can square them off, using different sizes. Or they can be rectangular, set in a staggered pattern.

You can’t go wrong and you’re guaranteed to love the finished product.

Stacked Stone and Granite Backsplash Tiles

A natural, stacked stone backsplash emits a sense of uniformity and cleanliness.

Similar to the clean white subway tile, if you pair your stacked stone backsplash with some gorgeous copper elements, no one will be able to take their eyes of your kitchen.

Here’s another bit of food for thought. We all know and love granite countertops. But, have you ever considered a granite backsplash? This provides an unexpected element of glamour.

Pair some glossy stainless steel appliances with your granite backsplash and you’ll be in a league of your own.

Metallic Backsplash Tile

Ready to have some fun? Let’s go bold with a metallic backsplash tile. If the rest of your kitchen space has a crisp, cool feeling to it, this is definitely a statement to consider.

Speckle your space with potted herbs and greenery, and your metallic backsplash will stand out in the most charming way.

Get the Kitchen You’ve Always Dreamed Of!

Here at Envision Design, we’ve performed thousands of residential kitchen remodels throughout San Diego county.

We treat every remodel as if it were our own home.

We’d be delighted to set up a free consultation with you. Let’s design that kitchen of your dreams!

Filed Under: Blog

The 5 Best Kitchen Remodeling Apps to Get Ideas

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kitchen remodeling appsSome of us have the moxie of an executive chef.

Others are happiest with a good space that makes reaching our take-out boxes easier.

Regardless of function, kitchens are a central part of our lives more than ever. Just like the Food Network inspires your cooking, let these five kitchen remodeling apps inspire your appetite for beauty.

Houzz Interior Design Ideas

Referred to as the No. 1 app for improving and designing your home, Houzz breaks down their high-resolution photos into easy navigation categories. Search by style, room or location.

Houzz encourages you to create idea books to save your favorite design photos. Share these with friends, family, and your San Diego design team — all with just a few taps.

Pinterest

This is the ultimate app for design inspiration and overall creative ideas. Now you can use it as one of your favorite kitchen remodeling apps.

Organize the styles and designs you like by “pinning” them to specific topic boards you create. The intuitive searches guide you in the right direction.

Find something that really piques your interest while surfing the web? Tap the image and it automatically saves to your Pinterest account.

Zillow Digs

Best known for its expansive online real estate database, Zillow Digs is taking some lessons from “Mother.”

Browse kitchen improvement and design suggestions. Get inspired by high-quality images organized by style and project location.

Organize and save your favorite kitchen remodeling ideas to user-created boards. You can also snap your own pictures of designs you come across out in the world. Then, upload them to your boards.

Zillow Digs also enables you to get the information to make your project happen. Get cost estimates, paint colors, and product details right from the app.

Home Design 3D

Indulge your inner home design diva with one of the most creative kitchen remodeling apps available. Used by over 12 million people worldwide, the app has both a free and paid version.

Drag and drop any of the hundreds of objects and joinery. Change the interior and exterior of your home. Draw new rooms, create additional entrances, and add single and small walls.

Developers say Home Design 3D is the perfect app for people looking for versatility. Redecorate, redesign or create the home of your dreams.

TapPainter

Are you struggling with visualizing paint colors for your kitchen design project? TapPainter is the answer.

TapPainter is one of the more superior apps for envisioning interior paint colors. This intuitive technology will actually adjust paint color according to the specific lighting in a room. This is based on lighting from the original uploaded image!

As creator Mark Lichman says, “This is far superior to simply adjusting the color within the image.”

Take the drudgery out of selecting a paint color for your kitchen. “Hire” TapPainter as your virtual paint color assistant.

Next Steps After Using Your Favorite Kitchen Remodeling Apps

A major kitchen renovation can result in a return on investment of between 61 and 70 percent of the cost.

Now that you’ve been inspired, the next step is to choose a reliable company in the San Diego area. Envision Designs is ready to make the kitchen of your dreams come true.

Looking for inspiration beyond the Pinterest, Houzz, or Home Design 3D for your kitchen remodeling project? If so, be sure to visit our showroom.

Filed Under: Blog

Ultimate Spring Checklist for a Bright and Fresh Home

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Ultimate Spring Checklist for a Bright and Fresh Home

The birds are chirping, the air is fresh and bright, and the days are lasting longer now that daylight savings has finally come. Do you know what that means? Spring has arrived here in San Diego! Although our winters are typically mild, that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate the coming of springtime! Now that the “cold” months are over, it’s time to spruce up your home for the lovely, refreshing, invigorating time of spring. Follow our ultimate spring checklist to make sure that your house is fully prepared to take advantage of this lively season. [Read more…]

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Remodeling Done Right – Customer Testimonials

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Envision Design San Diego Kitchen Remodel – Before and After

Here at Envision Design, we pride ourselves on delivering an exceptional customer experience during your home remodel. Here are a couple of stories from a few of our former clients:

We recently received this kind letter from one of our former clients:

We wish to express how happy we are with the work that Envision Design performed on our house, garage, and granny flat; painting, caulking, and rebuilding the gazebo. The workers were very professional, polite, and meticulous in their work…They did a beautiful job restoring our home to its original beauty.”

-Larry and Kathy W

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Bathroom, Blog, Kitchen Remodeling, Remodeling Guide, San Diego, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

6 Bathroom Remodel Upgrades to Enhance Your Shower Experience

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Are you ready to take “the plunge” and do a little bathroom remodeling? Great! Envision Design is here to support you. We have taken the time to compile a list of our 6 favorite ideas for your upcoming bathroom remodel.

1. Incorporate shower storage
There is nothing more convenient than having storage built into your shower. Gone are the days of corners crowded by shampoo bottles! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Bathroom, Blog, Remodeling Guide, San Diego, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

5 Reasons Why You Should Consider a Window Replacement Today

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Exterior remodeling projects are extremely lucrative for homeowners because curb appeal is the first thing that a buyer notices about a home. Window replacement is one of the most beneficial projects that you can undertake as a homeowner. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, a new set of windows can return homeowners around 78% of the project expenditure upon resale! In this post, we are going to discuss the 5 five biggest reasons why you should consider a window replacement for your home. [Read more…]

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Eco-Friendly Renovations

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Going Green is a huge trend in our society today. From recycling paper and plastics to reducing our need for fossil fuels, most Americans consciously try to reduce the impact they have on the environment. It ought to be no surprise then that Going Green has made its way into home remodeling and is quickly gaining speed.Everywhere you look more and more contractors are using green methods to remodel homes. Living rooms and basements are made to be more Eco-friendly and sustainable. Kitchens and bathrooms are being renovated with recycled glass tiles and paper counter-tops. More and more builders are finding ways to introduce more sustainable materials into their tool box everyday. So what can you do to make sure you next remodeling project is an Eco-friendly one? Here are a few tips:While your remodeling, there are a lot of small adjustments you can make that have less of an impact on the environment. More importantly, many green renovations are also better for your budget as they can significantly lower your overall renovation costs.

Always plan your renovations carefully so you don’t need to make costly or wasteful changes afterwards. Implementing a clear plan does not require sacrificing flexibility, however it will help to reduce unnecessary adjustments later.

Work with a contractor with green renovation experience. Your contractor should have a record of past green remodels that demonstrate their own ability to deliver environmentally-friendly and sustainable renovations.

Particulary when remodeling an older home, look out for asbestos and if any is found hire a trained specialist to remove it properly. Asbestos is extremely dangerous and should be handled by trained individuals only. Keep your remodeling mess and dust in the area you will be remodeling, put up plastic barriers at the doors and windows to keep the dust and mess from escaping into other areas of your home.

Use recycled materials whenever possible. During demolition take careful attention to the materials that are being taken out and take into consideration whether or not you can use them again in the remodel. If you can’t reuse them, consider donating them to a local charity, or contact your local recycling company to find out which materials you can recycle and which must be thrown away.

Always look for recycled materials first before purchasing new materials. You will be surprised what a little search on the internet can turn up.

Look for more Eco-friendly or sustainable materials. Woods that grow quickly are a great option for flooring because they are more sustainable to our environment, Eucalyptus, cork, and bamboo are great options.

Inevitably, it is very hard to make next renovation a eco-friendly one. As you can see they are several ways you can reduce your carbon footprint and make our environment a more sustainable one. Speak with one of our Envision Design Experts today and you will get even more tips on how to make your home more sustainable.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Remodeling Guide, San Diego Tagged With: , , , ,

Want to Recoup Over 80% of your Remodeling Investment?

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Based on the latest statistics your money spent on a major kitchen, or bathroom remodel will be less likely to be recouped than should you spend that same amount of cash on basic maintenance like new siding. New siding recouped almost 93 percent of its cost. The other home improvement likely to return more will be a minor kitchen remodel about $15,000, which returned almost 93 percent. Roof and window replacements will return 80 percent or more.

New home buyers do not like to think that their new gem will require a few minor repairs, but simple maintenacne items can eat through your remodeling budget very quickly

A nice bathroom and kitchen are still extremely important and can be a great investment you can make to your house. These are the two big rooms that buyers are searching for.

If you’re thinking about investing money into home improvements this year, keep a few things in mind. How well will your investment pay you back, and what is the most crucial place to invest. Of course if you live in a neighborhood of $200,000 homes you don’t want to remodel and spend $50,000 on your kitchen, it will be hard to sell your house in excess of $200,000.

In a good market, bathroom or a kitchen remodel is a very good investment, often times returning more than your original investment. Baths and kitchens are also areas where you can see where your money is going, unlike new wiring or new insulation. Kitchen and bath remodels are also the most expensive parts of your house to remodel. However this is where most families spend the majority of their time in their new homes.

Maintenance items are more important for resale, if the roof is curling and the siding is bad you may not even be able to sell the house. Even with a newly remodeled kitchen or bathroom a potential buyer will overlook those items knowing they have to replace the roof or siding. Every homeowner’s first priority will be to keep the existing structure sound. It is always better to take care of the maintenance items then to spend thousands to redo your kitchen or bath room.

Take a buyers point of view to start with when it comes to investing money into your home.
Does the outside structure of the house seem good? How does the roof and siding look?
It is always better have a new roof and a dated kitchen or bath, then to have a new kitchen and a bad roof. Most homebuyers have a price range they can afford to purchase a new home in. When they know they don’t have to spend money on basic maintenance items, they are twice as likely to purchase the home and remodel the kitchen or bathrooms themselves. More than 75% of new home buyers knew what area of their home they were going to remodel first before they acutally closed on the home!

Filed Under: Blog, San Diego