Archives for July 2017

So you’re looking to get a new kitchen countertop, but you’re not exactly sure how to choose the best one.

Countertops play an important role in your kitchen, both functionally and aesthetically. To find the best kitchen countertops, you need to take your research past the pages of Pinterest.

Don’t worry though, the search isn’t as complicated as you may think. If you begin by asking yourself the right questions, your kitchen countertop search will be much easier.

But just what questions do you need to ask?

Keep reading to learn the five questions you should ask to help choose the best kitchen countertops.

Question #1: How Will I Use Kitchen Countertops?

Assessing what your family will use your countertop for will help you narrow down your decision quite a bit.

If it’s just you and your hubby at home, and you tend to order in more often than not, then you can focus your search on aesthetics more than functionality.

If, however, you cook a lot and you’ve got hungry kiddos who are spending a lot of time in the kitchen between meals, you’ll want to look for a countertop that can withstand a lot of daily activity and clean up.

For example, opting for a kitchen countertop that’s been treated with several coats of sealant will help you avoid food stains.

Question #2: How Much Maintenance Do I Want to Deal With?

Some countertops are extremely resilient, while others come with a long list of maintenance demands.

Be realistic about how much time and money you are willing to put into countertop upkeep.

If maintaining appliances and furniture is a struggle for you, you’ll especially want to avoid porous materials, such as limestone, marble, and granite. These materials require sealing at least once a year.

Think about previous purchases (i.e. outdoor grills, patio furniture, vehicles). If you struggled with maintenance, then be sure to factor that into your final decision.

Question #3: What Dimensions Do I Need?

Having a size estimate for your countertop will be extremely helpful when it comes to selecting materials.

For example, if you host large family gatherings, you may decide that a spacious island countertop is right for you. But, you had your heart set on marble and realize the price of a large slab is out of your budget.

This can lead you to shop for countertops made of two materials. You could perhaps do wood for the island and marble for the smaller countertops.

Question #4: What’s My Budget?

The price of kitchen countertops can vary greatly, so it’s important to not overlook budgetary needs.

However, keep in mind that well-maintained countertops can last indefinitely. Therefore, before you set a strict budget, pick a material first. Then, try to find a version of this material that fits into your budget.

You’re going to be living with this decision for many years to come, so don’t be afraid to spend a little more than planned.

Question #5: What Materials Do I Like?

Of course, we can’t forget about personal preference when it comes to picking the right countertop.

However, aesthetics alone are not enough of a reason to choose a countertop. Try to choose one that’s aesthetically appealing and meets your other criteria.

You can easily end up resenting even the prettiest countertop if it proves difficult to maintain.

Choosing the Best Kitchen Countertops: Wrap Up

We hope this article makes your section process a little easier!

If you are looking for more inspiration beyond the Pinterest boards for your countertops or other remodeling projects, be sure to visit our showroom.

We can serve as your personal guides for picking out the right countertop to suit your needs!

Are you looking for a unique way to accent your kitchen island?

Kitchen island lighting is one of the most underrated parts of a kitchen’s design. It can help set the theme and increase the functionality of one of the most frequently used areas in your home.

But when it comes to lighting, there are hundreds of options to choose from.

Read on to learn some ways to help you choose the best kitchen island lighting.

Set the Tone

Your kitchen island is a unique part of your kitchen that gives you more counter and storage space. But how you light your island is what helps set the tone for your kitchen.

When choosing your lighting source, you should consider the style and color scheme in your kitchen. If you have a modern theme, you won’t want island lighting meant for a Mediterranean or French Country kitchen.

Do you want the lights above your island to be where a guest’s eyes are drawn to first? Or do you want your wood cabinets or stainless steel range hood to be the centerpiece?

Thinking of these things will help you narrow your search for lighting.

Increase Functionality

When it comes to functionality, you should consider the primary function of your island and what your lighting needs are.

For some homeowners, a kitchen island is in a small, square shape and meant to help add some functionality and extra storage space to the kitchen. The island is used for little more than food preparation and placing fresh flowers.

Others might choose to the use their kitchen island as the primary place to eat meals and entertain guests. These islands are larger and double as the kitchen table.

If you are in the latter group, you might lean more towards a chandelier or larger light instead of pendant lights or other small light fixtures.

Paying the Price

Kitchen island lighting can vary quite a bit depending on what you want. The price you pay also depends on who makes the lights and their size.

There is perhaps no better example of this than with pendant lights. You can find a set of three satin nickel pendant lights for as little as  $40, but a nicer eight-light set of chrome linear pendants can run you almost $2,000.

Looking for a fancy chandelier to hang over your island as a kitchen table? You can spend thousands of dollars more!

Determine Size & Materials

The size and materials of your kitchen island lighting fixtures are made out of should complement the rest of your kitchen.

If you have a larger island and kitchen, you can likely buy bigger fixtures. But be sure to pay attention to how the other lights in your kitchen ‘fit’ with the lights you want to hang over your island. You want to avoid buying island lighting that is overbearing on the rest of your kitchen.

Light fixtures can be made of materials like brushed aluminum, nickel, wood and cloth, just to name a few. Some of the things to consider include the color scheme in the rest of your kitchen and if you want your island lights to be ones that stick out to your guests.

Aesthetics aside, fixtures with a hard surface are easier to clean than cloth but it’s all a matter of what you want.

Picking Your Kitchen Island Lighting

Choosing your kitchen island’s lighting helps complete the feel of an important room in your home.

At Envision Design, our team of professionals is knowledgeable in the latest kitchen and bathroom remodeling trends. Contact us today or visit our San Diego showroom to find out more about how we can help you with your home improvement project!

Fully remodeling a kitchen can cost around $60,000, so you have to make sure you get it right.

If you’re considering a kitchen island as part of your remodel, you’re onto a winner. They’re a great contemporary feature, well-liked for their flexible functionality.

But what are the five things you need to consider when choosing a kitchen island design?

Picking a style

You need to think hard about which design will best fit your kitchen.

As you’re remodeling, this needs to be thought about in conjunction with the other parts of your kitchen. Do you want to go for a rustic farmhouse look with ‘natural’ finished wood?

Or are your tastes more contemporary? A smooth white worktop with sharp lighting can help make the whole room seem brighter.

An island with or without water?

One of the main choices you’ll have to make about your remodel is whether you’d prefer to have a sink on the kitchen island or not.

Bringing the sink to the center of the room can look amazing – especially if you’re willing to invest in beautiful faucets – but there are some practical problems to consider.

You’ll have to get water to the island in the first place, which will involve some plumbing work. And you may be put off by the idea of a pile of washing up standing in the middle of the room (though installing a dishwasher could help to solve that problem).

What about the stove?

The sink is just one-half of the consideration – you might also want to incorporate a stove into the top.

It can be expensive to have gas rerouted, but why not consider induction hobs? You need special cookware to use them properly, but they’re a nifty invention.

Its elements won’t heat up while there’s no pan on top – meaning that it’s much safer than a conventional hob. It’s still possible to burn yourself – but much harder. And they look great in a kitchen with modern flair.

Make sure there’s room for chairs

The kitchen should be a social space for your family. Have you considered where people are going to sit?

You can choose to double-up your kitchen island as a breakfast bar by adding a seating area on one of its sides.

This can act as a casual dining or breakfast space, a ‘chill-out’ area for the family to hang out in and chat while you’re cooking, or a quiet place to sit and relax while waiting for the food to be ready.

How about the rest of the kitchen?

You have to consider how the rest of your kitchen will fit around your island – both in terms of design – and physically. Do the colors match up? What about the materials? Is it the right size for your kitchen?

Do you need to include some storage space in the island, or will you keep enough cupboards to store all your food and plates?

Get advice on these problems and find more home remodeling tips on our blog.