Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Cabinet Door Style

 

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Kitchen Cabinet Door Shaker Style

The most common style of kitchen cupboard door around today are Shaker-style ones, this means these doors adopt simple clean lines with an emphasis on utility rather than stylistic flourishes. Shaker doors have a single flat center panel surrounded by a frame made from four pieces; they are available in a selection of different wood types and colors. The price will vary, depending on the wood used; some doors are available with a cheaper material making up the larger center panel, in order to reduce cost.

Kitchen Cupboard Acrylic Doors

Acrylic kitchen cupboard doors consist of high-density MDF wrapped with an acrylic fascia, available in a wide range of gloss finishes. They are more durable than the commonly found vinyl kitchen cupboard doors. They are mass produced and therefore often cheaper than most other cupboard door options. The one down side to acrylic cupboard doors is that due to their shrink wrapped nature they are often difficult to repair if damaged.

Kitchen Cabinets Louvered Cupboards

Louvered cupboard doors are a traditional looking slatted design. This design allows for ventilation into and out of the units, making it ideal for concealing various appliances that require ventilating. The amount of wood paired with construction time leads to a slightly higher price, however, they will give your kitchen a distinctive and memorable look.

Kitchen Cabinet Door Ideas: Inset Doors

Inset cupboard doors are so called because they’re set inside of the frame of the cupboard, as opposed to the majority of others. An inset cupboard door is fabricated with precision so it can be opened and closed whilst resting in the frame, even if the wood contracts or expands. Inset cupboard doors also require external hinges, so bear this in mind when choosing your doors as you want them to be in keeping with your design.

If you really can’t find a kitchen cupboard door style you like, then consider getting doors custom made. Although this could prove expensive, there are many companies and designers that can help you design and make your perfect kitchen cupboard doors- personalizing every detail, from the material they should be constructed from down to hinges & handles.

In summary, there are many different types of kitchen cupboard doors out there, and this article has only touched on a few of them. Take your time to consider what it is you require from your new doors and weigh up the pros and cons of each design and the impact that they will have in your kitchen, then make a decision that you’ll be happy with for many years to come.

For more kitchen ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Choosing the right kitchen worktops for your home is important because it ties the room together and is likely a decision you will live with for years to come. In general, the best choices to make when it comes to worktop materials are quartz, granite, and marble, all of which provide elegance and durability. The information below describes more about these different materials and will help you decide which style of worktop is the best to suit your kitchen.

Image via: Cambria Bellingham

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Quartz Kitchen Worktops

Quartz is an excellent material if you like your kitchen worktops uniform and easy to clean. While quartz kitchen worktops can stain, the material is generally stain resistant and very easy to clean. A finished quartz worktop is uniform in color and pattern, devoid of the variances and imperfections that many other stone worktops have. Quartz is also available in a wider variety of colors than most materials, including some colors that are not usually found in natural stone worktops. Quartz is very heat resistant and does not require sealing. Overall, this material is an excellent choice if you want something that is durable, customizable, and which does not require a lot of extra work on your end.

Granite Worktops

Granite kitchen worktops are an excellent choice if you want durability, natural beauty, and don’t mind doing a little bit of extra work. Granite requires sealing, but is otherwise easy to maintain. Depending on the color of granite you choose, you might have to do some minor cleaning and touchup down the road. This is usually true of white or light grey kitchen worktops. Granite is one of the most durable stones in the world, and no two worktops made of this material are the same thanks to the many different patterns inherent in each slab. Choosing a granite worktop gives you a chance to make your kitchen truly unique and give it a natural beauty, all for a bare minimum of maintenance work.

Image via: Tina Kuhlmann

Marble Worktops

Marble kitchen worktops are very elegant looking and tend to be more cost friendly than either quartz or granite. They are, however, more porous and less durable than the other stones, meaning that you will have to be careful to avoid scratches and stains that quartz or granite would normally shrug off. Marble has a range of beautiful natural colors that give a worktop a clean, bright look. It is also a timeless material, used in homes for generations, and can thus give your kitchen a classic feel. Marble is naturally cool, which can be helpful in some cooking projects. If you want classic, affordable, and elegant worktops and don’t mind some extra work, marble is a good choice for you.

Quartz, granite, and marble kitchen worktops all have their pros and cons, but the bottom line is that they are all potentially excellent choices for your kitchen. You should decide what kind of look and level of durability you want for your worktops, and then choose from among these three terrific options.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Have you ever considered if your beautiful granite countertops are eco-friendly and affecting you and your family’s health? While granite is beautiful as a countertop surface, many of us don’t think about the properties of the counter and if it can off gas dangerous fumes. So I decided to go to one of the best sites for green living and eco-friendly questions: USGBC’s Green Home Guide. It always has tons of green living ideas.

Here’s the question: Are Granite Countertops Eco- Friendly?

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Answer from USGBC Green Home Guide:

This EPA indicates that any type of rock could contain naturally occurring radioactive elements, such as radon.

• Some types of granite may contain more of these elements than others.
• The link indicates that there are no generally accepted testing methods for radon in granite counter tops.
• The EPA also discusses the length of time for radon to degrade and the types of home tests available – which may be a good idea for anyone to know, given the potential health risks associated with radon.

This EPA outlines the health risks of radon and can a be a good starting point to learn and provide guidance toward mitigating radon.

Whether you are looking to add granite to your kitchen or bath, or you are just curious as to granite and its natural properties, these tips should give you better insight to make an informed decision to put granite in your home.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Finding the right countertop material for your kitchen can be very challenging. Although there are several countertop materials available but then it will all trim down to your budget. However, the proportion of the price for the quality is not always relative or direct. You can still find high quality countertop material for your kitchen that fit your budget.

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Kitchen countertop materials vary in many ways. They may differ in their size, color, texture and weight. To give you ideas on finding the right countertop material for your kitchen, you may consider the following:

Granite

This is one of the most popular countertop materials. Aside from its durability, granite is proven to be heat and scratch resistant. It requires less maintenance to maintain its natural looks. You can also indulge with the wide varieties of colors and styles to choose from this type of material. This material is definitely has high value to your home but can prove to get a high return on investment when selling your home.

Quartz

Quartz is popular because of its similar elegant look of granite and marble. However, this material is quite cheaper than granite but likewise durable. Other great features of this material are its resistance to scratches and stains. It is user-friendly as you can easily clean the surface without exerting much effort.  Quartz comes in many colors and varieties and part of the appeal is the uniformity in granular and metallic sparkles within the natural material.

Tile

For flexibility and versatility of design, a tile countertop material is the right choice. This type of material is also heat and stain resistant. Although tile is prone to chip and scratch but then it is very easy to replace and cheap. Remember to have extra tiles in case there is a need for replacement.

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Marble

Marble countertops are known for its beauty and elegance. It is perfect for kneading tasks like doing some pasta, bread and other similar procedures that need to knead. Marble is vulnerable to chip. You also have to periodically seal and laminate this material to maintain its quality.

Take time to shop and compare price ranges of these popular countertop materials before you come up with your decision.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

]]> https://stagetecture.com/how-to-choose-the-right-countertop-material-for-your-kitchen/feed/ 1 27640 https://stagetecture.com/diy-saturday-64-removing-stains-keeping-granite-countertops-shiny-video/ https://stagetecture.com/diy-saturday-64-removing-stains-keeping-granite-countertops-shiny-video/#respond Sat, 20 Aug 2011 10:01:39 +0000 https://stagetecture.com/?p=17397 Guest Blog #152, Entry #624, August 20, 2011

Happy DIY Saturday! Granite countertops are one of the top upgrades that homeowners are outfitting their kitchen and bathrooms with. Rightfully so, granite is beautiful, durable, and if maintained, can keep looking good for years into the future.

Image courtesy of The Design File

Today’s DIY Saturday, I show you a You Tube Video on how to remove common stains from your granite countertops – from oily peanut butter stains, to ink. Then read tips from my Guest Blogger on how to keep your granite countertops shiny and looking like new.

You Tube video – How to remove stains from your granite countertop

Guest Blogger – How to keep your granite countertops shining

You might wonder why you need to add a granite polish to your granite cleaning routine. You use a granite cleaner regularly and have the granite sealed every year. Why use a polish in between? One reasons is that polish leaves a water resistant layer to prevent liquid penetration. Granite will stain if certain liquids penetrate the surface. By depositing a special wax into the pores and microscopic cracks of granite, you are protecting the surface from that stain potential. Quickly cleaning up stains is the first line of defense. However, sometimes you do not notice a spill until later. The polish helps keep that stain from appearing.

Granite polish: Helps fill pores of counter

Another reason to use granite polish is it helps fills tiny cracks and pores to keep the smooth finish you expect. The finishing process for your granite will leave a visibly smooth surface. However, if you use a microscope or a magnifying glass on the surface, you will see microscopic pores and cracks on the surface. That is part of the stone’s natural essence. Those openings will attract dirt and debris. It is also the place where liquids can penetrate, leaving stains behind. A good polish will lay down a layer of carnauba wax and other emollients to fill those tiny spaces.

Image courtesy of Dreamy Kitchens

Restore luster of your granite

A third reason to put a granite polish in your maintenance routine is it will restore the luster of your granite. Daily cleaning can dull the shine of your countertops. Even with the best countertop cleaners, your cleaning process may leave a bit of residue behind. With a polish, you remove that residue during the polishing process and it makes your countertops look great. You also lay down a layer of carnauba wax into those cracks and pores. That wax offers a beautiful shine that even the best cleaner cannot leave. It will protect your countertops while making them shine in the light.

Remove scratches on your granite

A final reason to bring a granite polish in is to remove faint scratches on the surface. You can spend a great deal of time cleaning your granite. That will help remove the potential abrasives left on the surface. However, life happens. You may see a dulling of the sheen over the next few weeks. By using a polish every week or two, you can remove that dulling layer. The polishing will smooth out the microscopic scratches. It will fill in deeper scratches with wax. That will make the appearance look even better.

This blog post was written by FreeDigitalPhotos.net. Try restoring shine to your granite countertops after using this granite polish.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! Today we take a look at choosing countertops for your kitchen. Depending on what type of lifestyle you have, budget, and aesthetic you are trying to achieve will help you decide on the perfect countertop for your kitchen.

Today, I show you a You Tube video featuring use of a concrete countertop, and how the design style can be custom as well as cost effective. My Guest Blogger today, will show you how the benefits of different countertop materials, in helping you choose the right material for your application.

You Tube video: Kitchen Countertop Ideas

Guest Blog – The Top 6 Materials for Kitchen Countertops

Every home has countertops used in the kitchen and bath among other various spaces in the home. These spaces are often used more than once a day. Countertops in particular, are surfaces that endure rough activity on a consistent basis, whether it is in the kitchen serving as a food preparation area or in the bathroom where the surfaces if filled with cosmetics and hot irons resting on its plane.

Countertops are surfaces that are manufactured from several different kinds of building materials. Materials utilized depend on several factors such as the budget, if partaking in a home remodeling project, to durability and location.

Some countertops that are seen throughout many homes are in the form of marble, granite, quartz, onyx, quartzite, limestone, slate and tiles.

Marble and Granite:

Marble and granite countertops are cosmetically pleasing to the eye, displaying high sophistication and chic style with great durability aspects for use. Marble is one of the most intriguing countertop to be installed in many newly design or remodeled kitchens. It sports a classic, elegant and chic design. Not only is this marble great for kitchen use, but also featured around fireplaces and furniture tops. Homeowners can polish the surface or leave it honed.

Granite is comprised of the hardest natural stone materials used for countertops. Due to the vast durability, it can withstand staining, scratching and any heat, ensuring not melt the top surfaces. It’s also a countertop that offers the largest selection of colors, but ideal for kitchen countertop spaces.

Quartz:

Many modern interiors request a quartz countertop because of its non-porous nature. It’s a prime material that is scratch resistance and offers a very contemporary feel, given the design, layout and colors offered.

Onyx:

Onyx is a great choice coming in a variety of dazzling colors and patterns. It’s actually a material that enables homeowners to backlight the surface due to the translucent elements found in onyx. This is a more contemporary product also used in bathrooms as a countertop and tub as well as furniture and fireplaces.

Quartzite:

Another popular countertop surface is quartzite. This is a non-porous surface also used in many contemporary kitchens with white or black cabinets. Because of the scratch resistant nature of the top, it’s great for any food preparation or cutting that is done.

Limestone:

Limestone has a very warm color scheme with an inviting appeal and typically paired with dark wood cabinetry. This material is most ideal for low traffic areas because it can contain fossils in the surface.

Tile:

Tiles are an exceptional choice due to the basic nature in the material. It’s a perfect complement to stone countertops due its trusted durable elements. The tiles have a very rich yet organic look and feel that replicates mid-century designs.

Slate:

Slate is another surface that provides gray colors in an organic nature like rocks in a river. This is chemically inert and available for many kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

For more information about countertops pertaining to marble and granite surfaces, please visit the blog of Wholesale Granite, a retail location providing granite countertops in Villanova, PA.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Have you noticed in homes how the bathroom has gotten larger and larger from 50 years ago? What use to be a utilitarian room to “do your business” and leave, has now become one of the most  influential rooms when home buyers are looking at homes.  As our days have become more hectic, a spa-inspired bathroom is the perfect getaway from the stresses of the day.

Today on DIY Saturday, I will show you how to transform your bathroom into a spa.  Spa inspired bathrooms are huge in home decor inspiration, and here are some tips on how to achieve the same feel in your home.

Decor:

1.) LINEN:

Towels, plush area rugs, and hanging bathrobes will transform your space from ordinary to zen-like.  Consider using baskets to display towels and toiletry articles around the bathtub and shower for easy access.

2.) TOILETRIES:

Bath soaps, gels, bubble bath, and natural body sponges should be easily accessible and can be displayed in a wooden or sea grass container to bring nature into your bathroom. For a luxurious experience, consider bath salts, sugar scrubs, and hot stones adjacent to your bathtub. When used, they will take you from inside your bathroom into a lush rain forest in minutes!

3.) COLORS:

Grab inspiration from nature when considering colors for your spa inspired bathroom.  Choose colors that are reminiscent of the sky, grass, sand, sun, rain, etc.. From pale blues, tans, greens, and browns, there is no limit to your creativity.  The more subtly toned colors you use with variety, the better your bathroom will feel.

Bathroom Fixtures:

1.) BATHTUB:

Opt for a large soaking tub that has plenty of room for relaxing.  A variety of tubs are available from sleek and modern lines to more traditional and ornate types.  Create an area around the tub for display of natural inspirations, such as sea shells and river rocks.  Also allow for ample room for when you get in and out of the tub to sit, and enjoy your tub.

2.) SHOWER:

The shower has come a long way from just being a shower head in a regular tub! Showers are now their own entity aside from the bathtub.  To create a truly spa inspired bathroom opt for a shower with glass doors and minimum ornamentation.  Shower heads now come in an array of options – rain shower head, multiple heads, temperature controls, dual heads, and the list goes on.  (See the You Tube video by Moen below to see some great options!)

3.) FINISHES:

Choose materials in your bathroom that are natural and inspired by rustic exotic places.  Stone accent walls, granite sink countertops, and sleek wood cabinetry will make your bathroom feel like you are one with nature. Opt for minimal detailing and use metals such as copper, iron, and matte chrome handles and sink fixtures  to bring the entire bathroom together beautifully.

You Tube Video – Turning your bathroom into a spa.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

A few days ago I showed you beautiful kitchen inspiration.  Today, I’m showing you kitchen countertops that come in so many varieties. From the least expensive plastic laminate to the other end of the spectrum marble and granite. Take a look at these countertop ideas from Architectural Digest, and see if any of them is the ideal for your kitchen.

White marble countertops and white concrete floors make Chef Giada De Laurentiis’ kitchen gorgeous!

Look at this beach home with a beautiful countertop called pietra serena, an Italian basalt.

Actress Diane Keaton’s kitchen features white marble countertops.

I love these these wood and soapstone countertops used in this Austin residence.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.