As stated in August’s issue of Consumer Reports, now is an excellent time for a kitchen remodel.  Referencing a study by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies predicting an increase in remodeling activity later this year, now is an excellent time to take advantage of great prices on cabinets, countertops, and flooring.

Consumer Reports touts the return of the Classic Kitchen.  Gone of the days of over-the-top designs that are glitzy and supersized.  The Classic Kitchen is one that is efficient and timeless.  I do agree, however, kitchen designs are still more spacious than those 10 to 15 years ago.  Open floor-plans and “great rooms” are still popular.

Regarding size, Consumer Reports suggests that smaller spaces are easier to work in and clean.  They state, “there should only be about 4 to 9 feet of space between the  sink and the refrigerator or between the sink and the stove.  Islands should be only 3 to 4 feet deep and 3 to 10 feet wide and have a 42-inch-wide aisle between the island and surrounding cabinets.”

So where can you save money?  Start with appliances!  Consumer Reports states that commercial-grade appliances are repair-prone and more expensive to fix.  Their tests have found faux-pro styles can deliver better or comparable performance for half as much as commercial counterparts.

Models they suggest:

For electric smoothtop ranges GE took the top three with the GE JB700DN being the CR Best Buy.

Best buy for wall ovens was the Kenmore Elite 4804 (3)

The over-the-range microwave that took the best buy was the Samsung SMH9187- but beware, the over-the-range microwaves never clear smoke as well as a standard range hood.

We always tell our clients to shop for the best deals and to not feel that they have to have the same maker of appliances throughout their kitchen.

Consumer Reports also looked close-up at what makes a quality kitchen cabinet.  I’m pleased that what makes a cabinet Consumer Reports worthy are those features we offer standard in all of our kitchens such as:

• 3/4″ plywood boxes
• solid-wood drawer sides with full extension glides and plywood bottom
• 3/4″ plywood shelves

This year, kitchen design will certainly focus on our Country’s current economic state.  A kitchen renovation is a very big expense; some families  have decided to forego renovation all together, and others have decided to go ahead with their renovation with an eye towards saving money. 

Certainly one of the big trends is actually a change in perception; the kitchen isn’t only a place to create and consume a meal.  It’s a second living room; a place to work, craft, do homework, and entertain.  And it’s no wonder!  People spend an average of 3-4 hours a day in their kitchen- and now, with the state of the economy- families are certainly going out less and staying home more!  With this in mind, people are asking for a more functional kitchen with functional objects hidden.  Think appliance garages.  Think refrigerator and dishwasher panels.  Think desk/computer areas with a bill-paying station (well concealed of course).

Above is an example of a desk/work area in a kitchen- a perfect place to write bills, a grocery list, etc.

In the picture above, notice that the dishwasher, to the right of the sink, is fully paneled to look like a regular base cabinet.

With the increased popularity of the Food Network and shows like Top Chef, cooking for fun is also a current trend in kitchen design.  Regular cooks are asking for gourmet features such as warming drawers, wine coolers, and beverage centers.   And, same as 2009, there is a strong emphasis on stainless steel commercial grade (or commercial style) appliances.

Above beverage center leads right into the family room.. and easy way to grab a drink during a TV commercial.

The easy accessibility of quality, affordable electronics like high-def televisions and surround sound systems has only increased the trend towards built-in cabinetry in the home. 

Recent jobs all feature the built-in look with floor-to-ceiling pieces with detailed moulding work.  Whether painted maple, stained maple, or cherry, built-in cabinetry creates a high-end, bespoke look in any home.

The top trend in two tone kitchens is a different stained or painted island that coordinates with the wall and base cabinetry.  Many clients have opted for distressed finishes on the island.  To take the two-tone look further, some even use a different granite color on the island as well.

Distressed black island coordinates with cabinetry

Detailed view of the center island with black distressed finish- notice how the island granite is different from the rest of the island.

Above is a better view of the two different granites used in the kitchen.  You can also see how the tile work behind the cooktop ties in with the black distressed finish of the island.

white painted cabinets with stained solid cherry island

The kitchen above uses a combination of a painted finish and a stained finish.  The kitchen cabinets are solid maple, painted white.  The island is a solid cherry wood with a mahogany stain, hand-mixed by our finisher.  This client used the same granite color throughout the kitchen to tie the whole look together.   

A two-tone kitchen is a unique  and workable look for any kitchen.

The article states that educated consumers, thanks in part to cable channels like HGTV want high-performing, high-quality cabinets.  Consumers are now paying more attention to features like pull-out garbage pails and soft-closing drawers. 

It seems Dynamic Kitchens & Furniture has been ahead of the curve!  We started out as a furniture manufacturer and have transitioned our excellent quality into our custom kitchen cabinetry.  Our kitchen cabinetry IS furniture- furniture for a kitchen!  Most of the “add-ons” the HGTV article states as being “hot for ’09″ we’ve been including in our kitchens for years!

In terms of finish, wood-tone is still the most popular- with the maple and cherry species leading the pack.  Glazes and “aging” finishes are also very popular.  We’ve seen a marked increase in requests for hand-brushed glazes that give the “weathered” look to cabinets.

custom maple cabinet with coffee glaze

pantry and refrigerator with wet bar in background

Finally, while high-end appliances are still hot- the newest trend is to “hide” the appliances with panels that match the kitchen cabinetry.  Most dishwashers and refrigerators can be hidden with decorative panels, and over-sized, coordinating hardware is available in order to integrate these pieces into the overall kitchen design.

Cabinetry purchased at Home Depot or Lowes are pre-made.  They cannot be individually customized and are offered in specific sizes and limited color options.  For example, most pre-made cabinet uppers are offered only in 30″ high, 36″ high, and 42″ high sizes.  If your kitchen calls for something in between those three sizes, either the installer has to adjust them by cutting them down, or you have to settle with a size you are less than thrilled with. 

Additionally, because these cabinets are pre-made, oftentimes fillers have to be used.  This is so because oftentimes the configuration of stock cabinetry purchased is less than the space allowed for in the kitchen.  For example, if you have 37″ available for a cabinet, but the stock size is only 36″, you purchase the 36″ cabinet and add a 1″ filler piece.  There is a potential, then, for wasted space.

Finally, pre-made cabinetry is deceptively expensive.  Many times customers come to us with plans from Home Depot and Lowes and we are able to offer them better cabinetry for either the same price, or a nominal increase.  How is that so?  Because Home Depot and Lowes doesn’t INCLUDE anything like:  installation, pull-out shelves, hardware, toe-kicks, crown trim, etc.  Once all of these “extras” are figured into the price of pre-made, off-the-shelf cabinetry, the total price is much closer, or equal to, custom made cabinets.

So, what are the benefits of custom made cabinets?  They are made specifically for your kitchen.  That translates to NO WASTED SPACE (everyone wants extra storage)!  When remodeling a kitchen in an older home, custom cabinetry can take into account existing vent, electrical, and plumbing placement into consideration during the design process.  Custom cabinets come in a wide range of stains and colors; instead of being limited to pre-made colors, custom cabinetry colors and stained are hand-mixed and applied to the client’s specifications. 

Finally, the majority of custom made cabinets are fabricated with better materials.  While I cannot speak for all custom cabinetry manufacturers, I can speak for what we do at Dynamic Kitchens and Furniture, and the differences are astounding!

Our custom made cabinets are crafted out of 3/4″ hard woods.  The majority of pre-made cabinets are crafted out of 1/2″ engineered wood (or worse flake board or particle board).  Engineered woods are composited together from scraps and cuttings of wood; it is a man-made, not found-in-nature product. 

We include with our cabinetry all the extra add-ons Home Depot or Lowes would charge you for such as: pull-out shelves, crown trim, kick plate, full-extension drawers, soft-close drawers, $5.00 hardware allowance, lazy susans, pull-out garbage pails, 176 degree German Hinges, and lastly the same wood species and finish inside the cabinet as out.  That means if you have a maple cabinet door painted white, the inside of the cabinet will also be maple and painted white.

While custom-made kitchen cabinetry does take longer than off-the-shelf options, the benefits far outway the detriments.