Maximizing Your Home’s Value: Essential Kitchen and Bathroom Updates for the Los Angeles Real Estate Market

In the competitive Los Angeles real estate market, updating your kitchen and bathroom can significantly increase your home’s value and appeal to potential buyers. In this guide, we’ll explore essential updates that can boost your return on investment (ROI) and help you stand out in the market.

Why Kitchen and Bathroom Updates Matter in the Los Angeles Real Estate Market

Kitchen and bathroom updates are among the most effective ways to increase your home’s value and attract potential buyers. These spaces are often considered the heart and soul of a home, and in Los Angeles, where the real estate market is highly competitive, well-designed and updated kitchens and bathrooms can be the key to standing out from the crowd. Not only do these updates enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal, but they also improve functionality, energy efficiency, and overall comfort.

Essential Kitchen Updates for Maximum ROI

Investing in the right kitchen updates can dramatically improve your home’s value in the Los Angeles real estate market. Here are some essential kitchen updates to consider:

  1. Countertops: High-quality, durable countertops like quartz and granite are highly sought-after by homebuyers for their durability, low maintenance, and timeless appeal.
  2. Energy-Efficient Appliances: Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can reduce utility bills and attract eco-conscious buyers. Stainless steel and smart appliances are popular choices in Los Angeles.
  3. Cabinetry: Refacing or replacing outdated cabinets with modern, functional options can greatly enhance your kitchen’s aesthetic appeal and storage capacity.
  4. Backsplash: A stylish backsplash can serve as a focal point in your kitchen, adding visual interest and protecting your walls from stains and spills.
  5. Flooring: High-quality, durable flooring materials like hardwood, luxury vinyl, or tile can withstand heavy foot traffic and add value to your home.

Essential Bathroom Updates for Maximum ROI

Just like the kitchen, an updated bathroom can significantly boost your home’s value in the Los Angeles real estate market. Consider the following essential bathroom updates:

  1. Modern Fixtures: Upgrading faucets, showerheads, and lighting fixtures to modern designs can instantly transform your bathroom’s appearance and functionality.
  2. Efficient Plumbing: Water-saving toilets, low-flow showerheads, and efficient faucets can reduce water consumption and appeal to eco-conscious buyers.
  3. Updated Vanities: A stylish, functional vanity with ample storage space can improve your bathroom’s aesthetics and organization.
  4. Tile and Flooring: Durable, water-resistant materials like porcelain or ceramic tile for
    floors and walls can provide a clean, updated look while requiring minimal maintenance.
  5. Shower and Tub: A modern, spacious shower or a luxurious soaking tub can make your bathroom feel like a spa-like retreat, enticing potential buyers.

Smart Kitchen and Bathroom Updates for Los Angeles Homeowners

Incorporating smart technology into your kitchen and bathroom updates can significantly enhance your home’s value and appeal to tech-savvy buyers in the Los Angeles market. Consider integrating these smart features:

  1. Smart Appliances: Wi-Fi-enabled appliances, like refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers, offer remote control and monitoring, making daily tasks more convenient and efficient.
  2. Smart Lighting: Energy-efficient LED smart lighting systems can be controlled remotely, customized to your preferences, and even programmed to change colors or brightness levels.
  3. Smart Thermostats: Smart thermostats can learn your preferences, optimize energy usage, and be controlled remotely, offering significant energy savings and convenience.
  4. Smart Home Security: Installing smart locks, doorbell cameras, and security systems can provide added safety and peace of mind for potential buyers.
  5. Smart Water Management: Leak detectors, smart irrigation systems, and water-saving technologies can help reduce water consumption and appeal to environmentally-conscious homebuyers.

Budget-Friendly Kitchen and Bathroom Updates for Los Angeles Homeowners

Not all updates need to break the bank. Here are some budget-friendly kitchen and bathroom updates that can still make a significant impact on your home’s value in the Los Angeles real estate market:

  1. Paint: A fresh coat of paint in a neutral or trendy color can breathe new life into your kitchen or bathroom without a hefty price tag.
  2. Hardware: Replacing outdated cabinet handles and drawer pulls with modern hardware can instantly update your space and make it feel more contemporary.
  3. Lighting: Swapping out old light fixtures for stylish, energy-efficient options can enhance the atmosphere and functionality of your kitchen or bathroom.
  4. Refinishing: Refinishing surfaces like countertops, cabinets, or bathtubs can give your space a refreshed look at a fraction of the cost of replacements.
  5. Accessorizing: Adding decorative elements, such as mirrors, artwork, or plants, can personalize your space and make it feel more inviting to potential buyers.

Final Thoughts

Updating your kitchen and bathroom can significantly increase your home’s value in the competitive Los Angeles real estate market. By focusing on essential updates, incorporating smart technology, and considering budget-friendly options, you can maximize your return on investment and appeal to a wide range of potential buyers. Whether you’re planning to sell your home soon or simply want to enhance your living space, these updates can provide lasting benefits and a higher resale value.

The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Trends in Los Angeles

Transform your home with the latest kitchen and bathroom remodeling trends in Los Angeles. In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore popular design styles, materials, and color schemes that can elevate your space. Get inspired by successful remodels and create your dream home in the City of Angels.

Top Design Trends for Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling in Los Angeles

  1. Open-Concept Kitchens: Create a seamless flow between the kitchen, dining, and living areas with open floor plans that maximize space and encourage socialization.
  2. Minimalist Bathrooms: Embrace simplicity and functionality with clean lines, sleek fixtures, and clutter-free designs that promote relaxation and tranquility.
  3. Smart Home Integration: Upgrade your kitchen and bathroom with smart appliances, lighting, and automation systems that improve energy efficiency and convenience.
  4. Indoor-Outdoor Living: Enhance your home’s connection to the outdoors with large windows, sliding glass doors, and nature-inspired design elements.
  5. Spa-Inspired Bathrooms: Turn your bathroom into a luxurious retreat with spa-like features such as soaking tubs, rainfall showers, and heated floors.

Popular Materials for Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels in Los Angeles

  • Quartz Countertops: Durable, low-maintenance, and available in various colors, quartz countertops are a top choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles: Versatile and stylish, these tiles are perfect for floors and walls, offering a wide range of patterns, textures, and finishes.
  • Stainless Steel Appliances: Sleek and modern, stainless steel appliances add a professional touch to any kitchen design.
  • Reclaimed Wood: Incorporate sustainability and character into your space with reclaimed wood for cabinetry, flooring, and accent walls.
  • Matte Black Fixtures: Make a bold statement with matte black faucets, handles, and lighting fixtures for a contemporary and sophisticated look.

Inspiring Color Schemes for Los Angeles Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels

Here are some popular color schemes for Los Angeles kitchen and bathroom remodels:

  1. Neutral Oasis: Create a serene atmosphere with shades of white, gray, and beige, accented by natural textures and materials.
  2. Earth Tones: Bring warmth and a touch of nature into your space with rich browns, greens, and terracotta hues.
  3. Monochromatic Elegance: Achieve a timeless, sophisticated look with varying shades of a single color, such as navy blue, charcoal gray, or deep green.
  4. Bright and Bold: Make a statement with vibrant pops of color, like jewel-toned backsplashes, patterned tiles, or colorful cabinetry.
  5. Coastal Chic: Channel the relaxed vibe of Southern California with a palette of soft blues, greens, and sandy neutrals.

Successful Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels in Los Angeles to Inspire You

Get inspired by these stunning examples of kitchen and bathroom remodels in Los Angeles:

  1. Open-Concept Kitchen and Living Room: This spacious, modern kitchen remodel features an open floor plan, a large island, and sleek appliances, seamlessly connecting to the living area.
  2. Minimalist Bathroom Oasis: This calming, minimalist bathroom showcases clean lines, a freestanding bathtub, and a stunning floor-to-ceiling window, creating a sanctuary for relaxation.
  3. High-Tech Smart Kitchen: This innovative kitchen remodel includes integrated smart appliances, custom lighting, and a voice-activated assistant for ultimate convenience.
  4. Indoor-Outdoor Bathroom Retreat: This serene bathroom remodel blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living with a private courtyard, an outdoor shower, and natural materials.
  5. Small Kitchen with Big Style: This small kitchen remodel maximizes space with smart storage solutions, open shelving, and a bright, inviting color scheme.

Final Thoughts

With these design trends, popular materials, and color schemes in mind, you’re well on your way to creating a stunning kitchen or bathroom remodel in Los Angeles. Remember to consider your personal style, lifestyle, and budget as you plan your project. A beautifully remodeled space not only adds value to your home but also enhances your everyday living experience.

What Type of Cabinetry Is Right for You?

In today’s hectic lives, the kitchen can be a place to reflect and spend time as a family. On the other hand, it could also be a place full of activity – you could be cooking, supervising homework, putting away groceries, and playing referee, all at the same time. You need a kitchen space that works well for your family’s needs and has plenty of storage to hold pots, pans, food, even homework materials.

Your kitchen cabinets are an important consideration when working on building a new kitchen model or remodeling an old one. If you’ve even done a casual perusal of cabinet models, you know there are more differences than just color. Cabinets vary in frame, size, depth, aesthetic, and much more. The right kind of cabinets will help you maximize your available space and make your kitchen an enjoyable family area for years to come.

One of the first considerations to make, based on your budget and family’s needs, is choosing between a framed, inset, or frameless cabinet style. What’s the difference, and which is right for you? Here’s what you need to know.

Frameless Cabinets

Frameless cabinets, also known as European cabinet style, as the name implies, are modern styles of cabinet fabrication that utilize newer hinge designs that make installing a frame unnecessary. There is no frame to the face of the cabinet, as the hinges install directly into the cabinet box wall sides. As such, frameless cabinets tend to lay flush against the body of the cabinet box and there is no space between the box and the door.

Benefits of Frameless Cabinets

Frameless cabinets started in Europe, where they are in wide use. However, the style is becoming rapidly more popular stateside as homeowners in America begin to discover its benefits. The main benefit is that it’s easier to access the items inside the cabinet space due to the frameless nature of the cabinet and the drawer boxes are wider – for this reason, frameless cabinets are a full-access design.

Once you install your frameless cabinet, there will be no center stile and the drawers and cabinet spaces are often bigger because the face frame is no longer present. For these reasons, frameless cabinetry may be a good fit for larger families or those who love to cook and have a lot of kitchen equipment. Aesthetically, frameless kitchen cabinets lend a sleek, modern feel, so they’re a good option for newer construction or people who want to remodel using a midcentury modern design. More so than any other style of cabinet, frameless designs will maximize your storage space.

Framed Cabinets

A framed cabinet is the most traditional, common type of cabinetry available on the market. As the name implies, this cabinet gets its name from the face frame on the front of the cabinets. The face frame is the front of the cabinet box. In a framed style, the front of the box is not cut out completely, but there’s a big enough hole to access the contents inside the box.

The Benefits of Framed Cabinets

Framed cabinets have been a mainstay in American households for decades. They’re the so-called workhorse of cabinet fabrications, because they’re stronger and can withstand the abuse of slamming and exploration of young children. This makes them a popular option for younger families. Since they’re ubiquitous, they tend to come at a lower price point than other models, though variation exists.

Providing a frame around a kitchen cabinet helps it hold up better over time, so a framed option will be around for many years. The installed hardwood helps prevent cabinet sagging, which can occur in other fabrications.

Framed cabinets are also popular in America because of the virtually limitless stylization options available. Overlaid frames, for example, make the boxes virtually invisible and an attractive alternative to frameless cabinets. Visible frames also allow for custom painting and contrast that lends a rustic or unique air to your kitchen.

Framed cabinets, since they’re the most popular, are likely the style of kitchen cabinet you’ve seen in kitchens your entire lifetime. They’re prized for their durability, contemporary and American aesthetic, and level of customization available.

Inset Cabinetry

Finally, inset cabinetry offers a historic, vintage, furniture look, where the door fits flush into the face frame. As movements like the modern farmhouse become more popular, inset cabinets are making a comeback. This style of cabinetry, technically a version of framed cabinets, offers a look that is both traditional and individual. They’re sure to be a conversation piece for guests in your kitchen. They requires considerable more detailed construction.

Benefits of Inset Cabinets

Since inset cabinets lay flush with the face frame, they are appealing for their smooth and clean furniture appearance. They also require a knob or pull as hardware, which allows you to play with the aesthetic you want for your kitchen. Overall, inset doors are a higher-end version of cabinetry that lends an air of Old-World historic charm. Overall, inset cabinets cost a little more than traditional framed cabinets.

Inset cabinets can also have minor downsides, such as less storage space compared to the other two models. As such, they might be best for families where storage space is already ample, or storage needs are less intensive.

Which Cabinet Style Should You Choose?

Ultimately, a cabinet style does not automatically dictate the style or taste of the kitchen. All cabinet styles have their benefits and downsides, so your main concern should be the functionality as it related to your family’s needs. If you’re a seasoned cook, host lots of holidays and family gatherings, and need ample kitchen space, a frameless option might be best for you. If you tend to have more takeout menus than pots and pans, you could choose an inset cabinet if you enjoy the aesthetic.

At the same time, the level of customization for each style of cabinet is remarkable. For example, you could choose a traditional aesthetic while using a frameless cabinet or you could have a modern kitchen with sleek lines and inset cabinets would still work well. In other words, the style of cabinet you use will not limit your design potential for other aspects of your kitchen design.

Once you decide on a cabinet style for your kitchen, you have one more important consideration: what will you top them with?

Types of Countertops and Their Benefits

Like cabinet fabrications, many types of countertops exist. However, these tend to vary in terms of material as well as aesthetic, which can affect their functionality based on your family’s needs. Some of the more common countertop materials include:

Granite

Granite countertops are among the most beautiful. They lend a classic elegance and air of sophistication to any kitchen space. Prized for their durability, your granite countertops might be the last installation you ever need.

On the other hand, granite countertops do require some maintenance, and they’re durability and beauty come with a higher price point compared to some other materials. But if you’re committed to caring for them, you could enjoy them for decades to come.

Granite countertops are natural stone and usually come from quarries around the world. An igneous stone, it starts rough and textured, but grinding and polishing give it its unique appearance. Each piece of granite is completely unique, which is part of its appeal.

Pros and Cons of Granite Countertops

Choosing a granite countertop for your kitchen has distinct advantages and disadvantages. These include:

  • They’re beautiful and durable.
  • They can seamlessly accentuate the look of your new kitchen cabinets.
  • They’re ecofriendly because of their natural sourcing.
  • With proper care, they’re durable and strong.
  • They are resistant to scratching and damage from heat.
  • When sealed and cared for appropriately, they are stain-resistant and simple to clean.

The key to having granite countertops is proper sealing and maintenance. Failing to reseal your granite countertops often enough can lead to staining, since granite is a porous material. Additionally, poorly sealed countertops can breed and harbor bacteria that could make your family sick. Choose this stone if you’re committed to its maintenance.

Marble

Marble is another high-end kitchen countertop design that, with its rich veining, offers an air of class to your kitchen. When combined with high-quality hardwood cabinetry, classic elegance results. Marble is a timeless choice for homeowners who desire premium materials.

If you need further convincing, consider that some of the world’s most famous works of sculpture are marble – Michelangelo’s David is a good example. This should tell you a couple things – first, that it’s beautiful. In fact, the world marble is derived from the Greek word for sparkling or gleaming. It’s also pliable and softer than other forms of countertop material, such as granite.

Several different kinds of marble exist, and the color will tell you where in the world it’s from. Green marble, for example, hails from Ireland, where pink variations most often come from Georgia. White marble can come from the U.S., Russia, Germany, or Italy. Each type of marble comes in different graining and veining, giving it a distinct appearance.

Last, marble also comes in different variations such as matte, polished, or leather finishes. Matte finishes are soft, but the colors are muted. Polished marble sparkles but is most susceptible to scratches. Finally, leather finishes tend to be the most popular because they’re the most durable and hide fingerprints.

Marble develops a “patina” that makes it age over time, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your preferences. It tends to scratch easier than other forms of countertop materials, but it has a high resistance to heat. With so many levels of customization available, it plays well with a variety of kitchen aesthetics, from contemporary or rustic to sleek and modern.

Quartz

Countertops made of quartz are one of the most attractive options for busy families, because they’re workhorses capable of withstanding a lot of damage. If your kitchen counters serve as food prep spaces, homework tables, makeshift workspaces, and more, a quartz countertop might be right for you. It’s one of the toughest materials out there and is beautiful, to boot. It will provide your busy family with durability for years to come while maintaining its aesthetic.

Quartz comes in a wide variety of colors, from bright colors to black. A range of beautiful neutrals also exists, from browns and creams to grays and taupes. Because it’s a synthetic material, the maker can color quartz countertops to make them any hue you can think of, while providing a feel like natural stone.

Unlike granite and marble, high quality quartz is an engineered product that should have around 90% quartz, which is a material abundant in the earth’s crust. The remaining 10% is binder and coloring. Quartz gets ground down and mixed with a polyester resin to create an extremely strong material that can withstand heat, heavy materials, and scratching. In aesthetic, it’s similar to marble or granite.

The customization level for quartz is nearly limitless, since it’s an engineered material. Unlike natural stone, it does not require regular sealing or maintenance. Since the resin makes it non-porous, it does not harbor bacteria and is easy to clean. The more quartz the better the product.

Always go for the material that has at least 90% quartz, the less resin the better.

Paperstone

Paperstone is a unique countertop material that is becoming more popular, particularly in modern homes. It’s a composite engineered product made from 100% recycled paper, resin, and natural colorants. Don’t let the name fool you – since Paperstone is compressed so tightly and densely, it is completely impervious to moisture and is nonporous. As such, it is easy to care for and does not harbor dangerous bacteria.

Many American households are turning to Paperstone, because it’s practical, beautiful, and easy to clean. It’s chemical- and stain-resistant, as well as relatively resistant to heat. It’s prized for its durability; its original use was for skateboard half pipes.

Aesthetically, Paperstone looks and feels warm and looks like it has a patina. This means it could play just as well in rustic or historic kitchens as it does in more modern designs.

Last, since Paperstone is designed with 100% post-consumer recycled paper, it’s both eco-friendly and sustainable. This makes it an attractive option for environmentally conscious households. It’s nontoxic and food safe.

Vetrazzo

Vetrazzo, or recycled glass countertops, have a completely unique look and feel that work in homes in a variety of designs. Depending on the type of glass used and the coloring, Vetrazzo countertops can appear modern or work well in a rustic or historic home. They can be manufactured to look antique or minimalistic. Vetrazzo countertops are durable but are not always the right choice for families with young children.

Glass countertops are made from up to 90% post-consumer recycled glass and are a relatively new innovation – they’ve only been in American homes for about 20 years. These glass pieces are held together with cement and are a popular choice for the eco-friendly homeowner. They are also customizable based on the color and aesthetic you want for your home.

Like most manufactured materials, Vetrazzo countertops are nonporous and easy to clean. They create a hard surface that is resistant to chipping and cracking when installed properly. They are not a good option for DIY installations, as improper technique can create stress points that can lead to cracking.

No two Vetrazzo countertops are alike, which makes them an attractive option for creative homeowners. As an owner of a Vetrazzo countertop, you have the benefit of knowing you own something completely unique.

Wood Countertops

Finally, wooden countertops are a popular option in kitchens across the country. They lend a warm and inviting feel that plays well with a variety of textures such as exposed brick and other traditional or rustic finishes. Wood surfaces are excellent for food preparation and play well in conjunction with other countertop materials such as quartz or granite. For example, a kitchen island might look good in an exotic wood like Parota paired with natural stone. Reclaimed wood countertops are also becoming more popular because of their eco-friendliness and rustic charm.

Wooden countertops lend a naturally beautiful, earthy air to a kitchen. They are an ideal match if you enjoy baking or cooking regularly, since they hide cuts and scratches well. If anything, it naturally lends character to the home. Even after years of use, wooden kitchen countertops can be sanded down and resealed, providing decades of use. It also pairs well with a variety of kitchen cabinetry and home décor. However, since wood is a porous material, it requires regular maintenance and sealing to prevent the growth of bacteria, especially on meal preparation surfaces.

Remodeling or designing a kitchen comes with many important considerations. Arguably, two of the most important are the two that represent the most significant investment – your countertops and cabinetry. Each type comes with its advantages and you must consider your family’s intended use and time for maintenance as you make your decision. Use this as a guide to create your dream kitchen based on your needs. Should you have any questions about the materials listed here or anything we offer, feel free to contact us.

Choosing the Right Contractor in Los Angeles

Are you thinking about making some home renovations? It is necessary to choose the right contractor for your home renovations. Choosing a professional and experienced contractor is the best option to avoid spending more money than needed. The most common renovations are bathroom remodels, roof repairs, siding renovations, among others. No matter which type of kitchen renovation you are planning to make, you need to choose the right contractor. 

You might have hired a contractor before or it might be the first time that you are making home renovations. No matter which one is your case, here are some things that you need to consider when you are looking for a home renovations contractor.

Make Sure you know what Renovations you want

You need to decide which renovations you want to make and how much you are planning to spend on them. If you know what needs to be done then it will be easier to hire the right contractor and give them instructions regarding the renovations. Look for designs and find out which materials can adapt to your pocket. This is important so you can have control over your home renovations. 

Ask Your Friends and Family for Referrals or Checkout Websites Online

Finding a good contractor is not so hard if you ask your friends and family for referrals. They might know someone who has done some great renovations for them. Checking websites and Facebook pages is another way to find several contractors. Verify if they have a strong online presence and check the comments of their previous customers. This will give you an idea about how well they work and if their previous customers recommend them. Make sure it is a licensed, certified and insured company that will provide you safety and an appropriate warranty for their services. There are also websites like Angie’s list for remodeling contractors that can help you to determine the cost of your project and find local contractors with reviews. 

Get Several Quotes from Los Angeles Kitchen Contractors

Don’t go with your first option or the cheapest one. It is better to compare several contractors before choosing one and make sure that you ask them all your doubts. You can ask them about the materials they use and if they hire subcontractors. Make sure you clarify all the details related to the home renovations you want to make and compare contractors. Some will provide you more benefits than others. It is best to find out as much information as possible to make the right decision. Talk to them face to face and don’t be afraid of expressing your ideas. A good contractor will hear you and give you proper recommendations. 

Take your time before you make your decision, there is no need to rush. Analyze your options and choose the right contractor for your home renovation needs. If you would like to know more about home renovations or hire a professional contractor in Los Angeles, please visit hhtps://www.bradcokitchen.com/. Find out all about the products and services they can offer you. 

Bradco Kitchens and Baths

5350 Venice Blvd. 1st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90019

(323) 936-3457

 

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Cabinet Refacing Los Angeles

If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for a quick and easy way to get your cabinets looking as glamorous and appealing as possible. Well, congratulations… you’re in the right place. 

Despite your cabinets being practical and aesthetically suitable, know that it is possible to make it even more modern and attractive thanks to kitchen cabinet refacing.  Cabinet refacing is as fashionable as carrying out a complete renovation in your home, only that it requires fewer materials and comes at a lower cost.

With your current furnishings, refacing allows you to change the style of your cabinets. It is an affordable solution that will allow you to use the full potential of your creativity. Refacing is opposed to renovation, which involves much more important and expensive work, using new materials.  

How does cabinet refacing work? Different cabinet refacing techniques

Cabinet refacing involves the reuse of existing cabinets to give the cabinets a new look. Cabinet refacing is a quick and effective way to improve your cabinets’ look without having to change your entire cabinet structure. This process is environmentally friendly since manufacturing waste is reduced, as well as manufacturing materials. To sum up, refacing is the ideal solution to rejuvenate your cabinet while retaining its layout. You can follow the technique below to get an idea of the refacing process.

 

Before and after shots of cabinets refacing

 

1. Change the paint on the cabinet doors

The easiest refacing technique would be to freshen up the paint on your cabinets. Your color choice is very important, so go for modern and bright colors. A proper technique for painting wooden cabinets starts by removing the doors, then the hardware that composes them. You will also have to clean the surface of the doors with a cleaner-degreaser suitable for wood

You will have to lightly sand the doors as well as the boxes with sandpaper. Remember to remove the dust by sandblasting with a cloth or feather duster. For better durability, apply a coat of primer and let it dry for several hours according to the instructions on the product’s back. Lightly sand the primer coat to soften the surface.

Creating a color contrast can dramatically change your cabinets’ look, inexpensively and in a short time. This is a great idea for those who don’t like large projects and have limited resources. 

2. Replacing the bottom of the Shelves or Cabinets

If you are tired of opening your cabinets and finding yourself faced with a bland, dull cabinet color, the solution might be to transform the cabinets’ interior. You can do this by using various colors and patterns. So you can choose between a patterned wallpaper or an attractive coat of paint.

3. Refacing by applying a new look to the doors

The success of residential renovations brings new products to the market. If you are looking to easily change cabinets’ look without repainting them, let alone replacing them, then a good solution would be to use films designed specifically for this purpose. Barn wood, brushed aluminum, or black carbon look will surely find a film to your liking. The application is very simple and fast.

4. Change cabinets for shelves

 

Replacing cabinets with shelves is great for ventilating your cabinet and making it appear more spacious, especially if it is narrow. There is no need to replace all your cabinets because two pairs of shelves can be enough to ventilate the room while highlighting your dishes.

Applying this technique will be necessary to remove the cabinets concerned and disassemble them to keep only the shelves. Remember to repaint the wall behind the cabinet and fill in any holes before installing your new shelves.

5. Remove cabinet doors

 

The latest trend in cabinet refacing is open shelves. By removing the doors of your cabinets, your dishes will be visible. This generally makes it easier for you to reach and grab items from the cabinets. Removing your cabinet’s doors will improve the outlook of your cabinet, making it much more attractive.

Kitchen cabinet refacing is a good option for inexpensive cabinet rejuvenation, but then again, you have to love DIY jobs. If not, you’ll be happy to hear that there are professionals out there offering this type of service, with fees that are less expensive than a full kitchen remodel.

6. Change the central part of the cabinets

Many cabinet doors have a central portion, often left the same color or appearance as the rest of the door. However, it is a good idea to apply wallpaper to this section for those who want to revamp their old cabinet doors. It is recommended to choose one with a detailed and colorful pattern to create a striking contrast with the rest of the door.

Things to consider before choosing cabinet coverings for refacing

 

One of the most demanding environments in the home is the kitchen; heat and steam from food can be key factors when choosing a material for your cabinet refacing. However, other items are worth checking out before opting for one of them.

Cleaning

Steam generally carry grease throughout the room, including the walls. Mainly those closest to the heat or kitchen area. General cleaning should be done frequently to keep it spotless. Therefore, the best material for that area will be the one that is easiest to clean.


Resistance

The materials you choose must also be resistant to high temperatures if it is near the kitchen and to the environment’s humidity. Secondly, the materials must be resistant to the products that we use to clean. Choosing a material with high water resistance is an added advantage as it helps to improve the durability of the cabinet

Surface Area

It is important to know the cabinets’ surface area that must be covered with the coating to calculate the cost of the different materials. This will help you do proper planning regarding the time and cost for your cabinets’ total refacing.

Installation

 

If you are going to put a coating on the kitchen cabinets, you need a professional. Especially when a previous coating must be removed, taking out the previous coating on your own may cause unrepairable damage to your cabinet structure. Installation may also require your furniture to be moved around a lot, which also damages your cabinet structure or kitchen floor.

Style

 

Among the list of requirements that we have to analyze before buying Cabinet coverings is style. The walls should follow the same style guidelines as the custom kitchen cabinets and the flooring. Everything must be harmonious and functional within this environment that will be the most visited by family members.

Color

A key element of the style is the color of the walls. Since with light colors, you can achieve a visual effect of spaciousness and luminosity. The final touch of style, without a doubt, will be given by the furniture with its color, texture, and finish.

Cabinet Styles

Cabinets are a necessity in any home as they are crucial to your organization, but that’s not all they do. Cabinets have a way of sealing the décor of your kitchen and other areas in your home. So, instead of sticking to the conventional and boring cabinet styles you see around, there are more for you. Various cabinet styles can give your kitchen a new look while merging with your home’s interior styling.

For people that love going extra in their home décor, choosing the right cabinet style can be problematic. In this post, you can choose one that perfectly suits your home décor. Check this out!

What are the possible Cabinet styles available?

There are a few cabinet styles available on the market, and in this post, you have access to a few of them.

Here are some of the different cabinet styles:

Shaker cabinet style

This cabinet style dates back to the 18th century, and it is regarded today as one of the placements in modern or contemporary kitchen designs, despite their traditional origin. The Shakers are American framed known for their simplicity but attractive form. They are known for the following features:

  • A recessed panel door.
  • Basic hardware.
  • Light components.

They have minimal adornments, and they are majorly built with smoothened hardwood surfaces. However, you may find others that have been crafted with veneer paneled doors. To seal the frame, they have light stains and natural finishes. This is because they are originally intended to be as simple as they can be.

The shakers’ cabinet styles are also famous for their wooden handles or knobs. Some shaker styled cabinets may be painted with a distressed finish, giving it a distinct finishing. With the shakers, you can rarely find the main frame, it is always fixed into a walled frame.

Flat style cabinets

Just like the name suggests, these styles have one goal in mind, stay flat at the end of the day. They are made to be easily convertible and can be constructed in various ways. However, one significant fact is that they don’t have frames and are majorly concrete slabs.

They can be made from various components, and they are:

  • Solid hardwoods: The hardwood cabinets are more durable than others, and the solid boards can be attached using glue. You would find this more often in homes than other types of flat style cabinets.
  • Grade-A Plywood: This grade is regarded as the finish-grade, as they are high-quality materials. They are applied over less expensive softer woods and ply of pine. Still, the edges of these slabs are plated with a hardwood veneer tape.
  • Medium-density fiberboard: This is a standard material that, when used on your flat styled cabinets, would require painting. But, you can also cover the core layers with a thermofoil or a plastic laminate.

Traditionally styled cabinets

The traditionally styled cabinets are almost as old as the idea of cabinets itself. In this cabinet style, you have more detailing and framing as part of its style.  The panel doors are raised, and some have beads on the board of their design.

The traditional cabinets feature more in color variations. They could be either hue, clean whites and creams, tans, and even an extensive range of wood hues. The doors are mostly inset recessed, and you would easily see the frame around the doors. The doors in themselves are designed to integrate with the structure to produce the desired design.

Rustic country style cabinets

The focus of the rustic country style cabinets is to re-enact a renaissance look pleasingly. You could go for it if you intend to have a design that would compliment an already themed apartment. Just like the name, it brings a rusty but aesthetically pleasing look to your kitchen area.

The rustic country style cabinets are also distinct in the material used in making them. They are designed with quality but raw woods with particular focus on the wood’s grain. That is what produces the country’s look in the cabinet.

With this cabinet style, you would be getting a distressed look with a lack of emphasis on the detailing. This is most common in authentic rural houses and cabin getaways. However, a literal version of this style could also make it to modern-day kitchens and more places. It all depends on what you intend to achieve with the cabinet style.

Inset cabinet style

The inset cabinet style is characterized by an inset door, placed directly into the cabinet frame just like the conventional cabinet doors. Every door in the inset cabinet style is designed with remarkable precision. This is to ensure that the wooden doors are appropriately seated in the cabinet frame, thereby allowing a seamless movement while in use.

The inset cabinet style and its drawers are one of the most priced cabinets on the market. However, they give a classy look in return, which can last for several years without wearing out. With the insets, you can easily be personalized to manufacture your custom cabinets. These custom cabinets could have either a beaded or non-beaded inset for aesthetics.

With the beaded inset cabinet style, the design is made to fit and give an edgy detailing. However, this style always requires revealed hinges compared to other conventional styles.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Cabinet Style

When choosing a cabinet style for your kitchen or any area in your home, there are a few things you should consider.

Here are some of the things you should consider:

General outlook:

The first thing is how your home looks originally. If you already have a country styled home, it would be fitting to choose a cabinet style like the Rustic styled. Here at Bradco Kitchen and Baths, we can have them installed in your home with ease.

Budget:

Your budget is also crucial to your purchase. We would suggest that you don’t go overboard and stick to just how much you could afford without breaking the banks.

Still, you may think others need to get a quality cabinet style that should cost all your money. But at Bradco Kitchen & Baths, you can find the perfect cabinets under your preferred style at an affordable price.

Durability:

How well a cabinet style lasts is determined by the components it is made of. Your hardwood cabinets are known to withstand moisture and the elements a lot more than other ones. You may also find the painted designs resistant against water and moisture.

As top-line manufacturers in the US and overseas, Bradcokitchen, manufactures environmentally friendly kitchen cabinets in a wide variety of styles, colors and woods. Our products are made with the finest of quality materials designed to offer our customers a vast selection of cabinet styles to individualize your kitchen remodeling experience. You can get any of these cabinet styles by logging on to www.bradcokitchen.com to start your journey into your eco friendly kitchen cabinet styles.

Things to Consider When Remodeling a Kitchen

You don’t have to be stuck with that old kitchen layout. There are newer designs out there for you to choose from. However, I understand that getting your kitchen remodeled may be a hassle if you don’t know how to go about the whole procedure.

In this post, I would be giving you a few tips to help you get the job done. Check this out!

How Frequent to Remodel a Kitchen?

The kitchen is one of the most visited places in our homes, and should constantly be remodeled every ten to fifteen years. As a homeowner, it is estimated you visit the kitchen at least two to three times a day.

During the course of these visits, you get to use the components of the kitchen. Like everything else, they tend to wear out from overuse. At the end of ten years, moving into the fifteenth year of service, changing most components is necessary. Note, even when left on their own, some kitchen components get old and require replacements.

It is at this point that you would require a full-blown remodeling. Note, before this time. You may have had to change out a few other things.

What do I consider when remodeling a Kitchen?

Now that your kitchen is set for remodeling, there are a few things that you should consider. They will help you ensure that the process is seamless and achieve the ultimate goal.

Here are a few of the tips:

Tip 1: Watch out for traffic.

When it comes to traffic, you need to consider your children and any pets you may have. As we all know, kids and pets are everywhere and at counters. So, take out anything they may easily break or trip over in the course of their daily activities.

Before you begin installing any new designs, you need to consider the amount of traffic your kitchen pulls. Your end goal is to have a workable place to make meals for your family. So, if any of your accessories would obstruct that comfort, then it shouldn’t be there.

Tip 2: Consider the corners.

Next on the list of things to consider is the door corners in your kitchen. They are very essential to optimize the placement of your kitchen furniture. It is well known that furniture such as kitchen cabinets have doors that extend during use.

When remodeling and rearranging your kitchen, you should shift out the cabinets away from the door corners. If you want them still close enough, you should get one with doors that wouldn’t obstruct the kitchen doors from closing.

Generally, I would suggest that you avoided the kitchen door corners.

Tip 3: Get the electrical working right.

Are you getting your electrical work done either by you or a professional? Then there are basic requirements you should follow. These electrical requirements ensure you have all you need to power your appliances and light up the area.

Some of these electrical requirements are:

  • Installing a minimum of two 20-amp power outlets or circuits.
  • Powering the lights with at least 20-amp electrical circuits.
  • Installing various countertop outlets not more than 24 inches from the last one.
  • Installing a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection for all your countertop circuits.

Tip 4: Create a plan and adhere to it.

When it comes to remodeling a kitchen, it takes precision for you to get it right. You wouldn’t want to rip out your whole kitchen and turn the entire area chaotic. If you do that, then it would be a whole lot harder to get by.

Always create a sketch and stick with it. Start from one corner of the old kitchen to another when you start remodeling.

Tip 4: Stay Ventilated.

Ventilation in the kitchen is very important. There is constant steam from your food that, in turn, creates heat in the kitchen. Consequentially, the place becomes saturated and uncomfortable for anyone in there.

I would suggest that you get the kitchen cross-ventilated if it already wasn’t before you began remodeling. This would let the fumes out and keep the air fresh at all times while you cook or go about your regular kitchen activities.

Tip 5: Be practical with your flooring.

If you intend switching up the type of flooring already installed in your old kitchen, then be cautious. It is relatively easy to create a trip hazard when you don’t get something that works with all that goes on in the kitchen.

It is easy to trap a few of your appliances when adding a new layer of flooring. Things like your dishwasher and cabinets are majorly susceptible to these kinds of traps. So, check that your installation goes under your kitchen appliances and doesn’t obstruct their functions.

Tip 6: Lighting is also crucial.

Cooking in a dark kitchen is no fun at all. A little bit of ambiance light gives it that touch of perfection that you aim to achieve. With the right amount of light in the common areas, your kitchen is almost done with remodeling.

Apart from having your kitchen looking good, light helps you avoid accidents while cooking. They let you see what you’re cooking and how to place your tableware and accessories at night. So, when remodeling, always check out for the right amount of lights in the kitchen.

Note, it is better to have more lights than less. An extra tip would be to also let as much natural light into the area.

Tip 7: Choose the Right Color

The first question you should ask when coloring up your newly modeled kitchen is the size of the kitchen. When you have a small or medium-sized kitchen, painting it with dark colors would make it look smaller. With bright colors, the whole area would look more prominent.

Note, these color policies don’t just apply to your kitchen walls. It would be best if you also chose lighter shades for your cabinets and frames.

The Best Choice For Your Kitchen Remodeling

Getting your kitchen remodeled can be made easy with the right steps. You can get more out of your kitchen space and enjoy the whole cooking experience with the right contractors from Los Angeles, CA and surrounding areas. This is a contractor you can rely on to get your old kitchen looking brand new.

Custom Vs. Stock Cabinets: Your Definitive Guide

Cabinets may seem simple on the outside, but they can accomplish a lot within your home. Aside from providing valuable storage place, cabinets can also help pull the design of a room together. While most of us will come into a home that already has cabinets on the walls, sometimes we need a little renovation to help accomplish the look we want.

However, renovating a space takes a lot of effort, and even something as seemingly simple as replacing your cabinets requires proper attention to detail to do correctly. This basic kitchen fixture comes in many forms, which will be the first point you want to consider when deciding on what cabinets to bring into your home. Stock, custom, and even semi-custom cabinets can all be suitable for different purposes.

Custom Cabinets

Custom cabinets are just what they sound like: cabinets made for you can meet any specifications that you want. Shape, width, depth, material, and design are yours to decide on. If you’re trying to build your dream kitchen, this sort of flexibility can be a great boon. Whatever specifics you can think of, a cabinetmaker who can build them is out there. If you want to take an existing cabinet design and tweak it to your preferences, that’s possible, too.

Custom cabinets are excellent for people who are trying to create a design that’s all their own.

They provide an option for people who have unusually sized and shaped rooms that standard cabinets won’t easily fit. This enables you to maximize storage space, without any gaps in space between cabinets. And because of the near unlimited options when it comes to materials, color, and other design elements, you’ll be able to find the perfect look for your space.

However, one of the caveats of custom cabinets is that they can quickly become expensive, especially if you want to use higher end materials. Depending on the level of detail that you want, the cost may not fit into your budget.

Another con is that, unlike stock cabinets that are ready for installation at any time, a custom cabinet can take much longer to complete and bring into your home. A custom project could easily take weeks or months to complete. Those wanting custom cabinets should plan their renovations accordingly. However, once you have the custom-build, it’s easy to get repairs from your local cabinetmaker as opposed to waiting for a part to come in through delivery.

 

 

Stock Cabinets

Stock cabinets are essentially the opposite of their customizable options. Stock cabinets come pre-manufactured and readymade, coming from a long line of other mass-produced cabinets.

Unlike customized units, a stock cabinet will come in set sizes with no room to adjust to fit your space. This can lead to gaps or even buffer strips between cabinets during installation, making you lose out on storage space.

You may also have a difficult time finding a stock cabinet that looks the way that you want it to.

You may find a design that happens to have the color, shape, and wood type you want, but the style doesn’t fit the look you want. While you may find variations, they won’t always match what you need. This process can quickly become frustrating if you’ve been searching for a while.

However, stock cabinets are easily the best option when it comes to pricing. Because there’s no extra tweaking you can do, the cost of a stock cabinet will be affordable. You can still see variations in cost depending on the exact model, but it will be much less than you’ll pay for a custom cabinet. Even so, you don’t want to pick out a stock cabinet that’s too cheap, as they may not last due to shoddy materials or construction.

Quick delivery time is another benefit of stock cabinets. Likely, the cabinet will be ready to purchase and install the moment you pick it out. Even if it’s not available right away, stock cabinets also offer timely delivery, meaning that you can quickly update the look and style of your home without any trouble.

Semi-Custom Cabinets

Semi-custom cabinets fall between the two categories. These cabinets are usually stock cabinets to which you can add extra detailing options. The sizing options often have the same restrictions as stock cabinets, but you have a bit more flexibility in the dimensions and drawer options, which can help better fit the space you’re working with.

The most significant benefit of semi-custom cabinets is that you can amend the design in ways that you can’t with regular stock cabinets. Sometimes even a few tweaks to a stock cabinet design can make the perfect addition to your home. Working with the right cabinetmaker can help with turning minimal changes into something fantastic.

The cost of a custom cabinet will depend on what sort of changes you want to make. If you only want to make a few changes, you can easily get the look you want without needing to invest in an expensive custom option. However, if you add too many customizations, then the cost might quickly outpace making a custom cabinet design from scratch.

Timewise, though, a semi-custom option will be much faster to complete. While you won’t have the same immediate delivery time as a stock cabinet, adding customized touches to an existing product is a faster process than waiting for a custom unit. Overall, semi-custom cabinets serve as a way to get the benefits of both options.

Things to Consider When Picking Out Cabinets

With the different cabinet types available, you have some decisions to make while shopping for cabinets. While custom cabinets can give you some of the highest quality in terms of design and storage, not every renovation project needs that level of investment. Some projects will work well with semi-custom or even stock cabinets. To pick out the best type of cabinets for your project, consider these elements:

How Long Will You Be in Your Current Home?

If you know that you’re in your forever home, you’re going to take a different approach than someone who’s in a rental space. For those not planning on staying in their current home, you want to keep your home up-to-date with any market standards that might impact the price of resale. If you’re in a home you plan to stay in, the investment in a fully custom cabinet update may be much more worth it than if you know you will be moving in the future.

What Sort of Budget Do You Have?

Replacing old cabinets can be an investment. For content, in a complete kitchen or bathroom remodeling project, cabinets can easily account for half the costs. The different types of cabinets give you some flexibility in how much you’ll need to spend, but you still want to set a budget to know what your limits are. You don’t want to find a design that you love but you can’t afford.

 

How Much Storage Do You Need?

Without proper storage, your kitchen or bathroom can become cluttered. Updating your cabinets can be a prime opportunity to fix that problem, but you need to assess how much storage you need. Oddly shaped room layouts can benefit from cabinet sizes that stock units can’t accommodate. For lower cabinets, you’ll also want to consider if you want open cabinets or drawers for layout. Mapping out where everything will go can help you decide on the best layout.

What Sort of Scope Does Your Project Have?

Cabinets that are still sturdy and give you enough storage space may not need a complete replacement. Instead, a few tweaks can give your room a whole new look. A fresh coat of paint or even replacing the door faces can spruce up your cabinets to match your renovations.

However, when you have layout issues or your existing cabinets are older, it’s time to invest in new cabinets.

What Size Is Your Space?

Whenever you get started on your project, you’ll need to measure your space first. These preliminary measurements will help you when speaking with cabinetmakers and salespeople, and they’ll be able to give you a much more accurate estimate of the cost of your project.

Knowing the size constraints of your space can also help you generate ideas.

What Door Style Do You Want?

The door is easily one of the most important aspects of a cabinet, since it’s what will always be visible. Changing out one door style for another can change the entire feel of your room and even the rest of your home, so you’ll want to choose wisely. Modern and classic are just some of the options you have, but you may not have luck finding the specific style you want with stock choices.

What Other Items Do You Need to Fit Into Your Space?

While cabinets are an essential part of your design and storage, they aren’t the only things that need to go into your kitchen or bathroom. Note where your utilities currently are and where they may move during any spatial reconfiguration in your renovations. You don’t want to accidentally cover up an essential vent or not have enough room for your appliances.

Sketching out your space can help you make the best design decisions in advance.

Do You Need Add-Ons in Your Cabinets?

A cabinet can be more than just shelves or a drawer. Pullout shelves, wine racks, vertical dividers, and pullout bins are some of the choices you may opt for to enhance your space.

Even stock cabinets can offer some of these extra options for you, but customized cabinets will give you more choices to work with.

What Color or Finish Do You Want?

The best color for your cabinets will depend on the rest of the design of your kitchen. Your personal style will also influence your decision. Paint, solid wood, and other types of finishes can help you find the exact look for your room. However, you don’t want to choose a color that will go out of style too quickly. Neutral colors usually work best for keeping your cabinets in fashion and maintain the value of your home. Grey, white, and black are popular choices.

What Hardware Do You Need?

Handles and knobs add the finishing touches to your cabinet’s look. Often, the best practice is to match the design of your handles to the cabinet doors. However, you may be able to have a contrast between your hardware and the door if it fits into the overall theme of your design. If the design of your cabinet has exposed hinges, make sure they match the other pieces of visible hardware on the cabinet.

What Amount of Space Do You Want in Your Room?

Cabinets may rest along the walls, but they can greatly impact how the space feels. Larger and more open spaces have become a popular design choice, especially in kitchens. If you want to create this effect, then you’ll need to arrange your cabinets carefully. Since that arrangement will ultimately affect your storage and layout, it helps to think about the overall feel of your room as you draft your design.

The Importance of Working With an Experienced Cabinet Company

Just as important as the kind of cabinet you purchase is who you choose to purchase it from.

Plenty of home improvement stores can provide you with cabinet choices, but they don’t always have the knowledge or guidance you need to make the best choices for your home. You want to work with a cabinet company that can give your project the attention it deserves.

Big box stores can give you options, but a small design-build firm can give you the guidance you need. Cabinets are a large investment for your home, and you want to make the right decisions for your space to bring the design together. Personal guidance on your renovations can help you understand what your options are and consult with you on what decisions are best for your plans.

A dedicated team can also assist with making the right decisions for your budget. You might have more choices when it comes to customization than you may initially think. With skilled guidance on your side, you can make the best decisions for updating your cabinets.

The right company is also essential for installing your cabinets successfully. Some businesses will sell you the boxes but leave it up to you to find someone to install them. The process of hiring another party not only adds to your costs, but also impacts the quality of your installation.

With the effort it already takes to find the right cabinetry for your space, you don’t want to add frustration to the process.

Instead, the company you purchase cabinets from should help you with the installation process as part of their services. That way, you don’t have to worry about any potential delays between your cabinets arriving and getting them into your home. And since the same company is working on both stages, they know what to expect when setting everything up.

An experienced cabinetmaker can give you access to all of your options – not just some. With stock, custom, and semi-custom choices available, you don’t just know what option will work best for you, you can get it when you’re ready to purchase. While your project may not require the work of a completely custom cabinet, it’s nice to have the option available if you want it.

The Best Choice for Your Kitchen Cabinets

No matter what your plans for your kitchen cabinets are, Bradco can help. We have the resources available to set you up with a suitable stock cabinet or develop a whole new design to fit the needs of your kitchen. You can count on us for the expertise necessary to create your ultimate cabinet setup, with the personal attention you deserve for your project.

We don’t just work in cabinets; we can help with every aspect of your kitchen, too. Whether you just need to add an extra cabinet, or you want to renovate the entire room, there’s a cabinet solution for you – and we can help you get there. Our professional team can serve as your very own professional consultant, helping you find the cabinet solution that matches your space needs, style, and budget.

As a small design firm, we focus our efforts on providing quality services on every end of the spectrum. Unlike a big box store, which generalizes in its offerings, we have a thorough understanding of what you need to have a great kitchen cabinet. Aside from helping with the design and building processes, we always help you install your cabinets after purchase so that you can have a smooth experience.

Choosing between custom and stock cabinets is a matter of choosing what best matches your home, and Bradco wants to help you do just that. Modern cabinet design allows for creative cabinet designs and arrangements that can help make your kitchen into a unique space in your home. See what possibilities exist for your cabinet plan at Bradco.

The Best Green Cabinetry Options for an Eco-Friendly Kitchen Design

Remodeling your kitchen is full of important decisions, and not just color and style. For many people, making ecologically responsible choices is just as important as form and function. Green cabinetry is a big part of an eco-friendly kitchen design. It’s easy to decide that you want your kitchen to be made in eco-friendly way, but many homeowners are surprised to discover just how many types of green cabinetry options there are. There are cabinets made from reclaimed wood, cabinets made from fast-regrowing wood or from wood that is guaranteed to be replanted through forestry conservation. There is also pressed-wood cabinetry that has no formaldehyde preservative, and paint or varnish that is low in VOC (volatile organic compounds).

Let’s dive into your options for green cabinetry when designing an eco-friendly kitchen.

1) Salvaged and Reclaimed Wood Cabinetry

One of the biggest concerns with green cabinetry is conserving natural resources and reducing forest cutting. A great way to do this is to prioritize cabinets made from salvaged and reclaimed wood. This means that the wood was used for something else first, but that was taken apart, cut, and rebuilt into cabinets. Often, this reclaimed wood comes from buildings that have become structurally unsafe or no longer in use, like old barns. The wood that is still in great condition is then taken away and repurposed into all sorts of things.

Salvaged and reclaimed wood makes great floors, has been built into furniture, and is often used for green cabinetry. Reclaimed wood cabinets involve no new trees being cut and come with a wonderful history that you can often learn about and enjoy welcoming into your home.

2) FSC and ESP Certified Cabinetry

Cabinetry certified by environmental groups is another way to go. The most common certifications are FSC and ESP. FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. They only certify wood and cabinet manufacturers if the wood has been harvested in a responsible and sustainable manner. This usually means dedicated replanting and working to preserve the ecosystems that are affected by cutting. ESP stands for Environmental Stewardship Program (not psychics) and holds similar principles of preservation and ecological responsibility.

Certifications from either the FSC or the ESP show that the wood your cabinets are made from is new, but harvested carefully with ample replanting to conserve the environments from which the wood was harvested. Other certifications to look for are CARB Compliancy, EPP Designation, and LEED Accreditation.

3) Toxin-Free Cabinetry

Formaldehyde-Free

The next thing to consider is pressed particle board cabinets. Many cabinets are not made out of solid wood, but pressed composite wood held together with a glue adhesive. The trouble is that many adhesives contain added formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen. These cabinets are bad for the environment because they can ‘out-gas’ toxins and are potentially bad for your family as well. If you decide to go with pressed composite cabinetry, look for options that advertise as formaldehyde-free.

Low-VOC Content

You may also want to think about the toxicity of the paint and varnish you choose. Liquid pigment is notorious for including toxic solvents to transfer the pigment and many include something called VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds. These are ingredients that are bad for humans, animals, and some plants. Breathing VOCs as paint dries or over time in your home can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, difficulty breathing, nausea, and some VOCs cause cancer. Look for water-based paints and varnishes that advertise low VOCs. It is not necessary for brands to reveal their VOC count but some make it clear that they have reduced their VOCs.

4) Fast-Regrowing Wood Cabinetry

Another way to make ecologically responsible cabinetry choices is to look for fast-growing wood types. Replanting is wonderful, but many trees take as much as 50 years to fully replace themselves after cutting and replanting. There are certain types of wood that make great cabinets and can replace themselves incredibly quickly for a tree’s lifecycle.

Bamboo Cabinets

The classic fast-growing wood is bamboo. Bamboo replaces itself in a few very short years. Bamboo stalks (for construction) are ready to be harvested between 4 and 10 years after planting which is incredibly rapid compared to trees. Bamboo also spreads incredibly quickly, filling any planted field edge-to-edge with new stalks within a year or two after planting clustered stalks initially.

This means that bamboo is incredibly eco-friendly for natural wood cabinets because no eco-system needs to be damaged to grow, cut, and regrow bamboo for construction.

Lyptus Cabinets

Lyptus is a genetically modified type of eucalyptus tree that was designed specifically to address the deforestation and replanting issues. Lyptus, a hardwood, takes about 15 years to mature between cuttings, which is about a quarter the maturation time for a hardwood. Lyptus is easily stained but naturally has a rosy hue with a wide range of light to dark natural color, making it a lovely alternative to cherry or mahogany.

The coolest thing about lyptus? It regrows from the remains of a previously cut lyptus tree. This means that cleared fields of the modified lyptus tree can be harvested over and over again, making it very eco-friendly.

 

5) What to Watch Out For

Finally, there are a few details you might want to keep in mind in addition to materials and certifications. Consider the distance that your cabinet wood has traveled, as trucking ads to emissions and wood harvested closer to you will have a lower overall carbon footprint.

Avoid exotic woods for a number of reasons. First, they are often rare and slow-growing types of tree that are not easy to harvest ecologically. Second, they often come from very far away, adding to their carbon footprint with transport.

Generally, look for products that include a minimal amount of glue to minimize the unlisted VOCs in your whole cabinetry construction. Look for solid panel cabinets and those that prioritize smart use of nails and fasteners over glue.

 

Green Cabinetry with Bradco Kitchens and Baths

If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen, the best way to make your design eco-friendly is to work with the right custom remodeling team. Here at Bradco, we prioritize green cabinets. Bradco cabinets are manufactured locally to reduce the carbon footprint so that every aspect of your project can be ecologically responsible. No matter what look, style, or design you’re going for, we can help you make the most eco-friendly choices to best suit your design.

We would love to help you build a truly ecologically responsible kitchen that is both beautiful and green, no matter what color you choose to finish with. Let us build you a beautiful kitchen that you can feel good about. Contact us today to begin a consultation on your dream kitchen and we’ll talk about both your vision and your eco-friendly choices in green cabinetry and efficient fixtures.

Why You Should Let Professionals Handle Your Kitchen Remodel

Your kitchen is one of the most versatile and popular areas of your home. From providing a place to prepare food and snacks, to serving as a meeting spot for your family and guests, the kitchen probably sees more use throughout the year than any other room.

Due to the popularity of the kitchen, you are right to assume it can be a house’s most assessed area for value in the real estate market, and one of the defining factors in whether someone will purchase a home. If your trusty kitchen has seen better years, you can raise the value of your home by remodeling it. Kitchen remodeling can bring many different benefits to your house beyond resale value as well, such as for personal reasons or aesthetic appeal.

Before you consider remodeling your kitchen, learn more about the financial and personal benefits of remodeling it. Once you have decided you want to go through with it, you will have to decide on whether you want to handle the project yourself or work together with professional kitchen remodelers to bring new life to your space. Keep in mind that if you decide to handle the remodeling process yourself, you will face a size-able number of challenges compared to any setbacks you’d face when working alongside a professional remodeling service

Financial Values

A major motivation for homeowners everywhere in remodeling their kitchens is the financial benefits they can gain from this investment. The kitchen has the reputation of being a house’s central focus areas, as well as providing multiple functions; it will grab the attention of potential buyers if you ever decide to sell your home.

The kitchen is a very valuable part of a household, and the housing market sees it that way as well. In fact, the kitchen is one of the areas that most homebuyers place as one of their top three priorities when it comes to looking for a new home. Kitchen remodeling projects, as well as bathroom remodels, are among the most expensive home renovation projects you can take on. However, the return on your investment for a kitchen remodel is almost guaranteed.

When you decide to remodel, pay attention to the specific modifications you want to make to your home, as well as the size and scope of the remodel. Your return on investment (ROI) can vary greatly depending on these construction factors. A larger, upscale remodel will net you an average national ROI of at least 54%. Meanwhile, a remodeling project on a smaller scale can get you around 81% ROI, which makes it easier to recoup the money you have spent. This also changes depending on where you live, with the pacific area of the country reaching up to 93% in ROI. Before you pursue a home remodel, consult with your real estate agent to determine how much value it can bring to your home.

In addition to the home’s overall market value, there are a few other financial benefits you can obtain if you choose to remodel your home.

  • Minor incentives. Some homeowners choose to remodel their home, particularly in minor-scale remodels, if there are smaller incentives that they can take advantage of. Certain government organizations offer rebates if you take energy-saving measures or add and/or replace any appliance with one that is more environmentally friendly. There are also other, smaller incentives, such as special offers and sales at home improvement stores, trading in outdated or malfunctioning appliances for cash rebates, low or no-interest loans, and certain remodeling grants.
  • Energy efficiency. Another reliable advantage of not just kitchen remodeling, but any remodeling or home improvement project in general, is energy efficiency. Newer advancements in construction guarantee more efficient materials and tools. Certain additions and modifications to your regular kitchen set-up allow you to spend less in energy and significantly reduce your bills. The installation of a skylight can reduce your dependence on artificial light, while energy-efficient kitchen tools and appliances can reduce your energy consumption. Combine those savings with the rebates and incentives you can receive from organizations, and kitchen remodeling brings some extra value to your household.
  • Improved maintenance. As time goes forward, an outdated kitchen will become increasingly difficult to take care of and keep in working shape. From mopping after leaky appliances, to constantly repairing other appliances and parts of the kitchen, the maintenance of the kitchen will consume too much time and money. An upgraded kitchen will bring higher-quality materials and less need for constant maintenance.
  • Lifestyle changes. Life never stays the same and change is inevitable, especially if you have a family. Your kitchen will probably need to adapt to any future changes in your lifestyle. Perhaps you end up with more children or a pet, which will require additional space or certain add-ons. If you have someone in the household who is disabled, you might need to remodel your kitchen to accommodate their special needs.

Personal Value

Remodeling the kitchen is not just going to help you out with financial benefits. A renovated kitchen will also provide you with some emotional or personal satisfaction. After all, no one enjoys using a kitchen that has a major need for upgrades and fixes. While an improved home value and other economic incentives and savings are an important factor when making a decision such as this, you should also consider how you will feel having a new kitchen.

  • Need for change. Perhaps you are just bored spending time in the same kitchen set-up every single day. Maybe you are tired of seeing the same colors, opening and closing the same cabinets, or even using the same appliances. The kitchen may function properly, but there is also nothing wrong with a small remodel that can break up the monotony of the day.
  • Need for modernity. A problem most common in older houses, the kitchen is likely too old-fashioned or antiquated for the tastes of you or your family. You might yearn for more modern kitchen experiences and functions that your current kitchen does not provide. Usually, outdated kitchens accompany other issues like malfunctioning appliances or furniture, but even if they work fine, you might need to move into the 21st century.
  • Deteriorating conditions. This issue also seen with older houses. Certain parts of your kitchen are simply deteriorating too fast, whether it means cracked tiles, missing cabinet doors, damaged countertops, or old appliances. Save yourself maintenance costs and headaches and opt for a remodel to bring new life to your kitchen.
  • Layout comfort. One more aspect that might factor into the decision of remodeling is the layout and storage situation of your kitchen. Maybe you’re not comfortable where certain appliances are, such as dishwasher being too close to the fridge, or the cabinets above the stove are too low, causing you to hit your head often. Changing the layout of the kitchen is a prime opportunity for a remodel. Just keep in mind that moving major systems like heating, plumbing, and gas may warrant major expenses.

The Challenges of DIY Kitchen Remodeling

Now that you have learned about all the value that a kitchen remodel will bring to your household, you are ready for the next step of the process. You will likely spend days or even weeks figuring out several factors, such as costs, layout, construction, home value, etc. Soon, you will know the exact changes you want to make and the materials you want to use. When you’ve finished all the homework that goes into preparing for home remodeling, what’s next?

There’s a chance you have the temptation to handle all the remodeling tasks yourself. After all, you already made the plans and have a strong idea of where you want to go with the kitchen. Executing the kitchen remodeling yourself may save you the money you would spend on professional help. You will probably want greater control of the project as well, and no one to disagree with you as you complete the project.

If you choose to take on this venture without professional assistance, just remember that there are certain challenges and unexpected difficulties you can face as you go through the project. Look out for some of the potential issues you might run into.

  • No expertise or efficiency. Even if you have experience with some level of construction or architecture, you are not exactly a professional either. There are installations, such as a kitchen sink, a dishwasher, or a whole new cabinet, that can become increasingly complex, especially as you continue through the process and unforeseen challenges arise. In addition, you can also miss certain efficient tips and tricks that only veteran designers and remodelers know about. Your lack of knowledge of these techniques can needlessly increase the difficulty and length of the project.
  • Safety risks. Because you don’t have the exact level of knowledge that professional home remodelers have, you can end up placing yourself in danger. Your lack of certain safety measures and practices can result in damage to your home or even injury to yourself or a family member. In addition, contractors and other professionals have access to certain safety equipment and tools you probably don’t access to. If you intend to take on the responsibility yourself, be extra careful. 
  • Cutting costs. If you decided to remodel your kitchen because you wanted to save some money instead of paying a professional, you will probably try to cut more expenses as well. Handling the project by yourself will tempt you to use cheaper materials and tools in order to save more. This can jeopardize numerous aspects of the project, from using low-quality wood that results in cabinets that will fall apart a few weeks after installation, to appliances that break down almost immediately. Trying to save money can also place you or anyone in your home in danger.
  • Spending more money anyway. Using cheaper materials and tools will likely set back any schedule you were hoping to reach. Low-quality materials will probably break in the middle of construction and create a snowball effect of construction issues. By the time you actually obtain the right materials or resolve the problem, you will likely spend more money than you expected in the first place.
  • Wrong tools. Another side effect of a lack of professional insight and wisdom is using the wrong tools for the job. Replacing appliances like your sink, fridge, or oven will require different, specific tools, each with a complicated process behind its use. As a novice, you might mistake one tool for another, or attempt to substitute one tool for another. Either way, you will likely damage whatever you were trying to fix, spending even more time and money than you hoped to save.
  • Rushing the job. If you haven’t performed enough home remodel jobs, you might not have the patience or foresight when it comes to handling certain procedures. Home remodeling, like all construction jobs, can take days or even weeks to accomplish. You might fall into the temptation to try to rush a process or a fix. This can result in damage to your tools, your materials, your home, or yourself. Learn patience and pace yourself.
  • Wearing yourself out. Kitchen remodeling is an exhausting activity that involves plenty of standing, heavy lifting, tearing, ripping, pulling, and other draining tasks that will leave you exhausted by the end of the day. If you want to continue through the project by yourself, mitigate the damage and perform some proper warm-up exercises and stretches before starting any heavy activity.
  • Time consumption. Because kitchen remodeling will take a long time to accomplish, particularly if you’re working without professional guidance and a crew, you will have to sacrifice much of your spare time. Remodeling jobs take time to completely plan out, assemble, and perform. If you are a novice at this job, you will have to spend extra time learning the basics of demolition and construction. You will lack time to spend on your own hobbies or relationships, particularly if you have a self-imposed deadline to meet.
  • Lesser-quality work. Even if you try as hard as you can to handle every aspect of the job correctly and avoid taking shortcuts, there will always be a chance that you will miss an important detail or simply not come up with a result as refined as a professional contractor would. Errors in your work may range from small, barely noticeable imperfections to large errors that can misshape your kitchen, such as a crooked cabinet installation or the oven being too close or too far to something else. Some of these errors are also potentially permanent, making the endeavor more frustrating.

The Benefits of Professional Remodeling

Taking on a challenging project such as remodeling your kitchen, no matter how large or small the scope of the work is, will bring plenty of difficulties that can pile up and ultimately cost more than you would have saved by handling it yourself. A professional crew of designers, demolition, and construction specialists can handle several tasks that are probably too complex and dangerous for you to handle. Even though hiring other people for the job might initially appear expensive and unnecessary, a professional kitchen remodeling job provides numerous advantages that make every cent spent on them worth it.

  • Best materials and tools. Professional kitchen remodeling companies and contractors will have access to the best materials and tools for the project. They have long, established relationships with manufacturers and suppliers that get them materials that are durable, recent, resilient, and sometimes even energy efficient. They will also have access to special equipment and tools that you or a lesser-quality contract would not have, increasing the efficiency and quality of the kitchen remodeling project.
  • Increased safety. Letting professional workers handle some of the most dangerous tasks in remodeling will keep you safe and in a healthy condition. You will not need to place yourself in danger when completing a task, and due to the professional nature of the workers, they will likely stay safe as well. They will also practice the appropriate safety measures around your home that will keep you and your family safe, in case you are staying at home during the process.
  • Interior design. One of the numerous advantages of a kitchen remodel is the new aesthetic direction you can take the kitchen to. However, looks are not always everything. You also need to consider the functionality and efficiency of every element in the kitchen. A professional remodeling company has the wisdom to indicate what options work best for the kitchen and what options do not. Also, many companies have designers at work that will focus on both the efficiency and the beauty of your kitchen.
  • Convenience. Another major advantage of letting professionals handle your kitchen remodeling work is simply the privilege of avoiding it. Beyond the initial planning stages and any questions or concerns the workers have, you can easily stay away from performing labor. You can prioritize your time by being in the company of loved ones or engaging in your favorite hobbies or activities. Simply watch the professionals materialize your dream kitchen into reality.
  • Saving time. A crew of remodeling experts will always handle tasks such as these in a more time-efficient manner than you would be able to by yourself. They already have experience with design, demolition, and construction jobs, so they can skip the learning part and get straight into the action. Also, since there are several workers in the crew, multiple tasks can reach completion at once. You can set up a schedule and a deadline with the crew at the early stages of the process and stay confident that they will meet that goal in a timely manner. Plus, you ultimately won’t feel the pressure of keeping up with that timeline yourself. 
  • Lack of legal issues. If you handle the job yourself, or if you work with a relative or a low-cost contractor, you might lack the legal coverage needed in case something goes wrong. What happens if someone becomes injured? Do you have any warranty or guarantee in any of your kitchen appliances or elements? Are the people you are working with licensed? Can you take any legal action for a botched job? Licensed contractors working for a company will avoid any of these legal complications due to their professional status. Besides guaranteed expertise and professionalism, they will also work out details such as insurance, warranty, and liabilities before any project starts.
  • Paperwork efficiency. Any remodeling project inside or outside your home will require permits, approvals, and other paperwork to process before it starts. Professional contractors are well acquainted with the process, so they can make it easier for you than if you handled it alone. The workers know who to talk to, what papers to file, and how to make the process go faster than before.
  • Collaboration. Your kitchen remodeling crew has your best interest in mind and will work with you through any decision or problem that surfaces. They will consider your decisions and desires with their knowledge and expertise to get the best result possible for your kitchen. The crew will help you choose the best materials for your cabinets and countertops, decide on a specific budget and a realistic timeline, and find the appropriate solutions to any problems that might occur during the remodeling process.

Finding a reliable professional service for your kitchen remodeling needs is important. An inexperienced crew, or any error or mishandling can take away the value you are supposed to gain from a kitchen remodel. You will need experts who will listen to your ideas and combine your vision with their experience to create the perfect remodel for your kitchen that will also enhance the rest of your home.

At Bradco Kitchens & Bath, our group of designers and construction workers are eager to transform your kitchen into something closer to your ideals. Contact us at your convenience to arrange an appointment or answer any of your questions. 

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