Many consumers wish they could buy cabinets directly from a manufacturer, instead of being forced to buy from a cabinet dealer. There are many reasons builders, contractors, and homeowners feel like they would do better by buying “direct”. In the typical market consumers may not have that option.

In the Chicagoland area consumers have a few choices.

Experience has shown us over and over that many people go into their new kitchen or remodel in the Chicagoland area with tunnel vision – mainly focused on their budget.

Many times this single focus leads to them to NOT look into options we KNOW they would want to do. Even to where they would give up something else in order to make the budget work. But the budget ends up ruling the day and they go down a limited road.

Kitchen and bath industry studies have shown that over 1/3 of homeowners, after their project is complete, wish they had done more and regret that they didn’t. Whether it’s better quality cabinets, more organization and accessories inside of them, or a higher grade of countertops, whatever. It’s a sad feeling to have after spending a chunk of your life for something you and your family should enjoy for years.

It’s not difficult to keep up with what the trends are in kitchens. There are typically many annual studies that boil it down for us to help us stay up to speed.

The reason you will want to keep up with them if you’re thinking about remodeling is that you’ll want to know what’s HOT and what’s NOT. ESPECIALLY if you’re remodeling to sell at some point in the near future. 

Here we give you the highlights and more...

Have you had multiple thoughts or discussions about whether or not you should do a kitchen remodel in the Chicagoland area? If the answer is yes, have you had the thought of when you should do it?

There are many reasons today is the best time, but on top of those reasons is the fact that time is running out on most of the incentives that make it such a great time to remodel.

From market dynamics like the economic downturn and low interest rates making remodeling less expensive, to manufacturer incentives that will not last much longer, to the fact that cabinet companies are beginning to get MUCH busier, everything points to an urgency to remodel now. The "best time" won't last much longer.

Next time you walk into any house, take this challenge and see how long it takes you to find wood somewhere.

If it takes you longer than 3 seconds you must be in a grass hut or cement shack. Wood is so widely used in construction and decorating today that it’s part of basically every room. 

From flooring, to furniture to cabinets and countertops to the swing set the kids play on out back.

There’s a reason for that. Wood is one of the most versatile, reliable, affordable AND beautiful materials available. The trick is that so many types of wood are available today that sometimes it feels like you need to take a college course to understand them.

No worries…we’re here to help you.

Our wood species guide will help you understand the differences in all the woods that are offered. You’ll learn differences in look, color, durability, grain pattern and then some. You’re bound to find the one you’ll love and want in your home. If you want an education in-person, come visit out showroom and see them for yourself.

As you begin your remodeling plans, you’re not expected to know all of your cabinet options (unless of course, you happen to be a kitchen and bath expert) – which is why we encourage you to do some fun research. Soak it all in.

Visit kitchen and bath remodeling websites, or if you spend too much time on the computer as it is, dig through some magazines, take photos in neighbors’ homes (please don’t do this by peeking through the windows, though), snap pictures at stores or even of examples on the remodeling show you just DVR’d.  

Find something similar

It’s a terrible feeling to notice a scratch on your beautiful kitchen or bathroom cabinets – especially when you know you did everything in your power to keep them looking nice. Even if the scratch isn’t your fault, you’re likely to go through a series of emotions, much similar to the five stages of grief:

Grief of a damaged cabinet

• Denial: You may first try to tell yourself it is just a smudge or that you’re seeing it wrong.
• Anger: When you notice that it’s actually there, you’ll likely become irritated, blaming loved ones, and maybe even yourself (although it couldn’t possibly have been you).

We talk a lot about updating your kitchen and bathrooms, but there are other rooms within the home that could benefit greatly from some remodeling love.  One room in particular gets visited on a regular basis, and usually the person visiting the room isn’t happy to be doing so.  And why, should they be?  The room is a place where chores are done; and quite frankly, it is usually boring to look at.

If you haven’t guessed, we’re talking about the laundry room.  We’d venture to guess that many of you currently reading this article have a room with some or all of the following characteristics:

If you haven’t updated your kitchen in…you can’t remember how long…there’s a good chance you will benefit from therapy (hear us out).  While there are plenty of therapy avenues you can choose from (aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, or a full day at the spa), there’s one type of therapy that has proven time and time again to have the best, longest lasting results: Cabinet Therapy.

Haven’t heard of cabinet therapy?  There’s a high probability many of your friends, neighbors and family members have gone to, or are currently benefiting from it – even if they’re keeping quiet about it.  But, there’s nothing to be ashamed of.  If you’re in the Chicago or surrounding areas and are experiencing any of the symptoms below, come in to Brakur Custom Cabinetry for a free consultation to see if cabinet therapy is the right treatment for you.

Symptoms

Once you finally have your new custom cabinets installed, you won’t have to do too much to keep them looking nice.  But, to keep them in tip top shape, it is recommended that you do some minor cleaning and occasional adjustments. Do you know how to clean your cabinetry?

Before you pick up any old wood cleaner, proceed with caution.  It is important to consult with your cabinet supplier if possible to find out what they recommend for keeping your specific line of cabinets maintained.  Contrary to what many people believe, not all woods or cabinets are created equally.  Your cabinetry finish will have a lot of say over the cleaning ritual you should perform – however, there are some tips that are generally safe for most types of cabinets.

General maintenance tips: