We’ve mentioned in previous articles how important it is to think through every detail of your remodel before you make any final decisions – but we can’t stress it enough.  Some people go into a remodel thinking that the transformation will be primarily visual.  While aesthetics are important, there is much more you can do if budget allows. 

Have it all

Your kitchen can be designed to do facilitate what’s important to you: make multiple cooks comfortable by playing with the walking area width and placement of work areas, keep kids safe by focusing on appliance placement and corners, make life easier by getting storage where you need it and things at the proper height.  All of this can be done – it just takes proper planning. 

It’s not always easy to narrow down your style, and no one says you have to fit into one style bucket, but looking at clues (based on your lifestyle and pieces you already love) can make it much easier to finish designing and decorating.  Sometimes clues can be as seemingly abstract as your favorite beverage and colors. 

How to uncover your style

It can help to read and learn about different home décor styles, and then follow up by researching deeper into each style.  On a similar note, contacting your local remodeling and design experts can prove to be extremely useful, as they work with homeowners and pinpoint styles daily.  But, it can also be fun and informative to take a simple quiz online. 

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

Now that it is finally spring, you’re probably in cleaning mode…and if you’re not, you will be as soon as the weather catches up to the season.  If you’re like many of us, that cleaning will make you want to make some aesthetic changes throughout your home.  Changes can be as large as a full on kitchen renovation, or as small as a new rug or art piece to act as a focal point.   Whatever project you choose, there are simple tips to help you through any level of project.

Achieve the look

If you were to come to us and ask what you should be looking for in a cabinet provider, we may seem a bit biased when we tell you to look no further than Brakur Custom Cabinetry, Inc. - so that’s why we not only give you questions to ask your remodeler and things to look for when choosing a professional, but we also urge you to take the word of previous clients.

Helpful hints

Today’s technology has made it easier for homeowners to look into remodeling professionals before ever even setting foot in the door.  At the same time, it has made it more difficult for unreliable or unprofessional dealers and contractors to pull the wool over your eyes – and that’s a good thing. 

If you’re looking for reviews, you may be able to find testimonials directly on the website of the professional, but also on sites such as yelp, Houzz (if it the company is remodeling or design related) the Better Business Bureau or Angie’s List.  Social media can also be a helpful tool to find out more about companies these days – they may have reviews on their company facebook page, or you could potentially even find something helpful on Twitter.  There’s virtually nowhere to hide in today’s business review world, and Word of Mouth travels further than ever before.

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:

Even if you haven’t had a chance to look at the weather channel predictions for the next 10 days (and then some) in the Chicago area, you’re probably reminded of the brutally cold temperatures as you apply hand lotion to your cracked knuckles. And maybe an equal reminder is the increasing gap size between the wooden floorboards on which you stand. Cold weather has some adverse drying effects on both skin and the wood found throughout your home.

Recently, we posted about the material options when it comes to your cabinet boxes and how plywood is more forgiving when it comes to moisture and humidity – Chicagoans know humidity extremes all too well, but you shouldn’t let it scare you from designing with wood throughout your home.

As you start your cabinet remodeling plans, it becomes clear early on that:

A) Similar looks are available in many price ranges
B) Not all cabinets are created equal (even if they look alike)

All cabinets are constructed of a few basic structural components – the box, which is the main portion or backbone of the cabinet (the part that looks like a box), the drawers, and the shelves. Where they differ are in materials, construction and customization options. Let’s take a look at the most common materials and construction basics you should be familiar with when looking at cabinet structure elements.

As you’re making plans for your new kitchen design, it’s easy to get caught up in trends and impulses that make you happy right now – but that isn’t always the best way to go if you’re planning to relocate in the somewhat near future. It’s no surprise that buyers tend to allow their decisions to be influenced heavily by the condition of the kitchen, and while everyone has different tastes, some details are generally more accepted than others.

Find out what people want

Occasionally, throughout the life of your cabinets, you may find some of your more frequently used cabinet doors beginning to look the slightest bit crooked - and they may even feel a tad bit wobbly. To top it all off, some of the hardware may seem loose. Is it time to panic?