If you think wood cabinets in darker hues are outdated, you may want to reconsider. Wood cabinets, including traditional cherry ones, are still being used in new kitchens today, so if you’re after a fresh design and want cabinets that are stylish, you may want to consider incorporating darker wood into your modern kitchen design. If you love cherry cabinets or dark wood, do not be afraid to use them because they will make your kitchen feel beautiful and rustic and offer the right amount of texture, all of which are perfect for a trendy kitchen. You don’t have to ignore traditional styles and if you prefer a natural finish, then dark cabinets are a great option because you’ll be able to combine different elements to get the exact design and look you’re after. The following are three ways cherry cabinets and darker woods are currently trending in kitchen design:
3 Ways Trending Kitchen Designs Are Using Cherry Cabinets and Other Dark Woods
Integrated Kitchen-Living Spaces: It's All About Being Open
Modern homes are all about open floor plans, which are far more popular and desirable amongst potential homebuyers and homeowners. Compartmentalized homes are a thing of the past because integrated living spaces are more inviting and comfortable and also far more spacious, so a home will feel bigger. Integrated spaces are great for any area of a home but more so for kitchen and living spaces where most people spend the majority of their time. The openness of this particular area will create a welcoming environment that you can enjoy daily on your own as well as for parties and guests. Integrated layouts no longer make people feel trapped or secluded and instead create a nice flow throughout the home from room to room, so that there’s easy access from the kitchen to the living area and dining room. The goal of an open floor plan is to combine living areas, which are far more enjoyable than secluded rooms that can make a home feel small and uninviting. There are many benefits to an integrated kitchen-living space, so it’s no wonder homeowners are leaning more towards this modern type of floor design, which is a lot more functional. Integrated living spaces improve traffic flow and allow for shared lighting throughout an entire area while providing easy access to different rooms and great views of your home while you’re entertaining. Open-concept designs are also aesthetically pleasing and help create the appearance of a bigger space than there may actually be. The possibilities are endless and it’s truly remarkable to see what the removal of a wall or border can do for space, especially when it comes to kitchens. Kitchens are a busy area of a home where families gather, cook, bake and hang out, and if you have a small space, it can be hard to enjoy your kitchen or work comfortably within it. Opening up space with the removal of a border will change your space completely and provide you with options you were unable to have before like a kitchen island, for example. You’ll be able to move around more freely because your kitchen will be a lot more spacious and it will be visually more appealing as well in terms of design, so there are many benefits to integrated living spaces and the possibilities are endless. It’s also a great way of bringing your dream kitchen to life because you will be able to install and enjoy kitchen features you didn’t initially have room for like a wine cabinet, additional seating area or even a small computer or office area if you like. Your kitchen will no longer feel old and outdated but rather modern and spacious instead. Leenlong can help you with your dream kitchen, so if you’re in the Langley area and want beautiful countertops and cabinets, give them a call today!
How to Pair Countertop Colors with Dark Cabinets
Cabinets take up the majority of the visible space in kitchens, which is why it’s very natural that most homeowners choose the colour of their cabinets first and proceed with the other components later. While there’s no right or wrong when it comes to the aesthetics of a kitchen remodel, there are certain tips that can help you pair your countertop colour with your cabinets perfectly, especially if you select dark cabinetry. If you like darker colours and your personal preference is dark cabinets, you need to focus on selecting the right countertop to go along with your selection. The process can be overwhelming because there are thousands of options available when it comes to cabinet and countertop combinations, which means the possibilities are endless. Knowing which combinations work best will help you narrow down your options so that you can select the perfect pairing. Contrast is a sure way of adding beauty to any room and this applies to kitchens as well. If you have dark cabinets, a great choice for a new countertop would be something light and creamy to break up the darkness and create contrast. This light and dark theme has always been popular and works with any style of kitchen whether it’s modern or traditional. Lighter countertops will be able to reflect more light so your kitchen will be a lot brighter and more inviting and the dark cabinetry won’t feel overwhelming. Finding the right balance between the dark and light tones is important and will create a design that is both beautiful and unique. If you are a fan of modern kitchens you can select an all-white countertop and this is especially nice if the cabinets are black. The stark contrast makes for a stunning kitchen with a very modern design consisting of clean lines. White countertops are not limited to modern kitchens and look great with traditional kitchens too because they are actually quite versatile and would look great in wooden kitchens as well. If white or cream countertops seem too bright, you can select a soft gray and there are a number of shades of cool grays to choose from. This is a great option because it will pair nicely with dark cabinets and the right shade will blend perfectly into your kitchen. Gray is a classic option and works well for both cabinets and countertops and can be paired with a number of different colour palates. If you’re looking for the perfect countertops and cabinets for your kitchen visit LeenLong today. We have a beautiful selection of quartz countertops and kitchen cabinets so if you want to turn your dream kitchen into a reality and are in the Langley area contact LeenLong now!
Tips for Decorating Your Kitchen
Kitchens are more than just a space for cooking and dining, they’re an integral part of any home. People live, entertain and spend time with family in this space, so it’s important that it inspires you and draws you in. To help you decorate your kitchen, here are seven tips you should consider. Try Black and White Can’t decide on a colour scheme? Then play it safe by decorating your kitchen with black and white aspects. This also makes it easy to add pops of colour in later, as you don’t have to worry about clashing hues. Use Open Shelving You could add a few open shelves over your kitchen countertops or dedicate an entire wall to the cause. No matter the size of your kitchen, installing open shelves and cabinets will make the space feel even bigger. You can also use them as a decorative piece, filling the shelves with cookbooks, plants, dishes, meaningful trinkets, anything you want. Add Bursts of Colour This could mean hanging some colourful artwork, buying fun appliances for your kitchen counters or even painting an accent wall with a bright colour. However you want to do this, make sure it’s not a colour you’ll get sick of in a week or two, especially if you’re going the painting route. Chalkboard Paint Dress up an empty wall in your kitchen with a layer or two of chalkboard paint! This is a fun way to add and change up your kitchen scheme without making anything permanent. You can doodle and draw designs that are constantly changing with your mood. This also adds a deeper level of personality to your kitchen. Natural Selection Bring nature into your kitchen by adding a few hints of greenery throughout. Whether that means handing a few fake plants or starting an herb garden beneath a window, it’s up to you. Throw in some wooden accents as well to make your kitchen feel even more like a greenhouse getaway. Utilize Every Corner Do you have a few empty corners that aren’t doing much for your kitchen? Then use them to add more interest to the room. No one said there had to be a single purpose for your kitchen, so use the space as a seating area, to store part of your book collection or as a secret storage area. Quick and Simple Updates If you want an easy way to redecorate your kitchen without spending too much, then one thing you can do is to switch out the existing hardware on your kitchen cabinets. You could find something sleek and modern at the hardware store or venture onto the internet to find something unique. Whatever you decide, this is a quick way to change up your space on a budget. At Leenlong Construction, our expert team is committed to helping residential and commercial clients redesign their kitchen from the ground up. Located in Langley, British Columbia, we provide a wide range of kitchen cabinets, granite and quartz countertops, sinks and more. To get started on your dream kitchen today, be sure to give us a call or visit our website.
Tips To Choose The Right Sealant For Your Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are highly resistant to stains, nicks, and cracks, but only when looked after well. One of the ways to extend the lifespan and preserve the beauty of these natural stone surfaces is by sealing them. If you are looking to seal your granite countertop, you might be overwhelmed by which sealant to choose – after all, there are many options on the market. Naturally, you should consult with the retailer that installed or sold your granite countertops first to see what they recommended for your type of granite.
Why Sealants are Necessary
A sealant should infiltrate deep into the stone to help it protect the surface from stains, fight off a bacterial invasion, and make it easy to clean. Look at products carefully before choosing one and pay attention to its capacity to penetrate deep in the stone. Professionals prefer products with penetrating capabilities because it absorbs profoundly and keeps your granite looking new for longer. These sealants help keep moisture away, reduce the risk of mould, and prevent bacteria from getting into the creases of the stone.What to Look for When Choosing a Sealant for Granite Countertops
While you stand in the aisle of a home improvement store confounded with all the sealant options, consider the following features to help narrow down your choices:- Stone Sealant - Make sure the sealant you choose is for natural stone. Some sealants are for laminate or other non-natural stone surfaces. A stone sealant should be gentle enough to polish and seal the surface of your stone without scratching it.
- Gentle for All Stone Types: Avoid cleaners or sealants that are specifically designed for one type of stone. Instead, look for a sealant that is gentle to use on all stones, or pick one made especially for granite. If you have mixtures of non-granite gravel on the countertop, such as a custom-made product, then you want to choose an all-stone friendly type.
- Coverage - You want enough of the product to cover all granite surfaces in your house, so look for something that has at least 160 to 180 square feet per quart.
- Invisible Dry - Some products leave a yellowish tinge behind, and some will even make your countertops look dull. Look for a sealant that dries clear and will not change your stone’s colour, even if you have a white finish. Also, the sealant should be fast drying, only taking ten minutes from the time of application to dry.
- Resistance - The finished sealant should be able to repel any water-based and oil-based liquids.
Choose the right granite countertops for your Langley home
You will need a high-quality granite that was designed to reduce imperfections, making it easier to seal. The team at Leenlong has an array of granite countertops for your choosing. We can help you pick and install the perfect countertop and offer advice and suggestions for sealing your countertops each year. They will look as breathtaking as the day you had them installed. You can also contact us online or call to ask us about our granite countertops and customized kitchens.
7 Ways You’re Accidentally Ruining Your Countertops
[tm_pb_section admin_label="section"][tm_pb_row admin_label="row"][tm_pb_column type="4_4"][tm_pb_text admin_label="Text" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] Kitchen countertops can be an expensive investment for your home. As such, they need to be treated with the proper care in order for them to stay looking as gorgeous as when they were first installed. If you’re unsure about whether or not you’ve been treating your countertops well, go through this list to make sure you’re not ruining your counters.