What are the latest kitchen trends for home renovations?

What Are The Latest Kitchen Trends For Home Renovations?

There are several new home improvement trends for kitchen renovations. While regular choices like white cabinets are still preferred, there are a number of new trends you could update your home with. It is best to remember that no kitchen style goes out of style. There is always something classic about past trends, but adding some new design trends to it will give it the new aesthetic you have been craving for. 

Now that there is a more conscious attempt towards choosing sustainable living, you might as well look for more eco-friendly items and sustainable ways to redesign your kitchen. While there are multiple trends, here are a few of them we hope you would love. 

Curves in Kitchen

Having a kitchen with curves creates a soft and organic feel that makes the space feel more welcoming and comfortable. It is one of the trending furniture designs in recent times. If you have children at home, a kitchen with curves adds more than just an aesthetic value but it also makes it safer for nearby children. Additionally, curves can be used to introduce a sense of playfulness and fun into the kitchen, which can make it feel less like a purely functional space and more like a place where people want to gather and socialize.

New Countertops

Changing and upgrading the kitchen countertop is one of the most trendy kitchen renovations you can install in your home. Countertops are one of the most visible elements of a kitchen, and they can be used to set the tone for the entire room. New countertops can be used to update the style of the kitchen, whether that be a modern or traditional look.   Sometimes people are even ready to go a little over their budget to get a new worthy countertop. 

Home renovation with natural wood materials

Wood cabinets are a trend toward a classic and classy outlook. Timbers and antique wood have caught the new generation's rhythm and are embraced happily. The wood look adds warmth and texture to the kitchen space, while also being a durable and versatile material. This trend of rustic or traditional aesthetics is something many homeowners desire. Furthermore, wood can be stained or painted to match any color scheme you could be going for.

Layered lighting

Lighting is an essential part of kitchen design. However, most of us overlook its importance. If you manage to get the lighting right, the rest of the design will fall easily into place. One trick and trend is layered lighting.

Clutter-free kitchen for a modern look

The kitchen is quite the space where almost everything and anything needs to find room. However, a simple kitchen with a number of required essentials is a dream for many. You can get an organized look by replacing the multiple shelves hanging on the walls with a single shelf and longer open space. 

Add style with contrasting colors

Colors for your kitchen could be a very tough decision. Some still opt for a classic white or metallic black look. However, the recent trend is to go with contrasts because they can add visual interest and depth to the space. Choosing colors that are on opposite sides of the color wheel will give the little magic tone your kitchen needs. On the other hand, using contrasting colors can create a striking and dynamic look that can make a kitchen feel more exciting and bold.

Look what is back?!

The sink skirt fashion is back in style, and it is the right time and opportunity to master the design. Having pleated curtains underneath the sink is trending again, adding a more creative space for patterns and colors. Best part? You can upgrade or change these curtains at any point when you want a different look and feel.

Unique storage options

Many of the kitchen trends today divert back to one of the kitchen’s important features, storage space. Different storage solutions like bi-fold dressers are in recent trends. For example, a smaller kitchen may utilize a clever and smart storage plan. In result, the kitchen space will feel bigger than it actually is. Furthermore, there is a slow shift in the focus from a large space to smarter storage. 

 


5 benefits of custom closets

5 benefits of custom closets

If you have seen a closet, you have seen a thousand closets, but when is a closet not just a closet? When it is a custom closet designed to meet the individual unique needs of the homeowner. Closets come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and each custom closet is designed to fit not just the dimensions of the space but the needs of the owner as well.
Custom closets have been around for a long time, but have become significantly more popular in the past 15-20 years. A big reason for their popularity boost is the want and need to manage space effectively and help reduce clutter.
If you are contemplating between having a custom closet built for your home or installing an off-the-shelf closet organization system, the difference is night and day. Below we outline the benefits of having a custom closet made for you and your home.

Clutter-free Space

One of the greatest benefits of a custom closet in your home is that you can store your personal belonging neatly away in their designated space while enjoying a clutter-free living space. With a custom closet, managing your items becomes hassle-free and your living space becomes neater and more organized.

Space Maximization

A custom closet enables you to take advantage of every square inch of closet space, from shelf drawers, hooks, and rods, you can use your closet space more efficiently and maximize the storage capacity. One size fits all closet organization does not work for most homeowners, especially when your home’s architecture is unique.

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Get More Organized

The best way to stay organized in the home with your belongings is to have adequate storage. By installing custom closet organizers in each room, you can easily double your storage space. This will allow for each item to have a designated storage place, making it easy to put away and find when needed.

Fulfill Special Storage Need

Everyone has unique storage needs, and a custom closet is a perfect solution. With a custom closet, you can have storage that can contain your stuff perfectly. If you are looking to display your shoes and purses in your master walk-in closet, or a way to separate your children’s school clothes from their daily wardrobe, a custom closet is a right way to go.

See Everything You Have

With a custom closet, it will be easier to see everything in your closet. This allows you to easily find the items you are looking for and easily identify the items you rarely or never use that can be donated ultimately clearing up space in your closet.
At KBC Solutions we understand that the ideal custom closet will vary from one individual to the next. Our team will work with you to plan out and design your ideal custom closet to help meet all your storage and organization goals. Call us today at 647-258-4170 to book your no-obligation consultation.


What Should You Not Do When Remodeling a Kitchen?

Your kitchen is the hub of your home, so taking on a full kitchen remodel is a big decision. Not only will a kitchen remodel create some inconveniences for you and your family, but it is also a fairly large financial commitment. But in the end, your new and improved kitchen will be worth the cost and slight inconvenience. 

It is important to fully plan out your kitchen remodel, either on your own or with the help of a design specialist before you begin the task of tearing out your existing kitchen. Like any renovation project, there are aspects that you will want to avoid with your kitchen remodel because it is always easier to plan ahead and review again than it is to realize something isn’t working as intended after the project is completed.

Below we will walk you through some of the key things you should avoid when remodeling your kitchen. 

  • Not Prioritizing Storage

Not planning for adequate storage is one of the most common mistakes that homeowners make while renovating their kitchen. Your new kitchen design may call for a minimalist aesthetic, this look comes only by sacrificing sufficient storage space and ultimately functionality. Reduced storage space can make for storing bulkier pots, pans and small appliances difficult and can even affect your meal prep capabilities. 

By incorporating sufficient cabinets, drawer dividers, pantry pull-outs, floating shelves, Lazy Susan, and other space saving add-ons, you will help to increase the efficiency of your new kitchen. 

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  • Inadequate lighting

Your kitchen needs to have sufficient lighting in order to be functional, no one wants to be using a sharp knife in the dark. If you are looking to be able to control the lighting in your kitchen in order to change the ambiance, incorporate different types of lighting operated by different switches. Consider main lighting such as recessed lights or larger fixtures to provide full lighting for day to day usage. Task lighting such as cabinet undermounted lighting that is strategically placed to help you perform specific tasks and pendant lights that can offer beautiful aesthetics, and provide enough light while setting a more intimate ambiance. 

  • Not Hiring a Professional Kitchen Renovation Company

While it may be tempting to hire a jack of all trades, a local handyman or even attempt to take on your own renovation project to save some of the cost. We highly recommend against it. A licensed, professional kitchen renovation company has the experience and the knowhow to deal with any unexpected surprises, as well as the resources to help design and layout your dream kitchen. 

If you are confident in your DIY skills, taking on the demolition and disposal of your old kitchen may still be an option, but just remember that completing the kitchen remodel yourself may void some of the material warranties, as many manufactures stipulate the warranty is only valid if installed by a professional contractor.

  • Not Sticking to Your Budget 

A full kitchen remodel is not cheap and it is easy to blow your budget up by continuously upgrading materials and adding to your design. Your budget can also quickly spiral out of control when unforeseen problems arise. In these cases it is easy for the homeowners to end up overspending on kitchen remodel, and that can lead to some financial issues that may even force the project be paused before the kitchen is in usable condition.

Setting a realistic budget and allocating resources carefully is important for a successful remodel. It is always a good idea to continuously check in on the budget to ensure your project is still on track. For an added safety net, set aside around 10% of your total budget to deal with unexpected issues or potential upgrades that you may want to add in. 

  • Adding to Much into Your Design

With any remodeling project, it is easy to try and stuff too many wants into the design. We suggest against this, as it is not a good idea to incorporate every design idea you into your remodel, this can and will lead to your space feeling crowded and smaller than it is. 

At KBC Solutions we understand that a dream kitchen varies from one individual to the next. Our team will work with you to plan out and design your kitchen renovation, and help make your dream kitchen a reality. Call us today at 647-258-4170 to book your no-obligation consultation. 


How to Tell the Difference Between Marble and Quartz

How to Tell the Difference Between Marble and Quartz

New countertops have the ability to make any kitchen remodel project stand out, no matter if it is a full upgrade or a partial makeover. Your countertops are the natural focal point for any kitchen as well as one of the most used spaces in a kitchen. So, when it comes to choosing the style, design, and material for your new countertops, it can be a difficult task. 

When it comes to countertop materials, the most popular are natural stone products such as marble and engineered stone products such as quartz. Each product has its own benefits, but one benefit quartz has is that it can be made to resemble natural stone products such as marble.

So, how do you tell the difference between marble and quartz? 

1. How They Are Produced

Marble is a 100% natural stone product that has undergone several processes, such as quarrying, slicing, water blasting, buffing, and polishing to produce the shinning slabs used to make countertops. Quartz on the other hand is a manufactured product made from a mixture of natural quartz, resins, polymers, and pigments. Quartz comprises 93-97 percent quartz and 7-3 percent synthetic materials. 

2. Appearance

Marble has natural elegance and beauty. Its natural colour and veining will differ from one slab to another. When marble is pure and free of imperfections or other natural stone, it is a stark white colour. Being a manmade product, quartz can be manufactured into any pattern or colour combination that comes to mind. Quartz often has consistent colour, pattern, and texture. For this reason, at times it may be easy to spot quartz countertops that have been made to mimic marble as the pattern and veining is consistent, where you would be hard-pressed to find this uniformity in natural marble countertops. 

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3. Durability

As a natural stone product, marble is porous and requires additional maintenance to ensure it remains in pristine condition. It can be damaged or stained by acidic substances, especially if it hasn’t been sealed on a regular basis. On the contrary, quartz is non-porous and resistant to stain, it does not require regular sealing, even with everyday use. Quartz countertops are also more durable, and wont damage as easily as a soft stone such as marble.

4. Heat Resistance

When it comes to putting a hot pan on your counters, quartz is more resistant to heat than marble. The resin composition and quartz’s hardness make it stronger and able to better withstand the heat better. On the other hand, marble has been known to crack under high temperatures, so be weary of placing extremely hot pots and pans directly onto your marble countertops.

If you are looking at a countertop and are not sure if it is marble or quartz, take a look for signs of wear on the surface such as scratches. If you find scratches and other wear marks, you are looking at natural marble. If you don’t see any marks, you can always perform a scratch test. Take a knife and gently rub it across a discreet area of the countertop or even its underside. If it doesn’t leave a mark, you know it’s quartz.

At KBC Solutions we are experienced with kitchen remodels of all types and sizes. Our designers will work with you to help plan out and design the kitchen of your dreams and our professional installers will bring it to life. Call us today at 647-258-4170 to book your consultation.


What are the Advantages of Quartz Countertops?

What are the Advantages of Quartz Countertops?

Quartz has quickly become one of the most popular countertop materials used in the new home build and kitchen renovations across North America. Even though quartz is a fairly new countertop material, they have been widely accepted and utilized because of their numerous advantages.

If you are currently planning out your kitchen remodel, here are some key advantages of installing quartz countertops in your new kitchen.

  • Durability

One of the main reasons quartz countertops gained in popularity so quickly is the durability of the material itself. Quartz is extremely difficult to scratch or crack, meaning it will last a long time while still looking great. This doesn’t mean quartz can’t sustain damage, but with the proper precautions, it is easily avoidable.

  • Appearance

Apart from the intended functionality, countertops are able to add beauty and character to your kitchen. Quartz countertops achieve both. They are known for their array of modern, sleek, and beautiful designs. The wide range of designs and colours also sets quartz apart from granite and other natural stone countertop material that is only available in their natural designs.

Quartz manufacturers have been coming up with different approaches and means to creating new and different colour and design patterns. They can integrate metal shavings, recycled glass, and other materials to add pigments to the countertops. If you are looking for a kitchen remodel that matches your style, you are sure to find a quartz countertop that will match your style and the rest of your kitchen and home’s design.

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  • Non-porous

Quartz countertops have various non-porous compositions. As a result of this, they don’t allow any liquids to get under their surface or to seep into the material leading to discoloration or damage. Additionally, since the material is non-porous, you can be certain that bacteria, germs, and other microbes cannot get into your countertops and infect other items on them.

  • Stain-resistant

Because quartz countertops are made with non-porous materials, it is difficult for stains to be absorbed under their surface. This means that you don’t have to worry about irremovable stains that are often associated with marble and granite countertops. Its ability to resist stains makes quartz the perfect option for households with kids that can spill juices, sodas, oils, and other liquids on the countertops.

If you have ever had natural stone countertops in your home previously, you know how difficult it is to clean a red wine or grape juice spot that had been sitting there for some time.

  • Extended warranty

Because of the confidence that most manufacturers have in quartz countertops, the manufacturers often provide extended warranties on their products. Most manufacturers provide warranties of around 20 to 25 years, a few others offer a limited lifetime warranty for an original customer.

  • Low maintenance

Maintenance is an important element that must be considered when choosing any items for your remodel. Luckily, quartz countertops don’t require much maintenance. Unlike natural stone, there is no need to seal quartz as it is a non-porous material. Quartz resists stains and can be easily cleaned with soap and water. If you want your countertops to shine like new, you can use specially formulated degreasers as well as other specialty cleaners and polishes that are formulated for quartz. 

In fact, there aren’t many negatives to choosing quartz for your kitchen remodel. The cost of having quartz installed in your new kitchen is roughly in line with some natural stone products, but higher than some other countertop options, such as laminate. Quartz countertops should be considered as an investment in your kitchen and home, as they have a very long life span. 

At KBC Solutions we are experienced with kitchen remodels of all types and sizes. Our designers will work with you to help plan out and design the kitchen of your dreams and our professional installers will bring it to life. Call us today at 647-258-4170 to book your consultation.