Helpful Tips and Info

Design Tips

There are many ways to approach cabinet design, depending on whether you are building new, renovating, or adding additional cabinets to your home. Before you start your building or reno project, think about what you want to include in your cabinet design and what is important to you, including details like colours, door style, materials and finishes.

Is the look you are going for modern, traditional or something specific, like country casual? Keeping a notebook, in which you collect magazine clippings or photos, can be helpful in speeding up the process. If renovating, think about whether anything will be relocated eg. windows, walls, heating, electrical. Information we require includes appliance specs, flooring type, sink information etc.

Feel free to discuss design ideas and timelines with us. In the case of a new kitchen, you should allow for at least six weeks from confirmation to installation. Here are some other tips, specifically for kitchens:

Ask yourself whether you want your dream kitchen, a functional kitchen, or something in between. Try to figure out your budget before starting the design process. What about lighting? Ensuring the food preparation areas in your kitchen are well-lit, can avoid injuries. Would you like cabinets lit from underneath, for mood lighting? Increase storage and access with high pantry cabinets, tilt-out bins, rotating inserts and pull-out shelves, which are very convenient and popular.

How serious a chef are you? If quite serious, you will want plenty of counter and storage space. Depending on your what your needs are, there are many ways we can help design your kitchen to make it a warm and welcoming place.

Wood Types and Finishes

What wood to go with? Maple, oak, cherry, alder, rustic alder or hickory ...The list of possibilities has something for every personality, including exotic options like wenge, white oak or dark walnut. Finishing options are numerous and include staining, painting, sand-through finishes, glazing, antiquing and chalking. If wood is not your style, ask us about thermofoil and laminate options for your cabinets and doors. The choice is yours.

Selecting your Accessories

When choosing accessories, it is best to have decided on a door style and color first. Cabinet handles and pulls reflect overall decor and need to work hard for you. You may opt for more old-fashioned pulls with backplates, or modernize with bar style handles. They come in a wide variety of other options, such as wood, brushed nickel, pewter, stainless – even natural iron, or antique English. Feel free to ask for our input, based on our experience of what works and what other customers have had the best results from.