Category: Designing a Kitchen

A Beautiful, Stylish, and Practical Kitchen Island

A kitchen is more than just a place to cook your meals; it’s a place to hang out with family or with friends. At TKS, we don’t want you to have to limit the number of people who can hang in your kitchen. We want to help you design a kitchen that is fit for a community, a place for cooking and for catching up. A place for eating and having conversations. A place for your wok and a place for you to work. Before we get too caught up in alliterations, let’s talk kitchen islands and creating a beautiful and practical kitchen.

A central multi-functional kitchen furniture

Every well-equipped kitchen should have its island that is big enough to take charge of your next school bake sale, all while your kids are hanging out doing homework and waiting to lick the cake batter off of the spoon.
A kitchen island is a statement piece for your kitchen, but it will also serve as a functional piece of furniture for the communal and multi-functional kitchen. The island can stand out stylistically from the rest of your cabinetry, either in color or texture. However, the size of your island depends on how you intend to use it, and how many people intend to use it at a time.

Customizing your island

Besides a beautiful countertop to adorn your island, you can customize your island to create functional storage all around to meet all of the requirements you have. There can be spaces for kitchenware and utensils, towels, and china, but you should also take into consideration that someone will need to plug in an iPad or a laptop while they are working and you are prepping the dinner.

A kitchen island should be flexible, and working with a designer to customize your kitchen island to match the needs of your family and your lifestyle, as well as your style, is the only way to get exactly what you want.

Design your dream kitchen with The Kitchen Showcase in Denver

Our designers are brilliant at helping clients design the perfect kitchen, from the cabinets to the counters to the kitchen island. We’ll help you blend the latest design trends and tricks to make your kitchen both functional and fabulous.
Get the latest products that have been meticulously chosen to give you great style, quality, and price.

custom kitchen island kitchen islands Denver

Custom Cabinets For Oddly Shaped Spaces and Floor Plans

Not every home is made up of neat little rooms with easy to fit furniture and cabinets. Some homes have rooms with quirky angles or tiny rooms with odd measurements. For oddly shaped rooms, factory-made cabinets won’t work. When you remodel an oddly shaped room, the only way to go is with custom-tailored cabinets.

Finding cabinets that fit each room

Custom cabinets Colorado — Get custom cabinets to fit into a kitchen with odd shapes or other obstacles, like roof beams and pillars.

It’s usually the quirky little details that give a home character. However, finding furniture and cabinets that fit tight spaces, odd angles, and other obstructions like roof beams and columns can be a never-ending tale (and more often than not – with no happy ending). And just because a room is shaped weirdly, doesn’t mean that you don’t want to make the room functional, especially if we’re talking about a kitchen or a bathroom.

Remodeling challenges

There are many challenges when you remodel a kitchen or bathroom. But the biggest challenge is finding the right cabinets and countertops for an oddly shaped room. You need to think about creating storage space, as well as a workspace. And, you want to keep a good flow in the room so that it becomes an enjoyable space. The kitchen is especially challenging because it serves so many functions. A kitchen is more than just a kitchen, it’s a place for cooking, working, entertaining, and family time.

Custom cabinets and countertops

Get custom cabinets to fit around awkward angles in your kitchen.

Thankfully, with custom cabinets and countertops, you can remodel any shape or room, tight spaces, tall spaces, and all types of floor plans. When you get custom cabinets and countertops, the product will be built to fit the room, so you don’t have to make the room fit around generic one-size-fits-all cabinets. Because, as we all know, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all when it comes to cabinets.

Remodel an oddly (or any) shaped kitchen in Colorado

The Kitchen Showcase is the number one place in Colorado to remodel your home from start to finish. We’ve got all the leading brands and products that can be customized to fit your space. Our designers can help you plan and remodel any floor plan, turning an awkward kitchen into a dream kitchen.
Stop by our showroom to talk to a design expert and get inspiration for your next remodel.

remodel an oddly shaped room Remodel oddly shaped kitchen in Colorado

Finding an Interior Designer to Design your Dream Home

Visiting a kitchen showroom can give you great insights into styles, trends, and cost, but it can still be overwhelming. Just because it looks good in the showroom doesn’t mean that it will work for your home or your lifestyle. That is why our services include working with a professional and skilled interior design expert. While you’re researching interior design trends, take a minute to browse through our designers to see if there’s someone that catches your eye. Here’s what you should be looking for to get paired with a designer from The Kitchen Showcase so you can get started on designing your dream home.

Choosing an Interior Designer

The first thing you need to look for in an interior designer is a similar palette and style. Check out all of our designers to find the one that shares a similar aesthetic to you. Of course, all of our designers are versatile, so they will work from your likes and dislikes to create something that is custom designed for you. Another important aspect is to have a great rapport with your designer and to figure that out, you’ll need to meet.

Product Knowledge

There are so many products, materials, and styles to choose from and it’s important to work with someone who understands the pros and cons of each. Find a designer that has excellent knowledge of all products from cabinets, countertops, to tiny knobs and pulls. Every detail of a home remodel is important. Find a designer that is detail-oriented and knowledgable about all aspects of the industry.

Compatibility

Seeing designers work will give you great insight into their style and skill, but you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions when you meet. You want to work with a designer that listens to your wants and concerns.

Find a designer that is compatible with your style and has excellent product knowledge.

A great designer will blend functionality and trends to make the best of the room and space that they are working with. They should also be up to date on all the latest trends and styles to give you the most up to date information.

Top Kitchen Designers in Denver

We have assembled the “Best of the Best” so you can be confident you will get the expertise needed to make your project go as smooth as possible.

Mixing Textures for an Edgy Kitchen Design

There’s something to be said for a shiny new kitchen. However, that doesn’t mean that you want all your materials to shine literally. It’s easy to get caught up on one single surface when designing a kitchen, but mixing textures in your kitchen design will give it a bit of an edge.

Kitchen showroom in Centennial, Colorado — Using contrasting textures, like wood and metal in the same design will give your kitchen an edge.

Avoid Using Only Glossy Surfaces

It can be easy to get caught up in glossy finishes. After all, they’re so pretty. Glossy cupboard finishes, shiny appliances, and polished stone countertops are a classic choice but think about adding a few matte textures and design elements to break up the shiny ones.
Playing with texture will make the design more attractive. Modern kitchen design trends are all using more matte finishes, as well as varying up textures.
Of course, you have to be smart about your choices. Because too many textures will overwhelm the design. You need just the right amount of variance to make it attractive and cool.

Mixing Textures

Be creative when designing your kitchen. Make sure it reflects your personality, and don’t be afraid to play, especially when it comes to texture. Adding matching and contrasting design elements, like matte metal cabinets mixed with classic wood elements, or choosing a matte finish on the cabinets but leaving the appliances shiny, can give your kitchen an architectural design feel.

Rustic and Modern

mix and match textures and surfaces — Mix contrasting textures in your kitchen design

Just because mixing textures is a modern design trend doesn’t mean that you can’t add rustic elements into a modern kitchen.
Exposing brick or natural wood can add a rustic element to break up the modern design features. And, having an exposed brick backsplash or allowing the wood beams in your home to show can add warmth to an edgy kitchen.

Kitchen Design Showcase in Denver

Visit our kitchen showroom in Centennial to see first hand how playing with textures in a kitchen can enhance the design, make your kitchen more modern, and more interesting. Our designers can help you work with the textures and materials that speak to you, putting them together into a cohesive and functional kitchen.
We’ll know when to go big, and when to reign it in, so that your kitchen isn’t one big jumble of matching and contrasting elements. Come to the showroom and talk to a kitchen designer about your kitchen remodel project.

Making Home and Kitchen Design Easy for Builders in Colorado

When you are a builder and working for clients, nothing will make a bad impression like going over budget and over time. At The Kitchen Showcase (TSK) in Colorado, we make builders look good to their clients. We don’t just cure kitchen envy, we cure vendor envy. To top it all off, we also design great-looking kitchens.

Visit kitchen showroom with clients — Credit to Infinity home collection

Builders need vendors they can trust

Building a home is a big responsibility that often involves higher costs. You want your clients to be impressed with the entire process. Because you are building a home for someone else, it’s important that every element says something about your client. Letting your client be a part of every step, especially when it comes to the interior design, will build trust and make you very popular with clients.

Involving your client every step of the way

Builders love TKS because we always produce great work and we finish on time and on budget. The best part is that your clients can come to our kitchen showroom and see for themselves all the great options that they can choose from. They’ll get a better understanding of the materials and the effect they will have. Plus, they’ll get to talk to professional kitchen and home designers who can help guide them through the process.

On-time and on budget

Designing a home — Clients can visit our showroom and see products firsthand before making a choice.

Once all the decisions have been made and all the products ordered, your client just wants you to finish so they can begin their lives in their new home. When you work with TKS, we respect your time and your budget. Getting your products from TKS means that you’ll get everything delivered on time so that you can finish on time. No matter the budget, we’ve got quality products to make stunning looking kitchens, baths, and homes.

The Kitchen Showcase in Denver

When you order products for a home from many different vendors, you’re increasing your chances of something going wrong. TKS has top brands in all budget ranges and styles in one big showroom. When you work with TKS, you only have to shop in one place for everything you need. It’s the most cost-effective and efficient way to shop for a home. The more efficient we are, the sooner your client can move into a beautiful new home.

design great looking kitchens The Kitchen Showcase in Denver

Most Efficient Way to Plan and Design Your Dream Kitchen or Bath

Two major phases can be daunting in a remodel project. The first is the planning and designing phase, and the second is dealing with the hassle and stress of living through the construction phase. With the help of our showroom and professional designers, we have the experience to make both phases go smoothly.

Planning and designing a dream kitchen or bath

When you plan and design a dream kitchen or bathroom, you have to start by visualizing the whole room. Picturing what the finished room will look like can be overwhelming. There are so many little details that make up a functional and fashionable kitchen and bath. You have to choose the furnishings, as well as the materials and everything has to be cohesive. Everything has to work together, both aesthetically and functionally.

kitchen & bathroom remodeling in Centennial — Our designers will show you the best options for your vision, so you can feel confident in every decision you make.

Seeing the big picture

Our designers will help you turn your vision into reality by showing you the best options. When you work with The Kitchen Showcase, you get to see, touch, and experience your vision by creating a space and design plan to help you visualize the final product. You can walk through our kitchen showrooms to see and touch every material and style choices, so you feel confident in the decisions you make.

Construction phase

Our services don’t end with our showroom; we want to make the entire process hassle-free, including the construction phase. When you order the various products for your kitchen and bath remodel, our designers will layout a timeline for when products will be delivered. Having a timeframe for the delivery and construction phase will allow you to plan ahead, making the necessary adjustments.

Remodeling kitchen — Our professional staff will take care of you from start to finish and help you create a beautiful home for your investment.

Kitchen cabinets typically take the longest to be delivered, depending on the brand and if they are custom. To make things easier on you, we will receive and store your products and coordinate the best time to have them delivered to your home. While in our possession, your products will be handled by professionals to make sure that there is no damage.

Take the stress out of your next remodeling project with the help of The Kitchen Showcase.

Designing a Kitchen With Purpose and Appeal

3 of the Most Popular Kitchen Styles Today

Everyone dreams of designing their own home. You get a chance to make every room fully functional and an accurate representation of you and your family. Since the kitchen is the heart of the home, the design should be thoughtful so that your choices can get pumped through the entire house, creating a cohesive, warm, and inspiring feeling.

Designing your dream kitchen

Avoid kitchen design mistakes — Customize the kitchen to fit the space and every nuanced angle.

When you set out to create your dream kitchen, you need to think about your objectives. You want to allow yourself to be creative, but you also have to think about functionality and efficiency. The kitchen needs to be usable, as well as visually appealing.

Kitchen objectives

When you use your kitchen, there has to be a natural flow taking you from each task to the next. The right tools need to be near the area where they are most likely to be used. Start with the kitchen triangle, and then think about how you would naturally move about your kitchen for the most functional layout. Make sure you give yourself enough space and think about what other functions your kitchen needs to provide.

The kitchen is more than a place to eat; it’s a place to hang out. Be smart about how you utilize the space so that you incorporate the needs of every family member. Include every member of the family in the design process so that everyone’s needs are represented.

Choosing the right gray for your kitchen — Your design should appeal to your aesthetic and not be too trendy.

Collect inspiration

Find inspiration from magazines, kitchen showrooms, and your friends, neighbors, and family. You may see things that you didn’t realize you were missing. Visiting a showroom gives you the advantage of seeing kitchen design up close and personal. You can walk around in the kitchen to see how well it suits your kitchen objectives.

Avoid Being Too Trendy

Trends change with the seasons; you want your kitchen design to stand the test of time. Look for trends that increase function and efficiency, but try to avoid too many stylistic trends. If a kitchen is too stylistically trendy, you may get sick of it as soon as that trend is replaced with another. Blend your own personal aesthetic with a few trends to get the right balance. Make sure you always design for you and your family, not to live up to fleeing interior design trends.

Visit our kitchen showroom in Denver, Colorado, for more kitchen design inspiration.

The Stone Cold Truth About Soapstone Countertops

The gray trend isn’t slowing down. It’s a beautiful neutral color, and it appears in a lot of materials naturally. In the kitchen, using natural stone countertops will give the grays an organic feel. Soapstone is a natural stone that is usually dark gray and is a beautiful alternative to granite countertops.

Soapstone countertops

We’re always talking about granite and quartz, but soapstone has been around for ages. Many historic homes will use soapstone countertops. The dark gray natural stone color of soapstone has allowed this material to transition to the modern kitchen, but still keeping the rustic qualities of a classic home.

Remodeling your kitchen in Denver — Silky smooth, dark gray soapstone countertops

Characteristics of soapstone

Soapstone has a smooth and silky surface, which makes it a great natural stone countertop material. As the soapstone ages, a beautiful patina will appear, giving it a bit more texture and character. It will give your modern kitchen a nod to antique and historic homes, while still maintaining it’s contemporary flair.

Color

The color of soapstone is a dark gray, and as it ages and settles, the color will become a bit darker. That is important to consider when you are designing your kitchen. If you are trying to match other gray tones to your soapstone countertops, be aware that the original color, when first installed, will turn a shade (or half a shade) darker over time.

Visit a kitchen showroom to compare countertop materials.

Heat and scratches

Since it is natural stone, it is quite resistant to heat and to stains. However, the smooth surface can become scratched over time if you work directly on the soapstone countertop. The good news is that any scratch can be sanded, a bit like sanding and refinishing hardwood floors. Of course, just like hardwood floors, a few scratches and some wear and tear can add to the appeal of the countertop.

Visit our kitchen showroom in Denver to check out all our countertops.

What Is The Most Profitable Home Remodel Attracting Buyers?

Being a homeowner means that you’re always looking to upgrade rooms, remodel, and making it homier and more functional. A home is a constant work in progress. Unless you have an unlimited supply of time and money, you want to choose projects wisely. Some home improvements and renovations will increase the value of your home, and giving you a high return on your investment when it comes time to sell.

Most profitable remodel project

Any upgrades to the kitchen will give significant ROI.

The most profitable renovation project is the kitchen. Just a few minor upgrades and you can expect to get more than 50% back in resale value. If you are looking to sell immediately, there are a few small changes you can make to give the home more in-house appeal to buyers. Not only will the new upgrades be attractive to buyers, but knowing that they won’t have to embark on remodeling projects right after they buy, will also add some appeal.

Full kitchen remodel

There are two ways you can tackle the kitchen. The first is a complete kitchen overhaul where you gut the kitchen and put in all new custom cabinets, efficient and functional storage spaces, countertops, and appliances. For a complete kitchen remodel, you can expect to get up to 60% ROI. One thing to consider is whether your style is going to be the same as potential buyers. You may want to consider choosing a style that is relatively neutral and appealing to a larger crowd than something highly personalized.

New drawer and cabinet fronts will appeal to potential buyers.

Kitchen face-lift

The second way to upgrade your kitchen is to give it a quick face-lift. That means that you change out the appliances to be newer and more efficient, but instead of gutting the kitchen and replacing the cabinets, you replace the cabinet doors. Small upgrades, like a new faucet and hardware for your cabinets and drawers, can also give your kitchen a newer look that will appeal to buyers. With just a few small changes to the surface of the kitchen, the ROI can be as high as 80%.

Before you make any changes, visit our showroom to see all your options for materials and colors. Talk to our designers about what will give you the best return on your investment.

The Many Benefits of Beautiful Laminate Kitchen Cabinets

Not every renovation budget will allow a person to choose natural wood cabinets. Fortunately, getting laminate kitchen cabinets can still give you the beautiful effect that you desire. Laminate cabinetry may have gotten a bad rap, but there is no shame in choosing laminate cabinets to complete your dream kitchen.

Benefits of laminate kitchen cabinets

Besides being cost-effective, laminate kitchen cabinets have a number of benefits. Most importantly, laminate kitchen cabinets come in a myriad of styles and colors. They are customizable, so you can have your laminate kitchen cabinets built specifically for your kitchen and your needs.

Laminate cabinets are durable

The biggest advantage of laminate kitchen cabinets is their durability. Every kitchen should have great ventilation to create a consistent and healthy indoor air quality. However, the moisture content in the kitchen will vary from dinner to dinner. Laminate kitchen cabinets are resistant to changes in moisture. Laminate cabinets won’t warp or crack from the steam of a kettle or pressure cooker. You can safely let that stew “stew” on the stove all day without worrying about the condition of your cabinets.

Laminate cabinets are easy to maintain

Benefits of laminate kitchen cabinets — Aristokraft Cabinet
Door style: Durham
Color: Toasted Antique

Laminate kitchen cabinets are easily maintained. Splashes, grease, and dirt can quickly be wiped off of your cabinets, leaving them good as new. The color won’t fade with time, so refacing your cabinets won’t be necessary. Unless, of course, you’re just switching up your style. However, you won’t have to reface due to wear and tear.

Laminate cabinets fit every style

Persona style is important when choosing cabinets. Of course, you want them to be affordable and practical. However, if you don’t like the look, then it’s not worth your money. Laminate kitchen cabinets come in every style and color. You can even get laminate kitchen cabinets that imitate natural wood.

Laminate kitchen cabinetry in Denver

At TKS, we are picky about the brands that we recommend to our customers. If you are looking for laminate kitchen cabinets, check out Aristokraft Cabinetry. Aristokraft Cabinetry has the style, selection, and value you need to bring your vision to life.

Stop by our Denver kitchen showroom and talk to a designer about the right cabinets for your style, budget, and timeframe.

Aristokraft Cabinetry Laminate kitchen cabinets