Category: Designing a Kitchen

The Kitchen Island Has Many Styles and Functions

If you’re fortunate enough to have enough space, the kitchen island can be both decorative and functional. There are several styles of kitchen islands. To find the perfect kitchen island, talk to a designer about what style will work in your kitchen, and also, what functions you need the kitchen island to fulfill.

Right style of kitchen island

When you’re choosing a kitchen island you need to think about the style that will fit your kitchen, but you also need to be realistic about what the island needs to be able to do. Whether you’re just looking for more counter space or you want it to be fully loaded with all the amenities, a kitchen counter can be both a statement piece and a tool to make your kitchen flow more smoothly.

Kitchen islands for small spaces

If you have a small kitchen you may not want a kitchen island to take up space. However, every kitchen needs more storage and counter space. A kitchen island doesn’t have to be stationary. You can customize a kitchen island that is movable and can be tucked away when not in use. For a stationary kitchen island, have it custom made to perfectly fit the space available.

Kitchen Island Table — Kitchen island table is a great way to combine a dining area with more counter space.

Kitchen islands as dinner tables

Instead of a separate dining area in the kitchen, make your kitchen island both a countertop and a dining table. For a kitchen that needs more counter space, but you don’t need the extra storage space that an island can provide, the kitchen island table is a perfect choice.

Kitchen islands that adds storage space

Let’s face it, somehow we always end up with so much stuff in the kitchen. There are gadgets for just about everything, and we want them all. A kitchen island can add much-needed storage space. You can have built-in cabinets, drawers, shelves, and hanging hooks. The more you customize your kitchen island, the more functional it will be and will have custom storage space that is uniquely designed for your kitchen.

Choosing kitchen islan — Fully functional kitchen island with plenty of storage, counter space, and a sink.

Kitchen islands with all the bells and whistles

Take full advantage of your kitchen island by adding all the bells and whistles. Every inch of space below the countertops is utilized for storage. The countertops expand beyond the area of the island to allow for stools, that way people can sit more comfortably around the kitchen island. The extra counter space that a kitchen island provides is super useful, but adding a kitchen sink and a conveniently located garbage or compost will make your kitchen a chefs dream kitchen. If you have the room, make your kitchen island fully functional.
The Kitchen Showcase in Denver has over 40+ complete showrooms to inspire your next kitchen, bath, or home remodel. By specializing in the best brands per price range, we offer greater quality and value than any kitchen and bath company in Colorado. You get much, much more for your investment.

Hardware & Accessories For Your Denver Kitchen Remodel

Hand craften wooden kitchen counter tops

Because the smallest details can make the biggest impact!

You have finally decided to take the plunge and go for a full kitchen or bathroom remodel for your Denver home. Great news! Now you just need to make sure the new design is thought to the last detail, including all the new kitchen or bath hardware and accessories you will need.
As with all our products, we’re committed to offering the best-in-class hardware and accessories for a range of budgets. So no matter what your budget is, you can rest assured that you’ll find quality options at competitive prices when you choose The Kitchen Showcase!

Kitchen and Bath Hardware

We primarily offer options from the leading hardware brands, and our products include knobs, pulls, hinges, towel bars, toiletry holders and more. We offer a wide variety of styles and selections, depending on your price point and the style of your room. Many of our hardware options come in up to 10 varieties of metal (from cast iron to pewter, to brushed nickel), as well as glass.

Kitchen and Bath Accessories

Accessories can take the functionality in your room to a whole new level, not to mention that the latest gadget can make your kitchen the talk of the neighborhood!
Our accessory selection includes but isn’t limited to:

In-cabinet accessories, such as pop-up mixers, flip down sink fronts, ironing boards, and silverware holders
Organizational accessories, such as dividing trays, cutting boards, mobile shelves, and in-drawer organization systems
In-cabinet lighting
Under-cabinet lighting

The best way to experience our selection of hardware and accessories is to visit our Denver showroom. With large displays and nearly 40 mini-rooms, you can walk around and interact with our products first hand. At The Kitchen Showcase, we always try to exceed our customer’s expectations by delivering the best customer service possible. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Evenings and Saturdays by appointment.

The Kitchen is the Core of Your Home

People will gravitate towards the kitchen any chance they get. If you’re designing your kitchen, make sure you create a cozy space for guests, because… you can’t fight gravity!

Your kitchen is like the center of the earth with its invisible gravitational pull that prevents us all from flying off of the globe and into the universe. As much as we want our guests to spread themselves throughout the home, at some point, your guests will all wind up in your kitchen.

Kitchen planning and design in Colorado — Choose comfortable seating for guests and family to hang out without disrupting the functional flow of a well-designed kitchen.

Comfortable seating

Talk to a designer about creating a comfortable space for guests to linger and mingle while you cook dinner, fill the dishwasher, or plate another round of hors-d’oeuvres. If your kitchen allows for a “hang-out” area, as well as all the functional features of good cabinets and countertops big enough to create culinary delights, then why not accept that people love to hang out in the kitchen and create enough space for you to have company?

A big center island with seating for guests is the most efficient way of accommodating practicality and function for the chef, plus warmth and comfort for everyone else. If you have enough space, why not try to create a little lounge area in the kitchen with comfy chairs? Don’t fight the inevitable; welcome your guests into your kitchen with open arms and a space made just for hanging out and being social.

Custom kitchen remodel in Denver by TKS — Who said you can’t have comfortable armchairs in your kitchen? Not us!

Even if you aren’t entertaining, it’s not uncommon for the family to gather in the kitchen, so take that into consideration when you plan out your new kitchen design. It’s not just about keeping the cook comfortable; it’s about accommodating everyone and making your kitchen the core of your home.

Open floor plan

If you have an open floor plan home, you are already in a great position to create a lounge area in your kitchen. An open floor plan allows one room to flow seamlessly into the next. Your living room will become an extension of your kitchen and slow the gravitational pull, keeping your guests close but not in your way when you are trying to cook.

Kitchen design experts in Colorado

Our designers can help you plan and design your dream kitchen. We’ve got top-of-the-line cabinets, counters, hardware, and accessories. We’re picky about the products we recommend and the designers we hire. We only carry proven brands that lead their price category for quality and value.

Request a free quote!

Colorado kitchen design experts designing a kitchen invite guests to gather in kitchen

Tips for Designing a Small Kitchen

Not all homes have a big spacious kitchen. If you can’t tear down a few walls, or expand your kitchen area, you need to make smart design choices. Designing a small kitchen has a few challenges, but with the right elements, you can still design your dream kitchen, even if it’s small.

Designing a small kitchen — These rustic slab cabinet doors are perfect for a small kitchen.

Challenges of a small kitchen

With a small bedroom or a small living room, you can simply remove items to accommodate the size of the space. However, in a kitchen, there are a lot of elements that are essential. You need storage space, counter space, a kitchen sink, and appliances. Getting all the necessary elements into a small space without making it feel cramped is the key to designing a small kitchen.

Simple design and clean lines

For a small kitchen design, look at clean lines and simple design. Slab cabinet doors are the perfect choice for a small kitchen. The reason we love slab cabinets in small spaces is that too much design can take up too much space. The traditional cabinets with raised panel designs may not seem like they take up space, but with small spaces, you want to keep the design as simple as possible. Too much design will make everything feel too busy. The kitchen will feel more calm and functional with modern design choices.

Making Modern Design Cozy

If you don’t like the idea of modern design, and you’re looking for something more down to earth, then there are ways to tone down modern slab cabinets so that they become more in step with your country kitchen. Use natural elements to make the modern design look more rustic. You can warm up a modern kitchen using reclaimed wood for your cabinets.

Natural earth tones

Remodeling a small kitchen — Talk to our designers about tips to remodeling a small kitchen.

The latest trend in kitchen colors is to use neutral colors with hints of gray. Gray tones will make your kitchen look cool, but feel warm. Use backsplashes on the walls using natural stone to add more earthy elements, making your small kitchen cozy, not cramped.

Avoid too much shine

Shiny surfaces are great for increasing natural light in the kitchen. Although you want a lot of light to make a small kitchen feel bigger and warmer, you don’t want too much light. Having glossy cabinets in a small space will make the light bounce from surface to surface, and it can be a bit jarring. Consider matte surfaces to avoid too much glare, without blocking the light.
The Kitchen Showcase has over 40+ complete showrooms for your inspiration. Talk to a designer about tricks to remodeling and designing a small kitchen. Stop by our Denver showroom to see the latest products to create your dream kitchen, no matter what the size.

Add Homey Touches to a Warm and Modern Kitchen Design

There’s no chance the modern, white, minimalistic kitchen is going out of style. The biggest mistake people make is to forget to add some warm elements in their design. We’ve got a few simple ideas for adding homey touches to your modern kitchen.

Warm kitchen design — The darker the floors, the more warmth they will bring. Keep them matte or semi-gloss, or they become too formal.

Clean, simple, and homey

The modern kitchen has clean lines, simple design, and is customized to meet the functional requirements of the homeowner. Everything has a function, everything is perfectly fitted to the space. Whites, grays, and neutral colors tend to dominate. But, you have to add some warm elements to make the kitchen feel more like home.

Hardwood floors

Adding hardwood floors to a modern kitchen adds instant warmth. The new, white organized kitchen says “don’t get anything dirty!” But the warm dark brown hardwood floors says “don’t be afraid, make yourself at home!” If you’re trying to take some of the formality out of your modern kitchen, consider hardwood floors with a matte or semi-gloss finish. The less glossy the finish, the more homey and casual your floors will be, adding a much needed warm contrast to the cool modern kitchen.

Wood countertops

Instead of natural stone countertops, think about adding wooden countertops and keeping them in their natural state. The modern kitchen can sometimes feel too futuristic and minimalistic. By keeping countertops in their natural wood colors, you can bring your kitchen back to earth. If you also have hardwood floors, think about matching the wood tones for cohesion. You don’t want to muddle the simplicity of the modern kitchen design with too many varying earth tones.

Natural Wood Elements

You can also contrast the custom white cabinets and shelving with a few natural wood elements. Instead of painting everything white, leave a few borders and trim in the natural color of the wood. It’s a nice break from all the white. Lighter wood tones, like blondes, will keep your modern kitchen in the Scandinavian style. Darker wood will make it more warm and rustic.

Brass and copper fixtures

Any warm tones you can gently incorporate into the kitchen design will make it feel homier. A white kitchen can be intimidating. Make your kitchen a place where people feel like they can be comfortable and be themselves. Adding lighting fixtures with copper or brass tones is a subtle way to add warm natural tones to balance out the white. And, when you choose knobs and pulleys, look for warmer tones and natural materials.

The Kitchen Showcase has been helping homeowners, business owners, builders, and contractors design dream homes and commercial spaces for decades. By specializing in the best brands per price range, we offer greater quality and value than any kitchen and bath company in Colorado. You get much, much more for your investment.

Finding the Best Color Palette Specific to Your Kitchen

A white kitchen always needs a little color for contrast and texture. But, deciding on the perfect color palette for your kitchen is hard. The kitchen is the heart of the home, so the colors you choose should help bring the rest of the house together. Like your heart pumps blood to the rest of your body, the kitchen should pump life to the rest of your home. So, when choosing a color for your kitchen, you need to look at the big picture.

Kitchen color trends — The chocolate hardwood floors is a great way to incorporate natural color to contrast a white kitchen.

Where to look for color inspiration

There is color inspiration everywhere. Choose colors that are versatile and can go with anything. Use a few neutral colors and one big splash of bold color for texture and intrigue. But, keep it simple.

Colors you love

When you choose a color for your kitchen, you need to draw inspiration from several sources. First and foremost, you need to draw inspiration from yourself. What colors do you like? Because in the end, it is you and your family that need to feel at home in your kitchen. Who cares what your fancy neighbor is doing, or what is featured in Good Housekeeping. If you choose colors you love, you can’t go wrong.

Choose existing colors

Look at the products that you have already chosen for your kitchen. Your cabinets, floors, countertops, and kitchen appliances may be screaming the answer. Look for colors that will compliment the other products in your kitchen. If your cabinets are already colorful, you may want to choose a more neutral color to contrast. You don’t want too much of a good thing. Look for clues in your natural stone countertops for natural colors you can use in your kitchen.

Bring in colors from outside

Choosing color for white kitchen — Add a splash of red for an interesting contrast.

You’ll want to look at the color scheme for your entire home, especially if you have an open floor plan. But, another great source of inspiration is right outside your kitchen window. Bring in the colors of nature. Bringing nature into your kitchen can make your kitchen feel bigger and more alive.
The Kitchen Showcase has been helping Colorado homeowners, builders, and interior designers fall in love with their homes for over 30 years. Our Designers average over 21 years each in the Kitchen and bath industry! We are a family-owned business that specializes in best-in-class brands and expert service and design.

Best color for kitchen Choosing right color for kitchen

Gettting Creative with Kitchen Storage Space

Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen or designing a brand new kitchen, the only way to get exactly what you want is to have everything custom designed from the interior of your cabinets to the outside. Our designers are industry professionals, always keeping up with the latest kitchen design trends. That includes getting creative with your storage space and kitchen accessories.

Creative and functional storage

Contemporary Kitchen five — Contemporary kitchen design by The Kitchen Showcase in Denver.

Custom-made cabinetry is beautiful on the outside but also must be functional on the inside. Talk to your designer about what type of kitchen items, utensils, and appliances you have that may take up more space than usual. To help organize your kitchen and keep the clutter off of the countertops, we can accessories your drawers and cabinets with the latest gadgets and design tricks to take the functionality of your kitchen to a whole new level.

“The best way to experience our selection of hardware and accessories is to visit our Denver showroom. With large displays and nearly 40 mini-rooms, you can walk around and interact with our products firsthand.”

Our functional and fashionable accessory selection includes, but isn’t limited to:

In-cabinet accessories, such as pop-up mixers, flip-down sink fronts, ironing boards, and silverware holders
Organizational accessories, such as dividing trays, cutting boards, mobile shelves, and in-drawer organization systems
In-cabinet lighting
Under-cabinet lighting

Hiding appliances behind custom cabinet doors

Custom kitchen design in Denver — It’s what’s inside your drawer that takes the function to a whole new level.

A recent trend in new kitchen designs is to hide your appliances, even the big ones like your refrigerator, toaster oven, microwave, etc. Tucking away your appliances can create a more uniform and modern look in a kitchen. However, the stainless steel refrigerators and other appliances may help break up the monotony of your cabinets, giving your kitchen more dimension.
With the comeback of the country style kitchen, nothing is more classic than displaying your Kitchen Aid front and center, mixing classic rustic charm into a modern and functional kitchen design.

Custom kitchen design professionals near Denver

If you need inspiration for your kitchen remodeling or kitchen upgrade, stop by our kitchen showroom in Denver. We’ll help you find the perfect blend of function and personal style to make your dream kitchen a reality… and the envy of all your friends!

Kitchen Showcase Inc., 6528 South Racine Circle, Centennial, CO 80111

Functional kitchen storage design Hiding your kitchen appliances Kitchen design professionals in Denver

How to Design and Layout A Classic Farmhouse Kitchen

We’ve got some great ideas for designing a farmhouse kitchen. A farmhouse kitchen can be full of antique and reclaimed materials, but you can easily add modern touches. In fact, the more you blend modern and rustic elements, the more personal your farmhouse kitchen becomes.

The farmhouse style

A farmhouse kitchen is often open, bright, warm, and functional. There are various textures and materials to make it feel both homey and sophisticated. You want to balance light colors with natural elements, brass and metal fixtures, mixed with softer elements. The farmhouse style kitchen is an open plan that has zones implemented to make it functional, but also surprising elements to make it interesting.

Modern farmhouse kitchen — A modern farmhouse style kitchen with deep brown hardwood floors next to white cabinets and metal light fixtures.

Natural tones with white cabinets

We often associate a farmhouse kitchen with warm wood tones all around. However, the classic white cabinets next to deep brown hardwood floors and a few natural wood tones will blend the modern, clean design with a bit of country. Adding some elegant countertops in natural stone makes your farmhouse feel both warm and luxurious.

Cheerful Colors

If you have a lot of wood elements in your kitchen and everything is becoming very earth-toned, make the kitchen a bit more cheerful by having brightly colored cabinets. But, be careful. Don’t add too many bright colors, and place them strategically so that they add a bit of cheerfulness, without overpowering the warmth and comfort of a farm style kitchen. A bit of cheerful yellow or bright red to add a pop of color can add some vibrancy to your design.

Copper and black fixtures

Earthy elements are a staple when designing a farm style kitchen. Look at knobs and pulls for your cabinets and drawers that are made of matte black iron or copper tones. A farmhouse kitchen needs to be tough and durable, but still elegant in design. Using metals will add a strong industrial vibe to offset some of the softer, natural elements. It’s a nice contrast that will add some visual excitement.

Lighting

Look at layering your light fixtures, adding some rustic hanging lamps in copper with recessed lighting. And, remember to include spotlighting to light up certain areas that need more lights. You need extra light in areas where you are prepping and cooking. You also need to think about lighting in your cabinets to make it easier to find your things. Layered lighting, as well as different types of bulbs, can create the right mood in your farmhouse kitchen.

Personal touches and wood accents

The final accomplishment in a farmhouse kitchen is personal elements. Signs, pictures, and frames that have been handmade should be hung in the kitchen to add a “lived in” and personal touch. But, keep it simple. Choose just a few rustic elements, and try to stick to materials that go well with the rest of the kitchen. Look for things in wood or metal to go with the rest of your design choices.

Design dream kitchen — Create functional spaces in our farmhouse kitchen.

Functional Spaces

Finally, the layout of your farmhouse kitchen should be open and functional. Make sure there are functional spaces where you do your prepping, cooking, entertaining, homework, etc. You want to make the kitchen a place where family and friends gather, where memories are made, but also where you can cook comfortably.
The Kitchen Showcase has been helping Colorado homeowners, builders, and interior designers fall in love with their homes for over 30 years. Our Designers average over 21 years each in the Kitchen and bath industry! We are a family-owned business that specializes in best-in-class brands and expert service and design.

Designing farmhouse kitchen

Which Installation Comes First: The Floors or the Cabinets

A complete kitchen remodel can be a bit of a puzzle when it comes to the order of installation. Designing and picking out products is the fun part, but the installation takes careful planning. There are a few obvious things that you have to do first, but there are also upsides and downsides to each option. Which comes first in a kitchen remodel, the floors or the cabinets?

Custom kitchen cabinets — Install floors before installing kitchen cabinets.
Credit to Infinity home collection

What to install first

When we decide what to install first in a complete kitchen remodel we look at more than contractor availability, we also look at how to save time, money, and allow room for change in the future. A custom kitchen is designed for function and efficiency, and we design our remodeling installation using the same principles. When you clean, the smart thing to do is to go from top to bottom. But when it comes to installing a new kitchen, we recommend working from bottom to top. In other words, install floors before kitchen cabinets.

Floors before cabinets

Installing floors is easier if you’re working with a clean space. That means that there are few obstructions in your way. Installing the floor before the cabinets is more time efficient and easier because you won’t have to cut around the bottom cabinets. The more you have to design and cut your flooring to fit around cabinets, the longer it will take and the more it will cost.

Leave room for change

If you put in the cabinets first, you have to install your floors around the bottom cabinets. That means, if you ever want to change your cabinets in the future you’ll also have to fix your floors. You are stuck always choosing cabinets that fit the cutouts on your floors. Installing floors first will allow you to change your cabinets in the future.

Kitchen design and installation in Colorado

At The Kitchen Showcase, our designers will help you from design to installation. We want the entire kitchen remodeling process to go smoothly. We’ll make sure that everything is installed in the best, most efficient order. Stop by our kitchen showroom in Denver.

floors before kitchen cabinets Kitchen showroom in Denver which comes first in a kitchen remodel

The Kitchen Showcase Helps Interior Designers Design Dream Homes

Interior designers have the awesome job of helping people design their dream home. And The Kitchen Showcase (TKS) has the awesome job of helping interior designers make dreams come true for their clients. Every client wants options, whether you’re a homeowner or interior designer. Our showroom is the perfect place to find inspiration and check out all of your options first hand.

Kitchen Showroom in Denver

At TKS we understand what interior designers go through to please their clients. Although a picture says a thousand words, nothing beats taking your clients to a kitchen showroom to show them exactly how their home will look once it is finished. Visiting a showroom with your clients will help them make the right decisions about every product. Plus, you will be able to show them exactly what their options are for their price range.

Best-in-class brands in every price range

With over 40 showrooms and in-house interior designers with over 21 years in the kitchen and bath industry, we can help the client design their dream home. TKS specializes in best-in-class brands. No matter the budget your client has set, TKS can help you find products that will make your clients fall in love with their home.

Show clients their new home

One of the hardest parts of being an interior designer is to help your clients visualize their new home. By taking them to our showroom, your clients will get to experience all the best products and see exactly how they will look and function in their home. Because the best interior design is about blending style and function. Once you’ve visited TKS, your clients will be able to make the right choices with confidence.

The Kitchen Showcase in Denver

We offer greater quality and value than any kitchen and bath company in Colorado. When you work with TKS, you get much, much more for your investment. Your clients will love it, and they’ll love their new home that you designed using The Kitchen Showcase in Denver.

helping interior designers make dreams come true for their clients Kitchen showroom in Denver The Kitchen Showcase in Denver