Category: Designing a Kitchen

Counter space is key to any kitchen. If you don’t have enough counter space, you can’t work, and the kitchen becomes inefficient and a nuisance. When you design a kitchen, make sure you allow for plenty of counter space. Once you have set aside space for your counters, it’s time to think about the material. In today’s kitchen, the quartz countertop is king.

Quality of quartz countertops

There’s more to quartz than just dazzling good looks, but let’s face it, it’s the physical beauty of quartz that first catches the eye. When you’re showing off your kitchen, your guests won’t be impressed by how durable and easy it is to maintain, they will be impressed by their appearance.

Quartz colors

Quartz countertops are a mixture of quartz, pigments, and a binding resin. In other words, they come in every style and color. They can be bold and bright, or earthy and neutral. Most are made to mirror natural stone, including the natural flecks, swirls, and vein patterns. By adding bits of glass and metal to the mix, you get the same physical attributes as you would with natural stone countertops. You can even play with the texture by various methods of finishing the quartz.

Caring for quartz countertops

Another benefit of quartz countertops, as opposed to granite, is that the resin used to bind the materials together will make quartz much more sturdy and non-porous. You won’t need to seal or reseal quartz countertops. Being non-porous makes it much easier to care for quartz countertops because liquids and stains won’t penetrate the surface and cause permanent damage. All you need is soap, water, and a soft sponge. Avoid steel or rough sponges, even for tough stains, as you can damage and dull the surface of the quartz.
To find the best countertop for your kitchen, you need to check out all of your options at The Kitchen Showcase. Stop by our kitchen showroom in Denver to see the difference between quartz and granite and other countertop materials. Our design experts are here to guide you towards the best materials and the best styles for you and your kitchen.

The kitchen is so much more than the place you do your cooking. Today, the kitchen is a multi-functional hub in the home. It’s what connects everything. Connectivity is one of the key trends in modern kitchen design. Here are a few ways to upgrade and modernize your kitchen.

Technology in the kitchen

Design trends are all about efficiency and simplicity. Technology is making a huge splash in kitchen design. The internet of things is taking over your kitchen, allowing homeowners to communicate with their devices and appliances. Knowing when you’re running low on groceries so you can stop at the store before heading home is a great time saver. Similarly, adding sensors to faucets and lights will automatically save water and energy. The smart, technologically advanced kitchen is one of the biggest trends in kitchen design.

Clean lines, simple design

When it comes to kitchen color trends, white is still number one. For a little contrast, grays are also a big favorite. Keeping a clean simple color palette will allow you to play a little with a few accent pieces or splashes of color.

Shelves and drawers

Many modern kitchens are getting rid of the top cabinets and putting in drawers instead of bottom cabinets. Drawers are much more convenient and easy to access than cabinets. Removing top cabinets and putting in shelves will make the kitchen feel more open and bright. However, the main reason that the cabinets are changing is that of efficiency. Design your cabinets, drawers, and shelving to suit your storage needs. You should always balance function and fashion.

Rustic and natural elements

Be careful not to upgrade and modernize your kitchen to the point where it loses its warmth and charm. Keep the farmhouse feel with rustic elements made from natural materials. Keep wood beams exposed, add a wood wall or backsplash, or use a rustic barn door on your pantry, or instead of traditional cabinets doors.
The Kitchen Showcase has over 40 rooms set up with the latest kitchen trends and design ideas. Get inspiration for your kitchen remodel. Visit our kitchen showroom in Denver.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.