Category: Interior Design Trends

How to Make Sure That All Countertops Are Clean

Sustainable materials for Colorado kitchens

The best tool you have at your disposal to help keep your countertops clean is cleaning. When it is kitchen countertops or bathroom countertops, they should all be cleaned on a regular basis. Even if they don’t necessarily look dirty, they can still gather an undetectable layer of dirt that could be causing microdamage the longer that it is left there.

But the issue is that not all countertops can be cleaned the same way. That’s why we have supplied this helpful guide on how to properly clean the most popular countertop types.

Natural stone countertops in denver — Granite countertops both look good and are easy to take care of.

Cleaning Granite

The biggest thing to know about granite countertop cleaning is that you should never use vinegar, bleach, or Windex on them. Instead, use a mixture of warm water and soap to wipe down the counter and then move onto a half-and-half solution of water and isopropyl alcohol to make sure it is completely clean.

Cleaning Marble

This is perhaps one of the easiest types of kitchen countertops to clean. The only thing that marble requires is frequent wiping down with a mixture of warm water and non-abrasive dish soap. Then you need to make sure that you take a cloth that is damp with just water are wipe the countertop until no soap is left on it.

Cleaning Quartz

Quartz countertop cleaning is very similar to that of marble countertops. The only added step is using a degreaser to help get rid of any grease residue.

Cleaning Laminate

Laminate bathroom countertops can take quite a bit of abuse but only need very mild cleaning done. Once again, just mix some soap and warm water and then wipe down with a microfiber cloth to get it nice and clean.

No matter which type of countertop you want, you will now know how to take proper care of it. So get in touch with us at The Kitchen Showcase to get your dream kitchen or bathroom.

Turn Your Bathroom into a Home-Spa

When considering bathroom remodeling on your Denver home, countless options are available to you. There are many options and design features that you can consider that will turn this essential area of your home into an oasis. You can create this space so it offers a spa-like experience every single day. Here are a few simple tips to help you create a bathroom space that is refreshing, invigorating, and peaceful.

Choose Countertops Wisely

Do not rush your decision when choosing the countertops for your Denver home. By choosing countertops such as marble or quartz, you are creating a very luxurious and elegant feel to this area of your home. Natural countertops also offer many benefits such as they are durable, come in a variety of colors, and have long lifespans if cared for properly.

Use High-Quality Cabinets

High-quality cabinets will enhance the look and feel of your bathroom.

Don’t cut corners when installing your bathroom cabinets. Low-quality cabinets are going to take away from the classy, stunning appearance you desire in this space. Plus, low-quality products will not last as long as top-of-the-line items. As you choose your bathroom cabinets, consider items that are built well, offer ample storage, and complement the decor in the space.

Add Small Greenery

Bring the outdoors inside with the addition of greenery in your bathroom area. For example, place small plants or succulents on hanging shelves in your bathroom. Add a small succulent to the corner of your countertop. Houseplants offer many benefits to homeowners. For example, they can increase energy levels, boost productivity, and improve air quality.

Consider a Large Mirror

A large mirror is an excellent way to make a small space appear large. It is a design trick to make a space appear larger than it truly is and it will brighten up the area as well. As you consider a mirror for your bathroom, choose one that is large but not overbearing for the space of this room. You may also consider installing a small frame around the mirror to give it a little contrast and design.

Bathroom remodeling in Denver can be an exciting adventure. Contact us at The Kitchen Showcase to learn more about our bathroom design services and how we can help you enjoy the kitchen you’ve always wanted.

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Three Types of Wood for Your Cabinets and Built-In Furniture

Using wood in your kitchen, living room, bedroom, and the bathroom is a classic and timeless choice. Wood gives you so many options as each type of wood has different characteristics, colors, textures, and hues. Whatever your decorative style, natural wood materials will give your home instant appeal. Let’s look at three popular wood choices for cabinets and built-in home furniture.

Common wood types for home decor

Three of the most popular wood choices for the home (or anywhere) is oak, maple, and walnut. Each type of wood has different characteristics that make them distinct, but the biggest sales point for using wood is that they are a natural material. There are engineered materials that will recreate the look and appeal of wood, but nothing beats the real thing in appearance, quality, and style.

Characteristics of oak

There is both red and white oak, and each has different physical characteristics. The most obvious difference is in the color. White oak will give you the classic golden blonde hues, whereas red oak will have dominating reddish brown tones. Choosing between the two depends on your taste and the rest of the decor and color palette in your home. The grain pattern in oak is also very subtle and beautiful, ranging from linear to the classic “cathedral” grain pattern depending on the cut of the wood. Oak is also popular due to its strength and durability, both important qualities in cabinetry and built-in furniture. If you have a specific color in mind for your cabinets, white oak is easier to stain than red oak.

Characteristics of maple

For a light, airy, and modern design, maple is a perfect choice. Maple ranges in colors from almost white to golden tones. The grain is smooth and delicate, so it won’t be too distracting if you choose to use maple for all of your cabinets. Because of the light colors, maple is also easy to stain in any color you desire, or you can enhance the natural tones and textures of the wood with a clear finish.

Characteristics of walnut

Walnut has a wide range of colors and textures. If you are going for a rustic farmhouse style, then walnut is a great choice of wood. The colors range from golden brown to dark brown, and the grain is more pronounced than oak and maple. The grain gives the wood more texture, which will give it more of an antique and aged look. You can use a clear stain to celebrate the natural variances in the wood tones, or you can even out the color differences with a colored stain.

Kitchen showroom in Denver

For the best choice for cabinets and built-in furniture, visit our kitchen showroom in Denver. See for yourself the effect of the type of wood, and what to choose based on your style and budget.

Using Gray Tones to Modernize the Country Kitchen

There’s nothing more classic than a white kitchen and bathroom. But, too much white can leave a room feeling stark and clinical. Although the farmhouse and rustic interior style are popular in Colorado, we’re seeing a big move towards adding modern touches to the homes and making a white kitchen a bit more interesting. One of the biggest interior design trends is using gray as the new neutral to modernize the country home.

Interior design trends — Gray backsplash and walls will modernize a country kitchen

Gray is the perfect neutral

Whites and neutrals have dominated kitchens and bathrooms for too long. But, the hottest new trend in interior design is to contrast the classic white with gray accents. And in some cases, the gray is taking over and becoming the dominant color in kitchens and bathrooms. Having touches of gray is also an easy way to update and modernize a country style kitchen. Blending styles can be beautiful, as long as you are strategic in your choices

Urban flair to country homes

Often times you see the white as the dominant color in the kitchen and bathroom. But, more homeowners are adopting clean and modern style elements and allowing the gray to take center stage. By having grays play a more dominant role in the interior design will add an urban flair to a country home.

Blending nature and industrial style

The gray that you choose can be a bold contrast or a subtle contrast depending on how big a statement you want to make. Gray tones can give your kitchen or bathroom an industrial feel. But, you have to be careful that you don’t make it too cold. One way to ensure that your kitchen and bathroom still feel warm and inviting is to add a few warm colors and design choices. To find the right pop of color to warm up the dominant white and gray color template, look out the window. Draw inspiration from nature and bring in a few of those colors. By using the colors from the Colorado landscape you are pulling the warmth of nature inside your home, which will prevent the gray and white template from feeling too cold.
The Kitchen Showcase in Denver has helped Colorado homeowners design their dream homes in any style, for any budget. Talk to professional interior designers about the latest interior design trends and products.

How to Match Wooden Cabinetry to Other Wooden Elements in Your Home?

Wood is still the number one material used in cabinetry and other casework in the home. Unless you’re starting from scratch and completely remodeling your home from top to bottom, chances are you have a variety of wooden elements. When you try to find wood for your cabinets and other built-in furniture, here’s how you properly match new wood with old wood for the best decorative effects.

Matching wood with wood

Matching wood elements — Use contrasting wood tones to add texture and dimension.

The biggest problem with matching wood is that wood varies so much, even within the same species. If we’re talking hardwood floors, each board may vary slightly in tone and color. The same is true for natural wood cabinets and casework. Although there are ways to make your woodwork one even color, like staining them, you may not be able to match the new wood to the old woodwork in the home.

If it’s not an exact match, don’t do it

Not only is wood going to vary in color and texture when it is new, but over time, wood will age and change characteristics. Aging wood can be quite beautiful and add to the charm, but when you are trying to match new wood with old wood, it can be quite a challenge. If you already have aged hardwood floors and are putting in new kitchen cabinets, don’t try to match the two unless you can match them perfectly.

Three shades lighter or darker

Trying to match wood without success will only make it look like you made a mistake. If something is just a little bit off, it can throw the whole room out of whack. When you are using two types of wood in your home, you are better off trying to make it feel cohesive, rather than matchy-matchy. The interior design rule for using contrasting wood elements is to stick to wood that shares the same color spectrum and tones as the other wood, and then find something that is at least three shades lighter or darker.

Matching wood — The best way to match various wooden elements is to think in contrasting colors.

Contrast adds dimension and texture

Using contrasting wood tones will also add texture and dimension. Contrasting colors is what will make the room, and your home comes alive. When you work with contrasting, but complimentary wood tones, you are adding personality and drama. However, you want to be strategic with how many contrasting colors you use. Try to stick to the “holy three” when it comes to colors and tones. There should be one primary or main color, then a secondary contrasting color, and finally the third color as an accent color.
For inspiration for your home remodel, visit Colorado’s largest showroom for interior design.

Custom Built-In Furniture Creates Cohesion in the Home

Custom built-in bookcases and shelving will elevate your home, creating a cohesive design and a smooth transition between rooms. Built-in furniture is a great way to provide plenty of storage space, without taking up too much space in each room. Let’s look at the other advantages of custom built-in furniture.

Advantages of custom built-in furniture

Designing with efficiency is one of the biggest and growing trends in interior design. Anything that is designed specifically for your home and your needs will make it much more effective. The effect of built-in furniture is that it “belongs” to the house, and doesn’t take up too much space in the room. Built-in furniture is both elegant and discreet. However, while it seemingly takes up less space, custom built-in furniture also adds a great deal of storage space.

Built-in furniture blends in

When you are designing a home, you want to make each room and each space flow seamlessly into the next. Custom built-in furniture will create cohesion from room to room, making the home feel whole. It will both stand out as a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, but it will also gently fade into the background and not be too loud.

Tailored to your needs

You can design your built-in furniture to your specific needs and specifications. Create various storage units in different shapes and sizes for a bit of artistic intrigue, as well as, fulfilling a specific purpose. It’s a wonderful way of giving yourself plenty of storage space but in a decorative and unintrusive fashion. Choose materials that mix and blend well with the rest of your decorative style.

Add Lighting

To make your built-in furniture even more functional and effective, add built-in lighting. Lighting will make the room feel more open and airy, and make your built-in furniture blend in even more.
The Kitchen Showcase has one of the largest kitchen showrooms in Denver. Stop by to get inspired, and talk to a professional interior design expert about custom built-in furniture for your home.

Unleash the True Potential of Your Laundry Room

Your laundry room could be so much more! The latest trend in home design is to not just have a laundry room, but a multi-functional utility room. Unleash your laundry rooms full potential with these remodeling tips.

Design a utility room — Smart storage is the key to turning a laundry room into a fully functional utility room.

What is a utility room

The difference between a traditional laundry room and a utility room is smart storage spaces. Often, our laundry rooms become multi-purpose storage rooms over time. However, you need to maintain order in your laundry room. If you simply start to store more and more things you’ll only create a big chaotic mess. It’s time to take back control of your laundry room. Adding more smart storage is the key to controlling the chaos.

Design smart storage

Don’t confuse the utility room with your basement. When you store something in your basement an eternity can go by before you go looking for it again. A utility room is an integral part of the working forces of the home. The utility room is practical and functional. You have to think about smart storage units to avoid clutter, but you can’t forget the original purpose of the room which is to have a comfortable space to do laundry.

Storage for Outerwear and Footwear

In Colorado, we have four seasons which means that we are masters at layering clothing. We also have an abundance of footwear for every type of weather. The utility room is the perfect place to create storage that is neat and organized for all of your outerwear. Get hangers for jackets and coats, cubby hole units for sweaters, and maybe even a custom design shoe/boot rack.

Pantry in the Utility Room

Designing a utilty room — Make sure your laundry area has water, a sink, and counter space. Give yourself room to move.

If your utility room is big enough and close enough to the kitchen, think about designing cabinets and shelving to store dry goods and non-perishables. A utility room is a perfect place to design a little pantry nook.

Laundry area essentials

Besides your washer and dryer, you will also need to have counter space, a sink, and storage units for laundry detergents and other liquids and tools. Customize your storage to meet the requirements for what you have. Think about the things that are oddly shaped and will require specialty measurements, like your ironing board, or a vacuum cleaner. Utilize the corners to create tall, slender cabinets for brooms and other tall, slender items.

Variety of Storage

Use a variety of storage units to transform your laundry room. Turn some of the items you’ll be storing into part of the design. For example, use open shelving to store clean towels and linens, but, hide dirty laundry baskets behind cabinet doors or in a closet.
The Kitchen Showcase has helped homeowners, builders, and interior designers find the perfect products to design dream homes. We have everything you need to remodel your laundry room, making it a multi-functional and fabulous utility room. Visit our showroom in Denver to get inspiration for your next interior design or remodeling project.

The Right Shade of Gray for Your Kitchen

Choosing the right gray for your kitchen

Gray is the new black, whether in the kitchen, the bath, living room, or bedroom. But, with more than 50 shades of gray, which shade of gray is the right for you?
To find the perfect gray tone is to make your kitchen sophisticated and glamorous, while still being tasteful. The color gray is neutral with an attitude. Each tone brings out a different personality, so be sure to pick the right gray for your kitchen.

Different Shades of Gray

The beauty of gray is that it blends well with so many other colors. You can choose a pure gray, varying from light to dark, and then add a pop of a happy color to contrast. If you keep everything too uniformly gray, you may veer off towards a gloomy setting.
But, throw in a bright, bold color, and your gray will make a kitchen feel cheerful and vibrant. You can also blend it with different colors to bring in subtle hues of blue, green, or brown.

Add Light to Your Kitchen

White is a great light enhancer in a kitchen. Using lighter tones of gray in a kitchen can help break up the white, and add a little silvery sparkle. Lighter grays tend to be brighter and can add a touch of sophistication to a modern kitchen design.

Rustic Grays

Many materials come with natural gray tones. Natural stone countertops will heavily feature grays in all shades from a subtle silver to charcoal. While gray may be the color of the times, you can still keep your kitchen feeling rustic while incorporating modern trends at the same time.
Be sure not to overdo it, so if you have gray countertops or a stone kitchen island, you may not also want to paint all your walls gray.

Adding Color to Your Gray

Adding subtle hues of blues and greens is a great way to add a little color, make your gray personal and unique, while sticking to a simple and modern kitchen style.
However, if you do choose a gray that has hints of another color, keep that in mind when choosing the rest of your products. If your gray has a touch of blue, make sure that other colors have the same hues. For instance, if you have wooden cabinets, take care of understanding the shades in the wood to make sure it is consistent with your other color choices.

Choosing a gray for your kitchen — A blue-gray is a cool alternative to the gray trend that is going around.

Kitchen Showroom in Denver

To fully understand all of your style, color, and design choices when remodeling a kitchen, stop by the best kitchen showroom in Denver.
With nearly 40 room displays, you can see, touch and experience your design options first hand. Our designers will show you the best choices for your vision, so you can feel confident in every decision you make.

Summer Interior Home Design Trends

The right finish for your kitchen cabinets

It’s time to spruce up your home for the summer season. Ironically, the summer interior design trends will feature a lot of greenery and natural elements. Who needs to go outside when you can bring the outside inside, right? Okay, you can go outside, too. This summer, you’re going to want to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor.

Summer design trends — Bring a little greenery into the home.

Bringing nature into the home

The summer trends are all about peace and tranquility. It’s all about nature and organic design. With Greenery being the Pantone 2017 color of the year, it’s no wonder that designers are seeing a huge upswing in every shade of green in the home. From furniture, accessories, and kitchen cabinets, green is going to be hot this summer. Instead of having a tiny terrarium on your living room table, why not look for ways to turn your entire living room into a terrarium, or just hints of a terrarium. We don’t want you to end up living a rainforest – or do we?

Green materials

Besides bringing in a lot of green, from plants to pillows, organic and eco-friendly materials of all kinds are very popular. Allowing the natural materials to shine in all their imperfections and variances will bring character to a home. Allow everything to be stripped back and naked is a great way to reconnect with nature inside your home.

Denver interior design experts — Use organic materials and minimal design.

Organic shapes

The home should always be comfortable. This summer, we’re seeing design trends lean towards the minimalistic. Instead of manipulating materials, we’re allowing things to take organic shapes to create a natural flow in the home.

Interior design showcase in Denver

Stop by The Kitchen Showcase (TKS) in Denver to see all the latest products, as well as talk to a designer about the latest trends in interior design. If you’re looking to give your home a summer makeover, TKS should be your first (and last) stop.

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Blending Interior Design Styles to Create Your Dream Home

At The Kitchen Showcase, we’ve cured over 25,000 homes in the Colorado area. Our designers are well-versed in all the latest brands and trends to help every homeowner design their dream home. Our showroom features all the latest products so that you can blend your personal style with the latest design trends. Just recently, we custom designed a home with clean and modern design choices.

Interior design for the whole house

When you buy your dream home, you want it to reflect your personality in every room. Working with an interior designer, you can come up with the right style choices that will show off your personal style, but also make it functional and cohesive throughout the home. By blending modern and rustic styles, we helped this homeowner blend personal style with modern trends.

Modern rustic interior design

Design trends will come and go, but personal style is forever. At TKS, we know all the latest design trends, but can help you blend a few trends to create a home that is unique and special. Our latest home renovation has perfectly blended modern simplicity with a few rustic elements. After all, this is a Colorado home, so you want there to be a few elements that celebrate the country style that is symbolic of Colorado.

Stainless steel appliances

Modern interior design trends — Flat-front custom cabinetry and stainless steel appliances are the cornerstones of the modern kitchen.

Sleek, elegant stainless steel appliances paired with custom cabinetry is the cornerstone of the modern kitchen design. Cool contemporary appliances are even further modernized by making everything energy-efficient. Sustainability is the invisible trend that we’re incorporating into every style of interior decorating.

Custom cabinetry

The style of the custom cabinetry is mimicked throughout the home, from the kitchen to the office to the living area, making the entire home design cohesive. The modern, soft, white flat-front cabinet style doors are contrasted with rustic hardwood floors. It’s the perfect blend of charming and contemporary. Plus, the black kitchen island gives the kitchen that extra punch of personality to make it all the more interesting to the eye.

Interior design in Colorado

If you’re looking to remodel or renovate your entire home, talk to one of our interior designers. We know how to blend interior decorating styles to find your own personal style. Every home design should be unique, and with our large selection of interior design products and the option to customize every choice, we can design your home to reflect you and your family.

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