Tips for Brightening Your Kitchen

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Dream Kitchen Design Tips

A kitchen should feel open and bright without feeling clinical. When you plan a remodel of your kitchen, try these design tips to help you bring in a lot of light, and make your kitchen feel fresh and sunny.

Designing your dream kitchen in Colorado
A splash of contrasting dark color in a bright white kitchen can make it feel dynamic and vibrant.

A white kitchen will never go out of style

White is still the most common color scheme for a kitchen, but you want to make sure that everything isn’t a stark white, making your kitchen feel like a hospital room. You want your kitchen to feel clean, not sterile. Bright, not stark. Dazzling, not blinding.
If you are going with crisp white walls and cabinetry, break it up with another splash of bright color, like a red or a yellow. You can also pick a countertop that is dark chocolate or black to break up the white.

Traditional Kitchen remodel in Denver - The Kitchen Showcase
White cabinetry for a kitchen is timeless and classic.
Traditional kitchen remodel by Mike Hall

Simplify your color scheme to make your kitchen seem bigger and brighter

Be sure not to mix too many colors, as a busy kitchen will feel cramped and cluttered. Mixing in a few deep dark colors in a few strategic places will make your kitchen feel sleek, modern, and dynamic.
If you are working with darker surfaces in your kitchen, think about texture. Pick materials and texture that will reflect the sunlight. It’s like using mirrors to create the illusion of more space. Sunlight reflecting off of a few surfaces can magnify and maximize the natural sunlight, making your kitchen feel more vibrant, as opposed to muted textures that will swallow the light.
If you have a small area to begin with, think about having open shelves instead of closed cabinets. Shelves will leave the back wall exposed, creating more space, as opposed to cabinets with doors that can take up a lot of precious space in your kitchen.

Traditional kitchen design in Denver
Break up the white walls and countertops with a darker color for your kitchen island and cabinetry.

Denver kitchen design professionals

For more dream kitchen design tips, talk to our design professionals. We’ll help you find the best cabinetry and the best countertops for your space and your budget.

How to Avoid Stains on Your Kitchen Countertop, Part 3

Over the last couple of weeks, we have covered different cleaning tips and techniques you can apply in order to keep your kitchen countertop as clean and shiny as the day it was installed.
Not all countertops are the same and they come in a wide variety of materials, it is very important to have basic knowledge of your kitchen countertop and the material it is made of. This way, you will be able to apply the correct cleaning products and procedures without making a bigger mess.
On our previous posts we went over suggestions for cleaning countertops made of wood, quartz, granite, stainless steel, marble, and concrete among others. Today, we would like to focus on the last three countertop materials we haven’t discussed yet, starting with plastic laminate.

Center Kitchen DesignPlastic Laminate

Plastic laminate countertops provide cooks a smooth, waterproof work surface that’s easy to clean. No wonder why you can find them in countless kitchens across the U.S. Nonetheless, they get scratched, burned and stained pretty eassily as well.
It doesn’t mean that plastic laminate countertops are fragile, but they do require daily and proper care to keep them nice and clean.
For general cleaning, a two-sided scrubbing pad with fiber on one side and a sponge on the other works particularly well. Moistened slightly with water, the fiber side is just abrasive enough to loosen greasy buildup and scorched food spills.
Appliance wax or light furniture wax helps laminate surfaces resist stains and scratching. Try applying it with regularity for better results and never use abrasive cleaners or steel wool on laminate countertops.

Formica

Formica countertops are very popular because of their adaptability and versatility. It is inexpensive and requires little maintenance. It comes in many different colors and patterns and can be installed over existing laminate, which can reduce expenses when the time comes to replace countertops.

Photo by Modern Glass Solutions- modernglasssolutions.com
Photo by Modern Glass Solutions- modernglasssolutions.com

With the proper cares Formica countertops can last a long time. Be sure to wipe up spills immediately to prevent staining. Formica is easy to maintain if spills are cleaned up right away. However, if a stain sets in, it’ll be practically impossible to remove.
To clean Formica counters, avoid abrasive cleaners -including ammonia or bleach- and use mild soap, a soft cloth and warm water. If you notice it begins to show streaks, you can use a household glass cleaner to return the surface back to its original appearance.

Acrylic

Acrylic countertops are extremely durable and easy to clean. To remove any stain or scratches you can use a steel wool or try scouring powder. Use a mild abrasive cleanser applied directly to the wet countertop. Rinse well and buff dry with a soft cloth.
Keep in mind that regardless of the simple actions required to maintain clean an acrylic countertop; a very hot pot or pan will leave a permanent burn on the surface.
So, as you can see, there are numerous tips and actions you can perform in different types of kitchen countertops to keep them in great conditions, stainless and good looking.
Knowing the materials it was made of and how they react to different cleaning methods is the key to long lasting countertops. In addition, remember that regardless its material, to always clean any spill or mess immediately.

How to Avoid Stains on Your Kitchen Countertop, Part 2

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So, previously we addressed the subject of how your kitchen’s countertop, naturally suffers from the multiple purposes we have for our kitchen.
We also analyzed different actions and techniques you can apply in order to keep your countertops nice and shiny all the time.
Now, because all countertops are different and they come in a wide range of materials and styles, we were emphatic in the importance of knowing your countertop and its materials before applying any cleaning products.
On our previous post, we went over stone made countertops, such as granite, marble and quartz. Today, we would like to conclude the subject and discuss the techniques and procedures to keep clean and avoid stains on countertops made of other materials such as steel and concrete.

Avanti 1The Right Way

Before saying anything, we would like to remind you that no matter what happens, always try to clean any spills at once. The longer it stays sit, the harder it would be to clean it.

Concrete

Concrete is a great option of countertop material because of its versatility and wide range of styles and colors. Concrete’s two main ingredients (sand and water) are abundant, and recycled materials like glass can be included in the mixture as well, making its surface eco friendly.
You can clean concrete surfaces, by using a mixture of vinegar and water. Avoid abrasive soaps and cleaning solutions containing harsh chemicals. Abrasive pads and sponges can damage the surface as well.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is very sensitive to the atmosphere, and when it’s exposed to harsh chemicals or materials, it can become permanently damaged. Nonetheless, it is a very popular choice.
To keep its modern and shinny look regularly wash the surface with warm water and a small amount of baking soda. Always thoroughly dry your countertops after cleaning to prevent water spots. Leaving wet materials on a surface will lead to discoloration.
nav-firstMineral deposits can be extremely tough to clean on stainless steel. Use a small amount of vinegar and rinse with water to remove these deposits. Avoid abrasive materials like steel wool. Rough cloths or pads will scratch the surface and ruin stainless steel’s reflective finish.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic titles counters have the particular quality that unlike most other surfaces, it can take the heat from hot pots and pans. –A pretty handy attribute for the kitchen.
Ceramic tiles are extremely durable, but the grout between them is soft, porous and prone to cracks. To keep the ceramic countertop clean, use a toothbrush or nailbrush to scrub grout. To remove mildew, dip the brush in household bleach. Rinse with water to finish the job.
We have already discussed several suggestions and cleaning tips for at least 7 different kitchen countertops made of diverse materials, but we still have more cleaning tips for other types of countertop materials. Follow us on our next posts until we reach yours.

The Kitchen Showcase Countertop Series: Natural Stone Countertops

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Our countertop blog series continues! On our last blog of the series we spoke about our Glass Countertops, and today is the turn to talk about our Natural Stone Countertops.
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Natural Stone Countertops

Natural Stone countertops are perfect for improving the resale value of your home, plus it creates a one-of-a-kind showpiece for your bath and kitchen in Colorado.

Natural Stone Countertop Options

We have several options for Natural Stone materials in Centennial and here is a quick explanation of each Natural Stone we offer:

Granite

Our Granite countertops are made with 100% Natural Stone and they are stain resistant, scratch resistant, and heat resistant, making it a great material for your kitchen and bathroom countertops in Denver. The granite countertops require sealing about twice a year, depending on the granite.

Marble

The Marble countertops are made with 100% Natural Stone and they are heat resistant. We recommend that you don’t use Marble material on your kitchen countertops, since they are susceptible to staining from acid materials.

Soapstone

The Soapstone countertops are durable and heat resistant. They require more maintenance than the majority of Natural Stone materials. A good tip is to apply mineral oil to help improve the luster of the stone.

Slate

Slate countertops are inexpensive and you can find them in many earth-toned colors. They are more brittle than other Natural Stone materials.

Travertine

Travertine Countertops are also inexpensive and have multiple pitted holes in the surface, which creates a distinct look. They are not recommended for kitchen countertops since they are susceptible to staining from acid materials.

 TKSI traditional kitchen portfolio alder wood

We Have The Best Materials And Designers In Denver

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We’ve helped thousands of customers navigate each step of the remodeling process. From planning and design, to accurate ordering and careful delivery and installation. Our professional staff will take care of you from the start to the end, and help you create a beautiful home for your budget.
We invite you to stop by our new and beautiful Kitchen and Bathroom Design Showroom, located in Centennial, Colorado. We are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Evenings and Saturdays by appointment. You can also send us your questions on our website and we will give you the answers.
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