Yearly Archives: 2018

Setting and Sticking to a Kitchen Remodeling Budget

There are several big areas to consider when you’re looking into a kitchen remodel, and at or near the top of the list for virtually every homeowner here is the budget. Remodeling a kitchen can come with a huge variety of potential costs depending on your needs and the areas addressed, and getting these details squared away is one of the most important parts of the early process.

At AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we have a huge variety of base cabinets, wall cabinets, vanity cabinets and numerous other choices for you to browse. We’ve helped clients with both lavish, expensive remodeling jobs as well as those on a strict budget – we know how to help you assess and set a proper number plus stick to your guns throughout the process. Let’s go over some important steps to both setting and sticking with your budget.

setting sticking kitchen remodeling budget

Set the Number

When first setting your kitchen remodel budget, focus on defining a general range that speaks to your available funds plus your desires for the project. Are you moving out of the home within a few years and looking to upgrade its resale value, or are you in it for the long haul and looking for personal improvements? These factors can play a bigger role in the budget than you might think. And of course, all of this plays in front of a backdrop of your overall budgeting range, which will be the primary driver of setting your number.

What’s Included?

Once you have a defined budgetary range, it’s time to consider the various elements you’re planning to apply these funds to. Some kitchen remodels are just to replace some older cabinets, while others overhaul the entire room for a completely new look. Here are some of the elements you may be considering:

  • Cabinets
  • Windows and doors
  • Flooring
  • Fixtures and appliances
  • Labor costs
  • Countertops
  • Lighting
  • Electrical factors
  • Hardware
  • Ceilings
  • Backsplash
  • Paint and design elements

Cabinets First

That list above can seem imposing if you’re overhauling your entire kitchen, so here’s a good tip: Handle the cabinets first. Cabinets are generally the single largest expense in a kitchen remodel, but they can also vary pretty widely in price depending on what you’re looking for – they take up roughly 25 percent of the budget for some remodeling projects, but may take up closer to 40 or even 50 percent in other situations.

For this reason, make that choice first before moving to others. Once you have your largest expense out of the way, fitting everything else in around it will be easier.

Unexpected Expenses

Always prepare for unexpected expenses along the way, such as plumbing issues, rot, asbestos discovery or several others. We recommend setting aside at least 10 percent of the budget for these issues, and possibly up to 20 percent. Also remember that if you are doing a full kitchen remodel, you will have to arrange for other cooking and eating processes during construction.

Track and Stick to Your Budget

Once you’ve set your budget, it’s important to stick to it. This is why factors like leaving a buffer for unexpected expenses are important – you can’t be caught off guard by little cost-related surprises. Sticking to the budget also speaks to good research beforehand: If you’re suddenly discovering the cabinets of your dreams halfway through construction, you didn’t do your research well enough.

Throughout the process, be sure to track your expenditures and ensure you’re on target. This can allow you to adjust as necessary rather than getting to the end of the road and realizing you’ve gone way over budget.

For more on this or any of our kitchen cabinets or home remodeling services, speak to the pros at AWA Kitchen Cabinets today.

Cabinets and Reducing Kitchen Waste

In today’s modern day and age, many home and business owners alike are always looking for ways to reduce waste. Not only can limiting home waste save you money on your utility bill every month, it can benefit the environment around you as well.

At AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we’re here to help in the most important area of the home for waste reduction: The kitchen. Our wide range of kitchen cabinets is perfect for not only getting you the perfect style for your kitchen remodeling project, but also for helping you decrease the waste coming from your kitchen as well. Here are four tips we can offer on waste reduction, plus how smart cabinet placement plays a role in each of them.

cabinets reducing kitchen waste

Great Cabinets

Cabinets themselves contribute directly to reducing your kitchen waste, and here’s how: By limiting food waste, which makes up the majority of garbage that leaves most residences.

A big factor in food waste, unfortunately, is food that gets forgotten about or blocked by other items – then down the line, we eventually notice it’s gone bad and throw it out. But with great new cabinets that help you organize and store food in optimal ways, this kind of waste is eliminated when you can take a quick glance and see all your food in a given area. If depth of storage is a concern, you can consider pantry pullouts or other customizable options.

Reusable Containers and Storage Space

Another great way to reduce waste in the home is to switch to reusable containers like Tupperware rather than single-use plastic bags and similar materials. But to do this, you need to have enough storage space for some new containers – and this is where great cabinet choice comes into play. Make sure you set aside significant cabinet space for these kinds of containers during your remodel, even if you haven’t actually purchased the containers themselves yet. You may also want to consider a custom option like a drying station for these items.

Compost and Recycling

Composting and recycling are great ways to minimize waste, and they’re items of convenience – the easier they are to do, the more you’ll find yourself doing them. This means you need these areas to be simple and easy to access, but many homeowners want them out of sight as well; cabinets help you accomplish this easily.

Lasting Materials

Unfortunately, the construction process for any kitchen remodel will unavoidably create significant waste coming from your home. The best way to ensure you don’t have to do this very often? Installing high-quality cabinets and other materials that will last for years. The longer you can go without a new remodel, the less waste you’re creating in the long run.

For more on reducing waste in your kitchen through smart cabinet usage and placement, or to learn about any of our kitchen remodel or cabinet services, speak to the pros at AWA Kitchen Cabinets today.

Choosing the Right Cabinet Door Style

As a top cabinet maker in Utah, we at AWA Kitchen Cabinets are here to help you with every element of your cabinet choice process. We can address your kitchen needs and help you make decisions on everything from color and stain to finish and your overall style when you browse our selection of cabinets.

One of the earliest and most important decisions you’ll have to make when considering new kitchen cabinets is the style of door you’ll be using. We have a huge range of color and style options available, from modern whites all the way to classic mahogany looks. Here are three factors we recommend thinking about when you’re choosing between different door styles.

Goals and Vision

For starters, you should lay out the goals and vision you have for your new kitchen design. Some homeowners are looking to maintain a rustic style that’s present in the rest of their home, while others might be looking for something more casual.

Are you a traditionalist who wants something simple and easy on the eyes for your cabinet design? You should likely consider shaker style cabinets, which come in both white and espresso tones. You may also like a raised panel style that’s available in several colors. If you’re into a more versatile door, consider a flat panel (also called “inset”) door style. Your options are virtually endless here, but making this decision first is important because it sets the baseline for the rest of the remodeling project.

choosing cabinet door style

Hardware Considerations

In some cases, hardware items like knobs, pulls and others are the most important part of your decision. If this is the case, you should be aware in advance that not all hardware is necessarily compatible with every door style you might be considering. In fact, one of the only exceptions we might give to choosing your broad style first would be in this case – if hardware is your first and foremost priority, you might want to choose it first and then pick door style later to complement your choices.

Maintenance and Upkeep

There are practical elements to consider here too, and one such element is whether the door style you’re choosing fits your lifestyle. If you have several young children and pets, for instance, you’re likely better off going with a simple shaker or flat door style that’s easy to clean with a simple wipe-down. If you live alone or only have older kids, on the other hand, you might be able to consider glitzier options that don’t have the same ease of cleaning and maintenance. Think to the future here and consider these kinds of lifestyle areas when making your choice.

For more on choosing the perfect cabinet door style, or to learn about any of our kitchen cabinets, speak to the pros at AWA Kitchen Cabinets today.

4 Tips for Remodeling a Small Kitchen

Remodeling itself is a challenge. Remodeling a small kitchen makes that task even more difficult.

Just because you can’t have the kitchen of your dreams right now doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of the space you do have.

remodeling small kitchen

Here are a couple tips and tricks to make your small kitchen seem a little bit bigger.

1.Utilize Your Space Wisely

The main concern with a small kitchen is finding enough space for all of your cooking utensils.

However, many people don’t realize that their kitchens have the potential for a lot more room than they realize. Think about your cabinets right now. How much of the space do you think you’re utilizing?

Most people look at how full the shelves are and respond with a high percentage. However, what they don’t understand is that with proper planning they could add so much more.

Hooks and shelves on the doors can make your cabinets much more organized and efficient.

Also, did you know there are cabinets that are designed especially for the corners? Don’t settle for wasted space in your new remodel.

2.Add Glass Doors

When you’re remodeling a small kitchen you want to open up the space as much as you can. For some people this means knocking down a wall. For others that’s not possible. Instead, the better option for them is to add glass doors to their cabinets.

This will make the room look wider. Restaurants use a similar trick with mirrors. The more room you see, the bigger it will seem to your brain.

3.Focus on the Lighting

Shadows and dim lights are an enemy to small kitchens. They make the space look less desirable and more closed off.

The solution to this is to focus on the lighting from the very beginning. Add lights on the bottom of cabinets, pendent lamps, or just more bulbs in the ceiling.

All of these options with help brighten and open up the room.

4.Get Creative with Organization

Even with the best cabinets, you still might not be able to fit everything in your kitchen that you would like. This is where you have to get a little creative with your remodel.

Add shelves and other storage spaces in unique locations. For example you could add a pot rack over a center island. Having all of your cooking utensils close by will make preparing dinner a breeze.

More Tips for Remodeling a Small Kitchen

Small spaces sometimes take a lot more planning and effort to remodel. That’s why it’s helpful to talk with a trusted professional. Here at AWA cabinets we’ve worked with hundreds of families that were remodeling a small kitchen.

We’ll help you too! Call us today for a consultation on our best cabinets for limited space.

Inexpensive Ways to Make Your Kitchen Look New

Do you want to make your kitchen look brand new but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars doing it? If so, you’re like most Americans.

The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms to renovate. That’s because people spend a large portion of their conscious time there. And over time it can get boring and mundane to see the same thing every day.

inexpensive kitchen updates

Even if everything works fine, it’s still nice to change the look every once in a while. Here are 5 ways you can transform your kitchen without breaking the bank.

1.Change the Backsplash

Simple changes in the kitchen can have a big effect on overall look especially if the room in small. One easy trick that you can do in less than an hour is change up your backsplash.

There are a couple of ways you can do this. First you could paint a new color over it. Another option is to install tiles. If you already have tiles there you could add vinyl decals over them.

2.Deep Clean

Maybe you like the way your kitchen is set up but you don’t like the wear and tear. If this is the case, some good cleaning tricks will help you get the job done.

Trust us when we say that baking soda is the secret towards removing many stains. You can also buy new stove pans at your local supermarket or hardware store for around $5. This and many other tricks will give you back the kitchen you know and love.

3.Spray Paint Your Metal Fixtures

Instead of replacing your faucet, have you ever thought of just painting it. There are special spray paints that adhere to metal. With this paint you can transform your kitchen’s look from silver to bronze in less than an hour.

4.Add Under the Cabinet Lights

Another classy look for the kitchen are under the counter lights. Not only do they make it easier to see things. But they also give the room a warm glow.

They are easy to install and relatively inexpensive as well.

5.Update Your Cabinets

Your cabinets play the biggest role in the look and feel of your apartment. If they’re still in good condition try painting them or changing the handles.

This will have a big impact on the look and feel of your kitchen. However, it will take significantly more time, especially if you’re trying the paint the cabinets a lighter color.

Make Your Kitchen Look Brand New

Changing the kitchen cabinets is the best way to add energy and excitement back into your kitchen. If you’re looking for new cupboards that not only look great but are cost effective as well, AWA Kitchen Cabinets is the right place to go.

Our team can help you pick out the best ones for both your style and pocketbook. Call us today to learn about the options.

New Cabinets Are Useful in More Than Just the Kitchen

New cabinets are always welcome in an outdated kitchen. But what if your new kitchen cabinets don’t hold everything you need to store?

The kitchen is where you keep all your cooking items, and you probably have plenty to fill your cabinets. But what about all those other knick-knacks? New cabinets aren’t relegated to one room in the house — you can add storage anywhere!

New Cabinets Are Useful in More Than Just the Kitchen

Fireplace Built-Ins

The living room is the first place to look. Cabinets near a fireplace can store books, blankets and pillows — all the extra stuff you’d rather not have company see. Open shelving might be a trend, but if it’s not a trend you like, cabinetry is a good option.

Basement Man Caves

In the basement, you store puzzles, games, cards … and maybe air hockey equipment and shot glasses!

A basement man cave is full of stuff. Add some cabinetry to your game room or wet bar and keep everything in its rightful place, if only so you can find it again.

Bedroom Armoires

When linens overflow, it’s your closet that takes a hit. If you’re always searching for places to store extra bedding or you need an overflow spot for your clothes, new cabinets installed in a corner of your bedroom could be a great instant fix. It’s like a cabinet armoire you can use however you wish!

Office Organization

If you work from home, you probably know how hard it is to keep yourself on track without getting distracted by laundry, pets or kids! The last thing you need is a disorganized office on top of that. Add cabinetry to your office walls and store your printer paper, paper clips and envelopes out of sight to keep your mind awake and focused on the task at hand.

Design a Clutter-Free Home

Adding new cabinets doesn’t begin and end in the kitchen — you have your entire home to work with. So why settle for less than the storage space you need? Get rid of clutter today and shop at AWA!

Our wide selection of new cabinets helps you envision a different way of functioning: living in a decluttered space, happy and free. AWA Kitchen Cabinets offers solutions for other rooms in the home too. Contact us today for your own affordable quote for your cabinet installation plan.

Should You Stain or Paint Kitchen Cabinets? 

Choosing to stain or paint kitchen cabinets is arguably one of the more important decisions you’ll make during a kitchen renovation, along with choosing flooring, countertops, fixtures … it’s a long list.

Should You Stain or Paint Kitchen Cabinets? 

But unlike some of the other decisions, you’ll make, either staining or painting kitchen cabinets might not be a one-time deal. You’ll probably have to touch them up over time. If you’re selling your home, the trends in your area may have changed.

What’s better, staining or painting, and which is right for your situation?

Painting

To stain or paint kitchen cabinets is a process, but painting is the more time-consuming and less forgiving of the two options. Paint offers a smooth, unblemished surface if it’s done right. When it’s done wrong, you (and everyone else) will notice.

Here are some facts to know if you’re painting kitchen cabinets:

  • Options: It offers endless options, more so than stain! Choose any color you can imagine for your kitchen.
  • On-trend: Paint is consistent with modern trends, more so than stain.
  • Cost: Paint will likely cost more than stain, mainly because you will need more of it.

You should also be aware that having your cabinets painted professionally makes a big difference in results. If they use a paint sprayer, it will be hard for you to touch up the paint yourself over time and keep the finish consistent.

Choose to paint kitchen cabinets when you aren’t a fan of the wood grain and you have specific goals for the colors in your kitchen.

Staining

Stained cabinets are beautiful when the underlying wood grain deserves to be front and center. Even though with staining you don’t have the full-color spectrum to choose from, you can still select a variety of shades, from a rich mahogany to a light, almost clear finish.

Here’s what to know about stained cabinets:

  • Easy to sell: Even though paint gives a modern look, stain offers a traditional touch that often leads to faster and higher resale value.
  • Savings: You will likely pay less for stain versus paint, due to the fact that less time and materials are required.

Choose to stain when you are a big fan of texture and warmth or when you’re reselling your home.

Do You Need New Cabinets?

When you start down the road of touching up your old cabinets, you may quickly realize the effort is futile if they’re cracked, broken or damaged beyond fixing. In this case, say goodbye to stained, water-damaged cabinets and invest in all-new kitchen cabinetry with our help.

AWA Kitchen Cabinets helps you get the beautiful cabinets you want while staying within budget. Whether you want to stain or paint kitchen cabinets, it starts with quality construction. Start at AWA!

What’s the Most Important Kitchen Cabinet Feature? 

What make-or-break kitchen cabinet feature does your renovation just have to have? Is it modern hardware? Soft-close drawers? Glass doors?

What’s the Most Important Kitchen Cabinet Feature? 

Because there are so many kitchen cabinet design features, it’s easy to go into information overload, where you’re struggling to separate the essential from the preferable. But when it comes down to it, there is one feature you must have: quality.

You Have to Like Them and They Should Last

Your kitchen cabinets will get a lot of use. If you don’t think so, just look at your old cabinets. They’re dented, bent, stained and scratched. You use your cabinets every day. After all, they hold the snacks!

But you also should love how your kitchen cabinets look because they are such a dominant part of your kitchen design.

So when you’re cabinet shopping, don’t settle for a color you tolerate — make sure it’s exactly what you want. And when you are making a final buying decision, always prioritize quality of both the construction and installation. The materials you select and the building process will dictate quality, but the installation contractor’s skill level will come into play too.

All the above should only be exceptional!

Efficiency Means Organization

You should take a few secondary priorities into consideration when choosing the right cabinet set as well. You’ll work more efficiently in a kitchen that’s functionally set up to help you succeed. That means in-cabinet spice racks and sliding trays are important.

Make the Most of Your Space

Second, consider your space’s design. Use every square inch of your kitchen. Plan cabinets that take advantage of islands, wall space and any other square footage you can use. Even if you’re not getting custom cabinets, make sure you structure the layout to make the best use of your stock or semi-custom order.

Trust the Experts

At AWA Kitchen, you’re bound to find top quality cabinets that will last — and that’s what matters most. Beyond the durability feature, you’ll also love the fact that they fit in perfectly with your design theme, integrate organizational systems and make the best use of your square footage. Those are the critical pieces of ideal kitchen cabinet design. AWA Kitchen has it covered.

Should You Replace Your Cabinets or Countertop First?

Getting ready to replace your cabinets and countertop as part of a full-scale kitchen remodel is one of the most exciting steps in the process. It could also be one of the most stressful decisions you have to make over the course of the project. Are you sure that’s the countertop stone you want? Are you certain your kitchen cabinet color is perfect?

Should You Replace Your Cabinets or Countertop First?

It can be hard when you’re faced with uncertainty. But if you follow specific steps when making kitchen renovation choices, you’ll know what to do, and this will give you confidence along the way.

What should you choose first: the cabinets or countertop?

Which Design Choice Do You Feel Strongly About?

The planning process should take place before demolition starts, if at all possible. There is no rule about which design element you should choose first, but it will make your life easier if you incorporate your “must-haves” into your plan as soon as possible.

For example, if you are set on having white cabinets, keep that in mind when you’re looking at countertops. This knowledge can help you narrow down your other options.

On the other hand, if you are convinced you want a marble counter, decide on a cabinet color that will go well with your design choice. And don’t make the mistake of overlooking the third ingredient in your recipe for a new kitchen: floors.

The Proper Order of a Renovation Project

Many homeowners have misconceptions about what to do first when it comes to renovating a kitchen. Your ugly old cabinets may seem to be taunting you, but don’t listen. You can replace your cabinets, but you have to take care of demolition first.

Once that’s done, it’s time to make construction alterations, such as moving walls or adding islands. Then, hire a plumber and electrician to ensure all connections and wiring are set up correctly.

Before you can finish the walls, your kitchen renovation needs to pass inspection. Then you can install doors and windows and take care of the primer and paint.

Finally, once walls are done, it’s cabinet time. It’s easier to install the top cabinets when you don’t have to lean over the bottom ones, so start there.

Countertops come next, then lighting, appliances and floors.

Now that you’re aware of the correct order, you can plan your renovation properly.

Do You Have a Set Budget?

A budget can also help you narrow down your options when you’re about to replace your cabinets or countertop. At a cabinet supplier like AWA Kitchen, we offer a range of options for our clients, across all different price points. This helps you quickly determine which solution is the best for your redesign. Call us today to learn more!

Kitchen Cabinet Design Factors to Consider

The kitchen cabinet design process must be handled with care — it’s a big investment and it will have a drastic effect on your kitchen’s appearance. Some of the most important decisions are made early in the planning stages.

kitchen cabinet design factors to consider

Think About Your Floor Plan and Available Space

Many homeowners who are remodeling can only think about “more.” You want more space, but you also want more storage. You want more functionality and more organization. But how can your kitchen cabinet design be all of that?

It starts with the floor plan. Decide where appliances will go for the smoothest function, then orient cabinets and islands around them. There are also ways to use kitchen cabinet design to make these necessary appliances look built-in.

To achieve your goal of having more space, you might want to take down a wall. But this can affect your kitchen cabinet design, since cabinets need walls! Consult with your contractor or designer well in advance of deciding on kitchen cabinet design to make sure you’re ending up with the amount of square footage you’re looking for, both inside and outside your cabinets.

Also, ask your cabinet provider about custom organization options. From creative spice racks to dish holders, there are ways to make cabinet space work even harder for you.

Consider Material and Hardware

Next up, it’s time to consider the material you’ll use for your cabinets. While real wood is always preferable, other materials offer cost-saving benefits that are useful for remodelers on a budget. Besides materials, final finish and colors will also come into play. Coordinate with flooring choices and wall color preferences to achieve the ideal finished look.

The hardware you choose will dictate the style as well. Rustic knobs versus classic handles convey two very different design profiles. Think about how both material and hardware will contribute to the overall look — get samples of both to review if you can.

Don’t Discount the Extras

Kitchen cabinet design should be incorporated into a comprehensive whole-room design approach. For instance, how does your lighting add drama? Could molding add the final touch that truly completes the room?

Talk to the Cabinet Pros

We specialize in kitchen cabinet design that works for you and we’re here to answer all your cabinet-related questions. Ready to get a jump-start on your remodel? Get a free quote from AWA Kitchen and get the quality product you need at the right price for your budget.