There are a few important considerations to keep in mind for any kitchen cabinet upgrade you’re making, and color is always on this list. The colors and shades chosen for your cabinets will impact everything from the aesthetics of your space to how large or small it feels, and generally speaking, whether to go with light or dark colors is one of the first major decisions you face here.

At AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we’re proud to offer a huge variety of wall cabinets, base cabinets, utility/oven cabinets, and numerous others for any kitchen you’re designing. What should you be thinking about when deciding between lighter and darker hues for your cabinets? This two-part blog series will go over a number of important considerations.

Design Themes

One of the simplest tools to help you narrow down your color options is evaluating your kitchen’s existing design theme. If you already have a certain look in mind, it’ll be much easier to find a color that matches and complements it than if you’re starting from scratch.

If your kitchen is currently decorated in light colors, going with dark cabinets may be too stark of a contrast and could make the room feel smaller. On the other hand, if your kitchen has a darker color scheme, light cabinets could make the space feel too bright and airy.

Of course, you don’t have to choose a color that strictly follows your existing theme; if you want to try something different, go for it! But keeping this in mind will help you narrow down your options.

Size Considerations

Also vital to consider is the size of your kitchen. Dark cabinets can make a small kitchen feel even smaller, while light cabinets can help open up a cramped space. If you’re unsure whether light or dark is the better choice for your kitchen, take some measurements and do some basic calculations to see how the colors will impact the feel of the room.

Mood Desired

Colors also play a major role in the mood that’s set within a space, and this is another important thing to consider when choosing between light and dark cabinets. Dark colors can create a feeling of sophistication and luxury, while light colors are often seen as more cheerful and inviting.

Which mood do you want to achieve in your kitchen? Do you want a formal space where you can entertain guests, or a warm and cozy area where you can relax and spend time with your family?

Future Buyers

If there’s any chance whatsoever that you’ll sell your home anytime in the future, it’s important to keep in mind that certain colors can have a greater or lesser appeal to potential buyers. Dark cabinets are often seen as more sophisticated and luxurious, while light cabinets can make a space feel more airy and open.

Of course, these are just generalizations, and there are always exceptions to the rule. If property value is a major concern to you for your cabinets, talk to our team in advance for recommendations.

For more on choosing between dark and light kitchen cabinets, or to learn about any of our base, wall, utility or other cabinet options, speak to the staff at AWA Kitchen Cabinets today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basics on two-tone kitchen cabinets and some of the benefits they bring. Ideal for quality aesthetics and several other themes you may be prioritizing, two-tone cabinets have become more and more popular among homeowners over the last decade or so.

At AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we provide clients with a robust selection of kitchen cabinet options, from base cabinets to utility cabinets, vanity cabinets and many others. We offer a wide range of different style and color options, including two-tone cabinets for many of our clients. Here’s a bit more information on why these cabinets are so popular today, plus how you can utilize this design template in your home.

Perfect for Smaller Spaces

One major benefit of two-tone cabinets that we didn’t have time for in part one: The way they create an illusion of space in smaller spaces. Let’s say, for example, that you have a much smaller kitchen than others in your neighborhood. Using two-tone cabinets can make the room feel larger because it creates an optical illusion of depth and dimension when properly implemented.

How to Utilize Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets

Now that we’ve been over all the benefits of two-tone cabinets, here are some basic tips for how to apply them as part of your kitchen design:

• Choose a focal point: When we talk about focal point, we’re referring to the section of cabinetry that will differ in color from the rest, with a strong contrast in style and design. This is usually placed around an appliance or space where most of your attention is drawn to naturally (i.e., the oven).
• Keep complementary colors: Keeping complementary colors for two-tone cabinets can mean creating a harmonious look and feel that’s aesthetically pleasing and inviting. For example, if you choose a red and white two-tone design, make sure the white color of your cabinets is not too intense against the red.
• Darker on the bottom: It’s most common to see two tone cabinets with darker tones on the bottom portion of the design, and lighter colors at the top. This is because most people tend to look up when they’re in a kitchen, creating more impactful color details that you can see easily without having too much distraction (i.e., light reflections).
• Other unifying element options: While many two-tone cabinet designs will use the differences in color as their unifying element, you have other options as well. For instance, some will use their hardware, their different style of cabinetry, cabinets’ materials or even the lighting to draw attention. Experiment with all of these variables until you find a design option that works best for you.

For more on two-tone cabinets in the kitchen, or to learn about any of our kitchen cabinet products, speak to the pros at AWA Kitchen Cabinets today.

While many kitchen cabinet trends come and go, one that’s been relatively constant across the last decade or so is the two-tone approach. This approach creates visual interest and often allows for a much more affordable cabinet installation process, plus can make the kitchen space seem larger than it actually is in many cases.

At AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we’re proud to offer a wide range of kitchen cabinet options in Salt Lake City, from base and vanity cabinets to utility and oven cabinets, plus many other options. We provide a huge variety of cabinet color and design options, and have assisted many clients looking to go with the two-tone approach. What is this theme, why is it so popular among homeowners today, and how can you utilize this design template in your kitchen? Here’s a primer.

Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinet Basics

As the name suggests, the two-tone kitchen cabinet design refers to one where two or more colors of cabinetry are combined. There are a variety of different formats, including horizontal and vertical, plus single-tone cabinets contrasted with dark or light cabinets. The two colors utilized are often quite different from each other, but this isn’t always the case.

This design format is in contrast to many traditional kitchens, which feature cabinetry in a single color, with wood grain providing some degree of variation. With the two-tone approach, the emphasis is on the contrast between colors and how this helps to create an interesting and modern look for homeowners.

Our next few sections will go over the specific benefits typically found in a two-tone approach.

Aesthetics

From a simple aesthetic perspective, the two-tone design is often more interesting than the one tone option. This can be especially true if you’re working with a very basic color choice, such as white or wood tones. The use of different colors helps to provide visual interest and heighten the look of your kitchen space.

No matter what theme you choose for your kitchen, it’s important to have the right amount of contrast for best results. Too much contrast can look jarring, while little or no contrast makes it difficult for colors to stand out. With a two-tone design, you’ll want to ensure that there’s at least some degree of contrast between cabinets.

Resale Value

For those who may consider selling in the near future, or even those who want to keep home value as high as possible, this design template can help. The use of two colors makes the kitchen seem more expansive, in some cases, while also making it appear newer and less dated than a single-tone option. This factors into resale value in many cases, which may make this particular theme worth considering.

For more on the two-tone kitchen cabinet design and why you might consider it, or to learn about any of our SLC kitchen cabinet options, speak to the staff at AWA Kitchen Cabinets today.

Mudrooms present in homes are there primarily for practical purposes, and one such purpose is the presence of storage space. These locations are typically used for cleaning off and keeping dirt or grime out of the actual home itself, and a major part of this involves having space to store outdoor gear, equipment and related items before or after use.

At AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we offer not only a wide selection of custom kitchen cabinets, but also several additional cabinet accessories and products that are useful throughout a given home. We’ve assisted many clients with improving their mudroom storage space, a theme we’re happy to assist you with as well. Here are some of the top themes that can help increase your mudroom’s space without a significant dimension alteration.

Cabinet Space

Likely the most comprehensive way to increase your mudroom space is through the addition of quality cabinets, which serve as something of a “locker” space for numerous outdoor items. Cabinets with enough size will work for those with a variety of items to store away, and they also prevent dirt and grime from getting out into the home itself.

Cabinets can be installed as free-standing pieces for ease of access, or as wall cabinets within reach. They allow for items to be stored out of sight, as well, a major benefit for those who prefer limited clutter and mess in their homes. If you want your coats and jackets stored cleanly and in a streamlined way, for instance, installing cabinets is an ideal way to do so.

Wall and Prior Cabinet Utilization

In other cases, your mudroom may already have the capability to increase storage space — you just need to capitalize on it. Building shelving into your walls or existing cabinet space, for example, is a useful way to free up space on the floor. If you have an existing bookcase or cabinet, consider installing wall cabinets above it — the extra space could be used for storage of coats and jackets, as well as boots and shoes.

Nooks and Holders

Finally, especially for mudrooms that contain lots of shoes or other footwear, consider utilizing nooks and holders to offer more space. These can be found in a variety of sizes and shapes, but by using them you’re able to free up floor space for other items such as coats and boots. For example, installing hooks on the inside of your cabinet doors is a great way for storing mittens and scarves; or consider tucking a shelf into the corner of your mudroom to include footrests for removing shoes.

These are just three of countless themes that can be utilized in any mudroom space, but they offer some key ideas that are useful for increasing it. For more on any of our cabinet services in your kitchen or other parts of your home, speak to the staff at AWA Kitchen Cabinets today.

AWA Kitchen Cabinets is your expert cabinet maker in Salt Lake City, so we know a thing or two about how to properly clean your kitchen cabinets. Although we try to keep our kitchen cabinets clean, storing food and cookware is bound to lead to some dirt and grime build-up over time. Not only is this unsightly, but it can attract bacteria, vermin, bugs, and odors to your kitchen. Today we’ll be telling you how to get your kitchen cabinets in Salt Lake City sparkly clean and good as new for a safer, cleaner kitchen.

How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Cabinets in Salt Lake City?

Periodic deep cleans are important for any space where you prepare food. Depending on how often you cook, how messy the members of your household are in the kitchen, and other factors, anywhere between two and four times per year is a good frequency for deep cleaning.

Empty Your Cabinets

For a true kitchen cabinet deep clean, your cabinets should be completely empty when you get started. If you don’t have much counter space or you don’t have time to clean your cabinets all in one sitting, empty your cabinets out onto the counter one at a time, replacing the items before moving on to the next cabinet.

Prepare Cleaning Solutions

Wooden cabinets look beautiful in any home, but they require special attention when you’re doing a deep clean. Stay away from abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the finish or paint on the outside of your cabinets. Instead, you can make your own cleaning solution at home. One part vinegar mixed with two parts warm water usually does the trick, as does one part mild dish soap mixed with two parts water.

For tougher stains, you can use a paste made from one part baking soda and two parts water.

Cleaning Dos and Don’ts

Now that you have your cleaning products ready, locate a soft, microfiber cloth to use on your cabinets. More abrasive brushes and sponges can damage the paint or finish on your kitchen cabinets in Salt Lake City.

When you clean, be sure not to use too much moisture on your cabinets. Your cleaning cloth should be damp, but never dripping. Don’t leave any cleaning solution on your cabinets to soak (except for the baking soda paste).

For harder to reach spots, such as molding, corners, or the areas surrounding knobs or handles, you can use an old toothbrush to gently brush away the grime.

When cleaning your kitchen cabinets, always work from top to bottom to avoid drips. Also, be sure to avoid getting cleaning solution on the hinges of your cabinets in Salt Lake City, as this can cause them to rust.

At the end of your cleaning session, go back in with a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any residue from your cleaning solutions. Be sure to dry your cabinets at the end to protect the wood.

If you’re not big on cleaning, this may sound like a lot of work. However, when you get your new cabinets installed by AWA Kitchen Cabinets, you’ll be so happy with the results you’ll actually look forward to taking care of your cabinets.

When you have a small kitchen space, there’s only so much you can do with it … right?

Wrong! With even the smallest of kitchens there’s always something you can do to open up and improve the space. From lighting to colors to cabinets in Salt Lake City, every aspect of kitchen design is an opportunity for you to make the most of your space. As experts in all things kitchen cabinets in Salt Lake City, we’ve seen tons of kitchens, big and small, so we know what works and what doesn’t. Here are our best tips for designing the perfect tiny kitchen.

Embrace Maximalism

After a year holed up at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people are realizing that minimalism isn’t always a realistic way to style your home. Maximalism — a design aesthetic that involves carefully curated collections of bold colors, patterns, statement pieces, accessories, and more — is the interior design trend that can take your tiny kitchen from cluttered to clutch.

For example, while you may not be able to fit all of your kitchen appliances into the cabinets, selecting chic yet compact appliances allows them to double as decor.

The same goes for pots and pans. They can be hung from the ceiling or on a pegboard to maximize space, and getting a set of pots and pans that you’d be proud to display is a great way to do this.

Create Counter Space

If counter space is an issue for you in your kitchen, a rolling kitchen cart is a great solution. Smaller and more portable than a kitchen island, a rolling cart can be tucked away in a closet or serve as an end table in another room until you need it to cook. Just roll it into the kitchen, give it a quick wipe, and it’s ready to use.

Get New Kitchen Cabinets in Salt Lake City

Your current set of kitchen cabinets might not be fully utilizing your space. If you have a small kitchen that doesn’t seem to have enough room for proper storage or decor, you can get built-in bookshelves installed in addition to your new cabinets that match their color and style. This is a great way to create more storage space and display some of your favorite kitchen items, like cookbooks, vintage kitchenware, and more. Plus, the seamless transition from the shelving to the cabinets will create a monochromatic look that opens up the space.

In the same vein, you can swap closed cabinets for open ones, or ones with glass doors. The more of the kitchen you can see at once, the larger the space will seem. Instead of spending money on decor that’ll just add needless clutter to your already cramped kitchen, look for some stylish dinnerware that can double as decoration when sitting on the shelves or in the cabinets.

You can also increase your cabinet space in a small kitchen with features like toe-kick drawers, high cabinets, and pull-out pantries.

AWA Kitchen Cabinets is the perfect place to find cabinets in Salt Lake City for your tiny kitchen. Our wide variety of products, styles, and colors means that you can easily build your dream kitchen when you choose AWA Kitchen Cabinets.

Cooking isn’t for everyone, but for some of us, our kitchen is our sanctuary. There’s nothing like sipping your morning cup of coffee in a gorgeous, sunlight-filled kitchen. Display cabinets are a great way to incorporate personal touches into your kitchen, which is so much more than just a functional space. Here are our best tips and ideas for making display cabinets work in your kitchen.

Before Diving into Designing Your Display Cabinets in Salt Lake City

Before getting started with your display cabinets, there are some things you’ll need to think about. Most importantly, you must consider functionality. As aesthetically pleasing as display cabinets can be, you don’t want to compromise your ability to actually use your kitchen. For example, many people like to keep plates, bowls, and glasses near the dishwasher for easy unloading. Or, you may keep cooking and baking supplies near the oven. Thus, you should place your display cabinets in an area that is high up or out of the way, saving the prime real estate for utility cabinets. Corner cabinets are a great choice for displays as well, since their odd shape makes them less useful for storage.

Display Cabinet Door Options

The most obvious way to display your prized kitchen possessions would be with no cabinet doors at all. An open cabinet can look great in a kitchen at first, but the lack of protection means the items on display will collect oil from cooking and dust very easily. Also, you risk the items in these cabinets falling out — especially if you have kids or pets. If you have your heart set on open display cabinets, consider placing them somewhere high out of reach of children, pets, and cooking splatters, such as above the fridge.

If open cabinets sound like more trouble than they’re worth, you have tons of other options. Glass door cabinets protect your display items while also maximizing their visibility. Not only that, but cabinets with glass doors will help make your kitchen look bigger by creating depth. To make your glass door cabinets more unique, consider glass that is colored or has a pattern. Muntins on glass door display cabinets also add personality to your kitchen, as they come in many different designs. You can also take a mixed media approach to your display cabinets, such as by adding chicken wire or metal grates. This creates texture and helps break up the monotony of solid cabinet doors.

If you are concerned about your display items falling out or getting damaged, you can also have locks installed on your kitchen cabinet doors.

How to Display Kitchen Items

When choosing items to display, you’ll want to think about colors. The colors and accents in your kitchen will give you cues for what will look best in your display cabinets. You’ll also want to think about balance in your displays, ensuring that one side of your cabinet isn’t significantly more than the other. Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative by changing your displays with the seasons.

AWA Kitchen Cabinets is your expert cabinet maker in Salt Lake City. If your kitchen is ready for a display cabinet upgrade, we can help. With so many cabinet styles and colors to offer, AWA Kitchen Cabinets is equipped to bring you the kitchen of your dreams.

So you’ve already Marie Kondo’d the heck out of your cabinets, and you still don’t have enough space. It happens to the best of us. But whether you have a big family, a handful of roommates, or just a lot of stuff, there are ways to make the most of the space in your cabinets in Salt Lake City. From cabinet experts AWA Kitchen Cabinets, here are some tips for optimizing your cabinet space.

You Don’t Have to Keep Everything in Your Cabinets

Some items just weren’t meant for the kitchen cabinet life. Seasonal items and other items you use very rarely can be stored in a closet, basement, or attic. You don’t need the Santa Claus cookie cutters cluttering up your cabinets all year long.

Now start thinking about the items that you use all the time. Your coffee maker, spice rack, or anything else you’re reaching for every day can be left on the counter, making more room for your other items. You can also choose to leave certain items out on the counter on display. Whether it’s a pastel pink KitchenAide, a particularly ornate coffee canister, or a vintage kitchen appliance, displaying your prized kitchen possessions is a great way to free up cabinet space.

Shelves and Turntables and Bins, Oh My!

You are not alone in your cabinet space maximization endeavor, which is why there are countless retailers that carry organizers to help your cabinets stay decluttered. Cabinet shelves are one of them. If there is too much vertical space in your kitchen cabinets, adding these shelves helps create more horizontal surface area. Rather than precariously stacking your kitchen items to fill the space, cabinet shelves are a great way to make use of all of the space you have without making it difficult to remove items at the bottom.

Turntables are the perfect solution to that spice shelf that somehow always ends up a mess. Rather than digging through countless spices, simply spin the turntable to find the ones you need. You can also use turntables for canned goods or other small items.

Bins will also be your friend when it comes to optimizing cabinet space. If you have small items that you’re not sure how to efficiently store, a bin will do the trick. Not only that, but you can use bins and other containers to store items that you want to keep on the kitchen counter.

…Or Maybe it’s Time to Call the Cabinet Maker in Salt Lake City

Some kitchen cabinets, unfortunately, are a lost cause. If your household has outgrown your current kitchen cabinets, or the ones you have don’t make the most efficient use of your kitchen space, it might be time to call the cabinet maker in Salt Lake City. At AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we’re experts in what we do, so you can be sure that when we’re done making cabinet magic happen, you’ll have more space than when you started.

You may think you know what you should keep in your kitchen cabinets in your Salt Lake City home, but organizing experts say lots of homeowners make mistakes in this area. These mistakes end up wasting time — time you spend walking around your kitchen in circles and time you spend looking for items you can’t find (and maybe don’t even have). Here at AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we want you to make the most of your kitchen cabinets and enjoy them to the fullest, so we have some advice for you about what to keep in your kitchen cabinets.

Keep Only 1 or 2 of Each Food Item

If you went to Costco and got a crate of boxed macaroni and cheese, there’s no need to keep it all on hand in your kitchen. No matter how big a kitchen is, the space is finite, so use it wisely. Keep one or two containers of food items you use frequently and store the rest elsewhere.

Don’t Keep Items You Don’t Use

If you have a truly huge kitchen, you can store items you use infrequently in out-of-the-way places, such as in the cabinets over the fridge that you can’t reach. But otherwise, don’t clutter up your precious space with the Bundt cake pan you only use at Christmas or the crystal Champagne glasses from your wedding. Store those in the attic.

Save Drawers for Small Items

Everyone has a junk drawer, whether it’s in the kitchen or elsewhere. But what’s in your other drawers? Common uses for kitchen drawers are to house utensils and kitchenware such as big spoons, mixing beaters, spatulas and the like. If you have the room, you might also keep lobster crackers in a drawer alongside some skewers and a few crazy straws. That’s OK, just try not to waste drawer space on one or two items, like a big rolling pin and an orange juicer. You can keep these on a lazy Susan, or toss these bigger items into a basket and put it in a cabinet.

Make Use of Organizers

Adjustable shelves are great, but you can fit even more items in your kitchen cabinets if you invest in some organizing tools. A rack that allows you to store baking and cookie sheets upright saves tons of time (and noise) when you want to get one out. Spice racks save space and help you locate your spices quickly. Hooks let you hang mugs, and vinyl-covered wire racks let you easily store plates on top of plates.

Best Cabinet Makers in Salt Lake City

The best thing you can do to keep your kitchen cabinets neat and organized is to get rid of stuff you don’t need or use. Then you’ll have room for the things that spark your joy, as Marie Kondo says.

For more information about base cabinets, wall cabinets, kitchen cabinets and vanity cabinets, contact the team at AWA Kitchen Cabinets. We’re here to make your life easier and more beautiful.

If you’ve ever thought about remodeling your kitchen, you might have heard the term base cabinets. As you may have guessed, these types of cabinets are permanently mounted on the floor and have legs that could either be exposed or hidden by a toe-kick. You often find them in the kitchen, but you can also see them in bathrooms as well. AWA Kitchen Cabinets offers base cabinets in a wide selection of styles and colors.

Because kitchen base cabinets are crucial design elements, there are certain things you must consider when getting them built and installed. From the proper dimensions to the correct configuration, you need a balanced and functional space.

How Do Base Cabinets Work?

Base cabinets have a variety of functions. They serve as a foundation for sinks, cooktops and countertops. They are also a place to keep kitchen cookware and other large items and can accommodate enhancements such as drawers.

They work together with wall cabinets to provide storage space for your supplies and cookware. Typically, they measure 36 to 48 inches high, but this can vary depending on the dimensions of the other structures surrounding them.

They also help define how the rest of the furniture and fixtures you’ll bring in will work together. You can even use this type of cabinet to make a kitchen island.

Do Base Cabinets Go Against the Wall?

The short answer is yes. But you should ensure that your wall is plumb before installation. How do you know if it is?

Take a level and place it vertically against the wall. If it comes out at 90 degrees, then you’re good to go. If by any chance it doesn’t, you can bridge the space between the base cabinet and the wall with filler strips. If you don’t want to take the trouble, you can have a professional install your cabinets for you.

What Styles Are Available?

Base cabinets come in various styles and configurations, but availability can vary from one manufacturer to another. Look for a manufacturer with a wide variety of base cabinet styles to choose from to give you a better chance to find one that best fits the setup you have in mind.

Whether you want kitchen cabinets with a built-in wine rack, storage for pots and pans, a trashcan compartment or another feature, AWA Cabinets in Salt Lake City offers many options. Download our catalog to view more of our offerings and make your dream kitchen a reality.