Six Design Secrets for a More Enjoyable and Functional Kitchen

In our kitchen showroom, homeowners arrive brimming with inspiration for their ideal kitchen. After months of independent research, scrolling through Instagram, Houzz, and other social media platforms, as well as observing the ups and downs of home improvement TV shows, they often enter with a checklist of "must-haves" for their dream kitchen.

But here's where the seasoned expertise of our professional showroom designers comes into play. We don't just accept these "must-haves" at face value. We delve deeper, questioning their practicality within the unique space and lifestyle of our clients. We understand that a dream kitchen isn't just about following trends—it's about crafting a space that genuinely caters to your needs.

For instance, it's common for homeowners to envision their kitchen cabinets soaring up to the ceiling. While this design choice can be perfect in some cases, others struggle to visualize how these cabinets will be utilized, especially when they're beyond the reach of family members. Are they meant for storing rarely used items like fine china and glassware, or should alternative designs be considered to achieve both form and function?

Islands, undoubtedly, are among the most sought-after kitchen features among homeowners. However, two critical aspects require attention. First, is there ample room for an island, and if so, what are the optimal dimensions? We caution against oversized or oddly shaped islands that may disrupt traffic flow and hinder workspace efficiency. Balancing style with functionality is key here; bigger isn't always better in the world of kitchen islands.

Oversized workstation sinks are another feature that warrants careful consideration. While they can be invaluable in compact kitchen spaces where the sink doubles as a prep area, homeowners who desire such sinks must think about accessory storage, including colanders, dish racks, cutting boards, and more.

In a well-designed kitchen, the focus is on addressing the unique needs and lifestyles of the homeowner. Features that seldom see use, or offer limited functionality, tend to be those influenced by passing trends. They may not align with the practical requirements of everyday meal preparation and daily activities in your dream kitchen.

So, the question remains: how can you design a kitchen that not only serves your practical needs but also makes a distinctive personal statement? Contact us today at 765-288-2737 or make an appointment to visit our showroom (click  HERE  to schedule) at 3600 N Everbrook Ln, Muncie, IN! Let us guide you in creating a kitchen that not only stands the test of time, but also becomes the envy of your neighborhood.

Lighting can make or break the way a kitchen functions, looks and feels. Lighting can be transformative in a kitchen, helping to make smaller spaces appear larger and spotlighting focal points that attract the eye and the imagination. Homeowners should expect their kitchen designer to present a layered lighting plan that contributes not only to the functionality of the kitchen, but also to its design and beauty. The different types of lighting that are used to layer light are:

• Task
• Ambient
• Accent

Task lighting focuses light on the areas in the kitchen used for meal preparation, cooking and cleaning, e.g. countertops, the range/cooktop and the sink.

Ambient lighting is the main source of illumination for most rooms in a home. The goal of ambient lighting is to provide soft, general illumination without necessarily drawing attention to the light source. Ambient lighting provides enough light for safe navigation, cooking and washing dishes and helps to define the space.

Accent lighting can keep your kitchen from looking ordinary or bland by highlighting open shelving, artwork, architectural details or a statement making range hood, among other objects.

We recommend lighting controls such as dimmers and motion detectors because they not only are more environmentally friendly, but they also help to control utility costs and enable you to alter the look and feel of the room.

The type and amount of light needed for a new kitchen will be dictated by the size of the space and the amount of daylight that the room receives from windows, doors and/or skylights. Electric light fixtures complement the light generated by Mother Nature. Mother Nature can be fickle, however. Clouds, rainstorms and other weather conditions can minimize the amount of daylight that enters the space.

Smooth, shiny materials will reflect more light than textured matte surfaces. Polished marble will reflect more light than honed black slate. More light is needed in a space with dark and textured finishes.

The feel of the kitchen also is affected by paint colors. Different paints and colors have different reflective capabilities that should be discussed as part of the planning process. A lighting plan should account for the possibility that the sun won’t shine brightly every day. Generally, electric lighting supplements or replaces daylight but man-made light can’t match daylight’s intensity or color distribution. Exposed lamps tend to look warm or even yellow compared to sunlight coming to the space through skylights, windows or glass doors. Recessed lighting may be a good option to create a color palette that works in the space. If recessed lighting is not wanted or practical, ambient lighting can be provided by pendants or surface-mounted fixtures installed around the perimeter in a cove.

Pendants can deliver light upwards or downwards or in a combination of up-lighting and downlighting. Pendant options are almost limitless and a great way to influence the look of the kitchen. Highly polished stone and other reflective surface materials can amplify available light in the room, but also produce unwanted glare.

A kitchen lighting design is successful when all three types of light – ambient, task and accent – are layered together within a room to create a fully usable, adaptive space. Good lighting does not draw attention to itself but highlights the other design elements and fixtures in the space. Different light layers may be activated depending on purpose or time of day. For example, during the day, pendants over the island may not be needed at all, but when you start to prepare dinner in the evening all the layers providing ambient, task, and accent lighting become necessary. Want to know the light that will make your kitchen shine? Give us a call at (765) 288-2737 or make an appointment to visit our showroom (click HERE to schedule) at 3600 N Everbrook Ln, Muncie, IN!

The number one reason why homeowners decide to create a dream kitchen is that their existing kitchen does not work well or meet their needs. We frequently hear from homeowners that their kitchens don’t have enough storage capabilities, countertop space or cabinetry. Other common reasons are lack of maneuverability, appearance and poor ventilation.  

The role of the kitchen has been transformed since the global pandemic. No longer does a kitchen only serve the basic functions of preparing and cooking meals. Kitchens need to serve multiple purposes from classroom and office space, to café and coffee shop. These new requirements make having adequate storage a necessity to help ensure clean, clutter-free workspaces. In fact, the number one regret of homeowners who have renovated their kitchens is inadequate storage and not investing more in organizational amenities. A well-designed kitchen is an organized kitchen. That’s why we ask homeowners how they use their kitchen, and for what purposes, who uses the kitchen most often and when is it used? We want to know what homeowners like about their existing kitchens and what they want to change? What needs to improve?

We help homeowners maximize the space and functionality of their kitchen by often specifying pull out corner cabinets equipped with organizers that make pots, pans, small appliances and other kitchen gadgets easily accessible.

Another key to designing a kitchen that is not only beautiful, but meets the functional needs of homeowners, is to create separate areas for preparing meals, cooking meals and storing foodstuffs. That’s why a savvy and professional kitchen designer wants to know who cooks, how often and for how many. Knowing this information enables the designer to create work areas to prevent family members from running into one another in each area of the kitchen, and to avoid placing items such as an island in a place that will inhibit traffic flow.  

We find poorly designed kitchens do not have adequate countertop space next to or opposite the range or cooktop and/or refrigerator. That’s why, when designing a new kitchen, it is important to know how many family members prepare meals in order to specify the right amount of countertop space that allows more than one cook to work in the kitchen at the same time.

Proper positioning of appliances also contributes to traffic flow in a well-designed kitchen.   There is a need to ensure there is adequate space for doors of ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators to open freely so they don’t bump into anything.  

Providing adequate room for recycling containers is another essential in a well-designed kitchen that can be often overlooked. Container size is dictated by how often the kitchen is used for cooking and for the number of family members in the home.  

Similarly, ventilation needs to be a priority, especially in open floor plan kitchens that connect to other rooms in the home. The ventilation solution should be capable of removing all odors, steam and grease so it does not migrate to furniture, countertops, seating or other areas of your home.  

How can you convert a kitchen that does not work properly into one that makes every day special? Give us a call at (765) 288-2737 or make an appointment to visit our showroom (click  HERE  to schedule) at 3600 N Everbrook Ln, Muncie, IN! Let us show you how we can transform your existing kitchen into a space that dreams are made of.

There are many reasons why quartz is the number one countertop material selected by homeowners in Muncie and throughout the U.S. Quartz is made from engineered stone and is comparable in appearance to granite and marble, however it is not porous and is far more resistant to staining, making quartz easy to maintain and clean. Typical quartz slabs are the same thickness as granite, 3cm. However, quartz is heavier than granite and much stronger, allowing for larger tops and longer overhangs. Plus, quartz’s durability means that it won’t chip or crack as easily as other surfaces.  

Quartz finish options are another compelling reason that makes it the number one choice among homeowners. Quartz finishes have a depth that solid surface materials such as Corian can’t match. There are an almost limitless number of colors, patterns and finishes available. Quartz can even incorporate veins in interesting patterns to resemble marble and natural stone.

Quartz’s nonporous surface not only makes countertops easier to clean, they also are healthier because quartz is bacteria and virus resistant. A preferred technique to keep quartz countertops clean and looking like new is to wipe them using dish soap, warm water, non abrasive glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Stubborn build ups can be removed by combining rubbing alcohol and water. This allows homeowners to remove stains without having to resort to abrasive cleaners.

Another compelling reason homeowners are attracted to quartz countertops is that they don’t need to be resealed like natural stone does. Buffing quartz with a soft cloth is all that typically is needed to create an extra shiny finish.

Is quartz the right choice for your new dream kitchen and bath? Give us a call at (765) 288-2737 or make an appointment to visit our showroom (click  HERE  to schedule) at 3600 N Everbrook Ln, Muncie, IN and let’s discuss how we can help you create a kitchen or bath that becomes the envy of your neighborhood.

Investing in a new kitchen or bathroom increases the value of homes in Muncie and Delaware County. The amount of the return on investment depends on the goals of the renovation. Is the renovation being done in order to sell the house in the next 1-2 years, or is this going to be their “forever home”?  

Many homeowners understand that a new kitchen or primary bath makes it easier to sell their home if that is their goal. In these cases, we work with homeowners to achieve a short-term return on investment or to create as much short-term value as possible. This can be accomplished by limiting the scope of a renovation if necessary and by selecting more cost-effective materials and design approaches. This might include replacing the backsplash, countertops and upgrading appliances at a minimum without changing the floor plan or location of what currently exists.  

Homeowners that plan to stay in their homes for years to come have different goals than those upgrading to make their homes more attractive for an immediate sale. Most homeowners renovating their kitchens do so to improve the quality of their lives and to make their home more enjoyable and satisfying to live in. One rule of thumb to maximize the return received on a kitchen remodel is to invest in cabinetry that can withstand the test of time. Cabinets typically represent about 30% - 40% of a remodeling budget and should be expected to perform for at least two decades, if not longer.  

Including an island or a peninsula, space permitting, is another area that provides a significant return on investment for homeowners. Islands add desired functionality and enjoyment to a kitchen by providing additional seating, countertop and meal preparation space and storage.

There’s a reason why quartz is the most popular material for countertops among homeowners who are renovating their kitchens. Quartz is stain resistant, antimicrobial, easy to clean and maintain and available in any style, color and décor that may be desired.

Subway tile is a popular and cost-effective backsplash option, because it provides multiple design and color possibilities that is also easy to clean and maintain.  

Lighting is another area that can greatly enhance the return homeowners receive from their kitchen remodel. Layering task lighting that brightly illuminates countertop space used for chopping, slicing and dicing with under-cabinet lights that provide an alluring ambience to any kitchen and statement making pendants that serve as focal points that create value and personality in your new kitchen.

What are the secrets to maximizing the return on your kitchen renovation? Find out by calling us at 765-288-2737 or making an appointment to visit our showroom (click  HERE  to schedule) at 3600 N Everbrook Ln, Muncie, IN, and let us show you how you can stretch your renovation dollars to meet your unique needs, wants and desires.

“How much will it cost?” is the number one question homeowners in Muncie and Delaware County ask when they plan to create their dream kitchen. That is a difficult question to answer, because there are so many factors to consider. This is the reason many homeowners have a difficult time determining their goals and setting a realistic budget for their kitchen remodel without the help of a professional.

You could search the Internet or watch home improvement television for estimates and ideas, but those sources are riddled with misinformation and misrepresentations. Home improvement television often does not include the cost of appliances, custom features that you want, design fees or infrastructure expenses, e.g. the movement of electrical lines, plumbing lines, structural changes, ventilation and so on. Plus, their timetables typically don’t include time for design, code approval, scheduling, product ordering and other factors, giving homeowners unrealistic and unachievable expectations.

Online resources also do not account for the myriad of variables and decisions that influence cost. Imagine trying to estimate the cost of buying a new car without knowing the make, model, or special features. That’s what online resources attempt to do when offering budgeting guidance for new kitchens.  

The major factors that influence the cost of a new kitchen include:

• Goals of the remodel
• Size of the kitchen
• Scope of the renovation
• Quality and type of selected materials and finishes
• Quality of the renovation plan
• Quality of plan implementation

Cabinets are the most influential product in the aesthetic design of a kitchen. The cost of cabinets is driven by door style, material and finish. Simply changing the style or finish of a cabinet can increase cost by 10 to 30 percent. Cabinets are also key to the longevity of your kitchen. That’s why they are often considered the backbone of the kitchen. It’s easier to replace an appliance. It’s more difficult to change cabinetry. Invest in cabinets that can withstand the test of time.

Keys to controlling costs include:

• Depend on a single source to coordinate and manage the entire project. Relying on multiple vendors can be penny wise and dollar foolish. Working with multiple suppliers for appliances, cabinets, countertops, lighting, etc. takes more time, is almost impossible to coordinate and will almost always cost more than working with a single source that can put all the pieces of the puzzle together and maintain an agreed-to budget.
• Make a complete plan and budget and stick to it. Don’t start demolition until you’ve specified all of the products and finishes you need and an order schedule is established. When you change your mind, you delay the project’s completion and increase your cost. Recent industry surveys found changing scope during the course of a renovation is the reason why 33 percent of kitchen renovation projects go over budget.

The best way to establish a realistic and achievable budget for your new kitchen is to give us a call at (765) 288-2737 or make an appointment to visit our showroom (click  HERE  to schedule) at 3600 N Everbrook Ln, Muncie, IN. Let us guide you through the variables that influence cost and provide recommendations to help ensure your dreams are realized.

Bathroom renovations are the most requested projects among homeowners in Muncie and Delaware County. The ability to create a private refuge that provides homeowners a few minutes a day all to themselves, devoid of texts, tweets and even little feet can be priceless. If you are considering renovating your primary bath, there are certain features and design strategies that can help you create the bath of your dreams.

For many homeowners space is a premium for their primary bath. You can maximize your space by eliminating common fixtures that you rarely or never use. Many homeowners do not use their tubs for bathing. Instead, they rely on showers. If space is at a premium, consider eliminating the tub. And if you and your family use both the shower and tub, a combination system can meet those needs while maximizing space.  

A well-designed bath is an organized bath. Similar to kitchens, baths need to accommodate storage needs. We often recommend a mix that includes vanities, cabinets, open shelving and shower niches sized to accommodate shampoo, conditioners, liquid soap, razors, and other products that our clients use daily. Determine the items that you and your family will use most often that need to be within arm’s reach. Some items may be stored in a drawer, medicine cabinet, vanity, rack, hook, etc. Explain to your designer the items that you use regularly and request a storage plan that meets your daily needs.

Lighting can make or break how your primary bath looks, feels and functions. Lighting is equally as important as tubs, shower systems, vanities, toilets and faucets. Simply placing flush-mounted or recessed fixtures in the center of your bathroom ceiling can provide functional light, but that type of lighting may do little to beautify the space, create a mood or evoke favorable emotional responses. Effective lighting illuminates a space in layers using different components and strategies to paint the final picture.

Are you ready to create the bath of your dreams? Give us a call at (765) 288-2737 or make an appointment to visit our showroom (click  HERE  to schedule) at 3600 N Everbrook Ln, Muncie, IN!

Based on industry studies, one regret among homeowners who renovate their kitchens was insufficient storage and organizational tools. We highly recommend to homeowners to plan for adequate storage because a well-designed kitchen is an organized kitchen. A good starting point is to measure and inventory the kitchenware that you use most often and that cater to your lifestyle and family needs.

An almost endless array of options is available to store cookware, food, utensils, countertop appliances (blenders, mixers, etc.), recycling containers and so on. The first step in maximizing storage is to assess what currently exists in your kitchen. Inventory and measure your cookware, bakeware, kitchen tools, storage containers, cutlery, knives, utensils, gadgets, and countertop appliances and estimate frequency of use. This is a great time to purge items that you never use too. Space permitting, items that you use infrequently or even as little as once a year (the large roasting pan for Thanksgiving turkey) can be relegated to upper cabinets or to other rooms in the home to open up prime real estate for the utensils and equipment that you use most frequently.

When you identify your most-used items, you’ll empower your kitchen designer to make your kitchen function so much more effectively than it would with standard sized drawer widths and depths. A combination of drawer cabinets and shelf cabinets can be customized to your individual preferences. For example, a drawer at the top of the cabinet combined with shelving underneath allows for storage of smaller, frequently used items in the more reachable drawer, while the shelf storage accommodates larger and less frequently used items, such as food processors and stand mixers. Not only does this approach save time in preparing meals, it also is easier on your back.

Here are several of our favorite storage solutions.  

When homeowners in Muncie and Delaware County are considering a kitchen, bath or other type of renovation project, naturally they will have lots of questions. However, it is the questions that they are asked about their project that offer a window into the expertise and soul of the showroom and designer they are visiting. Be wary of designers/sales professionals who focus on selling instead of initially trying to determine the goals you want to achieve.

We know that many homeowners want to have a new kitchen that better serves their needs, and those of their family, while also reflecting their distinct style. A new space in your home should make you smile every time you enter. When we interview prospective clients we want to know the reason behind the project, the motivation, how a new kitchen or bath not only should look and function but how that space should make you feel.

We approach initial meetings with homeowners as a mutual information gathering session and not a sales pitch. Our goal is to gather a sufficient amount of information about you and your lifestyle that will enable us to look through your lens so that we better understand your world view. We want to know who uses your kitchen, how often and for what purposes. We not only want to know what you prefer; we also want to know what you don’t like and why. Our goal is to make an emotional connection so that we can develop design and product recommendations that reflect your lifestyle and personality. That can’t be accomplished if the primary conversation is about what the showroom has to offer. It has to be all about what the customer wants.

To help designers look through your unique lens, we encourage homeowners to create image share boards on Pinterest and Houzz so there is a common understanding of products and styles that homeowners are attracted to. We want to know what you currently like and dislike about your existing kitchen or bath and the reasons for those feelings.  

There are also practical questions that need to be answered such as how much effort do you want to put into maintaining and cleaning your new kitchen. This helps us to not only recommend color options but also to suggest surface materials, cabinet styles and finishes that meet the practical and operational needs of homeowners.  

The only dumb question is the one that is not asked. When you are interviewing designers and showrooms, listen carefully to the questions that you are asked. You should feel that the designer is more interested in getting to know you and your family, your style, your quirks and your likes and dislikes. The questions should focus all on you and not them.

Let’s have a conversation about how you want your new dream kitchen to look, function and feel. Give us a call at (765) 288-2737 or make an appointment to visit our showroom (click  HERE  to schedule) at 3600 N Everbrook Ln, Muncie, IN!