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When shopping for kitchen cabinets, most homeowners focus on the look of the cabinets and the design of the doors, but they don’t ask about the most important feature of the cabinets- the material used to make the cabinet box. While the face frame and doors are important for the overall look, the structure of the cabinet itself is what will determine the lifespan of your kitchen.

While the majority of kitchen cabinet manufacturers will use solid wood for the face frame and doors, there are several different materials that are used for the cabinet construction. Due to the limited amount of aged timber that is available, it has become too expensive for even custom cabinet manufacturers to use real wood for the sides and back. Some higher end cabinet manfacturers build beautiful solid wood cabinets, but for the majority of homeowners, these are simply not economically feasible.

Particleboard is acommon material that some lower end cabinets will feature (and which you may recognize if you have ever shopped at Ikea). Particleboard, also called pressboard, is really just small chips of wood compressed together and held together with glue. Unlike plywood which consists of multiple layers of wood with the grain running in alternating patterns, particleboard doesn’t have any of that interweaving to help strengthen the board. Because of this, the material will tend to chip or break easier, and will not be able to support as much weight. Quite often, you will have to use supports to strengthen the cabinets if you are installing a heavier countertop.

Plywood is the most universally used material for kitchen cabinets. More expensive cabinets will use 3/4″ plywood with a wood veneer for the sides and sometimes for the back (most will not use solid plywood for the back either, but they will include mounting strips across the back). Most cabinets that you will find on the market will feature 1/2″ plywood, which is more than substantial enough to support any countertop material.

Another regularly used material is fiberboard. Fiberboard is basically a thick, dense cardboard. While it isn’t as fragile as particleboard, it doesn’t offer the rigidity of plywood or real wood. The other problems results from the fasteners. Without the grain of wood, fasteners will tend to lose their grip over time.

So when starting the shopping process for new cabinets, it is important to consider the pros and cons all the features of the cabinets. Just because a cabinet looks good, doesn’t mean that it will be able to hold up to the wear and tear that you are going to cause.

Find out where the experts go to get all of their wood cabinets and accessories. Learn how to save thousand on kitchen cabinets by buying them where contractors and builders shop.

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When selling a house it is often the kitchen that is the predominant selling point with buyers. A kitchen that has a great layout, stylish cupboards and worktops will add up to creating a space that gives an element of elegance and improves the value of the property. Whenever selling a property it is normally advisable to carry out some work on the kitchen, it may seem expensive at the outset, but if you are wily about which elements to update you can create a contemporary and stylish kitchen that will add a great deal of value.

If you are going to update your kitchen affordably it is important to focus upon the small touches that can completely change the look; these small touches include the cupboards, the cupboard handles and the worktops. If you are clever about how to update these elements you can create a completely new looking kitchen at a fraction of the price. When you are doing this it is advisable to make the most of design magazines to find inspiration.

If your worktops and cabinets are made from solid wood changing their appearance can be extremely simple and cheap. Wood is an extremely versatile material in terms of design, by sanding down the existing stain you can then re-stain the wood making the most of the wood’s natural colour or even paint it in a way so that it becomes a stunning design feature. Natural stains are extremely popular in kitchen design at the moment and whether changing your worktops or cupboards you can make the most of the wood’s natural grain for a contemporary feel.

When looking at the handles for your cupboards it is important to experiment with a wide variety of options. A visit to a kitchen supplier will show that the range out there is vast. When selecting handles it is important to choose a style that matches your kitchen, while chrome may be extremely popular, if you have a wood kitchen it is unlikely that the handles will fit into that look. Ultimately you want your kitchen to be homogenous in terms of styling, this sounds easy but it is surprising how mismatched kitchens can look when people try to update them.

The area around the sink can often become dirty and even covered with mildew because of the excessive amounts of moisture. Rather than retiling the whole splash-back area a cheaper alternative is to install a board of wood, if you are doing this however make sure to use a good waterproof paint that will ensure the wood doesn’t rot. The same can be said for the worktops around the sink, a waterproof stain used on a hardwood will ensure that they are sturdy and resilient enough to cope with daily use.

While you may be put off by replacing all of the worktops in your kitchen because of the price it can be a great idea. It may be an expensive option but the look it creates will be ultimately worthwhile. With choices of wood, stone, granite or metal the options are endless if you want to replace worktops. Obviously these vary in price but quality materials can make or break a kitchen.

Hopefully this article has given some idea of how easy it is to change the look of a kitchen. This can add value you to home whether you are looking to sell or not. By using quality materials and a stylistic eye it is possible to create a contemporary and elegant kitchen that is practical and aesthetically pleasing.

Interior design expert Thomas Pretty looks into how changing the worktops and cupboards can completely update the style and usability of a kitchen.

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Besides being a conversation piece, luxury custom cabinetry adds a unique richness and character to a home. With alder becoming the ‘new oak’ in popularity, those looking for unusual custom cabinets are adding doors and frames made from materials such as stainless steel and hardwood. These items are extremely expensive, but the finished look is well worth the effort.

Stainless Steel Inserts

The newest trend in upper kitchen cupboards or custom cabinetry in offices is the addition of stainless steel to wood frames and mullion frames (frames with bars in the middle) rather than using it on its own. The frames are coated with black stain or solid lacquer and often given a grey or metallic glaze. Then, stainless steel mesh woven into intricate patterns is mounted into the frames instead of traditional glass.

Lacewood, Curly Koa, And Peroba Rosa

Soft variegated wave patterns in these woods along with their warm colors add a comforting feeling to any room. From Australia, Lacewood can have a soft wavy pattern or it can have strong rays woven throughout if it is quarter-sawn. Curly Koa, from the island of Hawaii is traditionally used for the bodies of guitars and ukuleles; however, it is starting to appear more often in custom cabinetry. Peroba rosa, or amarillo, originates in areas of Brazil and is most notable for its soft, unusual colors of purple, pinks, yellows, and reds. When given a natural finish, the colors will deepen are darken with age.

These woods are durable and strong making them ideal for kitchen cupboards. To keep down the costs, they are often used as veneers or inlays in tiger maple. To get a similar look for less, custom staining done in suitable colors can be used on tiger maple or flaming birch.

Teak, Padouk, Rosewood, And Tigerwood

These woods are used in luxury custom cabinetry for their strong, striped colors. Teak is nothing new to custom cabinets, but the way it is being used is changing. This soft, oily wood was formerly popular for outdoor furniture and now it is being used to create gorgeous countertops and cabinet doors. It does not mould well, so it is best kept to sharp clean lines to eliminate flaking.

Tulipwood and its close relative Brazilian rosewood, with its perfumed smell, along with another Brazillian species tigerwood are also stunning additions to custom cabinetry. These are some of the most expensive woods available and are best saved for small inlays and ornamentation. These woods are endangered species, so if you choose to uses these woods in kitchen cupboards, you want to be sure that they come from a plantation or other eco-friendly source.

Exotic hardwoods and stainless steel are a stunning addition to luxury custom cabinetry. Use them to create stunning mitered doors, add beautiful inlays, or as a small border around an island. These materials make it easy to create a dazzling design that will stay in fashion forever.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Custom
Cabinets, visit http://www.valleycabinetinc.com.

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Are you thinking of repainting your kitchen to give it a different feel? If so, you are probably anxious to pick the right colors for that kitchen. Picking the right color might be the most important decision you make when redesigning a kitchen because it sets the tone for the room. Picking the right color may mean the difference between a great kitchen design idea that will give you pleasure for years to come or a poorly accentuated kitchen that never looks quite right.

When you start to plan all those kitchen design ideas, you should think about these ways we respond to the different colors:

Black
Black is usually associated with darkness and despair. It is also often associated with death so you might think twice before using this color. The color black will absorb light and unless you want your kitchen to be a depressing place, black should be used sparingly.

White
Very much the opposite of black, white works to reflect about 85% of light. White seems to make rooms seem brighter and larger. Unfortunately, white walls are vulnerable to scraping and marking and a kitchen environment might not be the best place for white with food flying all around.

Red
Darker shades of red will create a sense of warmth. Red will also act to stimulate and energize so it can be a very exciting and vibrant color for a kitchen. Afterall, the kitchen is an exciting place where many wonderful foods are created. Brighter reds may counterbalance neutral colors and add lexcitement to the kitchen.

Orange
Orange has some of the same characteristics of red and may work well with a kitchen. The brighter the orange you use, the more lively the room will become. A softer orange will tend to make the room more warm and welcoming.

Green
Green works will to balance red and orange. For a kitchen, a darker shade of green may work the same as black. It is probably best to stay away from the darker greens and and stick with the lighter shades.

Blue
It is said that blue works to calm the nervous system. It can soften bright rooms but is not too ofen used in a kitchen. Very similar to green, if a dark shade of blue is used it may end up with the same effect as black. The lighter shades of blue make people feel peaceful and comforted.

Yellow
Yellow is a fantastic color that is often used in kitchens. It is a cheery and stimulating color. Lighter yellows will work to make the kitchen feel larger. It is a powerful color though that is best not overused. Yellow is best used in combination with another color.

Are you interested if more great kitchen ideas? Please visit my site Kitchen Design Ideas for more tips on creating your dream kitchen.

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Many consider the kitchen to be the most important room in the house, the family hub where day to day life is spent. When designing a new kitchen it is vital to produce a space that is practical, aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. Part of this design process is to find worktops that are sympathetic to the decoration and provide a feeling of luxury. The sheer variety of worktops out there means that the choice can be extremely complex; hopefully this article will help make this decision easier.

The material used for kitchen worktops is the first concern. Popular choices include granite, composite stone, hard and soft woods and the cheaper laminate. Naturally all have pros and cons whilst varying immensely in cost as well as quality.

The most expensive of the materials used for worktops is solid granite. The look created however can be considered timeless and ultimately elegant. The main benefits of this material are its strength and beauty although as it is somewhat expensive, many redesigning their kitchen are put off. If price is a large issue but you are hankering for the stone look, composites can provide the perfect solution. Modern manufacturing means that all manner of colours and designs are now available in composite, including luxurious black and even worktops that sparkle in the sunlight.

Wood should always be considered as the material for worktops for it natural beauty and homely appeal. The types of wood used are wide and diverse including cherry, walnut, beech, iroko and of course, oak. If designing a new kitchen yourself, wood can also be installed without professional services; further reducing the cost of the makeover.

Walnut is one of the most sumptuous woods used for worktops. The grain of walnut is so distinctive that many would consider it a design feature in its own right. Along with the warm colouration, walnut should definitely be a major consideration.

Cherry is such a dark and richly coloured wood that some designers are put off. As an original choice however it is unrivalled, while the deep red may result in a somewhat dark kitchen, as the wood ages its elegance and beauty truly shine through.

Oak has been used in kitchen design for centuries for its classical style and strength. Like cherry it will age gracefully and create a kitchen that oozes country charm and warmth. While it may be commonly used, the disparate grain patterns can make oak an original choice for worktops.

Iroko is a relatively new material in the world of kitchen design, it is a dark would that offers much. Sometimes labelled the African teak, it is both strong and stylish. Dark woods however are not to everyone’s taste, if a lighter wood is preferable, beech can be considered a great solution. With light grain and an even lighter colour, beech can help those who do not like the oppressiveness of dark woods create a kitchen that is light and airy.

Laminate worktops, while not as high quality as either the wood or stone variants previously discussed are a far more affordable option. Modern laminates are wonderfully styled with a variety of patterns that can create an original kitchen. Requiring less maintenance than stone or wood, they are also the choice for those who want worktops without the hassles of staining or sanding.

The choice of material for your worktops is ultimately your decision. While cost is always a vital constituent of the choice it is vital to remember the importance of the kitchen space in family life at all stages of the decision making process. A happy kitchen means a happy home and the choice of materials can be fundamental in creating a space that is practical and above all comfortable.

Interior design expert Thomas Pretty looks into the different materials used in the manufacture of kitchen worktops.

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Hooked rugs have advanced in the world, from the kitchen floor to the wall as works of art. There’s a new generation of hookers whose work will never see the bottom of a shoe. For an increasing number of hookers (yes, that’s what they call themselves), hooking is like painting. The wool is their paint and the hook is their paintbrush.

Similar to paintings, there is now a wide array of hooked rug designs, from stark modern forms to folkloric scenes, subtle landscapes, and expressionistic self-portraits. But it wasn’t always that way. Rug hooking was simply a way to use scraps of cloth too worn for even rag duty.

Farmers, fishermen and their wives, who emigrated from northern Europe and settled in Canada and along the New England coastline, probably introduced the craft to North America. Originating from Scotland, England, France, Scandinavia and Germany, they brought with them the tradition of handmade rugs, many of which are now considered a noteworthy category of folk art. Then, as now, all that was required was a hook, some rag strips or yarn, and a foundation material attached to a simple stretcher of four wood slats lashed together.

Dating to the early 19th century, these hooked rugs (different from yarn sewn or rag rugs) originated in the New England states and Canadian Maritime Provinces. They were primitive and utilitarian, done with pictorial, floral and geometric designs, often portraying a subject from the maker’s life: a home, farm, barnyard animals, pets, birds and flowers. Wool, flannel, and cotton pieces were cut into 1/4 inch-wide strips and then pulled in loops through a stiff woven backing such as burlap.

While these rugs were made with the same skill as schoolgirls’ embroideries or samplers and fine needlework, hooked rugs were utilitarian, fashioned to hide dirt or wood floors or to be laid before the hearth. They were “the art of poverty,” They weren’t found in fine houses. If a rug was attractive, so much the better, but they were meant to provide warmth, and the women who produced them used what-ever fabric scraps they had and hooked them up quickly. When the rugs fell apart, they were thrown away.

The naive creator-inspired designs thrived from 1830 to 1850, and circa-1860 pattern makers began printing and selling pre-stenciled rug kits on burlap, mass-produced and lacking the freer, less technically correct original motifs. The stenciled rugs were more symmetrical, less fanciful and more realistic, but many women added their own individual touches, and several rugs based on the same pattern could each look very different.

By the late 1800s, patterns were being stamped onto the burlap (showing the hooker what areas to fill in and in which color), allowing more complicated designs to be created and reproduced. Rug hooking became a booming craft industry over the next half-century, especially in the Northeast.

The evolution of the hooked rug from craft to art occurred as hookers began to explore and create more one-of-a-kind works. Today, these rugs have gained appreciation among collectors and interior designers. Hooked rugs dating to the 1800s and early 1900s can now command thousands of dollars. Prices for the oldest and rarest of these 19th-century rugs have now reached the financial stratosphere. Interest and admiration of this craft was dormant until a pioneering 1976 exhibition of hooked rugs, organized by Joel and Kate Kopp (formerly of America Hurrah) at the Museum of American Folk Art in New York. Whether as a hobby or a family heirloom, hooked rugs are back in America.

For cleaning tipsfor your carpet and other rug ideas visit http://www.rugsandcarpets.gogoodpages.com

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