Lake Ridge Design Project

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Building a Family-Friendly Kitchen

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Organizing Your Kitchen Cabinets

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Top Reasons to Remodel your Kitchen

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The National Kitchen & Bath Association offers advice on when and why to update.

Many homeowners think their kitchen is outdated from the looks of their worn cabinets, dated appliances and crackled countertop. What they may not realize is that there are many other reasons, more important than cosmetic, why a kitchen needs to be remodeled.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) offers the following tips to help homeowners evaluate the current condition of their kitchen and decide if the time is right for a remodel.

Adequate space: Are you satisfied with the amount of counter space, cabinet space and floor space in your kitchen? The position of your refrigerator or shape of your counter may be taking away useful workspace. According to the NKBA Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines, when replacing a countertop or changing the shape of your kitchen, keep in mind that a total of 158″ of countertop frontage, 24″ deep with at least 15″ of clearance above, is needed to accommodate all uses, including landing area, preparation/work area and storage.

Traffic flow: If there’s more than one cook in your household, you may want to consider making more room around the main workspace. If you enjoy entertaining, you may want an open plan kitchen that allows for more social interaction between the kitchen and other rooms. According to the NKBA Kitchen Planning Guidelines, the width of a walkway should be at least 36″ and the width of a work aisle should be at least 42″ for one cook and at least 48″ for multiple cooks.

If you would like to talk about ideas for remodeling or renovating your home in Fairfax, Mclean, Springfield, Woodbridge, Alexandria, Arlington, and Falls Church VA, reach out to us at Foster Remodeling. Call now for a free consultation!

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article from National Kitchen and Bath Association

 

Alternate Countertop Materials

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If you ever watch the home improvement shows on television, you might have the idea that there is only ONE acceptable surface for countertops—granite. The television use of granite makes sense; granite countertops are extremely popular among homeowners and new buyers, so they are an excellent choice. However, many other options are beautiful and functional too. We’ve put together a list of just a few of the alternate surfaces that you can choose from when you are replacing your countertops. By considering all possibilities, you will rest assured that your room has a personal touch.

Engineered Quartz

Today’s engineered quartz countertops are extremely low maintenance, resist staining, scratching and other damage. Additionally, they do not need to be sealed. Quartz is available in many colors and patterns—making them very attractive.

Laminate Countertops

These are the most budget friendly option, of course. However, today’s laminate counters come in designs and styles that are attractive and appealing even in high-end kitchens.

Wood (Butcher Block) Countertops

Decorative and functional, wood countertops are a unique choice. They are heat resistant, but they will need to be properly sealed to make sure they are safe for use when preparing food on the surface.

Marble

Marble can be expensive, but no surface offers a more timeless appeal. Additionally, marble hides stains and damage in a way that other surfaces do not. Like granite, it will be necessary to seal marble countertops regularly to keep them in good condition.

Honed Granite

Granite countertops come in both traditional (shiny) and honed (matte) looks. With two options, this means that no matter what your style you can find one that will work in your kitchen. The honed granite is unique when compared to “standard” granite, making it an excellent choice for those who want something a bit different.

Stainless Steel

This attractive surface naturally fights bacteria growth, plus the countertops are very easy to clean with just soap and water. Stainless steel is one of the most recognizable materials on earth—and gives your kitchen a truly one-of-a-kind look.

Recycled Countertops

If you are all about “being green,” one of the recycled countertop options today may be just what you’ve been looking for. These countertops are made of “pre” and “post” consumer products; choosing recycled countertops keeps products out of the landfill and reduces your overall carbon footprint.

If you would like to learn more about any of the surfaces we covered above, or you would like guidance on any other options, contact us at Foster Remodeling. We are your resource for new countertops and kitchen makeovers of all kinds in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area. Our kitchen experts are excited to work with you!

If you would like to talk about ideas for remodeling or renovating your home in Fairfax, Mclean, Springfield, Woodbridge, Alexandria, Arlington, and Falls Church VA, reach out to us at Foster Remodeling. Call now for a free consultation!