Category: Home Builders Blog
Design Ideas for Laundry Room
Let us be honest, besides your kitchen, the laundry room is probably one of the most used rooms in your home. We spend more time in there than we would like, but now, homeowners are embracing the laundry room and making this space multi-functional yet stylish.
Maximize Your Storage Space
Your laundry room could be a great place to add additional storage to your home. If your space allows, our designer Holly Stevens recommends maximizing the number of cabinets you add to this room. If you have a front-loading washer and dryer, you can add upper cabinets above them, plus utilize them as counter space. You could also add cabinetry to the walls beside the washer and dryer. Making use of taller pantry style cabinets is a great way to hide your cleaning supplies such as a broom or vacuum, and smaller base cabinets can hold small items such as shoes and cleaning products.
Make the Space Multi-Functional
More and more, we are hearing homeowners say they would like to make the laundry room more than just a space where their family dumps dirty clothes. Consider a craft room. Add a small desk unit and cabinets to hold all your crafting needs! And, depending on the size of your laundry room, it would also serve as a small office, or in 2020, a classroom 😊
We always try to design spaces that can serve as your family’s command center; maximizing the area forstorage of shoes, backpacks, athletic equipment, and items your family uses on a daily basis.
Details, Details, Details
Just because your laundry room is a more utilitarian space than some of the other rooms in the home, does not mean it cannot be stylish! Take the opportunity to choose a fun, painted cabinet finish. Or add moldings to the cabinets to elevate the appearance and style of the room. You can also select a fun back splash or counter top – something pattern and color – to spice up the space. You can have fun with this room and even take a couple chances you would not consider in other areas of your home!
If you’re planning a new laundry room or considering an update to your current one, call Home Building Supply Co and let our expert designer provide you some advice and tips to create a space that’s justright for you and your family!
Right Kitchen Hardware
You just finished making all the selections for your new kitchen, you chose the perfect layout, the right color for your cabinets, a range hood that that’s the focal point of your kitchen, and you have one selection left…your cabinet hardware. This may seem like a very small decision but, believe it or not, hardware helps tie your kitchen together. It helps solidify the style of your space.
Knobs vs. Pulls
The first step is to select the right cabinet hardware, this means deciding what type of hardware you want in the space. Our kitchen designer, Holly Stevens, notes that most homeowners use a combination of knobs and pulls in their space; but, using all pulls has become a very popular trend that is not going anywhere anytime soon. From a handling standpoint, pulls are easier to use on drawers because they are easier to grip than a knob. Knobs are better for cabinet doors. Another important factor to consider when you select hardware is picking the correct size knob or pull that is needed for doors and drawers. The hardware you select should be the correct proportion to your cabinets.
The Hardware Finish
Another choice to make is the finish of the cabinet hardware. Will it be the popular finish of brushed nickel or chrome? Or will it be antique brass which has made a comeback in the last few years? Holly Stevens says, the great thing with your cabinet’s hardware is that it does not have to match the lighting and faucet, but should complement and coordinate with the other finishes.
Hardware Style
Your cabinet hardware is the jewelry of the cabinets, meaning it enhances the room and style you are trying to achieve. The possibilities are limitless when it comes to hardware, so having a clear idea of the room’s style will help cut down the options that are perfect for your space. A popular hardware choice among our customers are bar pulls. Bar pulls are often found in more modern spaces, but they also pair well with Shaker cabinets, giving a little twist to a more traditional door style. If you are searching for a more relaxed look, bin drawer pulls are also an option. These will add the right amount of casual to your cabinetry. Or if you want to go with something a little more ornate, pick hardware with more intricate detailing.
At Home Builders Supply Co, we have a large selection of hardware to appeal to every design style. Call us at 252-758-4151 and schedule a time to meet with our Kitchen and Bath Designer Holly Stevens, she will be happy to help you design your new kitchen and select the perfect hardware to go with your cabinets and style.
We Love Laminate
Call us biased, but we are HUGE fans of laminate cabinetry. Not only are they super easy to care for, but they can be more affordable and just as stylish as their natural wood counterparts.
So, we ask, what’s not to love? Here are some reasons to choose laminate cabinets over wood.
At first glance, you cannot tell the difference
Even upon close inspection, laminate cabinets that are designed to replicate wood look exactly like real wood. You can select any laminate “wood option” for a fraction of the cost, without worrying about warping, staining, or replacement costs. Wood grain options include minimal wood grain appearances or those rich with textural appeal.
Plus, if you are searching for an unusual finish, laminate can help you find your style. Whether it be a traditional, warm, and wood-toned cabinet, or bright white contemporary shaker, you can find a laminate option for you.
You want a low-maintenance option
Laminate cabinets are practically no-maintenance. They can be cleaned and wiped with normal cleaners. They don’t have to be oiled or polished, and they can withstand kitchen mishaps or a humid summer’s day without causing damage. If you love white cabinets, but fear them getting dirty in a busy kitchen, we say fear not, with laminate you can enjoy the cabinets you want without having to routinely clean them.
You want a high-quality, less-expensive cabinet option
Laminate cabinets will always cost less than solid wood, often by as much as 50% of the cost, depending on your selection. If you are designing a kitchen on a budget, this makes it easy to get a luxury look without an expensive price tag.
You need something that can handle heavy wear and tear
Most families have two working adults or a busy single parent, and with open kitchen concepts inviting everyone to hang out at the island, kitchens are experiencing heavier wear-and-tear. This means cabinets need to be able to handle the daily knocks, drips, and spills. Laminate cabinets and doors can withstand the test of time under constant use and contact.
To schedule a consultation with our Kitchen and Bath Designer and discuss the benefits of laminate cabinetry, call Holly Stevens today at 252-758-4151.
Wood Islands are Still Trending
As many of us continue to work from home during the lockdown, we find ourselves continuing to look for design and decorating trends that customers are still seeking during these crazy times. Well we found it; a trend sure to be key in kitchens designs throughout eastern NC – the wood kitchen island. The kitchen island, a place for families to gather, became a ‘must have’ over the past 10 years, and that continues to be solidified with the dominating trend of the wooden kitchen island!
Wood kitchen islands are not revolutionary. As a matter of fact, we believe they feel more traditional and classic, with polished finishes feeling appropriate in contemporary kitchens. Yet it is a mixture of stylish man-made finishes, along with natural stone and comfy wood, that is trending in homes today. This is why wooden kitchen islands sit in the heart of some of the best kitchens today.
As we noted, the idea of a wood island in a modern kitchen is not unique and it certainly doesn’t feel out of place. Over the past few years, chic and stylish wood islands have become commonplace. Instead of using bright colors, the large central piece covered in wood offers the textural and visual contrast customers are craving. Using a shade and finish of wood that matches kitchen cabinets really does give a kitchen more visual appeal. And, when wooden islands are paired with refined stone or Corian countertops it creates a lasting and stylish island in the heart of your home.
When choosing a wood island for your new kitchen, or that much-needed renovation, we suggest you look beyond the sheer aesthetics. Wooden islands come in as many shapes and sizes as they do finishes. Some offer everything you need with multiple cabinets, drawers, and shelves to easily hide all your kitchenware. Others offer a more open design with few shelves, and just a little space under the counter to tuck away your bar stools.
The wooden island style you choose will depend on your needs and the space available in your kitchen. If you are designing a new kitchen, or considering a renovation, call us. At Home Building Supply Co., our kitchen designer, Holly Stevens, will be sure to help you design the kitchen of your dreams, partnered with a wood kitchen island that fits your style and your kitchen’s space.
Cabinet Solution to Help With Organization
Over the last five months, many of us have found ourselves with more time on our hands – that means more time to deep clean, clean out, and organize. To help with your cleaning and organizing, we want to share some of our favorite custom cabinet solutions to organize your kitchen! Check out our top 5 picks; and contact Holly Stevens to see how she can help you can incorporate these beauties into your own home!
Spice up your kitchen!
If you are an enthusiastic cook who loves entertaining family and friends, we suggest adding customized spice racks beside your stove. These beauties will make it easy to grab just the right spice, while keeping your cook area organized and as picture-perfect as a Pinterest post!
Drawers galore!
We cannot put enough emphasis on the versatility of deep drawers. They are perfect for pots and pans; plates, cups, and glasses; and just about anything else you have in your kitchen! Plus, deep drawers make it easy on future clean outs by keeping your cabinets organized year-round.
Double-trash pull outs, a must!
If you are designing a kitchen on a limited budget, the one thing we suggest you DO NOT forgo are double-trash cabinets. Built-in frames keep your trash bins concealed and out of the way, making these a gamechanger to eliminating kitchen clutter. They keep your kitchen looking tidy and neat and are an easy way to help you recycle – making going green more convenient than ever!
Can you say tall Cabinets?
Functioning like a linen closet, tall cabinets are perfect for both the kitchen and bath. In the kitchen, tall cabinets can function as a supply closet for brooms, towels, and cleaning supplies. And in the bath, they are perfect for extra bath towels, linens, and toiletries. A tall closet is the perfect way to start any cleaning and organization project.
And last, but surely not least, the hardworking Lazy Susan!
She is the queen of the kitchen, working hard so you don’t have to. A Lazy Susan is a MUST, as it puts everything within your reach. The one-of-a-kind swivel motion makes them perfect for hard to reach, but even harder to organize, corner cabinets. They swivel at angles ranging from 90 to 360-degrees, making sure you can easily access everything in your cabinets.
Let us help you clean out and organize your kitchen with one or more of these cabinet solutions for your new or remodeled kitchen. Give our kitchen and bath designer Holly Stevens a call today!
Why Choose a White kitchen
White kitchens can be considered essential in traditional kitchen designs, but they are versatile enough to enhance any style home. White cabinets work with kitchen designs ranging from historic renovations to contemporary design. If you are ready to start designing a beautiful white kitchen of your dreams, contact the Kitchen & Bath designer at Home Builders Supply Co. for your consultation. Here are some reasons we think white kitchens should be considered.
OPEN AND AIRY
Just as dark colors can make a room feel closed in, white is just the opposite. If you install white kitchen cabinets, it is a fact that the room will look larger. The color white actually reflects the light in the room, which is useful if the space you are working with is a little on the small side or does not have much natural daylight. White kitchens are popular in homes with narrow galley style kitchens or kitchens without many windows, making the spaces look larger than they actually are.
CLEAN AND FRESH
White is the essence of cleanliness and hygiene. Where darker colors may hide dirt, a clean white kitchen offers nothing to hide, isn’t that what you want a kitchen to be? An all-white scheme in the kitchen may give off a clinical feel, but a predominantly white kitchen can be a great backdrop for adding soft accents with soft furnishings, ceramic tiles or even appliances.
CLASSIC and TIMELESS
One thing is for sure, no matter if your kitchen is 5 years old or 25 years old, a white kitchen does not date as quickly as one with many colors – white never goes out of style. From classic to modern, contemporary to rustic, one thing you can count on is that white cabinets always feel right. If you are tempted to redo your outdated kitchen simply because of its color, consider swapping the cabinet doors to clean, fresh white ones. You will be amazed at the difference it will make.
BLANK CANVAS
Consider your kitchen as a blank canvas. Your white kitchen is the perfect neutral background to show off your personal style and treasures. Whether you choose to display a piece of modern artwork or your children’s drawings, there is nothing to distract from their impact. It can adapt to any architectural style or home design. You can alter the ambience with an accent color, whether that be a painted wall or an eye-catching feature such as a copper sink, white is the perfect color to show off your style.
If you’ve been considering a white kitchen design with custom cabinets and countertops but are unsure how it would work with your home, call our Kitchen & Bath designer to get started on a design that suits your style.
Four Reasons Kitchen Islands are a Must
One of the most functional aspects in today’s homes are kitchen islands. They can create a physical divide in an open floor plan, add a splash of color creating a focal point, and much more! Islands also offer additional countertop space, cabinets, and seating which makes a big impact on the efficiency and organization of your kitchen. If you’re still not convinced you need an island in your life, here are our top reasons to love kitchen islands! When you’re ready to get started on your kitchen remodel or custom design, contact Home Builders Supply Co. to speak with the Kitchen & Bath designer. With over 14 years of experience with kitchen remodels she can help you achieve just the right look – with or without an island.
ISLANDS ADD STORAGE SPACE
Kitchen islands can make a style statement, but their purpose goes beyond aesthetics. With added cabinetry giving you storage options, islands put function first. Custom kitchen islands can include deep drawers, tray dividers, trash pullouts, and many more design features specifically created with organization in mind. Features like these can simplify a cook’s time and make spending more time in the kitchen enjoyable. A kitchen island takes advantage of space with cabinet doors on the front and back of the island for easy access to stored items. An island is also the perfect place to store seasonal items or fine china that are nice to have in reach even though they are not used regularly.
EXTRA COUNTER SPACE FOR FOOD PREP
Speaking of the cook, have you ever taken a hot pan out of the oven and realized you have nowhere to put it? We have. Most foodies will agree, one of the most frustrating design issues is having a kitchen layout that is inefficient and lacks food prep areas. Having plenty of counterspace incorporated into your design to ensure hassle-free cooking is crucial. A kitchen island is an excellent way to add workspace so you can chop vegetables, mix ingredients, and place items from the stove or oven someplace without running out of room. Whether you choose to place your appliances within the island or on the opposite wall, having the extra counter space makes cooking much more convenient and stress-free.
THE PERFECT PLACE FOR FAMILY TO GATHER
Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and a kitchen island with seating becomes the heart of the kitchen. With open-concept homes increasing in popularity, kitchens have become the social hubs where friends and family gather to spend time together. When you entertain, don’t you find that friends and family make their way to the kitchen to chat with you while you cook? Kitchen islands make it easy for your guests to gather in the kitchen without getting in your way as you try to move hot pans from the oven or stove to the countertop. Plus, kitchen islands are also the perfect place for kids to enjoy an afternoon snack or do their homework.
CREATE A FOCAL POINT
Our last reason to love a kitchen island is because it is the perfect place to introduce a splash of color that otherwise may overpower a design if it was used throughout. For example, a black finish on all your kitchen cabinets may be overwhelming, but when paired with white perimeter cabinets it becomes a carefully planned design element pairing nicely with the bright, open area. Light finishes on the perimeter of the room keep it feeling airy and spacious, while the large black island makes it a warm and inviting kitchen. Two-toned kitchens are currently very trendy and when complemented with smart design choices your kitchen becomes timeless.
If you’re ready to start on your own kitchen remodel or custom design featuring an island, talk to our Kitchen & Bath designer! She will be happy to meet with you and work with your builder to provide you with the kitchens of your dreams.
Personalize Your Kitchen Using Work Zones
First things first, what are work zones? Work zones refer to dividing the areas in your kitchen based on their specific function. The most common kitchen work zones are:
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Cook Zone – this space contains the range, oven, microwave and other cooking appliances.
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Prep Zone – this space consists of the countertop space used for preparing food.
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Wash Zone – this space is used for cleanup, which includes the sink and dishwasher.
Keep in mind, there are many more work zones – and you can even create your own based on your specific needs.
Identifying these spaces when designing a kitchen is very important. Work zones help to organize a kitchen layout that will decrease the time spent traveling between zones and help your kitchen’s overall functionality. Not only will considering work zones help the efficiency of your kitchen, it will also improve the safety of your space. For example, having your prep zone near the cook zone will allow you to move hot dishes from the oven to the counter quickly, minimizing the chances of burns and spill. Overall, when designing a kitchen, think about your lifestyle and organize your work zones based on what will simplify your kitchen work.
During a consultation with the Home Builders Supply Co. design team, we will help you personalize the layout of your work zones. Based on what you enjoy doing most in the kitchen, we can create the perfect space for you and your family! For example, if you love to bake, we can incorporate a bake zone as part of your remodel. Or, if you love to have family and friends over, an entertainment zone can be added. This could include a large island with plenty of room for beautiful bar stools or even a mini bar complete with a sink and bottle wine cooler.
Traditionally, kitchen work zones were planned according to a triangle layout. This layout involves positioning the sink, range and refrigerator a few feet apart to form a triangle. Although this layout works well in small kitchens, you shouldn’t feel pressured to stick to this somewhat outdated design “rule”. In some kitchens, it can negatively affect the overall flow. The most important thing is to make each work zone flow seamlessly into the next.
The designers at Home Builders Supply Co. in Greenville, NC understand that each family is different. Our goal is to tailor each space to each family. We aim for kitchen designs to be just as functional as they are beautiful. Our team has the knowledge, experience and creativity to navigate you through the entire design process, and help you discover the options available within your space and budget. If you’re building a new home or considering a kitchen remodel, contact Home Builders Supply Co. today. We can’t wait to help you create your dream kitchen!
Remodeling Your Kitchen
It’s possible you’ve been thinking about remodeling your kitchen for years. Or maybe, you just started thinking a kitchen remodel could help improve the functionality of your home. In either case, our Kitchen Designer at Home Builders Supply Company has a couple of recommendations before you actually begin your kitchen remodel.
Have you determined what isn’t working in your current kitchen?
Do you like how your appliances are arranged, how they flow with one another – or is one of your appliances in an inconvenient location? What types of appliances do you currently have? Do you love to cook, would a different type of stove improve your cooking experience? Do you need a larger countertop or more storage space? Do you like where everything in your kitchen is currently stored, is it easily accessible?
Answering these types of questions will help a Kitchen Design Specialist make creative solutions for your space, making your kitchen work better for you and your family’s lifestyle.
What goals are your trying to achieve with your remodel?
When it comes to kitchen remodels, not all remodels and clients are the same – each one is very different. One person may be focused on adding more storage space, while another is desiring a fresh new look, and a third wants to improve the flow from the kitchen into other areas of their home.
It is important to determine your goals for the space so a Kitchen Designer knows what is most important to you so they can design a kitchen that fits your needs, taste, and budget.
Do you have any inspiration that you can share?
A designer loves to see your inspiration, so show them your magazine clippings, Pinterest boards, photos of a friends’ kitchen—whatever inspiration you have for your kitchen remodel, make sure you share it!
However, the beauty of working with a Kitchen Designer is that if you don’t know exactly that you want, they can help you figure it out. As a matter of fact, if you have an open mind the sky might be the limit to your kitchen remodel. Every kitchen doesn’t need white cabinets and stone countertops. Our designer can work with you to add textures, colors, and architectural elements to your remodel that will be unique, beautiful, and function for you and your family’s lifestyle.
Have you considered what the budget for your kitchen remodel will be?
Because it is hard for a homeowner to estimate how much a kitchen remodel will cost, this can make them hesitant to share their budget. It’s typical for clients to have a general idea of what they want to spend on a remodeling project. We encourage you to share your budget, this will give the designer a starting point to help build a project that can fit into your budget. And, it’s possible that it could be a remodel that can be done in phases. This could help accommodate your budget now and create future plans to expand the project as you are able to do so.
Are you ready to set up an initial meeting with a Kitchen Designer?
Our Kitchen Designer Holly is not selling you a kitchen, she is designing a kitchen for you. Call her at 252-758-4151 to set up a consultation for your kitchen remodeling project. She will spend some time talking with you about your goals and budget for the project, and then you can decide if you want to move forward and work together on your kitchen remodel.
