Representing the essence of modern design, these doors are more than just a trend—they’re a lifestyle choice. In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the basics of the slab door cabinets, hardware, and styles. 

Whether you’re redesigning or just curious, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about the flat panel door.

What are Slab Cabinet Doors?

Slab cabinet doors are precisely what their name implies—a flat, single panel of material, whether wood, metal, or MDF, devoid of any framing or contour. They provide a smooth, minimalist look, making them an excellent choice for modern and contemporary kitchens. 

The elegance and simplicity of slab kitchen cabinet doors can’t be overstated. They’re a testament to the age-old saying, “Less is more.”

The Aesthetic Allure of the Flat Panel Door

The flat panel door is a testament to the ever-evolving world of design. With its sleek appearance and streamlined finish, it’s quickly becoming a favorite in modern homes. Unlike traditional, recessed, or raised cabinet doors, a flat panel door boasts a uniform surface with no raised or contoured profile, offering a clean and uncluttered aesthetic

While slab door cabinets have been associated with modern aesthetics, their adaptability can fit a range of design schemes, from ultra-modern to the cozy farmhouse, when paired with the right hardware and color palette.

Choosing the Right Hardware for Slab Kitchen Cabinet Doors

This brings us to a vital question—how do I choose the right hardware for slab kitchen doors?

Given the minimalist nature of the slab door, the hardware—like knobs and pulls—becomes a central feature. It’s more than just a functional element; it’s a design statement.

Contrast is Key: Contrasting elements add visual interest and depth to any design. For dark-colored slab drawer fronts or cabinet doors, light or brushed metal hardware can offer a striking contrast that draws the eye. 

This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also accentuates the hardware’s detail. Conversely, dark hardware against a light-colored slab door can provide depth and an anchor, creating a harmonious balance between the elements.

Go Handle-less: The uber-modern kitchen is all about sleek lines and uninterrupted surfaces. Push-to-open cabinet mechanisms offer a seamless look, eliminating the need for external handles or knobs. This approach not only gives cabinets a minimalist, contemporary feel but also ensures a more ergonomic design, where a gentle push is all it takes to access the interiors.

Choose Size Wisely: The expansive, unembellished surface of a solid slab door is like a blank canvas. It allows homeowners to experiment with hardware sizes. Oversized handles or pulls, for instance, can instantly become the focal point, adding a touch of luxury and drama. 

However, it’s essential to ensure that the chosen size complements the overall scale of the kitchen to maintain aesthetic cohesion.

Material Matters: The material of your hardware plays a pivotal role in determining the ambiance of your kitchen. Stainless steel offers a modern, industrial vibe, while brass can introduce warmth and a touch of vintage charm. Matte black stands out for its bold, contemporary feel, and ceramic brings a quaint, artisanal touch. 

Each material, with its unique texture and finish, can either contrast or harmonize with the slab door, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful selection in achieving the desired look.

Slab Cabinet Doors and Hardware

Our collection of slab cabinet doors, crafted with precision and designed for the modern home, will leave you spoilt for choice. From rich wood grains to glossy laminates, there’s something for every taste.

To accessorize these doors, our range of knobs and pulls is unparalleled. Whether you’re looking for the understated elegance of brushed nickel or the rustic charm of hammered bronze, our hardware selection has got you covered.

Slab Drawer Front and Additional Styles

While slab kitchen cabinet doors are a standout feature, let’s not forget the slab drawer front. It follows the same design principle as the cabinet door—a flat, minimalist panel. A matching slab drawer front ensures design continuity, making the whole setup look cohesive and streamlined.

In a world where cabinet door style has become an expression of personal taste, slab cabinet doors, with their minimalist charm, have carved a niche for themselves. They offer a canvas for homeowners to showcase their design sensibilities, especially with the choice of hardware. Whether you lean towards the understated or bold, remember that every knob and pull is an opportunity to make a statement.

So, as you embark on your kitchen redesign or upgrade, consider the solid slabs of modernity that are slab cabinet doors. With the right hardware and a keen eye for design, you’re set to create a space that’s both functional and aesthetically stunning.

The post Slab Cabinet Door Basics: Craftsmanship Meets Modern Style appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

We’ve put together eight of our favorite bathroom updates, from DIY fix-its to inspiring overhauls. Whether you’re tackling the cabinets, the shower stall, the lighting, or simply switching up the accessories, we hope that these ideas inspire your décor dreams.

1.   Upgrade Your Cabinets

There’s more than one way to update your bathroom cabinetry! For an affordable facelift, try replacing your cabinetry doors. In some cases, the cabinet boxes—the bones of your cabinetry—are structurally sound, but the facade just looks a little bit dated or tired. The cabinetry serves its purpose, but you want to update the style without spending a pretty penny. Fortunately, this is an easy fix: simply order new cabinet doors and drawer faces for a total makeover on a budget! If you’re looking for a complete overhaul, you may be better off upgrading your cabinetry and starting fresh. Replacing your cabinetry, boxes and all, allows you to completely reconfigure and customize your bathroom setup.

2.   Replace the Shower Head

There’s nothing better than a nice, hot shower at the end of a long day. For the ultimate shower experience, why not replace your current shower head with a luxurious new one? Rain shower heads are having a moment of late, probably because they imitate the peaceful sensation of rainfall all over your body. For some, it can be a welcome change from the powerful blast of a regular shower head! If you’re looking for a gentle, soothing spa experience, a rain shower head is the way to go. You can also explore other options, including the combo shower head (two in one!), the removable handheld shower head, and, for the tech-savvy bather, the remote-controlled smart shower head. You can find all of these options and more in a range of styles, colors, shapes, sizes, and heights. There really is something for everyone!

3.   Switch out the lighting

Swap out your bland bathroom lighting for an illuminating statement piece. Eye-catching light fixtures draw the gaze upwards, which can visually elongate the space. If you have especially tall ceilings in your bathroom, pendant lighting can perfectly complement the height, making the space feel airy while also providing plenty of ambient illumination. This space features an intriguing set of bathroom vanity lights, varnished in matte black with metallic bronze accents. Their unique shape makes for an eye-catching fixture while also providing an abundance of overhead light. You might be surprised by just how much of a difference a simple fixture switch can make!

4.   Stick With a Theme/Style

Consistent styling can really pull your interior design scheme together. Leaving your bathroom (or any room, really) unstyled can make it feel a bit disjointed from the rest of the home. If design flow matters to you, don’t let your bathroom fall by the wayside. When you’re designing any space, be sure to stick with a cohesive theme and/or style. That doesn’t mean everything has to be the same – it just means that your designs should look like they belong in the same universe. The rooms of a home are a lot like a puzzle: the pieces all look different, but they fit together so that it creates a beautifully finished picture. This homeowner has styled their bathroom with a modern farmhouse aesthetic: rustic textiles with a hint of country sweetness tied together with a clean and simple color palette.

5.   Go For a Differently Shaped Mirror

Mirror, mirror, on the wall… what’s your favorite shape of all? We love designs that branch away from the ‘norm’. We’re used to seeing bathroom mirrors in traditional shapes like squares, rectangles, and even circles. For some, this works great – after all, if it’s not broken, why fix it? But for those who are willing to think outside the box (quite literally), a uniquely shaped mirror can be a stunning feature in your bathroom. This mirror, for instance, is a striking octagonal shape surrounded by a metallic gold frame. If you look closely, you can see that the frame is slightly abstracted, the sides narrowing and thickening at different points. It’s subtle but adds an incredible dimensionality to the already eye-catching geometric mirror. The neat lines, both straight and curved, featured in the rest of the bathroom perfectly complement the clean, streamlined look of the mirror’s angles. The longer you look, the more you find to love!

6.   Add A Touch of Whimsy with A Bold Wallpaper

Many homeowners may shy away from the idea of a bright, punchy wallpaper in the bathroom, but we think there’s nothing to be afraid of. Embrace the bold! Good wallpaper has the power to transform almost any space, and there are so many options out there, you’re sure to find the one that speaks to you. There is, however, a trick to finding the right wallpaper for a space. Contrary to popular belief, you can absolutely use a bold printed wallpaper in a small bathroom and a smaller print in a bigger bathroom (and vice versa). Choose the color of your wallpaper to either complement or contrast the rest of the space’s décor. If you’re going to go with a wild print, it’s best to keep the accessories subdued. You can see both principles at play in this bathroom: the cool blues and greens of the lush tropical print contrast beautifully against the warm burnished gold fixtures. Meanwhile, the white from the wallpaper ties in with the creamy stone sink, and the neat lines complement the busy print on the walls.

7.   Plant Sanctuary

It’s incredibly simple to turn your bathroom into a greenhouse, and you don’t even need to have windows to do it! While not all plants appreciate the hot, wet atmosphere of a bathroom, others absolutely love it. Tropical plants are especially fond of the humidity, which makes them prime candidates for a lush bathroom plant sanctuary. To help you find the proper flora for your space, House Beautiful has compiled an excellent list of 24 indoor plants that are well-suited to life in the bathroom. This homeowner has turned their bathroom into a gorgeous oasis of plant life, with leafy plants, trailing strands, and miniature trees. Unfortunately, not all homeowners are blessed with such a sunny bathroom, but never fear! There are several plants that thrive in humidity and low light; all they need is the occasional dousing/misting. If your bathroom is windowless, you can help your plants thrive by allowing them to bask under a fluorescent grow light for several hours a day.

8.   Update The Classic Stand-Alone Bathtub

A good stand-alone bathtub can be the piece de resistance of a stylish bathroom. These days, stand-alone bathtubs have evolved into luxurious pieces of modern art. They come in all shapes, sizes, styles, and even colors—although, in our opinion, there’s nothing quite as stunning as a sparkling white tube taking center stage in an elegant master bath. This stand-alone bath is a tall rectangular model with curved, sloping ends for comfortable sitting. The tub is outfitted with streamlined chrome hardware, a surprisingly cool hue for such a warm-toned room. The finished result is both sleek and classic, and we’re confident that the scenic view from the tub is the perfect backdrop for a relaxing spa night.

No matter the size of your project, Fast Cabinet Doors can help you find the perfect storage solutions and accessories. We design with homeowners in mind, and there’s something for everyone and every room. Check us out online today, and be sure to share your design DIYs and interior inspiration.

The post Top 8 Tips to Refresh Your Bathroom appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

If you’re running short on kitchen island ideas, not to worry! We’ve compiled a list of our ten favorite island designs, along with photos, so you can visualize what an island might look like in your very own home. Read on to find your ideal island!

10 Kitchen Island Ideas

1.   Workbench-Style Butcher’s Block

This workbench-style island is made entirely from butcher’s block. Butcher’s block is a unique addition to any homeowner’s kitchen. While wood isn’t a textile commonly used in kitchens, butcher’s block is an affordable and stylish option for islands and countertops, and with a bit of TLC, it can age gracefully and last you for years to come. Regular oiling will keep it sleek and shiny, and you can buff out minor scratches, burns, and other surface damage with a few passes of fine sandpaper, making it look good as new! Simple and rustic, this model features plenty of open storage space below, perfect for large, heavy kitchen appliances. Unlike many other kitchen islands, this one is not permanently attached to the ground, so you can move it around to suit your needs, whether you’re hosting a large get-together or even renovating your kitchen. With the addition of a few tall stools, you can quickly transform your workbench-style island into a breakfast bar or extra table.

2.   Cabinets with Overhanging Counter

Most countertops have at least a little bit of overhang; it’s both aesthetically pleasing and functional, as the lip prevents crumbs and spills from getting into the cabinetry and provides a more comfortable working and standing space. This island is unique, though, as it affords around a foot or so of extra countertop overhang. Not only does this provide additional workspace when preparing meals, plating dishes, and other kitchen activities, as well as plenty of additional under-counter storage, it also provides an ideal sitting area. That extra leg room allows for the most comfortable and spacious breakfast bar, and depending on the size, can accommodate two people with ease. That means no more legs squished up against the cabinets while eating at the breakfast bar!

3.   Round Island

For the homeowner who’s anything but traditional, why not opt for a kitchen island that’s as unique as you are? Forgo the traditional square or rectangular island in favor of an eye-catching round island! The round island is a rare and beautiful kitchen feature that will wow all your guests. There are many variations of the round island, including the full circle, the u-shaped island, the half-moon, and even the keyhole, which is a circular island attached to a rectangular seating area. This round island features 360-degree cabinetry, an abundance of counter space, and a hanging wire rack for storage – also circular, to complement the island’s shape, of course! This kind of kitchen island is best suited to larger kitchens, and when done right, it can have an incredible impact.

4.   Brick Kitchen Island

Simple yet chic, the brick kitchen island is the embodiment of rustic style. The best part of a brick island is that it is remarkably versatile: it’s incredibly easy to change the look of brick depending on how you accessorize it. Top it with butcher’s block for a beautiful farmhouse aesthetic; blonde and honey-colored wood brings out the warm tones of the brick, lightening up the space and softening the brick’s rough appearance. Top it with cement or dark stone, however, and you have an island with edgy-yet-elegant industrial appeal. And when it comes to bricks, you have lots of options. Lighter bricks in white-tinted almost-pink tones, true brick-red mixed in with slate grays and dark browns, or even faux bricks, which come in a rainbow of color options. With brick, the choices are endless!

5.   Multi-level Island

The only thing better than one island countertop… is two island countertops. Multi-level islands are a perfect solution for homeowners who want to add drama and dimension to their kitchen. Its main benefit is its added functionality: you might use one for food prep, and the other could be a breakfast bar and/or homework station for the kids. But the other perk of a multi-level kitchen island is the visual separation between the counter spaces: the added height and extension of the stacked countertop brings visual appeal and depth to your island. And, of course, the potential for extra storage space underneath is nothing to sniff at either!

6.   Built-In Appliances

An island with built-in appliances is a sleek and sophisticated way to organize your kitchen. Let’s face it: kitchen countertops can get cluttered. That’s why creating an island with integrated accessories can be an incredible space-saver for overcrowded kitchens. This island, for instance, has a built-in microwave, leaving the countertop tidy and unoccupied. Or maybe you’re not having an issue with overcrowding; maybe you’d rather just have built-in appliances for extra convenience. You can see that the island also has a built-in sink, making it the perfect food prep station in miniature! Other islands with built-in features often include ovens, dishwashers, and minifridges. Whatever your needs may be, custom kitchen islands are built to measure and made to last.

7.   Minimalist

The minimalist aesthetic movement blends fashion and function in one sleek package. Admittedly, minimalism isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but to those who embrace its refined luxury, the results are spectacular. Take this island, for example. The kitchen’s aesthetic is simple and streamlined; some might even call it stark. But the overall product is anything but cold and sterile: in fact, it’s warm, soothing, and elegant. The kitchen island embraces clean lines, chiseled edges, and a total lack of artistic embellishment. Instead, it combines natural materials –dark, rich wooden cabinetry and ultra-smooth light gray stone—into a chic and functional kitchen feature. The cabinetry provides ample storage space, while the significant stone overhang leaves plenty of room for comfortable island dining.

8.   Contrasting Color

Color isn’t just for your walls! If you like to keep your color palette relatively neutral and subdued but still want to add an eye-catching pop to your kitchen, why not pull in a contrasting color with your kitchen island? This duo-chrome kitchen features whites, creams, beiges, and light browns over most of its surfaces. The overall effect is bright and airy, but this otherwise beachy kitchen brings the drama with splashes of black throughout. Of course, the most prominent feature is the sleek black cabinetry, but you can see pops of black in the light fixtures, furniture, and even the countertops that line the wall. Yes, this kitchen pairs white wall cabinetry with a black stone countertop and velvety black island cabinetry with a white marbled countertop! Thanks to some clever accessorization, the overall look of the kitchen is bold but still cohesive. Who said black and white had to be kitschy?

9.   Sleek and Industrial

Depending on how you dress it, the industrial aesthetic can appear very similar to minimalism. However, the big difference here is the use of materials. While the minimalist movement derives its love of natural materials from its Bauhaus roots, the industrial style embraces human-made materials. Looking at this kitchen island, the difference is clear: the long metal legs and countertop give it a sleek, industrial vibe while also adhering to more minimalist traditions like clean lines and lack of ornamentation. In contrast to the aforementioned minimalist island, this island feels more akin to a commercial kitchen—it’s more visually interesting, but it’s also more stark. The slab cabinetry with simple metallic hardware makes the space look slick and practical. All extraneous items are hidden from view, thanks to the streamlined drawers and cabinetry. This truly looks like a kitchen of the future.

10.        Double Islands

Double the islands, double the function, double the fun! Instead of investing your money into one gigantic central island, why not split it in two? This might seem unusual, but it’s actually more common than you might think. Not only does it allow space for two cooks to work in the kitchen simultaneously, but it also provides your space with a whole lot of versatility. If you’re not the kind of household that needs room for two chefs, consider using one island for food prep and storage and one for eating! By arranging the two islands parallel, you can maximize your functional space and keep guests and loved ones nearby while cooking—without compromising your work surface. As with the built-in island, you can incorporate all your large appliances directly into your island while keeping your space sleek and stylish.

Did you find a favorite island among the bunch? If not, there are tons more options to choose from – or we can help you create a custom design of your very own. At Fast Cabinet Doors there are plenty of options for the cabinet doors on any kitchen island.

The post Island Paradise: Adding a Functional Kitchen Island appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

But the trick to a good kitchen remodel is perfecting the balance between style, utility, and affordability. Just because you pour tons of money into a remodel, that doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy it more—or earn money back upon sale.

That’s why we’ve compiled 11 of our best tips and tricks for a kitchen upgrade that’s both functional and fashionable. You shouldn’t have to compromise one for the other! And best of all, these hacks are just the thing for home renovators on a budget. Check them out, and let us know which ones are your favorite!

Let’s get into it.

1.   Open Up

Heavy upper cabinetry can easily overwhelm a small or dim kitchen. Fortunately, there’s a simple and budget-friendly solution, one that’s just as practical as it is stylish for any kitchen. Instead of reinstalling smaller cabinet boxes, why not replace them with open shelving units? These homeowners have opted for two rows of sleek and elegant wooden shelves resting on streamlined metal brackets. The combination of rich, coffee-colored wood and black metal gives off a modern vibe with a slightly rustic influence, while the open-faced shelving makes the kitchen appear larger and airier. The homeowners have accessorized their shelves with lots of glass storage jars, so their contents are both accessible and attractive. Try it yourself. Open sesame!

2.   Wallpaper Beyond Walls

Are you tired of your glass-front cabinets? Maybe you’re looking to change things up, or maybe you’re just sick of looking at your stacks of mismatched dishware jumbled inside. Glass doors are supposed to show off the goods… but what if you don’t want to put your goods on display? Either way, there’s a simple and budget-friendly way to update your glass-front kitchen cabinet doors. Choose a textured wallpaper and lay it against your cabinet display windows pattern-side out. This subtle adjustment can bring a surprising amount of dimension and visual interest to your space. It’s a funky, flexible, and budget-friendly alternative to replacing your cabinet doors. Plus, you can always swap out wallpapers when you’re ready to change things up again!

3.   Alternative Materials

Here’s another glass-front cabinetry update tip, but this one takes the opposite approach. Rather than disguising your cabinet’s interior with wallpaper, consider trading your glass doors for something a little more rustic. If you prefer a boho-chic, farmhouse, or mid-century modern look over the polished, traditional look of glass, simply swap out your glass for an alternative material. You could use chicken wire, as these homeowners have done, or even a fine mesh to create a subtle metallic texture. Or if wire isn’t your thing, why not try a lattice made from wood or wicker? You can even choose the width of the weave, which means you can show off more or less of your cabinet’s interior, depending on preference.

4.   Harness the Hardware

We’ve talked before about the power of new hardware, but it bears repeating because it’s true! Replacing your cabinet’s hardware gets you maximum impact for minimum investment and can totally change the vibe of a space. This makes it a great budget-friendly kitchen solution! If you’re working with a relatively neutral backdrop, like the kitchen shown here, for instance, your choice of hardware will pop all the more. This kitchen’s pale palette and timeless textiles allow the hardware to speak for itself – and these homeowners have chosen hardware that is sleek, subtle, and blends beautifully with the rest of the space. But imagine, if you will, the homeowners had instead opted for cup pulls in brushed nickel or even something like these two-tone art deco style handles from Etsy. A whole new vibe, right? Don’t underestimate the power of hardware!

5.   Shed Some Light on the Situation

You don’t always need to add fancy new elements to your kitchen to make it look good; sometimes, it’s just about illuminating what’s already there. Such is the purpose of under-cabinet lighting. It’s a great and relatively affordable way to spotlight your countertop—and it’s especially valuable if you’ve invested in a beautiful countertop worth showing off. Under-cabinet lighting is also aptly referred to as ‘task lighting’ because it helps shed light on your kitchen work surfaces. Not only is task lighting aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also an essential part of kitchen safety. Especially when you’re using sharp implements and heat sources, you should be able to see exactly what your hands are doing. These homeowners are making the most of their under-cabinet task lighting, as it casts a warm yellow glow over their beautiful Japanese-inspired kitchen corner.

6.   Dual-Use Furniture

Let your furniture do double duty, so you don’t have to. These homeowners have repurposed a bar height table to serve as a dining space and a kitchen island. Their choice of furniture perfectly complements the home’s minty green farmhouse aesthetic. In the name of upcycling (very trendy these days, and eco-conscious to boot!), you can buy the furniture second-hand and replace the counter surface, as these homeowners have done. The table-island’s positioning makes it perfectly accessible as both a food prep station and a kitchen dining area. It even has a convenient footrest! All you have to do is tuck a couple of bar stools underneath for a stylish, affordable, and space-conscious island upgrade.

7.   Elegant Upgrades

Give your kitchen island a luxe architectural upgrade with the addition of molding. You’d be surprised by what a few strips of painted wood can do for your island! These homeowners have added shaker-style molding to their island, imitating the shaker-style doors of the cabinetry. And to make it blend cohesively with the rest of the space, they’ve painted the molding a deep dove grey, matching the existing lower cabinetry and crown molding. The finished product is beautifully balanced, elegant, and has the appearance of symmetry. Although the island molding isn’t the most prominent feature in the room, it adds a subtle touch of luxury and gives the island a finessed, well-finished look.

8.   Countertop Reconfiguration

This tip may not be quite as budget-friendly as some of the others on this list, but it certainly can pack a punch in the kitchen, both for you and any potential future buyers. Typically, the most costly and most sought-after countertop options are natural stone, like marble, granite, slate, and quartz (okay, that last one is manufactured stone, but we’re still counting it). These are beautiful, durable, and timeless options, but if you’re looking for style and utility on a budget, there are still plenty of choices out there. These homeowners, for example, have elected for a gorgeous countertop made from slabs of butcher’s block. You could also try solid surface countertops like Corian and laminate, which mimic the look of natural stone at a fraction of the cost, or industrial-style options like concrete and even stainless steel.

9. J’A-door

Replacing your cabinetry can be a time-consuming and expensive undertaking. But if you’re just looking to give your kitchen a cosmetic facelift, there’s just no need to tear out everything and start from scratch. Replacing your cabinet doors is the fastest, easiest, and most affordable way to update your kitchen cabinetry. Your cabinet boxes, aka the bones of your cabinetry, don’t need to be taken out unless they’re structurally unsound or if you’re fundamentally changing your kitchen’s layout. If the bones are good, just remove the doors and replace them with new ones! It’s a simple and effective way to bring your cabinets up to date with the latest trends at a fraction of the cost of total replacement.

10. Refresh and Renew

Painting your walls is the simplest way to give your kitchen new life. This tip probably seems like a big ‘no duh!’ – but we think it’s worth reiterating. A splash of paint can have a genuinely transformative effect on a space, and the kitchen is no exception. Depending on your selection, a good can of paint can cost between $20 and $80, making it a super-efficient, flexible, and affordable way to update your space. Whether you choose a crisp white, a subtle neutral, or a bold pop of color, paint is a great way to spice up your interior design. Plus, a fresh coat can help cover up many sins, including permanent stains, burns, and discoloration. Just be sure to clean the wall first!

11. Fix Your Faucet

Much like cabinet hardware, your faucet can be an untapped source of style—all it needs is a fixture replacement. These homeowners opted for a matte black curved-neck faucet featuring a sleek and simple handle and are perfectly matched to the black cabinets and hardware and the inside of the sink. These are folks who know how to coordinate! The overall look is modern, elegant, and refined, and the perfectly matched faucet adds to the overall appeal.

It doesn’t matter if you’re spending big bucks or working towards budget-friendly options: we think you can beautify your home and kitchen for any cost. It’s all about fulfilling your vision, meeting your needs, and thinking outside the (cabinet) box. Did you find any upgrade tricks that speak to you? Visit us online to share your ideas and success stories with us. We’d love to hear from you!

The post 11 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Upgrades appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

Let’s dive right into our top 20 tips!

1.     Maximize Your Storage

Have one wall in your kitchen dedicated to storage. Cabinetry doesn’t have to look heavy and stifling. Take this bright and airy kitchen, for example. It features an entire wall of slab cabinetry paired with chic and simple hardware, perfect for high and low storage. The wall of cabinetry is broken up by a door that’s smack dab in the center and accented with a delicate geometric wallpaper to add dimension and visual interest. For easy organization and access, try pairing your wall of cabinetry with some of Fast Cabinet Doors’ simple storage solutions. Unreachable high cabinets are no problem at all, thanks to our specially designed pull-down shelving system. Or check out our range of pull-out cabinet organizers—no more digging around in the back of the pantry with these products!

2.     Embrace the Open Space

Don’t go chasing waterfalls… unless it’s a waterfall countertop! You may not have heard the name before, but you’ll likely recognize this style of countertop: it features a horizontal counter surface that ends at a 90-degree angle and goes straight down to the floor. There’s no decorative finished edge, just a smooth, seamless joint that gives your counter a beautiful, cohesive, and timeless appeal. The waterfall countertop, paired with the spacious open-concept kitchen layout, understated color palette, and elegant modern décor, give this space a gorgeous, airy vibe. This kitchen is already large and bright, but metallic finishes and mirrored surfaces can help bounce the light around, making any space feel roomier than it really is.

3.     Go Vertical

If you are one of the lucky homeowners blessed with high ceilings, why not use them to your best advantage? High ceilings aren’t just an attractive architectural feature: they’re also an opportunity to incorporate additional design elements, both stylish and practical. This homeowner installed high-up cabinets color-matched to the rest of the kitchen cabinetry; these are perfect spaces for stowing large, infrequently used items or excess products like dry bulk goods or refill home supplies. The cabinet doors sit flush with the wall, making the space look neat and streamlined, and the cabinets are paired with a sleek, long-necked range hood and a simple drop pendant. The elongated hood and light fixture draw the eye upwards while simultaneously balancing out the high ceilings. The overall effect is a kitchen that is tall and functional and simple without looking empty.

4.     Multi-Functional Furniture

In a kitchen with limited real estate, you’ll want to get the most function – and fashion – out of every square inch. This homeowner is doing just that with their petite, stylish kitchen: the long, narrow space is perfectly decorated with a punchy black accent wall, simple slab cabinetry, and an innovative, multi-use furniture item. This elegant waterfall-style unit is doing double duty as a kitchen table and functional island. While it might not be considered a ‘true’ island since it’s supported on one side by a wall bracket, it still does the same job, all while taking up far less space. Because of its unique bar height, this unit is ideal for standing work, and with the addition of a few stools like the angular mod ones shown here, it easily transforms the island into a table.

5.     Use shelves in awkward-shaped spaces to limit unused space. Use to display cookbooks or other decorative items.

This kitchen is an unusual shape, but that hasn’t stopped the homeowners from filling it with unique and stylish storage solutions. While the angled roof might pose issues for some, the homeowners have turned the awkward unfilled area into a functional space with some simple shelving. The sleek white floating shelves are the ideal size and shape for the space and transform a previously unusable cranny into a neat little display case for kitchen bits and bobs. Despite its diminutive size, this kitchen is perfectly functional, and not an inch of it goes to waste.

6.     Art Is What You Make It

What is art, anyway? You may find yourself asking this question while visiting a modern art museum, but we think it can just as easily apply to your kitchen. Sure, kitchen utensils aren’t exactly Van Gogh, but they can add something truly special to a space and can be just as pretty as they are practical. We’re big advocates of using kitchen items as artwork, especially when they’re as gorgeous and unique as the wooden cutting boards in this homeowner’s kitchen. But you don’t have to limit yourself to cutting boards: almost anything can be art if you display it the right way! Try rows of pots and pans hung by their handles or a few artfully arranged clusters of ceramic dishware like the ones in the photo.

7.     Build the Backsplash

Backsplashes may be used to guard against splashback, but they can be so much more than just a functional feature. This kitchen has a subtle marble-esque backsplash tile that runs all the way up the wall; at a glance, you might even think it was wallpaper! Who said you need to stop your backsplash at the cabinet line, anyways? Not only is it beautiful, dimensional, and cohesive, but it also draws the eye upwards and elongates the room, an especially nifty trick for kitchens with lower ceilings. Backsplash-tiled walls are a fantastic feature for the splash-prone and make an excellent choice for your accent wall. What’s not to love?

8.     Eclectic Elements, Cohesive Look

These homeowners brought their black and white kitchen to life with a sprinkling of bold colors, patterns, and accessories. It’s no secret that black and white are eternal favorites for interior design. They’re classic, timeless colors that never go out of style, but you can easily dress them up and make them your own with the addition of eye-catching extras. The extras that stand out here are the black and white striped carpet, the splashes of sunny yellow, and the burnished copper knick-knacks. Although it stays within the primary color palette, the carpet adds a bold and brash pattern to the mix. At the same time, the yellow and copper elements sprinkled throughout brighten, enliven, and add sparkle to the otherwise neutral space. The use of black paint on the interior windowsill helps bring a stylish balance and harmony to what could otherwise be a very bottom-heavy designed kitchen.  

9.     Experiment with Scandinavian Style

The Scandinavian style of interior design is characterized by a combination of comfort, coziness, and curated minimalism. This might sound like an unusual mix; after all, we usually associate coziness with abundance and softness, and minimalism has earned a reputation for being stark and austere. Unfortunately, minimalism has been maligned: you really can have the best of both worlds! Take this kitchen, for example. The open concept floor plan and single wall of lower cabinetry keep the space from feeling closed; the mixed color scheme is simultaneously varied and calming thanks to the use of basic and unsaturated hues but is brightened with a few sparing splashes of buttery yellow. With plenty of natural light, a subtly elegant color palette, beautiful clean lines (both straight and curved), and layers of texture, this airy Scandinavian-inspired stylish kitchen is the furthest thing from cold.

10.  Mirror Image

These kitchen cabinets are all painted with the same unique shade, a light pastel that falls somewhere between dove grey and periwinkle blue. A lighter shade of cabinetry in a smaller kitchen can help open it up, all while staying abreast of current design trends. The homeowners paired this paint job with matching countertops and backsplash of identical pale stone. We already know that mirrors (and mirrored surfaces) can visually expand even the smallest of spaces, and this kitchen takes that concept and runs with it. The high gloss of the fixtures, hardware, appliances, and even the glass-paned upper cabinet doors make this kitchen feel upscale and elegant—but it’s the mirror backsplash on the far wall that makes this kitchen shine!

11.  Stylish Pipe Dream Kitchen

Have you ever considered using metal pipes as a design feature in your kitchen? You might be surprised by how chic pipes can look! Admittedly, industrial kitchens aren’t for everyone, but this industrial-inspired concept ups the ante on elegance. These homeowners have installed an eye-catching, stylish metallic pipe suspended from the kitchen ceiling by brackets. The pipe is equally fashionable and functional, and the hooks allow the homeowner to hang all kinds of things on it, from cookware to ornaments and beyond. If you like the idea of a functional rod in your kitchen, you can choose one that fits your home’s aesthetic: there are plenty of different products available in a range of styles, dimensions, and textiles. This kitchen has a rustic but elegant modern farmhouse vibe, and the gold and copper tones perfectly complement the fresh white cabinetry, mahogany flooring, and brown-toned rug.

12.  Pantry Paradise

For kitchen storage that’s practical, stylish, and surprisingly discreet, look no further than the pull-out pantry. This ingenious storage device allows you simple access to every item in your pantry without the back-of-cabinet struggle. Fast Cabinet has cornered the market on these clever storage solutions, and we’re proud to offer pull-out pantry units in both wood and wire shelf models. With height-adjustable shelves, drawers that effortlessly glide open and shut, and a soft-closing mechanism, you can easily store all your kitchen goods out of sight and out of the way. This kitchen, for instance, features a pull-out pantry tucked inside a custom shelving unit next to the fridge. Plus, it’s covered with a full-length chalkboard. If the door isn’t open to reveal the pantry inside, you’d never even know it was there!

13.  Appliances, Away!

Unfortunately, it’s all too easy for clutter to accumulate on kitchen counters. Whether dishes, paperwork, car keys, or kitchen appliances crowding up your work surfaces, kitchen mess can really mess with your mind. Fortunately, there is a better way to stow your stuff – or at least your bulky kitchen appliances. This kitchen features a unique spring-loaded door, which lifts easily to reveal a hidden appliance cubby. This kind of storage solution is ideal for those heavy items that you’d usually have to lug out of your lower cabinets. At Fast Cabinets, we have a product that functions similarly to the appliance cabinet: the heavy-duty mixer lift provides access to even the heaviest appliances without having to stoop.

14.  Mirror, Mirror

The careful placement of a mirror is one of the most effective décor tricks in the book. Not only are mirrors great for making rooms appear larger than they are, but they’re also super handy when it comes to reflecting and bouncing light. Not every home can be blessed with an abundance of natural light. If your kitchen isn’t letting the sunshine in, you can easily take matters into your own hands. Placing a mirror on the wall opposite your window can help to catch the rays that do enter your kitchen, and the bigger the mirror is, the more light it will be able to diffuse. Consider adding a mirror with an intriguing shape or one that complements the style of your decor. This kitchen, for example, used a mirror with a rounded top, which nicely juxtaposes the straight lines and hard angles of the rest of the room.

15.  Go Big and Go Home

Do you have a tiny kitchen and an abiding love of patterns, colors, and prints? We say, embrace maximalism. This kind of look isn’t for everyone, but those who love it simply can’t get enough. Despite the busyness of this stylish kitchen, with its abundance of colors, textures, and styles, and its willingness to break the rules of design, it somehow all works together. There’s a sort of eclectic cohesion to it, and even though this look is difficult to put together, the payoff is worth every second of effort.

If you love the unique, cozy vibe of maximalism, start with a bold printed wallpaper. Although the peony-print wallpaper in this kitchen may be eye-catching, it’s also desaturated and delicate. The white and grey tones make this wallpaper surprisingly easy to build a color palette around. Even though it’s a large print, it’s also pretty neutral as patterned wallpapers go, making it an excellent choice for a base layer.

16.  The Nook Look

Got an unused corner in your kitchen? Why not turn it into a cute little breakfast nook? You can take things up a notch by outfitting your new nook with bright colors – a surefire way to start your morning off right. Thanks to its emerald green, white, and bamboo design scheme, this kitchen looks like a garden in spring. To emulate this fresh and funky nook, forgo the chairs and try using padded benches with storage inside. This is perfect for busy families and homeowners who are looking for creative ways to store their stuff. Plus, it’s just plain old adorable!

17.  Mind the Gap

There’s a space between your cabinets that just seems a bit… lacking. What to do? Well, you could try this simple and oh-so-stylish design trick: just install a shelf to bridge the gap of your kitchen cabinets. It really is that simple! Where you put it—and what you put on it—is entirely up to you. These homeowners have installed the shelf right over their sink and topped it off with decorative items, including dishware and plants. It’s a great way to balance out the heaviness of your upper cabinets, it offers a sense of symmetry (as seen above), and it’s just an all-around lovely spot to display your kitchen decor.

18.  The Great White Way

White is timeless, so what better color to use when designing an elegant, enduring, and super-stylish kitchen? This kitchen used a wash of white to cover the walls, cabinets, countertops, and even the backsplash. The homeowners have effectively created a blank canvas where they can play around with their personal preferences and the latest decor trends. At the moment, they’ve introduced a few splashes of color, from the black hardware and fixtures to the eye-catching purple rug, plus the smattering of brown and terra cotta tones in the accessories. The best part about this design strategy is that it’s easy to change things up with colorful extras!

19.  Nothing Like a Good Book…shelf

Learn how to make the most out of your unconventional materials! With everyone becoming more environmentally conscious these days, recycling and upcycling are becoming super trendy, especially when it comes to furniture and décor. This savvy homeowner has transformed an old bookshelf into a stylish display case for their kitchen stemware. Thanks to their height-adjustable shelves, bookcases can be excellent storage units for all manner of home goods—including the gorgeous, framed picture in this kitchen! You can take your bookshelf display case to the next level by painting it (black is always a great choice) and installing Fast Cabinets’ under-shelf stemware holders.

20.  The Great Wall

Small kitchen, tall walls? No problem. If you’ve got a loft-style home with towering walls but no idea what to do with them, here are a few nifty little tricks to help you fill the void. You could do what these homeowners have done and continue your backsplash all the way up to the ceiling. It certainly adds an element of visual interest and draws attention to your kitchen’s best assets. You can also use this space for displaying decorative or rarely used items. These homeowners, for example, have placed a gigantic mirror to bounce light, as well as stacks of colorful books and a few ceramic vases for dimension.

Do you have a favorite design tip? Let us know by connecting with us online. We always love hearing success stories from homeowners… and we’re always on the hunt for the latest interior design trends. What will be next?

The post 20 Stylish Small Kitchen Ideas appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

We’ve assembled 15 of our favorite laundry room updates. Some are simple, some are more complex, but all of them are stylish and ultra-functional. Read on to find out what they are and see if they spark your imagination!

1.   Give Your Laundry Room a Makeover to Match the Rest of the Home

Your laundry room should feel like a connected and cohesive part of the house. However you style your home, be sure to extend that style to each and every room. Let’s face it: the laundry room is often neglected when it comes to styling and decor. It’s a functional space that serves its purpose, no matter what it looks like, so why put in the effort to spruce it up? We say, why not spruce it up? You deserve to have a space that looks good and feels good to spend time in. This farmhouse-style laundry room employs a creamy color palette, with pops of brown-toned wicker, wood, and terra cotta pots. The shiplap walls, charming geometric tile, and simple, elegant cabinets make this laundry room a pleasure to behold.

2.   Install Lower Cabinets for Storage

Laundry rooms often do double duty as a storage space, so why not embrace it? You can transform your laundry room with the addition of custom lower cabinetry. This laundry room has installed tons of beautiful new shaker cabinetry, replete with hinged doors and stacks of drawers. Cabinetry is ideal for small storage, especially when paired with the right organizing solutions. Plus, it’s an elegant and attractive way to avoid overcrowding your laundry countertops, manage your clutter, and give you plenty of wide-open surfaces to work on.

3.   Replace Your Cabinet Doors for a Simple Update

Not looking for a total laundry room overhaul? Not a problem. You can still give your space a small but significant facelift by replacing the cabinetry doors. Cabinet door styles come and go, and while it might seem like an inconspicuous detail, you can absolutely recognize outdated, passé cabinet doors when you see them. Thankfully, it’s easy to transform the look and feel of your space with this affordable DIY fix. Simply order your doors online with your preferred dimensions, color, material, and style, then install them yourself, or have a professional do it for you! New hardware will perfectly complement your cabinet makeover. Trust us: the result can be surprisingly impactful, and this minor fix will get you the most bang for your buck.

4.   Use the Right Organizational Tools

Who wants to see hampers full of dirty laundry lying around the house? We prefer to keep the used linens out of sight and out of mind; that’s why we’ve created organizational tools like the Bottom Mount Hamper. This unit features a heavy-duty patented slide system with a soft open/close feature to avoid noisy slams and painful pinches. This custom bottom cabinet is designed to hold up to 150 lbs. even when fully extended, comes with a hamper and lid, mounting brackets, and hardware. The hamper fits perfectly into the cabinet, allowing you to hide away laundry messes in the secrecy of your storage unit. Now that’s a sight for sore eyes!

5.   Open Shelving for an Airy Space

Pair your lower cabinetry with a set of equally functional and equally stylish open shelving units up top. Open-faced floating shelves can help balance the room’s bottom-heavy appearance, keeping it from becoming cramped and overcrowded. Open shelves are the perfect solution for all kinds of storage needs. Lower shelves are a prime spot to store regular-use items—both accessible and out of the way—or a few plants for vibrant color. If you’re concerned about cluttering up your shelves with home debris, just throw your bits and bobs into a wicker basket for a sleek and streamlined look. The upper shelves make a perfect home for less frequently used items or a few well-placed pieces of home décor.

6.   Use Hanging Racks to Dry Laundry

Do you ever find yourself disregarding your clothing’s care labels and just throwing everything into the dryer indiscriminately? You wouldn’t be the only one! Sometimes you just don’t have the time or space to hang clothes up to dry. That’s why hanging racks are an excellent investment for your laundry room update. This laundry room, for example, utilizes hanging racks not only as a place to dry your delicates, but it also doubles as an overhead storage space. Installing a hanging rack over your washer and dryer, or even your sink, is an ideal storage solution and space saver and one of many clever small laundry rooms ideas.

7.   Have Fun with Color and Patterns

Your laundry room doesn’t have to be boring! With its bright colors and bold patterns, this eye-catching laundry room proves that fashion and function can co-exist. Despite its unique mix-and-match approach to interior design, this laundry room is surprisingly cohesive: the funky sunshine-yellow wallpaper takes center stage. A pale minty paint beautifully complements it on the cabinetry, baseboards, and even the window trim. Setting the whole thing off to perfection is the subtly geometric floor tile and a few carefully placed color-coordinating accessories. Don’t be afraid to play around with color and pattern in the laundry room: this space deserves to look as jazzy as the rest of your house! If color mixing isn’t your bag, it’s easy to make your laundry room pop with a fun big-print wallpaper.

8.   Upgrade Your Lighting with Ease

Let there be light! Laundry rooms can end up looking a little dim and dreary when neglected, but it’s easy to add a splash of style with an intriguing light fixture. Thankfully, you can easily dress your space up with a modern and eye-catching pendant light. Pendant lights draw the eye upward, making your space appear taller than it actually is and give off plenty of light. Plus, you can find them in countless different styles, heights, and sizes, so there’s one to suit every preference. You’ll often find laundry rooms with recessed pot lighting—highly functional, but not the most exciting to look at. If your laundry room features underwhelming pot lighting, you can still install a pendant light without doing any expensive rewiring. Yes, really! Thanks to the innovative screw-in pendant light, you can easily swap your recessed lighting for a fashionable light feature.

9.   Laundry Room Countertop

If you have a front-load washer and dryer, this laundry room idea is for you. Why not install a countertop above your washer and dryer units? This simple update can turn your laundry room into a beautiful, cohesive, and functional space that’s perfect for folding and stacking clean laundry. This homeowner has installed a gorgeous stone countertop above their appliances and added a farmhouse sink and white cabinetry all around. The countertop pulls the whole look together and gives the space a luxe, custom-built look, as well as a prime surface for performing chores and displaying home decor.

10.       Glass for Glamorous Storage

Speaking of displaying home décor, this next tip is for homeowners who like to show off the goods – the laundry goods, that is! This ultra-organized homeowner uses elegant glass jars—with custom-made labels, no less—to display their laundry products. Not only is this an attractive way to store your regular household goods, but it’s also accessible at a moment’s notice: here, the items are stowed on an open shelf right above the washing and drying machines. Well, what about the extras? No worries: just toss them in a cute storage basket overhead or tuck them away in the cabinets until the next time you need to refill.

11.       The Kid-Friendly Drop Zone

This update takes laundry room storage ideas to the next level. Never mind a minor update: sometimes a big change is in order. Why not turn one wall of your laundry room into a drop zone for the kids’ school stuff? This homeowner has transformed their laundry room into a unique after-school organization station. There are separate cubbies for each child, where they can store their shoes, coats, hats, gloves, bookbags, stationery, sports gear, instruments, and much more. The cubbies incorporate open shelves, hooks, racks, and baskets to optimize all possible space—all to help keep the kids organized and school-ready for those busy weekday mornings.

12.       Gone to the Dogs

The laundry room isn’t just for human messes! This inventive homeowner has installed a doggie shower for their pooch, who seems to have a particular affinity for mud puddles. The laundry room may be the perfect spot for a canine spa. If you’re already laying new water lines, it’s not difficult to add an extra tap and showerhead. The homeowners have also added hooks and shelves for dog storage, a sloped floor for proper drainage, and lots of tile to help prevent water-damaged drywall. A pup shower stall can also double as a spot to hose off muddy boots, feet, and hands coming in from outside.

13.       Washer, Dryer, Space-Saver

If you’re working with limited real estate, here’s another one of our tiny laundry room ideas. Washers and dryers can absorb quite a lot of floor space when placed side by side. That’s why we recommend stacking the machines one on top of the other. This is a great space saver, and it’s pretty stylish to boot! It definitely cuts down on back pain, as you no longer have to stoop over to pull out your laundry. There are also specially designed two-in-one washer dryers that are created with smaller laundry rooms in mind. These are typically narrower than stacked machines, but they’re a perfect fit for apartments, townhouses, and the like.

14.       Funky Flooring

Forget about plain old laundry room floors made from white tile: try something out of the box! Patterned tile, laminate, and vinyl are all the rage these days and add character to even the most neutral laundry room. This homeowner has done things a little differently: they’ve created a subtle yet eye-catching tile mosaic. The pattern is made from two differently-toned textiles in the same color palette, with pieces of different lengths and widths. Some pieces are cut on the angle and cleverly positioned to form a kind of abstract chevron. The more you look at it, the more visually appealing it becomes! Not all patterns have to be bold and brash, although we do love a nice bold pattern!

15.       Rear Door Storage

Here’s another update idea for petite laundry rooms. Use all the space available to you – up high, down low, and of course, behind the door! This laundry room is using that door space to its best advantage. The homeowner has suspended a floating box shelf with over-the-door hooks and then added a hanging bar below, where they’ve stowed their ironing board. It’s a unique and surprising strategy for conserving square footage, and it’s perfect for the spatially challenged home.

Are you feeling inspired by any of these laundry room ideas? We’re always eager to hear about new projects and ideas, and we try to keep our finger on the pulse of new interior design trends. That’s why we want to know what inspires you.

Whether you’re looking for a total overhaul or a little fix-it, there are countless ways to give your laundry room new life. Maybe you’re embarking on a big project, like installing cabinets for added storage. Or maybe you’re just changing things up with a new light fixture or cabinet hardware to evolve with the current trends. Whatever the case may be, Fast Cabinet Doors can help make your laundry room vision a reality.

We offer organizational solutions for all rooms and cabinetry in all colors, sizes, and styles. With our speedy delivery, reliable service, and top-quality products, Fast Cabinet Doors brings out the best in your interior.

The post 15 Ideas for Your Laundry Room Makeover appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

Kitchen Color Trends

White Kitchens

Being bright doesn’t always have to mean bold colors. You can still light up a room with white, and it’s especially effective if that room is a kitchen. Kitchens tend to be the rooms that have the most natural light, which makes it a prime locale for a lick of white paint. While pure white can look a bit stark under cold synthetic light, natural daylight washes it in a warm glow, making it shine.

Bold Color Contrasts

As much as we love a good neutral palette, bold color combinations really set our hearts a-flutter. There’s something so striking about a kitchen that mixes and matches its color scheme. For an eye-catching effect, try choosing colors from opposite ends of the color wheel. For instance, combinations like purple and yellow, blue, and orange, and green and pink are known as ‘complementary schemes.’ They can bring a spark of energy and life to any space, and with a bit of forethought, can look truly glamorous. We know that a bold color kitchen trend isn’t for everyone, but we think bright is right for the homeowner with flair!

Dark Horse

Gleaming white kitchens have gotten a lot of shine over the past decade, but now it’s time for us to appreciate the dark kitchen. Many homeowners are afraid to embrace the drama of a dark kitchen, but we think there’s something oh-so enticing about deep, saturated hues. Like some of the other trends on this list, dark kitchens may not be for everyone, but for those of you who have your finger on the style pulse, luxurious dark tones may just be the next big thing. Cabinets and floors in black and velvety chocolate brown are having a moment, and dark hues on the walls like deep navy and charcoal grey look extremely elegant. They may not fit the typical image of the ‘cheerful’ kitchen, but they’re certainly relaxing, beautiful, and subdued without being boring.

Monochromatic

Who said monochrome was boring? If you like the idea of going over to the dark side (as seen above) but think the heavy color palette might overwhelm your space, the monochrome kitchen trend might be more your speed. This doesn’t mean every single item in your space has to match perfectly. Instead, a monochromatic palette utilizes different shades and hues of a single color. Take, for example, this tone-on-tone blue scheme. You can clearly see two different tones of blue paint: the lighter tone is used on the cabinet fronts and a richer, darker blue is used on the walls. Of course, it’s nearly impossible to get every single element in your kitchen to fit in with your color scheme (after all, variety is the spice of life) but applying a consistent color palette to your large architectural elements is a beautiful way to bring color into your space.

Metallics

Metallics are continuing their 2020 winning streak. Go for gold, silver, and bronze when choosing your kitchen finishes. Try adding shine to your space with metallic cabinet hardware, light fixtures, faucets, and even sink interiors. Don’t be afraid to add some sheen with your appliances! And for a little extra glitz and glam, you can always add items on your walls and countertop, either decorative or functional. Remember, it’s okay to mix metallics so long as you start with a dominant metal tone that suits your overall color scheme. Then you can sprinkle in a few other metallic hues to add color, texture, and shine to your space. Warm metallics like gold, copper, and bronze often look better with warm-toned colors (e.g., reds, beiges, and browns), cool metallics like silver, nickel, and chrome look best with cool tones (e.g., blues, greens, and greys).

Kitchen Design Styles

Retro Design

Everything old is new again. People always say that style trends run on a cycle, which probably explains why we’re once again seeing the return of the retro aesthetic. Maybe you’re incorporating this into your kitchen with mid-century modern design elements, vintage furniture, or retro pop-art style décor. 50’s diner checkerboard floors can be surprisingly cool and versatile, while retro kitchen appliances and mod-style lighting make fantastic statement pieces. Maybe you’re incorporating a little bit of the retro aesthetic or a lot; maybe you’re influenced by the 1950s or the 1970s. Whatever the case may be, it’s never wrong to borrow trends from the past!

Geometry

You don’t need to be good at math to know that geometry in your kitchen is an A+ choice. The shapes and lines of geometric patterns can create a truly stunning and unique look in your kitchen, no matter where you put them. Whether it’s geometric floor tiles, a mosaic on your backsplash, a wallpaper print, or even a light feature made up of strong, bold lines; geometry can be a striking accessory to any space.

Trends in Kitchen Countertops

Countertop Makeover

If you’re seeking something outside the box with your interior design, you might want to try an alternative countertop. 2021 is all about expanding your horizons, and these alternative options certainly fit the bill! If you’re looking to do an easy makeover on an existing wood or laminate countertop, why not try painting it? Textured finish paint like Giani’s stone paint or Rustoleum applies smoothly onto most surfaces, including primed wood, and it’s so simple to redo if the paint is ever chipped or damaged.

Alternative Countertops

Tile isn’t just for your floors! It can also make a great alternative textile for your countertop. The wonderful thing about tile—and porcelain in particular—is that it’s nonporous and highly durable. It may be a little pricier than some options, but it’s super durable, beautifully glossy, and will last a long, long time with a bit of upkeep. Or how about butcher’s block, which is gorgeous to see and touch? While they do need to be cared for and oiled periodically, they offer a warm and earthy vibe to any kitchen.

On the flip side of the textile coin, there’s concrete. Concrete is versatile, energy-efficient (it captures heat and releases it when temperatures cool down!), and be customized in any number of ways using paint or other finishes. Plus, it looks great with all kinds of other materials like wood, glass, and tile. It’s also available in hybrid products like Granicrete, a mix of—you guessed it—granite and concrete.

Upcycled Countertops

If you’re an eco-conscious homeowner or just have a taste for the eclectic, you might consider an upcycled option for your countertop. There are few things trendier these days than being environmentally friendly, so this is one bandwagon you can hop on shamelessly! Maybe you have old furniture, doors, or wooden planks lying around, but if not, it’s easy to come by them at recycling centers or secondhand stores. The motto here is, “if it’s broken, fix it!” as it’s relatively simple to turn castoffs into treasure (or have a contractor do it for you). If you’re after an affordable and stylish kitchen DIY, a repurposed wooden countertop might be just the thing you’re looking for. Just finish it with some primer, sealant, and/or paint, and you’ll be ready to go!

Recycled Countertops

This one isn’t a DIY project, but it’s just as eco-conscious—and incredibly stylish! You may be surprised by how beautiful, and hardy recycled glass countertops really are. These slabs are speckled with shards of broken glass—some countertops contain up to 80% recycled glass—and offer any kitchen a lovely and truly unique aesthetic. The glass can be subtly monochrome or vibrantly multicolored, depending on your preference, and the glass can be suspended either in concrete or acrylic casing. They’re highly durable, chip and stain-resistant, and with a little TLC, they can last you a long time. While they aren’t the most affordable option on the market, they’re typically more budget-friendly than most natural stones like granite!

Trends in Kitchen Textiles

Mixed Textiles

Tired of the matchy-matchy kitchens of old? So are a lot of other homeowners, it seems. Younger homebuyers especially seem to be leaning towards a more eclectic aesthetic in their kitchens. But just because it doesn’t match, that doesn’t mean it’s not coordinated, and that’s the vibe we’re going for with mixed materials. Whether it be fabric, wood, metal, or anything else, don’t be afraid to mix and match, so long as you’re keeping the final cohesive product in mind. All your choices should ultimately be in service of a final vision; it should look eclectic, not thrown together. But when it’s right, it’s right!

Surprising Materials

When it comes to design trends in 2021, expect the unexpected. This is especially true of repurposed materials. “Out of the box” kitchens may be more affordable than bespoke options, but they aren’t exactly unique. Give your kitchen that extra edge with special customization using unique materials. Think about using floor tiles as backsplash, recycled wood for open shelving units, and giving repurposed furniture new and unexpected life. This dresser turned kitchen island is a great example.

Kitchen Cabinetry & Storage Trends

Open Face Shelves

Stylish, functional, and super accessible, open face shelves are having a moment in the sun. In the past decades, homeowners have shown a clear preference for having all their dishware secreted away, hidden out of sight behind cabinet doors. No longer! Some homeowners are now turning, in part or whole, to the open shelving trend. Floating shelves—so named because of their lack of visible supports—are la mode right now, though shelves with visible brackets are also beloved for their craftsman-style aesthetic and added weight support. Whether you choose to add an open shelf or two to show off your favorite dishware, or you want to get it all out in the open, these minimalist shelves are a perfect fit.

Mesh Cabinetry

Want to keep your fine dishware on display but wary of open shelving units? Not to worry! There’s a solution that can mesh perfectly with your kitchen aesthetic. You’ve probably already guessed it: it’s mesh! It’s a happy medium that shows off your best china while also protecting your cabinet contents from destructive hands (and paws). Try blending traditional wood frame cabinetry with mesh windows to show off the goods inside. A fine woven mesh would look beautiful in a farmhouse or country-style kitchen; rattan mesh would be a treat in a mid-century modern or coastal style kitchen, and a metallic chain link mesh would suit an industrial-style kitchen to a tee.

Glass Front

Mesh not your cut of tea? Why not go back to tradition with glass-paneled cabinets? They’re beautiful and still offer the same display features as a mesh-front cabinet but work better with traditional and transitional style kitchens. A cabinet door cut for glass makes it extremely easy to accomplish this look. They’re sleek, affordable, and work well with virtually every color, pattern, and texture!

Sink Skirts

Is the sink skirt making a comeback? We say yes! This may have something to do with the 2020 cottagecore renaissance—that obsession with the idyllic country lifestyle. This movement is characterized by soft, romantic colors, patterns, and textures—so a sink skirt fits perfectly into that vision. Instead of having a cabinet under your sink, why not elect for a decorative tension rod and a swath of flowy pleated fabric? This allows for full accessibility to your under-sink storage, and it’s a cute way to add visual interest and softness to an otherwise hard-edged kitchen. Plus, it’s so easy to swap out your sink curtains: take them off and throw them in the wash, or simply replace them for a quick and affordable style update!

Slab Cabinetry

Slab or ‘flat front’ cabinetry is exactly what it sounds like. There are no frills, embellishments, or ornaments to be found here. The cabinet fronts consist of single solid slabs and perfectly complement a more simplified and modern kitchen aesthetic. Slab cabinetry looks impressive with a range of styles, from contemporary and mid-century modern to Asian and Scandinavian. This cabinet style pairs beautifully with sleek, simple hardware, or even no hardware at all (more on that below). The lack of accessories puts the focus back on the craftsmanship of your beautiful cabinetry. Solid Panel cabinet doors make this style achievable and very easy to style.

Go Handle-less Kitchen Trend

You don’t need cabinet hardware in your kitchen to get a handle on things. The newest rising trend in kitchen innovations is handle-less cabinetry. Push-to-open technology eliminates the need for handles on both upper and lower cabinetry and makes it incredibly easy to access the contents even when your hands are occupied. But if these high-tech drawers don’t strike your fancy, you may prefer the look and feel of recessed handles or pull-grips. This pared-down look streamlines your kitchen’s aesthetic and brings the quality of your cabinetry into focus.

The Pantry Cabinet

Not every homeowner wants (or needs) a full-size walk-in pantry in their kitchen. Maybe you don’t have the space to build one, or you feel that you can’t justify the investment. But just because a walk-in pantry isn’t suitable for your kitchen doesn’t mean you have to go without a pantry altogether. That’s why the pantry cabinet is the perfect middle ground. It’s much more space-efficient for storage, takes up minimal kitchen real estate, and blends seamlessly with the rest of your cabinetry. Both practical and stylish, a roll-out cabinet pantry makes it incredibly simple to store all your dry goods and access them at a moment’s notice. You can purchase them prefabricated or custom-built in any shape, size, depth, material, and finish. Customize your pantry with a pull-out pantry to keep everything organized and easy to reach. Cabinet plus pantry equals a match made in heaven!

Organizational Tools

When it comes to cabinetry, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Yes, the exterior gets plenty of attention, as well it should. But you must admit that opening those glossy doors and finding a rat’s nest of dried goods inside is a bit off-putting—not to mention a total hassle when it comes time to cook! It may not be quite as exciting as what’s on the outside, but we think that good storage deserves a nod as a 2021 trend. Fortunately, there are plenty of innovative products out there to help keep your cupboards and cabinets organized this year. From a pull-out blind corner basket to rolling racks and rotating shelves, organizing your kitchen wares is easier—and more stylish—than ever before. We genuinely believe that the best kitchens are the ones with exceptional storage!

Kitchen Lighting Trends

Pendant Lighting

Just one way to light your space, pendant lighting is a sleek, elegant, and eye-catching solution for any kitchen. Pendant lighting is any fixture that descends from the ceiling and is held by a rod or wire. The fixture itself doesn’t touch the ceiling: it just hangs, as a jewelry pendant hangs from a necklace. Pendant lights come in all shapes, sizes, and lengths; they come in clusters and single strands; they can come as simple bulbs, or they can come with decorative shades. Use a single pendant or line several up in a row. Whatever your preference, this lighting can be functional and fashionable, and even the subtlest pendant can make a real statement. Speaking of which…

Statement Lighting

Let your lighting make a statement! If you’re the kind of homeowner who likes to keep your design aesthetic relatively neutral, you may be looking for that perfect element to shake things up. We get it: trends come and go, and you don’t want to invest in a bold and trendy design that will look dated in 5-10 years. That’s why statement lighting is the perfect solution. By creating a kitchen that acts as an aesthetic blank canvas, you can let your statement light feature do all the talking. A statement light fixture on a neutral backdrop can easily be interchanged to keep with the current style. Plus, using light as a focal point draws the eye upwards, making your ceilings appear higher and your rooms larger.

Trends in Kitchen Fixtures & Appliances

Smart Appliances

Why stick with a smartphone when you can have an entire smart home? Smart and digital appliances have been all the rage this year, and it’s not hard to see why. These savvy solutions can do pretty much anything, from setting the temperature of your fridge to adjusting the toastiness of your toast. You can preset the oven to heat up remotely with the touch of a button or ask your fridge to tell you about the weather. With innovative and customizable smart appliances, the opportunities are endless.

Specialty Items

Equip your kitchen with your favorite niche specialty items! Because they’re specialty, they’re bound to be more expensive than your average run-of-the-mill toaster, but they also show that your kitchen is customized to you and your interests. If it’s in your budget, consider investing in one or two items of interest. For instance, if you have a vested interest in artisanal coffee, you might consider purchasing a home espresso machine and housing it in a kitchen corner with your favorite mugs and coffee accessories. Or, if you’re a wine lover, perhaps you’d enjoy a wine fridge—miniature or full size—with a special rack for wine glasses. These are, of course, nice to have items that are not practical for every kitchen. Even still, there’s something extraordinary about having a space that’s custom-made just for you, isn’t there?

Gas Stove/Range

A good gas stove or range is a thing of true beauty. There’s nothing wrong with an electric stove, but the look and feel of a gas burner just can’t be beaten. Not only is it luxurious, but it’s also ideal for even cooking and is typically preferred by chefs.

Range Hood

Range hoods may be practical, but that doesn’t mean they have to be an eyesore. Sure, the average range hood is used to funnel away steam and smoke from cooking, but the illustrious French range hood is something else altogether! The French range hood is a glamorous feature that will ratchet any kitchen up to 10 on the style charts. These elaborate beauties look incredible in traditional and (of course) French country-style kitchens, but they’re also available in every style under the sun. They can be big and extravagant or sleek and subtle. Either way, you’re keeping your kitchen safe and smoke-free and doing it in style!

Farmhouse Sink

Remember when we said cottagecore was a dominant trend in 2021? Well, this means that farmhouse sinks are making a comeback as well. Farmhouse or ‘apron front’ sinks consist of a rectangular tub and are incredibly spacious and deep. They have one broad, seamless front panel, which makes them a gorgeous addition to any kitchen. While farmhouse sinks often only have one bowl, they can sometimes be separated into two to make washing and rinsing less of a hassle. Because they extend over the lip of the counter, you don’t have to lean over to wash dishes, making this sink both ergonomic and stylish. Plus, you can get them in various styles and patterns, making them adaptable to almost any home aesthetic!

Kitchen Layout Trends

Open Concept Kitchen Design

Open concept kitchens are the trend that keeps on trending. Some things stick around for a good reason, and this is one of them. When you’re entertaining, you probably want to be able to enjoy time with your friends, rather than just being tucked away in the hot kitchen laboring over a pot roast. Well, an open concept layout with an efficient kitchen triangle can give you just that.

Kitchen Island Trends

It likely comes as no surprise that kitchen islands are still a treasured addition to the home. And why not? They’re both incredibly fashionable and functional. They complete the much sought-after kitchen triangle; they provide extra workspace and storage room and be used as a breakfast bar and entertaining area. There truly is nothing bad we can say about the kitchen island. But have you heard of the double kitchen island? It seems there never can be too much of a good thing, and the only thing better than one island is, well… two! As shown on Coco Cozy, this double island setup is the perfect kitchen addition for homeowners who love to cook, host, and entertain.

We hope you’re feeling inspired for a kitchen update because we certainly are! For more design and décor ideas, browse our collection today.

The post Kitchen Trends We Love in 2021 appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

1.    Asian Style

A combination of minimalism and balance characterizes Asian-style interior design. There’s a particular affinity for nature-inspired design, clean lines, and refined elegance in this kind of décor. These kitchen styles use plenty of natural materials, including wood, stone, and indoor flora, and also features plenty of natural lighting to help bring the outdoors in. You can see that it also employs a tiered floor and other dimensional design elements, which add depth and visual interest to the space without becoming cluttered or overwhelming. The Asian style is all about finding balance through asymmetry and peace through simplicity. Plank cabinet doors can help to achieve these kitchen styles.

2.    Coastal Style

The coastal style embodies the essence of beachy, laid-back living; basically, it’s a way to bring summer into your home year-round! In coastal-style homes, you’ll find lots of earthy hues, natural textured fibers, and plenty of illumination. Linen and jute fabrics are a staple of coastal design, and color palettes typically consist of bright whites and other creamy hues, light beige and greige neutrals, and layered blue tones. You won’t find anything too frilly or out there in a coastal-style home. It’s all about chic simplicity with a touch of elegance.

3.    Contemporary Kitchen Styles

When you think of contemporary style, you probably think sleek, modern, and innovative. Contemporary homes may look futuristic, but they don’t have to feel cold and uninviting. The key design elements of a contemporary kitchen are clean lines, a neutral color palette, and streamlined fixtures and appliances. This image shows a kitchen outfitted in whites, blacks, and greys – but despite its cool tones and overall minimalist effect, it’s far from boring. Intriguing textures and materials paired with a range of cool neutral hues make this contemporary kitchen as fashionable as it is functional.

4.    Country Style

Country kitchen styles can be a little tricky to pin down, as it has a pretty broad definition depending on where you are and who you ask. However, there are a few familiar elements that seem to span most regions. Simply put, the country-style design evokes a sense of a different era. You’ll almost always find muted, warm-toned neutral hues, dark wooden furniture, and you’ll find lots of patterned woven fabrics in stripes, checks, florals. A country kitchen style is perfect for homeowners who prefer a vintage vibe. 

5.    Craftsman Style

This interior décor style evolved out of the Arts and Crafts movement, which flourished in Europe between the 1880s and 1920s. Craftsman style rejected the stuffy ornamentation popular in the Victorian era and instead gravitated towards decorative handicrafts. The basic principles of this movement were about emphasizing the utility and beauty of a home and enjoying the finer things in life without succumbing to ostentatious glitz and glamor. Craftsman design is characterized by rich, earthy tones, open-concept layouts, and plenty of natural light. Wood is the staple textile of Craftsman design, thanks to the movement’s emphasis on handmade artisan goods. Design elements like built-in cabinetry, bookshelves, and exposed wood beam ceilings are popular distinguishing features of the Craftsman style. At its heart, this style is classic, elegant, well-made, practical, and homey.

6.    Eclectic Style

The eclectic style may not be for everyone, but those who have it genuinely love it. The name itself tells you what you need to know: the eclectic style draws inspiration from a range of ideas and designs. It doesn’t subscribe to one single style category, and the only thing consistent about eclecticism is its inconsistency. It’s layered and stylistically rich; it can be visually bamboozling, but it’s also immensely cozy and welcoming. It’s… eclectic!

If you choose to go eclectic, start by selecting a core color palette that you can layer with colorful and eye-catching accents. In this eclectic kitchen, you can see that the homeowner has elected for a cream-colored wash on the walls, with warm wood tones and cool accent colors. Even though the honey-hued wood furniture and mahogany floors aren’t a perfect match, they are both warm-toned. Meanwhile, the blue shaker-style cabinets and purple blinds are both from the same cool-toned color family. The result is a kitchen that is unusual but still visually consistent – pulled together by brushed nickel fixtures and a splash of red throughout.

7.    Farmhouse Style

Practical, comfortable, and welcoming, farmhouse interior design makes for stylish country living. Unlike the ‘country’ kitchen styles, however, farmhouse design eschews the cozy preciousness embraced by the former. Instead, it embodies utility and durability while remaining sophisticated and sleek. In the kitchen reference photo, you can see that this homeowner is doing just that. The crisp white paint paired with the chocolatey wood floor makes for an elegant combination, while the vertical slats on the walls and across the ceiling are vaguely reminiscent of barn board. The kitchen is rounded out with beautiful yet functional elements like industrial-style pendant lighting, open shelving units, sleek stone countertops, and shaker-style cabinets. Although this farmhouse kitchen has elements of softness, its angular shapes and cool coloring keep it from sinking into dated kitsch.

8.     French Country Style

Unlike the standalone ‘country’ style, the French country style is regional, specific, and simple to define. It has the feel of a traditional kitchen, with beautiful, intricate details and large statement pieces like stunning range hoods and elegant drop lighting. But aside from just being oh-so-fashionable, the French country kitchen is also highly functional. Yes, there are plenty of decorative accents and details, but almost everything in this kitchen has a purpose. Some French country kitchens go for a more glamorous and sleek look, while others prefer a softer, rustic aesthetic. But either way, this style is tasteful, chic, and never boring.

The French country kitchen above is both subdued and incredibly unique: the farmhouse style cabinets are relatively simple, but the color scheme of browns, light pinks, and buttery yellow combine for a fantastic finished product. The exposed brick wall, muted-yet-colorful tile, and intricate backsplash make this kitchen unforgettable. Any raised panel cabinet door will help you achieve the look and style of a French Country kitchen.

9.     Industrial Style

You always know industrial interior design when you see it. That’s because it’s not particularly common in suburban homes. Sure, homeowners often adopt industrial elements into their modern and transitional kitchens, but a purely industrial kitchen is far rarer to see. But much like eclecticism, those who embrace this unique style truly love it. Industrial designs typically use muted color palettes, and black, grey, silver, brown, and white tones are particular favorites. It’s known for its rough-and-tough aesthetic, using materials that you might associate with a construction site. Concrete, metal, natural stone, and wood are commonly used materials, and you may even see exposed bricks, piping, beams, and pillars – like the ones in the industrial kitchen above. 

10.  Mediterranean Style

Light, breezy, and romantic are all words that can characterize a Mediterranean-style kitchen. With Mediterranean design, you’ll often see light, neutral color palettes that utilize soft creamy tones – off-white is more common than true, bright white and light wood tones like ash and honey. Geometric tile and mosaic work also make a regular appearance in Mediterranean kitchens. Although there is no actual tile in the kitchen in the photo above, there is a brick-style grid covering the window, hinting at geometric tilework. The simple slab cabinets, gorgeous wooden countertops, and matching wood hardware imbue the kitchen with a sense of peace, while the abundance of flora gives it that lush Mediterranean feel.

11. Mid-century Modern Style

Mid-century modern style was born out of an early 20th century aesthetic movement called Bauhaus. It was immensely popular from around the 30s to the 70s—although once again, it depends on who you ask—though its heyday was undoubtedly in the 1950s. Mid-century modern was (and still is) characterized by open-concept layouts, ‘honest’ materials, simple, unornamented design, and functionality. Like Asian-inspired design, mid-century modern is all about harmony with nature and is best complemented by wood tones and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in lots of natural light. You can see those windows of full display in the sample kitchen, along with the curved detail on the island and matching slab cabinetry—a perfect display of the ‘clean line’ tenet beloved by mid-century modern designers. Simplicity and minimalism abound, although its sage green cabinets, rich blue furniture accents, and bronzy metallic tones ensure that this kitchen is a feast for the eyes.

12. Minimalist Kitchen Styles

We use the word ‘minimalism’ a lot when it comes to interior design, but true minimalism is characterized by visual austerity and lack of extraneous architectural frills and furniture. This is the definition of bare-bones decorating, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t take effort and coordination. With this style, you’ll find an abundance of clean lines, both straight and curved. Minimalist spaces typically adhere to neutral color palettes with minimal variation. To keep the area looking as visually streamlined as possible, only a handful of colors are used throughout, or you may see one color in several hues. In the kitchen above, you can see all the wood is matching, and the only contrasting colors are also neutral tones: silver in the fixtures, cream in the surfaces, and charcoal in the furniture and the unique slide-front shelf/cabinet.

13. Modern Style

Based on their names, you might think that modern and contemporary kitchen styles are the same – but they’re actually quite different. Contemporary style is modern by today’s standards, while modern style is more closely aligned with the aesthetic of the 1970s. It’s minimal and fuss-free, and while it does often adopt a neutral palette, it also doesn’t shy away from the use of bold block colors. It embraces simplicity and industrial materials and clean, geometric lines, moving away from the frills of the past. Modern style can be quirky, but it can also be clean, classic, and timeless.

14. Retro Style

When people think of retro design, the first thing that comes to mind is a retro 1950s-style diner. Retro style invokes the aesthetic of a time long gone, but it might not be as dated as you think! In fact, checkerboard floors keep cycling back into fashion. Although we associate square linoleum checks with the rockabilly era, checkerboard floors have been around pretty much since time immemorial (i.e., the diamond-checked marble floors in the Palace of Versailles). Tessellated tile can be surprisingly versatile, but try pairing it with some other vintage design elements for the perfect retro look. Pastel hues—like butter yellow, baby pink, powder blue, and mint green, for example—can be used in the cabinets, paint, or backsplash, as seen above. Curved shapes in both the architecture and furniture are a must, and cute vintage lighting, like the drop pendant shown above, can make all the difference.

15. Rustic Style

Rustic design is all about going back to our roots. It’s about embracing nature and simplicity and giving new life to old materials. You’ll rarely find bold colors, manufactured materials like plastic, or extravagant detailing in a rustic-styled home. In the color palette of a rustic home, you’ll find neutral tones like brown, grey, grey-blue, cream, tan, beige, olive, and terracotta. Stark white and black hues are less common but not unheard of, especially as an accent color. More natural textures, like jute, wool, leather, linen, wood, and unpolished stone are favorites of rustic designers. These kitchen styles are simple and unornamented, but nonetheless comfortable and stylish. Basically, a rustic home should be the visual equivalent of a warm hug. 

16. Scandinavian Style

The Scandinavian style could be described as an aesthetic blend of rustic and minimal, similar to movements like mid-century modern. Scandinavian style hails from—where else—the Scandinavian countries of northeastern Europe and primarily focuses on a home’s simplicity and comfort. In Scandinavian-style homes, you’ll see a combination of soft, neutral hues, nature-inspired materials, and cozy textures. There’s nothing too stark or sharp here, just clean lines, neutral tones, and earthy materials like wood and fabric, though this style also doesn’t shy away from modern technology like the digital oven shown above. Utility and comfort are at the heart of all things Scandinavian, and the design style is also influenced by the Danish lifestyle phenomenon known as hygge. You’re likely to recognize the Scandinavian style as the calling card of the global mega-brand, IKEA.

17. Shabby Chic

One part repurposed vintage, one part modern styling, 100% chic. Shabby chic is all about the art of upcycling, and the finished product is a space that evokes styles of the past with a modern twist. The best way to do shabby chic in your own space is to start with a light and/or neutral wash on the walls. This gives you the most flexibility when it comes to adding accents and furniture pieces. In the sample kitchen, you can see that the homeowner used exposed brick covered with white paint (a shabby chic staple) as the backdrop for the rest of the space. Then, they added a white island, bar, and mission-style cabinets layered with wood, black and white accents, and green and purple pastel shades. The distressed wood island topper paired with the vintage-inspired furniture sets this kitchen off to perfection.  

18. Southwest Style

This design style is inspired by the American Southwest and takes many of its aesthetic cues from Spanish, Mexican, and Native American cultures. This style is dominated by a warm color palette consisting of neutrals (cream, tan, beige, brown, and black) and saturated shades (terracotta, red, blue, yellow, and green). Southwestern design is both eclectic and cohesive, and you’ll see plenty of patterned materials, including tile mosaics—shown in the southwest kitchen above—adobe pottery and woven fabric. Navajo and Mexican cultures both use prominent graphic patterns, which often appear in Southwest-style blankets, rugs, furniture, and decorative hangings. Wood and wicker are also commonly used, and architectural lines are typically square and blunt.

19. Traditional Kitchen Styles

The traditional design pays homage to the grandeur and elegance of European aristocrats’ homes. If you look closely, you’ll see refined details that you might associate with the architectural styles of old. Crown molding, carved wood, polished natural stone, symmetrical design, and embellished curves are just a few. In essence, the traditional style is luxurious and, in a word, regal. The color palette is typically neutral but warm and often features dark, heavy wooden furniture pieces, like opulent desks and tables and cushy, upholstered seating. Flourishes abound, and traditional kitchens have an affinity for beautiful detail, even if it’s not always utilitarian.  

20. Transitional Style

Transitional style seamlessly combines traditional with modern. It’s a happy medium that imbues a space with both elegance and functionality. It’s more likely than its traditional counterpart to eschew flounces and flourishes, but it still maintains the same essence of luxury. Instead of warm color palettes, you may see more cool tones, including whites, greys, grey-blues, and silvers, which may bring a hipper and more modern feel to the space. The transitional style doesn’t shy away from metallics and likes to bring a hard edge of innovation and modernity to the otherwise soft and opulent traditional style. This is a perfect style for homeowners who want to maintain a balance between trendy and elegant.

What’s your style? Are you funky and chic, or luxurious and classic? Do you embrace over-the-top, or do you keep it minimal?

Once you’ve found the style that feels like home, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with Fast Cabinet Doors and bring home your style today!

The post 20 Kitchen Styles to Inspire Your Next Remodel appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

Today we’re going to outline some of our favorite kitchen organization ideas. Let’s dive in!

Top 15 Kitchen Organization Products and Ideas

Kitchens tend to have some common problems where design is concerned. Ultimately, you want to make the best use of the space and eliminate any dead zones where possible. Here are a few highly practical ideas to help you optimize every aspect of your kitchen design, even in small spaces.

1.     Pie-Cut Lazy Susan

Corner cabinets are kind of a necessary evil for kitchen cabinetry. They aren’t particularly functional, and they’re notoriously difficult to organize. So even though they must be there to create the ideal kitchen layout, they can be a real pain in the butt when it comes to storage. Pie-cut lazy Susans are a practical solution for the oft-maligned corner cabinet zone. 

You’ve likely heard of the tabletop lazy Susan, but the pie-cut is designed specifically for corner cabinets. Our corner cabinet lazy Susan consists of two fully rotating pie-cut lazy Susan shelves. The notched unit fits snugly inside the corner cabinet when the door is closed, but the shelves spin when opened, allowing easy access to everything stored inside. High-quality, sturdy, durable, cost-effective, and easy to install, the pie-cut lazy Susan is ideal for those tricky kitchen corners.

2.     Natural Wood Full Circle Lazy Susan Set

If the pie cut isn’t your cup of tea, why not try the natural wood full-circle lazy Susan set? Much like its pie-cut counterpart, it features fully rotating lazy Susan shelves, but it has three shelves instead of two and lacks the other’s triangular notches. This makes it ideal for any cabinet—corner or otherwise—and makes it oh-so-simple to access all your stored items and make the most of the available space. As a side note, this unit is perfect for taller cabinets.

3.     Heavy Duty Mixer Lift

Are you tired of hoisting your kitchen mixer from cabinet to countertop? Sure, it’s a helpful tool to have, but it’s also extremely heavy, and getting it out of storage can be a chore—especially if it’s stowed behind your daily-use appliances.

At Fast Cabinets, we’re pleased to stock a product that will help you eliminate organizational mixer mix-ups. Our Heavy Duty Mixer Lift cabinet unit is a chrome mechanism specially designed to hold up to 60 lbs. of weight. It can be attached to any custom-built shelf and is easily stowed away inside any cabinet. When in use, the stand mixer cabinet lift opens right out of the cabinet, bringing your mixer to the perfect countertop height. With the mixer lift cabinet unit, it’s easy to use and stow your device without having to lift a finger.

4.     Cabinet Door Mount Adjustable Spice Rack

Stow your spices stylishly with Fast Cabinets’ cabinet door spice rack. Simple yet stylish, this product makes it easy to organize your spices and keep them handy to the work zone while keeping them tucked away from the hustle and bustle of your kitchen.

Made from wood, this cabinet door-mounted spice rack comes with three vertically adjustable shelves. Each shelf is attached with a simple but sturdy metal hook, making it simple to customize the shelf height when needed. The unit also comes in various widths, so there’s a spice rack to fit every shape and size of cabinetry.

5.     ST50 Series Spice Tray

For a different way to stow your spices, we also carry the ST50 Series Spice Tray. Rather than hanging your spices on the inside of your cabinet door, the spice rack drawer tray allows you to lay your spices flat while using tiered racks to keep them visible and organized. Although slightly less customizable than its hanging counterpart, the spice tray drawer insert is still a budget-friendly and straightforward solution for your spice storage woes.

6.     White Polymer Tip-Out Tray

Are you tired of countertop clutter? If so, you’ll love Fast Cabinets’ kitchen cabinet tip-out tray. This product is designed to install on false front panels and is perfect for storing sponges, scrubbers, and other unsightly kitchen tools. Our tip-out trays for cabinets are made from white polymer and can be cut and custom-sized to almost any cabinet. This product also comes with two molded end caps that can be easily removed for simple cleaning. With our kitchen sink cabinet tip-out trays, it’s so simple to keep your counters clean: just stow and go!

7.     Pull-Out Cookware Organizer

If you’ve ever had to extricate a piece of cookware from a drawer full of loose pots and pans, you know what an absolute racket the process can be. Not only are pots and pans challenging to store because of their weight and shape, but they’re also extremely loud. One wrong move can turn your delicate stack of cookware into a tumbling Jenga tower, accompanied by a din loud enough to wake the dead.

Thankfully, Fast Cabinets make it easy to store your pots and pans, thanks to our Pull Out Cabinet Cookware Organizer. With its two independently operating wire racks, the base cabinet cookware organizer is a revolutionary way to store your heavy kitchen goods. This product was designed with weight in mind: the wireframe is built to hold 100 lbs. while fully extended. The top shelf is perfect for organizing your lids, while the bottom tier is built with adjustable dividers for storing even your heftiest pots and pans. 

8.     Knife Block

A good knife block can be a stylish accessory for your countertop, but not everyone enjoys having their knives displayed in plain sight. For those folks, Fast Cabinets has the perfect solution. Our in-drawer knife block keeps your utensils neatly organized and hidden from view. And if you have young ones in the house, having your kitchen sharps carefully stored provides much-needed peace of mind. 

The block’s ready-made design features three sleek compartments and 19 blade slots of various sizes, and its drop-in installation is incredibly simple. Beyond that, our wood knife block drawer insert is easily customizable: you can select your finish and dimensions, so the unit fits seamlessly into your existing cabinetry. This makes your kitchen organization a breeze!

9.     Wooden Pull-Out Bottom Mount with Waste Container

Kitchen organization goes beyond your drawers and hard to manage cabinets. Our pull-out trash drawer makes it cleaner, easier, and more sanitary than ever to get rid of the garbage. This sleek, slide-out waste disposal solution is super customizable: you can choose the number and size of your bins, as well as the motion of the slide closures. You won’t have to worry about the drawer slamming shut, even under the heaviest of loads!

The trash can pull-out drawer features unique bottom-mounted units and pre-assembled door-mount brackets for incredibly simple installation and use. With a design this sleek, you’d never know it’s used to store the trash.

10.  Pull-Down Shelving System

Are your kitchen shelves too high up to reach? If you’re tired of fetching the step stool every time you need to retrieve something off the upper shelves, then this kitchen organization solution is for you. Fast Cabinets’ pull-down upper cabinet shelves are designed for simplicity and ease of use, no matter how tall or short you are. 

With its super-stable and smooth range of motion, this two-tiered wire shelving unit pulls down 11.5 inches. To accomplish this task, our cabinet pull-down shelving system features a unique gas-powered lifting and lowering mechanism, which means you don’t need to worry about rattling any dishes loose while you’re using it! This unit comes in two different sizes and includes both side and bottom brackets for easy mounting.

11.  Door Mount Foil Rack

Why keep a stack of foil rolls in your pantry when you store them in Fast Cabinets’ door-mounted rack? Free up precious space and stow your foil in style with our beautiful wooden foil storage rack. Available in different sizes with adjustable mounting brackets, this unit is as simple to use as it is nice to look at.

12.  Cutlery Drawer Insert

Organize your utensils in these elegant cutlery tray inserts for drawers. The simple wooden design and multi-compartment storage is an affordable and practical way to keep your utensils neat and tidy. With two sizes that can be trimmed to fit any drawer and breezy drop-in installation, this unit suits all kitchens.

13.  Pull-Out Removable Cleaning Caddy

With our cleaning supply caddy, you’ll never again have to scour the house looking for your cleaning products. The pull-out kitchen cleaning caddy organizer with a carrying handle is incredibly handy and makes it so simple to store all your necessary products in one place. 

Tracks install directly in the cabinet for easy access, but the caddy itself lifts out so you can bring it with you where you need to go. Its unique shape makes it possible to store the caddy alongside plumbing pipes, plus the top tray is removable. And on top of its adjustable size, the caddy is still big enough to hold a handful of product bottles and a roll of paper towel. 

14.  Pull-Out Pantry

Does there never seem to be enough room in your pantry? With our pull-out pantry, you’ll never cry those blues again. This unit’s sleek, streamlined design is both fashionable and functional. It’s solid and durable and features a soft-close door, so you don’t have to worry about slams and jams. The pantry is constructed of gorgeous wood and has two adjustable shelving units that extend right out of your cabinet. It’s incredibly accessible and practical without having to compromise an ounce of style.

15.  Cabinet Door Mount Cutting Board Storage

Our cutting board door mount storage unit stows your cutting boards neatly out of sight but instantly handy when you need them. This Rev-A-Shelf unit features hardwood side brackets, coated support racks and comes complete with mounting hardware and a high-quality maple cutting board included. Nice enough to mount on the outside of your cabinets but made to keep them tucked away, this cutting board storage rack is roomy enough to fit additional cutting boards, baking sheets, or similar-sized items.

Have you found the perfect solution for your kitchen organization? We have hundreds of kitchen cabinetry products at Fast Cabinets, all designed to help you create an organizational oasis in your home. If you didn’t find what you’re looking for on this list, be sure to browse our cabinet organization collection to see what else we have in store.

The post Kitchen Organization Products appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

In any case, there is something to be said about the appeal of simplicity, which you definitely get in a galley. Here are some galley kitchen ideas that will help you decide if this style is right for you and what to do with it if it is.

What is a galley kitchen and why should you have one?

A galley kitchen or corridor kitchen is a kitchen that’s long and narrow, typically running on both walls of a narrow room. Because kitchen features like cabinetry and appliances take up a lot of depth from the wall, the resulting space resembles a corridor. A galley kitchen may be open at both ends or may cap itself off or lead to an exterior door. Generally, galley kitchens will have upper and lower cabinets, long countertops, and a full array of appliances.

Because they’re smaller, galley kitchens are typically cheaper to design and build than other layouts, but smaller isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Many cooking enthusiasts enjoy the convenience of having supplies, ingredients, and appliances all close at hand. A well-designed galley will have key services clustered in a way that makes food preparation and cleanup much more comfortable and convenient.

Choosing a galley kitchen can enable you to dedicate more square footage to other rooms of your home. The reduced counter area and floor area can dramatically reduce your costs and allow you to upgrade your countertop and flooring materials and other features of the kitchen. Optimizing the space with high-quality materials is a great way to maximize your return.

Things to Consider When Designing a Galley Kitchen

There are a few minor drawbacks to a galley kitchen. If you have two or more chefs in the home who like to work simultaneously or if the kitchen is a major hot spot for your family, a galley kitchen might not be right for you. Also, if you tend to spread out and use a lot of counter space when you’re cooking or doing family activities in the kitchen, you should consider the reduction in counter space.

There will also be less storage space unless you have an exterior pantry, so consider the volume you tend to store in the kitchen. And finally, if you’re remodeling because you’re planning to sell, you should be aware that galley kitchens have a lower resale value than other kitchen layouts. Buyers tend to prefer a visually open kitchen. Here are some things you can do to optimize your galley kitchen design.

Bare Necessities

The more features you add to your galley, the less space you’re going to have. Strip it back to the bare essentials: refrigerator, cabinetry, stove and oven, sink, dishwasher and pantry optional. If you start installing islands and breakfast nooks, you’re going to end up with a feature-rich kitchen that no one can fit in.

Galley Kitchen with Island

If you really want a galley kitchen with an island, there are a couple of ways to go about it. You can install a mobile island that can be simple rolled out of the way when space is at a premium. You could opt for a half-wall or even no wall on one side and use that space for an island. We’ll get more into one-wall kitchens in just a moment.

Choose your sink carefully

If having a giant sink isn’t a top priority to you, save some space by scaling it down. You can fit in the big, dual-basin sink if you just have to have it, but you’ll have to sacrifice some space for it. You’ll find that under-mounted sinks provide the same volume capacity without taking up unnecessary counter space. Drop-in sinks have lips and sometimes built-in rims that sit on top of the counter and have to be sealed there, eating away at more of your precious kitchen space. A modestly-sized, under-mounted sink will maximize your countertop savings.

Cabinet Design

A lot of galley kitchens have upper cabinets that run all the way up to the ceiling to create more storage space inside. It’s a great storage solution, but it can make your kitchen feel looming and imposing. By putting some space above the cabinets, you can make the room feel bigger and less claustrophobic. Use a nice cabinet door design that breaks up the vertical reach and don’t forget to design inside the cabinets. Use hooks, Lazy Susans, rolling shelves, and any other tricks you can pull out to optimize your storage space.

How much walkway do you need?

Take some time to consider what’s comfortable for you and your family. Will anyone need to get through the kitchen in a wheelchair or walker? Will you have to squeeze past each other when passing? If you have to, stand side by side with a family member and measure how much width the two of you have together. Then, start your galley kitchen design with the walkway width that’s comfortable for you and work outwards. If you can’t seem to make it work, try opening up one wall and using the other wall for features, fixtures, and appliances. More on that later. Keep in mind that if you create too big of a walkway, you’ll start to diminish the efficiency that galley kitchens are known for.

Don’t cramp your style.

Darker shades on large surfaces tend to make rooms feel smaller, perhaps because of the reduction in reflected light. Using lighter and brighter tones will create the illusion of a more open and airy room. Lightly stained or natural, light-colored woods like bamboo and birch are perfect for galley kitchen cabinetry. Stick to white or very light appliances and fixtures.

Kitchen Layout Ideas: How to Design a Galley Kitchen Along One Wall

One-wall kitchens are hugely popular right now and it’s because removing that wall, figuratively speaking (mostly), opens up a whole world of versatility and potential for personality. You see one-wall kitchens a lot in apartments and condos with open floor plans, but we’re seeing them more and more in single-family dwellings. They’re efficient, spacious, affordable, and attractive, but they can be difficult to design for someone who’s new to the concept.

Think Workflow

Think about what you reach for when you’re cooking, making your morning coffee, or preparing a snack. What about when you’re cleaning up? Think about when your hands are full or covered in soap suds. One way to make the most of the space is to put the sink between the refrigerator and the stove. This also helps your fridge dissipate its heat since it’s not near the stove. If you’re going to have a dishwasher, put it next to the sink on whichever side is most convenient for you to load it from.

Chop your wall in half

No, not the wall with your kitchen on it. The other wall. If you’re working with a corridor space and you want to design a one-wall kitchen to create more breathing room, find out if your opposite wall is weight-bearing. If not, talk to your contractor about cutting it in half or even removing it completely.

Close the space with an island.

If you’re not working with a corridor space but you are designing a one-wall kitchen, consider whether an island could help section off your kitchen area, provide more space for food preparation, and create additional storage. If your space is open but limited, consider a mobile island that you can push out of the way depending on your family’s activities. A mobile island will also allow you to adjust your work triangle for optimal kitchen efficiency.

Kitchen Dining Combo

Want more prep space and seating? A strategically-placed dining table next to your one-wall kitchen can break up the space and provide more work surface, just like an island, but with comfortable and inviting seating that’s hard to get in a galley or one-wall kitchen design.

Go Big on Storage

If you’re worried about storage space, there are definitely things you can do to solve the problem. Floor to ceiling cabinetry is one option that can provide more storage space than many medium-sized, multi-wall kitchens have. If you’re interested in chic design, find a nice, antique wall hutch. Italian kitchen styles are very popular in 2021, meaning you can hang your most beloved pots and pans around your walls and ceiling, throw in some open shelving, and call it a theme.

Light it Up

Inadequate lighting is a great way to make all your efforts to expand your small kitchen fall flat. Go big with lighting. Get pendants, tracks, under-cabinet lights, recessed lighting, and something nice over the table or island. You saved on flooring and cabinetry, so you can spend on lights that will brighten and open the entire room. Use bulbs with a high lumen rating where you want the brightest lighting.

Not sure if a galley kitchen is right for you? Take a look at these 10 Kitchen Design Ideas to inspire your remodel.

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