The Case for Custom Cabinets

When remodeling a kitchen, custom cabinets will make a huge difference in the overall functionality of your space.  Some people elect to only refinish the front of their cabinets during a remodel.  While this does save money, it won’t yield the full benefits of a complete kitchen remodel that include making your life a little easier.

Whenever you design something you are able to take into consideration how you use the space.  Where you store your spices, the type of food you cook, and how you move about the kitchen all play into design decisions.  The challenge with existing cabinetry is that they weren’t designed with you in mind which can lead to a lack of functionality.

Here is how custom cabinets can help you.

·         Everything in its place.  When designing your cabinetry we will discuss with you all of the pots, pans, dishes, spices, bowls, food, silverware, appliances etc. that you use.  Your design plan will include a functional location to store each of these items.  The design should make it easy to access what you need, when you need it.  This will also save you time when putting dishes away.

·         Correct height.  If you are tall or short, the standard counter height may not meet your needs.  When your kitchen is customized we can build it to your specifications which will make cooking more comfortable.

·         See what you are storing.  We can install pull out drawers inside of your cabinets so that you can see what you are storing inside.  This will save you from digging through a dark cabinet in search of your favorite bowl.  Everything is brought into the light, instead of you digging.

·         Correct width.  Do you have a lot of placements or a special silverware holder?  If so, standard drawers may not be wide enough.  We can ensure that drawers are designed to fit these special items.

·         Pan storage.  Pans can be extremely messy.  If you like to bake, you probably have a lot of pans and cooling trays.  Placing them inside of a flat drawer doesn’t make sense.  Our stand up storage solutions can organize your pans so that they can be categorized and easily located.

·         Maximize small spaces.  Every corner, nook, and cranny can be utilized when you have custom cabinets made.  No space is wasted because we are able to come up with creative design solutions.

·         The right color.  Functionality is important but so is design.  Each homeowner has their preferred color choice when it comes to wood.  Your cabinets can be completely customized to fit your homes design and showcase your personality.  You can add whimsy be selecting fun or unique knobs and drawer pulls.

·         Electrical.  We can install electrical outlets into on the counter appliance garages so that you can use your toaster without taking it out of its hiding spot.  These little extras will keep your kitchen looking clean and fresh.

There is a huge variety of options to choose from when designing custom cabinets for your kitchen.  We are the home remodeling experts and can help you to identify exactly what you need and install them without a hitch.  Call us to learn more or to schedule an in home consultation. 

Ideas for Your Bath Remodel

Spring is an excellent time for a bath remodel.  The weather is warmer, the windows can be open, and a new bathroom will make your home feel refreshed.  While bathrooms are typically one of the smaller rooms in your home, they get a lot of use, and a nice one can make your daily routine far easier.

There are several things to consider when remodeling your bathroom.  Ask yourself who will be using the space, what their storage needs are, how many people will be in there at the same time, and what the bathroom will be located next to.  Once you have narrowed down how your bathroom will be used, you can have a discussion with your contractor about what you need.

Here are our favorite bath remodel ideas.

·         Custom Tile Showers.  We can build a custom tile shower that is unique to your individual design preference and how you use the shower.  For example, if you enjoy trying ten different types of shampoos you will need several built in shower shelves.  If you like to relax in the shower, a bench can provide a place to sit.  Tiles can be selected that are stunning and simultaneously practical.  This is one high end feature you do not want to go without.

·         Ventilation.  Bathrooms have a lot of moisture.  If you have a larger family, with multiple people showering, it becomes especially important to have plenty of ventilation in your bathroom.  Older homes were often made with only a small ceiling fan or no fan at all.  Whenever we do a bathroom remodel, we identify multiple ways to add ventilation like a strong ceiling fan and installing a window that can be opened. This will also help to keep the air circulating and fresh.

·         Towel Storage.  Most families have a linen closet in the hallway.  This isn’t very practical for when you are ready to shower and need a towel.  We can install built in towel storage that looks like cubbies.  Your towels can be rolled up, stored, and grabbed exactly when you need it.

·         Laundry Hamper.  How many times have you seen dirty socks and underwear on the floor?  Installing a laundry hamper in your bathroom can solve this problem.  A removable canvas bag can help you to transport laundry when you are ready to do the wash.  Think of it like you would a built in kitchen garbage can. This has the same functionality, only for your laundry.

·         Heated Floors.  Your toes will feel nice and warm during cold winter months when you have heated tile floors to step onto.  This is a solution that can also cut down on your heating bill during the winter.  They are good for any room in your home with tile floors.

·         Double Sinks.  If you have children, even your hallway bathroom should have double sinks.  Getting kids ready for bed, when everyone is vying for the sink can be a frustrating exercise.  Installing double sinks will help with the commotion, and there are ways to do it, without taking up a lot of space.

Whether you need practical design solutions or ideas for creating a bathroom fit for a princess, we can help.  We are bath remodel experts so call us today for your in home consultation. 

Whether you need practical design solutions or ideas for creating a bathroom fit for a princess, we can help.  We are bath remodel experts so call us today for your in home consultation. 

We’re Experts at Kitchen Remodeling in New Orleans

Quality Kitchen and Bath specializes in kitchen remodeling in New Orleans.  Kitchens are our passion, and we are able to turn our client’s dreams into a reality, and better.  Our designers start by listening to our customer’s needs and learning about their lifestyle and how they use the kitchen.  Using this information, we are able to come up with a plan that turns an ordinary kitchen into a dream come true.

Here are some questions we ask before starting a remodel.

How many chefs are in the kitchen?

If you enjoy cooking with your spouse or children, your kitchen needs to have plenty of open space for multiple people to walk around and work on different aspects of a meal.  We can also install solutions like a pot filler on an unused counter so that one person can start dinner while the other is doing the dishes.  Creative design solutions make it comfortable to have multiple people in the kitchen at the same time.

What colors do you enjoy?

Your kitchen can be a soothing neutral landscape, or we can integrate your favorite colors into a tile backsplash, the kitchen cabinets, and even granite countertops.  There is no reason to have a boring kitchen.  We are experts at kitchen remodeling in New Orleans and can use your kitchen to express your personality.

What type of food do you like to cook?

It is important to understand the type of food you cook and how you prepare it.  For example, a family that creates more complicated meals may need a double oven or a six burner stove to make sure the kitchen has the right amount of appliances to cook each element of the meal at the same time.

Is the kitchen the gathering place?

If we visited your home on a Thursday evening would we see homework on the table, a computer humming, and someone cooking dinner while another stood around chatting?  The more people the merrier, but it is our job to make sure there is enough space to make your gathering place comfortable.  When completing kitchen remodeling in New Orleans, we will often incorporate additional seating into our design ideas.  This could be at a large kitchen counter or in the form of built in bench seating.  We will often build in office nooks where the computer, printer, bill paying station, and homework landing place can be integrated but out of the way.

Do you entertain often?

If you like to entertain the kitchen needs to do double duty by functioning for normal family life and parties.  We can install features like a warming oven to keep appetizers the perfect temperature while you mingle or create a space large enough for an industrial refrigerator that can hold party platters.  Entertainers may also appreciate special kitchen cabinets that are easily accessible for storing serving platters and other party dishes.

By understanding your family’s needs, we are able to create a customized space that lives up to your expectations.  We are experts at kitchen remodeling in New Orleans because we focus on the appearance of the kitchen and how well it functions during everyday life.  Call us today to learn more.

New Features for Custom Cabinets

Cooking, cleaning, and storing is easier with custom cabinets.  New features are adding a new level of functionality to kitchens that maximize your time in the kitchen.  No more digging through dark cabinets or drawers to find what you are looking for.  New cabinets are not only beautiful, but they are more functional which will save you time.

Here are our favorite new features.

1.       Glass doors.  Place glass doors on your cabinet that holds cups, plates, and coffee mugs.  This makes it easy for guests to find commonly used items during a visit or dinner party. 

2.       Tray storage.  This is a must have. Baking pans, pizza trays, and cookie sheets can make a huge mess and digging through them in the middle of dinner prep can be a pain.  A tray storage cabinet solves this problem by enabling you to store your trays standing up. You can see exactly what you have and grab it in the moment.

3.       Lighting.  Under cabinet lighting can be installed so that you can see your counter and cooking surface easily.

4.       Drawer dividers.  Instead of throwing your utensils into one large open drawer, you can have drawer dividers installed.  This means you will have a place for the ice cream scoop that is separate from the can opener and spatulas.  Now every member of the family will be able to find what they are looking for.

5.       Deep drawers.  Shallow drawers are only useful for utensils and tin foil.  Because of this they often are used for the infamous junk drawer.  Installing deep drawers will enable you to store pots in an easy to access space that is also easy to keep organized.

6.       Full extension drawers.  These drawers are installed inside of your cabinet and pull out completely.  Instead of digging for a cup that is in the far back of your cabinet, custom cabinets let you pull out the base and easily access what’s inside.

7.       Spice organization. We can install custom spice organization space that lets you see exactly what you have.  This can work similar to wine storage in a crisscross pattern.

8.       Lazy Susan.  This classic corner storage will never go out of style.  A corner cabinet is installed with a rotating plastic base that maximizes what you can store while making it easy to access.

9.       Built in pantry.  Regardless of how large your kitchen is a built in pantry can be installed using a tall floor to ceiling cabinet with full extension drawers.  This is a practical solution for kitchens that aren’t big enough for a walk in pantry.

10.   Built in microwave.  We can install your custom cabinets to house your microwave and get it off of the counter.  This will look better and free up prep space for the chef.

Custom cabinets are an easy way to transform the look and feel of your kitchen.  With so many colors and beautiful materials to choose from, this is a must have in any kitchen remodel.  Make sure that your new cabinets do more than store things.  They should make it easier to stay organized and clean up.  Our custom cabinets do this and more.

Gorgeous Granite Countertops for Your Home

Quality kitchen and bath an install granite countertops in your home and bring additional beauty to your kitchen.  Granite countertops come in a variety of colors and patterns.  They are a high-end addition to your kitchen that will brighten up the entire space.

Granite is a naturally occurring stone that has been formed out of magma. It is mined in locations throughout the world and since it is naturally formed each pattern is unique and different.

Granite is Extremely Durable

One of the many reasons homeowners have granite countertops installed is its extreme durability.  It can stand up to heat, won’t stain easily, won’t crack either.  This is a huge benefit for the chef because you can take a pot directly off of the stove and place it on the counter without needing a pot holder to set it on.  It also makes clean up much easier than if you have laminate countertops that soak in stains and are difficult to keep looking fresh.

Unique Patterns

Granite is an ideal solution for homeowners that want a fresh and unique space.  Since granite is a natural product it isn’t made in the lab, therefore, each slab of granite is unique and different from the next.  Even if you and your best friend selected a similar shade of granite countertops they would still look unique and different from each other.

They Sparkle

Granite countertops sparkle and shine when the sunlight hits them.  The crystals inside the stone will dance in the sun, creating a stunning centerpiece for your kitchen.  Have a sunlight installed over your granite island and enhance their natural beauty year round. 

Granite is Affordable

Granite can cost less than other stones like marble.  If you don’t have the budget for solid granite countertops, you can also consider having granite tile installed.  This is a budget friendly way to get the look of granite without the cost of having single piece slabs installed.  It won’t look as elegant but is a good compromise.

Very Sanitary

If you are concerned about germs, granite is an excellent choice.  Some materials will soak in bacteria, making it extremely difficult to clean them.  Granite won’t absorb the bacteria and, by leaving it on the surface, you can easily remove dirt, grime, and germs with a standard kitchen cleaning solution.

Accents your Design

Since granite is a multicolor surface, it will enhance and accent your overall home design.  Unlike a solid color kitchen counter, granite will look good when you change the paint color, refinish the kitchen cabinets, or stain the hardwoods.  It’s dynamic appearance makes granite countertops a compliment to all styles of homes. 

If you have been dreaming of remodeling your kitchen, now is an excellent time to do so.  There are a wide variety of granite options to choose from, and new kitchen appliances are turning this functional area of the home into a high-tech paradise.  The kitchen can become the center of your home by turning into a gorgeous space that is also highly functional.  Call us today at 504-733-2588 to learn how. 

Ten Ideas for Your Kitchen Remodel

You can easily update your home with a kitchen remodel.  Your kitchen is often the most used room in the home.  It is where families gather for meals, homework, socializing, and hanging out.  While this room gets a lot of traffic it also takes a lot of abuse making a remodel necessary to keep the room looking fresh and modern.

Here are ideas you can incorporate into your renovation.

1.       New appliances.  A kitchen remodel is not complete without fresh, modern appliances.  This is your opportunity to install energy efficient, functional pieces that will make your life easier.  Imagine a dishwasher that washes faster and quietly and a stove that cooks food in less time, all of this is possible with modern technology.

2.       Touchless faucet.  Avoid germs by installing a touchless faucet on your sink.  Cutting meat, for example, can leave germs on your hands that will then be transferred to your faucet. This is a sanitary way to wash up.

3.       Pull out drawers.  Are you tired of digging in dark cabinets while searching or the perfect pot or pan?  Pull out drawers makes it easy to see exactly what is inside your cupboards and to stay organized. 

4.       Smart refrigerator.   You can now have a refrigerator that keeps track of your grocery list and even plays music.  This high-tech feature is extremely convenient and makes sure you never forget the eggs.

5.       Warming oven.  This is a fantastic addition for people with large families or those that like to entertain.  A warming oven can keep your food at the perfect temperature while you are making additional dishes in the regular oven or on the stove.  It is ideal for keeping appetizers warm before the party so that you can mingle and pull them out at the perfect time.

6.       Island cooktop. This will free up additional space and allows you to cook while spending time with family and guests that are seated at the island.  A large island can accommodate a cooktop, counter space, cabinets, and seating.

7.       Pot filler.  Kitchen sinks can easily fill up with dishes and become crowded.  Have a separate pot filler installed so that you can fill the spaghetti pot with water, without needing the sink to be empty.  This is another feature that allows for multiple cooks to be in the kitchen without stepping on each other’s toes.

8.       Appliance garage.  If you are tired of appliances like your mixer or toaster being on display, you can have appliance garages built.  They are like a cabinet except the door rolls up like a garage would.  That way you don’t have to take them out in order to use them. 

9.       Electronic station.  Have a section installed for your electronics.  This could be similar to the appliance garage with electrical outlets.  Make sure you have room to charge your phones, put the iPad on display and more.  Easy access to electronics will help you to access your recipes.

10.   Sound system. Make cooking more fun by installing speakers in your kitchen.  You can rock out while doing the dishes.

When planning your kitchen remodel consider how you and your family uses the space. Things like the number of cooks, how many people should sit at the island, and the food you like to prepare should all be taken into consideration when speaking with our designers.  We can turn your kitchen into something gorgeous and functional.