Replace Your Countertops:  This option is a touchy subject.  Many people automatically think it has to be inexpensive to replace your countertops and it can be, but when you’re replacing a countertop, you might as well plan on a new sink, faucet, and garbage disposal.  This is especially true if you’re changing from laminate to granite or quartz.  Not to mention, laminate and granite are typically not the same thickness, so if you have tile for your backsplash, you may end up with a gap between your new top and your existing tile if your installer has failed to do his homework.  Many times, it’s impossible to salvage a tile backsplash depending on how it was originally adhered to the wall. 

 If your cabinets are older than 12 years, we recommend considering cabinet replacement since you’re replacing a countertop for a few reasons:

1. You have the perfect opportunity to change any cabinet layout or poor kitchen designs. 
2. Once you have your countertops removed and your plumbing disconnected, you have already spent over half the labor amount it would take to get brand new cabinets. 
3. Customers have told us in the past that their existing cabinets look out of place or dated with a brand new expensive countertop sitting on top of them.

 If your cabinets are 14-20 years old and you’re considering a new countertop, you would be foolish to not consider new cabinets.  Think five years down the line when your cabinets are falling a part and now you have to pay someone to come out, remove your new counter without breaking it, and you’re locked into the same layout you originally had.  One thing is certain; replacing the countertop without replacing old cabinets beneath it will not provide the same return on investment as replacing the countertop along with the cabinets. 

 A word of caution:  we recommend that you not replace countertops in an effort to sell your home.  While it can make your kitchen look a little nicer, chances are that your taste in countertop material and your potential buyers’ taste in countertop material aren’t the same.  The new homeowner is most likely going to tear your new counter out anyway and re-do the kitchen.  Save your money to invest in your next home, and let your buyers do what they want to your existing kitchen.

II.  Update the appliances:  Many kitchens out there are in really good shape and need very little updating.  This is especially true if you invested in quality products and solid design the first time you remodeled.  Granite is pretty much a lifetime product and many cabinets carry lifetime warranties on their better built lines.  Appliances, however, have a limited lifetime.  In fact, according the National Association of Home Builders Housing Facts, the average appliance will have a lifespan of thirteen years.  Assuming you’ve purchased quality products, your cabinets and countertops should certainly outlast your appliances. 

If you think about it, it makes sense…appliances are the most ‘technological’ items in kitchens today.  They have computer chips, electronic sensors and some of the more expensive products have networking capabilities so you can set your oven to begin preheating before you leave the office.  Considering these facts, it should be no surprise that appliances can often have high failure rates or limited life spans.  Fortunately, most appliances have standard sizes available so replacement should be relatively easy.  Notice that I say replacement should be relatively easy.  There has to be a catch, right? 

Although most appliances are fairly “standard” there is no guarantee that the new in-wall oven you purchase will have the same ‘cut-out’ dimension that your old one had.  If you replace a cook-top in your granite counter top, you may have to have your granite fabricator come back to make the cut-out slightly wider or deeper.  It’s possible that the new cook-top is taller, so drawers beneath it may have to be notched or the sides may have to be scooped.  Perhaps the connection for the gas line is on the right of your new unit and your old one had a gas connection on the left.  Again a drawer may have to be notched at back to accommodate this.  What if you want to add a refrigerator that has ice and water in the door and your old refrigerator didn’t have one?  Now you need to get a plumber involved and have him install a water line behind your refrigerator, which probably won’t be inexpensive if the floor and walls have already been installed.  This is why professional kitchen planning and design is so essential.  If you’re remodeling and think you may have a need for something in the future, have it installed during the remodel.  Trust me; it will be far less expensive than having it installed at a later date.

You can also add appliances where you wouldn’t have thought to earlier.  Occasionally, we find ourselves replacing a customer’s regular kitchen drawer with a warming drawer.  Again, it’s something that is easier to do during a remodel, but as long as we can get an outlet behind the cabinet and the drawer is the appropriate width, it’s do-able.  Again, when it comes to any type of kitchen remodel, proper design and planning are the keys to a successful project.

A down economy provides about zero enjoyment for anyone.  I don’t care who you are, ask around and you’ll find that most people you know have had to make changes or ‘tighten their belt” when it comes to their spending this past year.  The same is true for people who have been considering remodeling.  I’ve been in the kitchen and bath industry for a long time and statistically, when new home construction goes down, remodeling goes up.  Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for this current recession, which is a shame.  Not because I work in this industry, but because a lot of people are missing out. 

 In case you have been living in the dark ages, it is a widely known fact that kitchen and bath remodels can carry the biggest return on investment when it comes to home improvement.  Now, this is only true when the project has been done properly; meaning quality products and labor have been used because you can spot a poorly executed remodel from a mile away.  The fact of the matter is that any time you put money into your home; you’ll most definitely recoup a good amount of your original investment at some point in the future.  Add to that, a ton of manufacturers have been offering tremendous discounts and special offers over the past year or so to stimulate spending, resulting in one of the best times to consider remodeling. 

 Now, I understand that most people do not have a clue what an actual kitchen remodel costs, but a rule of thumb in the industry is to take 10-20% of your home’s value and that will give you a pretty accurate guide as to how much money you should anticipate spending on a full and complete kitchen remodel.  If you drop much below that figure, you risk sacrificing quality in some aspect of your project whether it is quality of product, quality of design and planning, or quality of labor.  For those who can’t spend the money for a full remodel, Thompson Price – Kitchens, Baths & Home has put together this series of posts as recommendations to update your kitchen or bath without spending a fortune.  The following material comes from a seminar we presented at the St. Louis Home Show a back in 2009 which was tremendously successful:

Thompson Price’s – How to Remodel a Kitchen or Bath without Spending a Fortune

I.  Replace (or add) cabinet hardware:  We designers tend to think of cabinet hardware (or knobs and pulls) as jewelry for your cabinetry.  It’s true.  A simple, yet elegantly styled knob or pull can really add to the overall appeal of your cabinets.  This is especially true if you don’t currently have hardware on your cabinetry.  What’s more, if you don’t have hardware on your cabinets already, the oils from your fingers can over time ruin the finish of those gorgeous cabinets of yours adding one more benefit to always having knobs or pulls on all of your doors and drawers. 

There’s a wide variety of cabinet hardware available from designer styles made from solid brass and constructed right here in the USA to cheaper knockoffs that are significantly less expensive but don’t have the same finish quality, are produced over in China, and will not last as long as some more expensive products.  Expect to spend anywhere from under a hundred dollars to several hundred dollars depending on type, style, material and finish for a kitchen with 20 doors and drawers.  Popular brands that Thompson Price recommends are Top Knobs, Jeffrey Alexander, Amerock, and Colonial Bronze. 

A quick precaution – should you decide to replace hardware on your own (especially if you have pulls or ‘handles’), make sure you measure your existing pulls from center to center because there are a few different common lengths available.  I would hate for you to spend money on nice kitchen cabinet hardware only to find that it doesn’t fit.

- Thompson Price

To start, let’s talk about the number one storage option for kitchens and baths…cabinets.  We all know there are endless choices for kitchen cabinet consumers out there, but many people don’t take advantage of some of the newer storage and organization options that most cabinet manufacturers offer.  “Accessories” as we call them in the kitchen and bath industry, can account for up to half of the cost of new kitchen cabinets, but the added functionality they provide can pay off in dividends over the life of your kitchen.  Let’s take a look at some of the more popular options:

1.  Deep refrigerator wall cabinet - This option in conjunction with an end panel can help your freestanding refrigerator mimic the look of a true expensive built-in refrigerator.  In addition to the look, you gain a full 25″ of concealed storage space above the refrigerator adding storage in your kitchen for items that you don’t need to access very often.  In my kitchen, I utilize this cabinet for a fondue set which rarely sees the light of day in addition to paper plates and cups that come down when I’m entertaining or barbecuing for family and friends.  Great storage, great look.

2.  Tray dividers and partitions – Picture yourself in your kitchen…where do you currently store your cookie sheets and cooling racks?  In a drawer horizontally?  Why not take advantage of tray dividers and partitions located in the cabinet above the oven?  It keeps the sheets and trays vertical making it easier to find what you need without having to dig through a pile.  If you feel this option may be too hard to reach, it also works great in a base cabinet next to a range or wall oven.  This is part of the reason why good kitchen design is so important for each individual. 

3.  Spice racks and spice drawers – If you honestly use your kitchen to cook or bake often, you realize the importance of having kitchen storage for your spices and having them neatly organized.  Pull-out spice racks, spice drawers, and door-mounted spice racks are excellent ways to keep all of your spices at hands reach while preparing your next delicious dish. 

4.  Lazy susans and other corner storage - Corners always pose problems in kitchen design but the key to efficiency is to bring the back of the cabinet to the front.  This is the fundamental reason why lazy susans are well worth the investment, especially well-built units with free spinning trays that won’t fall a part over time.  How about a 90 degree wall cut kitchen cabinet instead of a regular straight cabinet that dies into the corner?  It’ll cost you a little more, but look at all that storage you gain! 

5.  Roll-out trays - One of greatest things to happen to kitchen cabinetry.  In keeping with the concept of bringing the back of the cabinet to the front, roll-out trays or shelves are one of the most efficient kitchen cabinet accessories you can get.  Never again will you have to crawl into your cabinet to find objects at the back.  The better brands will offer full-extension units as well as easily adjustable units so you can fine tune your arrangement to best meet your kitchen storage needs.  Also take a close look at the construction of the actual tray…you’d be amazed at how it can vary between cabinet manufacturers. 

6.  Pull-out storage – It doesn’t matter what you put into those base cabinets of yours, there’s a storage option available that makes it easy to see what is in the cabinet and allow you to quickly and easily grab it.  These kitchen cabinet pull-outs are available in a variety of configurations, have adjustable racks and are also available in wood if you don’t like the contemporary look of metal.  Again, great units to have next to your cooking area and they’ll keep you from having to get on your hands and knees to see objects abandoned in the back of your kitchen cabinets. 

7.  Silverware dividers and other drawer options – It’s amazing how much additional space you can find in your drawers (not those drawers…your kitchen drawers) when you have a proper place for everything.  Consider kitchen cutlery dividers or knife dividers.  How about dish drawers with adjustable pegs installed in your base drawer cabinets?  Deep drawers work great for pots and pans or tupperware storage.  Most people rarely discuss safety in kitchen design and these are all excellent ways to keep shorter individuals and children from having to reach above their heads to get to large serving plates.  You should definitely consider full extension drawer glides to easily reach the back of the drawers.  Take a look at the images to the left – same cabinet…a 36″ base.  The first has two drawers, the second has one drawer with a partition.  The second is actually less expensive because you don’t have double the hardware plus you gain all that extra space.  Lastly, if you’re in a small kitchen with maybe two people in the home, why not go with a dishwasher drawer instead of the full 24″ dishwasher.  Not only can you run smaller loads and save water, but check out the size of that storage drawer beneath it.  Again…these are the differences between good professional kitchen design and poor kitchen design. 

8.  Trash and recycle storage – I think we all agree that trash cans in the kitchen are just not pretty.  Don’t worry…cabinet manufacturers have created multiple ways to keep your kitchen garbage neatly contained and out of sight.  Here we have two options:  a large double can pull-out which works great for families who use one for trash and the other for recycling OR the smaller single can for individuals with smaller kitchens.  It stores a nice amount of trash while maintaining a full drawer above it for storage of other items.  Either way, they both look great and you’d never know those gorgeous kitchen cabinets were hiding trash inside them.  BTW, if you aren’t recycling…you should be.   

I know this list is not nearly a complete list of all the kitchen cabinet accessories available, but it should be a good representation of some of the creative ways we can gain more efficiency and storage from those beautiful new cabinets.  Don’t forget, many of these accessories can be purchased individually and retrofitted into your existing cabinets.  Contact me or find a professional kitchen designer in your area for more information.  Please comment if you found it helpful and feel free to drop me a line if you need any help with your kitchen or bath project.  Again, happy National “Get Organized” Month and keep an eye out for more kitchen organization updates throughout January. 

Wishing you all a safe and prosperous New Year,

- TJ Price  

Outdoor cabinetry is almost an entirely different breed than indoor cabinets because it’s susceptible to the elements of mother nature; harsh winters with freezing temperatures up north, and relentless sandstorms and heat out west.  If you’re going to leave something outside year-round, you better make sure it can handle it.  Mitch Slater of Danver Stainless Steel Cabinetry was kind enough to enlighten us regarding his products.  Constructed from professional grade #304 stainless steel and available in 3″ increments, Danver provides products that are durable, easy to clean, and 100% recyclable and corrosion resistant.   

Of course, most outdoor applications would certainly not require as many cabinets as an indoor kitchen, but there is always a need for storage by your grilling or cooking area as well as a need for functionality.  I always recommend at least one drawer base for storage of your large barbecuing utensils and you can use another drawer to house dishes, spices or other items that you don’t want to head back into the house for.  I’ve also seen an increase in base cabinets with a trash can installed for easier cleanup.  Danver has a multitude of accessories available and for those who aren’t big fans of stainless steel, Danver has three new finishes available.  You can check out these new finishes and even lay out your own outdoor entertainment area at the Danver website.

I’ll leave you with Mitch Slater’s four reasons why outdoor kitchens are beneficial:
1.  They increase the home’s value, usable living space and functionality
2.  They offer advanced cooking options – cook over an open flame or smoke meat for home-cooked BBQ
3.  They allow you to spend more time with friends and family – with an outdoor kitchen, preparing meals and socializing with guest and family is now possible without having to spend time inside retrieving plates, food, tools, etc
4.  They provide year-round use. There are many options including outdoor fireplaces or portable heaters that allow use of the space no matter what the outside temperature or weather conditions

For more help with planning your outdoor living environment, contact me @ tj.price@thompsonprice.com or visit our website at ThompsonPrice.com.  As always, thanks for reading and don’t forget – sixteen more days to get your holiday shopping done.  I know…I don’t want to think about it either.  Happy holidays!

- TJ Price

Okay, a few new things around here:  First, we are in the process of revamping the website.  It should be up in a few weeks, so keep an eye out for that.  Second, our Holiday Kitchen displays are on now up in the showroom.  We’re showing both framed and frameless varieties and they look lovely!  Also, while we’re on the topic of Holiday Kitchens, both Holiday and Custom Wood Products are offering tremendous savings on new kitchen and bath cabinet orders received before January 1st.  If you’d like more information, feel free to e-mail me for more details.

That’s all for now.  I wish you all peace and happiness for the holiday season and please…don’t stress out.  Until next time,

TJ Price