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How To Design A Family-Friendly Kitchen

If you have children, chances are your dream kitchen is a family-friendly kitchen. From a large kitchen island for prepping meals and baking cookies together, to durable flooring that is easy to keep clean, let’s tackle how to design a family-friendly dream kitchen that is equal parts form and function.

Kitchen Island
A large kitchen island anchors a family-friendly kitchen design. If you have a large crew, this must-have feature offers extra seating for young children and teens, whether it’s breakfast time or a place to do homework after school. A kitchen island also provides extra countertop space for preparing dinner together as a family, baking a yummy dessert, or working on craft projects. Choose from bar height or countertop height, and add stools accordingly.

Cabinets
Quality cabinets are vital in a family-friendly kitchen. Choose cabinetry with a durable finish that can withstand daily wear and tear and can be easily cleaned, especially if you have young children. Whether you opt for a painted or stained finish, look for custom cabinetry that is built to order.

At Willow Lane Cabinetry, we have a large selection of quality custom cabinets to choose from, with standard features like premium I-beam construction, solid hardwood doors with a full overlay design, and dovetailed drawer boxes with undermount, soft-close, full extension glides. Talk about family-friendly features!

Countertops
For a truly family-friendly kitchen, choose a durable, low-maintenance, easy to clean material for your countertops. Good options include natural stone like Granite or Quartzite, engineered stone like Quartz, and man-made Acrylic Solid Surface, which is warm to the touch and non-porous to prevent bacteria from penetrating the surface. These materials are all scratch, heat, and stain resistant, making them ideal for busy families.

Flooring
Don’t cry over spilled milk. When you have children, the flooring you install in the kitchen should be resistant to water damage (and other spills kids tend to make). Tile and vinyl plank flooring are perfect options for kitchen floors because they are strong, easy to clean, and waterproof. Best of all, they come in a variety of styles, including realistic options for homeowners who want the look of wood with family-friendly durability.

Family-Friendly Finishing Details
A family-friendly kitchen isn’t complete without a tile backsplash to protect the walls from cooking messes. You’ll also want a large kitchen sink for washing dishes, and a kitchen hood to remove odors and improve the air quality for your family. Add inside cabinet accessories to keep your kitchen organized, such as a heavy-duty mixer lift for baking, a Lazy Susan, and a pullout waste container to keep trash safely behind closed doors.

Are you ready to make that dream kitchen a reality for your family? Take advantage of our free room design service to customize your family-friendly kitchen and maximize your space.
Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free, plus all the accessories needed to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

5 Reasons Why Brown Should Be Your Favorite Neutral

In contemporary kitchens and throughout the home, neutral color palettes reign supreme. Soothing and suitable for both small spaces and seamless open concept floor plans, shades of white and gray are trendy and offer a clean backdrop for furniture and decor.

But what about brown? Earthy and elegant, brown adds warmth and depth to white and gray. Without it, we wouldn’t have Perfect Greige, Agreeable Gray or Accessible Beige — three of the top paint colors recommended by interior designers in our favorite home magazines and on our favorite home improvement shows.

While these colors blend white, gray and brown beautifully, true brown is also a stunning interior color in its own right. If you’re still not convinced, here are five more reasons why brown should be your go-to neutral when decorating or remodeling your home.

A Blank Canvas: Like any neutral, brown can serve as a blank canvas. In other words, it sets the foundation for colors and patterns that can be changed with trends and seasons. In particular, shades of brown serve as a compliment to soft pastels and various vibrant hues, and allow these colors to truly pop — whether it’s on point pale pink throw pillows or navy blue bedding.

Back To Nature: Brown layers beautifully with popular natural fiber accents, such as sisal area rugs, linen window treatments, and woven seagrass baskets. It also pairs well with other organic elements, such as potted houseplants, stone countertops, and hardwood flooring.

Very Versatile: In terms of paint, brown hues runs the gamut from light to dark. Brown is comfortable and cozy on it’s own, but it can also be used as an undertone to add warmth in paint colors that would be otherwise be too cool or sterile for an inviting home.

Traditional Yet Trendy: All wood cabinetry is a classic, from solid birch raised panel cabinets in a rich nutmeg or espresso finish to contemporary kitchens that feature clean-lined shaker cabinets in dark brown. Pair all wood cabinetry with brown backsplash tile and oiled rubbed bronze hardware for a modern, monochromatic look.

Always In Fashion: Brown is one of those classic colors that will never go out of style, so you can feel confident in your decision, whether it’s timeless Middlebury Brown on the walls of your home office, saddle brown leather sofas in the TV room, or all wood cabinetry in the kitchen and bath.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free, plus all the accessories needed to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

5 Universal Elements Of A Contemporary Kitchen

Each kitchen theme is defined by specific elements, and contemporary kitchens are no different. This particular theme represents the different styles that gained popularity during the second half of the 20th century. Since inspiration was borrowed from so many different time periods, it can be difficult to pinpoint what exactly is contemporary design. Let’s learn some of the universal elements that characterize contemporary kitchens, so that you have a clear vision when you design your own kitchen.

Neutral Foundation

While it is very common to find splashes of bold color in contemporary kitchens, the color scheme tends to be predominantly neutral overall. Think all white except for a red backsplash along the countertops or a blue chandelier hanging above the kitchen island. The incorporation of color is meant to have an artistic significance rather than be dominant in the color scheme. Contemporary color schemes tend to include very muted shades, including white, cream, taupe, gray, and brown. This creates the perfect neutral foundation to build upon.

Full Overlay Cabinets

Contemporary kitchen cabinets appear seamless. To achieve this uninterrupted look, very little or none of the door frame will be visible. Slab front or Shaker style are the most popular contemporary kitchen cabinets because they offer that simple, clean look. Some homeowners opt to eliminate hardware to accomplish true minimalism, but that’s up to your personal preference.

Natural Inspiration

Natural elements are prevalent in contemporary kitchens, and they can be incorporated in a variety of ways. From stone countertops on your modern kitchen island to water-resistant, wood-look ceramic flooring, there are many materials found in nature that fit perfectly into contemporary design. This is also true for kitchen fabrics, such as your window curtains or upholstery. When possible, opt for natural fabrics and accessories, like cotton, wool, jute, sisal, and silk.

Geometric Shapes and Interesting Lines

Geometric shapes are a major element within contemporary design. Since this style became popular in the 1970s, it is not surprising to find some Art Deco inspiration present. You’ll also notice the use of both straight and curved lines. Imagine an arched entryway followed by a kitchen layout full of straight, horizontal lines. To achieve this imbalance in a beautiful way, set your sights on a few eye-catching elements such as a round, modern kitchen island or a hexagon Carrara marble backsplash. Then keep the rest of the lines in the room straight and clean.

Bright Light

A contemporary room is filled with bright, natural light. If you can achieve this with windows or a skylight, you’ll be ahead of the game. However, sometimes you must rely on artificial lighting to mimic the sun’s presence. This is best accomplished with great ambient lighting from recessed lighting, track lighting, and wall-mounted fixtures. Accent and task lighting will complement your ambient lighting and bring attention to key areas like your modern kitchen island or a breathtaking piece of art. Your lighting is also an excellent way to include more geometric forms into your contemporary design. Elect shapely fixtures such as squares, diamonds, triangles, or rectangles. These lighting fixtures will help to define your kitchen’s theme as well as light up the room.

The Top 5 Trending Interior Design Colors For 2020

Let’s talk about color. Each year, the top paint manufacturers and color experts select a Color of the Year to inspire us as we move forward into the next 12 months. This year, choosing a single color was no small task. Not only did January 1st start a new year once again, but also a brand new decade filled with possibilities. Whether you are looking for a wall color to compliment your new custom cabinets, or are simply wanting to make a change in home decor, here are the five top trending interior design colors for 2020.

Naval

Sherwin Williams has named Naval SW 6244 as its Color of the Year for 2020. Rich and restful, this dusky shade of navy blue makes a striking foundation for walls when paired with white all wood cabinetry, natural stone countertops, and gold-toned metal cabinet pulls.

Back To Nature

Behr’s Color of the Year is Back to Nature S340-4, and anchors their list of color trends for 2020. This soothing, balanced green is light and earthy, and is a refreshing choice as we approach the spring season. It is also a neutral, versatile shade that pairs well with white, light and dark all wood cabinetry finishes.

First Light

Benjamin Moore’s pick for Color of the Year is a soft, understated pink hue that is anything but babyish. First Light 2102-70 feels fresh and modern, and is the star of their Color Trends 2020 Palette, alongside subtle shades of pale blue, green, yellow, and gray. First Light compliments dark brown and gray cabinet finishes, and marble tile.

Chinese Porcelain

Hand selected by PPG Paints, Chinese Porcelain PPG1160-6 is a moody shade of blue that is both luxurious and serene. Suitable for both traditional and contemporary homes, Chinese Porcelain compliments crisp white custom cabinets and stainless steel accents in the kitchen, such as major appliances, kitchen hoods and sinks.

Classic Blue

The color experts at Pantone are kicking off the new decade with a timeless choice for Color of the Year. Classic Blue (Pantone 19-4052) is tranquil, elegant, and reminiscent of the evening sky. According to Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director at The Pantone Color Institute, it is “a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on.”

6 Home Design Style Trends To Watch In 2020

This New Year’s Eve starts a new decade, and as we forge ahead, it seems design trends are taking inspiration from the past with an up-to-date twist. From the sweetly nostalgic Schoolhouse to the sublimely clean and simple Scandinavian style, here are six home design trends to watch in 2020.

Schoolhouse

Schoolhouse style incorporates industrial fixtures, and warm wood tones. Decorative items like framed vintage maps, collections of globes on the open shelving of your TV room cabinetry, rustic furniture and kitchen cabinet finishes, metal pendant lights, and antique schoolhouse clocks all add a touch of whimsy and nostalgia to the home.

Southwestern

Once popular in the 1990s, today’s Southwestern style has moved past textured terracotta walls, cow skulls and feathered accents. This new take on an old favorite is all grown up, with an eclectic charm that blends warm, earthy hues, dark kitchen cabinet finishes, and bold, geometric patterns.

Farmhouse

Modern Farmhouse style is cozy and soothing, with soft, neutral colors, and rustic, natural materials. The clean lines of gray or white Shaker cabinetry suit the Modern Farmhouse aesthetic, and are a popular choice in modern kitchen design today. A shiplap wall treatment, natural stone countertop, apron front sink, and classic subway tile backsplash are all key elements of the Modern Farmhouse movement.

Art Deco Revival

If The Great Gatsby is your favorite novel, you will surely love this Art Deco Revival trend. Classic architectural details blend seamlessly with glamorous gold-tone metal, luxurious fabrics, and rich colors like Classic Blue, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2020. High-contrast finishes, marble flooring, and bold, geometric patterns complete the look.

English Cottage

Charming, comfortable and classy, the new iteration of English Cottage style features vibrant colors for a modern twist. Glazed kitchen cabinet finishes, cup pulls, airy open shelving or glass front doors, and a large kitchen island are a must, along with cozy upholstered furniture, floral fabrics, and antique furniture finds.

Scandinavian

Clean lines and cozy elements epitomize Scandinavian style. Light wood tones, faux fur, organic materials like warm wool or soft cotton, plush knit blankets, and a neutral, monochromatic color palette are all hallmarks of this minimalistic yet popular design style.

Now that you’ve learned a little about these different home trends to watch in 2020, which one would you incorporate into your home and modern kitchen design?

Modern Kitchen Backsplashes For The New Decade

Modern kitchen design almost always includes an eye-catching backsplash. In fact, we believe there is no better compliment to our contemporary kitchen cabinet finishes and styles. As we move forward into the new decade, here are a few of our favorite modern backsplash selections that will surely make a splash in your new kitchen.

Midnight Black: Let the countdown to your new kitchen begin! Midnight Black subway tile is crafted from ceramic, making it a low-maintenance, durable choice that will surely last for years to come. The deep black hue and beveled edge offers a bit of drama, especially when paired with white kitchen cabinet finishes in a high-contrast design.

Ice Subway Tile: Cool and current, 4” x 12” Ice Subway Tile puts a contemporary twist on a classic white subway tile kitchen backsplash. These crystalized glass tiles feature a modern, soft white tone and a sleek, glossy sheen that suits modern style sensibilities.

Giallo Crystal Onyx: Backed in mesh for easy installation, our Giallo Crystal Onyx tile features rich yellow tones of honey and gold. With a polished finish and visual texture, these lovely tiles would enhance the warmth of medium and dark wood kitchen cabinet finishes.

Champagne Bevel: As sophisticated as a glass of New Year’s Eve bubbly, our Champagne Bevel glass subway tile has a warm brown hue and beveled edges that add depth and character. These tiles are also backed in mesh and reflect light beautifully in a modern kitchen design.

Cinnamon Glass: Cinnamon Glass subway tile showcases a rich brown hue reminiscent of strong espresso. This 3” x 6” glass mosaic tile blends well with natural stone and has a glossy surface that is easy to clean. It pairs beautifully with a wide variety of contemporary kitchen cabinet finishes, from light to dark.

Arctic Ice Glass: Icy white, crystalline glass is a gorgeous update on an old favorite. Featuring a 4” x 12” subway format, our Arctic Ice Glass tile catches and reflects light, making them suitable for even the smallest contemporary kitchen space.

Metallic Gray Glass: Gray is a huge player in modern kitchen design — from cabinets and countertops to flooring and backsplash tile. Our handcrafted Metallic Gray Glass subway tile is right on point, with a mid-tone gray, glazed hue and crystallized glass that reflects light throughout the room.

How To Make Homemade Trail Mix Without Leaving Your Kitchen

Homemade trail mix is one of those great grab and go snack ideas that not only satisfies your hunger, but also satisfies your taste buds! The perfect blend of crunchy, chewy, salty, and sweet ingredients, homemade trail mix is healthy and easy to make — right in your very own kitchen!

As an added bonus, homemade trail mix is easier on the wallet than store-bought varieties. All you need are a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen pantry cabinet. So go ahead, get creative! Once you know how to make homemade trail mix, you can whip up a batch for those marathon holiday shopping trips and another for gifting!

Ingredients

Homemade trail mix is designed to be eaten by the handful, so think small when shopping or raiding your kitchen pantry cabinet. Common ingredients for homemade trail mix include:

Nuts (Walnuts, Almonds, Pecans, Cashews, Pistachios, Macadamia Nuts)
Seeds (Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds)
Peanuts (Spanish, Dry Roasted, Candied)
Breakfast Cereal (Granola, Flakes, O’s)
Chocolate Chips (White, Semi-Sweet, Milk Chocolate)
Carob Chips
Butterscotch Chips
Peanut Butter Chips
Mini Marshmallows
M&Ms
Shredded Coconut
Banana Chips
Raisins and Other Dried Fruit (Apples, Cranberries, Apricots, Blueberries, Papaya, Pineapple)
Crystalized Ginger
Candied Orange Peel
Rye Chips
Cheese Crackers (bite-sized)
Pretzels (mini pretzels, pretzel sticks)
Wasabi Peas
Popcorn

Instructions

Nothing could be easier than making homemade trail mix. Simply spread out the all ingredient packages across your kitchen island countertop, scoop out each individual ingredient into a large mixing bowl, and gently combine all the ingredients with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.

Depending on the ingredients you choose (sweet or savory), you can also season your homemade trail mix with spices from your door mounted spice rack or wood spice tray, like sea salt, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, curry powder, or Cayenne pepper.

Homemade trail mix will keep for up to a month when stored properly in Mason jars (for gifting) or an airtight container (for your enjoyment). If you’re making a large batch, it’s best to keep your trail mix in the refrigerator instead of in the kitchen pantry cabinet. Small batches can be bagged into individual portions for grab and go snacking during the busy holiday season.

5 Thanksgiving Appetizers To Serve Before The Main Course

Dream kitchens are created for holiday hosting. Whether you’re serving a formal sit-down dinner at the dining room table or a casual buffet on your kitchen island, a good host always starts the evening with a few appetizers. The goal is to whet the appetites of your guests without spoiling it. Here are few of our favorite Thanksgiving appetizers to serve before the main course. Light and delicious, these festive party starters will surely leave them wanting more.

Sweet Potato Bites

We found this sweet recipe at Delish, and we can’t think of a better (or sweeter) way to start your Thanksgiving feast. A deconstructed, bite-sized version of the sweet potato casserole, this appetizer consists of sweet potatoes sliced into thick rounds and drizzled with melted butter, maple syrup, and a sprinkling of salt. Topped with one toasty marshmallow and a single pecan, these little morsels are too cute not to love. For the full recipe from Delish, click here.

Cheese Ball Bites

Another bite-sized version of a holiday staple, these mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Bites will be your new dinner party favorite. For this easy to follow recipe from I Am Baker, click here. Fun to make and fun to eat, this poppable appetizer is packed with the savory flavors of cream cheese, Cheddar cheese and ranch seasoning, rolled with crispy bacon, fresh chives and chopped pecans. Serve with crackers or add a pretzel stick as an edible serving tool.

Cranberry Salsa

Chips and dip are a must on any appetizer menu. Salsa is a light and healthy choice when compared to heavy, creamy dips like spinach, crab, or asiago cheese. For Thanksgiving, give your homemade salsa a festive twist by swapping out whole cranberries and orange zest for tomatoes. Sweet and spicy, you’ll also need sugar, fresh cilantro and chopped jalapeno peppers. For the complete recipe from Taste of Home, click here.

Butternut Squash Tartlets

If you have a mini muffin tin and a food processor in your kitchen cabinets, you can make these adorable homemade tartlets that feature an autumn favorite — butternut squash. Topped with crumbled Feta cheese and finely chopped parsley, this appetizer looks impressive but is actually quite easy to make. For the recipe and step-by-step instructions from Good Housekeeping, click here.

Roasted nuts are also a great way to get the holiday dinner party started. Click here for Roasted Nut Recipes For Fall And Winter Snacking from our recent blog, and keep a few bowls on your kitchen island or home bar for holiday guests to enjoy. Happy hosting!

Home Design Trends To Watch This Fall

Autumn 2019 is officially underway! As we head into the holiday season, keep an eye out for these home design trends that are perfect for fall and winter — and maybe incorporate a few into your home, as well.

Fall and winter interiors should be warm and inviting, but if that magazine quality look is on your holiday wishlist, your home should also be stylishly on point. If you want to get your home spruced up for the months ahead, grab your pumpkin spice latte, curl up on your TV room sofa with a warm blanket, and read on!

Temporary Seasonal Touches

Now that the weather has turned colder outside, it’s time to warm things up inside. If your home has a neutral, monochromatic color scheme, it’s easy to add warmth by decorating with pops of seasonal color. Otherwise, pick a festive shade that compliments or is pulled from your existing palette.

Trendy fall and winter shades include:

Yellow: Gold, Mustard, Sunflower, Ochre
Orange: Pumpkin, Rust, Sienna, Copper
Brown: Taupe, Caramel, Cinnamon, Walnut
Red: Cranberry, Candy Apple, Burgundy, Magenta
Purple: Plum, Violet, Mulberry, Wine
Blue: Cobalt, Navy, Slate, Cyan
Green: Chartreuse, Sage, Emerald, Olive
Gray: Charcoal, Dove, Greige, Pewter

Change out those natural linen throw pillows and thin cotton blankets for chunky knit throws and rich fabrics (think velvet and tweed) in one or two of these fall and winter hues. You can also add a touch of seasonal color in the home with dinnerware, window treatments, towels, area rugs, and table linens.

Stylish Home Updates

If you want to update your interior in a more permanent way, Willow Lane cabinetry offers a wide selection of beautiful home and kitchen cabinet finishes, including shades of warm brown and gray. We also offer colorful backsplash tile, countertops, and other accessories to complete that magazine quality look on your holiday wishlist.

To end 2019 with a home that is perfectly on point, here are a few more seasonal home trends to watch:

Mixed Metals: Light Fixtures, Faucets, Hardware, Kitchen Hoods, Kitchen Sinks
Large-Print Wallpaper: Botanicals, Buffalo Check, Graphic Shapes
Rustic Kitchen Cabinet Finishes: Heather Gray, Dark Gray, Honey, Cinnamon Glaze
Industrial Elements: Cabinet Pulls and Knobs, Light Fixtures, Vessel Sinks
Handcrafted Goods: Pottery, Art, Furniture, Chunky Knit Blankets
Natural Textures: Jute Area Rugs, Burlap Table Runners, Wool Throws, Stone Countertops
Plaid Patterns: Tartan, Buffalo Check, Shepherd’s Check, Houndstooth
Reclaimed Wood: Farmhouse Kitchen Table, Barnwood Open Shelving

How to Design A Kitchen For Holiday Hosting

The holidays are all about celebrating family, friends and food — which means your kitchen is about to become the center of attention very soon. Get ahead of the last minute hustle and bustle, and start making the changes you need now so that you can focus on being the host with the most when your doorbell rings.

From how to maximize the space you have to the best tricks for organizing a kitchen pantry cabinet, here are some tips for designing a kitchen that can accommodate your guests this holiday season.

Install a kitchen island to create a better traffic flow while also increasing your storage and countertop space.

When your kitchen has only one place to enter and exit, you’re likely to encounter a traffic jam whenever you have company. By installing a kitchen island, you are actually able to create a second entryway and a more organized traffic flow.

Kitchen islands come in all shapes and sizes. There are even beautiful portable options and smaller kitchen carts available. Because of the extensive selection, you can easily find an option that fits perfectly into your kitchen.

The added bonus of a kitchen island is that it also increases your storage and countertop space. This is a lifesaver when your normal dinner party doubles or triples in size. You can use this area to set out food buffet style or allow guests to linger without crowding your prep space.

Create an organization system that cuts down on clutter and simplifies entertaining.

When you think of your dream kitchens, what is the one thing that none of them have?

Clutter.

Having a place for everything is crucial if you want to design a kitchen for entertaining. In other words — storage is king. It’s impossible to host during the holidays when it takes 20 minutes to find your vanilla extract or your countertops are completely covered.

There are so many ways you can set yourself up for organizational success when designing your kitchen. First is by making sure you have the right cabinets for your kitchen. Send your information over to our design team and we’ll create a custom layout for you that will be functional for your space.

From there, utilize inside cabinet accessories so that everything from your trays to your spices are organized and easy to find. When organizing a kitchen pantry cabinet, your best bet is to separate items by category. Some people prefer to organize by color or size, but when you organize by category, it simplifies grocery shopping and makes it much easier to find what you’re looking for. No stress for this host!

Build a home bar where guests can self-serve while you entertain.

A well designed home bar where guests can serve themselves is an amazing asset for any host. Not only does this reduce traffic in the main kitchen area, but it allows guests to truly feel at home.

The last thing a guest wants to do is constantly bother the host. By creating ways for guests to be autonomous and enjoy your offerings independently, there’s no need for you to be a helicopter host.

Most kitchen sizes can accommodate a home bar, and you don’t need a lot of space to build a great drink station. Even the smallest nook can be transformed into a fully functional wet bar that will take your next holiday party to a whole new level.